Fakhr in ubudiy'at - Part 1

The genesis of this most noblest of ‘ husn ul khulq’, an integral part of our Deen and the emancipation of our souls, is reflected in all its glory, in the life of Moulana Ali (SA)

He was fakhr in ubudiy’at personified, he set an example to be followed by the never ending chain of Imams (SA) Doat Mutlaqeen and Awalia ul Kiram, who by example have tried to inculcate this virtue in mumineen through out the ages, for their emancipation.

Ubudiy’at is the surest way and as Syedi Sadikali Saheb has said :


‘ Sadiqali ehva Moula na ni ubudiyat, ma humami che
paar hayua thava khatir ehni haqiqi gulami che ‘
(humami refers to becoming leaders of men – kingship)

Before proceeding further, I would like to share my views, specially with my young friends , who may be wondering at the paradoxes. Yes indeed – fakhr in ubudiy’at and ‘gulami ma humami’ are paradoxes.

A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement, that is none the less true. Like most paradoxes in life, ubudiyaat ma fakhr and humami have to be experienced, as it is born out of true love, it is more a ‘soul thing’ than a ‘mind thing’

First and fore most you have to connect with your Moula. Only those who are capable to experiencing unselfish love, pure love, love that does not seek, but only gives - a soul in perpetual ‘shukr’ will find joy, peace and salvation in ‘ubudiy’at’

Those attached to the material world, will find it difficult to understand. Only when the material gross is removed, will the radiance of ubudiy’at, enrich their lives, and a true understanding will dawn.

So first is the connection with Moula, and thereafter unbound love for him, are the first steps. Once that spiritual bond is established, things will become real easy, and ubudiy’at will radiate through and through in all actions. Even though ‘humami’ is not the seekers goal, may be himself, in his own life time, or his progeny will surely be rewarded. Our glorious Fatemi history is resplendent with this fact, and I hope to narrate, a few in this very post.



The personality of Moula Ali (SA) inspires awe and reverence even in a small child, whose knowledge is limited. His bravery in Badr, Ohad, Khandaq, Khyber and all military expeditions, is well known. His knowledge of all that his contained in this World and Akherat are also ashkaar. I will just touching on the points, as every one is well aware of the riwaya’ts.

He proclaimed : ‘haza Kitabullah il sa’mit, wa ana Kitabullah il – natiq’ Before I depart from this world, ask me of any thing that is contained in this World and Akherat.

In both I’lm and A’mal he was a zenith, a lighthouse that showed the way and dispelled darkness. Now I will narrate just one incident from his glorious life, on the subject of ubudiy’at.

Once when Muhammad (SA) accompanied by his ashaab were traveling, the sandals of Nabi (SA) broke and needed immediate mending. It was Moulana Ali (SA) who immediately sought raza to mend it.


As Nabi (SA) sat down with his ashaab, Moulana Ali walked a little distance and sat down to mend the sandals. Nabi (SA) saw a fit opportunity to proclaim the exalted position of Moulana Ali (SA) and said : ‘tamara logo ma kitnak ehva che je ta’wil par jang karsejim mein tanzil par kidhi.’

Barely he finished uttering these profound words, that Haughty No 1 got up, and said - ‘a’na ya Rasulallah ?’ Aqa Moula ek bayan ma farmayu ke -
‘a’ne jhallo ghano !’ He went back to his place and Hughty No 2 got up, to ask the same question, to be given the same reply, and he was followed by Hughty No: 3 who was also, shown his place.

Moulana Ali (SA) the veteran of many hard fought battles, the Kauser of I’lm e ladduni, was far removed, engrossed in mending the sandals of his Moula (here just juxtapose your individual achievements and your ubudiya’t with that of Moulana Ali (SA) and you will understand the real greatness of Moula ali (SA) and his ubudiyaat – to feel inadequate and so very small, like a sand speck is one of the first steps)

Nabi (SA) proclaimed pointing in the direction of Moulana Ali (SA) – ‘ wala kinnahu khase-ul naal’ It he who is mending my sandals !!!
I will now narrate just a few, there are innumerable in the glorious annals of our Fatemi History, but just a few, on how, the ubudiyaat exemplified in the life and actions of Moulana Ali (SA) was reflected in the lives of Doatul Mutlaqeen and Awaliya kiram sahebs. I will just be making references, as the point is to prove the paradoxes, under discussion, and the truth contained therein.

End of Part 1

FAKHR - Pride ( post 2)

FAKHR of Nabi Mohammad (SA) in THE MESSAGE OF ALLAH. Mohammad (SA) was the personification of noble traits. ‘innaka la’lla kholoqin azeem’

‘He attained the height of eminence by his perfection
He dispelled the darkness (of the World) by his grace.’ (balagal o’la be kamalehi…)Such was the noble character of our Nabi (SA)

He suffered with fortitude and courage the ignoble acts and persecution of the Quraish -taunts, ridicules, throwing of camels entails on his person, while he prayed at Kabah. The Quraish went to extremes. Muhammad (SA) did not waver a bit, when it came to delivering the Message of Allah. Fakhr in his being the Messenger of Allah was paramount.

Here I am relating a historical incidence, which will help readers in understanding and inculcating Fakhr in our belief system and faith, which we hold dear. No compromises in this matter if we inculcate Fakhr.

So in this post, I am narrating the incident in detail, how Muhammad (SA) spurned the enticement of the Quraish and his reply to Moulana Abu Talib (SA).

The Quraish came to Muhammad (SA) with temptations of worldly honor and wealth, to entice him from spreading his Message. One day Utbah son of Rabi’ah approached him and said “ O son of my brother, thou are distinguished by the qualities and descent. We have a proposition to make to thee, think well.

When Muhammad (SA) said: ‘ Speak Abul – Walid, I am listening’

He said, “O nephew ! If you are doing all this with the view of getting wealth, we will join together to give you greater riches than any Quraishite possessed. If ambition moves you, we will make you are chief ………”

When Utbah had finished laying before Muhamad (SA) all the worldly enticement, Nabi (SA) recited the verses from Surah Fussilat (41) and Utbah was mesmerized and went back to his people saying Muhammad (SA) is attached to his Message of Allah and cares not for the worldly riches and positions. He advised that he be given full freedom to pursue his goals. But his counsel fell on deaf years.

Several Quraish deputations were made to Moulana Abu Talib (SA) requesting him to stop his nephew from preaching against their religion of idol worship. The Fakhr of Nabi (SA) in the Message of Allah was so very profound, that he said to his dear uncle Moula Abu Talib (SA)

“ O my uncle ! by Allah if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, that I abandon this course, I would not abandon it until Allah has made me victorious or I perish therein”

So this is real Fakhr that our Aqa Moula (TUS) is alluding to in this 98th Milad Mubarak – Ayyamul Ta’budaat.

When it comes to matter of Faith and belief system, we should rise up and proclaim, that I can be humble, patient, understanding, accommodating, you may at times misunderstand me as weak, but I AM NOT UP FOR SALE in matter of my Faith, and my Deen. My Fakhr will not brook any short cuts and compromises.

It is time of introspection friends, look inward , and make a self assessment.
It is empowerment, the concept widely taught in all Business Schools and very current in Business Lectures around the world.

Here I would like to recall the bayan mubarak of Aqa Moula (TUS) when he said - ‘Mumineen, tamne koi gareeb samjhi ne ijan ape to na jajo, hargij na jajo’ This is empowerment of the financially weak, the instilling of Fakhr being a mumin, although not well off financially.

However, there is a subtle difference. If you have Pride (haughtiness) then empowerment denotes controlling others. On the other hand Fakhr denotes, taking charge of your life, a more profound aspect of self development. Let us inculcate this Fakhr in our daily lives.

In the next post I hope to write on Fakhr in ubudiyat. Insah Allah.
Moulana Ali (SA) the perfect embodiment of this noble trait, comes to mind readily.

FAKHR - PRIDE

We are in the midst of celebrating the 98th Milad Mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and are carrying with us the visions and dream of celebrating his 100th Milad Mubarak Insa Allah.

I have been giving a serious thought on the subject of ‘Fakhr’ (Pride) which is the main theme of this year’s Ayyamul Ta’budaat. Let me share with you all, my thoughts on the subject.

Pride resulting out of material possessions, I need not elaborate here, is haughtiness, a negative and self destructive trait. Fakhr emanating out of things spiritual and non-tangible, adds luster and releases positive energies for the development of the mind, soul and body. Fakhr is conducive to mental health. When we have self confidence and self respect, we thrive. Ask any expert on behavioral science, and they will agree, that it is so. No doubts here.

Now the question – How best to inculcate this positive Fakhr ? – as humans we are attuned and attached to all things material. Aqa Moula’s Kalema’t Nooraniyah, surely shows us the way :


‘Ay mara pyara farzando ! Tamne koyee chiz nu fakhr hoyee to’ Imam Husain na matam ane buka nu fakhr hoyee.

Koi beezee duniya ni chiz nu nahi. Ay mara pyara farzando !

Imam Husain ni shadaat tamne parhi ne sunawoo, yeh mara vaste fakhr, ane ehna si mari sehat and badan ma quwwat.

Haqiqi fakhr su ? Ke A’al – e- Mohammad ane yeh sagla na doaato ni gulami.
Yeh haqiqi fakhr !



So here we have it. In one of his earlier bayan mubarak Aqa Moula (TUS) said: ‘ je waqt mumin Abde Syedna likhe che, to’ ehne fakhr mehsoos thai che, ke mari nisbat mara Moula si chhe’

In order to understand, appreciate and finally inculcate the positive Fakhr in our daily lives, the historical incidents from the pages of our glorious Akhbar , albeit only a few have been taken by me, there are countless, but my knowledge is limited, I hope others will also share their knowledge. The purpose is to have an insight on the subject.

In many cases I will be just giving the thread of narration, and not the details, as every one surely knows all the riwayats, which I hope to refer, just the points, during this Ayyamul Ta’budaat. This being by first post on the subject. Your comments will provide me with guidance and motivation, for which I will be ever grateful.


FAKHR of Ibrahim Nabi on the WILL of ALLAH - Everyone knows the riwayat of Ibrahim Nabi (SA) when he was about to be thrown in fire – Jibraeel was bewildered at the reply Ibrahim (SA) gave that I seek nothing from Allah – what happened – ‘kulna ya naar kooni bardan va salama’ – Ibrahim (SA) said to Jibraeel - I felt ashamed to seek deliverance when Khuda ni hiqmat was that I should be martyred.

The Fakhr was in accepting what was Willed. A lesson to be learnt.

FAKHR of Musa Nabi on the FATIH IN ALLAH - He goes to the court of the mighty and most powerful Firaun with his vasi Haroon, both carrying nothing with them, but the walking stick. Every one knows how he managed to subdue and baffle the haughty Firaun and his courtiers.

For Musa Nabi (SA) the Fakhr was in reposing full FAITH IN ALLAH. We mumineen by reposing full faith in our Aqa Moula (TUS) can overcome seemingly difficult obstacles.

To be continued …………..

CONTENTMENT

Alf sajadat-us-shukr va ubudiyat in Hazrat Aliyah Imamiyah for the barakat received by the world wide community of mumineen of the Chelum Va’az audio relay from Darussalam.

Two very powerful messages – the first CONTENTMENT which will help in keeping the mental balance and equilibrium and the other to move forward, not to cry over spilled milk, by thinking and acting positively in all life situations, were delivered loud and clear.

I share with readers, some thoughts on the subject. Let me start by quoting the sayings of Moulana Ali (SA) from NAHJUL BALAGAH

• Contentment is wealth that does not diminish.

• Livelihood is of two kinds : the livelihood which you seek and the livelihood, which seeks you; if you do not reach, it would come to you. Therefore do not turn your one day’s worry in to a year’s worry. Whatever you get every day should be enough for you for the day. If you have a whole year of your life even then Allah will give you every next day what He has destined as your share.

If you do not have a year in your life, then why should your worry for what is not for you. No seeker would reach your livelihood before you nor would any one over power you in matter of livelihood. Similarly whatever has been destined, as your share would not be delayed from you.

Aqa Moula (TUS) said that by kan’aat, we can achieve Hay’at Taiyyebah, which is the goal of every mumin.

Now the question arises how to inculcate the virtue of CONTENTMENT.

It is not something to be searched for and found, it is primarily development of the right attitude and the persuit of a life style based on conviction and not circumstances.

Achieving reasonable standard of living - habit of giving - cultivating a close and warm hearted feelings for others – a thankful heart – rejection of base less fears – establishing priorities and most important having full trust and faith in the broad scheme of things as envisaged by Allah.

Start inculcating the above and soon you will find your self living a life full of contentment and happiness.

Personally for me it is a matter of great satisfaction, sharing with you all this 40th post on the Mind Mints blog on Chelum day.

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES - NOT USUAL RUN OF THE MILL TYPE

It’s real downtime folks, so like many companies, specially in the financial and service sectors going bust, the currency of the most popular dictum, on which many made a lot of money ie: ‘WORK HARD – PARTY HARDER’ has also gone bust.


Many including yours truly have reverted back to the simpler pleasures of life, one of them being reading of books. After having thumbed through the recent best seller “Dreams from my Father – A story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama, gifted by my niece,Zahra an Obama fan, who came visiting from the States, I had to fall back on my small collection of books, to find solace and peace in troubled times.


As I read through Linda Goodman’s STAR SIGNS I came across a this interesting poem therein. May be in good times I may have just smirked and moved on, but as these are bad times, I read it again and again and thought - is it possible, can it be used as a survival strategy, many thoughts rankled my brain. I will not elaborate but share with you the beautiful verse and the blessings of the riwayat, which every mumin does know well, which suddenly came to mind, as I tried to rationalize the truth contained in the verse.


I leave it entirely upon your discernment and prudence to make a judgment, if at all in these difficult time, it can be used as a survival strategy. Very radical indeed, hope some one has the courage to ‘JUST DO IT ’ ( amusing thought whether NIKE themselves are putting faith in their tag line, during this difficult times)

QUOTE : …….. and tonight I’m remembering

those bubbly moments of bittersweet
when a tapped out stranger stops us on the street
to ask you for a dime or a quarter
a fellow Earthling, who’s lost his or her way for a while

you always smile, then give the lost one five dollars
or ten ……. or twenty

even when you’re broke
and it’s your very last five ……. or ten……. or twenty

then, when the Taker looks shocked, as they always do
you call back, over your shoulder

‘ listen, if you want any more
just give half of that away
don’t save it for a rainy day !
rain rhymes with pain
…………. give rhymes with live!’



Pray what are your first thoughts, as you finished reading
‘absolute rubbish’ / ‘far fetched’ / or ‘may be there is truth, of which I know not’


As I conveyed earlier, I read it again and again, what made me read it I know not, and I recalled the riwayat of Moulana Ali (SA) heard many a times in va’az. Forgive my narration, as it is always very difficult to convey it in English.


The household of Moula Ali (SA) had been without food for three days, so Ma Fatema (SA) pleaded with Aqa Ali to arrange for some money, so that food can be bought. Moulana Ali (SA) secured 1 dinar as karzan from a Jew and while returning, he chanced upon Mikdad bin Aswad, sitting in the heat of the day, on the way.


Upon enquiry Moulana Ali came to know that the household of Mikdad had been without food, for past four days, and Mikdad was at his wit’s end, as to how to arrange for some money. Moulana Ali told Mikdad of his own personal plight and said he has just secured 1 dinar as karzan and was returning home.


But Moulana Ali did what only Moulana Ali could only do. He gave Mikdad 1 dinar saying, go Mikdad, buy food and satiate the hunger of your family, who are without food for 4 days at a stretch ALLAHO AKBAR !!!


So giving Mikdad 1 dinar Moulana Ali slowly made his way towards his home, where Ma Fatema (SA) and Imam Hasan (SA) and Imam Husain (SA) .were eagerly awaiting his return.

Here I would like to make a very important observation. Moulana Ali could have easily told Mikdad, that see I have borrowed 1 dinar from that particular Jew, go to him, and borrow one dinar your self. HE SIMPLY GAVE HIS ONE DINAR AWAY !!


As Moulana Ali (SA) was making his way back home, he chanced upon Muhammad (SA) who said, that he intended to partake food with Ahle Bait (SA). Moulana Ali immediately offered the invitation, and both of them hurried towards home.


Every mumin knows this riwayat so very well. What happened when he returned - Ma Fatema (SA) in sujood, and lo and behold the m’aedat from heaven - the look of utter bewilderment and a hint of suspicion in the eyes of Moulana Ali (SA) as he looked at Ma Fatema, and finally Muhammad (SA) telling Moulana Ali (SA) that it was only because of his giving 1 dinar away to Mikdad !!!

So friends, no one on earth can do what Moulana Ali (SA) could do, but we can all learn a lesson, in this difficult time to reach put to those of our fellow brothers, who are in need of our support and understanding.


REACH OUT with your funds, your knowledge, your zeal to serve, the least you can do is to provide a willing ear and proffer some advice and solace.


Let us not merely think of our own self and family , not be mean and narrow minded. Let us have a broad vision and lofty goal. Not to hoard wealth – investing it with the sole purpose of having to avoid sharing it with others. If from this down turn, we have not learnt a lesson, when will we ever learn.


On daily basis we are seeing the stories of investments going down the drain, the high and mighty of the financial world, looked upon as demy gods, biting dust. Those that have received accolades and awards, turning out to be plain and simple cheats.

Difficult times demand difficult decisions to be taken. Are you game ?

WHERE HAS THE MONEY GONE - HUMOUR

Once in a while it does a world of good for the tired and exhuasted mind to deviate, from serious issues in life and enjoy humour. This one if no slapstic but real British humour, with a potent message, which vindicates the teachings of our beloved
Aqa Moula (TUS)

It will surely provide fresh mints to your tired mind, at the same time make you fully aware of the finaiancial mess, that the Investment Bankers, have led the world into. ENJOY AND MORE IMPORTANT LEARN !!!

Bird & Fortune - Financial Crisis - Silly Money

http://www.intentblog.com/archives/2009/01/have_a_laugh_fi.html

(copy paste on your browser please)

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

MUSIC is not an anathema ( I am talking from our community perspective here) if understood and enjoyed in the right spirit. I am sharing with you some of the information I have collected on the subject, which will also set you thinking. Read on friends ………

If you care to read history, you will come to know that the famous Arab philosophers, were the ones who expounded on Music.

BU ALI SINA (Avicenna) defines music as ‘ a mathematical science ‘ in which there is discussed the state of melody, in so far as it is harmony or it is discord, and the state of intervening period. His book was entitled “Introduction to the art of Music’
His pupil Ibn Zaila wrote a Book – ‘Suffeciency in Music’ and his contemporary, the great mathematician and physicist Ibn Al Haitham, complied two studies on Music.

KINDI’S extant works on musical theory are the earliest existing in Arabic.

THABIT IBN QURRA - the mathematician – RAZI the physician philosopher, contributed to writing of musical treaties.

FARABI - the great Islamic theorist’s book – ‘ Grand Book Of Music ‘ has been subject of modern study. He also wrote on the Style of Music and on the Classification of Rhythm.

BUZJANI - the famous Mathematician wrote a Compendium on the Science of Rhythm.

IKHWAN –US – SAFAH (Epistles) had an entire chapter on Music, which was widely known.

SURPRISED !

Is not reading all this music to your ears, my freinds !

MUSIC IS NOT BAD ! MUSIC ELAVATES THE MIND AND THE SPIRIT. MUSIC WHICH LEADS ONE TO THE ONENESS OF ALLAH, WHICH BRINGS OUT THE FINER SENTIMENTS OF CHARACTER, MUSIC WITH SOOTHS THE TROUBLED MIND AND EASES PAIN IS A REAL BLESSING.

Like a human who can rise to be angelic or fall down to the depths, to even shame Satan, Music also emotes powerful contradictory forces on human mind and character. It is for this very reason, that in our Deen, in order to safeguard us from the negative and harmful effects of Music, directives with regard to music are issued and strictly adhered to. It is not a ‘gag’ as some wrongly view it, it is a blessing in disguise.

The philosopher’s of yore wrote extensively on the therapeutic value of the music, and the effect of different forms of composition on a man’s mood. They were interested on the spiritual awakening of the mind and soul.

The music that is churned out now days , has the beat, the rhythm, sound, vibrations and the high and low pitch notes, it is foot tapping, hip swinging but not mind and soul awakening, and we as mumineen our more concerned with the therapeutic value and awakening of the mind and soul, rather than toning of our leg and hip muscle and bones !!! There are better exercises for achieving body flexiblity.

It is not that musical instruments are banned but we make judicial use of it. However, we have developed the art of what is known as cappella music to a state of perfection. (It is vocal music or singing without instrumental accompaniment)

For the last several years SAUTUL IMAN - a voice development project by Mahad Al Zahra is doing a commendable khidmat in the development of this genre of music. This year it was very interesting to see youngsters, downloading Marishyah from the Sautul Iman website for each particular day of Muhrram and sharing with each other and practicing recital.

In a few years time, we will have youngsters perfecting the art of cappella music, at the same time learning a lot to differentiate between music, that elevates the mind and soul and that which awakens baser passions and desires.

Besides Marsiyah with broadly comprises ‘salaam’ – ‘musaddas’ - ‘noha’ (matami/non-matami) each having a particular form of rendering unique to its self, there are different forms of rhythm and recital beats, used for rendering Hamd – O Sana (the lyrical quality of Quran is brought out to perfection in the recitation of ‘sana’ in fazr namaz if properly remdered) Qasida, Naa’t e Rasul (SA) Manqabat – e – Ali (SA) Nasihat etc:

In conclusion I have this to say. There is a lot to learn and much to appreciate in our Deen, provided you are willing to learn and understand.

In our Faith, the famous mathematicians, physicists and philosophers who expounded on music, but now days one tend to be avowed by …………. (draw your own conclusions)