| Thaqalain :Al-Quran wa Ahla Bayt a.s.

The Reality of Sin

The Reality of Sin

Sin – the Arabic equivalents of which are ithm and 'isyan – signifies disobeying the injunctions of the Lord and the failure to comply with His wishes. In other words, the committing of an action which is displeasing to the Lord, the Creator, (due to the harm it entails) or to avoid an action that has been obligated by Him (due to the benefit it entails). Hence, sin is contradictory to the spirit of obedience.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - In essence, the sinner has deposed the rightful king of his faculties – in wit, reason – and has supplanted it with desire and anger, which should be in the service of reason. When desire and anger have taken power as the rulers of the soul, they will be the sinner's beloved. Thus, whatever he wishes to do must be pleasing either to desire or to anger, and it is for this reason that he commits sin.

Sin: The Snare of Satan

In the narrations related from the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them), material attachments and sins are described as snares of Satan. That is, sins are traps with which Satan hunts human beings and ropes with which he enthralls them. Of course these ropes are multitudinous, colorful, and come in different sizes. Satan lures every person in a special way. Some he entraps with wealth, some with positions of power, and others by exploiting their sexual drive.

The flames of Hell are intertwined with sinful and lustful pleasures; that is, the interior of the snare is fire and the exterior is pleasure, and the human being falls in the trap in the vain attempt to reach the apparent pleasures. (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 176)

The Consequences of Sin

The consequences of sin can be divided into those that befall the individual and those that pertain to society. The consequences of sin for the individual are:

It contaminates and pollutes the soul. The sinner neither enjoys a beneficial sleep in which he would attain any knowledge in the form of a truthful dream, neither does he acquire any gnosis in his waking life, nor does he find the opportunity to benefit others by teaching them something useful to them. Therefore, if the soul – the soul which Allah designated as the recipient of Divine revelation and by which He swears in His book – is darkened, many secrets would be withheld from it. If it is said that the spiritual journeyer should be reticent and careful of what he eats, it is so that he would be able to hear the Divine afflatus, for if one desires to hear the inner voice, he must himself keep quiet.
When one pledges allegiance to Satan, submitting to his temptations, his heart gradually metamorphoses into the dwelling of Satan, becoming his host; and this is a reality expressed by the Qur'an. (26:221-222) The heart of a liar is the abode of Satan. But he who is honest in his knowledge and is also faithful in the financial trusts that are made to him, the heart of such an individual is too pure to host Satan.
Sin is a veil that prevents self-knowledge. The human being forgets Allah as a result of his sins, and this forgetting of Allah obstructs the acquisition of self-knowledge. (58:19) When one capitulates to corruption, he has forfeited his life eternally and has enthralled himself, after which nothing, not even the flames of Hell, can emancipate, for although fire has the potency to melt metal, but if the metal is fiery – that is to say, if it is fire solidified – then nothing can melt it.
Another entailment of sin is that the sinner is deprived of enjoying the pleasures of worship, and so he always wishes that he could enjoy his worship, but due to his sins and hardheartedness, he has extirpated the capacity of his heart [for such spiritual joys]. Shaikh as-Saduq narrates in his valuable work al-Tawhid that the eighth Imam, Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him) was on one occasion asked, "Why is Allah veiled?" The Imam replied, "He is not veiled. That you do not see Him is due to the excess of your sins, which like a veil, blinds your heart to witnessing [Allah]." (Al-Tawhid)
In the corpus of narrations, the topic of the veiling of sins is abundantly treated. For instance, in one hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) is narrated as having said, "When one commits a sin, a black speck appears on his heart. If he disowns it and repents, his heart will be purified. But if he repeats the sin, the spot spreads, until it overtakes the entire heart." (Tafsir al-Qurtubi)
In another hadith, he is recorded as having said, "The excess of sins destroys the heart."
Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) says, "There is nothing more destructive to the heart than sin. Sin affects the heart and eventually overwhelms it." (Al-Kafi)
Another hadith related from the latter reads, "I advise you to be pious, to abstain from sin, and to be diligent in the course of worship. Be aware: worship without abstaining from sin is futile." (Al-Kafi)
A Prophetic advice addressed to Abu Dharr reads, "O Abu Dharr, the crux of religion is abstaining from sin, and the secret of religion is obedience to Allah. Beware that should you pray to the extent that your back bends like a bow and fast until you are as thin as an arrow – such worship would not avail you unless it is coupled with abstaining from sin. O Abu Dharr, those who have relinquished the forbidden pleasures of this world and have taken up ascetic lives, they are indeed the friends of Allah." (Bihar al-Anwar)
The Denial of the Hereafter. Sin obstructs the knowledge of the hereafter from taking effect. That is, it is possible that one is certain of the hereafter, but that certainty is buried under multitudinous layers of lustful pollutions, such as that would render that certainty futile. (45:23)

In Sura al-Mutaffifin, the Qur'an mentions those who utterly deny the hereafter; then it says, "Woe to deniers on that day, who deny the day of retribution; and none denies it except every sinful transgressor. When Our signs are recited to him, he says, 'Myths of the ancients.' No indeed their hearts have been sullied by what they have been earning." (83:10-14)

It can be clearly inferred from these verses that sin ruins the luster of the heart, such that spiritual truths are not reflected in that originally Divine mirror. Otherwise, the signs of the Truth, especially in regard to the Origin and the Destination are clear and obvious.

The Social Effects of Sin

Sin leads to social decadence and the increase of crime. It hinders even the activities of the effective individuals of society due to the far-reaching consequences of sin, thus obstructing the progress of that society.

The Cause of Sin: Ignorance and Obliviousness

The most effective of weapons of an enemy and the quickest way for the enemy to infiltrate is by heedlessness. If Satan succeeds in making human being heedless, then there is no need for him to make the extra effort of deceiving the human being by compound ignorance. If by Satan's temptations, the righteous thought is effaced from one's mind, Satan will be at ease. Ignorance is the fountainhead of the spreading of corruption.

The verses pertaining to the story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) illustrate that sinful love and sexual perversion stem from ignorance: ignorance of the existential values of humanity, of the valuable results of sexual purity and moderation, of the repercussions of sin and ultimately ignorance of the injunctions of Allah.

The Way of Redemption from Sin

Several methods may be mentioned for extrication from sin:

Repentance and pleading for forgiveness. Tawbah (repentance) literally means "to return". When a servant returns to his master, it is said that he has done tawbah. The Most Sacred Essence in the Qur'an exhorts all believers to repent.
Remembering one's sins
The remembrance of Allah
The human will factor

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the book Faith and Reason, available online.

In the Name of Allah

In the Name of Allah

What is Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem?

A verse in the Holy Qur'an that means "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful"
The first verse in the Holy Qur'an
A verse repeated 114 times in the Qur'an
A form of remembering Allah (Dhikr)
A phrase that is common in the Muslim community

Despite being true that it is all that, the Basmala goes much further than being just a phrase. It is true that it is very common nowadays and Muslims say it when they are about to initiate almost anything – sometimes it seems that it has become simply a habit, and that can be dangerous. Just like experienced car drivers do not think about the position of their feet or hands while they drive, saying something over and over can lead us to think of the phrase as just a string of words and ignore the deep meanings embedded in it, especially when it comes to the words of the Qur’an. In order to prevent this from happening, Allah asks us to continuously contemplate and reflect.

“Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem”, also known as the Basmala, should be treated with care and the aforementioned bullet points should serve as an incentive to deeply examine this highly-regarded phrase.

But before we get into the different dimensions of the Basmala, it is always encouraging to read up some of the merits of this verse. Here are a few:

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) says: “Whoever says ‘Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem’ will have 4000 good deeds written for them, 4000 evil deeds erased for them, and will be raised 4000 degrees.” (Bihar al-Anwar)

When asked about the greatest verse in the Qur’an, Imam Ali ar-Ridha (peace be upon him) says, “[It is] ‘Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem’.” (Tafseer al-Ayashi) He also says: “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem is closer to Allah’s greatest name than the whiteness of the eye (sclera) to its blackness (pupil).” (Wasa’il ash-Shi’a)

These narrations shed light on some of the significances of the verse and how Allah has given this verse a lot of weight. Just by saying these few words, “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem”, the amount of blessings and rewards are huge.

However, the focus is now directed at a completely different aspect of the Basmala, and one seldom discussed: its implications. Specifically, we shall explore how “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem” serves as a sign of love for, obedience to, submission to, and – most importantly – faith in Almighty Allah.

The Sign of Love

Take a look around you. How many businesses, personal belongings, and assets are named after people, families, countries, famous figures, and so on? For instance, patriotic individuals include their country’s name in the name of their shop. Some people include their family’s name in their emails. Others will associate themselves with a political figure. You can see logos, banners, pictures, and so much more on Facebook pages today. Indeed, everywhere we are encountering the attribution of our assets and personal belongings to names of people or other entities. Some of the motivations behind such cases are love, pride, and a sense of belonging. For example, one of the main reasons we name a business after our father, mother, son, or daughter is the powerful connection between us and that particular individual. We love them. We have a strong passion towards them. They inspire us. They motivate us. We want the whole world to know how much we care for and love them.

In this life, our actions, decisions, and thoughts are our main assets. We will be judged based on our deeds. Then what better name to have our deeds under than the name of Allah? Truly, if we love Allah and are passionate about everything that is connected to Him, then we will strive to keep everything in the name of Allah. We will start and end our matters in the name of Allah. Simply put, Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem will emanate from that heart that is filled with love for Allah.

Love of Allah is a pivotal point in the life of a Muslim. Allah states in the Qur’an, “Those who believe are stronger in love for Allah” (2:165). Imam Ali (peace be upon him) mentions in the sermon in which he describes the pious, that “the greatness of the Creator is seated in their heart, and, so, everything else appears small in their eyes.” (Nahj al-Balagha, sermon 193)

Once that love we have towards Allah takes over us, and we solidify it through Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem, then we will have started on the path of reaching the higher levels of piety.

The Sign of Obedience

Love originates from the heart but is portrayed through actions. Every action can be identified by a source and a destination. The source and destination can be either righteous or corrupt depending on whether they follow the rulings of Allah or not. For example, a person can earn money by selling crops (righteous source) or through stealing (corrupt source). The money can be used to help the poor (righteous destination) or in gambling (corrupt destination).

By definition, a corrupt source or destination is a deviation from the way of Allah. Thus, only the righteous source-destination combination is acceptable, despite other combinations being available. The person who loves Allah will always seek His pleasure by doing what He asks and by avoiding what He forbids. Since the name of Allah is above all corruption, then it does not make sense for someone claiming to love Allah to take part in forbidden things, especially in His name. One cannot, for example, sayBismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem before drinking alcohol, committing adultery, or engaging in any other sin. That is hypocrisy. It just does not fit!

In the same sermon about the pious ones, Imam Ali says, “If there had not been fixed periods (of life) ordained for each, their spirits would not have remained in their bodies even for the twinkling of an eye because of (their) eagerness for the reward and fear of chastisement.” (Ibid)

So, the Basmala will always keep a person in check of his/her actions. This process of purification eventually leads the person, once again, towards piety. That is the case since the actions will be accepted, as Allah says in the Qur’an, “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous.” (5:27)

The Sign of Submission

By taking a slightly different direction, the Basmala helps break away from the materialistic world we exist in. When our matters are in the name of Allah, they are connected to a divine existence. This is where the worshipper admits that Allah is governing over all matters. The worshipper will therefore accept all that comes out of what he/she is doing and submit to the respective fate. The worshipper’s creed will be such that Allah will make things happen in a way that will be beneficial – whether in this life, in the Hereafter, or in both. One cannot do something in the name of Allah and then be angry with Him. The words “…ir Rahman nir Raheem” reinforce this point as one refers to Allah’s mercy on everyone (Al-Rahman) and on the believer in particular (Al-Raheem).

Therefore, once we realize these facts, we have reached the level of submission to Allah’s will. And yes, that can only be achieved by seeking a connection with the unseen, also known as “Ghayb”. Of course, belief in the unseen is an important quality of the pious. Allah says, “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah who believe in the unseen.” (2:2-3)

The Sign of Faith

The Basmala has taken us on a journey of love, obedience, and submission Allah. Piety was a common fruit throughout the journey. And once all these levels fuse together, then we have a bright representation of the proper faith a Muslim should have. In fact, a true believer needs all those entities – love, obedience, and submission – or else we will have a major loophole in our belief. Can a Muslim love Allah and not obey Him? Can we obey Allah and be angry with what He brings us? Truly, with the Basmala, we are striving to acquire the necessary elements to perfect our faith and belief in Allah. Therefore, the Basmala, in its purest and complete form, becomes a sign of a true believer.

But there is a small catch.

Imam Al Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him) says, “The signs of the believer are five,” listing them until he reaches: “saying ‘Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem’ in a raised voice.” (Wasa’il ash-Shi’a)

Many can say the Basmala out loud, but the Imam is referring to the believer who says it out loud while he or she is fully aware of its depths. Even further, saying it out loud reinforces love for, obedience to, and submission to Allah.

Every year, we see millions go to Makkah for Hajj. Anyone who sees that picture will immediately recognize the faith and devotion of the pilgrims. Every year on the 20^th of Safar, millions make their way to the Shrine of Imam Hussain (peace be upon them) in Karbala. Anyone who sees that image will feel the faith and devotion portrayed by the visitors. Similarly, saying “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem” will make it clear what Islam is all about and it will portray the way we Muslims are connected to Allah. It is more than just Dhikr. When the Imam says we should raise our voices when we say it, it has become our case.

One More Step

For those interested in diving deeper into the Basmala, I leave you with the following narration:

Imam Ali says: “Know that all the secrets in the divine books are in the Qur’an. All that is in the Qur’an is in Al-Fatiha. All that is in Al-Fatiha is in the Basmala. All that is in the Basmala is in the ‘Baa’ [of ‘Bism’]. All that is in the ‘Baa’ is in the dot under the ‘Baa’. And I am the dot under the ‘Baa’.” (Yanabee’ Al Mawadda)

And to stimulate your thoughts even further, try to consider the connection between raising the voice when saying “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem” and our allegiance to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib.

It is Our Case

All in all, saying “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem” is a great privilege and we should thank Allah for allowing us to lead our lives in His name. The amount of blessings and returns we receive is something we cannot enumerate. This verse is a sign of our belonging to Islam, so we should strive to do it justice.

So the next time you wake up, go to sleep, start an exam, sign a contract, or stand before Allah in prayers, remember that when you say “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem”, you are making a case. Make sure your case is a winner!

Koran by Heart: A Documentary

Koran by Heart: A Documentary

Isn’t it amazing when you see s small child reciting the Koran (Qur’an)? Isn’t it even more amazing when young children memorize the entire Koran? What if there was a competition with the best young reciters from around the world? What if someone made a film out of it? Done.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Isn’t it amazing when you see s small child reciting the Koran (Qur’an)? Isn’t it even more amazing when young children memorize the entire Koran? What if there was a competition with the best young reciters from around the world? What if someone made a film out of it? Done.

Koran by Heart is an HBO documentary directed by Greg Barker that premiered August 1st, 2011. Koran by Heart is a film about the journey of a few participants chosen for the world youth Koran competition in Cairo, Egypt. Simply put, it is the Olympics of Koran recitation. There are from everywhere; the main characters in the documentary are from Tajikistan, Maldives, and Senegal. The international Koran competition takes place in Ramadan, so this is the perfect holiday-film to watch.

In a documentary film, in a sense God is the director. It is natural. It is real. That is why it is beautiful. Koran by Heart is a family friendly film, ideal to view during Ramadan. The film is laced with beautiful recitations of the Koran mixed with top-notch cinematography and covered in a deep and moving storyline.

It is a story about the competitors just as much as it is about the competition. Questions are raised regarding the political and religious states surrounding the competition and the competitors. Who decides what Islam is the ideal Islam. In every nation people breathe in Islam, and breathe out culture. Different countries have different ways of conducting similar Islamic practices. Analogous to the cultural medley, there are also mixed views as to the degree of traditionalism practiced with varying Muslim countries, and subdivisions within those countries.

Factors such as economic situation, culture, and history all affect the story of these young individuals. You may laugh, cry, or just happen to fall off the edge of your seat in anticipation during the final scene. Characters like Nabiollah, Rifdah, and Djemal are lively, determined, and in the end, just kids. Each character has his/her own story, and challenges.

The one story that I feel was the most powerful was that of Rifdah, a girl and also one of the younger participants in the competition. She is a bright child, excelling in all subjects, with loads of energy and sparks of genuine curiosity that you can’t help but smile at. However, she is growing up in a household with mixed views regarding women working. Nabiollah, another young competitor, has different challenges; his father wasn’t able to finish his education because of political turmoil that erupted in the region, and the area they live in at the moment does not have a certified school that teaches secular studies. Nabiollah and his father both want him to have an education.

Koran By Heart is the film to watch this Ramadan. It is an amazing film that may even inspire you to pick up the Koran and read a few chapters.

Jesus in the Holy Qur’an:

Jesus in the Holy Quran / Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Jesus in the Holy Qur’an:

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the merciful

Chapter 19, Maryam (Mary):Verses 15-34; The Holy Qur’an:

• Peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies and the day he raised from the dead.
• And remember [the account] of Mary in the book when she withdrew from her people to an Eastern place.
• She screened herself away from them, and We sent to her Our Spirit and it appeared to her in the form of a well-shaped human being.
• She said: “I seek refuge with Allah from you, if you fear God.”
• He said: “I am only the messenger of your Lord to grant you a boy most pure.”
• She said: “Shall I have a boy, when no man has touched me and I have not been an unchaste woman?”
• He (the angel) said: “Thus [it will be], your Lord has said: “This is an easy matter for Me; that We may make him [the boy, Jesus] a sign unto mankind and a mercy from Us.” And thus it was decreed.
• So, she conceived him and she withdrew with him to a distant place.
• Then labour pangs drove her towards the trunk of a palm tree. She said: “I wish I had died before this and had become completely forgotten.”
• Whereupon [a voice, her child Jesus] called her from beneath her: “Do not grieve. Your Lord has created below you a stream.”
• “Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you and it will drop upon you fresh ripe dates.”
• “Eat, drink and rejoice [your eyes with Jesus]. Then if you see any human say: ‘I have vowed to the Compassionate to fast, and so I shall not talk today to any human being’.”
• Then she brought him [the child] to her people, carrying him. They said: “O Mary, you have surly committed a strange thing.”
• “Sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man and your mother was not unchaste.”
• Whereupon she pointed to him. They said: “How will we talk to one who is still an infant in the cradle?”
• He said: “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah [The God], who gave me the Book and made me a prophet.”
• “And he made me a blessed wherever I am, and has commanded me to pray and to give the alms, so long as I live;
• “And be devoted to my mother; and He did not make me arrogant and mischievous.”
• “Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die and the day I rise from the dead.”
• Such was Jesus, son of Mary; it is the truth which they dispute.
* * * * * *
The Wise, Lughman, (Chapter 31:Verse 22; Qur’an Majid):

“And who submits his face towards (The God) Allah, and he is a good-doer, then has surly grasped the firmest handle, and towards Allah is the ultimate issue of all affairs.”

O’ the best of Good-doers.

Muslim converts speak out at SJSU

Muslim converts speak out at SJSU

Six Muslim converts gathered to speak at "Islam 102: Why I chose Islam," an event presented by the Muslim Student Association.

Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), Six Muslim converts gathered to speak at "Islam 102: Why I chose Islam," an event presented by the Muslim Student Association.

About 15 people attended the event Tuesday at the Ohlone Room in the Student Union.

The speakers - Isa Eric Shaw, Ben'ammi, Tyson Amir, Julie Salehi, Asiyah Puljic and Jada Dela Cruz - shared their stories about how they decided to convert to Islam.

"I come from a similar background as ... (Shaw) ... but a lot more violent," Ben'ammi said.

Though their journeys were different in some aspects, Ben'ammi and Shaw said they had both looked into several different religions before finally deciding to convert to Islam.

Ben'ammi said he found Islam while serving a 21-year sentence in prison, and that Islam made him understand his purpose in life.

Salehi, the first female speaker, said her journey in converting to Islam had been positive, though she lost a few friends in the process.

"I feel enlightened by Islam," she said.

Puljic said converting to Islam was the best decision she had made in her life, adding that Islam not just a belief, but a lifestyle.

Amir, who was the president of the SJSU Muslim Student Association when 9/11 occurred, said he has been a Muslim for more than 10 years.

Though he had been fascinated with Islam for a long time and knew that was the path he wanted to follow, he said it was not until after high school that he truly began to study the religion.

"It finally made sense to me," Amir said. "I was able to finally put the pieces of the puzzle together and see Islam for what it is."

Before she had even thought of converting to Islam, Dela Cruz said she had decided to write a paper on the religion for school.

While researching her topic, she said she felt a sense of belonging.

"I had this overwhelming feeling of 'This is where I'm supposed to be,'" Dela Cruz said.

Afterward, Amir and Shaw each performed one spoken word piece.

MSA member Ayeshah Khalid said she was one of the people in charge of coordinating the event.

Khalid, a junior business marketing major, said the event was put on to educate students as well as expose them to the diversity of Muslims.

She said she wanted the event to show that Muslims do not actively seek to convert people to Islam, but that people choose to convert on their own.

Hira Bhatty, a freshman occupational therapy major and MSA member, said if people who are not Muslims were to take a closer look at Islam, they would realize it is a peaceful religion.

In response to Bhatty's comment, Khalid said people need to understand that there are good and bad people in all countries, cultures and religions, and that an entire group should not be labeled based on the actions of a few people.

Senior psychology major Jeffrey Huang, who is not an MSA member, said he didn't have any expectations when he decided to attend the event, because it had been a last minute decision.

When he found out about the event, Huang said he decided to attend because he was interested in learning about the speakers' backgrounds and the reasons why they had all decided to convert to Islam.

In Praise of Mawla Ali (poem)

In Praise of Mawla Ali (poem)

O Allah, help me write an anthem today
In praise of Ali Mawla, in finest words, I pray.
I am just a lowly human being, made of clay
And therefore, I beseech you to help me relay
The praises in exaltation of Mawla Ali

Our Mawla who is exalted above every glory!
Our Mawla originates from that very Light, Divine,
From which has been created Prophet Mohammad to shine
And if our Prophet Mohammad's glory glistens beyond
The glory of other prophets, Ali Mawla shares the bond.