Islam Guidance

In the book Kashful-Ghummah, as narrated by Faidh al-Kashani, from Umar that when the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) was asked as to what voice did Allah (S.W.T) speak to him during the Journey (Ascension), the Prophet replied:
My Lord spoke to me with the voice of Ali Ibn Abi Talib and said, O Ahmad! I am an Entity that is not like anything else. I cannot be compared to anything else and I know all the secrets of your heart. With the exception of Ali Ibn Abu Talib, you have no other close friend. Thus, I speak to you with the voice of Ali Ibn Abi Talib so that your heart will be at ease.

Ref: duas.org

'Once, the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) summoned Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain (A.S) and ordered everyone present in the house to leave. He then ordered Umme Salama to stand at the door so no one could come near it.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) then said to Ali (A.S):
"Come near me."
Ali came near as the Prophet asked; he then held Fatima's hand and put it on his chest for a long time, and held Ali's hand in his other hand. When the Prophet tried to speak, he was overtaken by tears and was unable to do so. Therefore, Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain cried when they saw him (P.B.U.H&H.P) crying.
Fatima (S.A) then said:
"Messenger of Allah! You have broken my heart and brought sorrow to me with your crying. You are the Master of all Prophets and the trusted Prophet of your Lord; you are the beloved Prophet of Allah! Who do I have for my children after you? Who do I have to protect me from the humiliation, which will inflict me after you? Who does Ali, your brother and the helper of your religion, have after you? Who is to (attend to) Allah's revelation and affair?"
Fatima then broke down crying and embraced him together with Ali, Hassan and Hussain (A.S). The Prophet raised his head, and while holding Fatima's hand, he placed it in Ali's hand and said:
'Abu Al-Hassan, she is Allah's and His Messenger's, Muhammad, trust to you. Therefore, keep Allah's and His Messenger's trust by protecting her. Surely I know you will.'
'Ali, this (Fatima) by Allah, is the Mistress of all women of Paradise; this, by Allah, is (like) Maryam al-Kubra.'
'By Allah, before I reached this state, I asked Allah (certain things) for you and I, and He surely has given me what I asked.'
'Ali, Execute that which Fatima commands you to do, for I have commanded her to (perform certain affairs) which Gabriel ordered me to do. Be informed, Ali that I am satisfied with him who my daughter is satisfied with, so is my Lord and the angels.
'Ali, Cursed is he who oppresses her; Cursed is he who usurps her right; Cursed is he who violates her sanctity..."
The Prophet then embraced Fatima (A.S), kissed her hand and said:
"May your father be your sacrifice, Fatima."
At that moment, the Messenger of Allah was putting his head on Ali's chest; but his love for Fatima kept driving him to embrace and kiss her repeatedly. He cried until his tears made his beard and shirt wet.
Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (A.S) began crying and kissing his feet; when Imam Ali (A.S) tried to separate them, the Prophet said:
“Let them smell me and let me smell them; Let them be near me, surely they will be afflicted with sorrows and difficult problems after me. May Allah curse him who abuses them.” O Allah!! I commend them to your protection and to the protection of the righteous believers."
Meanwhile, Fatima (A.S) was speaking to her father with a crying voice and saying:
"May my soul be your sacrifice! May my face prevent harm from your face! Father, can you not speak a word to me?! Surely I see the knights of death attacking you fiercely!!"
Allah's Messenger then said:
"Daughter, I am leaving you; thus, peace be upon you from me".

Source:
Fatima (S.A) the Gracious
By: Abu Muhammad Ordoni
P. 190 – 194

It was five years after the Muslims had accompanied the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and his family in the migration (Hijrah) to Medina, when the Holy Prophet's daughter, Hazrat Fatima (S.A), gave birth to a little girl.
When her father, Imam Ali (A.S), saw his daughter for the first time Imam Hussein (A.S), who was then almost three years old, was with him. The boy exclaimed in delight:
"O father, Allah has given me a sister."
At those words Imam Ali (A.S) began to weep, and when Hussein (A.S) asked why he was crying so, his father answered that he would soon come to know.
Fatima (S.A) and Ali (A.S) did not name their child until a few days after her birth, for they awaited the Prophet's return from a journey so that he could propose the name.
When finally the baby girl was brought before him he held her in his lap and kissed her. The Angel Gabriel came to him and conveyed the name that was to be hers, and then he began to weep. The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) asked why Gabriel wept and he answered:
"O Prophet of Allah. From early on in life this girl will remain entangled in tribulations and trials in this world. First she will weep over your separation (from this world); thereafter she will bemoan the loss of her mother, then her father, and then her brother Hasan. After all this she will be confronted with the trials of the land of Karbala and the tribulations of that lonely desert, as a result of which her hair will turn grey and her back will be bent."
When the members of the family heard this prophecy they all broke down in tears. Imam Hussein (A.S) now understood why earlier his father had also wept. Then the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) named her Zainab (S.A).
When the news of Zainab’s birth reached Salman al-Farsi, he went to Ali (A.S) to congratulate him. But instead of seeing him happy and rejoicing he saw Ali (A.S) shed tears, and he too was apprised of the events of Karbala and the hardships that were to befall Zainab (S.A).
One day, when Zainab (S.A) was about five years old, she had a strange and terrible dream. A violent wind arose in the city and darkened the earth and the sky. The little girl was tossed hither and thither, and suddenly she found herself stuck in the branches- of a huge tree. But-the wind was so strong that it uprooted the tree. Zainab (S.A) caught hold of a branch but that broke. In a panic she grabbed two twigs but these top gave way and she was left falling with no support. Then she woke up. When she told her grandfather, the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P), about this dream he wept bitterly and said:
"O my daughter. That tree is me who am shortly going to leave this world. The branches are your father Ali and your mother Fatima Zahra, and the twigs are your brothers Hassan and Hussein. They will all depart this world before you do, and you will suffer their separation and loss."

Source: Almujtaba Islamic Articles Page

This du-a'a known as "supplication of the youth stricken for his sin," is quoted from the work of Kaf-ami and from Muhaj al Da-wat by Sayyid ibn tawus.
Through Imam Hussain (A.S) it is reported that one day he and his father, after performing Hajj, caught sight of a paralyzed young man crying his eyes out in repentance. They went near to console him and find out the reason of his sorry plight. He was a habitual sinner, always teased his father, disobeyed him and treated him with contempt. One day, disgusted, the father invoked curse upon him. So he was affected with paralysis.
Then and there Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S) wrote his dua and gave it to him with instruction to recite after noon prayer.
Next day fully cured, as fit as a fiddle, he came to Imam Ali (A.S) and said that he had recited the dua as told and went to sleep. He saw the Holy prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) in the dream. The holy prophet gently touched his body with his hand and asked him to remember this dua as it contains the great name of Allah (Ism-e-Azam).
Recite this dua after noon prayer. It brings countless blessings. All your legitimate desires will be fulfilled. It drives away poverty and sickness. Sins are for given. Debts are cleared. Enemies become friends. Domestic affairs are set aright.
Disputes are settled in your favor. Prisoners are set free mental worries disappear. Prosperity, sound mind and healthy body stand by you at all times.
Mercy and forgiveness of sins are the main advantages the almighty Allah makes available if this dua is recited regularly.
Recite it on Fridays.

Ref: Duas.org

An orphan feels deprivation after losing his father or mother or both of them. Deprivation of satisfying his emotion and spiritual needs, deprivation of satisfying his material needs like food, drinks and dresses, he will be befallen with obsessions and fears, predominated by anxiety and disturbance.
Feeling of deprivation from affection and kindness has its negative effect on the existence and building the personality of the child. Through the observation of the society reality we found that most orphans that didn't get assistance and care from others do personally disturbed and were befallen with tied psychology and negative agreement with the community that deprive him from assistance and care. For that Islam bequeath special guardianship of the orphans even more than other children. It emphasizes the satisfaction of all of their material and spiritual needs.
The specified verses of the Qur'an for the guardianship of the orphan are more than that of the general children.
Satisfaction of the orphan's material needs is the first needs that Islam laid emphasis on.
Allah the most High said: [And they feed the poor, the orphan and the prisoner, for the love for Him] (Qur'an 76: 8).
[... And to feed in the day of hunger, to an orphan, near of kin] (Qur'an 90:14-15).
[... And give the wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy...] (Qur'an 2:177).
Allah the most High makes the Right of the orphan in the Muslim's wealth. [And know that whatever ye take as spoil of war, Lo! a fifth there of is for Allah, and for the Messenger and for the kinsman (who hath need) and orphans and needy...] (Qur'an 8: 41).
The most High said: [Say: that which ye spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy...] (Qur'an2: 215).
The most High has forbade spending the orphan's wealth except in a best form which has benefits and profitable to him [And approach not the wealth of the orphan save that which is better, till he reach maturity] (Qur'an 6: 152).
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: "Who sustain an orphan till he is in no need, Allah will make it obligatory because of that to enter Paradise" (Tuhfal Uquul: 198).
The prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: "Whoever liable for the orphan enters him to his food and drinks, Allah will let him enters Paradise except he committed unforgivable sin" (Mustadrakil Wasaa'il vol - 1: 148).
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: "He was joining his fingers together and said: I and the guarantor of an orphan are like this in the Paradise" (Al-mahjatul badaa'i vol – 3, P 403).
Giving good education to the orphan is among the care and protection to them and prepares him to be a good member of the community. The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A.S) said: "Educate the orphan the way that you educate your child..." (Al-kafi, vol 6:48/8 CH- educating the child).
An orphan that obtain care, protection, love and kindness feels at rest, tranquil and leaves uprightly in his emotion and personality but in a state of deprivation he will not become upright and may take up by perverted ones and focus him to unrighteousness and will become a harmful member to the society.
   
Derived from: Imam Hussein Holy Shrine

Ibn Abbas has commented on the above-mentioned event, saying about the following holy verse:
“Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate; they fear a day in which the hearts and eyes shall turnabout; That Allah may give them the best reward of what they have done, and give them more out of His grace; and Allah gives sustenance to whom He pleases without measure” (24:37-38).
He says: The occasion of the revelation was that one day the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) gave Ali (A.S) three hundred dinars, which they had given to him as gift. Ali (A.S) said: I took the money and said to myself by Allah, I will give such a charity with these dinars that Allah will accept. When I completed the night prayer with Allah’s Messenger, I took a hundred dinars and left the mosque. On my way, I came across a woman to whom I gave one hundred dinars. The following day, people said, “Ali (A.S) has given charity to a corrupt woman!” It was a great sorrow for me.
The night of that day, I performed the night prayer, took a hundred dinars in my hand, left the mosque and said to myself, “By Allah! I will give a charity, which will be accepted by my Lord. I saw a man and gave away the one hundred dinars to him.” The following day, the people of Medina said, “Ali (A.S) has given away a hundred dinars to a thief.” Again a great sorrow came to me but said to myself, “By Allah! I will give a charity tonight that Allah will accept from me.”
So, I performed my night prayer with Allah’s Messenger and then left the mosque having a hundred dinars with me. I saw a man to whom I gave the money. The next day, the people Medina said, “Last night, Ali (A.S) gave a hundred dinars to a rich man.” Again, a great sorrow came to me.
I went to Allah’s Messenger and told him the event. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: O Ali (A.S)! Gabriel says to you: Allah has accepted your charity and purified your acts: The one hundred Dinars you gave as charity was put at the disposal of a corrupt woman who repented to Allah and used the money as earnings for her living. She also intends to get married with this money.
The charity of the second night went to a thief who repented thereafter and used the money for running a business. The charity of the third night went to a rich man who had not paid alms (Zakat) for years. He went home and blamed himself saying, “How miser I am! This is Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S) who gave away a hundred Dinars to me while he has nothing whereas I am a rich man who has not paid his obligatory alms (Zakat)!” So, he reckoned his alms (Zakat) and put it aside. It was for this reason that Allah revealed the above-mentioned verses.
(Al-Manaqib: 74/2)

Taken from: Imam Reza.Network

Islam recommends Salt before and after each meal
Salt is one of the best foods you can take before and after meals, and the recommendation by the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) is very current and important. It is reported that the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) always used to have salt before and after meals, and he said that a person who does this act is protected from 70 types of diseases (curses), among which leprosy is the minor one. Islam made this calling because of the benefits of salt (sodium chloride) to the physiology and the human energy system, in particular when taken before and after meals, when it has the most merit during the digestion process.
Without salt we cannot live. Salt ensures the transmission of electrical nerve impulses to and from the brain and the contractions of the heart and other muscles. Salt is necessary to the flow of nutrients around the body and is vital to the digestion of food. This help in digestion is what we need during meals. Salt stimulates the sensory nerve endings on the tongue to prepare your system for digestion, and increases the rate of absorption.
Sodium is also a principal component of a person's internal environment, the extra-cellular fluid. Nutrients reach your body's cells through these fluids. Sodium facilitates many bodily functions including fluid volume and acid base balance. Sodium enables the transmission of nerve impulses around the body. It is an electrolyte, and like potassium, calcium and magnesium it regulates electrical charges moving in and out of cells in the body.
Chloride, too, is essential to good health and is a fundamental element in the digestion process. It preserves acid-base balance in the body. It aids potassium absorption. It supplies the essence of hydrochloric acid used in the stomach to help us to breakdown and digest the food we eat and controls the level of bacteria present in the stomach.
A case in point, the main reason why we have medical doctors and health-care professionals restraining the general community from consuming salt is that it may cause or exacerbate high blood pressure. Unfortunately, the problem is not in the Prophet's advice, but with the advancement in food processing and preserving technology, and we have too much salt content already in our processed and highly adulterated foods. Therefore, consuming extra salt would be harmful.
Second, the table salt lacks potassium and the companies concerned extract the important mineral and sell it as a supplement, so when people take too much table salt, it has the disadvantage to cause high blood pressure problems in a vulnerable person. The advice is to ingest pure sea salt that is balanced in sodium, potassium and other minerals, and to consume less preserved foods.
No matter what, the advice of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) remains an important matter to all of humankind to maintain that electrical and chemical balance during and after meals. Because salt has so many electrical properties within the body, its role in balancing the ambient energy fields cannot be ignored. Improper food digestion will affect the energy of the person concerned.

Derived from: Islamic Laws

The commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (A.S) is the first perfect example of the education and training of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).
Ali (A.S) was educated by the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) from the period of his infancy. Ali (A.S) was always with the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) like a shadow until the last moment of the Prophet's life. Like a butterfly which sacrifices its life for the candle, Ali (A.S) also was with the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P). Ali (A.S) parted with the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) when he took the sacred body of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) in his arms and buried him.
According to history, from among all rulers who have come to power since the demise of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) until the present time, Ali (A.S) is the only person who fully complied with the sirah (Tradition) of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and who never deviated from the policies of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) in the period of his rule over the Islamic society. Ali (A.S) implemented the laws and religious precepts of Islam without any misinterpretation or distortion just as they were executed in the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).
Upon first entrance into the social environment, Ali (A.S) had a very simple life. During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P), after the Prophet's demise, and even during his own glorious caliph period, he lived like the poor and in the most humble condition. He had no superiority over the needy insofar as food, clothing, and housing were concerned and used to: "The ruler of a society should live in such a way so as to be the source of consolation for the needy and the distressed and not the cause of their regret and disappointment." Although the ruler of the entire Islamic State, he had only seven hundred dirhams on the day of his martyrdom with which he wanted to hire a servant for his house.
Ali (A.S) used to work to meet the needs of life. Particularly he was interested in agriculture and spent his time in planting trees and digging water canals. Whatever he earned in this manner or through the war-booty, he distributed among the needy. He endowed the properties which he had cultivated for the needy or distributed among them the money received as sale proceeds of such properties. Once, during the period of his own caliph, Ali (A.S) ordered to those concerned to bring the revenues of his endowments to him and then spend them. When these revenues were collected, the amount reached 24000 gold dinars.
In the period of his caliph, Ali (A.S) welcomed everyone without having chamberlains and doorkeepers, walked on foot. All alone, and walked in the alleys and the bazaars. He ordered the people to fear Allah and guard against evil and protected them against injustice of one another. Ali (A.S) helped the poverty-stricken people and widows kindly and humbly and kept the shelter less orphans in his own house, personally providing their requirements and educating them.
Ali (A.S) had a special regard for knowledge and learning and gave particular attention towards promotion of knowledge and education and used to say: "There is no suffering like ignorance." While Ali (A.S) was arraying his troops in the bloody Battle of Jamal, an Arab went forward and asked him the meaning of Tawhid. The people rushed toward the Arab from every direction and confronted him by saying that such a moment is not an appropriate time for asking such questions and for discussion. Ali (A.S) asked them to disperse away from the Arab and said: "We are fighting the people in order to revive such truths." Then, while arraying the troops, Ali (A.S) called forth the Arab and clarified the matter for him with an eloquent statement.
In short, the prominent personality of Ali (A.S) is beyond description and his infinite virtues are countless. History has never witnessed a personality attracting as much the attention and the views of the scholars and philosophers of the world as he has.

Derived from: Shia.es

For grasping the character of divine banquets, we should first note that every banquet consists of four essential elements:
1. When you are invited you will not be rejected. Thus, the host is expected to welcome his guest; otherwise, an "invitation" is meaningless when the invitee is denied of reception. Accordingly, when Allah (S.W.T) invites His servants to the banquet of Ramadan, the gates of His mercy will be opened to those who accept the invitation.
2. When you enter the venue of the banquet, you will be treated with honor and respect. Although every person who has been let in is not competent of being respected, the same is not true for the one who has been invited as a guest. In light of this fact, one may understand the following statement in the above-mentioned sermon:

و جعلتم فیه من اهل کرامه الله

In this month, you are made of those people whom Allah respects and honors.
[Al-Amali by Saduq, p. 93]
3. When you go to a banquet you will be given or shown something without payment. In other words, you expect to gain something without return. Correspondingly, in the banquet of Ramadan, Allah (S.W.T) not only rewards our actions generously, but also entertains His guests with various bounties without them doing something so much so that He counts the sleep of His guests as an act of worship and their breaths as His glorification, as explicitly stated in the same sermon:

انفاسکم فیه تسبیح و نومکم فیه عباده

Your breaths in it (the month of Ramadan) are glorification (of God) and your sleep in it is worship. [Al-Amāli by Saduq, p. 93]
4. When you are invited to a party, you naturally expect to meet the host and consider his absence as a humiliation. Accordingly, when Allah (S.W.T) invites His servant to His banquet, by nature, He is ready to show Himself to His guests and meet them.
"This is the month in which you have been invited to the banquet of Allah.” This part of the sermon inspires the fact that this blessing has been dedicated to the month of Ramadan. The Holy Prophet of Islam added:

شهر هو عندالله افضل الشهور و ایامه افضل الایام و لیالیه افضل اللیالی و ساعاته افضل الساعات

In the sight of Allah, this month is the best month, its days are the best days, its nights are the best nights and its hours are the best hours. [Al-Amāli by Saduq, p. 93]
Although this month's prominence over others involves that its days, nights and hours are the best as well, by mentioning these three phrases independently, the Prophet emphasized that every portion of this month is better than its counterpart in every other month.

Taken from: Al Islam.org

Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: “When anyone of you drinks water and say Bismillah (In the name of Gad), then he interrupts drinking and says, Alhamdo lillah (Praise be to Allah), and repeats the process three time, water will praise the Lord on his behalf (as long as it stays in his stomach) until it leaves his body.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of foods and drinks)
According to abu-Dawood al-Raqy. “I was in Imam Sadiq’s (A.S) place when he asked for a drink. When he started drinking, he began shedding tears and his eyes were bathed with it. He then said to me: ‘O, Dawood! May Allah’s curse be upon the one who murdered Hussain (A.S); I have never drank cold water but remembered Hussain (A.S); no man drinks water and remembers Hussain (A.S) and his household and curses his murderers but a hundred thousand righteous deeds are reckoned to his credit and a hundred thousand bad deeds are dropped from his credit; and his rank will be raised by a hundred thousand and he is given the credit of freeing a hundred thousand men, and Allah will gather him delighted with Hussain (A.S).” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
According to Solayman Bin Khalid: “I asked for abu-Abdullah’s (Imam Sadiq (A.S)) opinion on the uninterrupted gulping of beverages, he replied: ‘It is reprehensible (not commendable) and that is (what the Koran calls) al-Heem’s (thirsty camels’) way of drinking. I said: ‘What are they?’ He replied: ‘Camels’. (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
According to Jarrah al-Madainy: “Imam Sadiq (A.S) did not like it when a man eats with his left hand, drinks with it or receives with it.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: “If you want to drink water at night, stir the vessel and say: O, water (twice), ZamZam (the well in Holy Mecca, close to Kaaba) and the Euphrates (river) extend their greetings to you.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
Imam Ali (A.S) said: “Water is the superior beverage in this world and in the hereafter.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: “Offering water is the best kind of donations.” (Tib al-Nabiy)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: “Sip water and do not gulp it down.” (Tib al-Nabiy)
Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: “Had they drank less water, their bodies would have been sounder. When the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) ate fatty food, he used to drink less water. When he was asked about it, he said: ‘It makes food more palatable.”
Imam Baqir (A.S): “It is tastier and healthier to drink water from the standing position.”
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: “The water of (the well of) ZamZam is a remedy.” {Drinking Zamzam’s water remedies the illness}. (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)

Adopted from: Al Seraj

The infant who was martyred before his Birth…or He was no more than six months fetus at the time of the attack…..!!!!
The demise of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) triggered a chain of events that caught the Muslims unaware. Worse, they accepted these events as if that was the most natural thing to do and remained unmindful of the far-reaching consequences of their submission.
One such incident that stands out in the aftermath of the Holy Prophet’s (P.B.U.H&H.P) demise is the siege on Hazrat Fatimah’s (S.A) house and the eventual attack that claimed two lives in its wake, one of them being Hazrat Fatimah (S.A) herself. The other one being the martyrdom of Hazrat Muhsin Ibn Ali (A.S), the subject of this article.

Unbelievably True …………
Muhsin Ibn Ali’s (A.S) martyrdom is so unsettling and incredible that some Muslims have even gone to the extent of denying it.
To think of it, indeed the incident is unbelievably true. Not just the martyrdom of Hazrat Muhsin Ibn Ali (A.S), the entire chain of incidents, the oppressors and oppressed ones, everything about the attack on Hazrat Fatimah’s (S.A) house is unbelievable.
It is unbelievable that the slightest harm would come on Fatimah (S.A), let alone her being inflicted with a fatal body blow. Especially, when the Muslims were served a crystal clear warning by the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) in this regard when he (P.B.U.H&H.P) informed them that Fatimah’s displeasure was the cause of his (P.B.U.H&H.P) displeasure, which in turn was Allah’s displeasure and finally, driving one to Hell.
It is unbelievable that Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S) who was anointed the commander of the faithful (A.S) publicly by the Messenger of Allah(P.B.U.H&H.P) on divine command less than three months before his (P.B.U.H&H.P) demise in Ghadir Khumm and was the unmatched choice of Allah and His Messenger (P.B.U.H&H.P) as highlighted by every notable incident in Islam’s history should be subjugated by individuals who could not even compare to the dust of his horse’s hooves which incidentally Allah swears by in Surah Al-Adiyat.
It is unbelievable that the perpetrators of this crime were none other than the so-called companions of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and his so-called successors who claimed proximity and brotherhood with the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and after whose names the Muslims invoke Allah’s satisfaction and mercy.
It is unbelievable that the atrocities meted out to Fatimah (S.A) would eventually claim her life inducing the commander of the faithful Ali (A.S) to declare that she was like a flower nipped in the bud and expressing to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) his helplessness in safeguarding his (P.B.U.H&H.P) trust. All this within a few days of the Holy Prophet’s (P.B.U.H&H.P) demise and revelation of the Verse of Purification (Surah Ahzaab, Verse: 33) and Incident of the Cloak testified to by all the Muslims as being related to Fatimah (S.A) along with her husband and sons.
It is unbelievable that Fatimah (S.A) willed her burial to be carried out in the dead of the night deeming the companions in question unworthy to attend her funeral and in this way categorically refuting their claim to caliphate and so-called proximity to her father (P.B.U.H&H.P) and inflicting a slap so hard on her oppressors that its reverberations will always be felt by her oppressors and their partisans.
Finally, it is unbelievable that the struggle launched by a few individuals for worldly power and status would mercilessly uproot the existence of a six-month unborn infant from the comfort of his mother’s womb.
Over here, the martyrdom of Hazrat Muhsin Ibn Ali (A.S), the third son of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S) and Fatimah (S.A) after Hassan (A.S) and Hussain (A.S) has been analyzed in detail. Other events before and after the martyrdom, although very significant from the viewpoint of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S) and Fatimah (S.A) in particular and Muslims in general, are referred to in lesser detail.
Despite claims to the contrary by misinformed and uninformed Muslims, it is well-documented by scores of scholars from both the sects Sunnis and Shias that there was a full-scale attack on Fatimah’s (S.A) house only a few days after the Prophet’s (P.B.U.H&H.P) demise. The objective of the companions who assaulted Fatimah (S.A) and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S) was to extract Ali’s (A.S) allegiance for Abu Bakr, without which they knew Abu Bakr’s caliphate would lack any form of legitimacy.

Derived from: Serat online

Zainab (S.A) is the shining sun in the history of Islam and of humanity. Her brother's name and Karbala associate the idea of freedom, justice, humanity, virtue, fighting against despotism, with the realization of the sovereignty of Allah. The history of Karbala is based on two pillars: the rising of Imam Hussain (A.S) and the rising of Zainab (S.A). She was an outstanding figure in the history of Karbala endowed with divine steadfastness and fortitude. She sacrificed her two sons and one should not say anything if one devoted his life for the cause of Allah. After the martyrdom of her brother and her two sons, she said: "O my Lord! Accept our humble sacrifice to you."
When Zainab reached Kufa, she addressed people with fury words: "Praise to Allah, and May the blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad and his progeny. O people of Kufa, you are hypocrites and deceitful. You feign to be sorry for the death of my brother and his companions. May you always shed tears. I find nothing in you but flattery, evil acts and thoughts, pride and spite and ill will. By Allah! You deserve lasting sorrow instead of joy. Shames on you, your hands are imbrued with the blood of the son of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P), the one who was your sole refuge in case of adversity. By your evil act and disloyalty, you incurred the wrath of Allah against you. Woe betides you! No one will intercede with Allah for you." Her furious words provoked people of Kufa to avenge Hussain's martyrdom. This frightened Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad and his cruel agents. She also delivered a furious sermon in the court of the caliph that made his authority and despotic rule feel undermined. She said: "I fear no one but Allah. Make whatever evil plot you can. Blazes are waiting for you in the hereafter. You'll he accountable to Allah for your atrocities."

Ref: Ziaraat.com

The first and foremost condition for the vitality of a nation is acquisition of knowledge. In view of this Islam has encouraged the people very much to acquire knowledge and science. As a matter of fact it has made it obligatory for them. The Holy Prophet says:
“It is obligatory for every Muslim, man and woman to acquire knowledge”.
It is narrated that one day the Holy Prophet came into the Masjid and saw some people gathered there. They were divided into two groups. Whereas one of the two groups was busy offering prayers, the other was engaged in religious discussions. The Holy Prophet was very pleased to see those people and said:
“Both these groups are doing something good but I prefer the group which is busy discussing”. Saying this, he himself joined that group.
Islam attaches so much importance to the acquisition of knowledge that it has declared the path of knowledge and wisdom to be the path leading to Paradise.
The Holy Prophet took a keen interest in promoting education among the Muslims and availed of every possible opportunity to achieve this object. At times it so happened that as a result of wars with the enemies of Islam, some literate people were also captured as prisoners of war. The usual custom in those days was that prisoners of war were released only on the payment of ransom. However, the Holy Prophet always treated these literate prisoners well and agreed to set them free provided they taught at least ten Muslims how to read and write.
The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A.S) has emphasized the importance of education in these words: “The most valuable treasure is knowledge and wisdom and the worst misfortune is ignorance”.
Knowledge is power.

Ref: Al-islam.org

Reporting his father, Imam al-Sadiq (A.S) says, “A needy came to the Holy Prophet asking for help. The Holy Prophets asked, “Is there anyone here to give an interest-free loan?” a man from the Ansar rose up saying, “I have such a loan.” The Holy Prophet said, “Give four vessels of date to this man.” the man did so and came to the Holy Prophet after sometime asking for the payment of his loan. The Holy Prophet said, “We will pay it in the coming days.” the man came another time, hearing the same words. But when he came for the third time, the Holy Prophet smiled and said, “Is there anyone here to give an interest-free loan?” a man rose up saying, “O Allah’s Messenger! I have it.” The Holy Prophet asked, “How much is that?” the man said, “As much as you wish!” The Holy Prophet said, “Give eight vessels of date to this man.” the man said, “You owe me only four vessels.” The Holy Prophet said, “The other four vessels too are for you.” [Qurb al-Isnad: 44]

Ref: shia.es

Many people have asked why Imam Hussein (A.S) decided to go and fight against the tyrant of his time, and why Imam Hassan (A.S) entered into a peace treaty. Why did Imam Reza (A.S) cooperate with the government, while Imam Sajjad (A.S) distanced himself from the government? There are books devoted to answering these specific questions, so we won’t go into it here. But the short answer is that every Imam that we have has had a different situation and lived in different and varied environments. This is actually a blessing for us, as we can study the lives of the Imams and how they acted, given all of their different situations. Thus, we can apply these to our lived the best we can.
Sufyan al-Thawri visited Imam Sadiq (A.S) and objected to the Imam wearing fine clothing, since the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) did not wear such garments. The Imam said, “Are you inferring that since the Prophet used to live in that way, everyone else should do the same until the end? Do you not know that this is not a part of the Islamic commandment? You must act and think upon wisdom. You must use your intellect and take time and place into consideration. The Prophet used to live a middle class lifestyle appropriate to his time. Islam commands equality and compassion. We must observe that this was the lifestyle of the majority at that time. Of course, as the Prophet was the leader, people used to give up their wealth and their life for him, and it was possible for him to have all kinds of lifestyles. However, he never took advantage of that, even though it was all available to him. Islamic commandments denote sympathy compassion and equality. They stand for justice and fairness. It is the soft and delicate methods which stop the frustration in the soul of the poor and prevents a friend or a neighbor, or whoever may be watching your acts, from becoming upset. If the luxurious lifestyle that is available now were possible during the time of the Prophet, then he would not have conducted his life in that way. People are given personal choices on the aspect of dressing up, and may choose whether to wear old or new clothes, in whichever material or style they prefer. Religion does not pay attention to such matters. What is important in religion are issues such as sympathy, compassion, equality, justice and fairness.” The Imam then added, “And as you see me now, I am aware of the responsibilities towards my possessions; thus, there is no logical or spiritual difference between my method and the Prophet’s.”
(Ref: A Survey into the Lives of the Infallible Imams by Ayatollah Mutahhari, page 8)

Taken from: Islamic Insight

The family is a small social unit that begins with the union of husband and wife and is fortified with the birth of children. Marriage is a natural need for humans, which is sanctioned by pronouncing the formula of the marriage contract (the marriage vows).

Islam assigns great importance upon establishing the family and regards it as a holy event. Various Hadith consider family the finest institution in existence. Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S) has cited from the Prophet of Allah (S.W.T):

    عن أبی جعفر (ع) قال: رسول الله (ص): «ما بُنِي بناء فی الإسلام أحبّ إلی الله عزوجل من التزویج»

No institution has been established in Islam that is more loved by Allah, the Honored, the Glorified, than marriage.
[Wasa’il ush-Shi‘ah, vol. 20, p. 15]

Imam Sadiq (A.S) has cited from the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P):

    عن أبی عبدالله (ع) قال: قال رسول الله (ص): «ما من شیء أحبّ إلی الله من بیت یعمر فی الإسلام بالنکاح، و ما من شیء أبغض إلی الله من بیت یخرب فی الإسلام بالفرقه، یعنی الطلاق.»

Nothing is more loved by Allah than a house that is populated through marriage and nothing is more hated by Allah than a house that is broken through separation (i.e. divorce).
[Wasa’il ush-Shi‘ah, vol. 20, p. 16]

Marriage is an invaluable Islamic tradition, the necessity of which the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and Immaculate Imams (A.S) have emphasized. The commander of the faithful (A.S) has declared:

    قال أمیر المؤمنین (ع): تزوّجوا فإنّ رسول الله (ص) قال: «من أحبّ أن یتّبع سنّتي فإنّ من سنّتي التزویج.»

Marry because the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P) has stated: Those who wish to follow my traditions must know that marriage is one of them.
[Wasa’il ush-Shi‘ah, vol. 20, p. 17]

The Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P) has stated:

    قال رسول الله (ص): «النکاح سنّتي فمن رغب عن سنّتي فليس منّی».

Marriage is my tradition and whoever forsakes my tradition is not of me.
[Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 103, p. 220]

Islam does not regard marriage (and procreation) as an animalistic deed and it does not enjoin its followers to monastic existence and abandonment of marriage. On the contrary, it regards it as a way of purification [tazkiyah] and edification [tahdhib] of the soul, abstinence from sin, and proximity to Allah. Imam Sadiq (A.S) has stated:

    قال أبوعبدالله (ع): «رکعتان یصلّیهما المتزوّج أفضل من سبعین رکعة یصلّیها عزب.»

Two units (rak‘ats) prayer of a married person is superior to seventy units (rak‘ats) prayer of an unmarried person.
[Wasa’il ush-Shi‘ah, vol. 20, p. 18]

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) has stated:

    قال النّبی (ص): «رکعتان یصلّیهما متزوّج أفضل من رجل عزب یقوم لیله و یصوم نهاره.»

Two units (rak‘ats) prayer of a married person is superior to the worship of an unmarried man who spends his nights in prayer and his days in fast.
[Wasa’il ush-Shi‘ah, vol. 20, p. 19]

Imam Sadiq (A.S) has cited from the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P):

    عن أبی عبدالله (ع) قال: قال رسول الله (ع): «رُذّال موتاکم العزّاب.»

The worst of your dead are those who die without marrying.
[Wasa’il ush-Shi‘ah, vol. 20, p. 19]

Taken from: An Introduction to the Rights and Duties of Women in Islam
Author(s): Ibrahim Amini
Translator(s): Abuzar Ahmadi

Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) in the sermon on the day of Ghadeer made mention of Imam Mahdi (A.S).

ألا إن خاتم الائمة منا القائم المهدي، ألا إنه الظاهر على الدين، ألا إنه المنتقم من الظالمين، ألا إنه فاتح الحصون وهادمها، ألا إنه قاتل كل قبيلة من أهل الشرك، ألا إنه المدرك بكل ثار لاولياء الله عزوجل، ألا أنه الناصر لدين الله، ألا إنه الغراف من بحر عميق، ألا إنه قسيم كل ذي فضل بفضله وكل ذي جهل بجهله، ألا إنه خيرة الله ومختاره، ألا إن وارث كل علم والمحيط به، إلا إنه المخبر عن ربه عزوجل والمنبه بأمر إيمانه، ألا إنه الرشيد السديد، ألا إنه المفوض إليه، ألا إنه قد بشر به من سلف بين يديه، ألا إنه الباقي حجة ولا حجة بعده، ولا حق إلا معه، ولا نور إلا عنده، ألا إنه لا غالب له ولا منصور عليه، ألا وإنه ولي الله في أرضه وحكمه في خلقه وأمينه في سره وعلانيته

He (P.B.U.H&H.P) said:
Know that the seal of the leaders from among us shall be the Qa’im, the Mahdi.
He shall, most certainly, prevail over (all) religious (methods of life).
He shall definitely be the avenger against the oppressors.
He shall surely be the conqueror of the strongholds and their demolisher.
He shall be, indeed, the destroyer of every polytheistic group.
He shall be the supporter of the religion of Allah.
He shall bring out (people’s share) from (his) deep ocean (of knowledge and divine resources).
He shall mark each man of distinction by his distinction and every man of ignorance by his ignorance.
Behold! He is the elite of Allah, and Allah is his chooser.
He shall be the heir of every knowledge, and the one who shall encompass [every perception]
He shall advise and inform on behalf of his Lord, the mighty and the majestic, and shall remind about the matters pertaining to His faith.
He shall be the right-minded and unerring, to whom authority shall be vested.
Behold! All former (prophets) have given the glad tidings of him.
Know that he shall be the remaining proof (of Allah), after whom there shall be no (new) proof.
There shall be no truth except with him, nor shall there be any light (of guidance) except at his disposal.
None, indeed, shall overcome him, and none shall be supported against him.
He shall be the authorized representative of Allah on His earth, His judge over His creation, and His trustee in His secrets and in what He made evident.
[Source: Ihtijaj – e- Tabarsi, Vol 1/Rawzadatul Waizeen, Part 1]

Ref: Marefate AhleBait (A.S).com

Allah’s Messenger is reported by Imam al-Baqir (A.S) as saying: I will not quit five habits until the moment of my death: wearing coarse clothes, riding a mule without packsaddle, eating with the slaves, weaving footwear with my own hands, and saluting children so that it will become a tradition after me.

A Jew Becomes Muslim by the Holy Prophet
Imam Musa (A.S) has quoted Imam Ali (A.S) as saying, “Allah’s Messenger owed a Jew a few Dinars, so he asked for it. The Holy Prophet said, “I can’t pay it now.” The Jew said, “I will not leave you until you pay my money.” The Holy Prophet said, “Then I will sit beside you.” He sat beside the Jew for a long time during which he performed all his prayers in the same place. The Holy Prophet’s companions made an attempt to intimidate him. Looking at them, the Holy Prophet asked, “What are you going to do with him?” They said, “O Allah’s Messenger! A Jew is taking you a hostage like that!” The Holy Prophet said, “Allah has not commissioned me to do any injustice to non-Muslims.” When the day was coming to an end, the Jew said, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. I give away a portion of my wealth for the sake of Allah, O Messenger! I swear by Allah what I did to you was to see whether you are the same person described in the Torah. I have read your description in the Torah that Muhammad, son of `Abdullah, is born in Mecca; he migrates to Medina. He is neither rough nor furious. He is neither foul-mouthed nor does he use indecent words. I testify to the oneness of Allah and your Prophet Hood. This is my wealth at your disposal. Spend it as Allah has commanded.”

Ref: shia.es

“Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet, O you who believe! Send your blessings on him, and solute him a thorough salutation”. (33:56) one of the best ways to know the personality of great men is to study their literature and listen to their words. As Imam Ali (A.S) states in Nahjul-Balagha: "Man is hidden behind his tongue” meaning by our words we introduce ourselves not with our certificates.
Different people according to their job use different jargons. Politicians have their own jargons, as physicians do, as drivers do etc. The jargons of truck drivers are different from professors. Therefore, when people talk you can more or less depending on your skills in this field can tell which class of society do they belong to.
First of all let’s read a Hadith from Imam Reza (A.S):
Shaykh Saduq one of our distinguishing Olama who was living in the 4th century AH has written a book named ‘Uyun-Akhbar Al-Reza ' meaning ‘the fountains of the wisdom words of Imam Reza’. I quote the Hadith under the consideration from this book.
Imam Reza (A.S): “O Allah! Send your blessings onto the one that Daily Prayers is honored with having the Salawat on him'.
Salam and Salawat on the Prophet is an established fact in the Quran. In Sura 33 verse 56 we recite:
“Allah and His Angels send Salat on the Prophet, O you who believe! Send Salat on him and solute him a thorough salutation”. (33:56)
Sending Salam and Salawat to the prophet of Islam, is one of the distinguishing characteristics of our Prophet, of which the previous prophets were deprived. Muslims across the world from the time the above verse has been revealed up to the Day of Great Judgment are bound to send their Salawat onto the Prophet of Islam. Muslims five times a day when they call for Adhan and Eqama and even in their daily Prayers send their Salawat onto the Prophet of Islam.
This is due to the Divine Promise that “And We raised high for you your esteem” (94:4)

The Meaning of Salawat
1. Salawat is the plural form of Salat which simply means ‘to call' (Do'a). The reality of calling is that the person who calls tries to attract the attention of the one who is called to. This type of attracting the attention if it comes from a higher is called blessing (Rahmat) and if it comes from a lower is called pray (Do'a).

2. It is an established fact in Islamic Erfan that the existence of the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) is the first existent came from Allah. In other words, his existence is on the peak of the cone of the creation. That means the blessing of existence which contains all other blessings comes to the prophet first and then goes to others. The prayer of people to Allah does not reach Him unless through His Messenger, as the blessings of Allah does not reach His creatures unless through His Messenger.

Therefore, the Salawat of Allah to the Prophet since it comes from Allah the Omnipotent, He is sending the constant blessings to His Messenger and hence, the Prophet becomes ‘ Rahmatun-lelalamin' (blessing for the universe). As, the Salawat of people to the Prophet is to pray to God to send His blessings to them through the Prophet who is Rahmatun-Lelalamin.

Taken from: duas.org

Just a few famous traditions regarding mothers make it obvious that in Islam, a mother’s role is not only respected and valued, but it is also considered to be key for the survival of a family. It is unfortunate that oftentimes Muslims themselves devalue the position of women and mothers in the family.
In another popular hadith, a man asked the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P):
“O Messenger of Allah, whom should I do goodness to?” The Holy Prophet replied, “Your mother.” The man asked again, “Who next?” The Holy Prophet replied again, “Your mother.” Again the man asked, “Who next?” The Holy Prophet again replied, “Your mother.” When the man asked a fourth time, “Who next?” the Holy Prophet replied, “Your father.” [Al-Majlisi, Allamah Muhammad al-Baqir. Bihar ul Anwar. 74. Page 49]
Verse 15 of Surah Al-Ahqaf of the Holy Qur’an says:
“And we have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship…”  [Holy Quran, 46: 15]
In just the tone of the way a mother and her nature is spoken about in the Treatise of Rights by Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussein (A.S), we can clearly see the immense honor Islam places on a mother and how important her care and affection is for a growing child:
“Then the right of your mother is that you should know that she carried you where no one carries anyone, and she fed you with the fruit of her heart – that which no one feeds anyone… She was happy and eager, enduring the harm and pains, and the heaviness and the grief until the Mighty Hand expelled you out of her and delivered you out to the Earth. She did not care if she went hungry as long as you ate, and if she was naked as long as you were clothed, and if she was thirsty as long as you drank, and if she was in the sun as long as you were in the shade, and if she was miserable as long as you were happy, and if she was deprived of sleeping as long as you were resting. And her abdomen was your abode, and her lap was your seat, and her breast was your supply of drink, and her soul was your fort. She protected you from the heat and cold of this world. Then, you should thank her for all that. You will not be able to show her gratitude unless through God’s help and His granting you success.” [ibne Al-Hussein, Imam Ali. “The Right of the Mother.” A Divine Perspective on Rights]
These beautiful words from the Treatise of Rights perfectly summarize a mother’s role and her association with her child, both before and after birth. It is a relationship based on giving and sacrifice, and it cannot be removed or replaced.

Derived from: Islamic Pulse