Majlis Summary
Tradition of the Prophet:
On sighting the crescent of Rajab, Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) supplicated "O Allah! Bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and make us reach the month of Ramadhan. Help us (in these months) with fasting, standing (for prayers), guarding the tongue (careful in our speech), casting down the gaze (with modesty), and (while we observe fast) do not make our only share in it (the experiencing of) hunger and thirst.”
Excellence of Rajab:
- “Rajab is a great month of Allah, unmatched by any other month in the respect and significance (accorded to it);… Verily, Rajab is linked to Almighty Allah…(Noble Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w.)
- “Rajab is a great month, during which Allah SWT multiplies the rewards of good deeds and deletes the sins” (Imam Musa Al Kadhim a.s.)
- Rajab is given title of ‘al Asabbu’ (the effusion or pouring in abundance ) because the Mercy of Allah pours in abundance on my ummah.
- “Rajab is the name of a river in Jannah whose colour is whiter than milk and taste is sweeter than honey. One who fasts a day in Rajab will have the thirst quenched from this river.”
Grab this opportunity:
In addition to traditions elaborating the Divine blessings of Rajab, Sha’baan and Shahru Ramadhan, there are numerous recommendations for special deeds such as duas, fasting, istighfar, salawat, tasbih, sadaqa and other devotions. These months are filled with many religious occasions related to the Ahlul Bayt a.s.
Take advantage of gift of life to perform the recommendations and dispatch the rewards in advance for our life in the hereafter.
As we observe the various devotions for revival of our nafs- self- during these sacred months kindly make special prayers to Allah SWT, with the wasīla of the Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt, invoking the name of Imam al Asr Sahibaz Zaman (A.F.), for protection of all people against the epidemic due to the COVID-19 virus, to give comfort to those who are struggling due to the epidemic and for the cure of all who are unwell.
“O Allah, the One whose name is remedy (for all ills), and whose remembrance is cure (for all ailments). O Allah, by the wasila of Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW and his Ahlul Bayt, we pray to you for safety from plague and epidemics. Grant us good health.”
If you aim to harvest the fruits on Eid ul Fitr, then plant the seeds in Rajab. Water the saplings in Sha’baan. Tend to them in Shahru Ramadhan.
: Wiladat 5th Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir a.s.:
Heartiest Felicitations on the Happy and Auspicious Occasion of the Birth Anniversary of 5th Imam Muhammad Al Baqir (A.S.)
Unique lineage:
He was born on 1st Rajab 57 A.H. in Medina. His parents are the 4th Imam Ali Zaynul ‘Abidin a.s. and Bibi Fatima bint Hasan. Note that both his paternal grandfather (Imam Husayn) and maternal grandfather (Imam Hasan) are Imams.
Al Baqir: It is an abbreviation of the word Baqir Al Ulum meaning the one who splits open knowledge. This was foretold by the Noble Prophet.
Greetings from Noble Prophet:
Noble Prophet mentions to his renowned companion Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari, that,”… you would live long enough to see a descendant of mine, who will have the same name and characteristics as me. He will certainly be Al Baqir (the one who is deeply knowledgeable, sharply wise and cuts deep through the science of religion). Convey my salams to him”.
2 key roles of Imamat:
Media: Being a living witness to all the massacre carried out in Karbala on Ashura 61 A.H. and included in the caravan of prisoners to Kufa and Sham undertook broadcast of the event, keeping alive the message of Aba Abdillah a.s., encouraging azadari through poems and ziyarat.
Scholarship: Al Baqir: It is an abbreviation of the word Baqir Al Ulum meaning the one who splits open knowledge. This was foretold by the Noble Prophet.
Together with his son the 6th Imam, they both were known as Al Baqirayn. They had key role in promoting training of scholars, recording of hadith and groundbreaking in setting up ilmul usul (science of deriving rulings from original sources).
What quality does Allah expect from Man?
“By Allah! Allah does not desire from the people save for two characteristics: To repeatedly appreciate him for the bounties, so that He may increase them ….” Imam Al Baqir a.s.
How does one go about to appreciate them?
- Identifying: Such an abundance that Amiral Mumineen in Khutba 1 states Praise due to Allah whose bounties cannot be enumerated.
- Acknowledge that it is bestowed.it didn’t come about by chance or due to one’s own doing, lineage etc.
- Appreciate being delighted and praising it.
- Gratitude: thankful
Such is the power of identifying, acknowledging the bounties and thereafter appreciating, being grateful for them that one’s psychological state becomes in good mood and filled with joy.
At a time when we are all going through the challenges due to the epidemic isn’t this a great tip for building on our wellbeing and mental health?
What is the impact of acknowledging and appreciating the bounties?
In the above hadith Imam Al Baqir a.s. continues, “ so that He may increase them.”
Appreciating the bounty and being grateful leads into their increase.
This implies that one who fails to do so would end up with no increase or miss the bounty.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat