buying the life of this world
All who buy the life of this world at the price of the life to come – their suffering shall not be lightened, nor shall they be succoured! (Qur’an 2:86)
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Ya Imam Ali (AS)
The Holy Prophet asked at Ghadir Khumm, “Am I not more precious to you than your own-selves?”
In response to this question Muslims said “Yes, you are dearer to us than our own lives.”
The Prophet responded with, “O God, be witness to their admission. Ali is the master of one who acknowledges me to be his master. O God, love those who love Ali. Help those who help Ali. Desert those who desert Ali. I am the city of knowledge and Ali is the gate.”
learning from history
Imam Mohammed Al Asi speaks on Islamic history, Imam Khomeini and Zionist Muslims at the the Islamic Center of MOMIN in Dallas TX, at the annual program held in remembrance of Imam Khomeini:
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jadugar
Karachi beach theater – Teeth Maestro has more info. and pictures…
the skit was about a Jadugar (magician) who lodges himself indefinitely in the house of a poor family, promising to bring khushali (well being) and health, prosperity and jobs. But these promises are hollow and he becomes a burden to the family, by using their space, and eating most of their food . When asked about his promises, he demands that the family keeps dogs and build higher walls to secure the riches that are to miraculously fall upon them in the future.
After months of enduring his ?dictatorship?, the family decide to evict the jadugar. Not much has changed for them – the young son is still unemployed, and his grandmother has passed away. The skit ends with the actors engaging in the audience in a discussion about what is to be done with the jadugar. Most keenly responded that he must be thrown out with force. The skit was an allegorical reference to Musharaff?s dictatorship and his usurpation of resources and wealth that has contributed to poverty and class disparity in Pakistan.
(comment: Busharraf is, of-course, not the only character responsible for the usurpation of wealth and resources of Pakistan, that all existed b/4 he came along – he is just the latest mask. This time the mask is of “secularism” “modernity” “enlightened moderation” etc., another time it was the mask of darbari “islam” – royalty “islam”. Inshallah, time will come when all of these masks will be pulled off once and for all. )
creation and signs
And of the signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and hues: for in this, behold, there are signs for all who have knowledge! (Qur’an 30:22)
creation
Praise be to Allah who is well-known without being seen, Who creates without pondering over, Who has ever been existent when there was no sky with domes, nor curtains with lofty doors, nor gloomy night, nor peaceful ocean, nor mountains with broad pathways, nor curved mountain roads, nor earth of spread floors, nor self-reliant creatures. (Imam Ali (AS) Nahjul-Balaga, sermon #89)
certitude
Abu Ja’far Muhammad b. Ali al-Baqir, peace be upon him, said: Musa son of Imran, may Allah bless our Prophet (and his progeny) and him, said: He said: “O Allah! Who are the ones who will land in the sacred abode of yours?” He (Allah) said: “They are the ones whose eyes do not look (at all) at the world and they do not let out their secrets in faith and they accept no bribe to attain the authority. Certitude is in their hearts and truth is on their tongues. They are under My shield in this world and in the sacred abode hereafter, they will be with Me.” (Al Amali, Ch. 10, #1)
