Lying

Lying is another sin which is classified among the Greater sins.

Lying is one of the greatest sins

There is a tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that he said,

“Beware I inform you regarding the greatest of the mortal sins: Associating anything with Allah, disobeying parents and lying!”

 (Wasaelush Shia).

Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) has similarly been quoted as saying,

“All the evils have been locked in a room and its key is lying.”

(Mustadrakul Wasael).

Angels curse the liars

The Prophet of Islam says in one of his utterances:

“When a believer utters a lie without a valid excuse, he is cursed by seventy thousand angels.  Such a stench emanates from his heart that it reaches the sky and because of this single lie Allah writes for him a sin equivalent to that of committing seventy formications and such formications that the least of them is fornication with ones mother.”

(Mustadrakul Wasael).

Doubtlessly, lying is the worst of sins. It is obvious that the evils of lying are more dreadful than those of adultery. Some lies lead to war between two tribes or two communities. Some lies are such that they cause the destruction of life and honour of thousands of people. Or at least lead to economic disasters. One kind of falsehood is that which is attributed to Allah, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) or the Holy Imams (a.s.). Obviously this is the worst kind of falsehood. Due to certain lies some innocent people are sent to the gallows and their families destroyed. It is for this very reason that the traditions state:

“Lying is a greater evil than drinking wine.”

Sin of lying is worse than drinking wine

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) says:

“Certainly Allah has created the lock for every evil and the key to all these locks is drinking wine. But lying is worse that drinking.”

(Usoole Kafi)

Although wine disables the reason and sense of the one who drinks it, lying is such a sin that it kills the reason and makes one so completely insensate that he becomes ready to commit any kind of satanic act. When the alcoholic is under the influence of wine and is not in his proper senses, it is not possible for him to act with cunning and treachery but the liar could cause untold mischief in the society through his cunning; much more than the drunkard can.

The Angels abhor the liars

The smell of the liar’s mouth would be so terrible that even the Angels will not go near them. They will keep away from the liars. This is not only for the day of judgement. Even in this world, the Angels could feel the foul odour of the mouths of the liars. In a prophetic traditions it is said,

“When a believer utters a lie, such a bad smell rises from his mouth that even the Angels move away.”

(Mustadrakul Wasael)

Falsehood deprives the liar from the taste of faith.

Imam Ali (a.s.) says:

“Every believer is deprived from the taste of faith till he gives up lying in jest and also seriously.”

(Al Kafi)

Lying is a sign of a hypocrite. The following tradition of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) is present in the book of Mustadrakul Wasael:

“The three signs of the hypocrite are:

Lying, betraying trust and going back on his word (Not fulfilling a promise).”

Lying causes forgetfulness

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) is reported to have said,

“One of the divine punishments for too much lying is that Allah makes the liar afflicted with forgetfulness.”

 (Wasaelush Shia)

Thus a man speaks a lie and then forgets that he has told a lie. Consequently people come to know that he has spoken a lie and his falsity is exposed to the people.

Now to save his face he speaks more and more lies and is more insulted because his forgetfulness does not enable him to hide his false statements.

Terrible punishment for the liars

Various kinds of punishment befall the one who has lied. Aqa Rawandi has quoted a lengthy tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) in his book Dawaat. The Prophet (s.a.) is describing the spectacles of Meraj (Ascension), when he says:

“I saw a man, who laid flat on his back. Another person mounted upon his head. The one who was standing upon the head had a pointed iron rod. He repeatedly injured the person lying flat. The face of the victim is shattered upto the neck. But when the rod is lifted it returns to its original form. Again the rod strikes the face and he suffers the same retribution.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) says that he inquired,

“Why is this man punished?”

He was told, “This is a man who left home in the morning and uttered such a lie that it caused harm to the people. So he shall be punished in this manner (after death) till the day of Qiyamat.”

False oath

Another grade of falsehood is a false oath, false witness and intentional avoidance of testifying in an Islamic court. This type of falsehood is also a confirmed greater sin.

Lying in jest (jokingly) and pleasantry

Lying in jest is another kind of falsehood. For example to tell a simpleton that, “A certain lady wants to marry you,” or “that person has invited you for dinner tonight,” when actually there is no such thing. This type of falsehood is also haraam as proved conclusively from the traditions.

However, certain Mujtahids are of the opinion that if something untrue is said in a zestful manner and it is clearly understood to be a joke, then it is permitted. For example a bachelor is told, “See, there goes your wife!” It may be allowed because the listener could never misunderstand. In such a case it is not haraam. Certain Mujtahids regard even a falsehood in jest to be absolutely haraam. Whether it is an apparent joke or not. This is the precautionary method and the traditions also confirm that lying even in jest is not permitted.

Total abstinence from lying

Hazrat Imam Zainul Abedin (a.s.) says,

“Avoid falsehood, whether it is small or big, in solemnity or jest.”

(Al Kafi)

Hazrat Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said,

“No man can taste faith, till the time he completely forgoes lying, in solemnity and in jest.”

(Al Kafi)

It is also related from Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that he said:

“There is no merit in falsehood, whether serious or in jest. Do not even promise your child something if you do not intend to fulfill it. Certainly, falsehood leads man to sin (fearlessly) and (this) leads to the Fire.”

(Wasaelush Shia)

Circumstances when lying is permitted

Whenever there is a danger to life, honour and property and if the danger is removed by lying, one is allowed to lie. The danger could be to ones own life, honour and property or that of someone else’s. So much so that it is also permitted to take a false oath in this situation and in some cases it becomes wajib (obligatory) to speak a lie. For example like the risk to ones life. In this case it is wajib to save oneself by lying and taking a false oath. For example if an oppressor intends to kill a Muslim or to beat him up, dishonour him, seize his property or imprison him and if he enquires from you of his whereabouts, it is obligatory not to tell the truth. Even if one has to take a false oath and say that one does not know of his whereabouts.

         In the same way if you have someone’s trust in your possession and if someone intends to seize it. It is your duty to protect the trust even if you have to take the help of falsehood or a false oath.

Reconciliation among people

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said,

“After the fulfillment of wajib acts, the best action is to bring about peace and reconciliation among people. This is such a goodness that spreads goodness in the world.”

Amirul Momineen Ali (a.s.) said that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said at the time of recording his will and testament.

“O Ali, Allah even likes a falsehood for the sake of peace and dislikes truth that spreads corruption.”

(Wasaelush Shia)

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has also said,

“To make peace among the people and to think about reconciling the people, and removing discord is better than prayers and fasting.”

Reference: Greater Sins (Vol. 2 - English) by Ayatullah Dastghaib Shirazi (r.a.) - Chapter 17

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Posted in: Islam

Dua Allahumma Kulle Walliek

In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

bis-mil-lahir-rah- manir-raheem

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

اللّـهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّد وَآلِ مُحَمَّد

Allahumma salle ala Muhammad wa aale Muhammad

O Allah, be, for Your representative, the Hujjat (proof), son of Al­Hasan,

اَللّهُمَّ كُنْ لِوَلِيِّكَ الْحُجَّةِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ

Allaahumma kun le-waliyyekal hujjatibnil hasan

Your blessings be on him and his forefathers,

صَلَواتُكَ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلى آبائِهِ

Salawaatoka a'layhe wa a'laa aaabaa-ehi

in this hour and in every hour,

في هذِهِ السّاعَةِ وَفي كُلِّ ساعَةٍ

Fee haazehis saa-a'te wa fee kulle saa-a'tin

a guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper, a proof, and an eye.

وَلِيّاً ‏وَحافِظاً وَقائِداً وَناصِراً وَدَليلاً وَعَيْناً

Waliyyawn wa haafezawn wa qaa-edawn wa naaserawn wa daleelawn wa a'ynan

 until You make him live on the earth, in obedience (to You), and cause him to live in it for a long time.

حَتّى تُسْكِنَهُ أَرْضَكَ طَوْعاً وَتُمَتِّعَهُ فيها طَويلاً.‏

Hattaa tuskenahu arzaka taw-a'n wa tomatte-a'hu feehaa taweelaa.

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Posted in: 14 Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)

Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and his Shias

In His Name and With The Help of His Last 

Proof (a.t.f.s.)

 

The Shias were created from the leftover clay that made the family of revelation just as the son is created from his father. A tradition of His Eminence, Imam Reza (a.s.) is mentioned in Kafi that he remarked:

“The Imam is a caring friend and a kind father.”

(Usool Kafi; Muhammad bin Yaqoob Kulaini; Vol. 1/200)

And it is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) that he said: “I and Ali are the fathers of this nation.”

It is narrated from His Eminence, Abu Abdillah Sadiq (a.s.) that he said:

“The Almighty Allah created us from Illiyeen and created our souls from its upper layer and He created the souls of our Shias from the Illiyeen and their bodies from its lower portion. There is relationship and proximity between us and them in every aspect and their hearts are eager for us.”

(Usool Kafi; Muhammad bin Yaqoob Kulaini; Vol. 1/389)

And it is narrated from His Eminence, Abu Ja’far Baqir (a.s.) that he said:

“Indeed, the Almighty Allah created us from the Aale Illiyeen and created the hearts of our Shias from the water of our creation and their bodies from its lower most. Thus their hearts are devoted to us because they are created from the same material with which we are created.”

(Usool Kafi; Muhammad bin Yaqoob Kulaini; Vol. 1/390)

In Ikmaluddin it is narrated from Umar bin Salih as-Sabiri that he said:

Muhammad Ibn Ajlaan narrates from Abu Abdillah (a.s.), “When the Qaim rises, he will call people to Islam anew and will guide them to an order that is worn out and the masses have led astray from it. The Qaim has been named the Mahdi because he will lead to an order that is led astray from and he is named al-Qaim for his rise with the Truth.”

(Kamaluddin; Shaykh Saduq; Vol. 2/345)

In Bihar it is quoted from Amali of Shaykh Tusi from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that he said:

“I am a tree, Fatima is the branch, Ali is the graft and Hasan and Husain are the fruits and their friends from this nation of mine are the leaves of this tree.”

(Amali; Shaykh at-Taifa Abi Ja’far Muhammad bin Hasan Tusi)

Indeed, there are a large number of traditions regarding this matter and they are mentioned in

Kafi, Burhan and other books but we have refrained from quoting more of them to avoid undue prolongation of our discussion and to save our readers from undue hardships. 

As we all know an indication is sufficient for the wise. And how beautifully the poet says:

“And how tall is that tree that grew in the Paradise.

Such that no other tree is like that in Paradise.

Muhammad Mustafa is its root and Fatima its branch.

Then is its graft, that is the Chief and master of men, Ali.

And those two Hashemites, the grandsons of the Prophet, the fruits of that tree.

And the Shias are its leaves that are attached around the fruits.

This is the statement of the Messenger of Allah that the traditionists have related through authentic chains of narrators in the corpus of hadith.”

Through their (Ahle Bayt’s) love I am hopeful of salvation on the Day of Judgment. And success with the group that is the best of groups.

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Posted in: 14 Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.),Islam

Sermon of Lady Zainab (s.a.) in the Court of Yazid (l.a.)

When they reached the outskirts of Damascus they were made to halt. Yazid was informed of their arrival and he fixed a date for their entry into the city.

On the morning of the appointed day, the members of the family of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.)* were led into Damascus. They were tied with ropes and herded together like goats. If anyone stumbled she was whipped. The city streets had been decorated and the sound of music filled the air. People came out in throngs wearing festive clothes and rejoiced when they saw the procession, preceded as always by the heads of the martyrs. Bearing themselves with dignity and self-respect, the prisoners were paraded through Damascus. Zaynab (s.a.)** even cast aside the offerings of food that some of them out of compassion offered them. 

The son of an enemy of the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) who had waged war with Imam Ali (a.s.) was among the crowds. When he saw Imam Zayn ul-Abidin (a.s.) he jeeringly asked him “who was now victorious”. In reply the Imam said: "If you wish to find out who has been victorious, do so when it is time for prayer and the Adhan and Iqamat are recited."
In this manner the captives were paraded until the afternoon when they reached the palace of Yazid. There he was seated on his throne and was much pleased when he saw the forty-four bound captives arrive. The head of Imam Husain (a.s.) was then brought to him on a golden tray. He struck the Imam's teeth with his stick and said: "O Husain! You have paid the price of your revolt."

When Zaynab (s.a.) and her companions saw this show of arrogance they burst into tears and there were many present who were ashamed. But Yazid carried on gloating over his victory. He said to his subjects: "My ancestors who were killed at Badr have been avenged today. Now it is clear that the Bani Hashim had just staged a play to gain power and there was never any divine revelation."

Zaynab (s.a.) however was not afraid. She drew herself up and boldly said for all to hear:

"Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and blessings on my grandfather, the Chief of divine prophets."

"O Yazid (l.a.), Allah says, and his word is true, that: 'Then evil was the end of those who did evil because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them' [30:10]."

"O Yazid, do you believe that you have succeeded in closing the sky and the earth for us and that we have become your captives just because we have been brought before you in a row and that you have secured control over us ? Do you believe that we have been afflicted with insult and dishonour by Allah and that you have been given honour and respect by Him?

You have become boastful of this apparent victory that you have secured and you have started feeling jubilant and proud over this prestige and honour. You think that you have achieved worldly good, that your affairs have become stabilised and our rule has fallen into your hands. Wait for a while. Do not be so joyful.

Have you forgotten Allah's saying: 'The unbelievers should not carry the impression that the time allowed to them by us is good for them. Surely we give them time so that they may increase their evil deeds, and eventually they will be given insulting chastisement' [3:178]."
"O son of freed slaves, is this your justice that you keep your own daughters and slave maids veiled while the daughters of the Prophet of Allah are being paraded from place to place exposed."

"You have dishonoured us by unveiling our faces. Your men take us from town to town where all sorts of people, whether they be residents of the hills or of riversides have been looking at us."

"The near as well as the remote ones, the poor as well as the rich, the low as well as the high - all casting their glances at us while our position is such that there is no male relative of ours to render us help or support."

"O Yazid, whatever you have done proves your revolt against Allah and your denial of His Prophet (s.a.w.w.) and of the Book and Sunnah that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) brought from Allah. Your deeds should not cause amazement because one whose ancestors chewed the livers of the martyrs, whose flesh grew up on virtuous people, who fought against the Chief of divine prophets, who mobilized parties for fighting against him and drew swords against him, should conspicuously excel all Arabs in unbelief, sinfulness, excesses, and enmity against Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.w.)."

"Remember that the evil deeds and sinful actions that you have committed are the result of unbelief and old rancour you bear because of your ancestors who were killed in Badr."

"One who cast his glance of enmity, malice and rancour upon us does not lag behind in practising enmity against us. He proves his unbelief, declares it with his tongue and jubilantly proclaims: 'I have killed the sons of the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) of Allah and made his progeny captive,' and wishes that his ancestors had lived to see his achievement and to have exclaimed, 'O Yazid, may your hands not lose their strength, you have wreaked good vengeance on our behalf.'"

"O Yazid, you are striking the lips of Imam Husain(a.s.) with your stick in front of this crowd while these very lips used to be kissed by the Prophet (s) of Allah, and yet your face reflects pleasure and happiness."

"By my life, by killing the chief of youths of Paradise, the son of the chief of Arabs {Ali (a.s.)} and the shining sun of the progeny of Abd ul-Muttalib, you have deepened our wound and uprooted us completely."

"By killing Husain ibn Ali (a.s.) you have gained nearness to the state of your unbelieving ancestors. You proclaim your deed with pride and if they were to see you they would approve of your action and pray that Allah may not paralyse your arms."

"O Yazid! If you had heart enough to take account of your nefarious deeds, you yourself would surely wish your arms to be paralysed and severed from your elbow and you would wish that your parents had not given birth to you because you would know that Allah has become displeased with you. Allah, Grant us our rights. Avenge those who have oppressed us."

"O Yazid! you did what you wished, but remember that you have cut your own skin and your own flesh to pieces. Soon you will be brought before the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.w.). You will be overburdened with the weight of your sins committed by shedding the blood of his progeny and by dishonouring his family. The place to which you will be taken will be before all the members of his family. The oppressed will be avenged and the enemies will be punished."

"O Yazid ! It is not seeming for you to swell with joy after slaying the Prophet's progeny. 'Reckon not those who are killed in Allah's way as dead; nay, they are alive and are provided sustenance from their Lord; rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace' [3:169-170]."

"Allah is sufficient to deal with you. The Messenger of Allah is your antagonist and Hazrat Jibra'il is our support and help against you."

"Those who have made you the head of state and burdened the Muslims with your leadership will soon find out what awaits them. The end of all tyrants is agony."

"O Yazid. I speak not to you thus to warn you of the severe chastisement in store for you so that you should be regretful for you are one of those whose hearts are hardened, souls are rebellious and whose bodies are busy in Allah's disobedience while they are under the curse of the Prophet of Allah. You are from among those in whose heart Shaytan has made his abode and has been breeding young ones."

"How amazing it is that the virtuous people, sons of the divine prophets and vicegerents are killed at the hands of liberated slaves, evil-doers and sinners. Our blood is shed by their hands and our flesh serves as food for them. We feel grieved for those whose bodies are lying unshrouded and unburied in the battlefield, wounded with arrows."
"O Yazid, if you consider our defeat as your achievement then you will have to pay its price."

"Allah commits not injustice to His servants. Our reliance is on Allah. He alone is our Relief and place of Protection, and in Him alone do we repose our hope."

"You may contrive and try however much you can. By Him who honoured us with revelation, the Book and Prophethood, you cannot achieve our status, nor reach our position, nor can you effect our mention, nor remove from yourself that shame and dishonour that is now your lot because of perpetrating excess and oppression on us. Your word now is weak and your days are counted. Beware of the day when the announcer would announce the curse of Allah on the oppressors and the unjust."

"Praise be to Allah who gave good end to His friends and granted them success in their aims, and thereafter called them back to His Mercy, Pleasure and Bliss, while you hurled yourself into evil and mischief by committing injustice against them. We pray to Allah to favour us with full recompense through them and grant us the good of Khilafat and Imamat. Surely Allah is Kind and the Most Merciful over His creatures."

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Posted in: Janab e Zainab (s.a.)