Islam Guidance

The following is taken from the book Al-Qatra by Sayed Ahmad Mustanbat Vol. 2, Pg. 205, and Hadith. 57 From the book ‘Al-Majmoe al-Raiq min azhaar al-Hadaiq’, 100 merits specifically for the commander of the faithful (A.S), from those which Shaikh Sadooq narrated on the day of Ghadeer in the year 361 Hijri, with the chain of narrators going up to the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) about those merits which Allah (S.W.T) chose specifically for the commander of the faithful (A.S). And from those we have chosen 28 merits:
Allah (S.W.T) created Imam Ali (A.S) from the light (noor) of His greatness/Majesty, as the Prophet (PBUHHP) has said, "I and Ali were created from a single light (noor)."
Imam Ali (A.S) worshiped Allah (S.W.T) in the loins of His forefathers and wombs of his mother's since Adam (A.S).
When Imam Ali (A.S) was born, light (noor) appeared from the sky to the surface of the Ka'ba. And the idols that were upon the Ka’ba fell down [upon their faces]. And Satan cried out saying, 'Woe be to the Idols and its worshipers from this new born'
Imam Ali (A.S) used to explain of the sayings (hadith) of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and He used to narrate (or remember?) the sayings (hadith) of all the Messengers.
Imam Ali (A.S) is the container of the knowledge of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).
Imam Ali (A.S) was the one to drive away distress/worries from the face of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Isa bin Maryam (S.A) in his proofs except for Prophet Hood.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Ayyub (A.S) in his patience.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Abraham (A.S) in his generosity.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Dawood (A.S) in his power/strength and in his voice.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Solomon (A.S) in his splendor/beauty and his supremacy.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Luckman (A.S) in his wisdom.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Ismael (A.S) in his acceptance/submission and honesty.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Noah (A.S) in the acceptance of his prayer.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to Yunus (A.S) in his affairs.
Imam Ali (A.S) is similar to the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) in his judgement/ruling except for Prophet Hood.
Imam Ali (A.S) when in battles had Gabriel on his right side and Mikael on his left side and the angel of death in front of Him. And He did not return until Allah (S.W.T) granted victory upon Him.
Imam Ali (A.S) is the first one to be called by His name on the day of Judgement.
The angels seek nearness to Allah (S.W.T) by means of Wilayat of Imam Ali (A.S).
Imam Ali (A.S) uprooted the door of Khaibar and threw it behind his back to a distance of 40 arm’s length. Then made it a bridge, carrying it upon the palm of his hand until all the soldiers crossed over.
The Wilayah of Imam Ali (A.S) was put forth to parts of the earth. So those parts that accepted His Wilayah become beautiful and pure. And those who did not accept His Wilayah became salty land (not supporting any growth)
The Wilayah of Imam Ali (A.S) was put forth to the plants. So those that accepted His Wilayah became beneficial/useful for the people and those that did not accept His Wilayah became poisonous killing.
The moon talked to Imam Ali (A.S) on night of Qadr.
Imam Ali (A.S) was free (in no need) from all the people and the people were in need of Imam Ali (A.S) in knowledge.
Imam Ali (A.S) was along with all the Prophets secretly and with Prophet Mohammad apparently.
When the ring of the door of paradise is hit/struck, it rings and says ‘Ya Ali’.
The tree of Tooba in Paradise is in the house of Imam Ali (A.S) and its branches are in the houses of the believers.
Imam Ali (A.S) is the speaking book of Allah (S.W.T).
[Source: Al-Majmoe al-Raiq min azhaar al-Hadaiq, Vol. 2, Pg. 320]

Source: Marefate AhleBait (A.S).com

A great deal of emphasis has been given in the Holy Qur’an and the traditions to both marriage and having children. The Almighty Allah states in the Holy Qur’an: “And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves.” (30:21)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) stated: “There is no better structure founded in Islam other than marriage.” (Wasail al-Shia)
“Imam Ali (A.S) said, “Engage in marriage, because this is the tradition of the Prophet of Allah.” (Wasail al-Shia)
The Prophet of Allah further stated: “Whoever chooses to follow my tradition must get married and produce offspring through marriage (and increase the population of Muslims), so that on the Day of Resurrection, I shall confront other Ummah (nations) with the (great) numbers of my Ummah.” (Wasail al-Shia)
Imam Ali Ridha (A.S) stated: ‘The greatest gain for a man is a faithful woman who, when she sees him, becomes happy, and protects his property and her own honor in his absence.”(Wasail al-Shia)
What has been dealt with so far in this discussion has been only the worldly and animalistic side of marriage which the animals also share: the benefits of companionship and reproduction. As such, the true purpose of marriage for the human race is of a different kind. Mankind is not meant to have entered this world solely in order to eat, drink, sleep, seek pleasure or act lustfully, and then to die and be destroyed. The status of man is higher than such deeds. Human beings are meant to train themselves and their souls by gaining knowledge, committing good deeds, and behaving with good manners. Man is meant to take steps along the straight path to achieve nearness to Almighty Allah. Mankind is a creation that is able to cleanse his soul, and by avoiding evil deeds and exercising good behavior, reach a level of such high status that even the angels are not able to attain. Man is a creature that is eternal. He has come to this world so that – by the guidance of the prophets and the implementation of the programs set by the religion (of Islam) to secure his happiness in this world and the Hereafter he could live a peaceful life in the next world eternally.
Therefore, the purpose of marriage should be searched for in this spiritual context. The aim of marriage for a religious person should be a means of avoiding evil deeds and purging one’s soul of sins. It should be a means of acquiring nearness to the Almighty Allah. It is in this context that a suitable and good partner assumes an important role. When two believers form a family through marriage, their sexual relationship would benefit them in strengthening their mutual love and kindness. For such a couple, there would not exist any dangerous threats of sexual perversion, dangerous addictions, or unlawful deeds. The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) of Islam and all of the Imams (A.S) have laid great emphasis on the institution of marriage.
A pious person would always invite his partner to goodness, just as a corrupt person would tempt his partner towards corruption. It is then reasonable that in Islam, men and women who want to get married are advised to regard the piety and good manners of their future partners as essential conditions.
A person went to the Prophet and said: “I have a wife who always welcomes me when I come home and escorts me to the door when I leave. When she finds me sad and unhappy, she then consoles me by saying: ‘If you are thinking of sustenance, then do not despair, because Allah provides sustenance; and if you are thinking about the next life, then may Allah increase your intellect and efforts.'” Then the Prophet stated: “Allah surely has functionaries and agents in this world, and your wife is one of those. Such a woman would be rewarded half as much as a martyr.” (Wasail al-Shia)
Imam Ali (A.S) was thinking the same when he spoke of Lady Fatima Zahra (S.A). He stated that she was the best help for worshiping the Almighty Allah. History tells us that the Prophet, one day after the wedding of Imam Ali and Lady Zahra, went to congratulate them in their house and know about their welfare. He asked Imam Ali: “How do you find your spouse?” The Imam replied:” found Zahra as the best help in worshiping the Almighty Allah.” The Prophet then asked the same of Lady Zahra (S.A), and she replied: “He is the best husband.” (Bihar al-Anwar)
In one sentence, Imam Ali (A.S) thus introduced the best woman in Islam and expressed the main purpose of marriage.

Derived from: Principles of Marriage & Family Ethics
By: Ayatullah Ibrahim Amini