Saturday, October 14, 2006

Contentment

Contentment is a word which contains the meaning of servitude,
and may be described as the joy of the heart.

Imam Ja'far As-Sadiq (A)

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Reflect

Surely in the creation
of the heavens and the earth
and in the alternation
of night and day
there are signs
for men possessed
of minds.


Qur'an, Ale 'Imran 3:190

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Charity

The divine tax on knowledge
is to teach it
to the servants of God.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A)

Friday, October 06, 2006

Scholars

Verily, fear Allah
only those of His servants
endowed with knowledge.


Qur'an, Surah al-Fatir 35:28

Learned here means those whose deed corroborates their word.
And he whose deed does not corroborate his word
is not at all a learned scholar.

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A)

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Nobility

O 'Ali!
The following three
are one's noblest traits:
being fair,
treating others as equals,
and remembering God,
the Blessed, the High
in all situations.

Prphet Muhammad (S)

Monday, October 02, 2006

Recite the Qur'an

The house in which the Qur’an is recited
and Allah, The Noble and Grand, is remembered
will receive numerous Divine blessings (barakah),
the Angels will be present,
and the Satans will be distanced from there.
In addition, that house will shimmer for the people of the sky,
just like the stars shimmer for the people on the Earth.

Imam 'Ali (A)
Usul al-Kafi, Volume 2, Page 610

Brotherhood

Three things that are rare in every age: brotherhood in Allah; a devout, affectionate wife who helps you in Allah’s faith; and a rightly guided son. Whoever finds these three things has obtained the good of both abodes and the fullest portion of this world and the next. Beware of taking someone as a brother when you are moved by greed, fear, inclination, money, food or drink. Seek the fraternity of the God-fearing even to the ends of the Earth, and even if you spend your entire life seeking them. Allah has not left anyone better than them after the Prophets on the face of the Earth, nor has He given a bondsman any blessing like that of success in finding their company. Allah said, “The friends shall on that day be enemies to one another except those who guard [against evil].” (43:67)

I believe that anyone who looks for a friend without fault in these times will remain without a friend. Do you not see that the first mark of honor which Allah bestowed on His Prophets when their call to faith became known was a trusted friend or helper? Similarly, the most sublime gift which Allah bestowed on His friends, supporters (awliya’), pure friends and trustees was the company of His Prophets. This is proof that, after knowledge of Allah, there is no blessing in either abode which is more sublime, more excellent, or more pure than the company in Allah and brotherhood for His sake.

Imam Ja’afar as-Sadiq (A)