Library Islam Islam: Faith, Practice & History Part III: History Lesson 48 5. Imam’s Letter to Ibn BÄbawayh al-Qummi
5. Imam’s Letter to Ibn BÄbawayh al-Qummi
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5. Imam’s Letter to Ibn BÄbawayh al-Qummi
‘Ali bin Husayn bin BÄbawayh al-Qummi, the father of the famous scholar Shaykh SadÅ«q, was a prominent scholar of his time. Imam Hasan al-‘Askari (a.s.) sent a letter which is enough to show his honour and dignity in the eyes of the Ahlul Bayt. After the preliminary text about praising AllÄh and the Prophet, the Imam wrote:
“...O respected and reliable Shaykh, and O faqih (jurist) of my followers, Abul Hasan ‘Ali bin Husayn al-Qummi, may AllÄh bless you with what He pleases and may He bring forth worthy sons from you.
“I advise you to fear [displeasing] AllÄh, to establish prayer and pay alms—because the prayer of one who does not pay alms is not accepted. I advise you to forgive the mistakes of others and control your anger, and to be kind and generous to your relatives, and to be helpful and concerned for your brethren, and to be patient in response to the deeds of the ignorant people.
“[I advise you] to be learned in religion, steadfast in your work, familiar with the Qur’an, and to acquire the noble character, bid the good and forbid the evil. AllÄh, the Almighty, says: ‘There is no use in much of your whispering except [in case of] one who recommends [others] to give charity or do good deeds or make peace between people.’
“Refrain from all bad deeds; and be diligent about the night vigil prayer (namÄz-e shab/salÄtul layl) because the Prophet (s.a.w.) recommended it to ‘Ali (a.s.) and said, ‘O ‘Ali, be diligent about the salÄtul layl; be diligent about the salÄtul layl; be diligent about the salÄtul layl. Whoever considers salÄtul layl as worthless is not one of us.’
“Therefore, follow my advice, and advise my Shi‘as what I have advised you with. You should have forebearance and be patient; verily the Prophet said, ‘The best deed of my Ummah is waiting for the deliverance.’ Our Shi‘as will constantly be sad and anxious until my son [Imam al-Mahdi] makes his appearance, the one about whom the Prophet had given good tidings that he will fill the earth with justice and equality just as it would be filled with injustice and tyranny.
“So O my trustworthy Shaykh, Abul Hasan, be patient, and advise my Shi‘as to be patient because surely the earth belongs to AllÄh and He will make his virtuous servants its masters—the final victory will be for the God-fearing people!
“May peace, mercy and blessings of AllÄh be upon you and upon my Shi‘as. Indeed, AllÄh is sufficient for us and He is the best of agents, the best Master and the best Helper.”
