Issue No: 107
20th January 2012
26th Safar 1433 A.H
Salamun alaykum,
Calamity of Thursday:
A grievous incident occurred during the final days of the Holy Prophet on this earthly abode. The Prophet was in severe pain and a number of people were present around him. On a Thursday preceding his death, the prophet requests to be given writing material so that he may write a will that would prevent the muslims from going astray after his death. This is denied with the explanation that the book of Allah is sufficient.
The greatest catastrophe was that the people didn’t allow the Prophet to write the will by opposing one another and shouting loudly.
By choosing to disobey his request the people had hurt the prophet who ordered them to leave. Ibn Abbas would mourn whenever he recalled this Calamity of Thursday.
Obedience to the Messenger of Allah:
The Holy Quran and traditions of the holy Prophet have underscored the need for all muslims to submit in obedience to Divine leadership at all times. Divine leadership of Allah on the Earth is symbolized by His Messenger and the Divinely appointed Imams.
Leadership during Occultation:
We are blessed to be part of the muslim community submitting to the teachings of the Thaqalayn. The expectation is that one is obedient to the Prophet and Imams.
During the contemporary period of occultation of the twelfth and final Imam, our Master of the Age (May Allah hasten his re-appearance), our point of reference of leadership is towards the Eminent scholars – the Marja Taqleed. Throughout these moments of Aakhir Zaman- the final time- of Ghaybatul Kubra, the major occultation, it is critical that we are conscious of the need to uphold with due reverence and obedience to the institution of the Marja. By this not only do we succeed in fulfilling the Divine instruction of obedience, but we are safe guarded from any external deviations that will affect our eiman.
Does one cherish the leadership of the Marja and revere the guidance received from him or does one get carried away by personal interests and reflects a behavior typical of the group which denied the last request by the holy prophet for writing materials?
As we observe the sad occasion of wafat of the Holy Prophet we present our salutations in a ziyarat with the following words:
……we have been struck with great sadness, O the beloved of our hearts. What a great calamity since the termination of the revelation and your departure from us. Indeed we are from Allah and to Him is our return.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat