Salamun alaykum,
Bring to life love of Ahlul Bayt (A.S):
Two significant dates in the current month, Jamaadi al Thani, are linked to the chief of the lady of the worlds; Sayyida Fatima Zahra a.s. The sad occasion of her demise from this mortal world occurred on the 3rd and the 20th marks the auspicious occasion of her birth anniversary. The short life span of this pure, pious and oppressed lady whom Allah has granted infallibility is overflowing with lessons of what brings man closer to Allah. Thus, making man reach the highest human values.
However, many people give little attention or ignore her supreme, unmatched qualities to derive lessons from them. Commonly it is the tragic aspects which unfolded in the life of this illustrious lady, especially the brutal events which befell her after the sad demise of the Noble Prophet, that are fervently recalled. Certainly, such deeds of azadari, when coupled with acting on lessons from her life are abundantly rewarded.
Selflessness:
A lofty characteristic we find in the life of the noble lady Sayyida Fatima Zahra a.s is the spirit of selfless generosity. This is Divinely announced in the Noble Quran:
“And they feed for the love of Allah, the destitute, the orphan and the captive. Saying: we feed you for the sake of Allah alone; no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.” (Sura al Dahr : 76: 8-9)
On three occasions, at the time of breaking the fast, Sayyida Fatima a.s. and her family would hand over the little food they had prepared for iftar to the Destitute, Orphan and Captive who came to their door asking for assistance. Certainly no one ever went empty handed from the door of Ahlul Bayt. No doubt such outstanding deed, which has been announced by Divine revelation, deserves narrating and celebrating in our assemblies.
However, are we able to relate these lessons of life from the Noble lady to ourselves? Does one strive to act on these lessons?
It is important that we do not let our indifference to the needy and vulnerable settle in our way of living such that we no longer mould our lives on the way of Ahlul Bayt a.s.
What do we do in our lives?
How does one spend most of their earnings? Does it all go to purchase the latest fashion clothes, supermarket, furnitures, electronic gadgets and paying of bills for yourselves?
How does one pass their time? What do you do most of the day? How much time do you grab to maintain spiritual upliftment in your life? How much time do you invest in others: family, friends and especially on those whom you do not know?
The responses to these questions are indicators to gauge our attachment to not only this beloved lady, but to the Ahlul Bayt a.s.
The amount of time, money and other resources we invest in others, not just on ourselves, are all ways of actively bringing to life our love of the Ahlul Bayt a.s.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat