He is One but not as number, and He is Manifest but not by way of associating; He is Evident but not by way of being visible. He is intrinsic but not by separation, and He is apart but not by distance. And He is near but not by proximity. (Imam Al-Ridha, attributed in Al-Amali, ch. 13, #4)

A variety of Islamic Republic of Iran TV channels can be viewed live online here - Don’t Believe The Hype !

The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his Family): “The people will live in prosperity as long as they cooperate with each other in enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong. However, once they stop doing so, their blessings will be taken away from them, and some will rule over others, and they will have no helpers in the heavens or on the Earth.” (Mishkat al-Anwar, # 243)

Al-Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubayd al Thaqafi led a major revolution against the Umayyid Yazid (la) seeking to avenge the killing of Imam Hussein (AS). This movement, and the role of Al Mukhtar has often been misunderstood even by Shias, primarily because of misinformation, and some unfavorable ahadith.

There are two lectures available on-line - both are worth listening to get a better understanding of this uprising against oppression and the ruling tyrants.

Mukthar Nama by Maulana Sadiq Hasan (Urdu)

Mukthar’s revenge on the tyrants of Karbala by Barrister Murtaza Lakha (English)

O you have attained faith, be securers of equity, witness for Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, or close relations, whether rich or poor. Allah is closest to both. Follow not caprice, so as to swerve. If you twist or turn, Allah is aware of the things you do. (Qur’an 4:135)

To seek one’s living by legitimate ways does not make you heedless of the next world! But if you say: We must hoard and monopolize, then you cannot be excused. (Imam Ali (AS) attributed in Al-Amali, ch. 16, #3)

Islamic “Sufism” or Tasawwuf traces itself back to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his Family) through Imam Ali (AS)- a few of the tariqas even have several of the ahlul-bayt Imams (AS) in their lineage. However, in most cases, they follow one of the four Sunni madhabs, and include little or nothing of the ahadith - or direct teachings - of the A’immah (AS).

Irfan is the word used for the inner self knowledge journey in the tradition of the ahlul-bayt - and while the distinction between “outer” and “inner” is not as separated in the Shia tradition - there are nevertheless teachers and scholars who have attained a profound and deep experiential knowledge about this inner world. Light Within Me is one of the more well known introductory books on Irfan, it includes the writings of Imam Khumayni, Allama Tabatabai, and Shaheed Mutahhari.

Another excellent resource, that I found out about recently, are a series of lectures by Sheikh Bahmanpour on Irfan: Self Awareness. These lectures provide a basic introduction in the light of the Qur’an and the ahadith of the ahlul-bayt, as well as the teachings of Shia mystics. Sheikh Bahmanpour is director of Islamic Studies at the Hawza Ilmiyya of London.