Page 1 of 14 NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) … · Dua number 43 of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah by Imam...

of 14 لسالم عليكم ورحمة هللا وبركاته 786/110/313

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWSLETTER SYDNEY EDITION الرسالة اإلخباريةنظر إلى الهلل MUHARRAM 1437 AH / 2015 AD

Also published: Melbourne, Brisbane & International Editions Compiled by Mir Altaf Hussain

For best results, please print with landscape setting Serving the community since 1434 AH / 2012 AD For a free monthly copy, please email: [email protected] Blessed is He Who made the constellations in the heavens and made therein a lamp and a shining moon. (The Holy Quran - Surah Al-Furqan: 61)

The sun and the moon run with ordained precision. (The Holy Quran - Surah Ar-Rahman:5) The sun and the moon are steadily moving by Allah’s SWT Will. (Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb a.s.: Nahjul Balagha Sermon 89) Glory be to Him (Allah SWT)! He has made thee (O Crescent) the key to a new month for a new situation. (Imam Zainul Abideen a.s.: Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah Dua 43)

Sayings of the Holy Masoomeen a.s. Continuing Series

These sayings are for our guidance and reflection. Readers are invited to spread these words of

wisdom by including them in their daily emails and messages.

TOPIC: PARENTS The Holy Prophet s.a.w.a.s. has said:

►I advise my present and future nation until the Resurrection Day to treat their parents

with kindness even if they have to walk for two years to reach (meet) them, since this is

a part of our religion.

From Mishkat ul-Anwar Fi Ghurar il-Akhbar by Hassan ibn Fazl ibn Hassan Tabarsi )

In this NEWSLETTER 1. Moonsighting data

2. Aamal upon sighting the new moon

3. Important dates of MOHARRAM & Bani Hashim martyrs

4. Qamar dar Aqrab

5. NEW SERIES Virtues & Benefits of the Surahs (Chapters) of the

Holy Quran: 1. Surah al-Fatihah / al-Hamd (The Opening)

6. Know ALLAH swt, the Creator of the UNIVERSE

Topic: The Miracle of LIGHT 7. Great Personalities of Islam: Hazrath MIQDAD

8. TAQWA and GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA (Greater Sins):

Gunah No. 24: SHORT WEIGHING & CHEATING IN BUSINESS

8. General Aamal

IMPORTANCE OF MOHARRAM

MOHARRAM is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Holy Quran.

Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's ordinance

since the day when He created the heavens and the earth, of these four being

sacred. (Surah Taubah:36)

And our Holy Prophet has said: ‘These 4 sacred months are

ZUL-QADAH, ZUL-HIJJAH, MUHARRAM AND RAJAB.’

AT THE MEETING BETWEEN PROPHET

MOOSA A.S. AND HAZRATH KHIZR A.S. The first matters they discussed were

the trials and misfortunes that will befall

the Household of our Holy Prophet,

and they mourned and wept in grief.

PROPHECIES IN THE BIBLE ABOUT ASHURA (10th

day of Moharram - Date of Karbala Tragedy) On the tenth day of the seventh* month there shall be a day of atonement...ye shall afflict your souls..ye shall do no work in that same day...the soul

that doeth any work in that same day, I (GOD) will destroy it..it shall be a statute for ever...It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, from evening of

the ninth day unto evening of the tenth day. (Leviticus 23:27 – 32) (*Moharram was the 7th month in the pre-Islamic calendar)

For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts ..... and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood:

for the Lord God of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. (Jeremiah 46:10)

mailto:[email protected]

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER MOHARRAM 1437 AH/2015 AD Page No. 2 of 14

It is highly recommended to look for the new moon every month. Please organize for your whole family to look for the MUHARRAM new moon on 30 Zul-Hijjah (14 October 2015).

1. MOONSIGHTING DATA

Birth of New Moon

29 Zul-Hijjah 1436 AH

13 October 2015 11:05 AM

Date 2015 AD

Hijri Date Sunset Last

Daylight

Best Viewing Time

Age of Moon Day:Hour

Moonset

Difference Between Sunset

& Moonset (H:MM)

New Moon Visibility (Naked

Eye)

13 Oct Tue

29 Zul-Hijjah 1436 AH 7:08 PM 7:33 PM 7:12 PM

0 D : 08 H 7:19 PM 0:11 Not visible

14 Oct Wed

30 Zul-Hijjah 1436 AH 7:08 PM 7:34 PM 7:36 PM

1 D : 08 H 8:12 PM 1:04 Visible

15 Oct Thu

1 Moharram 1437 AH

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE CONFIRM WITH YOUR

LOCAL ISLAMIC CENTRE

7:09 PM 7:35 PM 8:01 PM

2 D : 08 H 9:06 PM 1:57 Visible

METHOD OF ASCERTAINING THE FIRST DAY OF A MONTH

Fatwa No. 1739 of His Eminence Ayatullah Al-Uzma Al-Sayyid Al-Seestani: (For more information, please refer to Ay. Al-Seestani’s Tauzihul Masael.)

The 1st day of a month is established in the following four ways: 1. If a person himself sights the moon. 2. If a number of persons confirm to have sighted the moon and their words assure or satisfy a person. Similarly, every other thing which assures or satisfies him about moon having being sighted. 3. If two just (Adil) persons say that they have sighted the moon at night. The first day of the month will not be established if they differ about the details of the new moon. This difference can be either explicit or even implied. For example, when a group of people goes out in search of a new moon and none but two Adils claim to have seen the new moon, though, among those who did not see, there were other Adils equally capable and knowledgeable, then the testimony by the first two Adils will not prove the advent of a new month. 4. If 30 days pass from the first (of the current ongoing month), the 1st (of the next month) will be established; eg. If 30 days pass from the first of Sha'ban, the 1st of Ramadhan will be established, and if 30 days pass from the 1st of Ramadhan, the 1st of Shawwal will be established.


2. RECOMMENDED AAMAL & ETIQUETTES UPON SIGHTING THE NEW MOON (CHAND RAATH) i) Upon sighting the new moon (chand raath of every month) read the following Duas:

Duas prescribed by Imam Ali Ibn Abu Taleb a.s. in Sahifa Alawiya (See links provided in this news letter) : In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful O Allah! I seek from You goodness, victory, protection and munificence in sustenance in this month and I wish for all the goodness in the next month and grant me safety in this month and the next from all calamities. O Allah make this month safe for me in which there is protection and excessive piety and give me grace for those actions which makes You pleased with me.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful O the one who is continuously obedient, the one that comes and goes on the places fixed by destiny and on the heavens of determination. I have brought faith in Him, the One Who turned darkness into light through you and illuminated darkness, appointed you as a sign of His power, tested you by growing, lessening, rising, setting, shining and by eclipse. In all these you are obedient to Allah and strictly followed the commands. How pure is Allah, how very amazing are the laws He has passed for you. How the wise creation was created by Him and appointed you as a moon for every new month. May Allah appoint you among the safe, and faithful and peaceful moons. That moon from which there is safety from deviation and protection from evils. O Allah! Make me the most guided one among all those upon whom it shone. Make it the most pious for all those who see, and blessings of Allah be on Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and his progeny (ask for your wishes and then say:) O the most merciful.

Dua number 43 of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah by Imam Zainul Abideen a.s. : نظر إلى الهلل دعائه عليه السلم إذا

(See links provided at end of this newsletter; this dua is also in Tohfatul Awam & Wazaeful Abrar).

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER MOHARRAM 1437 AH/2015 AD Page No. 4 of 14 ii) After reciting the above duas, look intensely at the charts below. Inshallah, the whole month will be peaceful and tranquil.

iii) UPON SIGHTING THE NEW MOON OF MOHARRAM: ● It is recommended by Imam Jaffar as-Sadiq a.s. to see the faces of good children. ● Other scholars have recommended to also see greenery, gold, silver, Surah Kahf, turquoise (feroza), flowing water. iv) It is also highly recommended to greet with ‘salam,’ and respectfully greet your parents and elders after the above aamal; and offer words of ‘mubarak’ to each other except for the months of Moharram and Safar.


3. THE IMPORTANT DATES OF MOHARRAM

Note: The tragedy of Karbala took place in 61 AH / 680 AD. Please refer Mafateh al-Jinan and Tohfatul Awam for more information on recommended aamaal and Duas.

Date Event Recommended Aamaal

1st Shab Night

Eve of the new Islamic Hijra year 1437

Beginning of mourning period for the Martyrs of Karbala which continues until 8 Rabi ul-Awwal

Hadees of Holy Prophet: Offer prescribed salath this night & fast on 1st Moharram; then the new year will be beneficial, you will be safe during the year & if you die during the year, you will enter Paradise. Prescribed salath: Two rakath with Surah al-Fateha once and Surah al-Tawhid 11 times in each rakath.

1 1437 AH

The first day of the Islamic Hijra year Riwayath of Imam Ali Ridha a.s.: Fasting and ibadath on this day merits Allah swt’s Mercy and acceptance of Duas

2 Arrival of Imam Hussain a.s. & his caravan in Karbala

3 ● Imam Hussain a.s. bought the land in Karbala where his Holy Tomb is located for 60,000 dirhams. ● Prophet Yusuf a.s. freed from prison

Hadees of our Holy Prophet: If you fast this day, Allah swt responds to your ibadath and Duas

7 Imam Hussain a.s.’ camp denied access to water from this date

9 Yaum-e-Tasua (9th day): Imam Hussain a.s.’ camp was besieged and isolated by Yazeed’s army

10th Shab Night

Shab-e-Ashura

Highly recommended to do ibadath and to mourn for the martyrs of Karbala. Ibadath merits the reward of ibadath of all angels and 70 years of ibadath.

10

‘Yaum-e-Ashura’

Martyrdom of Imam Hussain a.s., members of his family and his companions

The Household of the Holy Prophet and Imam Hussain a.s. was taken captive after Asr time

Shiahs are required to stop all forms of work for worldly gains

Perform the recommended aamaal in the morning

Organise and attend mourning sessions all day and evening

At Asr time, read Ziarath-e-Wida and offer condolences to the Holy Prophet, Bibi Fatemah Zehra s.a. and to all the Holy Imams.

11 Departure of captives of Karbala (family of the Holy Prophet) towards Kufa

12th Shab Night

Burial of the Shohda by Banu Asad at Karbala

17 53 BH / 570 AD Allah swt’s punishment descended on As’haab-e-Feel ‘People of the Elephant’

18 2 AH / 623 AD Direction of Qibla changed to Makkah

20 20 AH / 641 AH Wafath of Hazrath Bilal al-Mu’azzin Offer Fateha for Hazrath Bilal

25 ● 95 AH / 713 AD Shahadath of Imam Zainul Abideena.s. ● 95 AH / 713 AD Wafath of Bibi Fizzah

Read ziarath of Imam Zainul Abideen a.s.

Offer fateha for Bibi Fizzah

27 61 AH / 680 AD Shahadath of H. Meesam-e-Tammar Offer fateha for Hazrath Meesam-e-Tammar


It is the period when the moon is in the constellation of Scorpio.

It is an inauspicious period and Nikah (marriage ceremony) SHOULD NOT be performed when the

moon is in the constellation of Scorpio. (Imam Jaffar as-Sadiq a.s.).

DURING THIS MONTH OF MUHARRAM

14 October 2015 : Moon enters Scorpio at 8:38 AM

16 October 2015 : Moon exits Scorpio at 8:18 PM

10 November 2015 : Moon enters Scorpio at 3:02 PM

13 November 2015 : Moon exits Scorpio at 2:14 AM

4. QAMAR DAR AQRAB

NEW SERIES 5. VIRTUES AND BENEFITS OF THE SURAHS (CHAPTERS) OF THE HOLY QURAN

1. Surah al-Fatihah / al-Hamd (The Opening)

INTRODUCTION

There are seven verses in this Surah (chapter) and it is said that this Surah is both ‘makki’ and ‘madani’ ie. it was revealed in both Makkah and Madinah.

This Surah, among all Surahs of the Qur'an, has an extraordinary radiance ‘NOOR’ which originates from its countless merits.

The other Surahs contain instructions from Allah SWT, Who gives commands and admonishments to His servants, but in this Surah, His words are uttered on behalf of the servants. In other words, in this Surah, Allah has taught His servants how to supplicate and speak to Him, simply and without a mediator.

It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (S) has said: "By the One, in Whose hand is my soul, Allah has not sent down a Surah similar to this Surah (Al-Fatihah), neither in the Taurah, nor in the Gospel, nor in the Psalms, nor even in the Qur'an which is the Umm-ul-Kitab."

It is narrated from Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (as) that: "All secrets of Allah are in Divine Books; and the contents of all those Divine Books are comprised in the Qur'an; and what is found in the Qur'an is condensed in Surah Al-Al-Fatihah, and what is in Al-Fatihah is gathered in ‘bismillah’ , and what is in ‘bismillah’ is concentrated in ‘bey’ (the first letter of 'Bism-il-lah ' )”

AL-FATIHAH IS A MAGNIFICENT HONOUR FOR THE PROPHET (S)

Surah Al-Fatihah, more so than the other Surahs in the Holy Qur'an, was revealed to the holy Prophet (S) as a great bounty. It stands on a par with the whole Qur'an. The seven verses in the Surah sum up the whole Qur'an: "And We have bestowed upon thee the Seven Oft-repeated (verses) and the Grand Qur'an" (Surah Al Hijr: 87)

This meaning is also referred to in a narration from Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (as) quoting the Prophet's (S) tradition who said: "Verily, Allah, the Exalted, has bestowed (His) favours on me particularly for 'The Opening' (Al- Fatihah) and has positioned it on a par with the whole Grand Qur'an, and surely Fatihat.-ul-Kitab (the Opening of the Qur'an) is the dearest (item) in the treasures of the 'Arsh (Throne of Heaven)."

It is indeed a great treasure that has been given to us by Allah (S.w.T.) through the Holy Prophet (S) and no previous prophet has been given anything like it.

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER MOHARRAM 1437 AH/2015 AD Page No. 8 of 14 THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS RECITATION

The recitation of this Surah, because of its extreme importance, is frequently emphasized in Islamic traditions and narrations. Without this Surah, even the daily prayers are incomplete.

As for its virtue, it is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) that: "The reward of any Muslim who recites this Surah 'Opening' is like that of a person who has recited two thirds of the Qur'an, and so much reward would he receive as if he has given every believing Muslim, man or woman, a free will offering (charity). "

The Holy Prophet (S) taught Surah al-Fatihah to H. Jabir ibn Abdallah Ansari and said: “This Surah has no other comparison to it in the whole Qur’an and it is a cure for every ailment except death.”

Imam Aba Abdillah Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that whoever cannot be cured by Surah al-Fatihah, then there is no cure for that person. In the same narration it is written that if this Surah is recited 70 times on any part of the body that is paining, the pain will surely go away.

In fact, the power of this Surah is so great that it is said that if one were to recite it 70 times over a dead body, you should not become surprised if that body starts moving (ie. comes back to life).

Surah al-Fatihah is a cure for physical and also spiritual ailments.

THE HONORABLE TITLES OF THIS MUBARAK SURAH

There are ten titles given to this Surah, as taken from Islamic narrations and books: Fatihat-ul-Kitab, Umm-ul-Kitab, Umm-ul-Qur'an, Sab'-ul-Mathani, Al-Wafiyah, Al-Kafiyah, Ash-Shafiyah, Al-Asas, As-Salat, and Al-Hamd.

Reference: Compilation of a group of Muslim scholars; Ayatullah Allamah Al-Hajj Sayyid Kamal Faqhih Imani

6. KNOW ALMIGHTY ALLAH SWT, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE

And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things. (The Holy Quran - Surah Aal-e-Imraan : 189) Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for men who understand.

(The Holy Quran - Surah Aal-e-Imraan : 190) Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord! Thou

hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire: (The Holy Quran - Surah Aal-e-Imraan : 191)

SIGNS & REFLECTION: THE MIRACLE OF LIGHT And (Allah swt) made the moon therein a light, and made the sun a lamp? (The Holy Quran – Surah al-Maaida:16)

Is he who was dead then We raised him to life and made for him a light by which he walks among the people, (The Holy Quran - Surah al-Anaam:122)

He it is Who made for you the night that you might rest in it, and the day giving light; most surely there are signs in it for a people who would hear. (The Holy Quran - Surah Yunus:67)

And He made dark its night and brought out its light. (The Holy Quran – Surah al-Mominoon:29)

Have you imagined how we could live if there was no light? It is as precious a commodity as air and water. If there is no light, there would be no life on earth.

And the astonishing fact is mankind still does not know for certain what light is made of or how it propagates (spreads)!

In the Holy Quranic verses quoted above, Allah swt systematically tells us the following facts about the LIGHT he created: ►About moonlight signifying the phenomenon of reflection

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER MOHARRAM 1437 AH/2015 AD Page No. 9 of 14 ►About sunlight signifying the amazing source of light energy ►About light for our guidance to move around ►About darkness at night which enables us to sleep ►About daylight when we go about our routine chores ►And about how dawn breaks and night turns into day Each of the above facts signify a miracle of Allah swt.

The word ‘light’ usually refers to visible light, which is visible to the human eye and is responsible for the sense of sight.

The main source of light on Earth is the Sun. Sunlight provides the energy that green plants use to create sugars mostly in the form of starches, which release energy into the living things that eat and digest them. This process of photosynthesis provides virtually all the energy used by living things.

Historically, another important source of light for humans has been fire - from ancient campfires to modern gas lamps. With the development of electric lights and power systems, electric lighting has all but replaced firelight.

Some species of animals generate their own light, called bioluminescence. For example, fireflies use light to locate mates, and vampire squids use it to hide themselves from prey.

The very first authentic and factual theory of light was stated by the Holy Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.). THEORY OF LIGHT by IMAM JAFER AS-SADIQ a.s. (702 AD to 765 AD)

One of the greatest scientific statements of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was his Theory of Light.

Before the time of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) it was believed that light from our eyes falls upon different objects so that they could be seen.

He was the first scholar who rejected that idea and said, “The rays of light from different objects come to our eyes and enable us to see them. The rays of light from our eyes do not go out and fall on other objects, otherwise we could have seen them in the darkness also. We see only those objects which are luminous. If they are not luminous themselves, they must reflect the light falling upon them from some luminous objects.”

He also said, “Light reflected by different objects comes to us, but only a part of the light rays enter our eyes. That is why we do not see distant objects clearly. If all the rays of light that come from them entered our eyes, objects would appear near to us.”

The Imam said, “If we make a device through which all the rays of light coming from the camels grazing at a distance of 3,000 zirah (one zirah is equal to 40 inches) entered our eyes we would see them grazing at a distance of only 60 zirah and also all other objects would look 50 times nearer to us.

It was this theory of the Imam which guided Hans Lippershey, a Dutch lens maker of Flanders, to make his first field glasses or binoculars in 1608 AD.

Galileo made use of these binoculars and invented his telescope on the 7th of January 1610 ! Clearly, Lippershey's invention set Galileo's mind in motion, and the latter engineered his own superior telescope design soon afterward.

If Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) had not formulated his theory of light, binoculars and telescopes would not have been invented.

When Galileo was asked why his telescope made heavenly bodies seem so near, he repeated the words of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and said, “This telescope collects all the rays of light coming from the heavenly bodies. When all the rays are concentrated, the objects which are at a distance of 3,000 feet appear to us as if they were at a distance of only 60 feet.”

In the times of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), industry had made no progress to enable him to make lenses or a telescope and observe heavenly bodies. Otherwise, the people of the Imam’s time would have realized his greatness to the fullest extent.

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER MOHARRAM 1437 AH/2015 AD Page No. 10 of 14 The Imam also put forward the theory about the speed of light. He said that light is a kind of movement which is very fast.

It is reported that in one of his lectures he said, “A powerful beam of light could move heavy objects. The light which Moses saw at Mount Sinai was of that kind. It could have moved the mountain if God had so desired.” This statement of the Imam laid the foundation for the invention of the laser!

What Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) did not explicitly say about light is that it is a kind of energy; otherwise there is no difference between his theory and the modern theory of light. He was definitely a leader and a pioneer in this field as well !

MODERN THEORIES OF LIGHT

Wave Theory: According to this theory, light propagates as waves which come in many sizes (wavelengths and frequencies).

Particle or Photon Theory: Albert Einstein proposed this theory in 1905 when he studied the photoelectric effect. If the energy in light comes in bundles, then one can think of light as containing tiny lumps, or photons (particles). When these photons strike a metal surface, they act like billiard balls, transferring their energy to electrons, which become dislodged from their "parent" atoms. Once freed, the electrons move along the metal or get ejected from the surface and flow as electricity.

Today, physicists accept the dual nature of light. In this modern view, they define light as a collection of one or more photons propagating through space as electromagnetic waves.

Quantum Theory: Eventually the modern theory of quantum mechanics came to picture light as both a particle and a wave.

SOME MIRACLES OF LIGHT

Reflection occurs when light falls on an object (eg. a wall, the Moon, the planets) and a part of it bounces and reaches our eyes and enables us to see these objects

Refraction occurs when light passes from one transparent medium (eg. air) to another transparent medium (eg. water, lenses, diamond).

These phenomena of refraction and total internal reflection cause diamonds to shine brilliantly.

The Rainbow and the Spectrum of light generated by a prism: White light (and sunlight) is a mixture of seven colours: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. The phenomenon of refraction splits white light into its seven component colours and creates the beautiful rainbows in the skies and the colourful spectrum.

Diffraction is another phenomenon which enables light to bend around corners, eg., you see the light of dawn before sunrise (the so called false dawn), or the light of dusk or twilight after sunset, or you see brightness around wall corners.

THE INCREDIBLE SPEED OF LIGHT ►In modern physics, light is regarded as the fastest thing in the universe, and its velocity in empty space (vacuum) as a fundamental constant of nature. ►The speed of light in a vacuum is presently defined to be 299,792,458 metres per second (about 186,282 miles per second). ►That’s basically the fastest thing the human species has ever experienced today. ►If you travel around the earth’s equator at the speed of light you will travel around the earth 7.4 times in approximately one second !

Reference for Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq’s (a.s.) Theory of Light : Maghze Mutafakkir Jehan Shia (Persian) which is a translation of a French thesis published by The Research Committee of Strasbourg, France. English translation by Kaukab Ali Mirza. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny? (The Holy Quran – Surah Ar-Rahman) To be continued


7. GREAT PERSONALITIES OF ISLAM

(It is) for the poor who fled their homes and their possessions, seeking grace of Allah and (His) pleasure, and assisting Allah and His Messenger: these it is that are the truthful. (The Holy Quran – Surah al-Hashr : 8)

aa HAZRATH AL-MIQDAD IBN AMR AL-BAHRANI (also IBN AL-ASWAD AL KINDI***)

H. Al-Miqdad ibn Amr al-Bahrani was born in about 38 BH / 586 AD into a tribe named Bahra originally from Hadramout in Yemen. His father was Amr al-Bahrani.

He settled down in Makkah and in the later years became one of the greatest companions of the Holy Prophet.

***He became a slave of al-Aswad bin Abid Yaqut al-Zuhry Al Kindi. So people also called him H. al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad Al Kindi.

When the Holy Prophet declared his Prophethood in 14 BH / 610 AD, H. al-Miqdad was about twenty-four years old. He heard about our Holy Prophet’s mission and immediately embraced Islam. Thus, he was among the earlier Muslims.

After Hijrath by the Holy Prophet, in order to migrate to Madinah, H. Al-Miqdad decided to join the polytheistic troops by concealing his Islamic faith. When fighting broke out between the polytheists’ army led by Abu Sufyan (LA) and the Muslims in the Rabigh valley, the polytheists were surprised to see two of their fighters H. al-Miqdad and H. Utbah bin Ghazwan cross into the Muslim ranks. Abu-Sufyan got worried and ordered his fighters to come back to Makkah suspecting that there might be more such Muslims among his troops.

H. al-Miqdad arrived in Madina and began enjoying the care and attention of the Holy Prophet. H. al-Miqdad was a sincere believer and loved Allah's Apostle. He always accompanied the Holy Prophet to wage holy war against the polytheists.

In Madinah, the Holy Prophet established brotherhood between a number of his companions. Thus, brotherhood was established at this time between H. Abu Dharr al-Ghiffari and H. al-Miqdad. BATTLE OF BADR

It came to the Holy Prophet’s knowledge that the polytheists were re-grouping under Abu Jahal (LA) near the wells of Badar to attack the Muslims. The Holy Prophet called a council of war and sought the opinion of his companions, and some well known personalities discouraged the Muslims to fight the polytheists. H. al-Miqdad stood up and said “O Messenger of God, do what God has commanded you to do. We are with you, now and at all times; and we shall not tell you what the Israelites told Moses: ‘You and your Lord should go and fight against the enemy; as for us, we shall stay here, and sit here.' No, we shall not imitate the Israelites. We shall follow you and obey your orders.”

These very brave and encouraging words made the Muslims bold and courageous to fight agaisnt the polytheists. The Holy Prophet prayed for victory and after only a few hours, the Muslims defeated the polytheists. Among the polytheist, H. al-Miqdad had captured al-Nadhar bin al-Harith who had tortured the Muslims in Makkah in the past. For this reason, Allah's Apostle ordered Imam Ali bin Abu Talib (a), the hero of Islam, to kill al-Nadhar bin al-Harith to save the Muslims from his further threats and torture.

The Prophet (s) asked his companions to treat the other prisoners of war kindly. Besides he released some prisoners without ransom because they were poor. And he asked the prisoners who could read and write to teach the Muslim’s children as ransom.

In the Battle of Uhud, the polytheists attacked the Muslims three times, but they failed because the Muslim horsemen led by H. al-Miqdad faced their attack and fought them bravely.

When the Holy Prophet passed away, some companions were certain that Imam Ali bin Abu-Talib (a) would assume the Caliphate as appointed by the Holy Prophet himself at Ghadeer.

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER MOHARRAM 1437 AH/2015 AD Page No. 12 of 14 Yet some Muhajireen and Ansar held a meeting in Bani Saaida's Saqifa (Shelter). There was a serious competition for the Caliphate and

Abu-Bakr was appointed Caliph.

H. al-Miqdad, Salman, Ammar, Abu-Dhar, Abu-Ayoob al-Ansary, al-Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib, and others were surprised at that appointment and they stood by Imam Ali bin Abu Talib (a).

Being disappointed by these events, H. al-Miqdad began waging a peaceful holy war. He taught people the Holy Qur'an. His readings became famous all over the Muslim world upto Damascus (Shaam).

During the first three Caliphates, H. al-Miqdad remained loyal to Allah swt, His Apostle and to Imam Ali a.s. H. al-Miqdad campaigned for Imam Ali a.s. during the appointment of the third Caliph and was also supported by H. Ammar bin Yasir, but without success.

THE HOLY PROPHET’S TRIBUTES: H. al-Miqdad deeply believed in Allah swt and His Apostle. Recognising this fact, the Holy Prophet said about him and about some of his companions: “Allah has ordered me to love four (persons), and He has told me that He loves them. The persons are Ali, al-Miqdad, Abu-Dhar and Salman.”

DEATH: H. al-Miqdad died in about 52 AH / 672 AD when he was 90 years old and is reportedly buried in Madinah.

“If anyone wishes to see the real spirit of Islam, he will find it, not in the deeds of the ‘nouveaux riche’ of Medina or Mecca, but in the life, character and deeds of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib a.s. and the distinguished companions of the Apostle of God such as Salman al-Farsi, Abu Dharr al-Ghiffari, Ammar ibn Yasir, Owais Qarni and Bilal (May Allah SWT be pleased with them). The orientalists will change their assessment of the spirit of Islam if they contemplate on the

austere, pure and sanctified lives of these great personalities.” Sayyid Ali Ashgar Razwy

Please offer Fateha for this great sahabi of the Holy Prophet and Imam Ali a.s. HAZRATH AL-MIQDAD IBN AMR AL-BAHRANI. To be continued

8. TAQWA AND GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA WHAT IS TAQWA? Taqwa is submission to the command of Allah SWT, and not going near what Allah SWT has prohibited. (Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq a.s.)

Hence Taqwa consists of : ● Compulsory obedience to Allah SWT in fulfilling the compulsory duties (Wajibāt) and not leaving even a single duty unperformed. ● Abstaining from what Allah SWT has prohibited (made haram).

WHAT ARE THE GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA (GREATER SINS)? (Continued from previous edition)

GUNAH NO. 24: SHORT WEIGHING or CHEATING IN BUSINESS

The twenty-fourth Greater Sin is short weighing or cheating in business. This is recorded in the Holy Qur’an thus: “Woe to the defrauders. Who, when they take the measure (of their dues) from men, take it fully, but when they measure out to others or weigh out for them, they are deficient. Do not think that they shall be raised again, for a mighty day, The day on which men shall stand before the Lord of the worlds?” (Surah al-Muťaffifīn ‘Defrauding’: 1-6)

NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER MOHARRAM 1437 AH/2015 AD Page No. 13 of 14 A tradition of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) states: "Decreasing (fraudulently) in measure and weight” (is also a Greater Sin). It is Harām

for a seller to give less than the specified quantity or for the debtor to repay less than what is specified.

A terrible punishment awaits the doer of this grievous sin, according to the book of Allah (S.w.T.). A complete chapter of the Holy Qur’an deals with this topic. It says: “Nay! Most surely the record of the wicked is in the sijjin. And what will make you know what the sijjin is? It is a written book.” (Surah al-Muťaffifīn 83:7-9)

A person who short-weighs is not a Mu’min

According to the Qur’anic ayats, one who resorts to short weighing and defrauding does not believe in the Day of Judgement and the Hereafter. If the person had any belief in the Hereafter, he would know that, even if he succeeds in fooling people, he would never be able to hide his fraud from the Lord of the worlds; he would realize that on the Day of Judgement he would have to account for whatever he has earned by defrauding and make good the loss.

Advice given by Amir ul-Mu’minīn ‘Ali (a.s.) for the businessmen: Whenever ‘Ali (a.s.) found himself free from the administrative work, he used to go to the market place and announce, “O people! Fear Allah! Weigh and measure with justice. Do not cheat people (by giving less) and do not spread corruption in the earth.”

The Holy Prophet (S) says: “One who does Khayanat in weighing and measuring is thrown into the lowest section of Hell. There he shall be placed between two mountains of fire. He will be told to weigh those mountains. He will be busy in this forever.” Short changing is also Harām

As it is Harām to short-weigh it is also Harām to short-measure like measurement of cloth or land which is sold by measure.

In the same way those items which are sold by number, like eggs or fruits, if someone sells them to a person and gives less than the specified quantity, he is counted among those who short-weigh and short-measure and commits a Haram act.

The Seller who cheats is a debtor of the buyer

Adulteration is Harām The seller may also adulterate the goods. In this case there is no short weighing but it is Harām all the same, because it is a kind of fraud. Examples are ►a grain seller adulterates 95 Kg of wheat with 5 Kg of sand and sells it as a hundred Kg of wheat; ►a milkman adulterates milk by adding water. ►a shopkeeper sells a Kg of ghee but puts a quarter Kg stone beneath the layer of ghee. ►a butcher commits a fraud if he adds more than a reasonable amount of bones while selling meat. ►a vegetable seller increases the weight of vegetables by pouring water over them more than required. All these types of frauds are included among the sin of under weighing even if the seller is weighing the adulterated goods accuratel Shaykh Sadūq has recorded the prophetic tradition: “One who sells adulterated goods to Muslims is not from us because an adulterator is not a Muslim.”

Giving less in the rights of Allah (S.w.T.) and Prophet (S)

People have been ordered not only to refrain from defrauding each other, but they must also not cheat and defraud while fulfilling their obligations towards Allah (S.w.T.), the Holy Prophet (S), the Holy Imams (a.s.) and all the creatures.

May Allah (S.w.T.) guide us upon the way of justice and equity. May Allah (S.w.T.) include us among the pious and enable us to be saved from falling into Hell.

From the confirmed GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA list compiled by Ayatollah Sayed Abdul Husain Dastghaib Shirazi. To be continued.


9. GENERAL AAMAL

Fasting is recommended on first Thursday,

last Thursday and one Wednesday in between

every lunar month

Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb a.s. has said: “We fast the first Thursday, last Thursday and one Wednesday between them

every month, because Allah created Hell on Wednesday. Seek Allah’s protection from Hell. Fasting three days every month results in sawab of fasting all your life.”

IMPORTANCE OF ALWAYS OFFERING SALATH (NAMAZ) AT FAZILATH TIME (PRIME TIME)

It is befitting that we should offer prayers punctually. It is mustahab (highly recommended) that we should offer salath at the fazilath time (prime time) prescribed for it, and great emphasis has been laid on it; alternatively, the nearer the salath is to it’s fazilath time, the better, except where there is good reason for delay, like, waiting to join the prayers in congregation (Namaz-e-Jamaat). (Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Husaini Sistani)

As our Holy Imam-e-Zamana ATF offers his salath at the fazilath time, many scholars have stated that if we offer our salath at fazilath time, our salath are equal to prayers under the imamath of Imam-e-Zamana ATF. Also if we offer our salath at fazilath time, our salath will be accepted by Allah SWT due to the barakath (blessings & bounties) of the salath of Imam-e-Zamana ATF. (Grand Ayatollah Makerem Shirazi)

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SEE THESE VERY USEFUL WEBSITES The holy book Sahifa Alawiya - Duas by Imam Ali Ibn Abu Taleb a.s.:

http://www.duas.org/alaviya/ The holy book Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah by Imam Zainul Abideen a.s.:

http://www.duas.org/sajjadiya/sajjadiya.htm

http://www.al-islam.org/sahifa/ The noble book Mafateh al-Jinan by Sheikh Abbas al-Qummi:

http://www.momin.com/Books/Mafatih-ul-Jinan-9.html

Website of Grand Ayatullah Al-Uzma Al-Sayyid Al-Seestani

http://www.najaf.org/?lang=english

Website of Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi

http://makarem.ir/index.aspx?lid=1

www.al-islam.org www.duas.org

DISCLAIMER:

No responsibility/liability, expressed and or

implied, is undertaken and accepted for the

contents of this newsletter which is compiled after

extensive research solely as a service to the

community on a non-commercial non-profit basis.

http://www.duas.org/sajjadiya/sajjadiya.htm

http://www.al-islam.org/sahifa/

http://www.momin.com/Books/Mafatih-ul-Jinan-9.html

http://www.najaf.org/?lang=english

http://makarem.ir/index.aspx?lid=1

http://www.al-islam.org/

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