Issue No: 100
25th November 2011
28th Dhulhijja 1432 A.H
Salamun alaykum,
Dinner sacrificed for three days:
Each day, at the time of Iftar (breaking the fast) a different person came (Poor man, Orphan and Prisoner) at the door of their house asking for food. The members of the house gave away to the visitor all the little that was there to eat. They fasted for three successive days to fulfill a Nadhr. All of them used water to break their fasts and went to sleep without food.
They were from the holy household:-Imam Ali, Bibi Fatima, Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn and Bibi Fidhdha.
After completion of three fasts, Bibi Fatima offered prayers of shukr to Allah.
The Holy Prophet then informed her that Archangel Jibrail had brought the verses of Sura Ad Dahr / Al Insan also commonly known as 'Hal ata..' in praise of their epic deed.
"They fulfill vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food out of love for Him to the poor and the orphan and the captive: (Saying): We only feed you for Allah's sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks." (Sura Ad Dahr 76: 7-9)
Two points which stand out on the greatness for this event, which occurred on 25th Dhulhijja, leading to the revelation of the aya which bears testimony to the final day are:
- Offering of the dinner as charity after the days fast when it is most needed for Iftar
- Intention for achieving the pleasure of Allah with no expectation of reward from the recipient
Have you been caught in such a situation?
Many a times in life one comes across similar situations where, like the valuable iftar dearly needed after a day's long fast, one is called upon to offer most precious possession for charity. It is second nature to offer what one does not hold dear to him or has no need for it.
This indeed is a difficult test. To excel the test and achieve the coveted status of closeness to Allah SWT as demonstrated by our role models in life, the Ahlul Bayt, one is called upon to offer to charity that which is most valued by him.
Only then one is able to attain the lofty status as testified in the holy Quran:
"You will never attain righteousness until you spend out of what you hold dear......" Sura Aali Imran 3:92
What is it which you hold dear and is in huge demand for charity?
Is it one's wealth, time or voluntary services?
What will you offer to your community, the followers of Ahlul Bayt, who are striving to raise a generation of devoted Shia Ithna Asheri muslims in this part of the world?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat