Islam Guidance

The love between the father and daughter was not a one-way process; instead, Fatima (S.A) too immensely loved her father (Prophet) like he loved her. When Hazrat Khadija (S.A) died, she was not more than six years of age. After the death of her mother, she always looked after the comfort of her father at home. Fatima (S.A) was such a daughter who constantly and stably followed the footsteps of her father. The streets and Masjid-e-Haram of Mecca were full of those who teased, insulted and tortured the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P). Whenever her respect worthy father returned home in the injured condition, she would wash the blood off his sacred face and dress his wounds and encouraged him with her sweet conversation.

At such times, when her father was a stranger in his own land and among his own people and he was all alone with all the relatives present, and secluded and lonely among all those who spoke the same language he spoke. Moreover, he was all-alone during his struggle and combat against ignorance, idol worshipping and he was carrying the heavy responsibility of preaching on his own.

Then it was only and only Fatima (S.A) who pleased and consoled the heart of her father with her sincere love and affection. She by accepting the Prophecy of her father strengthened his hopes. That is the reason why the Prophet used to say, "May your father sacrifice his life upon you" or that he would call her the "mother of her father". Because, she was like a mother for her father.

Like her Holy Infallible Father (P.B.U.H&H.P), she possessed all the intellectual abilities and achievements. Many verses of The Holy Quran were revealed in her praise and about her spiritual credits. The Holy Prophet of Islam (P.B.U.H&H.P) had given her several honorable titles among which one is: The Holy Prophet her Father (P.B.U.H&H.P) loved her very much whenever she would go to the house of her father The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) would stand up out of respect to her. Whenever he greeted her, and he would honor her by giving her a special place to seat herself in his house. Very often Her Father (P.B.U.H&H.P) would softly kiss her hands and say: "Allah, The Most High; is pleased when Fatimah (S.A) is pleased. He is angered; whenever Fatimah is angered!"

Ref: Duas.org

On the 24th of Zul Hijjah 10 A.H., the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) came out for Mubahila.
Early next morning the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) sent Salman al Farsi to the open place, fixed outside the city for the historic event, to erect a small shelter for him and those he intended to take along with him for the contest.
On the opposite side appeared the Christian priests, while at the appointed hour the Christians witnessed the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) entering the field with Imam Hussein (A.S) in his lap, Imam Hassan (A.S) holding his finger, and walking beside him, Lady Fatima (S.A) and followed by Imam Ali (A.S).
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) on reaching the appointed spot stationed himself with his daughter, her two sons and her husband, raising his hands towards the heaven said:
Lord these are the People of my House. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said to them: "when I pray you should say Ameen."
In obedience to the verse of Mubahila sent by Allah , the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) had brought Imam Hassan (A.S) and Imam Hussein (A.S) as his "sons", Hazrat Fatima (S.A) as his "women" and Imam Ali (A.S) as his "self".
The Chief Pontiff on knowing that the baby in the lap of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) was his young grandson, Imam Hussein (A.S), the child walking holding the Prophet's (P.B.U.H&H.P) hand was his first grandson, Imam Hassan (A.S), the Lady behind him was daughter, his only surviving issue was Fatima (S.A) the mother of the two children and the one who followed the Lady was his son in law, the husband of Fatima (S.A), addressed the huge crowd of the people who had gathered on the spot, and addressed them saying:
“By God, I see the faces which, if they pray to God for mountains to move from their places, the mountains will immediately move!”
O believers in the Jesus of Nazareth, I will tell you the truth that should ye fail to enter into some agreement with Muhammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) and if these souls whom Muhammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) has brought with him, curse you; ye will be wiped out of existence to the last day of the life of the earth!
The people readily agreed to the advice counseled by their Leader.
They beseeched the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) to give up the idea of the agreed Mubahila and requested for themselves to be allowed to continue their faith, offering to pay ' Jizya '.
[Al Tabari, Commentary of the Quran, v 2 p 192 – 193]

When the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) heard these words he remarked:
“By God, had the Christians of Najran contested with us, they would have been transformed into monkeys and swine. Fire would have rained over them.”

Source: ahl-ul-bayt.org

Brushing the teeth not only helps one look better and feel healthier, but also it pleases God. The religious leaders of Islam emphasized on this fact and suggested their followers to brush their teeth too.
According to Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P), “If you brush your teeth before saying your prayers, that prayer is better than seventy five prayers one says without brushing his teeth.”
Imam Sadiq (A.S) said, “When you wake up at night to say your prayers, brush your teeth. Because an angel comes down and puts its mouth on yours and takes with it every word you say to the heavens. Therefore, it is better if your breath and words smell nice.”
In the Mesbah Al-Shari’a book, Imam Sadiq (A.S) quoted from Prophet Mohammad, “Brushing the teeth not only cleans the mouth, but also pleases God.”
One of the things that Prophet Mohammad never forgot to do was brushing his teeth.
If you think about it, you will find out that brushing the teeth has many different advantages.
Still, a sane person knows that brushing teeth is a physical act and improves the health in one’s body only and in order to purify the soul too, they need to pray to God, to worship Him, and to ask Him to forgive the sins they have committed.
Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) said that brushing the teeth was like a means that awakened the souls; teeth are made clear and white with the aim of chewing the food and helping the digestion, but they become dirty and damaged by chewing the food.

Al-Maaref Islamic Organization

Man - just like any other creation possessing both a body and a soul is in need of several things - each of which is essential for the safeguard of one's survival and well-being. For example, the hunger pains and desire for nourishment compel one to eat so as to build up energy to live another day; the feelings of thirst make one drink water, which is also essential for one's life. These and many other things facilitate man to live a prosperous and healthy life.
Similarly, the sexual desires and the need to fulfill one's sexual requirements and passions play a key role in the protection of mankind, and continuation of the human race. Therefore, it is not sensible to defy this necessity or try to suppress it.
Since man has been chosen as "the best of creations", Allah (S.W.T) has laid down the foundation of marriage in order to allow this need of life to be fulfilled in a legitimate manner. As well, the guidelines are very much in accordance with the intellect since the laws are divine and the specific conditions are befitting to the valuable souls of both men and women alike.
Historically speaking, the very first relationship that was established was that of marriage between a male and female not that of a mother/daughter relationship, nor a father/son relationship. Thus, it can be deduced that marriage is one of the most sacred bonds between a man and a woman. In the book, Etiquette of Marriage, it mentions the beautiful story of Prophet Adam (A.S), the first vicegerent of Allah (S.W.T) on the earth and his marriage, which we narrate here.
After Adam (A.S) was created, he felt lonely and complained to the Almighty about his solitude. Allah (S.W.T) put Adam (A.S) to sleep and then created Eve (S.A) with the utmost beauty. He covered her with the robes of paradise and brought her forth with other ornaments of beautification.
At this time, He instructed Eve (S.A) to sit near the head of Prophet Adam (A.S). When he awakened from his sleep and his eyes fell on Eve (S.A), he was so obsessed and captivated by her charm that he wanted to reach out and touch her. At this point, the angels forbid him from doing so.
Adam (A.S) asked them, 'Did Allah (S.W.T) not create her for me?' The angels replied, 'Yes, but you have to approach her in the appropriate manner. First you must propose to her (by asking her guardian for permission to marry her), then you must grant her the dowry (gift), followed by the recitation of the Aqd (marriage contract).'
Prophet Adam (A.S) questioned, 'Who do I have to ask for permission to marry her?' The angels replied, 'You must ask Allah (S.W.T).' Then Adam (A.S) asked, 'O' Allah (S.W.T)! What will her dowry be?' Allah (S.W.T) replied, 'Teach her the rules of my religion and send blessings (salawat) on Muhammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) and the family of Muhammad (P.B.U.H&H.P).'
From the above historical event, we can see that when a man wants to agree upon the dowry with his wife, they should make an agreement that (as a part of the dowry); he will teach her the rules and regulations of the religion of Allah (S.W.T). Therefore, from this narration, we see that the first relationship that was created by our Creator for humanity was that of marriage.
With this said, we must know the finer points and overall rulings of this sacred foundation in order to have a fruitful and successful life in this world and more importantly, in the life hereafter.

Adopted from: Imam Reza.Network

Imam Zayn al-Abidin was the child of the Prophet. On his pilgrimage to Hajj, he was reluctant to travel with the caravan who knew him. Instead, he wished to travel with the caravan coming from a remote area who did not recognize him. This was so that he may travel amongst them as a stranger. He joined such a caravan and asked whether he can be of service to them. They accepted. In those days, it was customary for people to travel on camel and horseback taking on average ten to twelve days to reach Mecca.
During this period, the Imam became the servant of the caravan. A certain man who knew the Imam happened to encounter this caravan. As soon as he recognized the Imam, he went to the travellers and asked, “Who is this man whom you have brought to serve you?” They replied, “We do not know.
He is a young man from the city. But he is a very good man.” The man replied, “Clearly, you are unaware, because if you knew, you would not place him at your service.” They enquired about the Imam’s identity to which the man replied, “He is ‘Ali ibn al-Hussain ibn ‘Ali, the grandchild of the Prophet.” They ran towards the Imam and dropped themselves at the Imam’s feet, “Sir! What was this you have done? We could have been punished by Allah for what we have done! How could we have been so impudent towards you? You must now be our master! Rest here while we serve you! To which the Imam replied, “No, my experience in travelling within a caravan who knows me, tells me that they will not permit me to serve the people of the caravan. That is why I choose to travel with a caravan whose travellers do not know me so that I may obtain the privilege of being of service to Muslims and friends.

Taken from: Imam Reza.Network

From" Kitab al-Turf" of Sayed ibn Taoos quoting from Kitab al-Wassiyah of Shaikh Isa bin al-Mustafaad al-Zareer from Imam Kazim (A.S) from his Father (A.S):
"When Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) was about to die, He called the companions and said: "Indeed the door of Fatima (S.A) is my door, and Her house is my house. So whoever disgraces it, has disgraced the veil/covering (Hijaab) of Allah (S.W.T)."
The narrator Isa then says, "Abu al-Hassan Imam Kazim (A.S) then cried for long and cut of rest of his speech and said, "By Allah (S.W.T) the veil of Allah (S.W.T) was disgraced, By Allah (S.W.T) the veil of Allah (S.W.T) was disgraced, By Allah (S.W.T) the veil of Allah (S.W.T) was disgraced, O My Mother (S.A)..."
[Source: Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 22, Pg. 476-477]

Ref: Marefate AhleBait (A.S).com

After the martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S.A), Imam Ali (A.S) called his brother Aqeel who was known for his knowledge about the tribal genealogies and told him to find out a respectable lady of a noble family, known for its bravery, for him to wed for he wanted to have a brave son from her to be his own representative there at Karbala to serve Hussain (A.S) the son of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and help him in the calamitous situation against his enemies and lay his life defending Hussain (A.S) on his own behalf, for Hassan (A.S) and Hussain (A.S) were hailed as the sons of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and each one was addressed as Ibn-Rasoolullah' (son of the Holy Prophet).
Aqeel said: "Marry thou, Umm ul-Banin Kalabi, the daughter of Hazm bin Khalid-e-Kalabi, for braver than her father, there was none in the tribes.
Hadrat Umm ul-Banin bore Hazrat Ali's four sons, Abbas, Abdulla, Ja'far and Usman. The meaning of 'Umm ul-Banin' is 'Mother of Sons'. All of her sons were martyred along with Imam Hussein. After their martyrdom, she requested people not to call her 'Umm ul-Banin' ever again.
The day she entered the household of Imam Ali (A.S), she made it very plain to Imam Hassan (A.S) and Imam Hussain (A.S) that she considered herself their slave, and she hoped and prayed that they would accept her as one. Her respect and affection for them was reciprocated by the two brothers, who occupied a foremost place in her heart.
When Imam Hussain (A.S) was leaving Madinah for Iraq Hazrat Umm ul-Banin asked her four sons, Hazrat Abbas (A.S), Abdulla, Ja'far and Usman to sacrifice their lives in the sacred cause of Imam Hussain (A.S).
Umm ul-Banin had such sincerity toward the Holy Prophet's progeny that she loved Imam Hussain (A.S) more than her own children.
She was the first who received Bashar bin Hazam, the man who proclaimed to the people of Medina “Qotelal Hussain…” (Hussein has been killed...). It was to the extent that when she received the news stating the martyrdom of her four sons, she said: "Tell me about Hussain (A.S)” and when she received the news of Imam Hussain (A.S)'s martyrdom she said: "All of the arteries of my heart are torn. May all of my children and whatever that exist under this azure heaven be sacrificed for the sake of Imam Hussain (A.S).”
After the arrival of Imam Sajjad (A.S) and Hazrat Zainab (S.A) in Medina Hazrat Umm ul-Banin used to gather women in her house and used to narrate them how Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions were martyred by Yazidi forces.
Hazrat Umm ul-Baneen is considered as the first Noheh Reciter (dirge reciter) for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S). She used to visit regularly the famous Jannat al-Baqi cemetery in Medina and recite her Noheh in a very sad and pathetic voice that everybody present there used to weep bitterly.
She transformed the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery as "the Centre of mourning of Imam Hussain (A.S)". The Noheh recited by Hazrat Umm ul-Banin for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) are recorded in history and are considered as masterpiece in Arabic literature.

Derived from: Alhassanain.com

Abi Abdullah Jaafar bin Mohammad (A.S) said:
One day my father (Imam Mohammad bin Ali Al-Baqir (A.S)) said to Jabir bin Abdullah, "I need to see you privately."
So when my father was alone with Jabir he said. "Tell me about the tablet that my mother, Fatima (S.A), had."
Jabir said:
Allah is my witness that I went to Fatima (S.A), daughter of the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P) to congratulate her on the birth of Hussain (A.S). I saw a green tablet in her hand made of green aquamarine. There was some writing on it with a light that was brighter than the sun and (the tablet) smelled better than musk.
I asked Fatima (S.A), "What is this tablet, O daughter of the Messenger of Allah?"
She replied, "This tablet is a gift from Allah to my father. It contains the names of my father, my husband, and the names of his successors from my sons after him."
I asked her to give it to me so I could write a copy of its contents, and she accepted.
Then my father (Mohammad bin Ali (A.S)) asked Jabir, "Can you show me the copy you made?"
Jabir replied, "Yes."
Then Jabir went to his house and brought back a piece of paper with him.
My father said to him:
Look at your copy to see (if) what I say (matches your copy). This is what was written on that tablet:
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful. This is a letter from Allah, the most Honorable, the most Knowledgeable, which was sent with the guardian spirit to Mohammad, the last of the messengers.
O Mohammad! Glorify my names, be thankful for my grace, and do not deny my blessings.
Do not desire anyone but me and do not fear anyone but me, because those who desire anyone but me or fear anyone but me will be punished in a way that I have never punished anyone else from all of the worlds.
O Mohammad! I have chosen you from amongst all of the prophets and I have given preference to your successor above all of the successors.
I have made Hassan the container of My Knowledge after the time of his father, and (I have made) Hussain the best of the sons from the first to the last, and through Hussain the Imamate will continue.
Ali, the beauty of the worshippers, will remain from Hussain, and then (it will be) Mohammad, the one who rips open My Knowledge, the one who will invite (people) to my path through the right methods.
Then (it will be) Jaafar, the truthful in his speech and his actions, after whom there will be a deafening conspiracy.
Woe and more woe unto those who deny my slave and the best of my creation, Moses!
Then Ali, the pleasant, will be killed by a pagan daemon, and he will be buried in the city that was built by the righteous slave, next to the worst of Allah's creation.
Then Mohammad (will come), the guide to my path, the one who safeguards my sanctity, and the one who will leave Ali behind.
Ali will be the one with two names (Ali and Naqi).
After him, Hasan, the honorable, will lead his people.
And after him his son. Mohammad, will rise at the end of time. There will be a white cloud over him to offer him shade from the sun. He will speak with an eloquent language and his voice will reach everyone and everywhere. He is the Mahdi of the family of Mohammad and he will fill the earth with justice, just as it is will be filled with injustice.
[Source: Basharat ul Mustafa Le Shiyyat e Murtuza, Chapter 5, Hadees 1 / Amaali of Sheikh Tousi, Vol 1, Pg. 298/O’youn-e-Akhbaral-Redha, Pg 25]

Derived from: Marefate Ahlebayt.com

 The Day When 1st Imam Ali (A.S) Accepted Leadership Molah of All Muslims After prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H&H.P) said I Am from Ali and Ali Is from me, whosever molah I am Ali is molah of him. Only Allah knows we are With Truth.

Must watch to those who don’t know.

How on earth can these traditions apply for a beast like Yazid Ibn Muawiyah, who Fought against and mercilessly martyred Imam Husain (A.S), his family and friends Was a transgressor who committed sins publicly and announced his disbelief freely becoming a part of the renowned poems of Ibn al-Zabari, which he (Yazid) recited in joy when the severed head of Imam Husain (A.S) was brought to him.
He was the one who ordered Muslim Ibn Aqabah to kill and plunder the people of Madinah on three occasions. During these attacks, he killed a number of companions and the city of Madinah was totally ransacked. It was during these attacks that more than 1000 Muslim virgins were raped and whenever a Muslim from Madinah offered his daughter in marriage, he did not guarantee her virginity saying, perhaps, she has lost her virginity during the Tragedy of Haraa. It is said that four thousand illegitimate children were born after this incident. Muslim, in his Saheeh, reports that the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P) warned, whoever frightens the people of Madinah, Allah will frighten him and upon him is the curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind. [Murooj al-Zahab, vol. 3, pg. 69.]
Waaqedi narrates on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Hanzalah, By Allah! We did not visit Yazid but that we feared a stone falling on our heads from the sky (as a divine punishment) because he was a man who married his mothers, daughters and sisters, drank wine, did not pray [Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 209] and he is the one who had ordered the attack on the Holy Kaaba.
Suyuti and others report on the authority of Nawfil Ibn Abi al-Furaat, I was with Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz, when a person while mentioning Yazid, said, the chief of the faithful, Yazid Ibn Muawiyyah. On hearing this, Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz (became angry) and asked, you call Yazid as Ameerul Momineen? And ordered that he be whipped 20 lashes. [Al-Sawaaeq al-Mohreqah, pg. 219, printed at Cairo; Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 209, printed at Egypt.]
It is mentioned in Al-Sawaaeq that it was said to Saad Ibn Hassan, The Bani Umayyad claim that the caliphate is among them. He retorted, the sons of the blue-eyed (referring to Hind the wife of Abu Sufiyan) are lying. They are mere kings; nay, the worst of kings.

Taken From: Serat Online

This meeting which proved to be the turning point in Zuhair’s life has been covered by Shaykh Abbas Qummi in ‘Nafasul Mahmoom’ page 180 as also by Tabari in his ‘Tarikh’ vol.  3 page 224.
Abu Mikhnaf narrates from Sades b. Faraarah that an `Usmaani’ recounted to him thus:
‘In one of our journeys with Zuhair b. Qain al-Bajali, we happened to coincide with Hussain b. Ali (A.S). Now, nothing was more repugnant for us than to assemble with the latter at the same place. And Zuhair given his resentment tried to avoid Husain (A.S) in every possible way. However, despite our best efforts and much to our consternation, we ended up with Hussain (A.S) at the same spot. Hussain (A.S) pitched his tents at one side of the road and we on the other side. We had just got started with our food when a messenger from Hussain’s (A.S) side interrupted us. He saluted us and addressed Zuhair:
Zuhair!  I have been sent by Hussain (A.S) to persuade you to meet him.
These words of the messenger took us completely by surprise, so much so that we dropped what food we were eating in our astonishment. All of us were loath to go. Dillaam binte Amr, wife of Zuhair, who was a witness to the entire scene exclaimed `Glory be to Allah! Son of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) wishes to see you and you refuse to go. At least see what Hussain (A.S) has to say.’ Zuhair, heeding this counsel, reluctantly crossed over to Imam Hussain (A.S) side. Before long, he returned looking very grim and solemn. He ordered his tent be relocated next to Imam Hussain (A.S). He turned towards his wife and said “I release you from matrimony. Return to your family. I do not want to be responsible for any distress or misfortune that may befall you”. Then Zuhair declared “I have decided to accompany Hussain (A.S). I will sacrifice my life in order to save him”. He then left his wife in the custody of a relative who would escort her back to her family. Dilham b. Amr stood up, sobbed bitterly and bidding farewell to Zuhair said, “May Allah (the Glorified) help you in your affair and attract only goodness  and  virtues  towards you. My only plea is that you remember me on the Day of Resurrection in front of Hussain’s (A.S) grandfather Muhammad (P.B.U.H&H.P).” Zuhair then turned towards his companions and declared, “Those of you who still hold me dear may accompany me. The rest may take this as our last meeting.” Subsequently his friends also joined Zuhair in Imam Hussain’s army.

Ref: Al-Muntazar