Section 1

اَللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ كُلَّ فَاسِدٍ مِنْ اُمُوْرِ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ

O Allah, Reform Every Uneven Affair of the Muslims

The Meaning

اَصْلِحْ (Aşlih): This imperative verb is normally translated as 'Reform!' and 'Rectify!' in the English language. It originates from the word al-Şalāh, which means 'equilibrium' and 'balance'. And ‘Şalāh’ is the opposite of the word 'fasād', which according to Rāghib al-Isfahānī means:

خُروج الشَّيْءِ عَنِ الإِعْتِدَال ِ

‘The departure of an entity from its equilibrium.’[1]

Consequently, the word aşlih literally means 'Restore [such and such a thing or affair] to [its] equilibrium!'

And the word فَاسِد "fāsid" means 'something out of its equilibrium'.

اُمُوْرُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ  Umūru'l Muslimīn means "Affairs of Muslims".

Thus we are asking Almighty Allah to restore all those affairs of Muslims, which have lost their equilibrium and balance to their equilibrium. Such affairs may pertain to the individual or social life, and may concern all the members of the Muslim ummah or a certain class in particular.

As understood earlier [in the previous discussions of the supplication], whenever one prays for something, he/she must also seek its respective cause. The same law applies here too. Seeking reform in any of its manifestations should precede knowledge and struggle to facilitate the cause of reform. As we pray for effecting equilibrium in the affairs of the Muslims, we should try to:

(1) Decipher those Muslim affairs, which are in the state of disequilibrium,

(2) Acquire knowledge of the correct and most efficient ways to rectify the state of affairs, and

(3) Prepare ourselves to effect equilibrium to the respective affairs.

Self-reform is the Beginning

Therefore, before embarking on any kind of reform, the aspirant of reform should have the competency to effect reform. Mere ‘aspiration’ to witness reform does not qualify one to effect the same. And the most fundamental condition of qualifying to reform others is ‘self-reform’. In other words, one must ensure that he/she enjoys the state of equilibrium in order to be able to effect the same. Otherwise it would mean that disequilibrium can effect equilibrium, the absurdity of which is crystal clear. Metaphysicians express this reality as follows:

فَاقِدُ الشَّيءِ لاَ يُعْطِيه

One who does not possess something cannot confer the same[2]

The chaos created by so-called reformers of the past is due to this very reason. They set out to confer equilibrium to the nation, but instead increased its state of disequilibrium. The reason behind this was that they themselves did not enjoy inner stability. They had sullied their souls with selfish desires and their reform movement was nothing but another manifestation of their selfish interests. They forgot that the transience of this life would not be the end of the story. Rather, their ‘so-called reform’ would be left as a destructive heritage for future generations to inherit. An apt manifestation of such a reform movement is ‘the Renaissance’, which instead of bringing life to the nations, created a foundation for the destruction of the future generations. The spiritual crisis in the Western world partly reflects this contention.

The Holy Qur'ān says:

And when it said to them, do not create disequilibrium in the earth, they say we alone are the reformers. Mind they themselves are mischief mongers, but they are not aware.[3]

This is a very dangerous state, for the hypocrites believe that they really are reformers [after engaging in repetitive ills and losing their power of deciphering the elements of equilibrium and disequilibrium]. This reflects their compound ignorance. They conjecture that they are reformers and have conviction about the same, whereas in reality they are mischief mongers.

Following are verses from the Holy Qur’ān and traditions that underline the essential requisite of self-reform before one ever tries to embark upon reforming others:

1. Almighty Allāh says in chapter 10, verse 35:

‘…Is He then Who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed, or he who himself does not go aright unless he is guided?…’

Readers should not limit ‘guidance’ to sheer conceptual knowledge that one acquires after having been taught what is right and wrong. Rather ‘guidance’ is a change of the previous state of deviation. When one follows the religion properly and rectifies his previous state, then only can he be known to be guided.

2. Imām ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَتَصَدَّى لإِصْلاَحِ النَّاسِ وَنَفْسُهُ أَشَدُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ فَسَاداً فَلاَ يُصْلِحُهَا وَيَتَعَاطَى إِصْلاَحَ غَيْرِهِ

I am surprised at one who takes charge of reforming the people while his soul is in greater need of reform, and he does not reform it but undertakes to reform others.[4]

3. Imām ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

إِنْ سَمَتْ هِمَّتُكَ لإِصْلاَحِ النَّاسِ فَابْدَأْ بِنَفْسِكَ فَإِنَّ تَعَاطِيْكَ صَلاَحَ غَيْرِكَ وَأَنْتَ فَاسِدٌ أَكْبَرُ الْعَيْبِ

If your aspiration rises to reform the people, then start with your self for your mission to reform other than yourself while you are corrupt is the greatest of deficiencies.[5]

4. Imām ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

مَنْ لَمْ يُصْلِحْ نَفْسَهُ لَمْ يُصْلِحْ غَيْرَهُ

Whosoever does not reform himself would not reform others.[6]

The Reality of Self-Reform

Having understood the fundamental requisite of self-reform, let us now try to understand its reality. What is ‘Işlāh al-nafs’ (self-reform) in its accurate sense? As understood earlier, the word ‘Işlāh’ stands for ‘effecting equilibrium [in an entity]’. Therefore ‘Işlāh al-nafs’ would mean ‘effecting equilibrium in the soul’. And when does a soul enjoy its equilibrium?

To respond to this query we must understand the basic faculties of our souls. The soul of the human being possesses the following three main faculties:

1- The Intellectual Faculty (al-quwwat al-‘aqliyyah)

2- The Appetitive Faculty  (al-quwwat al-shahwiyyah)

3- The Irascible Faculty (al-quwwat al-ghadabiyyah)

If the faculty of intellect does not deviate towards the directions of excess (ifrāţ) or negligence (tafrīţ) and the faculties of desire and anger are submissive to the faculty of the intellect, the soul would enjoy its equilibrium. And this, according to some ethicians is the state of ‘adālah (equilibrium). The esteemed mystic Mullā Hādi Sabzawārī in his excellent commentary of Du‘ā’ Jawshan al-Kabīr called Sharh al-Asmā’ says:

إِنَّ لِلإِنْسَانِ ثَلاَث قِوى: قوّةٌ درّاكةٌ، وقُوّةٌ شَهْوِيَّةٌ، وقُوّةٌ غَضَبيّةٌ، فَانْحِرَافُ الْقُوّةِ الدَرّاكَةِ مِنْهُ إِلى جَانِبَي الإِفْرَاطِ وَالتَّفْرِيْطِ يُسَمَّى(جُرْبُزَة) وَ(بَلاَهََة) وَاعْتِدَالُهَا (حِكْمَةٌ)، وَانْحِرَافُ الْقُوّةِ الشَّهْوِيَّةِ إِلى طَرَفَيِ الإِفْرَاطِ وَالتَّفْرِيْطِ يُسَمّى(شَرَهًا) وَ(خُمُوْدًا) وَاعْتِدَالُهَا (عِفّةٌ)، وَانْحِرَافُ الْقُوّةِ الْغَضَبيَّةِ إِلى حَدَّي الإِفْرَاطِ وَالتَّفْرِيْطِ يُسَمّى (تَهَوُّرًا) وَ(جُبْناً) وَاعْتِدَالُهَا شُجَاعَةٌ.وَهَذَا الإِعْتِدَالُ هُوَ الْمُسَمَّى (بالْعَدَالَةِ) وَهُوَ الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيْمُ الّذي هُوَ أَحَدُّ مِنَ السَّيْفِ وَ أَدَقُّ مِنَ الشَّعْرِ...

Surely the human being has three faculties [of the soul]:

§         The faculty of comprehension (sometimes known as faculty of intellection)

§         the  faculty of appetite

§         The faculty of anger (also translated as the irascible faculty)

The diversion of the faculty of comprehension towards the two directions of excess and negligence are called jurbuzah (deception) and balāhah (silliness) respectively, and its state of equilibrium is known as al-hikmah (wisdom);

The diversion of the faculty of appetite towards the two directions of excess and negligence is called sharah (gluttony) and khumūd (stillness) respectively, while its state of equilibrium is known as al-‘iffah (temperance/chastity);

The the diversion of the faculty of anger towards the directions of excess and negligence is known as tahawwur (recklessness) and jubnah (cowardice) respectively, whereas its state of equilibrium is called al-shujā‘a (courage/bravery).

And this state of al-i’tidāl (equilibrium of the aforementioned three faculties) is called al-‘adālah (justice) and it is the straight path (şirāţ al-mustaqīm) which is sharper than the sword and thinner than hair…’[7]

In order to have a better picture of what Mullā is trying to say, let us look at what Mawla Fayd Kashānī has to say in his al-Mahajjat al-Baydā':

...أمّا قوّةُ العِلْمِ فَحُسْنُهَا وَ صَلاَحُهَا فِيْ أَنْ تَصِيْرَ بِحَيْثُ يَسْهُلُ لَهَا دَرْكُ الْفَرْقِ بَيْنَ الصِّدْقِ وَالْكِذْبِ فِي الأَقْوَالِ وَبَيْنَ الْحَقِّ وَالْبَاطِلِ فِي الإِعْتِقَادَاتِ وَبَيْنَ الْجَمِيْلِ وَالْقَبِيْحِ فِي الأَفْعَالِ فَإِذَا تَحَصَّلَتْ هَذِهِ الْقُوّة حَصَلَ مِنْهَا ثَمَرَةُ الْحِكْمَةِ وَالْحِكْمَةُ رَأْسُ الأَخْلاَقِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَهِيَ الّتي قَالَ اللّه تَعَالى فِيْهَا: وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةُ فَقَدْ أُوْتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيْرًا وَإمّا قوّةُ الْغَضَبِ فَحُسْنُهَا فِيْ أَنْ يَقْتَصِرَ اِنْقِبَاضُهَا وَاِنْبِسَاطُهَا عَلى حَدِّ مَا تَقْتَضِيْهِ الْحِكْمَةُ، وَكَذَلِكَ الشَّهْوَةُ حُسْنُهَا وَصَلاَحُهَا فِي أَنْ تَكُوْنَ تَحْتَ إِشَارَةِ الْحِكْمَةِ أَعْنِي إِشَارَةُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الدِّيْنِ، وَأَمّاَ قُوّةُ الْعَدْلِ فَهِيَ فِي ضَبْطِ قُوَّةِ الْغَضَبِ وَالشَّهْوَةِ تَحْتَ إِشَارَةِ الْعَقْلِ وَالشَّرْعِ …

‘The rational faculty is sound and good when it is easily able to discriminate, that is, to distinguish honesty from lies in speech, truth from falsehood in questions of belief, and beauty from ugliness in actions. When this faculty is sound it bears fruit in the form of wisdom, which is the chief of the good traits of character, and regarding which God has said, And whosoever is granted wisdom has truly been granted abundant good. Regarding the irascible faculty, this is sound when its movements lie within the bounds required by wisdom. Likewise the appetitive faculty is sound and good when it is under the command of the religion and the intellect. As for the faculty to effect a just equilibrium, it is this which sets desire and anger under the command of the intellect and the religion…’[8]

Ethicians also quote a tradition that alludes to the aforementioned reality:

Imām ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

الْفَضَائِلُ اَرْبَعَةُ اَجْنَاسٍ: اَحَدُهَا اَلْحِكْمَةُ وَقِوَامُهَا فِي الْفِكْرَةِ وَالثَّانِيْ اَلْعِفَّةُ وَقِوَامُهَا فِي الشَّهْوَةِ، وَالثَّالِثُ اَلْقُوَّةُ وَقِوَامُهَا فِي الْغَضَبِ. وَالرَّابعُ اَلْعَدْلُ وَقِوَامُهُ فِي اِعْتِدَالِ قِوَى النَّفْسِ.

Virtues are four kinds: First is wisdom (al-hikmah) which is sustained by intellection (al-fikrah), second is temperance (al-‘iffah) which is sustained by appetite (al-shahwah), third is power (al-quwwah) which is sustained by anger (al-ghadab), and the fourth is justice (‘adālah) which is sustained by the equilibrium of the faculties of the soul.[9]

The realization of the equilibrium of the soul can be achieved by following the Holy Qur’ān and the Sunnah, which cover Islamic Ideology, Islamic ethics, Islamic law, etc. We must remember however that equilibrium has different levels. And in order to find one’s way to the higher levels one needs a qualified master for proper direction, since there is always the danger of slipping and falling off. However, as mentioned earlier, it is possible for a very few to traverse the journey without the direct guidance of a specific master.

The Grand Āyatullāh Jawādī Āmulī says:

ابدال در اصطلاح سالكانى هستند كه تحت تدبير شخص معين نيستند. و از آنها بعنوان ((مفرِد) يا ((مفرَد)) ياد مي شود چه اين كه اينها راه را به تنهائي طي مي كنند. گرچه سخت است ولي رفتني است و گرچه پيشرفت انسان تحت نظر مدير و مدبر بيشتر است، لكن بتنهائي هم مي توان طي طريق نمود

“Abdāl terminologically stands for those wayfarers on the path of God who are not trained by a specific master. They are also called “mufrid” or “mufrad” This is because they traverse the path by themselves. Despite this being difficult it can be traversed, and although the human being develops more under the tutelage of a trainer and supervisor, however, one can also traverse the path by himself.”[10]

He also narrates:

وقتي از عارفي پرسيدند : (( ابدال)) چند نفرند؟ فرمود: (( اَرْبَعُوْنَ نَفْسًا)) ابدال چهل تن هستند، و سوال كردند كه: چرا نگفتيد: (( اَرْبَعُوْنَ رَجُلاً))، چهل مردند، و گفتيد چهل نفس هستند؟ در جواب گفت: اولاً: همه اين بزرگان مرد نيستند، بلكه در بين آنان زنان هستند. و ثانياً: كسي كه به مقام ابدال نائل مي آيد انسان است و انسان بودن اختصاص به زن يا مرد ندارد.

 “When a saint was asked how many are the ‘abdāl’? He responded saying: ‘Arba‘ūna nafsan’ (40 souls). He was asked: Why did you say ‘forty souls’ instead of ‘forty men’? He responded saying: ‘Firstly: not all of these great personalities are men; rather we also have women among them’; and secondly: whosoever attains the station of the abdāl is ‘a human being [in the true sense of the word]’, and being human is not restricted to men.”[11]

Seeking the support and intercession of the Holy Prophet (ş) and his infallible progeny who enjoy proximity to God and who always stand unparalleled, can enable one to soar very high. In fact some great saints have said things worthy of reflection:

1. The late saint Āyatullāh Sayyid Hāshim al-Mūsawī reports Āyatullāh al-‘U¨mā Sayyid ‘Alī Qādī al-Ţabāţabā’ī, the spiritual mentor of ‘Allāmah al-Ţabāţabā’ī to have said:

قَالَ لِيْ أُسْتَاذِيْ الْمَرْحُوْم اَلقَاضِيْ قُدِّسَ سِرّهُ: أَنَّهُ مُحَالٌ أَنْ يَصِلَ إِنْسَانٌ إلى مَقَامِ التَّوْحِيْدِ بدُوْنِ طَرِيْقِ سَيِّدِ الشُّهَدآَءِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمِ.

My teacher, Marhūm Qādī (may his spirit be sanctified) said to me that it is impossible for a human being to attain the station of tawhīd [proximity to God] without the path of Sayyid al-Shuhadā.[12]

2. Āyatullāh Muhammad Husayn Tehrānī in his ‘Spirit Immaterial’ narrates that Sayyid ‘Alī Qādī Ţabāţabā’ī said:

وصول به مقام توحيد و سير صحيح الي الله و عرفان ذات احديت عزّ اسمُه بدون ولايت امامان شيعه و خلفاي به حق  از علي بن ابي طالب (ع) و فرزندانش از بتول عذراء محال است

It is impossible to attain the station of Divine unity and traverse correctly towards God and attain the knowledge of the His Unique Essence (Invincible is His Name), without the guardianship of the Shī'ah Imāms (upon whom be peace) and the true Caliphs starting from ‘Alī bin Abī Ţālib and his progeny through the Batūl-e-‘Adhrā’ (Hadrat Fāţima (‘a))[13].

3. ‘Allāmah al-Ţabāţabā’ī, the Author of al-Mīzān, is reported to have said:

آن حضرت (امام الحسين (ع)) را براي رفع حجاب و موانع طريق نسبت به سالكين راه خدا عنايتي عظيم است

That Hadrat [i.e. Imam al-Husayn (‘a)] has great attention towards the wayfarers of the path of God in removing the veil and impediments of the ‘path of God’.[14]

4. Āyatullāh Qādī Ţabāţabā’ī, the spiritual mentor of ‘Allāma Ţabāţabā’ī is reported to have said:

اگر من به جآئي رسيده باشم از دو چيز است:(1) قرآن كريم, (2) زيارت سيد الشهداء

If I have attained any station, it is by two things:  (1) The Noble Qur’ān, and (2) Ziyārah of Sayyid al-Shuhadā’ [Doyen of the Martyrs].’[15]

5. Sayyid ‘Ādil al-‘Alawī, quotes his late mentor, the pious Shi’ite Marja’, Āyatullāh al-‘U¨mā Shahāb al-Dīn al-Najafī al-Mar‘ashī as having advised him as follows:

إِذاَ اَرَدْتَ التَّوْفِيْقَ فِيْ حَيَاتِكَ الْعِلْمِيَّةِ فَعَلَيْكَ بثَلاَثَةِ أَعْمَالٍ: الأول: كُنْ دَوْماً عَلىَ طَهَارَةٍ وَوُضُوْءٍ فَإِنَّهُ يُنِيْرُ الْقَلْبِ وَيُزِيْلُ الْهَمّ. الثَّانِي: شَيِّعْ الْجَنَائِزَ اَيّ جَنَازَةٍ رَأَيْتَهَا وَلَوْ بأَقْدَامٍ. الثَّالِثُ: شَارِكْ فِيْ قَضِيَّةِ الْحُسَيْن عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمِ بأَيِّ نَحْوٍ مِنَ الْمُشَارَكَةِ، ثُمّ قَالَ: كُنْتُ مِنْ مُدَرَّسِي الْحَوْزَةِ الْمَعْرُوْفِيْنَ، وَكُنْتُ آنَذاَكَ اُوَزِّعُ الشَّايَ عَلىَ النَّاسِ فِي الْمَجَالِسِ وَالْمِآتِمِ الْحُسَيْنِيَّة.

If you would like divine succor (tawfīq) in your intellectual and practical life, you should practice the following three acts:

§         Always be in the state of purity and wudū', for that illumines the heart and removes anguish.

§         Escort the dead body, whoever it may be [among the Muslims], even for a few steps.

§         Participate in the matter of al-Husayn (‘a) [i.e. any ceremony that concerns his exalted personality]

Then he said to me: I was one of the famous professors of the Islamic Seminary; and during that period I would distribute tea to the people who attended ceremonies for mourning Imam al-Husayn (‘a).[16]

Scholars of ethics and gnosis have produced thought provoking works about the path to self-reform. The limited scope of this commentary however does not allow the author to delve on all the details of this path. Nevertheless, God willing we would try to cover some of the significant rudimentary stations of wayfaring very soon.

In short one must reflect on the following tradition: both the Shī'ah as well as Sunnī narrators of tradition quote that the Holy Prophet (ş) is reported to have said:

إِنِّيْ تَارِكٌ فِيْكُمُ الثَّقَلَيْنِ مَا إِنْ تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوْا بَعْدِيْ كِتَابَ اللهِ وَعِتْرَتِيْ أَهْلَ بَيْتِيْ

…I leave behind you the two weighty things; if you hold fast unto them you will never go astray after my demise: The Book of Allāh and my Progeny…[17]

This in short is the path to self-reform. But it is not as easy as it seems. Try to reflect on “holding fast” and its true extensions and you will come to understand what self-reform entails.

Waking Up: The First Stage of Self-Reform

Scholars of ‘irfān (gnosis) introduce ‘yaqżah’ (wakefulness) as the first step on the path toward self-reform. So long as the human being is attached to the world of matter,  and oblivious of the purpose of his creation, he is always fast asleep. He needs to be woken up in order to begin the journey to Almighty Allāh. Allāh (swt) addressing His Noble Messenger in chapter Saba, verse 46 says:

‘Say [O Prophet of Allah] I exhort you only to one word: rise for Allāh, in two’s and one…’

Khwājah ‘Abdullāh Anşārī, in his monumental work of practical gnosis, Manāzil as-Sā’irīn (the Dwellings of the Wayfarers), which is a text studied by many of the wayfarers on the path of God, after quoting the above verse says:

القَوْمَةُ لِلّهِ هِيَ الْيَقَظَةُ مِنْ سِنَةِ الْغَفْلَةِ، وَالنُّهُوْضُ عَنْ وَرَطَةِ الْفَتْرَةِ. وَهِيَ أَوَّلُ مَا يَسْتَنِيْر قَلْبُ الْعَبْدُ بالْحَيَاةِ لِرُؤْيَةِ نُوْرِ التَّنْبِيْهِ‏

‘To rise for Allāh’ [as indicated in the verse] means to wake up from the sleep of heedlessness (ghaflah) and spring up from the entanglement of lassitude, and that is the first illumination of the heart of the servant with [true] life due to beholding the light of awakening (tanbīh).[18]

When the human being wakes up from his slumber of heedlessness, his imaginative life subsides and his true life begins. His entire past, which was brim with ‘mundane aspirations’ collapses and he starts experiencing a life, which would benefit him eternally. So important is this step, that experts of practical gnosis (al-‘irfān al-‘amalī) believe that  yaq¨ah is:

‘the first step of wayfaring towards Allāh, and accurately speaking ‘the foundation in the journey to God.’[19]

The late Imām Khumaynī, who was also known as an authority in gnosis (‘irfān), at one time in Najaf advised the seminarians as follows:

تا كى مى‏خواهيد در خواب غفلت به سر بريد، و در فساد و تباهى غوطه‏ور باشيد؟ از خدا بترسيد از عواقب امور بپرهيزيد از خواب غفلت بيدار شويد. شما هنوز بيدار نشده‏ايد هنوز قدم اول را برنداشته‏ايد. قدم اول در سلوك Īيقظه »  است. ولى شما در خواب به سر مى‏بريد چشمها باز و دلها در خواب فرو رفته است.

How long do you wish to remain in the sleep of negligence, plunged in corruption? Fear God! Beware of the aftermath of your deeds! Wake up from the sleep of negligence! You have not yet awakened. You have not yet taken the first step. The first step of wayfaring is yaqżah (awakening), but you are still asleep. Your eyes may be open, but your hearts are asleep…[20]

And in his well-known ethical manual Chehel Hadith (Forty Traditions) he says:

منزل اوّل انسانيت Īيقظه » است. و آن بيدار شدن از خواب غفلت و هشيار شدن از سكر طبيعت است، و فهميدن اينكه انسان مسافر است، و هر مسافر زاد و راحله مى‏خواهد. زاد و راحله انسان خصال خود انسان است‏

“…The first stage of humanness (insāniyyat) is yaq¨ah. It signifies the awakening from the slumber of obliviousness and the intoxication of physical nature, and the realization of the fact that man is a traveler and like any other traveler he also needs some provisions for this journey. His morality and character are his provisions for this journey…”[21]

بدان كه اول منزل از منازل انسانيت منزل يقظه و بيدارى است، چنانچه مشايخ اهل سلوك در منازل سالكان بيان فرموده‏اند . و از براى اين منزل، چنانچه شيخ عظيم الشأن شاه آبادى، دام ظله، بيان فرمودند، ده بيت است كه اكنون در مقام تعداد آن نيستيم‏

 “…Remember that the first and foremost step towards authentic humanness is that of awareness and awakening (yaq¨ah), as mentioned by the leading mystics (mashāyikh) concerning the stages of wayfaring. There are ten stages in this step, as enumerated by the great Shaykh Shāhābadī, which we are not in a position to elaborate here...”[22]

Now how and when is yaq¨ah achieved? How does the human being wake up from his long slumber? And what is the source of this spark of wakefulness?

The Holy Qur’ān and the teachings of the Sunnah inform us that the source of this noble spark is Almighty Allāh. It is He who wakes the slumbering human being and enables him to start this significant journey of eternal human salvation:

1. Almighty Allāh says in chapter 4, verse 79:

Whatever good befalls you is from Allāh

2. And in chapter chapter 16, verse 53 He says:

Whatever blessing you have is from Allāh…

3. In the morning supplication of  “al-Şabāh” Imam ‘Alī (‘a) cries:

إِلهِي إِنْ لَمْ تَبْتَدِئْنِي الرَّحْمَة مِنْكَ بحُسْنِ التَّوْفِيْقِ فَمَنِ السَّالِكُ بي إِلَيْكَ فِيْ وَاضِحِ الطَّرِيْقِ‏

O God, if Mercy from You does not begin with fair success for me, then who can take me to You upon the evident path?[23]

4. Imām Zayn al-‘Ābidīn (‘a) in his supplication of praise says:

...ثُمَّ سَلَكَ بِهِمْ طَريقَ ارادَتِهِ وَبَعَثَهُمْ فِيْ‏ سَبيلِ مَحَبَّتِهِ...

Then He made them walk on the path of His desire, and Sent them out on the way of His love.

5. Sulaymān bin Khālid narrates that Imām Ja’far al-Şādiq (‘a) [once] said to him:

يَا سُلَيْمَانُ إِنَّ لَكَ قَلْباً وَمَسَامِعَ وَإِنَّ اللهَ إِذاَ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَهْدِيَ عَبْدًا فَتَحَ مَسَامِعَ قَلْبِهِ وَإِذاَ أَرَادَ بهِ غَيْرَ ذلِكَ خَتَمَ مَسَامِعَ قَلْبهِ فَلاَ يَصْلُحُ أَبَدًا وَهُوَ قَوْلُ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:(أَمْ عَلى‏ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفالُها)

O Sulaymān, surely you have a heart and senses of hearing, and certainly if Allah wants to guide a servant, He Opens the ears of his heart; but if he wants other than that for him, he closes the ears of his heart, as a result of which he can never attain the state of his equilibrium; and to this does the following speech of God allude: ‘Or are there locks upon their hearts?’[47:24][24]

In fact the entire Qur’ān has been sent down in order to wake the human being up. Almighty Allah teaches His servants to reflect and ponder over the verses of the Qur’ān so that they can attain the state of light of wakefulness. Look at the following verses:

1. In Şūrat al- Şād (38), verse 29 He says:

[It is] a blessed Book that We have sent down to you, so that they may contemplate its signs, and that those who possess intellect may take admonition.

2. And in chapter 14, verse no.1 He says:

Alif, Lām, Rā; This is a Book We sent down unto you so that you bring mankind out from  darkness into light by their Lord’s permission, to the path of the All-mighty, the All-laudable.

3. And in chapter 47, verse no. 24, He says:

Do they not then ponder over the Qur’ān or is it that there are locks upon their hearts?

The reason, we are told, why many are still asleep is their unprepared state of receiving the divine spark. Due to their continual sinning, they have accumulated barriers in their hearts, and thus are not receptive and cannot wake up from their slumber of heedlessness. So long as they have not ‘locked their hearts as explained in the previous tradition’ and [not] lost their discerning spirit and ‘innate nature’ [like those hypocrites and disbelievers referred to in verses 7 & 18 of Sūrat al-Baqarah] they still have the opportunity to change, and they should not despair. Rather, while trying to prepare themselves to attain this foundational state by pondering over the verses of the Holy Qur’ān, they should be steadfast in refraining from sin, obey the laws of Almighty Allāh and perpetually pray for the state of wakefulness too.

Imam al-Husayn(‘a) in his well-known supplication of ‘Arafah cries:

إِلهِيْ اُطْلُبْنِيْ برَحْمَتِكَ حَتّى أَصِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَاجْذُبْنِيْ بمَنِّكَ حَتَّى أُقْبلَ إِلَيْكَ‏

O God, Seek me by Your Mercy until I reach You and attract me by Your Favor until I draw towards You.[25]

Besides, the aspirants of wakefulness should also refrain from those makrūhāt [abominable deeds] that blur the heart and the intellect from comprehension, and engage themselves in elements that quicken the process of the soul’s enlightenment. The following traditions are worthy of reflection:

1. Imam ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

اِسْتَدِيْمُوا الذِّكْرَ فَإِنَّهُ يُنِيْرُ الْقَلْبَ وَهُوَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ

Be constant in the remembrance of God (dhikr), for that enlightens the heart, and it is the best worship.[26]

Readers should note that ‘dhikr’ must always accompany attention, otherwise it would not have its desired effect. Remembrance of Allāh can be attained by strengthening one’s belief in His Omnipresence. When the supplicant is always mindful that there is someone Infinitely Supreme who witnesses each and every act and thought of his, he would refrain from sin.

2. Imām al-Şādiq (‘a) is reported to have said:

إِنَّ لِلْقُلُوبِ صَدَأ كَصَدَإِ النُّحَاسِ فَاجْلُوهَا بِالإِسْتِغْفَارِ

Surely there is a corrosion for the hearts as the corrosion of copper; therefore shine them by seeking God’s forgiveness.[27]

3. The Holy Prophet (ş) is reported to have said:

لاَ تُكْثِرُوا الْكَلاَمَ بغَيْرِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ كَثْرَةَ الْكَلاَمِ بغَيْرِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تُقْسِي الْقُلُوبَ وَإِنَّ أَبْعَدَ النَّاسِ مِنْ اللَّهِ الْقَاسِي الْقَلْبِ

Do not talk much about that which concerns other than the remembrance of Allāh, for that hardens the heart; and surely the most remote from Allāh among the people is the one who possesses a hard heart.[28]

4. Imam ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

الْبُكَاءُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ يُنِيرُ الْقَلْبَ وَيَعْصِمُ مِنْ مُعَاوَدَةِ الذَّنْبِ

Weeping out of the fear of Allāh, enlightens the heart and prevents [one] from repeating sin[29]

[We should understand that ‘khashyah’ which is translated as fear should not be taken to merely mean ‘the conventional fear’ that we know of. ‘khashyah’, according to Rāghib al-Isfahānī, is:

خَوْفٌ يَشُوْبُهُ تَعْظِيْمٌ

‘fear mixed with veneration’.[30]

And this can only be achieved after knowing God. At the onset our duty is to know God and His Beautiful Attributes even in the conceptual and intellectual level. For every heart, which accepts the truth, this can be a catalyst for achieving the higher levels of ma’rifah, and consequently, the higher levels of khashyah as well. Therefore it is incumbent to introduce and inculcate in oneself ground knowledge of the roots of religion, especially tawhīd, so that one can naturally experience the fear of Allāh with veneration for His Exalted Essence.

5. The Holy Prophet (ş) is reported to have said:

لاَ تُمِيْتُوا الْقُلُوْبَ بكَثْرَةِ الطَّعَامِ وَالشَّرَاب، فَإِنَّ الْقُلُوْبَ تَمُوْتُ كَالزُّرُوْعِ إِذَا كَثُرَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَاءُ

Do not deaden your hearts by a lot of food and drink for surely the hearts die like plantations if a lot of water is put on them.[31]

6. Imām Ja’far al-Şādiq (‘a) is reported to have said:

...طَلَبْتُ نُورَ الْقَلْبِ فَوَجَدْتُهُ فِي التَّفَكُّرِ وَالْبُكَاءِ...

…I sought for the light of the heart and found it in intellection and weeping [for those things that one should weep for such as regret of sin, etc.]…[32]

7. Imam Muhammad al-Bāqir (‘a) is reported to have advised Jābir al-Ju’fī as follows:

اِسْتَجْلِبْ شِدَّةَ التَّيَقُّظِ بِصِدْقِ الْخَوْفِ‏

Attract extreme wakefulness by true fear

And true fear of God can only be achieved when one has knowledge of Allah and His Sublime Attributes. And the beginning of ‘knowledge’ is conceptual knowledge: knowledge by the intellect. Then comes presential knowledge (al-‘ilm al-hudurī), when the spirit attains its height.

8. The Holy Prophet (ş) in a lengthy tradition says:

... وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ عَلِيًّا بَعَثَ اللهُ مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ إِلَيْهِ بِرِفْقٍ وَدَفَعَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَنْهُ هَوْلَ مُنْكِرٍ وَنَكِيْرٍ وَنَوَّرَ قَلْبَهُ وَبَيَّضَ وَجْهَهُ‏...

And whosoever loves ‘Alī, Allāh (swt) would send the Angel of death to him in a friendly manner and remove from him the fear of Munkir and Nakīr and enlighten his heart and whiten his face…[33]

As pointed out much earlier, it is important to understand what kind of ‘hubb’ of ‘Alī is spoken about in this radiant tradition. Obviously it is not an evanescent emotional pull. For a better understanding of this, look at the following tradition:

عَنْ أَبيْ عُبَيْدَة عَنْ أَبي جَعْفَر(ع) قَالَ: مَنْ أَحَبَّنَا فَهُوَ مِنَّا أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ: قُلْتُ: جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مِنْكُمْ؟ قَالَ: مِنَّا وَاللهِ، أَمَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ إِبْرَاهِيْم(ع): ( فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي)

Abū ‘Ubaydah is reported to have said that Imām Muhammad al-Bāqir ('a) said:

Whosoever loves us then he is from us the Ahl al-Bayt ('a)

Abū ‘Ubaydah said: May I be made your ransom; "from you [the Ahl al- Bayt(‘a)]?

Imām Muhammad al-Bāqir ('a) responds: "[yes] from us, I swear by Allah; have you not heard the statement of Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘a):

"Then whosoever follows me, then verily he is from me.'

[Sūrat Ibrāhim,v 36] 

This tradition is narrative of a love that is coherent with following the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a). Were we to ponder a little more, we would come to understand true love is the unity of the lover with the beloved. The veracity of one's claim of the love of Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) becomes apparent when one reflects their attributes in his personality. Readers are requested to ponder over this contention carefully.

Fudhayl Wakes Up!

History informs us of people who at a sensitive moment of their lives woke up from their deep slumber, and underwent a transformation that served the foundation of their eternal salvation. One such person was Fudayl bin ‘Ayyād.

In the beginning Fudayl was well-known as a caravan robber. He would stop different caravans in the middle of their journeys and would steal from them whatever he desired. However it is said that  he would not transgress the limits by hurting anyone or leaving them with no provisions to reach their destination… Once he got in love with a certain woman, and headed for her house. While climbing the wall of her house, he happened to hear the following verse of Qur’ān from someone who was reciting the Qur’ān in the neighborhood:

Has the time not yet come for the believers that their hearts turn humble for the remembrance of Allāh…?[34]

On listening to this verse, he underwent a transformation and cried: 

Yā Rabbī qad āna

O Lord, the time indeed has come!

Thereafter he left the place and returned back and adopted a path of detachment from the world and self-reform. It is also said that he had a son called ‘Alī who was higher than him in rank in terms of detachment, worship and self-reform; however, he did not live for long. One day while he was standing near the spring of  Zamzam in Masjid al-Harām he heard the following verses of Qur’an from someone nearby:

And you will see the guilty on that day linked together in chains. Their shirts made of pitch and the fire covering their faces.[35]

On hearing this verse, he fell down and died.[36]

Such changes do not happen for all. One must prepare himself/herself in order to be overtaken by the divine hold. Despite Fudayl’s evil attitude, he must have had elements that enabled him to be receptive and wake up from his slumber. We should not conjecture that wakefulness is reserved for a certain class, and others are deprived of the same. The following universal law sums it up:

…For it (i.e. the soul) is what it has earned, and against it is what it has earned….[37]

Therefore one should struggle to refine his heart and prepare it for the first spark to ignite.

The Ahlu’lbayt (‘a)- Intermediaries of Allah’s Grace

Seeking the support of the Holy Prophet (ş) and his sinless progeny (upon whom be peace) can also be very helpful in igniting the spark of wakefulness. Rather, as we pointed out earlier, ‘it is impossible for one to attain the heights of perfection without their support’. This is because the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) are the intermediaries of Allāh’s Grace. Every thing that anyone possesses originates from Almighty Allāh, but passes through them. This should in no way make us think that they bestow grace independently, for every element of the world of contingent existence entirely subsists by Allāh, including the noble beings of the Prophets (‘a) and Imāms (‘a).

Imām 'Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

إِناّ صَنَايعُ رَبِّنَا  وَالنَّاسُ بَعْدُ صَنَايعُ لَنَا

We are the handicrafts of our Lord and the people then are our handicrafts.[38]

Imām al-Şādiq (‘a) is reported to have said:

نَحْنُ السَّبَبُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ اللهِ تَعَالى

We are the intermediary between you and Allāh[39]

Look at the following verses of the famous Ziyārah of Jāmi‘ah for a better understanding of the significant role played by the Holy Prophet (ş) and his infallible progeny (upon whom be peace):

مَنْ أَرَادَ اللَّهَ بَدَأَ بِكُمْ

Whosoever seeks Allāh begins through you

وَمَنْ قَصَدَهُ تَوَجَّهَ بِكُمْ‏

And whosoever intends Him pays attention to Him by means of you[40]

Therefore the light of wakefulness originates from Allāh but passes through the station of wilāyah (which the Holy Prophet (s) and his infallible progeny occupy by Allāh’s permission).

Past history has manifested this verity in different places. An example of such light of wakefulness can be seen in the personality of Zuhayr bin Qayn, who is reckoned as one of the highly esteemed supporters of Sayyid al-Shuhadā’ (‘a) in the plains of Karbalā. At the onset he was among those who disliked confronting the Imām(‘a). Later however he is said to have woken up by the Imām (‘a)’s special attention.

The Spark Ignited by Imam al-husayn (‘a)

in Zuhayr!

The companions of Zuhayr narrate:

During the very days when Imam al-Husayn(‘a) left Makkah for Kūfah, we also together with Zuhayr were leaving Makkah. Due to the path being the same between the stopovers on our way, we would reach the gathering of the Imām(‘a) but try to remain aloof from them and disliked to move with the Imām(‘a) and his group. And Zuhayr likewise was the same. Whenever the caravan of the Imām(‘a) moved, we would remain behind so that we should not be together; then we would continue our way; and wherever the Imām (‘a) stopped, we would move and continue. This trend continued until we reached a stopover when the Imām (‘a) together with his companions camped on one side, and we too had no option but to camp on the other side. While we were seated eating our meals, a messenger from the Imam’s camp came to us, and after expressing his salutations addressing Zuhayr, said: ‘Imām(‘a) is calling you’. Witnessing this we were so overtaken that we left the morsels of food from our hands and were left in amazement. The wife of Zuhayr, who also was with him, said to him: Subhānallāh! The son of the Messenger of Allāh is calling you and you are thinking whether to go or not?!! Rise and go and see what he has to say. Zuhayr stood up and in the state of astonishment went to the presence of the Imām(‘a) and entered the specific tent of the Imām(‘a). It did not take long before we saw Zuhayr coming out of the Imam’s tent, while his face was radiant and he was in the state of complete happiness and joy. When he reached us, he said: Remove my tent and place it near the tent of the Imām (‘a). And he said to his wife ‘I have resolved to be in the company of the Imām (‘a) and sacrifice my soul for him. Then he left her in the company of one of his relatives so that he may take her to her family.[41]

Ethicians believe that the sudden transformation in Zuhayr needed special attention of Imam al-Husayn(‘a), who was also an intermediary of grace.

Dear readers this light of wakefulness can take a person so high that he can rank among those who had the privilege of being a noble companion of Imam al-Husayn(‘a). If we carefully read the Ziyārah of the martyrs of Karbala we come to realize how exalted was Zuhayr and his likes:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَآ أَوْلِيآءَ اللهِ وَ أَحِبّآءَهُ...

Peace be on you O friends of Allāh and His lovers…

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَآ أَنْصَارَ دِيْنِ اللهِ

Peace be on you O helpers of the religion of Allāh

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَآ أَنْصَارَ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ

Peace be on you O helpers of the Messenger of Allāh

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَآ أَنْصَارَ أَمِيْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ

Peace be on you O helpers of the Commander of the faithful

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَآ أَنْصَارَ فَاطِمَةَ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَآءِ الْعَالَمِيْنَ

Peace be on you O helpers of Fāţimah,

The Mistress of the Women of the Universe

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَآ أَنْصَارَ أبي مُحَمّدٍ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الزَّكِيِّ النَّاصِحِ

Peace be on you O helpers of Abī Muhammad al-Hasan bin ‘Alī…[42]

And is it possible for one to be a helper of someone whom he has not met or seen? Why do we say that these companions were the helpers of the Holy Prophet (ş), Imam ‘Alī (‘a), Hadrat Fāţima (‘a) and Imam al-Hasan (‘a) while they accompanied and supported Imam al-Husayn (‘a)? This is because they are the helpers of religion (yā anşāra dīnillāh). Therefore they help all those who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of dīn. Hence they live before their time. They live with Ādam (‘a), they live with Nūh (‘a), they live with Ibrāhīm (‘a); they live with Mūsā (‘a), they live with ‘Īsā (‘a), they live with all the Prophets of Allāh (swt). This is because they sacrificed their lives to revive the teachings of religion and woke the slumbering folk. Such people live in the past, present, and future. They are beyond time and place. Small wonder it is that we are taught to address them saying:

فَيَالَيْتَنِي كُنْتُ مَعَكُمْ فَأَفُوْزَ مَعَكُمْ‏

I wish I would have been in your company so that I may have succeeded with you.[43]

After one has woken up from his deep slumber and attained the light of yaqżah, there are particular effects that he would experience. Such effects are outlined and expounded in books of practical gnosis. Observing brevity here we would not like to cover their details. Instead, let us briefly look at the second foundational stage of self-reform:

The second stage of self-reform is al-tawbah (return to Allāh).

The Reality of Tawbah

Tawbah (which literally means "to return") is a state of the return of God’s servant to his Lord. Wakefulness makes one realize the extent of oppression one had done to himself all his life. This reality does not give him any rest, and he struggles to clear himself off sin. It is not as simple as it seems, but the wakeful wayfarer, is always resolute in clearing himself from the dirt by which he blemished his heart all his life.

Ethicians believe that before the servant returns to his Lord, Almighty Allāh returns to His servant with His Mercy. Small wonder it is that one of the beautiful names of Almighty Allāh is al-Tawwāb [The One Who often turns in Mercy]. This reality is manifested in the following verse of the Qur’ān:

And to the three who were left behind, until, when the earth became strait for them, for all its breadth, and their souls became strait for them, and they thought that there was no shelter from God except in Him, then He turned towards them [Mercifully] [tāba ‘alayhim], that they may turn [liyatūbū]; surely Only Allāh is Oft-returning [with mercy] [al-Tawwāb] and is All-Compassionate.[44]

This verse refers to three Muslims who refused to participate in the battle of Tabūk due to their laziness. Then after the battle, when the Holy Prophet (ş) and the Muslims returned to Madīnah, the three went to the Prophet (ş) and expressed their apology, but the Prophet(ş) did not speak to them, and the Muslims likewise, following the Prophet (s), did not speak to them, and left them alone. The children too stayed away from them and their own wives were not responsive to them. In this way, they were left so much alone, that the town of Madīnah was a constriction for them, and they left for the mountains and open grounds. The situation had become such that both time and place was a source of constriction for them. And finally they knew that besides Allāh, there was no point of hope. This is when Almighty Allāh turned to them in Mercy, as a result of which they started repenting and doing tawbah. Then Almighty Allāh again returned to them in His Mercy by forgiving them.

The aforementioned verse therefore inspires us that the first tawba (return in mercy)[45] is from Allāh. This then enables the servant to turn to Him and repent. Then he needs another tawba (return) from Almighty Allāh so that his sins are forgiven. Therefore the tawbah of the servant is sandwiched by two returns of Almighty Allāh. The verse also indicates that Allāh’s return to his servants was continuous, until they repented and returned to their Lord. The letter “waw” at the beginning of the verse “wa ‘alā al-thalāthah” is a conjunction, which indicates a continuation of the previous verse which talks about the return of Allāh in Mercy to His Prophet (ş), the Emigrants and the Anşār. Thus, apart from Allāh returning in Mercy to the Holy Prophet (ş), the emigrants, and the helpers, He also returned in Mercy to the three men (wa ‘alā al-thalāthah “…and the three men”) who did not participate in the battle of Tabūk. Then Allāh (swt) once again turns to the three men in Mercy: “thumma tābā” (thereafter He turned in Mercy). Therefore there is a clear mention of two consecutive tawbas (returns) before the phrase “liyatūbū” (so that they may repent and turn to Allāh): one through the conjunction and the other by the phrase “thumma tāba”. This subtle aspect needs a little attention to understand.

If tawbah is taken in its universal sense, it is the second and the last station before Meeting Almighty Allāh. This is because the process of covering the different stages of practical gnosis is in fact covering the degrees of returning to God. Every return from Almighty Allāh makes the wayfarer return, until he attains the proximity of Almighty Allāh. The following verse is worthy of contemplation:

…And turn to Allāh all of you, O believers, so that you may attain salvation.[46]

Ponder over the phrase ‘tūbū ilallāh [return to Allāh]’. Firstly, all believers are enjoined to return to Allāh. This means that tawbah (in all its various levels) is the path to Almighty Allāh. Secondly, since Almighty Allāh is the end of the journey, the journey is necessarily endless, for one can never achieve Absolute and Infinite Perfection which is Allāh. In other words, however much one covers the journey, he still possesses finite perefection. Consequently,  the imperative verb ‘tūbū [return] also includes the great saints who already enjoy the last stage of wayfaring- but still need wayfaring, for the journey never ends. Experts say that after a certain limit of perfection has been attained the journey is no more vertical, but horizontal. In the words of the people of gnosis- after sayr ilā Allāh (journey to Allāh) ends, sayr fī Allāh begins and never ends. Because the journey is towards Infinite Perfection. In simple terms the journey from the finite to The Infinite is infinite. Fa tūbū ilallāh!!! Therefore return to Allāh O believers.

Although tawbah in its initial stages would mean returning from denial and sin to approval and obedience and from heedlessness and forgetfulness to remembrance and seeking God, but later there would be nothing like sin or heedlessness. Rather the return would be from ‘other than God’ to ‘God’ and from ‘shirk in its very minute level’ to ‘tawhid in its highest levels’, and from the ‘self’ to the ‘Only beloved’. Ustād Muhammad Shujā‘ī in his monumental ethical masterpiece alludes to this reality[47].

Conditions of Tawbah

Have we ever thought about the conditions of true tawbah? Many of us may conjecture that perhaps the elements of ‘regret’ and expression of ‘sorrow’ to God can suffice for tawbah. The reality of the matter, however, is quite different. Tawbah is not just a transient emotional experience but ‘a transformation of one’s state’. It is the process of clearing one’s heart and soaring to the higher planes of existence. It begins as follows:

وَقَالَ)ع(لِقَائِلٍ قَالَ بِحَضْرَتِهِ: (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ) ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ أَتَدْرِي مَا الإسْتِغْفَارُ؟ الإسْتِغْفَارُ دَرَجَةُ الْعِلِّيِّينَ وَهُوَ اسْمٌ وَاقِعٌ عَلَى سِتَّةِ مَعَانٍ: أَوَّلُهَا النَّدَمُ عَلَى مَا مَضَى. وَالثَّانِي الْعَزْمُ عَلَى تَرْكِ الْعَوْدِ إِلَيْهِ أَبَداً. وَالثَّالِثُ أَنْ تُؤَدِّيَ إِلَى الْمَخْلُوقِينَ حُقُوقَهُمْ حَتَّى تَلْقَى اللَّهَ أَمْلَسَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ تَبعَةٌ. وَالرَّابِعُ أَنْ تَعْمِدَ إِلَى كُلِّ فَرِيضَةٍ عَلَيْكَ ضَيَّعْتَهَا فَتُؤَدِّيَ حَقَّهَا. وَالْخَامِسُ أَنْ تَعْمِدَ إِلَى اللَّحْمِ الَّذِي نَبَتَ عَلَى السُّحْتِ فَتُذِيبَهُ بِالأحْزَانِ حَتَّى تُلْصِقَ الْجِلْدَ بالْعَظْمِ وَيَنْشَأَ بَيْنَهُمَا لَحْمٌ جَدِيدٌ. وَالسَّادِسُ أَنْ تُذِيقَ الْجسْمَ أَلَمَ الطَّاعَةِ كَمَا أَذَقْتَهُ حَلاوَةَ الْمَعْصِيَةِ. فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ تَقُولُ: (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ )

Once in the presence of Imām ‘Alī (‘a) a person said:

Astaghfirullāh

I seek forgiveness from Allāh

Hearing this, the Imām (‘a) said to him

Thakalatka ummuka; atadrī ma’l istighfār

May your mother weep after you; do you know what is ‘seeking forgiveness’?

Then he continued as follows:

Istighfār is a station of the exalted ones (‘illiyyīn); and it is a name, which stands for six things:

1. First is to regret for what one has done [of sin]

2. Second, to resolve never to return to what one has done [of sin]

3. To return to the creatures their rights so that you meet Allāh while you have nothing on your shoulders.

4. To intend to perform every compulsory act that you had wasted and paying its due right

5. To melt the flesh that has been grown out of unlawful means with sorrows until the skin touches the bone and new flesh grows [out of lawful sustenance] between them.

6. To make the body taste the pain of submission the way you made it taste the pleasure of sin

That is when you say:

Astaghfirullāh

I seek Allāh’s forgiveness.[48]

Therefore, in order for one to successfully cover this level of tawbah, which would purify the heart and make it ready for the higher stations of spiritual wayfaring, one must struggle to meet the abovementioned conditions.

Entirely His Grace

It should be noted however that when one is in the state of tawbah, no kind of self esteem should ever deceive him. He should  never think that it is his tawbah that would transport him to the house of the Only Beloved. Rather it is entirely Allāh’s Grace and Mercy that enables him to undertake this great journey. Indeed tawbah is necessary, and in fact a succor (tawfīq) of Almighty Allāh Himself, but that should never deceive the repentant. He should always hopeful of its acceptance and understand the fact that it is not his struggle that would reap any benefit, but Allāh’s Grace and Mercy. This is a monotheistic vision of the reality. Imām al-Sajjād (‘a) teaches us the same in supplication no. 16 of his radiant scripture al-Şahifat al-Sajjādiyyah as follows:

(30) لَوْ بَكَيْتُ اِلَيْكَ حَتّى‏ تَسْقُطَ اَشْفارَ عَيْنَيَّ وَانْتَحَبْتُ حَتّى‏ يَنْقَطِعُ صَوْتى‏ وَقُمْتُ لَكَ حَتَّى تَتَنَشَّرَ قَدَمايَ وَرَكَعْتُ لَكَ حَتّى‏ يَنْخَلِعَ صُلْبي‏ وَسَجَدْتُ لَكَ حَتّى‏ تَتَفَقَّأَ حَدَقَتايَ وَاَكَلْتُ تُرَابَ الاَرْضِ طُولَ عُمْري‏ وَشَرِبْتُ ماءَ الرَّمَادِ آخِرَ دَهْرى‏ وَذَكَرْتُكَ فِي‏ خِلالِ ذلِكَ حَتّى‏ يَكِلَّ لِسانى‏ ثُمَّ لَمْ ارْفَعْ طَرْفي‏ اِلى‏ آفاقِ السَّماءِ اسْتِحْياءً مِنْكَ مَا اسْتَوْجَبْتُ بِذلِكَ مَحْوَ سَيِّئَةٍ واحِدَةٍ مِنْ سَيِّئاتِى‏ (31) وَانْ كُنْتَ تَغْفِرُ لِيْ‏ حِيْنَ اسْتَوْجِبُ مَغْفِرَتكَ وَتَعْفُو عَنِّي حِيْنَ اسْتَحِقُّ عَفْوَكَ فَإِنَّ ذلِكَ غَيْرُ واجِبٍ لِيْ‏ بِاسْتِحْقاقٍ وَلا اَنَا اهْلٌ لَهُ بِاسْتيجابٍ إِذْ كانَ جَزائِي مِنْكَ فِيْ‏ اَوَّلِ مَا عَصَيْتُكَ النَّارَ فَإِنْ تُعَذِّبْنِيْ فَاَنْتَ غَيْرُ ظَالِمٍ لِيْ‏‏...

30  My God,

          were I to weep to Thee until my eyelids drop off,

          wail until my voice wears out,

          stand before Thee until my feet swell up,

          bow to Thee until my backbone is thrown out of joint,

          prostrate to Thee until my eyeballs fall out,

          eat the dirt of the earth for my whole life,

          drink the water of ashes till the end of my days,

          mention Thee through all of that until my tongue fails,

          and not lift my glance to the sky's horizons in shame before Thee,

          yet would I not merit through all of that

                    the erasing of a single one of my evil deeds! 

31            Though Thou forgivest me when I merit Thy forgiveness

                    and pardonest me when I deserve Thy pardon,

          yet I have no title to that through what I deserve,

                    nor am I worthy of it through merit,

          since my repayment from Thee

                    from the first that I disobeyed Thee

                    is the Fire!

          So if Thou punishest me,

                    Thou dost me no wrong.[49] 

Due to the brevity of this commentary we would suffice with these fundamental stations of the path towards Almighty Allāh over here. Those interested in understanding the intricacies of each and every station of wayfaring may refer to texts such as the Manāzil al-Sā’irīn of Khwājah ‘Abdullāh Anşārī and other relevant texts of practical gnosis.

Having known the basics of self-reform, which is the beginning of every kind of reform, let us now look at how one can effect reform in others. It is incumbent, however, for us to first understand the characteristics of a true reformer.

Characteristics of a True Reformer

The Holy Qur’ān [chapter 7, verse no. 170] says:

And those who (1) hold fast by the book and (2) keep up prayer; verily We waste not the recompense of the reformers

The above verse informs us that a reformer must:

1) Hold steadfast onto the book

The great Shī‘ah commentator of the Qur’ān Shaykh Ţabrasī in his Majma’ al-Bayān says:

اَمْسَكَ وَ مسَّكَ وَ تَمَسَّكَ و اسْتَمْسَكَ باالشَّيْءِ بِمَعْنيً وَاحِدٍ اَيْ اِعْتَصَمَ بِهِ

The verbs amsaka and tamassaka and istamsaka bi al-shay’ all have the same meaning, which is ‘to adhere to something’[50]

And in his Al-Mufradāt, an authoritative dictionary of Qur’ānic words, Rāghib al-Isfahānī says:

اِمْسَاكُ الشَّيْءِ التَّعَلُّقُ بهِ وَحِفْظُهُ

Imsāk al-shay’ (to adhere to something) means to cling to it and protect it.’[51]

Therefore, to adhere to the Book in this verse would mean:

‘To hold fast on to it and protect it.’

Obviously such adherence and protection should not be conjectured to mean safeguarding the physical Qur’ān from being torn, mishandled or misplaced [all of which are also important]. Holding fast on to the Qur’ān and protecting it means to follow its teachings and revive the same in the different dimensions of human life. The Holy Qur'ān is a book of instructions for both individual as well as social reform. It teaches us how to refine our spirits and beautify it with the Attributes of Almighty Allāh; it outlines the skills and conditions necessary to revive a society; one, therefore, who holds fast onto it and protects its teachings would obviously qualify to be a reformer. And protection of its teachings substantially cover the practical plane. It is not a matter of being learned and able to expound the sublime teachings of the Qur’ān. It is a matter of action and qualification.

2) Establish Prayer:

‘Allāmah Ţabāţabā’ī in his monumental al-Mīzān says:

وَتَخْصِيْصُ إِقَامَةِ الصَّلاَةِ بِالذِّكْرِ مِنْ بَيْنِ سَائِرِ أَجْزَاءِ الدِّيْنِ لِشَرَفِهَا وَكَوْنِهَا رُكْنًا مِنْ الدِّيْنِ يُحْفَظُ بِهَا ذِكْرُ اللهِ وَالْخُضُوْعُ إِلى مَقَامِهِ الَّذِي هُوَ بمَنْزِلَةِ الرُّوْحِ الْحَيَّةِ فِيْ هَيْكَلِ الشَّرَائِع الدِّيْنِيَّةِ

And the particular mention of establishing prayer from among the parts of relgion is due to its sacred position and that it is the pillar of religion, which protects and ensures the remembrance of Allāh and humility to His exalted station, the latter being the living spirit in the body of religious creeds.[52]

One who establishes prayer is different from one who only prays. The expression that the Holy Qur’an employs in this verse as well as other verses is not ‘yuşallūna’ (those who pray) but ‘aqāmuşşalāta’ (those who establish prayer), which calls for responsibility. One who establishes prayer, observes all the perfect etiquette of prayer and ensures that others pray as well. Such a person is not satisfied in observing prayer alone; his selfless spirit would like to see others benefiting from this vehicle of ascension to God. In order to be able to reform an individual or community one should have the ability to establish prayer. The fundamental significance of prayer can well be appreciated by looking at the following traditions:

1. Imām ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said:

وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ كُلَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ مِنْ عَمَلِكَ تَبَعٌ لِصَلاتِكَ‏

Beware that every thing that you do is according to your prayer.[53]

2. Imām Muhammad al-Bāqir (‘a) is reported to have said:

إِنْ قُبِلَتْ قُبلَ مَا سِوَاهَا

If it [i.e. Şalāt] is accepted the other actions would be accepted.[54]

3. Imām al-Ridā (‘a) is reported to have said:

...وَأَوَّلُ مَا يُحَاسَبُ الْعَبْدُ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلاَةُ فَإِنْ صَحَّتْ لَهُ الصَّلاَةُ صَحَّتْ لَهُ مَا سِوَاهَا وَإِنْ رُدَّتْ رُدَّتْ مَا سِوَاَها...

…The first thing that a servant would be accounted for is prayers; if his prayers are in order for him, then all else would be correct, and if it is rejected for him then all else would be rejected…[55]

Understanding this link between the spirit of one’s prayer and the spirit of one’s action calls for one to revive his prayer so that his acts would carry meaning and value. The reason why many people end in committing al-shirk al-khafī (hidden polytheism) is their ignorance of what they recite in prayer. One who infuses the spirit of utter monotheism in his prayer, his acts would bear the color of monotheism. 

Social Reform

Reforming a society and conferring to it its equilibrium is to revive the teachings of Islam and the Qur’ān in the society. The phrase ‘Surely we do not waste the recompense of the reformers’ of the aforementioned verse (7:170) clearly alludes to the fact that "reviving the teachings of the Qur’ān" (yumassikūna bi'l kitābi) is the reality of effecting equilibrium (işlāh)’. In order for a society to enjoy its state of equilibrium, it must be governed by laws that ensure its stability and purpose. And the only person who can formulate such laws is Almighty Allah who knows every subtle aspect of the human being and his salvation. The Holy Qur'ān says:

Would He who has created not know? And He is the All-Attentive, the All-Aware.[56]

 And when one is successful in doing so, the individuals that form the society would easily be able to attain perfection.

In his Al-Mīzān, the late ‘Allāma Ţabāţabā’ī says:

...لَكِنّ سَعَادَةَ الشّخْصِ مَبْنِيَّةٌ عَلى صَلاَحِ الظَّرْفِ الاِجْتِمَاعِي الَّذِي يَعِيْشُ هُوَ فِيْهِ، وَمَا أَصْعَبُ أَنْ يَفْلَحَ فَرْدٌ فِيْ مُجْتَمَعٍ فَاسِدٍ أَحَاطَ بهِ الشّقَاءُ مِنْ كُلِّ جَانِبٍ.

   وَلِذَلِكَ اِهْتَمَّ فِي إِصْلاَحِ الْمُجْتَمَعِ اِهْتِمَامًا لاَ يُعَادِلُهُ فِيْهِ غَيْرُهُ وَبَذَلَ الْجُهْدَ الْبَالِغَ فِيْ جَعْلِ الدَّسَاتِيْرَ وَالتَّعَالِيْمَ الدِّيْنِيَّةِ حَتّى العِبَادَات مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ وَالْحَجِّ وَالصَّوْمِ اِجْتِمَاعِيَّةً مَا أَمْكَنَ فِيْهَا ذَلِكَ ، كُلُّ ذَلِكَ لِيَسْتَصْلِحَ الإِنْسَانُ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَمِنْ جِهَةِ ظَرْفِ حَيَاتِهِ.

“…But the prosperity of a person depends on the equilibrium of the social vessel where he lives, and how difficult it is for a person to achieve salvation in a corrupt society, which is embraced with wretchedness from all sides!

   And that is why it gave unparalleled importance in effecting equilibrium to the society and struggled as much as possible to form religious commandments and laws to be of a social nature, including devotions, such as the canonical prayer, hajj and fasting. All this was done so that the human being may attain equilibrium of himself and the vessel of his life…”[57]

One of the very important conditions of social reform is the support of the people that form the social unit. Although one may enjoy the conditions of a true reformer, if he is not supported by the people, the state of social equilibrium cannot be attained. There is a subtle allusion of this truth in the following verse:

…so that the people rise with justice[58]

Almighty Allāh informs us here that the ‘nās’ have a determining role to play. He does not tell us that the Prophets, upon whom be peace, would effect justice and equilibrium to the society, but says ‘so that the people (nās) rise in justice’. This alludes to collective participation. And this truth is evident for every sound intellect. If the components of the society were to be adamant in their rejection, the reformer would not be able to effect equilibrium. A majority of the masses should undergo transformation, so that the society returns to the state of its equilibrium. The holy Qur’ān narrates the destructive end of many of the past nations, who simply refused to change themselves. Due to their unchangeable state they had to face a despicable doom. Look at the following verses:

Indeed We destroyed generations before you when they did wrong: their Messengers came to them with Clear Signs, and they were not those who would believe. Thus do We requite those who sin![59]

It should be noted here that those referred to in the above verse were so degenerate that they could not be changed. They are defined as "wa mā kānu liyu'minu" (they were not those to believe). This state obviously was a result of their own misdeeds.

Political Stability: A Foundational Unit

of Social Reform

Reforming a society has always been a challenging task, but perhaps it has become even more challenging in the contemporary era. The foundational unit of social reform is political reform. So long as there is no valid political power, the other dimensions of the society would always be in the state of disequilibria. Islam, which is a complete religion, and therefore caters for every need of the human being in different dimensions of his life has not left mankind without a direction for political power and authority. The Holy Qur’ān and the traditions as well as Islamic history vividly illustrate the unity of religion and politics. Islam would like to ensure that the laws of Allāh prevail and that the government makes its decisions entirely on the principles laid by the Qur’ān and the Sunnah. This is when every kind of unevenness of the society can be obliterated. Under a firm Islamic government all the economic problems that stem from different kinds of mischief would be terminated. Under a strict government promiscuity and different kinds of evils would lessen. The atmosphere of such a society would then enable the people to wake up from their slumber and attain Allah’s proximity.

One of the most rational and sublime concepts of political thought in Islam is the concept of wilāyat al-faqīh (the governance of the Islamic jurisprudent). Its rational definition is that in the absence of the 12^th holy Imām ('a), the jurisprudent identified as pious and knowledgeable in Islamic laws can govern a collectivity and lead it towards its material as well as spiritual prosperity. Such a person who enjoys sublime traits, is far from selfish interests, and is also well-aware of Islamic Law as well as the circumstances of his time, can aptly control the government and lead the nation toward its prosperity. To consider such a clear fact to depend on what different clerics believe and refrain from thinking about or involving oneself in the future of a collectivity of human beings who need to attain eternal salvation is unreasonable.

The Timeless Reformer of Karbala

Sometimes a historical incident can conquer its spatial limitations and serve as an example for all times, places and people. Immortality is one issue and transcending time and space is another. Immortality deals with the future, but the conquer of spatial limitations embrace and cover the past as well. The event of Karbalā’, which is known to evoke the emotions of the coldest reader, was not only a tragedy as it is so labeled mostly, but a reform movement (harakah işlāhiyyah) that could serve as a lesson both before and after it transpired. As it has been a source of inspiration for the followers of the Imām (‘a) after Imām al-Husayn (‘a), it has also been a source of inspiration for the preceding prophets of God too. Narrations indicate how the previous Prophets would curse the perpetrators of the heinous massacre [and thus take a stance]. If we understand Imam al-Husayn's motive, we would fully realize the movement's sublimity. In one of his addresses to Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah, he says:

إنمّا خَرَجْتُ لِطَلَبِ الإِصْلاَحِ فِي أُمَّةِ جَدِّي(ص) أُرِيْدُ أَنْ آمُرَ بالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَأَنْهَى عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأَسِيْرُ بسِيْرَةِ جَدِّي وَأَبي عَلِيّ بْنِ أَبيْ طَالِب(ع)

I have only risen to seek reform and equilibrium in the Nation of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allāh; I would like to invite to good and desist from evil; and adopt the lifestyle of my grandfather and my father, Alī bin Abī Ţālib.[60]

It looks like as if Imām al-Husayn (‘a) informs us of his motive, the method of achieving the same, and those who also employed the method:

Motive:  Seeking Reform  and equilibrium in the Nation

Method: Amr bil Ma'rūf and Nahy 'ani'l Munkar;

 Adopting the lifestyles of his grandfather and father

Therefore he aspired to restore equilibrium to the society. He yearned that the society should enjoy both material as well as spiritual prosperity. The physical amenities bestowed to man are means for his upliftment, and hence should also be given importance. Nevertheless the main motive should not be left into oblivion and be forgotten.

The timeless reformer with his utter steadfastness echoes to all the epochs: 'Do not allow the destruction of human values in any social setup! Do not sit quiet when oppressors control the affairs of the people! Struggle to eradicate all kinds of disequilibrium in the Muslim society! The prayer under discussion is a verbal expression. Husayn's was a practical expression. He, like his noble grandfather, practically manifested his concern of eradicating all kinds of social as well as individual misfortunes. His eagerness in restoring Islamic values was to see the eternal prosperity of its inhabitants.

Awaiting for the Noble Government

In the famous Du'ā’ al-Iftitāh, we pray:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَرْغَبُ إِلَيْكَ فِي دَوْلَةٍ كَرِيمَةٍ تُعِزُّ بِهَا الإِسْلامَ وَ أَهْلَهُ وَتُذِلُّ بِهَا النِّفَاقَ وَأَهْلَهُ وَتَجْعَلُنَا فِيهَا مِنَ الدُّعَاةِ إِلَى طَاعَتِكَ وَالْقَادَةِ إِلَى سَبِيلِكَ وَتَرْزُقُنَا بِهَا كَرَامَةَ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...

O Allāh surely we  ask you for a noble government in which you would elevate Islām and its followers, and degrade hypocrisy and its adherents, and make us  among those that invite to your obedience, and leaders to your path, and sustain us with the nobility of this world and the Hereafter…

Our texts of hadīths clearly mention so many signs preceding the reappearance of our 12^th Holy Imām (‘a). Many of us observe that a number of these signs already exist. Some of us have the tendency to say that 'the world is so corrupt today; it is high time that 12^th Imam should reappear'. Such rhetoric may be found in different circles. But impartially speaking, it reveals the narrow mindedness of those who speak about it. This does not mean that the signs prevalent would not follow his reappearance. However, one should try to observe whether the elements that would prepare the ground of  the Imam's reappearance exist or not. The 12^th Holy Imām (‘a) does not need corruption to reappear. He rather needs the support of the masses who overtly yearn for his reappearance so that equilibrium is created in the society. So long as the masses yearn for his reappearance without being ready for the same, it would be futile for him to appear. We must remember that the 12^th Imām's mission is to create a global Islamic government. For such a government to take form, he needs our support [liyaqūma al-nāsu bi al- qisţ (so that the people stand in justice)]. And support, we must understand, can be to forgo so many of our worldly interests. It may seem to be a simple issue, but the reality of the matter is quite different.

The concept of awaiting for the 12^th Imām should be understood in its correct meaning. The secret to its understanding is to ask ourselves about the purpose behind our intiżār. Why are we waiting for his reappearance? To create social stability and prosperity? To eradicate corruption and oppression? If that is so, does our prayer tally with our practical lives? Do our actions reveal that we are practically working to create order and eradicate oppression in any circle that is in our limited helm and power? Have we started with our family and neighborly environments and observed whether we truly aspire for that great ideal who would effect reform globally? We should always try to weigh ourselves with the purpose of intiżār, and ask: 'Do our actions tally with the spirit of effecting reform?'

Characteristics of the Helpers of our 12th Imam ('a) in the Reformation Process

In a tradition narrated in Bihār al-Anwār we are informed that the 12^th Imām ('a) would have 313 sincere companions who would assist him in his reform process. Every one of us who has developed knowledge and love of the Imām ('a) and knows his sublime aim as well, would aspire to be one of the 313 companions mentioned in the hadīth. But in order for us to qualify for this sacred mission we should identify the characteristics that such reformers would enjoy. Many who have the strength to revive themselves and adopt a life full of spiritual blessings do have the opportunity to qualify. Mothers too, who can rear their children with excellent morals can shape their future and create the ground for their offsprings to qualify for this lofty station. Youth also, who aspire to get married can select such spouses of noble descent and excellent morals that would enable a generation of purity to ensue, can also facilitate personalities who would qualify to be the Imām's loyal supporters. And what exactly are the characteristics of the helpers of the 12 holy Imām(‘a)? Following are traditions that outline the characteristics of the supporters of the 12^th Holy Imām (‘a):

1. Possessive of  Indepth Knowledge about God:

Imām ‘Alī (‘a) is reported to have said about the soldiers of the 12th Holy Imam ('a) that:

...رِجَالٌ عَرَفُوا اللهَ حَقَّ مَعْرِفَتِهِ، وَهُمْ أَنْصَارُ الْمَهْدِي(ع) آخَر الزَّماَن

"...Men who know Allah as He should be Known, and they are the helpers of al-Mahdī during the last days."[61]

Here obviously the Absolute Knowledge of God is not meant, for that is beyond the reach of any dependent being, including the Prophet (ş) who is reported to have said: mā 'arafnāka haqqā ma'rifatika...we have not known You the way You Absolutely. Obviously no finite being can ever comprehend an infinite being.

2. Possessive of Characteristics of a Qualified Islamic Leader

Imām al-Şādiq ('a) is reported[62] to have said in a lengthy tradition that those who would come out with Imām al-Mahdi ('a) would be as follows:

وَلَكِنَّ هَذِهِ (الْعِدّة) الَّتِي يُخْرِجُ اللهُ فِيْهَا اَلْقَائِم(ع)، وَهُمْ النُّجَبَاءُ، وَالْقُضَاةُ وَالْحُكَّامُ، وَالْفُقَهَاءُ فِي الدِّيْنِ...

They are:

§         Of Noble Descent [nujabā']

§         Qualified to Rule [al-hukkām]

§         Qualified to Judge [al-qudāt]

§         Highly learned in Religion [al-fuqahā' fi al-Din]

These characteristics therefore create responsibilities on us: if we are of noble descent and marry the nujabā' (of noble descent), our children too would be of noble descent,  if we rear our children and teach them how to be responsible from a young age and enable traits such as bravery, knowledge, etc., to develop, we can create the ground for them to be future leaders,  if we inculcate the spirit of seeking religious knowledge in our children, their interest, zeal, etc., would  attract them towards gaining indepth knowledge of religion and thus create for them the ground of enjoying one the essential characteristics of the 12^th Imām's noble supporters.

Our Duties

Having understood the steps of reform, each one of us would be able to tell where he/she stands, and what is his/her immediate responsibility. Wherever it is possible for us to effect reform, however limited be that area, we should do so. Otherwise our supplication would be mere rhetoric or ignorance.

[1] Al-Rāghib al-Işfahānī, Mufradātu Alfā¨i’l Qur’ān, new ed., p.636