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We believe that a true and comprehensive understanding of Islam would not be possible without careful recognition of the Prophetic Tradition and the Prophet's Household. And Allah is the Source of Strength.
 

Understanding "Islamic" Axioms Continued (Part II)

We all are the frog princes of our wells, and for us, the truth is whatever we know and believe in. The god of the Hindu dwells in the idol. That is a fact for him because that is the vibe in his well. The mullah believes that the Americans did not land on the moon. That is a fact for him, because in his well, no one can approach the moon. Infact, in the Mullah's well, sighting of the moon in itself is a miracle, let alone landing on it. And maybe they are right. How can some one land on the moon. I mean wouldn't they just fall off?

We have seen how our people forbid to go to places, to sit in company of people, how they shun the use of technology. Speaking about the conservative places, ie. Pakistan's tribal areas, and Saudia Arabia (and also Iran), Radio was/is banned, use of social networks is limited and discouraged. These are the clerics who do not want us to be exposed to the world outside their wells and thus be exposed to new ideas, new thoughts, new information. They do not want us to challenge their axioms but to follow it like a blind man.

It takes courage to challenge an axiom. These are the "axioms", which are defined as a self-evident truth that requires no proof and are universally accepted principle or rule. These have achieved a dominant position in our beliefs, by tradition, enforcement and market dominance.

I now understand why is traveling encouraged by Allah.

And certainly We raised in every nation a messenger saying: Serve Allah and shun the Shaitan. So there were some of them whom Allah guided and there were others against whom error was due; therefore travel in the land, then see what was the end of the
rejecters.
Quran [16:36]

The more we travel, the more we learn from other people, the more we realize how Allah's nature works, the more we see the end of the rejecters, the more we cherish the advances of science and technology, and the more we broaden the horizon of our wells.

In our earlier piece of writing, Understanding "Islamic" Axioms, we stated that Allah wants us to use our Aql because he had given it to us for a purpose. Still many of us kill it and fill it with biases which we take to our graves. In the original article, we discussed and assessed 10 axioms, ranging from Fatwas, to memorizing of the Quran, to Azadari, to superstition.

This paper will critically dissect and assess the following axions;

  1. Axiom 1: All misfortunes (accidents, mishaps, sickness etc) in our lives are a punishment of Allah
  2. Axiom 2: Imam Ali (AS) ate iftar at 40 homes at the same time
  3. Axiom 3: Janab Zahra (AS) has arrived in our majlis and is seated next to the shoes of the azadars (Astagfirullah)
  4. Axiom 4: Allah will forgive Haqooq Allah (rights of God on man)  but not Haqooq Ibad (rights of man on another man)
  5. Axiom 5: I am a 5 time namazi, Alhamdullilah I am blessed
  6. Axiom 6: Healthy activities, such as sports, athletics and gym are not a part of Islamic lifestyle
  7. Axiom 7: Dua is not accepted until belief in Marjayat (or belief in something you believe)
  8. Axiom 8: 18th Jeth is the date of Ashura and Nawroz is the day when Mawla Ali (AS) was given walayat
  9. Axiom 9:  We all must fight against Yazeed of today
  10. Axiom 10: Islam and Science are two different school of thoughts
  11. Axiom 11: The Ummat of Prophet (SAW) will be protected by the wings of Jibrael (AS)
    12.

It is our duty to critically analyze all such tales and conclude whether these hold any truth and purity or not. I am sure that the list i present below will have many literary references (outside the Quran, and thus challenge-able) which support them and which may not support them, however what does Quran have to say? What does a man's understanding have to say? I also request before continuing with the article, make sure you have read the original or part I of Understanding "Islamic" Axioms.

    1. Axiom 1: All misfortunes (accidents, mishaps, sickness etc) in our lives are a punishment of Allah

We all rush in jumping to conclusions and start judging others whenever anything happens in their lives. Anything bad happening to a person, such as any accident, loss of property, or disability is termed as a punishment of Allah by our society.

The society maybe correct, because they do not know the wisdom behind such a happening.

So they went (their way) until when they embarked in the boat he made a hole in
it. (Musa) said: Have you made a hole in it to drown its inmates? Certainly you have done a grievous thing........................
............... As for the boat, it belonged to (some) poor men who worked on the river and I wished that I should damage it, and there was behind them a king who seized every boat by force.
Quran [18:71] & [18:79] 

Khizr (AS) by the will of Allah, damaged some ones property. This was not on account of misfortune for them, but in Allah's wisdom, reaped more benefits in the coming time. In the same surah we also find that Khizr (AS) kills a boy and the wisdom behind it was to save the pious parents from ingratitude from an insolent kid and that Allah to give them a child better than the one they had. Was the loosing of a child misfortune on the parents, or mercy of Allah?

The society may still be correct, but they do not know what is the caliber of the person suffering from such misfortune.

Surely We will try them as We tried the owners of the garden, when they swore that they would certainly cut off the produce in the morning, And were not willing to set aside a portion (for the poor). Then there encompassed it a visitation from your Lord while they were sleeping. So it became as black, barren land.
Quran [68:17-20]

Allah made barren the garden of the person who was not willing to give the poor their rightful share. This was definitely on account of misfortune for them.

So we must realize, that misfortune will fall the good people and on the bad people. But the intent behind both is different. The good are tested and their sins are atoned during the trial, whereas the wicked are punished. You may never tell the difference if some one is being punished via the misfortunes, or being tried. Therefore you should only ask for forgiveness when you see some one in trouble.

The one being in the midst of the misfortune will know if it is a test or a punishment. His inner peace, his sense of protection by Allah, his Tawaqal on Allah and his patience and satisfaction will prove to his heart that he is being tested by his Lord. His restlessness, his feeling of desolation, his realization of his mistakes will prove to his heart that he has been punished.

Therefore all mishaps in our lives do not indicate wrath of Allah.

Prophets have suffered diseases;

And Ayub, when he cried to his Lord, (saying): Harm has afflicted me, and Thou
art the most Merciful of the merciful. Therefore We responded to him and took off what harm he had, and We gave him his family and the like of them with them: a mercy from Us and a reminder to the worshippers.
Quran [21:83-84]

The infidels have suffered diseases;

And when the plague fell upon them, they said: O Musa! pray for us to your Lord as He has promised with you, if you remove the plague from us, we will certainly believe in you and we will certainly send away with you the children of Israel.
Quran [7:134]

What was the difference in the two?

Wherever you are, death will overtake you, though you are in lofty towers, and if a benefit comes to them, they say: This is from Allah; and if a misfortune befalls them, they say: This is from you (O Muhammad). Say: All is from Allah, but what is the matter with these people that they do not make approach to understanding what is told (them)? Whatever benefit comes to you (O man!), it is from Allah, and whatever misfortune befalls you, it is from yourself, and We have sent you (O Prophet!), to mankind as a messenger; and Allah is sufficient as a witness.
Quran [4:78-79]

An apparent misfortune in this world on a believer does greater good to him in his real life, the hereafter, more than he can anticipate. This good is in terms of atonement of sins, leniency of accountability and rewards. An apparent misfortune in this world on a disbeliever, is well a misfortune and beginning of his punishment.

And We will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of
property and lives and fruits; and give good news to the patient, Who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are Allah's and to Him we shall surely return. Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those are the followers of the right course.
Quran [2:155-157]

Therefore, the best weapon to fight a misfortune is to have faith in Allah and patience. And if you see some one else's misfortunes, rather than labeling them as kuffars or wretched, lend a helping hand to them. Who knows you were being tested at the same time?

Verdict; Fail

   2. Axiom 2: Imam Ali (AS) ate iftar at 40 homes at the same time

This is something i heard in one of the majalis by one of the zaakirs. To me, references do not matter if something is against the principles of Islam (Quran + Aql).

The personality being talked about is Mawla Ali (AS). He needs no introduction does he?

For those who believe in the Prophet's (SAW) message about Imam Ali (AS), Ali is the Imam and Ali is the Wali of Allah. Eating in 40 homes at the same time is nothing to be proud of for someone like Ali (AS). It is not a question about if Ali (AS) was given the authority to do such miracles.

He said: O chiefs! which of you can bring to me her throne before they come to me in submission? One audacious among the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty for it. One who had the knowledge of the Book said: I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye. Then when he saw it settled beside him, he said: This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.
Quran [27:38-40]

If jinns and those who had the knowledge of the book could bring the throne of Bilqis to Sulaiman (AS) in the twinkling of the eye, then surely eating at many places at the same time is a piece of cake for Ali (AS) who was the gateway to the knowledge of Prophet (SAW).

"... al-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim has quoted on the authority of 'Ali who said: The Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'I am the city of knowledge and 'Ali is its gate'..."
Ta'rikh al-Khulafa', Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 911 AH), p. 170
http://www.al-islam.org/tahrif/cityofknowledge/

The question is not how could Ali (AS) do this? The question is why would Ali (AS) do this? Furthermore, those who know history, realize that after Prophet's  (SAW) demise, the people turned hostile towards the Ahlulbayt (AS) and there are ahadith and narrations which show that the people would stop greeting Imam Ali (AS) in the market places as well.

Narrated 'Aisha: .......... When Fatima was alive, the people used to respect 'Ali much, but after her death, 'Ali noticed a change in the people's attitude towards him. .....
Volume 5, Book 59, Number 546:

I love to ask were there even 40 houses who would invite Imam Ali (AS) for iftar?

The fazayl of Ali (AS) do not lie in him eating in 40 houses at the same time, for surely this can be achieved by some powerful jinn as well. Neither does this increase or decrease Imam Ali's fazayl and superiority. Would he (AS) be more superior if he ate in 400 homes? I bet not. Would he (AS) be less superior if he ate in 4 homes at the same time rather than 40? Definitely not. Does his eating in so many places at the same time increase our faith and spirituality in bring us closer to Allah? I guess not. Do such unaccounted for traditions spoken irresponsibly from the mimbar add to chaos and confusion and more doubts in the minds of those who think Ali (AS) was just another Sahabi? I guess so.

He was Imam Ali (AS). Who am i to say he could not achieve such a miracle? Surely with authority from Allah, the chosen ones have also brought the dead back to life (the likes of Isa (AS)). I only intend to say that the fazayl of Ali (AS) lie in his eloquence, patience, bravery, chivalry, nobility, piety, in his services to Prophet (SAW) and Islam, in his noble lineage, knowledge and sacrifices.

I would like to conclude this point on an amazing saying of Imam Ali Raza (AS), so that we understand the true spirit and natures of miracles Allah granted to his chosen prophets and Imams of the Ahlulbayt (AS);

Ibn Sekkit, a great literary scholar of his era, once asked Imam Reza (AS): "Why did Allah appoint different miracles to each prophet? He sent Musa[Moses] with miracles of the cane and the halo hand, Isa[Jesus] with the power to heal, and Muhammad (p.b.u.h) with the miracle of eloquence?"

Imam Reza (AS) replied: "When Allah appointed Musa as a prophet, it was in an era when magic and supernatural acts were more common among people than science. Musa therefore, brought an act that people had never seen before and could not understand it through their rational. With this miracle, he was able to refute the works of the magicians and give them clear proof.

At the time of Isa, on the other hand, diseases without cure had spread throughout. Science and medication was highly in demand. Isa therefore came to them with the miracle of healing all diseases, a power not known to them, for he could give life to the dead, and heal genetic blindness and leprosy. And through his miracles, he fulfilled his proof upon the people of his time.

However, Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was appointed at a time when poetry and eloquence in language was very popular among the communities. With the revelation of the Holy Quran and its teachings, Allah refuted their reasoning."
Selection taken from "Analysis of the life of Imam Reza (AS)" by Muhammad Jawad Fadlullah.

The time of Muhammad (SAW) was at the peak of ignorance, and Rasool (SAW) brought the cure for that ignorance, ie. the Quran, a true miracle in all respect. Ali's (AS) greatest miracle was his knowledge on and command of this book.

 ..Imām `Alī (عليه السلام) said: “There is not an ayah in the Book of Allāh (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) except that I know its tafsīr, and in whichever place it was revealed, on a plain or a mountain, and in whatever time it was revealed, in the night or the day.’ – Pointing to his chest – ‘here there is abundant knowledge, but the seekers of it are few, and from the few they will regret when they lose me.’
Ilal al-Sharai by Sheikh Sadooq,Vol 1,Ch 38,Pg 40,H 1 / http://discovershiaislam.blogspot.com/2012/01/imam-aliassalooni-salooni-kabla.html

Verdict; Fail

   3. Axiom 3: Janab Zahra (AS) has arrived in our majlis and is seated next to the shoes of the azadars (Astagfirullah)

The big Astagfirullah is even small at what some of our zaakireens and even notable scholars (personally witnessed) love to state from the mimbar.

Janab Fatima Zahra (AS) is someone, the slaves of Muhammad (SAW) should not even take name of without proper wudu, that is the respect the ismat (honor) and taharat (purity) of Rasool (SAW) deserves. She (AS) is someone, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself used to stand up for as a sign of love and respect.

She (AS) is the Ahlulbayt (AS);

'A'isha reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) went out one norning wearing a striped cloak of the black camel's hair that there came Hasan b. 'Ali. He wrapped hitn under it, then came Husain and he wrapped him under it along with the other one (Hasan). Then came Fatima and he took her under it, then came 'Ali and he also took him under it and then said: Allah only desires to take away any uncleanliness from you, O people of the household, and purify you (thorough purifying)
Sahih Muslim Book 031, Number 5955

What is the sin of torturing the Prophet of Allah?

Miswar b. Makhramah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Fatima is a part of me. He in fact tortures me who tortures her.
Sahih Muslim Book 031, Number 6000

She is the leader;

'A'isha reported: We, the wives of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), were with him (during his last illness) and none was absent therefrom that Fatima, who walked after the style of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), came there, and when he saw her he welcomed her saying: You are welcome,my daughter. He their made her sit on his right side or on his left side. Then he said something secretly to her and she wept bitterly and when he found her (plunged) in grief he said to her something secretly for the second time and she laughed. I ('A'isha) said to her: Allah's Messenger has singled you amongst the women (of the family) for talking (to you something secretly) and you wept. When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) recovered from illness, I said to her. What did Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) say to you? Thereupon she said: I am not going to disclose the secret of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) died, I said to her: I adjure you by the right that I have upon you that you should narrate to me what Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to you. She said: Yes, now I can do that (so listen to it). When he talked to me secretly for the first time he informed me that Gabirel was in the habit of reciting the Qur'an along with him once or twice every year, but this year it had been twice and so he perceived his death quite near, so fear Allah and be patient (and he told me) that he would be a befitting forerunner for me and so I wept as you saw me. And when he saw me in grief he talked to me secretly for the second time and said: Fatima, are you not pleased that you should be at the head of the believing women or the head of this Umma? I laughed and it was that laughter which you saw.
Sahih Muslim Book 031, Number 6004

How convenient it is for the frauds and the money-mongers to use the purified bibi (AS) so that the followers of Ali (AS) feel more emotional and in return their majlis gets superhit? Shame on such scholars and ulemas and shame on the people who still make such people a center stage for the millions of poor and illiterate faithful who do not know what to accept and what not to accept.

Janab Zahra (AS), as i heard from one of the true praisers of Ahlulbayt (AS), was blessed with three things. Every daughter brings Rehmat for her father, and Janab (AS) brought mercy for her father Muhammad (SAW) who was the Rehmat ul Aalimeen. Every wife completes the faith of a man, and Janab (AS) completed the faith of Mawla Ali (AS), who was given the title of Qul e Eeman (complete faith) during the battle of Khandaq, when Amr ibn Abd Wad crossed the trench and abused Islam and the Prophet (SAW) and challenged all muslims such that who kills him and sends him to hell or is killed from his hands and goes to paradise, about which the Quran states;

When they (pagans) came upon you from above you and from below you, and
when the eyes turned dull, and the hearts rose up to the throats, and you began to think diverse thoughts of Allah. There the believers were tried and they were shaken with severe shaking.
Quran [33:10-11]

And when only Ali (AS) stood to fight with the Qul e Kufr, Rasool (SAW) smiled and stated that today Qul e Eeman will face Qul e Kufr. Ofcourse Eeman will always prevail over kufr. The third thing a womn possesses, is the paradise of her children beneath her feet. Janab Zahra (AS) had the paradise of Imam Hassan (AS) and Hussain (AS) beneath her feet, the two sons of Prophet (SAW) and the princes of paradise.

Such is the grandeur and status of the Kharul Nisa Al Aalimeen, whose name our "scholars" take without thinking before opening their mouths. She (AS) is the same lady whose name Hur (AS) could not take when Imam Hussain (AS) told Hur may his mother weep on him when he grabbed the horse of Imam Hussain (AS) to intercept him and take him to Kerbala.

Did the sinful eyes of the scholar see where Janab Zahra (AS) is? How dare they take the name and assume that she will attend a majlis lead by him? This is to me, a grave disrespect and blasphemy. I do not doubt that Janab Zahra (AS) will not attend a gathering where the zikr of her sons (AS) will take place. But i doubt that Janab Zahra (AS) will attend a gathering where the intention of the scholar and of the organizers is something other than the zikr. The name of the daughter of prophet (SAW) is the peak of hijab itself and we must understand this.

And they shall say: We believe in it. And how shall the attaining (of faith) be
possible to them from a distant place? And they disbelieved in it before, and they utter conjectures with regard to the unseen from a distant place.
Quran [34:52-53]

Surely they disbelieve and they utter conjectures with regard to the unseen from a distant place.

If only our scholars (shia, sunni, etc) could understand that earning money, fame and playing with the emotions of the poor is not their duty, Islam would have had a better following in terms of quality.

Verdict; Fail

   4. Axiom 4: Allah will forgive Haqooq Allah (rights of God on man) but not Haqooq Ibad (rights of man on another man)

Who in this world can tell what Allah will do and what Allah will not do? Why do we all want to act and think like Allah?

Abiding therein so long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord please; surely your Lord is the mighty doer of what He intends.
Quran [11:107]

First thing, Allah does whatever he intends to do, without taking permission from any one, without being dependant on anyone. This is the attribute of Allah.

Allah will forgive whoever he wants and punish who ever he wants.

Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; and whether
you manifest what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will call you to account according to it; then He will forgive whom He pleases and chastise whom He pleases, and Allah has power over all things.
Quran [2:284]

Then how can we say what Allah will forgive and what he will punish? We do not know the will of Allah. But, we do know two things about Allah as Rasool (SAW) communicated to us;

Allah is the teller of the truth and Allah is just.

Say: Surely my Lord utters the truth, the great Knower of the unseen.
Quran [34:48]

Then how will it be when We shall gather them together on a day about which
there is no doubt, and every soul shall be fully paid what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly?
Quran [3:25]

Allah will not deal with anyone unjustly. We will be asked about our rights on God (Kalimah, Namaz, Roza, Haj, Zakat, Khums, Jahad, Amar bil Maruf, Wa Nahi Anar Munkir, Tawalla, Tabarra, Quran). We will be asked about our rights on his creation (parents, sibblings, spouse, children, collegaues, friends, teachers, neighbors, family members, pets).

I hope Allah does not ask us about his rights as well as our rights on his creations and forgives us with his mercy. I really hope so. But if we are asked about his rights on us and our intentions and efforts pertaining to it, or the rights of his creations on us and our intentions and efforts pertaining to it, it will be a tough day for us. Who is there to stop Allah from questioning us?

Therefore let us clear this misconception that Allah will forgive his rights but punish if we usurped the right of other people. Allah will reward all good and punish all evil, and forgive whatever he will.

We should not follow that of which we have no knowledge of.

And give full measure when you measure out, and weigh with a true balance; this
is fair and better in the end. And follow not that of which you have not the knowledge; surely the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these, shall be questioned about that
Quran [17:35-36]

And We will set up a just balance on the day of resurrection, so no soul shall be
dealt with unjustly in the least; and though there be the weight of a grain of mustard seed,
(yet) will We bring it, and sufficient are We to take account
Quran [21:47]

Verdict; Fail

    5. Axiom 5: I am a 5 time namazi, Alhamdullilah I am blessed

It is just a way of thinking if Namaz is the only element Rasool (SAW) taught, or if it is one of the Farayz on us. However its importance cannot be undermined.

Salaat is the way of the Prophet (SAW) himself. Salaat has been created an integral part of a Muslim's day to day routine such that Allah has allowed for modifications to upkeep it depending on a daily scenario, rather than skipping it in totality.

Attend constantly to prayers and to the middle prayer and stand up truly obedient
to Allah. But if you are in danger, then (say your prayers) on foot or on horseback; and when you are secure, then remember Allah, as. He has taught you what you did not know.
Quran [2:238-239] 

And when you journey in the earth, there is no blame on you if you shorten the prayer, if you fear that those who disbelieve will cause you distress, surely the unbelievers are your open enemy.
Quran [4:101]  

Allah has allowed us Salaat on foot or on horseback. Allah has allowed us to shorten the Salaat. Allah has also allowed us to combine the prayers as per our convenience an his prophet (SAW) taught so;

Ibn 'Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed the noon and afternoon prayers together, and the sunset and Isha' prayers together without being in a state of fear or in a state of journey.
Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 1515

Furthermore, it is not a question about shia or sunni. To offer Salaat is a Quranic order and the methodology is the Prophet's (SAW). Prophetic traditions can be filtered as unauthentic if they are against the Quran or the principles of Islam (justice, eloquence, piety, understanding, chivalry, nobility, reasoning). However, the traditions of prophet (SAW) which cannot be weighed against such principles shall be accepted if with sincere intentions. We cannot conclude if to recite Surah Fateha or Surah Baqra in Salaat on the basis of Quran or our Aql alone. We cannot conclude if Fajr has 2 rakaats or 4 rakaats based on reasoning. These are issues which are to be followed on what we receive from the Prophet (SAW) as traditions. If we believe that our method of Salaat is the way of Prophet (SAW) himself, then our salaat is salaat.

So being a 5 time namazi is indeed a virtue and a blessing of Allah. Muhammad (SAW) was a Namazi, Ali (AS) was a namazi, Imam Hassan (AS) and Hussain (AS) were namazis.

But are todays namazis blessed, namazis, who label other namazis as Kafirs and approve of killing them in mosques and imambargas? Namazis who do not help the orphan and become arrogant? Namazis who forget their duties towards the fellow human and focus on salat alone? The mullah of today tells from the pulpit how important it is to perform salat, for it is easy for him to perform salaat. The mullah does not tell how important is to protect the salaat, for he does not manage to do so. The mullah does not tell the people how Allah will do away with the prayers of the praying ones, the namazis, who are away from humanity.

Have you considered him who calls the judgment a lie? That is the one who treats the orphan with harshness, And does not urge (others) to feed the poor. So woe to the praying ones, Who are unmindful of their prayers, Who do (good) to be seen, And withhold the necessaries of life.
Quran [107:1-7]

Remembrance of Allah is necessary in our lives.

O you who believe! remember Allah, remembering frequently,
Quran [33:41]

And remember your Lord within yourself humbly and fearing and in a voice not
loud in the morning and the evening and be not of the heedless ones. Surely those who are with your Lord are not too proud to serve Him, and they declare His glory and prostrate in humility before Him.
Quran [7:205-6]

Namazis who forget the remembrance of Allah other than the timed salaat (which has become their habbit) can be seen doing embezzlement in their day to day dealing with people, they lie, they steal, they hide facts. Their actions are a proof of their belief that they have forgotten Allah and have locked him up inside mosques only.

We have had cases in Pakistan where the Imams of mosques were caught and had charges proved against them, charges for child molestation, rape and murder, theft, dealing of weapons, fake blasphemy cases against minorities. Is it a blessing to be such a namazi?

The murderers of Aal e Rasool (AS) in Kerbala were Namazis. What face will they show to Prophet (SAW)?

Because we have kept ourselves away from the Quran, we do not know that Allah has stopped us from going to mosques, which spread fitnah, hatred and lies.

And those who built a masjid to cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers and an ambush to him who made war against Allah and His Messenger before; and they will certainly swear: We did not desire aught but good; and Allah bears witness that they are most surely liars. Never stand in it; certainly a masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it; in it are men who love that they should be purified; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.
Quran [9:107-108]

It is this distance from the Quran which has brought us closer to the ignorance of the Zaakireens and the Mullahs.

It is indeed a blessing to be 5 time namazi, if the salaat performed indeed is a salaat and accepted in the bargah of Allah. You want to know what is the sign of acceptance of our salaat?

Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book and keep up prayer;
surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest, and Allah knows what you do.
Quran [29:45]

Imam Jaffar (AS) states that if the prayer of a namazi is indeed accepted in Allah's bargah, a sign is that he will rid himself of some of his bad habbits and he will start to develop good habbits in him. If the nafs of a person does not improve or continue to cleanse itself which is a life long ongoing process, then surely any act of worship being performed is of no avail and is only but a waste of time.

It is said that Salaat is the Mairaj of a believer. Rightly so. We are blessed to be able to experience Mairaj in our life times. But for that, our salaat must fullfill all peripheries required for salaat, such as cleanliness (physical and spiritual), steadfastness of faith, love of Rasool (SAW) and Ahlulbayt (AS), knowledge about the book, understanding of the Aql what the true stature of Salaat is, patience, fulfillment of rights towards the creatures of Allah, jihad against our own arrogance, envy, exorbitance, extravagance and showoff-ness, and having true desire for the Raza-e-Illahi (will of Allah). We must also be believers (in all that Allah had revealed to us through his Prophet (SAW) without a grain of doubt in our hearts.

Imam Ali ibn Hussain (AS) was entitled Zainul Abideen, or crown jewel of the worshippers, and Syed us Sajideen, or leader of those who bow down before Allah, because of his remembrance of Allah. These are the namazis, the sons of Muhammd (SAW), truly blessed by Allah, with wisdom, sagacity and honor.

Verdict; Pass

    6. Axiom 6: Healthy activities, such as sports, athletics and gym are not a part of Islamic lifestyle

How many religious scholars (muftis, aalims, mullahs, imams, zaakirs) can you name who are physically fit and not obese? It is common to see that our ulemas are obese. Definitely there can be many reasons associated with that obesity, but one basic reason is that they are not aware of how necessary it is for them to maintain a healthy life style so that can also be a role model for the common man. Some of our religious figures in modern day are so heavy they need to occupy more seating space than a common man. Are these the attributes of a lifestyle of a person who is representing Islamic forums on multiple platforms? Other than a genetic or health related cause, obesity is caused by a life style which includes;

Such an attitude shows our lack of respect towards the blessing of Allah he has given to us, such as our health. Also, can these attributes be found in the character of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)?

Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much.
Quran [33:21]

The prophet (SAW) was the doer of his own chores, with a very active lifestyle which included worship, prayers, tableegh, social and family responsibilities. His disciple and slave, Imam Ali (AS) was known to eat little, and was known to have a tough and active life style. It is therefore seen how He (AS) single handedly defeat the armies of enemis of Islam, and it is therefore seen how he (AS) fought battles again in his (AS) old age of 60 years +. This is the reflection of the lifestyle of a believer. The concept of a Momin in Islam is a healthy and active person.

Islam dislikes extravagance.

O children of Adam! attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer, and
eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.
Quran [7:31]

Exorbitance is to have something which is not required by us. Extravagance is to have something which is required by us, but more than required. For example, owning a private jet if is not my need, becomes an exorbitance for me if i acquire it. And purchasing a luxurious Mercedes is extravagance for me if i required a car for my daily need as i could have done with a basic model of the car as well.

Eating and drinking more than our requirement is also a form of extravagance and definitely results in obesity. I only want to point out that the flag bearers of our religion should live a lifestyle which reflects that of a momin. The obese who have taken up the mimbar of Rasool (SAW) are just lip servicing, for if they would understand the true spirit of Islam, their health would reflect their lifestyle.

Verdict; Fail

   7. Axiom 7: Dua is not accepted until belief in Marjayat (or belief in something you believe)

I heard in a Majlis last year (2012) from a well known Shia Scholar (no names taken, but for the sake for remembering his name myself, he has his roots in Canada as well), that no prayer is accepted until we believe in Marjayat (Taqleed). And i thought to myself who gave this man the authority to say such a thing? Did Allah reveal a revelation to him? This scholar is talking about having belief in a fallible human being who they themselves choose and bring up. Didn't the scholar think that prayers of Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, dont get accepted by their gods?

We see millions of faithfuls going to many many graves and holy sites, from temples to graves to churches to what not, to pay homage because their prayers are accepted by their leaders and deities? So as a matter of fact, doesn't Allah accept the prayers of idol worshippers even?

We are talking about people who do not have believe in Marjayat? Allah even accepted the prayer of Iblis after he had become the satan.

He said: O Iblis! what prevented you that you should do obeisance to him whom I
created with My two hands? Are you proud or are you of the exalted ones? He said: I am better than he; Thou hast created me of fire, and him Thou didst create of dust. He said: Then get out of it, for surely you are driven away: And surely My curse is on you to the day of judgment. He said: My Lord! then respite me to the day that they are raised. He said: Surely you are of the respited ones, Till the period of the time made known.
Quran [38:75-81]

The fact is we will never know if we get what was destined for us or if Allah gave us on account of his prayer. But one thing is for sure;

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.
Quran [2:186]

Allah listens to all prayers. And the purpose of the prayer is not only to ask for what we desire, but it is also an act of worship. To pray to Allah is an Ibadat. Its acceptance or not is for Allah to decide, but we must always accept whatever Allah decides for us.

The importance of marjayat in one's faith is a totally different discussion in all. Why bring it upto such an extent and put in the hearts of the poor and the faithfuls such that they start accepting it because else Allah will not listen to their prayers?

To Him is due the true prayer; and those whom they pray to besides Allah give
them no answer, but (they are) like one who stretches forth his two hands towards water that it may reach his mouth, but it will not reach it; and the prayer of the unbelievers is only in error.
Quran [13:14]

The Prophet (SAW) and the Imams (AS) have termed prayers to be the sword of a believer. Pray to Allah with the love and obedience of Muhammad (SAW) and his Aal (AS) in your heart and it will become an act of worship. 

Verdict; Fail

   8. Axiom 8: 18th Jeth is the date of Ashura and Nawroz is the day when Mawla Ali (AS) was given walayat

A trend in Shias and specially in Pakistan, that because we are influenced by the culture of the subcontinent and we think of Iran being the capital of Shiaism, we tend to adopt their practices as a part of our religious obligation.

I am not arguing if on the day of Kerbala, whether the 10th Muharram coincided with the date of 18th Jayth (or Jeth) or not (which some shias beleive). Jeth or Jayth (Jyestha in Nepali) is one of the months in a Hindu Calendar. The date of 18th Jyestha or Jeth is in June or July every year. Because the Islamic calendar moves around the Gregorian (or Christian) calendar, date of 18th Jayth coincides with different Islamic occasions along the years and spoils the true spirit of both events. For example 18th Jeth can and has coincided with 13 rajab (birth of Imam Ali), and with Layl Qadr (night of power, the superior most night Allah has created).

The question is, what does a Muslim have to do with Hindu calendar?  

Similarly, Nawroz is Persian (not Arabic) for a new day and is a Basant festival in Iran for the arrival of Spring. What does it have to do with 18th Dhilhajj or the event of Gadeer?

Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth, of these four being sacred; that is the right reckoning; therefore be not unjust to yourselves regarding them, and fight the polytheists all together as they fight you all together; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
Quran [9:36]

We are to do with the months Allah has created of 4 which he has selected sacred. We should refrain from complicating religion in order to preserve the true spirit of religious occasions.

Islam has to do with the Islamic Calendar alone. All other dates are meaningless and serve no purpose, no matter how we try to interpret and interpolate them for our own charms.

Verdict; Fail

   9. Axiom 9:  We all must fight against Yazeed of today

Islam has had many villains. The Quran speaks harshly about Firaun because of his cruelty, his insolence, his extravagance and his disobedience to Allah's Prophet.

But Firon disobeyed the messenger, so We laid on him a violent hold.
Quarn [73:16]

Another villain is Abu Lahab (the impure). Because he slapped the blessed face of the Prophet (SAW), Allah promised in the Quran to destroy his cursed hands, and so he did.

Perdition overtake both hands of Abu Lahab, and he will perish. His wealth and what he earns will not avail him. He shall soon burn in fire that flames, And his wife, the bearer of fuel, Upon her neck a halter of strongly twisted rope.
Quran [111:1-5]

So is the attitude of Allah towards the impures. What will then become of those who not only slapped the sons of Muhammad (SAW) but tried to wipe off his (SAW) complete generation, which Allah had promised will continue and his (SAW) enemies are the one without posterity!

Surely We have given you (Muhammad) Kausar, Therefore pray to your Lord and make a sacrifice. Surely your enemy is the one who shall be without posterity,
Quran [108:1-3]

Imam Hussain's (AS) achievement at Kerbala is so huge that no man in this world can claim to achieve, let alone supercede, a similar feat. And when the hero of any story is great and a marvel of faith, the villain of the story is equally terrifying and an example of darkness. Yazeed (the impure) is such a character in Islam (thanks to Kerbala), that Muslims irrespective of their sect do not name their sons Yazid any more, for they understand who Yazeed (ibn Mawya) was and what he did.   

Yazeed not only personified Kufr, cruelty, inhumanness, murder, alcohol, but he also violated the sanctity of the household of Prophet (SAW).

Try to understand my point, going a bit off-topic to understand. There are many sins a man has committed, heinous crimes such as sorcery, rape, murder, gluttony and what not. There have been instances where innocent children have been kidnapped, raped and killed. No matter what the magnitude of the sin is, there are only two sins in the Quran which amount to the wiping off of all good deeds of any person. First those who commit shirk or kufr and are the murderers of prophets;

Surely (as for) those who disbelieve in the communications of Allah and slay the
prophets unjustly and slay those among men who enjoin justice, announce to them a
painful chastisement. Those are they whose works shall become null in this world as well as the hereafter, and they shall have no helpers.
Quran [3:22]

And (as to) those who reject Our communications and the meeting of the
hereafter, their deeds are null. Shall they be rewarded except for what they have done?
Quran [7:147]

Second are those who raise their voices before the voice of Prophet Muhammad (SAW);

O you who believe! do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and
do not speak loud to him as you speak loud to one another, lest your deeds became null while you do not perceive.
Quran [49:2]

So the sin of a person who spoke louder infront of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) may be graver than the sin of a person who kidnaps or consumes alcohol etc. This is because of the stature of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

There are many who have managed to kill thousands (a number far greater than the 72 we mourn for) in many different ways. A single atomic explosion killed so many innocents and women and children. Yazeed's crime against humanity is one thing. 

It is his crime against the Ahlulbayt (AS) and the intention behind it which truly makes him an impure son of impure. If you ask me, there can not be any Yazeed today, because we cannot have another Hussain (AS) ibn Ali (AS) today, another Zainab (AS) bint Ali (AS) today, another Kerbala today. So there is no Yazeed of today.

Yes, there are followers of yazeed, who are inhumane, who have no respect for human life, who have no respect of mosques and namazis, who have no respect for the Quran and what Quran says, who have no respect for the name of Allah. Similarly, there are followers of Hussain (AS) who in their capacity are trying to resist and repell the impure forces which are working to create fitnah amongst the Ummah.

One thing is for sure, we cannot belong to Hussain (AS) unless we shun what Yazeed did and stood for. Yazeed stood for adultery, for alcohol, for lack of respect of human life, for hatred to Ahlulbayt (AS), for extravagance and lust, for lavishness of life, for the love of material world. How can then we join our Imam (AS) in the hereafter if our heart has the likeness of Yazeed (the impure) in it? Therefore we must fight today, the yazeedi attributes of our time, which are inside us, and which are inside our society.

Lastly, i want to share with Shias of Ali (AS) in Pakistan what i truly feel strongly against. The 10th Muharram is a day dedicated to Imam Hussain (AS), a day of worship and his remembrance and a day to mourn and to cherish his feat at the same time. It is not a day to burn the flags of America, Israel and other counties having anti-Iran sentiments. You want to burn those flags and want to accomplish something of that burn, please gather us another day and lets see how many of us truly gather to burn those flags. But it is unfair to collect the people in the name of Hussain (AS) and divert our intentions towards burning of such flags. It is a political and a financial war in the color of religion. It is deceitful for our ulemas to travel to the Americas for education, health and other benefits while enticing our public against the same.

We must shun the attributes of yazeed from inside us and our society, attributes such as hypocrisy and ignorance. 

Verdict; Pass

   10. Axiom 10: Islam and Science are two different school of thoughts

It has been seen earlier that the Church persecuted scientists because they propagated beliefs which was against the religious doctrines, but were supported by scientific facts. We have had a similar experience with modern Islam. In early Islam, the Muslims were known to be smart and bright scientists with major works in the field of mathematics, astronomy and medicine. We went wrong somewhere, and now the more religious a person is, the further he is away from science.

We have had fatwas from Saudia, not long ago, which forbade the use of cars and speakers, which forbade the use of cameras, television, because these were the tools of the devil himself. We still have maulvis in our country who laugh when they are told that Americans managed to land on the moon.

My liberal friend (returned from the USA) was telling me how the imam of his mosque laughed at the moon landing, stating that it was insignificant when compared to the journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at Mairaj. I did not know how to react, because the Prophet's (SAW) journey was spectacular and unmatched, yet the moon landing was a marvel of the gift of Allah he has given to man; brains.

Our Mullah does not understand that he cannot light up the bulb of his mosque without electricity or a generator, even if he gathers millions of mullahs and they pray for 40 years to Allah to light up the bulb. Allah's miracles cannot be challenged. But the message is that man's adventure into the land of knowledge has led him to the marvel of science and man has by the will of God, conquered technology for his advancement. The nation which is the most educated today, is the most technologically advanced and boasts of a role model society. Such nations are unconquerable and will succumb only to their own short comings. 

Allah in his Quran has stated explicitly, which later became scientific processes, such as that of development of embryos, the water cycle, the solar system and so on. Allah is the creator of the laws which govern science, which govern astrophysics, quantam mechanics, the laws which govern and bind together the universe. When Allah wills for a child to be born to a prophet, he did not skip the biological processes required for such a miracle to occur. Ofcourse there are exceptions we call miracle, such as that of Isa (AS) who was born without a male sperm.

Islam is strengthened by scientific facts and findings, and because our so-called leaders do not have either scientific nor islamic knowledge, they like to make both compete with each other, because unfortunately for them science is a western approach to life.

Whenever you read the Quran, you will understand that the gift of Allah has always been wisdom, knowledge and understanding of his religion and book.

The Prophet (SAW) has not only labeled the acquiring of knowledge a duty of both man and woman, but he (SAW) has announced a vast superiority of a learned over the worshipper. And why not; is a 5 time namazi better than a person who spent his life to educate himself and research so that he could find a way to cure many incurable diseases and then does not earn money on it but rather uses it to save the life of masses which include many 5 time namazis?

"He who searches for knowledge is similar to a person who fasts during the day and keeps vigil at night and is busy worshipping. If a person acquires a branch of knowledge, it is better for him than possessing as much gold as the height of Abu Qubais Mount which he would distribute in the way of Allah."
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol.1, p.184

Narrated AbudDarda': Kathir ibn Qays said: I was sitting with AbudDarda' in the mosque of Damascus. A man came to him and said: AbudDarda, I have come to you from the town of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) for a tradition that I have heard you relate from the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him). I have come for no other purpose. He said: I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) say: If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion.
Sunan of Abu-Dawood, Book 25, Hadith 3634

Science has progressed. But our mullahs are still the fat bearded flag bearers of Islam, who look for 4 witnesses to prosecute for rape and ignoring DNA evidences. Our mullahs still ignore the precision with which science now predicts the lunar sightings, and they fight to create fitnah in our country, every Ramadan, dividing the Muslims over petty issues.

The Americans have landed on the moon, while we still fight whether the moon for the 1st of Ramadan has been sighted (against all astronomical and metrological odds) or not.

Until our madressahs are not regularized by a sincere government, introducing the education of modern sciences and technical skills, they will continue to produce what our society sees as religious inspirations, and what in reality are extremists from who Allah has kept away the gift of guidance;

And there are among them illiterates who know not the Book but only lies, and they do but conjecture. Woe, then, to those who write the book with their hands and then say: This is from Allah, so that they may take for it a small price; therefore woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.
Quran [2:78-79]

Verdict; Fail

   11. Axiom 11: The Ummat of Prophet (SAW) will be protected by the wings of Gibrael (AS)

I was told that the Ummat of Prophet (SAW), you and me, are blessed and will be forgiven by Allah and we are always protected by the wings of Jibrael (AS). I was also told that the Ummat of Rasool (SAW) is the most superior and will make way to Jannah, all of us.

But then i think, we kill each other, label each other kaafirs, we are materialistic and do no take care of Salat, we do not respect our parents and sibblings, we cheat on our spouses, we disobey Allah and his Prophet (SAW) and we steal, rob, rape, kill, we shed the blood of innocent muslims. We have divided ourselves into sects and have disobeyed the Prophet (SAW). The Ummat of Prophet (SAW) murdered his sons at Kerbala as well. Is this the Ummah Jibrael (AS) protects?

Our Ummat also suffers from diseases, from accidents, from storms, earth quakes which were punishments from Allah on the disbelievers. Is this the protection of Jibrael (AS)?

But the fact is, Ummat of Rasool (SAW) is indeed the most superior and i have no doubts that Jibrael (AS) will protect his (SAW) Ummat;

For his sake there are angels following one another, before him and behind him, who guard him by Allah's commandment; surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition; and when Allah intends evil to a people, there is no averting it, and besides Him they have no protector.
Quran [13:11]

That is because Allah is the Protector of those who believe, and because the unbelievers shall have no protector for them.
Quran [47:11]

The prophets of the past are ummatis of Muhammad (SAW).

Jabir bin Abdullah Ansaari narrates: One day Umar bin Khatab came before the Prophet of Allah and said: "O Prophet of Allah, when we hear the ahadith from the Jews we find them very pleasant. If you would approve of it, we are willing to write them down". The Prophet of Allah replied: "Are you astonished and lost like the Jews? Even though I have brought a luminous Shari'ah among you? If Hazrat Musa had been alive he would have been a follower of mine".  
Mishkaat Shareef volume 1 page 51

Muhammad (SAW) is the leader of the prophets and all other prophets are his ummatis. How can then we comprehend what is the true stature of such an ummat, of which you can i claim to be a part of?

But here is the catch. Every relationship has its rights and if not fullfilled, the relationship fails. If a father is not respected by his son, and the son is insolent to his father, then the relationship ceases to exist between the two. If a man does not give Allah his rights, then his relationship with Allah is over.

Similarly, how can he be an ummati of Rasool (SAW) who disobeys him?

Narrated: The statement of the Prophet: Whoever takes up arms against us, is not from us."
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 88, Number 190

Allah's Prophet (SAW) has excluded those from his ummat, who have no respect for the honor, property and life of a fellow muslim.

Similarly;

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "Some of my companions will come to me at my Lake Fount, and after I recognize them, they will then be taken away from me, whereupon I will say, 'My companions!' Then it will be said, 'You do not know what they innovated (new things) in the religion after you."
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 584:

The innovators in the ways of Rasool (SAW) will not be a part of his ummatis.

We must therefore give the right of the Prophet (SAW) to him, the right to love him, follow him, love his Ahlulbayt (AS) and stop from what he (SAW) forbade us, so that we maybe able to cherish being a part of his ummat, which shall have a massive reward in the hereafter, the reward of the prophets.

 Verdict; Pass

This is only a list of axioms which are prevailing amongst us and will further be incorporated in our children. The message should be very clear. Allah made us humans, we must act as humans. It is human to think and challenge, and it is human to bow down before the will of Allah.

Let us not do undo his (SAW) work and critically assess whatever is going around us, with the intent to leave a much more informative and smart generation then what preceded us. Mankind can only progress if they continue from where the last one left. Going back to the basics every time is just reinventing the wheel. How will we progress if we keep on challenging that 1+ 1 equals 2? And how will we continue to progress if we still haven't figured out that 1 + 1 equals 2?  

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