House of Sorrows: A Translation of Baytul Ahzan

Arabic calligraphy reading Fatima az-Zahra ( فاطمة الزهراء ) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

House of Sorrows: A Translation of Baytul Ahzan - The life of Sayyedah az-Zahra and her grief by Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi is a well organized collection of hadith regarding the tragic, painful events surrounding the events immediately after the death of the Holy Prophet S.A.W and the martyrdom of his beloved daughter the Lady of Light, Fatima Az-Zahra A.S.

The translation to English is excellent - clear and easy to read book, yet, this is also a difficult, painful, read that will open up wounds in the heart.

Her Majesty, the Lady of Light was indeed martyred in the cruelest of fashions. She wasn't just slapped, she was beaten barbarically - so much so, that her earrings were smashed into pieces whilst still on her ears.

May Allah the Almighty grant consolation and comfort to the Mahdi A.S.

The Life of Fatima Az-Zahra

The Life of Fatima Az-Zahra by Allamah Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi (and translated by Abdullah al-Shahin)

An excerpt:

"It is said that Imam al-Mahdi (A.S.) said this verse of poetry,

         By her highness, I will not take
         after 'the House of Sorrows' a house of joy."

(pg 242, The Life of Fatima Az-Zahra)
 

The Secret of Love

A lovely wordless, picture book for young kids by Sarah Emmanuelle Burg

100 Incredible Virtues of Ali bin Abi Taleb and His Sons

Imam ali (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Magnificent book by Ibn Shazan Al-Qummi regarding the virtues of Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali A.S.

From virtue #67:

"...If patience were a person, it would be Ali bin Abi Taleb; and if moral excellence was a person it would be Hasan; and if modesty was a person it would be Husain; and if everything that is good were to be a person it would be Fatema, and she is even better than that.

The origin of my daughter, Fatema, is greater than any other inhabitant on earth, as is her honour and generosity." (pg 46)

From virtue #68:

The Messenger of God said, "Mentioning Ali bin Abi Taleb is worshiping God" (pg 46)

From virtue #75:

...Last night God boasted about Ali worshiping Him to His angels and to those carrying His Throne. He told them "Look at My decisive argument (Ali bin Abi Taleb) in My land after My Prophet. Look at how he kneels with his forehead on the ground for Me out of humility. I take you (angels and the carriers of the throne) as witnesses that he is the Imam and master of my creation." (pg 50)

More details from this book here.

Other great books here.

Salman El-Farsi by Sayed A. A. Razwy

Nice book on the life of Salman El-Farsi by A.A. Razwy.

Some interesting passages:

"...Badr is the most important battle in the history of Islam, and one the most important in world history. Victory in Badr guaranteed the existence of Islam." (pg 115)

"It appears that Ali was chosen expressly by Allah to be His 'instrument' of victory'. Ali was Allah's 'instrument of victory in the battle of Badr, and in every subsequent battle, and each time he brought glory, honour and victory to Islam." (pg 115-116)

There is a nice dua/prayer on pg 120 that the Holy Prophet recited at the wedding of his daughter, the Lady of Light to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A.S.):

"O Allah! O Sovereign of the Universe! All praise and thanks belongs to Thee. I commend Fatima and Ali, Thy loving slaves, to Thy protection. Be Thou their Protector. Be pleased with them. Show them Thy pleasure. Bestow upon them Thy boundless bounty, grace and mercy. Bestow upon them Thy best rewards. Make their marriage happy and fruitful, and make them steadfast in Thy love and in Thy service." (pg 120)"

Business Ethics in Islam

Some quotes/passages/notes from Business Ethics in Islam by Respected Alim, Hujjatul Islam Wal Muslimeen Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi·

• As a creation of God, a human being is expected to:

1. obey the Divine commandments in relations to the self (be good to ourselves)
2. deal with others on the basis of justice and fairness (be good to others)
3. be moderate in one’s personal life and in the use of natural resources. (be good to the earth). (pg 8)
   

• The world has been created for humans; it is only here that persons can attain the levels of perfection.

• Humans have been created for God; it is here that they have to submit by their choice to the commandments of God.

• In a Hadith Qudsi, God says: “I have created all things for you, but you I have created for Myself." (pg 9)

“Work for your world as if you to live forever and work for your hereafter as if you are to die tomorrow.” – Imam Ja-far as-Sadiq (A.S.) (pg 13)

Learn three characteristics from the crow:
1. it conceals its act of cohabitation
2. it rises early for seeking sustenance
3. it is always alert
-Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (A.S.) – pg 20

“Try that your (daily) time is divided into four segments:

1. A time for meditations to God
2. A time for earning livelihood
3. A time for socializing with brethren and trustworthy (friends) who would point out your (moral) weaknesses and be sincere (in their friendship for you)
4. A time exclusively devoted for non-haraam pleasure (with the family). It is with this (fourth) time segment that you will be able to maintain (or master) the other three times…” - Imam Musa Kazim (A.S.) (pg 33)
   

“From the signs of the believer are three things:
1. good management of livelihood
2. patience in face of calamity
3. study of religion”
- Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (pg 33-34)

A ‘Muslim’ in the ethical sense is “one from whose hands and tongues other Muslims are protected.” (pg 37)

A mu’min, in the ethical sense, is defined as “one whom the believers can entrust with their lives and property.” (pg 40)

Al-Abbas (Peace be on him) : Badr Shahin

Al-Abbas compiled by Badr Shahin (2nd Edition) is a good read. Here are some take-aways from the book:

Al-Abbas – the frowning. Named this because his father “perceived that this baby would be one of the heroes of Islam and would be frowning in the faces of evils and wrongdoers…” (pg 40)

In Arabic, Al-Abbas: the lion that other lions fear and escape.(pg 40)

Was nicknamed ‘Abu’l-Fadhl – father or owner of virtue (pg 40)

Tawiz/dua of his mother for his protection:

I seek the guard of the One (God) for him
From the eye of every envious
Including the rising and the sitters
The Muslims and the unbelievers
The comers and the goers
And sons and fathers (pg 41).

After martyrdom, he is the shelter and refuge of everyone who seeks his help. Most surely, God will relieve him who directs to Him and implores to Him by using Abu'l-Fadhl as his means and interceder. (pg 41)

Pilgrimage/Ziyarat:

“Recommended for pilgrims of the tomb of Imam al-Hussein (a) to begin first with visiting the tomb of al-Abbas. This is one of the confirmations of al-Abbas's being the door to his brother; chief of the martyrs.” (pg 46)

Ziyarat of Nahia from 12th Imam:

Peace be upon Abul Fazl al-Abbas, the son of Amirul Mu'mineen, defender of his brother (Imam Hussain) with his life and soul, who prepared for the fateful morning since the day before, and lay down his life for Hussain, faithful unto death; and who strove to bring water for him and his children, but whose arms were both cut off.
May Allah curse his murderers, Yazeed bin Ruqaad al-Heeti and Hakeem bin Tufail at-Taai.

Bab ul-Hawaaij:

“People believed that God will surely settle the needs of him who implores to Him by seeking the intercession of al-Abbas for the special rank that he enjoys in the sight of Almighty God and for dedicating himself to the obedience to Imam al-Hussein. Hence, al-Abbas is called 'Bab ul-Hawaaij - the door to the settlement of needs.” (pg 52)

“Since obedience is attached to pure worship, al-Abbas was described by Imam as-Sadiq (a) as obedient.” (pg 53)

“As he was about to have a drink, he remembered the thirst of his brother and his children. He therefore refused to drink before he would sate the thirst of those ones.” (pg 59)

My soul, you must be preceded by al-Hussein
And you must not continue to exist after him
Al-Hussein is about to drink from cups of death
While you want to drink from this cold water
No, by Allah! This is not my religion! (pg 139)

On the construction of Shrine of Al-Abbas:

Sayyid Hasan, the writer of Fadak and other books, has mentioned that the golden small hall facing the first gate of the holy shrine was established by the king of Lakanhu Mohammad Shah the Indian. (pg 75)

Imam Hussein (A.S.) on the day of Ashura:

"People are certainly the slaves of this world. The religion is only a slaver on their tongues. They turn it wherever their livelihood demands. If they are examined by misfortunes, the religious will be very little. This world has changed, snubbed, and its good has turned tail. Nothing has remained from it except a thing that is as scanty as the leftover of a cup and a mean life that is like a noxious grazing. Have you not noticed that the right is ignored and the evil is not forbidden? This is sufficient for making the believers desire for meeting Allah rightfully. I consider death as happiness and life with the wrongdoers as boredom."(pg 127)