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August 28, 2011 The English Version of the Straight Path

Welcome Message by Laila Ali Bismillah Al Rahman Al Raheem, Ya Ali!Allahumma Salle Ala Muhammad wa Ale Muhammad Al A'ima wal Mehdiyeen wa Sallim Tasleeman Katheera Asalaam alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu Dear Readers,

Welcome to this months issue of The Mahdi Times. Thank you for such an amazing response to the first edition of the magazine. Alhamdolillah! For some of the readers, this is their first Ramadan as Ansaris, Mashallah! Iblees and his minions are locked away in Ramadan, along with the sixty shayteen that are assigned to each ansari, and this Mercy from Allah swt can definitely be felt in the air. I pray that this Ramadan brings all the Ansari's many blessings, and by the Grace of God it already has done for six of the twenty four Ansari that were unjustly arrested by the tyrant Iraqi oppressors have been released. Our Creator is Most Merciful! Let us pray that for the sake of this month, May Allah swt Release our remaining brothers from the clutches of the enemies of Ahlul Bayt a.s, Inshallah, Mola Ali Waaris. Most of you are familiar with the

debates that are happening on Egyptian satellite channel, Safa between Abu Dharr Showky and Wasaby. If anyone wishes to see the Akhlaaq of the Ansari and the Nasibi's, I recommend you to point towards this debate. The difference between the manners of the followers of Ahlul Bayt a.s and the

followers of Banni Ummayah are evident for all to see. Those of you that have been following the debates will agree that Showky truly is a lion amongst shrieking hyenas. And he has handled himself with the utmost honor in representing this Dawah. May Allah swt Protect him and all the other Ansari, Inshallah, Mola Ali Waaris. This months issue of The Mahdi Times is dedicated to Our Master Ali a.s on his Shahadat. The same Ali, that is only second to the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

And what a person to be second to! Ali is the one that only Allah swt and the Prophet s.aw. can understand, and is a mercy for mankind. For many of us that come from Sunni/Wahabi/Non Muslim backgrounds, Ali was the light that guided us onto this

path. He was the beacon of hope that pulled us from the depths of darkness and we owe him everything. Everything we have found on the Path of Ahlul Bayt a.s, we owe to Ali a.s. We found our Imam a.s, through following Ali a.s.

Sacrifice is something the Ahlul Bayt a.s know all too welland Imam Ali a.s is someone who's sacrifices are countless. As protecting Islam goes beyond raising the flag of religion. Ali sacrificed his wealth for the poor and sacrificed his rest for the people. No one would leave Ali's house empty handed if they came to ask for something. Ali was the first in line when it came to battles, is that not a sacrifice in itself? He would put the Religion of Allah swt before his own life while others stayed back. The Hijrah, and Ali protecting the Fatimas pbut, was arguably the most difficult journey Ali went on. The enemies of Islam would not back away on the journey, and when the Prophet s.a.w was out of sight, they

would try and get to Ali a.s and when he arrived at Medina he was covered in blood. His rights and inheritance was taken away and the thieves openly stole from him, yet he sacrificed his own will and put the Will of Allah swt before everything. He saw the oppression against his wife and the murder of her and

their unborn child, after all of this, even his silence is a sacrifice! Do you not think Ali with his Zulfiqaar could have finished the usurpers?! He was silent on command of the Prophet s.a.w, for the Command of Muhammad is the Command of Allah swt. Ali's sacrifices are innumerable. Without any doubt, his death is his sacrifice. We call it the Severest Oppression against Ali, but Ali welcomed death, "Death to me is more agreeable than water to a thirsty man".

The Mahdi Times

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Continued from page 1:And who are we? We call ourselves followers of Ali a.s, but we are not worthy of even being the dust upon the path on which he walks. Our sinful tongues are not even worthy to say his holy name. We must remember that this love for Ali is a Blessing from Allah swt, eventhough we are not worthy

of receiving it. It is a responsibility. We must remember the mercy of Ali with every breath and work to remind one another that we are Shia of Ali. Ali, that means Highest.

So when we face wrongdoings, we must be the Higher Ones. We must elevate our morals and actions and try to relieve our souls of these sins we fall into.

For the sake of Malood-e-Kaba, we must remember who we are so that we may serve his grandsons today, Inshallah, Mola Ali Waaris.

Our deepest condolences to Ahmed al Hassan a.s and Muhammad al Mahdi a.s for what the oppressors did to their grandfather, Ali a.s. We will never forget his sacrifices and will mourn your grandfather til the day we die, Inshallah, Mola Ali Waaris.

I'd like to thank all of the brothers and sisters that helped put together this months issue and I pray that for the sake of Ali a.s and his sacrifice, May Allah swt Lead us all to be with the Imams a.s our time and serve them in a manner this is most pleasing to Him.

Mola Ali Waaris, Fi Aman Allah, Laila Ali

Unity and Dispersion

"How strange! How strange! By Allah my heart sinks to see the unity of these people on their wrong and your dispersion from your right. Woe and grief befall you. You have become the target at which arrows are shot. You are being killed and you do not kill. You are being attacked but you do not attack. Allah is being disobeyed and you remain agreeable to it. When I ask you to move against them in summer you say it is hot weather. Spare us till heat subsides from us. When I order you to march in winter you say it is severely cold; give us time till cold clears from us. These are just excuses for evading heat and cold because if you run away from heat and cold, you would be, by Allah, running away (in a greater degree) from sword (war)." Imam Ali a.s

Divergent Desires

"O' people, your bodies are together but your desires are divergent. Your talk softens the hard stones and your action attracts your enemy towards you. You claim in your sittings that you would do this and that, but when fighting approaches, you say (to war), "turn thou away" (i.e. flee away). If one calls you (for help) the call receives no heed. And he who deals hardly with you his heart has no solace. The excuses are amiss like that of a debtor unwilling to pay. The ignoble can not ward off oppression. Right cannot be achieved without effort. Which is the house besides this one to protect? And with which leader (Imam) would you go for fighting after me?"Imam Ali a.s

The Imam Rebukes

"Woe to you. I am tired of rebuking you. Do you accept this worldly life in place of the next life? Or disgrace in place of dignity? When I invite you to fight your enemy your eyes revolve as though you are in the clutches of death, and in the senselessness of last moments. My pleadings are not understood by you and you remain stunned. It is as though your hearts are affected with madness so that you do not understand. You have lost my confidence for good. Neither are you a support for me to lean upon, nor a means to honour and victory. Your example is that of the camels whose protector has disappeared, so that if they are collected from one side they disperse away from the other side." Imam Ali a.s

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The Blessing and Mercy of Allah swt, Ali ibn Abi Talib

by Mohammad Akhtar Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as) is one of the greatest personalities in Islamic history. It is agreed by every school of thought that his contribution to Islam was one of the greatest. The birth of Imam Ali (as) took place on the 13th of Rajab in the house of Allah, the holy Kaaba. He passed away on the 21st of Ramadan in Najaf, Iraq. Imam Ali (as) was the closest companion of Prophet Muhammed (sawa), which had been mentioned by the Holy Prophet (sawa) himself, "Ali is from me and I am from Ali and he is the WALI of every believer after me"( Sunan Thirmidi, Chapter 19, Chapter al-Manaaqib, Hadith No. 3712). The hadith clearly depicts the status of Ali (as) and how the Holy Prophet (sawa) considered Ali (as) as a part of himself.

The first male to declare belief in the Prophet Muhammed (sawa) was Imam Ali (as). At a time when the Prophet (sawa) announced his mission to all of his close ones, no one listened but Ali (as), and he said "Though my eyes are sore, my legs are thin and I am the youngest of all those present here yet I will stand by you, Oh Messenger of Allah." Looking at this saying of Imam Ali (as) it shows that from the beginning he was a believer and a supporter of the Prophet (sawa) and he stayed that way until the end. Imam Ali (as) was only at the age of 13 when he declared his belief in the Prophet Muhammed (sawa).

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The Status of AliThe Prophet Muhammed (sawa) had mentioned to everyone the status of Ali (as) throughout his life; which can be depicted in various hadith’s such as: The Prophet said, "Ali is the door of my knowledge, and the one who will clarify for my nation that which I was sent with." (Tafsir Al-Tabari, 3/171). This hadith depicts that the only way to get to the Prophet (sawa) is through Ali (as) who is the door to his knowledge; which shows the greatness of Ali Ibn Abi Taleb (as). Many times the Prophet Muhammed (sawa) has compared Imam Ali (as) to the Quran. The Prophet said, "Ali is with the Qur'an, and the Qur'an is with Ali ." (Al-Bukhari, 5/19; Muslim, 2/360). There are thousands of narrations which portray the greatness of Imam Ali (as) and show how much love the Prophet (sawa) had for him. It can be said that Imam Ali (as) witnessed the rise of Islam and was always on duty for Allah. Imam Ali (as) married the daughter of the holy Prophet, Fatima (as); which goes on to show what a great personality Imam Ali (as) was, that he married the only daughter of the Prophet (sawa) and the Prophet thought of him as the best for his daughter.

The Devotion of AliThe devotion towards Islam that Imam Ali (as) had could not be seen in any other companion of the prophet. He would be willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the religion. On one occasion Imam Ali (as) was ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (sawa). The disbelievers made a plan to kill the Holy Prophet (sawa) by surprise. The disbelievers chose a member from each family to kill the Prophet (sawa) so that every tribe would be involved in his killing and no one would be capable in taking revenge against them. The Prophet (sawa) received a revelation about the disbelievers plan. Allah had ordered him to make a migration away from Makkah in the darkness of the night. The prophet needed an individual who would be ready to sacrifice himself. There was no one other than Imam Ali (as) that the prophet could turn to. The Prophet (sawa) told Imam Ali (as) "God has informed me that the infidels will break through the house to kill me so today you sleep on my bed." Imam Ali (as) went ahead and accepted it with a smile. The night had come and the Prophet (sawa) went towards the caves. Imam Ali (as) had taken the place of the Prophet on his bed. The disbelievers had invaded the house and got ready to attack with their swords and spears and they see that Ali (as) is laying on the bed of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (sawa), the disbelievers without delay left the house in a state of shock. The story indeed depicts the greatness of Imam Ali (as), and how he would be ready to sacrifice himself for the Prophet (sawa). It showed that he considered the life of the Prophet (sawa) to be dearer than his own life. Allah loved this action of Imam Ali (as) and He revealed this verse for Imam Ali (as) “And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants” (Surah 2 verse 207). This indicates the action of Ali (as) was loved by Allah; which clearly depicts that after the Prophet s.a.w, there was no one greater in the community than Imam Ali (as).

Imam Ali (as) was known as the best warrior for Islam. In the battle of Badr, Imam Ali (as) showed many qualities such as courage, bravery, and intense fighting skills. In this battle it was 1000 Makkan warriors from Quraysh against 313 unprepared Muslims. Imam Ali (as) killed many famous Arabian warriors in this battle, which brought fear to the enemies. It has been said that 70 enemies of Islam were killed from which 36 Ali (as) killed alone. The reason for this victory was Imam Ali (as). The battle of Badr was not the only battle where Imam Ali (as) showed his bravery in. In the battle of Uhud the Quraysh came back to get revenge on the Muslims due to the defeat they faced the year before in Badr. At first the Muslims were headed towards victory until some of the companions started to disobey the Prophet (sawa) and abandoned their positions for spoils from the war.

Rumour came out that, “Muhammed is dead”, when the Muslims heard this news most of them ran away from the battle field due to the fear and confusion which was placed upon them. The Prophet (sawa) was left with only four brave men to defend him from which one was Imam Ali (as). It came to a time where it was only Ali (as) defending the Prophet (sawa) alone. Imam Ali (as) told the Muslims that the Prophet (sawa) is alive and they should regroup. This led the Muslims to defeat their enemies. In this battle Imam Ali (as) annihilated the opposition and received several wounds. After the battle the Prophet (sawa) said that Gabriel (as) came on the battlefield and was loudly praising Ali (as) saying “There is no braver youth than Ali, and there is no better sword than Zulfiqaar!” The sword “Zulfiqaar” was given to Imam Ali (as) due to his bravery.

The Will of AliOnce again Imam Ali (as) showed his bravery at the battle of the trench. In this battle a famous warrior by the name of Amr ibn Abdul Wudh who was known as one of the fiercest in battle challenged the Muslim warriors in a one on one combat. He called out many famous companions of the Prophet, but they did not accept, there fear was evident. The only person who stood up to fight was Imam Ali (as), but the Prophet (sawa) did not let him fight. Amr threw a spear at the tent of the Prophet which pierced the tent; this led the Prophet to grant Ali permission in fighting. As Ali was walking out to fight, the Prophet (sawa) stated “Today, faith in embodiment is facing infidelity in embodiment.” Imam Ali had a principle which we applied in almost every situation. Whenever he approached an enemy, he would give them three options. First he would give them an invitation to Islam on the battlefield, second if the person did not accept he would tell them to withdraw from the battlefield and warn them about the punishment for fighting Allah and his Messenger, and lastly if the enemy did not accept any of the two conditions he would let the enemy strike the first blow. Imam Ali (as) gave these conditions to Amr as well in the battle of the trench. Amr did not accept any, which led Ali to kill this fierce Arab warrior and two others as well. The character of Imam Ali (as) is just glorious; it would seem as if he was an Islamic missionary on the battle field. He showed the ultimate mercy towards his enemies. As the Prophet Muhammed (sawa) said Ali (as) is faith in embodiment. The bravery of Imam Ali (as) was once again seen at the battle of Khyber where Ali killed the chief of the Jewish army. Mehrab was a leader that many were scared of; Ali had cut him into two. In this battle Ali also opened the gate of Khyber alone, which used to be opened and closed by twenty men. These events show the devotion that Ali (as) had towards Islam. He put everything he had for the sake of religion and nothing else.

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Imam Ali’s BraveryBravery was not the only characteristic that Ali (as) was perfected in. The knowledge that Imam Ali (as) possessed was definitely greater than anyone else in the Islamic community. The Prophet said, "I am the city of knowledge and 'Ali is its gate" The hadith clearly depicts that Ali (as) is the gate to the knowledge of Prophet Muhammed (sawa). Basically in order to get to Prophet Muhammed (sawa) everyone has to go through Ali (as) first. Imam Ali had mastered the Quran. He knew the Quran's inner and outer meanings. All the people used to rely on him for all their questions related to Islam. No one else was at his level in knowing the traditions of the Prophet (sawa). He had an infinite field of knowledge, which goes from astronomy, medicine, the cosmos, Islamic jurisprudence, and much more. Imam Ali put a huge emphasis on knowledge to his followers such as “Knowledge and wisdom are really the privilege of a faithful Muslim. If you have lost them, get them back even though you may have to get them from the apostates.”

Evidently it can be seen that Imam Ali (as) wanted his followers to be the ones with knowledge as well. Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as) has talked about the knowledge of Imam Ali (as) and how he attained it. A companion of Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq asked the Imam to teach him something which can help him achieve a higher degree, to which Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as) replied “See what Imam Ali (AS) has done to reach a high degree in the Prophet's (SAW) view. That was due to Ali's honesty and faithfulness”. It is honesty and faith that Ali (as) kept with Allah which kept on leading him to higher degrees. He was always loyal to Allah, and never went away from the traditions of the Prophet (sawa). This was the reason for his knowledge to be superior to others, he did things which were simplistic, which would show how simple of a man he actually was. The Prophet many times stated the rank of Ali (as), but this narration indeed sums it up. The Messenger of Allah (sawa) said: "He who wants to see Noah (as) in his determination, Adam (as) in his knowledge, Abraham (as) in his clemency, Moses (as) in his intelligence and Jesus (as) in his religious devotion should look at Ali Ibn Abi Talib (as)."

Imam Ali’s MartyrdomThe martyrdom of Imam Ali (as) was a great loss for the Muslim community. His martyrdom was foretold by the holy

Prophet. Muhammed (sawa) had said, "O Ali! I see before my eyes thy beard dyed with the blood of thy forehead." Imam Ali (as) always wanted to be martyred, and he like all the other Imams from his progeny that followed, he too received that blessing to leave this world in the way of Allah. On the day of his martyrdom it is said that Imam Ali (as) left both his sons Hassan (as) and Hussain (as) at home, and went to pray at the Kufa Mosque alone. He got to the Mosque made the Fajr call to prayer; he led the congregation in prayer. A man by the name of Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam joined the prayer. When Imam Ali (as) went into prostrationAbd al-Rahman ibn Muljam attacked Imam Ali (as), and struck him on the head with his sword; which led Imam Ali (as) to have a deep injury on his head. Imam Ali (as) said these words once he was hit "By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am successful!" It is just amazing that Imam Ali (as) lived his whole life serving Allah, and then receives martyrdom which he desired very much. This attack on Ali can be looked upon as the most gruesome, wicked, unjust, brutal attack in history. To kill someone in the state of prostration just shows the state of disbelief his enemies were in, and can depict the unimaginable wrath Allah will place upon them.

The attack on Imam Ali (as) took place on the 19th of Ramadan and he passed away on the 21st of Ramadan. The three nights he gave his family advice on various issues. He gave his son Imam Hasan ibn Ali (as) the Imamate. This was the most important piece of advice he gave to his sons and everyone else:

"I advise you to fear Allah, and not to run after (the pleasure of) the world, even if it may run after you. Do not be sorry for anything from it which you have been denied. Say the truth and act for (Allah's) reward. Be an enemy of the oppressor, and be a helper of the oppressed."

"I advise you, my children, my household and all those who may receive my message, to fear Allah, to arrange your affairs well, to maintain good relations among yourselves, for I have heard your grandfather (pbuh) saying: 'Good relations are better than prayer and fasting in general.'"

"(Fear) Allah when handling matters of orphans. Do not let them starve, nor allow them to be lost as long as you are there."

"(Fear) Allah in respect to your neighbours, for they were the trust of your Prophet

(pbuh). He went on asking us to take care of them, so much that we thought he would make them heirs (of our heritage)."

"(Fear) Allah in respect to the Holy Quran, (take care that) no one may excel you in following its tenets."

"(Fear) Allah in respect to prayer, as it is the pillar of your religion."

"(Fear) Allah in respect to your Lord's House (Kaaba), do not forsake it so long as you live, because if you do you will not be looked upon with respect."

"(Fear) Allah in respect to Jihad, fight with your wealth, your lives and your tongues, in the way of Allah."

"Have mutual liaison and give-and-take. Beware of turning your faces from, and of renouncing, one another. Do not abandon bidding good and forbidding evil, lest vicious people may overrule you, and then in such a case, your invocations will not be responded to (by Allah)."

Then he said: "O, Banu Abdul Muttalib, certainly I do not want you to wade through the blood of the Muslims, crying: Amir al-Muminin was murdered. You certainly kill for me no one but my killer."

"Wait till I die by this stroke of him (Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam), then strike a single stroke against him, and do not disfigure his body, for I had heard the Holy Prophet (pbuh) saying: 'Avoid mayhem even with a rabid dog.'"

The advice given by Ali shows what a great character he was, and brings one to the realization of what a great loss to history he was. It also depicts that if everyone followed the way of Ali (as) sincerely the world would not be filled with injustice and tyranny as it is today.

Our condolences go to Imam Ahmad Al Hassan (as) for what they did to his grandfather. Overall Imam Ali (as) possessed all the characteristics which a Muslim should have. He was devoted for the cause of Allah, he was ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of the Prophet, he was the bravest in battle, and the most knowledgeable in the whole Muslim community. These characteristics make him the most unique personality in Islamic history, who will never be forgotten.

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Blessings of the Month of Ramadan by M-AliAll Praise is due to Allah (swt) whose description cannot be described, whose blessings cannot be reckoned and whose peak of

understanding cannot reach, He (swt) is the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth and all in between, the Majestic, the Omniscient and the Omnipotent. All Praise and Gratitude is to Him (swt) alone, nothing can be compared to Him (swt) and He (swt) is the most

Merciful and Compassionate. And with Him are the keys of the Invisible. None but He knoweth them. And He knoweth what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted)

in a clear record. - 9 Al-Anaam : 59

Oh Allah (swt), send my sincere salutations and greetings to Muhammed (s), his AhlulBayt (as), the Imams (as) and the Mahdi’s (as), and please allow us to be devout Muslims InshAllah.

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil); - 2 Al-Baqara : 183

He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. - 2 Al-Baqara : 185

Lo! We revealed it (The Quran) on the Night of Power. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is! The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.

(The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn. - 97 Al-Qadr : 1-5

Oh dear brothers and sisters, a great month has dawned on us! A month like none other, so strive for perfection and nearness to God (swt), The Mighty, The Reckoner! Alhamdulillah, there is not even a brief moment where we’re not given a chance to strive to earn Allah (swt)’s Mercy and good Pleasure. This is in itself a sign for those who reflect rationally about the Sublimeness of the Creator (swt) and the uncountable opportunities one has to attain His (swt) Everlasting Mercy.

Throughout the great number of Hadith narrations by our Prophet Muhammed (s) and his AhlulBayt (as), one can gain much knowledge relating to the greatness of the month of Ramadan. One can find many examples of required conduct, abidance and humbleness throughout the month. One must educate oneself, one’s family and community about these pearls of wisdom, so the creation of Allah (swt) can once again prostrate whole-heartedly in unison in awe of The Perfectly Wise, The Patient One. InshAllah Ameen.

Allah (swt) the Majestic has blessed us with the month of Ramadan, a month if one truly devotes oneself to sincere devotion in humility and abidance to God (swt), one will be Forgiven of all ill deeds, as though he was just brought into existence, all due to Allah (swt)’s sublime Mercy and Compassion for His (swt) Creation.

The Holy Prophet (s) said “the month of Ramadan is the month in which Allah, The Mighty, The Glorious, has made fasting obligatory upon you. So one who fasts in this month in a state of belief and with the intention of recompense, shall become free of his sins just as he was on the day when his mother gave him birth.” Tahdheeb Al-Ahkam, V:4, P:15.

SubhanAllah, no discourse or literature can truly encompass the essence of Ramadan as the blessings and spiritual benefits are unfathomable. The Holy Prophet (s) was asked “O' Prophet of Allah! Which of the two months possesses a greater reward, Rajab or the month of Ramadan? He (s) replied: Nothing can be compared to the month of Ramadan in terms of reward.” Bihar Al-Anwar, V:97, P:49. Many routes of abidance can be followed in order to attain the peak of spiritual purification, Imam Ali (as) said “It is incumbent upon you to seek forgiveness and supplicate excessively in the month of Ramadan. As for the supplication, by means of it the calamities are warded off from you, and as for the seeking of forgiveness, it erases away your sins.” Al-Kafi, V:4, P:88.

SubhanAllah! We need to understand that Fasting in this life will be highly beneficial in the hereafter, as Allah, The Mighty and The Glorious has expounded beautifully in Wasail Al-Shiah, V:10, P:403 by saying “the fasts are the shield of the believing servants on the Day of Judgement, just as your weapons shield you in this world.”

Muslims during this blessed month must ensure that every action taken, every word spoken and every thought conceived is in accordance with the Divine (swt)’s Will, as during the course of a sermon of the Holy Prophet (s) about the virtues of the month of Ramadan, Imam Ali (as) says: I stood up and asked: O' Prophet of Allah! What is the best deed for this month? He (s) replied: O' Abul-Hasan! The best deed for this month is abstinence from that which is forbidden by Allah, The Mighty, The Glorious. Bihar Al-Anwar, V:42, P:190.

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Continued....So why is the Night of Qadr such a significant night compared to the other blessed nights in Ramadan?

Imam Sadiq (as) said in Bihar Al-Anwar, V:4. P:386 “The best of the months is the month of God - the month of Ramadan - and the heart of the month of Ramadan is the Night of Qadr (Night Of Power/Destiny) because “the Torah was revealed on the sixth day of the month of Ramadan, the Bible, on the twelfth night of the month, the Paslms on the eighteenth night of the month and the Quran on the Night of Qadr.” Al-Kafi, V:4, P:157.

Imam Baqir (as) elaborated on the significance of this great Night by saying “in the Night of Qadr is decreed every thing - pleasant and unpleasant, obedience and disobedience, birth and death, and livelihood - which would occur during the course of that year, till the next Night of Qadr.” Al-Kafi, V:4, P:157.

One must prepare for Ramadan and the Night of Qadr on three focal points. The first being mentally, by striving to keep Allah (swt) at the forefront of one's mind the whole night long, and disciplining oneself to make long sincere heart-felt prayers during the nights and being compassionate to kin and parents during the day. Second being in the physical sense by carrying out actions virtuously and ensuring Quran and Supplications are recited much, this must not be neglected as even a small physical action done correctly can be very rewarding as explained by our beloved Imam Musa Ibn Ja'far (as), “one who performs the Ghusl on the Night of Qadr and remains awake in it (engaged in worship), shall have all his sins forgiven. Wasaail Al-Shia'h, V:10, P:358, and third of all spiritually, by increasing ones eagerness for receiving endless blessings and bounties promised for the hard working servants of The Mighty, The Wise.

The greatness of Ramadan therefore lies in the opportunity it offers for the development of one’s character and the nearness to The Creator (swt) – a virtue that allows us to truly participate in that great cosmic celebration in honor of the revelation of the Quran as a Guidance to all people, Ramadan itself. It is a virtue furthermore, that allows us to magnify Allah (swt) the best one can, namely, with complete awareness of our earthly duties and spiritual vocation; and, therefore, to be of those who are truly thankful to The Cherisher, The Sustainer! For Allah (swt) explained: "the best of you are those who have learnt Taqwa" 49 Al-Hujraat : 13

"(O Prophet Muhammad) give good news to the humble, whose hearts tremble with awe at the mention of God, who endure adversity with patience, who establish regular prayer, and who spend in charity out of what we have given them." 22 Al-Hajj : 34-35.

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The Ansari Lion vs Nasibi Lizards

by: Laila Ali and Khadijah HashemThere is a narration from Imam al-Sadiq (as), that someone was sitting with him and this lizard was on the wall, sticking out it's tongue. Imam al-Sadiq (as) said to the man, "Do you know what he is saying?" and the man said, "what"? Imam al-Sadiq (as) said, "The lizard said if you curse our Uthman, we shall curse your Ali." The Lizard is actually a wicked Nasibi, he is cursed, amazingly wicked he is!

For the second year in a row, a group of Ansar of Imam Ahmad al-Hassan (AS) were invited to join live debates on the Safa satellite station throughout the Holy month of Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt. The Safa channel is owned and ran by members of a sect of Islam better known as Salafis/Wahabis/Nasibis, (those who hate the Imams (as) and the Shia of Ahlul Bayt). Abdel Aal Salima participated in the debates last Ramadan, and respectfully refused the invite this year, while Safaa Al Awady, who was also invited, was unable to accept due to his current restriction from entering Egypt.

Abu Dhar Showky was recommended in his place and humbly accepted. Mr. Showky has been and InshAllah, will continue debating Salafi Shiekh Khalid al-Wasaby during the remainder of this month. We highly recommend this debate to our readers, indeed Mr. Showky has done an excellent job of proving his position.

Salafi's in general do not believe in the existence of the 12 Imams (AS). Thus far, a lot of time has been spent debating that issue, and very little time has been spent discussing Imam Ahmad (AS). The approach of Safa and Sheikh Khalid al-Wasaby is rather overbearing and tends to use a rather unpleasant debating technique, which basically only consists of raising their voices to completely drown out the voice of Abu Dhar Showky. As Allah (SWT) revealed; 'And pursue the right course in your going about, and lower your voice; surely the most hateful of voices is the braying of the donkey' (35:19).

So all thanks is due to Allah (SWT), Mr. Showky has pursued this course in a pleasant manner and has managed to stay calm and composed to bring forth the necessary proofs in order to disclaim their argument and to strengthen his position. He brings out the best responses to objection that cannot be refuted. Unfortunately, the proofs that Abu Dhar Showky has brought forth seem to have no effect on neither Mohammad Saber, nor on Sheikh Khalid al-Wasaby. But nevertheless, this opportunity has opened many doors for spreading the da'wa, Alhamdullillah. As Safa is one of the most famous Salafi TV channels throughout all of Egypt, and has millions of viewers. InshaAllah (swt) the call will have reached many a people and will bring many to the call of al-Yamani (as).

As our beloved Imam Ahmad al-Hassan (AS) said in his letter of Guidance; 'I came to testify for the truth, and to say the truth, that is why I was born and that is why I will die, by God's will. And for you, if you want to testify for the truth, testify'.

And indeed Mr. Showky has persevered with the truth though it be bitter and has chosen to take a very brave approach by testifying to the truth against those whose hearts are filled with hatred towards the Ahlulbayt (AS) and towards their followers. He has applied this truth and testified it to the very oppressors of the Shia in Egypt.

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Showky, a 60 year old Ansari, lives hours away from the other Ansari in Egypt and from the Safa studio. He has worked extremely hard in preparation for the show, spending up to 8 hours a day in meetings with other Ansari, discussing and going through material for the show. All of this work, coupled with the Nasibi hate he was faced with when he initially went to Safa, and the fasting during this blessed month, has taken it's toll on Showky and he found himself rather ill. Then by the Grace of Allah (swt) and the Ansari support and praying for him, The Psalms of Islam, Al Sahifat Sajjadiya, by Imam Zain ul Abideen (a.s), the Imam's Supplication when Hostility was Show to Him and His Supplication When Sick or Visited by Distress of an Affliction, Showky made a quick recovery, picked up his weapons and went on into the battlefield.

From the very beginning, the Nasibi hate was blatantly obvious from the crew members at Safa. They make no apologies for their hatred of Shia and revel in it by not hiding it. However, Zoghby turned out to be much more elusive. The same Zoghby that has appeared on television spewing sheer disgust of Shias, here is just an example of the hate that Zoghby spreads online.

"...And I never had anyone except Allah but I am telling the authorities, Egypt? Egypt? Do you like that Egypt has become a place for Shia? We used to surround this thinking until I almost had it covered up and now the Shia are appearing on Satellite Stations in Egypt taking part in debates!! Debates!

Where are you? Where is our dignity? Where is our religion? By Allah you shall be asked about that, and we shall be asked about that! And by Allah if we were upon the truth as we should be, we would not have allowed a single tongue of theirs to appear and we would have cut off their fingers and cut out their tongues that blaspheme the Prophet and great companions... I must chop off the Shia breath in Egypt, I am going to amputate it, me and the youth are going to chop it off!

I am telling the authorities, we shall not clash with you, but I swear by Allah we shall start from next week, sweeping the country, village by village, Center by Center, City by City with Wisdom and good behavior and through the authorities, we shall not clash with you ever! We are taking care of our country, that's our right. We shall look for and pass by every Shia, and debate them, if they repent and very possible that will happen, then ok. If he opposes then we shall warn of him and enclose him and surround him from every place. We shall let all his neighbors know what he believes in and all those who visit him so that we can cut him off from the people. And if he still does not behave and curses Aisha and Abu Bakr and blasphemes the Quran and our religion and continues to do these Kufr actions, then with all good manners, we shall tie them from their necks and hands and legs and hand them over to the authorities, respectfully of course, respectfully. By Allah I shall never leave you, By Allah I shall never leave you (Shia) be."

Salafi Sheikh

Khaled Wasabi

Ansari

Showky Ahmed

Safa Host

Mohammed Saber

Salafi Sheikh

Zoghby

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Such an evident hatred of Shias on television by Zoghby and he makes no effort of hiding it there. However, when he is in the presence of the Ansari it's a totally different story.

Zoghby and his clan greet the Ansari with warmth and love, and kisses on their cheeks. They laugh and talk to them as if they are good friends with them and wish nothing but love and peace for them. Zoghby is a master of disguise, in fact one can say this nasibi lizard is somewhat of a color changing chameleon. He even goes as far as to invite Showky and the other Ansari for Iftaar at his house! He insists that they spend an evening with him! Bearing in mind how the Ahlul Bayt (as) and the Shia of Ahlul Bayt (as) were treated by the enemies, and upon advice of other Ansaris, they declined Zoghby's offer. Zoghby called Mr. Showky's phone over thirty times in two days, him and his assistant, and were very aggressive, until finally Alhamdulillah, the matter was over. But that was not the only offer the Ansaris declined.

When all their tactics failed they stooped so low as to try and bribe Abu Dhar Showky, telling him to allow them to win the debate and if he did this, they would give him an unimaginable amount of money, a car, and an apartment on the Nile in the most prestigious part of Cairo. Foolish move, they should know by now that faith does not come with a price, nor can it ever be bought. But let us think for a moment of what this means. Obviously if Safa was winning the debate hands down there would be no need for a bribe.

Their shameless tactics only prove one thing, that they are threatened by the truth in this Call, hence and are in a panic. It is obvious throughout the show, when they consistently interrupt Showky from speaking, in a blatant attempt to prevent him from explaining the Yamani belief. They even cut the show's time, finishing the show one time 25 minutes before schedule. Behind the scenes, the Ansari even hear producers of the show shouting at each other to interrupt and stop Showky from speaking. Many believe Mr. Showky is debating Mohammad Saber (host) and Wasaby, but in fact he is battling many on the set, and back stage in the control room, who are feeding Saber and Wasaby information, and controlling every aspect of the show.

However hard they try, the truth will get out InshaAllah, and by the Grace of Allah (swt) and His Mercy, Showky has fought valiantly MashAllah, and we are very proud of him. The Safa debate is watched by approximately 8 million viewers and is aired 3 times a day, so it reaches many, many homes and has the potential to really make a difference.

In fact, the impact of the debates is evident when the Mahdyoon website www.mahdyoon.org had an influx of 6,000 visitors in one night after the debate was aired.

Alhamdullillah, Showky has successfully delivered our Imam's message to the viewers of Safa and now it is up to them to decide what to do with this blessed knowledge.

The topic alone is very thought provoking and has most certainly aroused the minds of many. At the start of the debate, there were many anti-Shia messages moving across the bottom of the screen, but now that we have reached the midway point, we have started to see the messages saying things like, "Tell us more about the will of the Holy Prophet (SAW)' and 'Who are the 12 Imams and 12 Mahdis?" So Alhamdullillah, Allah (SWT) has opened the hearts of some through this experience.

Behind the scenes at the Safa studio, Abu Dhar Showky and the Ansar with him have been treated unjustly. At first meeting Mohammad Saber, the host of the show invoked the curse of Allah (SWT) upon them. Astagfarullah, Wasaby even went as far as to swear at the Imam a.s, Astagfarullah, calling him a dog and mocking him among many other things. May Allah (swt) Curse the Oppressors. They constantly swear and behave in a Jahil manner, as well as the crew at the studio have constantly tried to provoke and belittle the Ansar in every way possible.

At first they were allowing the Ansar in the control room, but after they had seen how the Safa channel operated back stage, they made the Ansar watch the show in a restroom-like room. They Safa crew laugh at the Ansar, and mock Shia and Mr. Showky right in front of them, and they have also tried using fear tactics as a means to quieten them as well. In an interrogative manner, they asked all of the Ansars for their information, and questioned them regarding where they live.

It has also been brought to light that Mohammad Saber and Sheikh Khalid al-Wasaby are not even doing their own bidding. No, it is all pre-planned, and they are in fact being fed information through microphones. Back stage the Ansar have also witnessed crew members arranging phone calls with Sheikhs, or with people claiming to be Shia in order to discredit Mr. Showky, and his beliefs. The entire show is nothing more than a set up, a mere game to humiliate and discredit the Shia beliefs.

Preceding debates took place during last Ramadan, while Egypt was under the ruling of former President Hosni Mubarak, Abdel Al Salema and Sheikh Sadiq al Mohammady, had debated against Adnan Arour, and were arrested by the Egyptian National Security Police. They also arrested Mr. Safaa Awady, an Australian citizen who merely joined the debate via phone, and Abu Dhar Showky and Mr. Bassem, who had not taken any part in the debates whatsoever. They were all held for several months, before being released, by the Egyptian National Security. Their families were told they were being held by the Egyptian Government and were accused of being terrorists and spreading a "false religion". However no charges were ever brought against them, nor were they able to provide the slightest bit of evidence to back up these allegations.

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Continued...So now the real question for many is... once Ramadan is over, will the Ansar of Imam Ahmad al-Hasan (AS) face the the same imprisonment that they faced last year? The Egyptian Revolution was successful in the fall of Hosni

Mubarak, but were the Egyptian people successful in demanding their rights and demanding their freedom? Is Egypt really democratic? And can freedom and "democracy" even co-exist? Democracy imposed by force is not freedom, nor will it guarantee peace.

And so the Great Egyptian Democracy and Freedom Experiment has been launched by our brother Ansaris of Egypt. Indeed, freedom is for all. Egypt cannot possibly claim to stand for democracy and freedom, unless they stand for democracy and freedom for all people, of all religions. As we approach the end of this Holy month, we ask you to

please take part in this experiment.

www.campaign.hashemstudios.com

Unmatched Wisdom From the Mouth of Ameer al Momineen  by: Laila Ali When we read the beautiful words of Ali a.s, we find that even his advice and recommendations are like a balm that heals everything.

His words echo the deep wisdom only Ameer ul Momineen can posess and an insight only the Wali of Allah could have.

"The Imam(A.S.) was asked about the evidence on the existence of the One Allah. He answered: "The evidence is the need of the creatures to Him."

Sohayl bin Hunayf Ansari was a favourite companion of Imam Ali. At the time of Imam Ali’s return from Siffin, he died at Kufa of the wounds sustained in the battle. His death left Imam Ali very sad and he said: “Even if a mountain loves me it will be crushed into bits”. (it means people are tested with my love, and to prove it they have to pass through loss and calamities).

" Anyone who loves us Ahlul Bayt must be ready to face a life of austerity."

"Daughters are advantages and sons are graces. You will be rewarded for the advantages and asked about the graces."

"If problems are added to each other, they will give birth of relief."

When somebody asked Imam Ali (as) to how he was getting on, he replied: “What do you want to know about a person whose life is leading him towards ultimate death, whose health is the first stage towards illness, and whom society has forced out of his retreat”.

The world is like a serpent, so soft to touch, but so full of lethal poison. Unwise people are allured by it and drawn towards it, and wise men avoid it and keep away from its poisonous effects.

There are many persons whom constant grants of His Bounties turn them wicked and fit for His punishment and there are many more who have become vain and self- deceptive because the Merciful Allah has not exposed their weaknesses and vices to the world and the people

speak highly about them. All this is an opportunity. No trial of the Lord is more severe than the time He allows (in which either you may repent or get deeper into vices).

Imam Ali was following a funeral and as it was passing along a road, somebody laughed loudly ( a sign of discourtesy and lack of manner ). Hearing this laugh, Imam Ali remarked, "Some of us feel that death is meant for everybody except themselves or it is destined to others and not to themselves or those whom we see dying around us are only travelers going on a journey and will come back to us. It is a sad sight to see that in one moment we commit them to earth and in the next we take hold of the things left by them as if we are going to remain permanently in this world after them. The fact is that we forget sensible advice given to us and become victim of every calamity."

Blessings are for the man who humbles himself before Allah, whose sources of income are honest, whose intentions are always honorable, whose character is noble, whose habits are sober, who gives away in the cause and in the Name of Allah, the wealth which is lying surplus with him, who controls his tongue from vicious and useless talk, who abstains from oppression, who faithfully follows the traditions of the Holy Prophet and who keeps himself away from innovation in religion.

Jealousy in woman is unpardonable, but in man it is a sign of his faith in religion (because Islam has permitted polygamy and prohibited polyandry).

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While returning from Siffin, Imam Ali passed along the cemetery of Kufa. Addressing the graves he said: “O you, who are lying in horrible and deserted houses. O you, who are shut up in the dark graves, who are alone in their abodes, strangers to the places assigned to them; you have gone ahead and preceded us, while we are also following your steps and shall shortly join you. Do you know what has happened aver you? Your houses and property was taken up by others, your widows have remarried, this is what we can tell you of this world. Can you give us some news about things around you?” Saying this, Imam Ali turned to his companions and said, “If they are permitted to speak they will inform you that the best provision for the next world is piety and virtue”. I wonder at the mentality of a miser, fearing poverty he takes to stinginess and thus hastily pushes himself head-long into a state of want and destitution, he madly desires plenty and ease, but throws it away without understanding. In this world he, of his own free will, leads the life of a beggar and in the next world he will have to submit an account like the rich.

Whoever is not diligent in his work, will suffer; whoever has no share of Allah in his wealth and in his life, then there is no place for him in His Realm.

Be very cautious of cold in the beginning of winter and welcome it at the close of the season, because cold season effects your bodies exactly as it effects the trees; in the early season its severity makes them shrivel and shed their leaves and at the end it helps them to revive.

If you understand Allah’s Majesty, then you will not attach any importance to the creatures.

"To recognize the actuality of your friend, you should enrage him. If he keeps up his friendship, he is true friend lest, he is false."

"Do not appreciate one's affection before you enrage him three times."

A friend cannot be considered a friend unless he is tested on three occasions: in time of need, behind your back and after your death.

"Allah says: For him who saves a confused individual, I will consider him

as thankful and will lodge him in My Paradise."

"Do not trust your friend perfectly, because the knockdown of the trustful is incurable."

"To remove a mountain is easier than removing faith."

"Life is to rent a house and buy bread."

"Rage eliminates the intelligence of the wise. He who cannot control his rage will not be able to control his mind."

" Do not discuss matters that do not concern you. Leave discussing most of the matters that concern you until you find the appropriate time. It often happens that the rightful discusser of a matter that concerns him will be exhausted because he uses improper time. Do not dispute anyone; whether foolish or clement. The clement overcomes you and the ignorant embarrasses you. Mention your absent friends in the same way as you like him to mention you when you are absent. This is the true action. When you act, you should be certain that you will be rewarded for good deeds and punished for evildoing's."

"A believer is not perfectly virtuous unless he enjoys three characters-- knowledgeability of the religious affairs, moderation in living, and steadfastness against misfortunes."

"Beware of joking, because it causes rancor and drives into malice. Joking is the lesser revilement."

"An actual believer is that whose sexual appetite does not overcome him and whose stomach does not shame him."

"A twenty-year friendship is kinship."

"You will not be regarded as (true) believers before you see the misfortunes as graces and the luxury as disaster."

"He who desires for enjoying a long age should do things precisely. He who desires for having his burdens--sins--lightened should put the screen of prudency. He who desires for being praised and estimated should hide his beliefs."

"The best deeds of the servants are three: they are to treat the believers fairly, to

console the friends, and to mention Allah in every situation. Some asked: "What is the meaning of mentioning Allah in every situation?" The Imam (A.S.) answered: This means to mention Allah when you want to commit a sin so that He will prevent you from committing it."

"Envy is of two sorts: the seditious envy and the inadvertent envy. As an example of the latter sort is the angels' saying to Allah, when He decided to choose a deputy on earth, "Are you going to appoint one who will commit corruption and bloodshed therein, even though we (are the only ones who) commemorate your Name and glorify You?" (Holy Qur'an 2:30). This means that they suggested that the deputy should be one of them. This suggestion was not out of seditious, rejecting, and denial envy to Adam. As an example of the previous sort of envy, which causes atheism and polytheism, is the Shaitan's envying Adam (a.s) and refuting Allah's order when he rejected to prostrate (himself before Adam)."

"The flavor of water is life and the flavor of bread is power. The source of the physical weakness and power is the fats of the kidneys. The place of the mind is the brain while severity and tenderness are in the heart."

No wealth is more useful than intelligence and wisdom; no solitude is more horrible than when people avoid you on account of your vanity and conceit or when you wrongly consider yourself above everybody to confide and consult; no eminence is more exalting than piety; no companion can prove more useful than politeness; no heritage is better than culture; no leader is superior to Divine Guidance; no deal is more profitable than good deeds; no profit is greater than Divine Reward; no abstinence is better than to restrain one’s mind from doubts (about religion); no virtue is better than refraining from prohibited deeds; no knowledge is superior to deep thinking and prudence; no worship or prayers are more sacred than fulfillment of obligations and duties, no religious faith is loftier than feeling ashamed of doing wrong and bearing calamities patiently; no eminence is greater than to adopt humbleness; no exaltation is superior to knowledge; nothing is more respectable than forgiveness and forbearance; no support and defense are stronger than consultation.

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Imam Ali heard someone abusing and blaming the world and said to him, “O you, who are blaming the world, who have been allured and enticed by it, and have been tempted by its false pretenses. You allowed yourself to be enamored of, to be captivated by it, and then you accuse and blame it. Have you any reason or right to accuse it and to call it a sinner and seducer? Or is the world not justified in calling you a wicked knave and a sinning hypocrite? When did it make you lose your intelligence and reasoning? And how did it cheat you or snake false pretenses to you? Did it conceal from you the fact of the ultimate end of everything that it holds, the fact of the sway of death, decay and destruction in its domain? Did it keep you in the dark about the fate of your forefathers and their final abode under the earth? Did it keep the resting-place of your mothers a secret from you? Do you not know that they have returned to dust? Many a time you must have attended the sick persons and many of them you must have seen beyond the scope of medicine. Neither the science of healing nor could your nursing and attendance, nor your prayers and weeping prolonged the span of their lives, and they died. You were anxious for them, you procured the best medical aid, you gathered famous physicians and provided best – medicines for them. Death could not be held back and life could not be prolonged. In this drama and in this tragedy did the world not present you with a lesson and a moral?

Certainly, this world is a house of truth for those who look into it carefully, an abode of peace and rest for those who understand its ways and moods and it is the best working ground for those who want to procure rewards for life in the Hereafter. It is a place of acquiring knowledge and wisdom for those who want to acquire them, a place of worship for the friends of Allah and for Angels. It is the place where prophets received revelations of Allah. It is the place for virtuous people and saints to do good deeds and to be assigned with rewards for the same. Only in this world they could trade with Allah’s Favors and Blessings and only while living here they could barter their good deeds with His Blessings and Rewards. Where else could all this be done? Who are you to abuse the world when it has openly declared its mortality and mortality of everything

connected with it, when it has given everyone of its inhabitants to understand that all of them are to face death, when through its ways it has given them all an idea of calamities they have to face here, and through the sight of its temporary and fading pleasures it has given them glimpses of eternal pleasures of Paradise and suggested them to wish and work for the same. If you study it properly you will find that simply to warn and frighten you of the consequences of evil deeds and to persuade you towards good actions, every night it raises new hopes of peace and prosperity in you and every morning it places new anxieties and new worries before you. Those who passed such lives are ashamed of and repent the time so passed abuse this world. But there are people who will praise this world on the Day of Judgment that it reminded them of the Hereafter and they took advantage of these reminders. It informed them of the effects of good deeds and they made correct use of the information it advised them and they were benefited by its advice”.

This world is not a permanent place, it is a passage, a road on which you are passing. There are two kinds of people here: One is the kind of those who have sold their souls for eternal damnation, the other is of those who have purchased their souls and freed them from damnation.

Everyone has an end, it may be pleasant or sorrowful.

Everyone, who is born, has to die and once dead he is as good as having not come into existence.

One, who adopts patience, will never be deprived of success though it may take a long time to reach him.

One who assents or subscribes to the actions of a group or a party is as good as having committed the deed himself. A man who joins a sinful deed makes himself responsible for two-fold punishments, one for doing the deed and the other for assenting and subscribing to it. Accept promises of only those persons who can steadfastly adhere to their pledges.

You are ordained to recognize the Imams (the right successors of the Holy Prophet) and to obey them.

You have been shown, if you only care to see; you have been advised if you care to take advantage of advice; you have been told if you care to listen to good counsels.

Admonish your brother (comrade) by good deeds and kind regards, and ward off his evil by favoring him.

One, who enters the places of evil repute has no right to complain against a man who speaks ill of him.

One, who guards his secrets has complete control over his affairs.

Poverty is the worst form of death.

One, who serves a person from whom he gets no reciprocal performance of duties, in fact, worships him.

One should not obey anyone against the commands of Allah.

Do not blame a man who delays in securing what are his just rights but blame lies on him who grasps the rights which do not belong to him.

Conceit is a barrier to progress and improvement.

Death is near and our mutual company is short.

There is enough light for one who wants to see.

It is wiser to abstain then to repent.

Often inordinate desire to secure a single gain acts as a hindrance for the quest of many profitable pursuits.

People often hate those things which they do not know or cannot understand. 172. One, who seeks advice learns to realize his mistakes.

One who struggles for the cause of Allah secures victory over His enemies.

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Importance of Dua e Ahadby Laila Ali 

All schools of thought share a unanimous belief in the importance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) Put aside the difference in beliefs of locality, purpose, characteristics and aims of the Imam (a.s.), it is incumbent upon all Muslims to believe in the Mahdi (a.s.). Those that believe the Mahdi (a.s.) was born 1,200 years ago speak of how he plays a major role in the world today. People have called upon him and received an answer, myself included, as he is always present and hears our plea.

In fact, such is the importance of recognizing the Imam (a.s.) of our time, that if one fails in doing so, s/he has died the death of ignorance.

Uthman Al Amri says: "I asked Abu Mohammed Al Hassan Ibn Ali (p.b.u.h.) when I was in his presence, regarding the saying of his forefathers (p.b.u.h.) that, 'The earth shall never be devoid of Allah's proof upon His creatures till the day of judgment. And certainly one, who dies without recognizing the Imam of his time, dies the death of Ignorance".

Death in the Age of Ignorance means dying outside the fold of Islam and the one that fails to recognize the Imam (a.s.) of ones time has been introduced as a disbeliever.

So if Imaan and Faith are linked to recognizing the Imam of our time, we must pay attention on how to recognize, as this is a pre-requisite for Imaan and Faith.

If one does not have faith in the Imam of their time, then how is it possible to recognize him? And if one does not posses this certainty, then how would one attain an understanding or appreciate their teachings?

Therefore, the matter of belief in the Imam (a.s.) is of the utmost importance and establishing a relationship with him, is even more so.

Dua e Ahad is an Oath of Allegiance to Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and it's importance has been emphasized by our 6th Imam (a.s.).

Imam Sadiq (a.s) narrates that...

“One who recites this supplication for 40 mornings; he will be accounted amongst the helpers of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s). And if he happens to die before the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s), Allah will raise him up from his grave so that he may assist the Holy Imam (a.t.f.s).

For every word that he recites in this supplication, Allah will grant him 1000 good deeds and will erase from his scroll of deeds 1000 sins”.

This supplication is of an Allegiance (ahad) to the Holy Imam (a.t.f.s). It's recitation every morning after Fajr, ensures the renewal of this covenant.

The reciter finds himself under the leadership of Imam (a.t.f.s).

The reciter beseeches Allah (s.w.t.) to include him among the helpers and aides of Imam (a.t.f.s) and to grant him the opportunity to attain martyrdom in his presence.

Also, he requests Allah (s.w.t.) that should he die before the reappearance of Imam (a.t.f.s), Allah should raise him up from his grave so that he may assist him (a.t.f.s) in his mission, and there is a fervent appeal to Allah to grant him the honour of seeing Imam (a.t.f.s). There is also an acknowledgement that the difficulties of this nation can be solved only by the reappearance of Imam (a.t.f.s) and that believers see it as being close while others deem it to be distant.

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I request you to remind one another that we are in the Mahdi times and the Emergence is ever so near. So place your Oath of Allegiance to the Masters of your time. Remember, Ahmed al Hassan (a.s.) is also the Mahdi, as were the other 12 Imams (a.s.) Therefore wouldn't the Oath of Allegiance also extend to the Yamani (a.s.)? Why not? Our actions depend wholly on our Niyyah, therefore, we could read it with the Intention of addressing both of our Imams (a.s.) What an honor! Our Creator is Most Merciful!

Bismillah Arrahma Nirraheem

Allahumma Salle Ala Muhammad Wa Ale Muhammad Al A'ima wal Mehdiyeen wa Sallim Tasleeman Katheera

O Allah the Sustainer of the Great Light, the Exalted Throne and the tempestuous sea, the revealer of theTaurat, Injil and Zabur the Sustainer of the shade and the heat, the Revealer of the great Qur'an, the Sustainer of the honoured angels, the Prophets and the Messengers.

O Allah I beseech You by Your benevolent countenance and its brilliance and eternal kingdom; O the Ever-Living, O the Self subsisting, by Your name which illuminates the heavens and the earths and by Your name by which the predecessors and the posterities are reformed, O the Ever-present before any living thing existed and the Everlasting even after all life will cease.

O Ever-living even when there was no life at all, O One who resurrects the dead and brings death to the living, O Ever-living, there is no God except You.

O Allah, convey to our Master, the Imam (A.S.) the guide, the guided, the one established in authority by Your command, may Your blessings be on him and on his pure ancestors, from all the faithful male and female, in the East and the West of the world, in the plains or on the mountains, on the lands and in the sea, and from me and my parents, blessings that equal in weight the "Throne" of Allah, the ink of His words and such as only encompassed by His knowledge and covered by His book.

O Allah I renew on the dawn of this day and all the days of the remainder of my life my pledge, covenant and allegiance to him, as my obligation, which I shall neither ever contravene nor neglect.

O Allah include me amongst his helpers, defenders, those fulfilling his wishes and commands, his defenders, the fore-runners to carry out his intentions and those to be martyred in his presence.

O Allah should death intervene between me and his reappearance -- the death which You have made inevitable on Your servants -- let me out from my grave covered in my shroud, my sword unsheathed, my spear poised responding to the call of the caller in the cities and deserts.

O Allah grace me with a sight of the appearance of one rightly guided and the finest of the praise worthy and cool my eyes with a light of one to whom I am attentive and hasten his return, render his re-appearance smooth and widen his path and lead me onto his path and cause his orders to be executed and strengthen his back.

O Allah populate Your cities through him and revive Your servants for indeed You have said and Your words are true; "Mischief has shown its face on the lands and in the seas on account of what the hands of men have wrought." (Qur'an30:41)

O Allah present this from us to Your friend and the son of the daughter of Your Prophet who bears the name of Your Messenger until he destroys all untruth and manifests the truth fully.

O Allah make him the refuge for Your oppressed servants and a helper for him who has no other helper besides You and the reviver of the commandments in Your book which has been neglected and the strengthener of the sciences in Your religion and the traditions of Your Prophet. May Allah's blessing be upon him and his progeny.

O Allah place him among those whom You have protected from the oppression of the oppressors.

O Allah please Your Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny, and those who will obey the invitation of the Imam and have mercy on our state of abasement after his appearance.

O Allah spare us this grief from this Ummah by his reappearance and hasten his re-appearance for "verily they (hypocrites) regard it to be far distant and we see it very near" (70:6,7) by Your mercy, O the most Merciful.

On completion of this du'a, pat your right thigh with the right hand three times and recite the following:

"Al Ajal, Al Ajal, Ya Maulaya Ya Sahebaz Zamaan -- hasten, hasten, O my Master O Master of the current time."

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The Martyrdom of AliIn this edition of the Newsletter we will be featuring several heart wrenching and beautiful poems from our most talented sister Zainab Kazim...May Allah reward her and the entire staff of the Newsletter...

by Zainab KazimSleep reigned over the Kufan town, As from the mosque came a godly sound. The call for prayer filled the sky, Moving the air with a gentle sigh. Awakening Muslims with a gentle prod, “O people come, and pray to God.” And in the silent mosque, Ali (AS)stood alone, Gazing at every wall and stone. He knew that these walls would be stained with blood, Innocent, pious, saintly blood. Today his blood would be shed, These clean walls would be covered in red. He was eager for martyrdom I am sure, It was then he heard a tiny snore. In a corner a sleeper lay, Ali (AS) knew he had not come to pray. Gently Ali (AS)awoke the man,

“Awake awake, O Ibn Moljam. Come it is nearly time to pray, Awake for the coming day. I know your work, I know why you’ve come, Remember your deed cannot be undone.” Ibn Moljam, nothing did say, Quickly he

rose and walked away. Ali (AS) prepared for prayer as the Muslims came, Ready to pray in Allah’s Name. “Allah-u-Akbar” his voice began, Behind him stood Ibn Moljam. “Allah-u-Akbar” Ali (AS) said again, And knelt before God with the other men. Suddenly Ibn Moljam moved forward to kill, His sword with poison was definitely filled. He raised his sword and struck it down, Confusion was there all around. Ali’s neck was covered with blood, His head prostrated before his God. Ibn Moljam quickly ran, He was a scared and sinful man. And Ali (AS) reeled back not crying out his pain, His blood drenched lips spoke in Allah’s name. His heart felt happy, his mind so light, He was finally ending his worldly

life. His sons held him in their arms, As if to protect him from this physical harm. His smiling lips parted and then he said, “I thank Thee O Lord for a martyr’s death.” Soon Ibn Moljam was brought before Ali (AS), His

state was terrible, Ali (AS) could see. His bonds were cutting deep in his skin, Causing the blood to spurt from within. A frown creased Ali’s brow, He ordered the bonds be loosened NOW. The murderer into tears broke, Ali (AS) smiled faintly and then he spoke. “It is not too late to repent O Ibn Moljam, Was I an unjust or cruel Imam?” Then to his sons, Ali (AS) said, “Give him a drink to relieve his head.” But Ibn Moljam didn’t trust Ali, He refused the drink quietly. Ali (AS) then spoke, “O Ibn Moljam, Why do you not trust your dying Imam? If you had taken this juice of mine, You’d be with me in Heaven divine.” In two more days Ali (AS) died, So “Think not of those slain in the way of Allah as

dead, Nay, they are living, with the Lord they have provision.” (Qur’an, 3:169)

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A Dream by Laila Ali A couple of nights ago, I saw an amazing vision of my grandfather. I have spoken about him extensively on HSR Yamani and even in TADS during my testimony. This is the same grandfather who taught me about Imam Ali a.s and the Ahlul Bayt a.s and gave me signs about this path. In my dream, he was sitting in my home and I remembered thinking to myself that he has died, but what is he doing here? Is this a dream or was in fact his death the dream and this...reality?

It was always my grandfather's dream to do Ziyarat and he died with that being an unfulfilled wish. However, in my dream he was

telling us about how he has finally done Ziyarat and visited all the Shrines of the Ahlul Bayt a.s. I remember in my mind being shown a blue Shrine and I knew instantly it was Mashhad one of the places where he had been. I remember thinking how happy he must be, that he finally

visited all the Shrines of the Ahlul Bayt a.s, as that was his dream.

He wanted to speak further, and he either asked me about Abdullah or said something about him, but I remember straight away getting up and grabbing my mobile phone so that I can record what my grandfather was about to say. He began to speak about the Ahlul Bayt a.s and my family that were there, did what they normally did when my grandfather would speak about religion, they would 'get

busy', so I moved nearer to hear him. I saw my grandfather looking straight as if he was addressing people saying,

"Why do you pretend? Why do you pretend to love the Ahlul Bayt a.s?? They don't need your pretense! Why do you pretend to love Ali a.s?? They don't need this! Do you think they want this?! Don't pretend to love Ali a.s when it's obvious you don't! This is not love and you know it!"

Then I looked to my side and approximately a dozen people were sat on the floor listening to my grandfather, as if they had come just to listen to him. He was looking at them and saying, "You people say you are Muslims, you say you are believers! You visit the Kaba, and you have fallen in love with the bricks of the Kaba, but really you have no idea what the Kaba is! You have fallen in love with the exterior and have no idea what is important! You circumbulate the Kaba and have no idea that Ali is that Kaba!! You kiss the Kaba, yet you don't know the Kaba is Ali! The House of Allah where Ali was born, you don't even know that Ali is the Face of Allah swt. When you face the Kaba to pray, you don't even know what you are facing!..." And he went on. As I woke up, I remembered Question 87 of Mutashabihaat and how the Imam a.s was speaking about Imam Ali and the Kaba. Then I realized my grandfather was speaking what the Imam a.s was saying. This is not the first time my grandfather has given me hints in regards to this Dawah, Alhamdolillah. I ask you to pray for my grandfather, all Praise is Due to Allah swt, Who Makes What He Wills Possible and His Will is Just.

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Questions 87 of Ahmed al Hassan's "Al Mutashabihaat” translated by Labbayk Ahmed

Question 87 of Mutashabihat: Could there be a reason for the birth of Ali (AS) in the Ka’ba?Answer: The Ka’ba or the Sacred House of Allah is but a manifestation on Earth of the House of Allah that was placed in the Kingdom of Heavens, so as the angels may circumambulate it imploring Allah’s forgiveness for contesting Him regarding His vicegerent Adam (AS).

When the latter usurped the tree of knowledge of the progeny of Muhammad (AS) and the tree of guardianship {and We did not find in him any determination}, that is determination to tolerate the guardianship of the progeny of Muhammad (AS), Allah sent him down to Earth and compelled him to circumambulate the Ka’ba to atone for his remissness. Allah then prescribed pilgrimage (Hajj) to His Sacred House (the Ka’ba), as a way to call upon people to Pledge Allegiance to the proofs and authorities of Allah, each at his time, and make them acknowledge their remissness and atone for it. Moreover, Allah bid the Muslims to take the Ka’ba as their Qiblah (their direction for prayer), unlike the preceding nations which used to consider Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as their Qiblah.

Among other reasons for the birth of Ali (AS) in the Ka’ba, we mention the following:

1- The Ka’ba is closely related to the Oath of Allegiance, for Allah bid Muslims to go on pilgrimage to the Ka’ba in order to meet and Pledge Allegiance to the Hujjats (proofs of Allah) and atone for their remissness.

2- The Ka’ba is the Qiblah, that is the direction to which Muslims turn to pray and prostrate in worship to Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, albeit prostration previously was only due to Adam (AS), the vicegerent and Hujjat of Allah; nay it was due to the Light who is from his Progeny, the Light of Ali, the Commander of the Faithful (AS). Verily, the first direction toward which the angels turned their faces was Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS).

The real Qiblah is not the Ka’ba and the stones therein but the gem the Ka’ba brought forth, in other terms, the conclusive proof and true guardian appointed by Allah, Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS). For all these reasons, the Black Stone was put at that corner of the Ka’ba, since it is the holder of the covenant which Allah made with His people through the guardianship of Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS).

He who turns to the Ka’ba is compelled to acknowledge the guardianship of Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS) through his acts even if he disbelieved in it in his heart and words. Allah, Almighty said: "And whoever is in Heavens and on Earth prostrates in worship to Allah only, willingly and unwillingly"; by “willingly” Allah refers to those who acknowledge this guardianship, and by “unwillingly” He refers to those who refuse to acknowledge it. Allah also said: "Do you not see that Allah is He, to Whom prostrates in worship whoever is in Heavens and whoever is on Earth, and the sun and the moon and the stars, and the mountains and the trees, and the animals and many of the people; and many there are against whom chastisement has become necessary; and whomsoever Allah abases, there is none who can make him honorable; surely Allah does what He wills."

Those who prostrate in worship to Allah and deserve punishment are those who do not acknowledge the guardianship of Ali (AS) neither in their words nor in their heart, but they are compelled to acknowledge it by their acts and through prostrating in worship before the

Ka’ba, the shell which gave birth to Ali a.s. Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, abased those non-believers by compelling them to such prostration and made them sorrowful "and whomsoever Allah abases, there is none who can make him honorable." Hence, the Qiblah is what guides and introduces the believers to Allah Almighty. Verily, the true Qiblah is the perfect person through which Allah is recognized, nay he represents the face of Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, with which He faced His creatures.

Turning to him is turning to Allah and this perfect person is none other than Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS), the Master of the Guardians and the Awliya’. Allah brought him forth from the Ka’ba to tell people that this person is their Qiblah and to him they should go on pilgrimage. He Almighty also wished to point out

that He created the Ka’ba for the sake of Ali (AS) alone, and so that he be born in it, for had He had a son, he would have been none other than the one who was born in His house: "Say: If Allah the Beneficent had a son, I would have been first among the worshippers."

Could the stones be worthier of being taken as a Qiblah than the one who sanctified those stones by coming into being there?

In this regard, Isa (AS) said "Oh you scholars of falsehood! You claim that those who swear by the temple breach their oath, whereas those who swear by the gold of the temple honor their oath. Which is greater, O you blind ignorant, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?"

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Visions in Ramadan by HussainTheShortcomer

Salam alaykum brothers and sisters,

In this blessed month of Ramadhan, I have been receiving many dreams and visions in my sleep and I thought it would be nice to share some of these with everyone. I will try to mention the ones that I think were the most significant, but first I would like to briefly discuss the importance of dreams.

Visions have occurred throughout many Prophet’s missions (pbuta), such as the one of Abraham (a.s.) in which he saw a vision of himself slaughtering his son Ishmael (a.s.), after which, he believed in this vision and did what he was instructed and was praised in the Quran by God, and He hastened the prophecies of his offspring as well as not losing his son Ishmael (a.s.):

{And We called out to him saying: O Ibrahim! * You have indeed shown the truth of the vision; surely thus do We reward the doers of good} {The Holy Qur’an (37: 104-105)

There are countless examples, such as the vision of Pharoah (the disbeliever) which was believed in and interpreted by Prophet Joseph/Yusuf (a.s.) and resulted in prosperity for Egypt and its people:

{Yusuf! O truthful one!} {The Holy Qur’an (12: 46). So let us not disbelieve in them as the advisers of Pharoah did: {They said: Muddled dreams, and we do not know the interpretation of dreams} {The Holy Qur’an (12: 44).

My visions-In one vision it was wartime and I was writing a letter to the Prince of the Believers (a.s.), Imam Ali.

-In another one he(a.s.) was giving a speech, he said: “Do not describe me as the people of Jesus (a.s.) described him”. For me this was a confirmation that indeed the Shia of the scholars have stepped the boundaries in terms of describing the 12 Imams (pbuta).

-In this vision, I was walking in the markets of Iraq with my brother, certain things happened which I forgot unfortunately (as is the case with dreams) but it came to the point where we entered a shop, it was ran by the relatives of Al-Yamani (a.s.), Imam Ahmad. They were selling us chocolate, only it was giant, about 3 meters wide, one meter high and 30-50 centimeters thick. They were measuring the thickness and the number 30 seemed significant, and they joked about it but I don’t remember what and why.

-In another incredibly long dream, a character I know in real life (who has appeared in about 6 dreams and I don’t know why!) was getting something out of his car in a car park and I was with him. One of the Ansar was worried that “We might not be prepared for the magazine with regards to Prophet Muhammad (pbuhaf) and Imam Hussein (a.s.)”, to which the character replied: “No it is fine, we are ready.” He went back to get more things out of the car and then continued.

-In another vision, I was attending and taking part in an English exam, and some things occurred, then I was interrupted by someone calling my mobile, it was an Ansar and she asked me if I knew her to which I replied “No”. She then told me her name (I have never heard of it before!) and said “I appeared in the Satellite TV yesterday”. I’m pretty sure this one is referring to the Yamani goal of going onto Satellite TV .

Other Dreams...I can remember more dreams, but will only mention some as they might not be related to the call. As previously mentioned there is someone I know who keeps appearing. There is another person I know in real life who I am currently at war with, he appeared in my vision praying, praying opposite to the Qiblah (the direction that must be prayed in) and inside an inappropriate Najis (unholy, dirty) place. This one is pretty self explanatory for me.

In other dreams, I am inside different planets, not Earth, and with people that I know in real life. So I will end here, actually there are three more dreams which I shared on the forums: “yamani.hashemstudios.com” and “forum.the-savior.com” and these three have a lot of detail in them involving the Comforter (a.s.), Lady Fatimah (a.s.) and Prophet Muhammad (pbuhaf) if anyone is interested.

Thanks for reading and I just wanted to mention that these, with exception to the previous three, all occurred in this Blessed month of Ramadhan, as well as around 10 others I can remember. All by the Favor of God Al-mighty. All praise is due to Allah (swt).

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Imam Ali's Khutbah of Shiqshiqiyah by Laila Ali I have no words when I hear about the plight of Ali, The Oppressed Imam. The Prophet s.a.w knew what was to happen after his passing, like he knew All that Allah swt Gave him and the Calamities that were to be faced by the Ahlul Bayt a.s after his death, was a pain he carried until his last breath.

"I found that endurance thereon was wiser. So I adopted patience although there was pricking in the eye and suffocation (of mortification) in the throat. I watched the plundering of my inheritance..." (Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 3)

The brothers that are married and have wives and children, imagine Ali's pain that night, when the Oppressors broke into his house. His pure children didn't know who to go with, their mother that was being beaten or their father that was being roped!

Not only did Ali a.s have to remain strong after he saw the snatching of his wife's inheritance and then her and their unborn child's murder, he had to remain strong for his children. He spent 25 years silent. The same Ali who's sword protected Islam was now treated as a stranger by the same ones that read the Kalima he protected.

Which human being can be left as an outcast in the city he helped to build? Only Allah knows what Imam Ali went through. And he did it for the sake of Allah. He did it in obedience to the will of the Prophet. He did it to protect the Qur'an. He did it to protect the Adhan. He did it so Islam reaches us today.

Those that question our love for Ali, do an Injustice to Allah swt with their questioning, because it was the Religion of Allah swt that Ali Protected and gave everything for.

Those that question and deny what the usurpers did, will face their Creator on the Day of Judgement and be held accountable for every injustice their tongue did against Ali a.s.

And those that do not speak about the oppression of Ali a.s, remember by silence, you consent.

Khutbah of Shiqshiqiyah Beware! By Allah the son of Abu Quhafah (Abu Bakr) dressed himself with it (the caliphate) and he certainly knew that my position in relation to it was the same as the position of the axis in relation to the hand-mill. The flood water flows down from me and the bird cannot fly upto me. I put a curtain against the caliphate and kept myself detached from it.

Then I began to think whether I should assault or endure calmly the blinding darkness of tribulations wherein the grown up are made feeble and the young grow old and the true believer acts under strain till he meets Allah (on his death). I found that endurance thereon was wiser. So I adopted patience although there was pricking in the eye and suffocation (of mortification) in the throat. I watched the plundering of my inheritance till the first one went his way but handed over the Caliphate to Ibn al-Khattab after himself.

(Then he quoted al-A`sha's verse):

My days are now passed on the camel's back (in difficulty) while there were days (of ease) when I enjoyed the company of Jabir's brother Hayyan.

It is strange that during his lifetime he wished to be released from the caliphate but he confirmed it for the other one after his death. No doubt these two shared its udders strictly among themselves. This one put the Caliphate in a tough enclosure where the utterance was haughty and the touch was rough. Mistakes were in plenty and so also the excuses therefore. One in contact with it was like the rider of an unruly camel. If he pulled up its rein the very nostril would be slit, but if he let it loose he would be thrown. Consequently, by Allah people got involved in recklessness, wickedness, unsteadiness and deviation.

Nevertheless, I remained patient despite length of period and stiffness of trial, till when he went his way (of death) he put the matter (of Caliphate) in a group and regarded me to be one of them. But good Heavens! what had I to do with this "consultation"? Where was any doubt about me with regard to the first of them that I was now considered akin to these ones? But I remained low when they were low and flew high when they flew high. One of them turned against me because of his hatred and the other got inclined the other

way due to his in-law relationship and this thing and that thing, till the third man of these people stood up with heaving breasts between his dung and fodder. With him his children of his grand-father, (Umayyah) also stood up swallowing up Allah's wealth like a camel devouring the foliage of spring, till his rope broke down, his actions finished him and his gluttony brought him down prostrate.

At that moment, nothing took me by surprise, but the crowd of people rushing to me. It advanced towards me from every side like the mane of the hyena so much so that Hasan and Husayn were getting crushed and both the ends of my shoulder garment were torn. They collected around me like the herd of sheep and goats. When I took up the reins of government one party broke away and another turned disobedient while the rest began acting wrongfully as if they had not heard the word of Allah saying:

That abode in the hereafter, We assign it for those who intend not to exult themselves in the earth, nor (to make) mischief (therein); and the end is (best) for the pious ones.

(Qur'an, 28:83)

Yes, by Allah, they had heard it and understood it but the world appeared glittering in their eyes and its embellishments seduced them. Behold, by Him who split the grain (to grow) and created living beings, if people had not come to me and supporters had not exhausted the argument and if there had been no pledge of Allah with the learned to the effect that they should not acquiesce in the gluttony of the oppressor and the hunger of the oppressed I would have cast the rope of Caliphate on its own shoulders, and would have given the last one the same treatment as to the first one. Then you would have seen that in my view this world of yours is no better than the sneezing of a goat.

(It is said that when Amir al-mu'minin reached here in his sermon a man of Iraq stood up and handed him over a writing. Amir al-mu'minin began looking at it, when Ibn `Abbas said, "O' Amir al-mu'minin, I wish you resumed your Sermon from where you broke it." Thereupon he replied, "O' Ibn `Abbas it was like the foam of a Camel which gushed out but subsided." Ibn `Abbas says that he never grieved over any utterance as he did over this one because Amir al-mu'minin could not finish it as he wished to.)

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Questions 5 and 6 from Ahmed al Hassan's, "Al Mutashabihaat" translated by ZolfigarrQuestion 5: Does the Bismillah of the Fatiha differ from the rest of the Chapters in the Qura'n? Is the Bismillah part of the Chapter?

English translation of Basmala: The saying of Bismillahi AlRahman AlRaheem

Answer: The Bismillah of the Fatiha is the basis, and the Bismillah in all the chapters in the Qura'n is a picture part of the Bismillah in Fatiha. The whole Qura'n is in the Fatiha, and the Fatiha is in the Bismillah of the Fateha, and so every Bismillah in the Qura'n is in the Bismillah of the Fateha, and the Bismillah is a verse from the verses of Surat Al Fateha. As for the rest of the chapters,the Bismillah is part of the chapter, but it is not a verse from the verses of the chapter.

And the three names: (Allah, Al Rahman, Al Raheem) in Divinity or the Divine self are pillars to the Greatest, Greatest, Greatest name (Huwa), and the three names are

considered the Divine city of Perfection Allah, the showing door, and its inside; Al Rahman Al Raheem. And these three names in creation are Muhammad, Ali and Fatima or the city of knowledge: Muhammad, and it's outside/showing door and the inside/inner is Ali and Fatima (a.s.). And these three names are the pillars of the Greatest, Greatest, Greatest name (Allah, AlRahman, AlRaheem) "Say call Allah or call Al Rahman, whoever you call He has the finest names".

And these three names which are (Muhammad, Ali and Fatima) are the greatest name. So Muhammad is from Allah and he is the book of Allah, he even is Allah in creation. Ali and Fatima, are from the mercy of Allah, so they are Al Rahman and Al Raheem... "And so we have bestowed for them from our mercy (Rahmatuna), and we have made for them a truthful tongue Alya".

And the Bismillah of the Fateha is a reality, and the Bismillah in all the chapters is an incomplete picture for this Bismillah. But it reflects a direction from amongst its directions. As if the Bismillah of the Fateha falls in a position where it is surrounded by a collection of mirrors, each one of them reflects the other from certain different directions. And so at the same time all the chapters partner up with one another, in that they are one reality, similarly to how it works with the reality, because it reflects it from a certain direction.

If you used the Qura'n for your mind as an example, you would have seen that the Bismillah of the Fateha is a dot where the Quranic chapters around it are encircled, even the Torat and Gospel, and all of what was sent down to the Prophets and Messengers pbuta, the Bismillah of the Fateha is the Message and the guardianship, the beginning and ending.

Question 6:  What does it mean that all the Qur'an is in the dot of the Ba' (second Arabic letter, and the dot under the first letter of Bismillah) and that the Prince of the true Believers, Ali (a.s.), is that dot?

Answer: The shape of the Ba' is like a vessel/container that is filled and then begins to pour unto the rest, and what it contains drips down from beneath it. Same as to how the shape of the Noon (twenty fifth arabic letter), is like a container/vessel that receives the pouring from it's top, and it's knowledge drips into it from it's Master "And Say: O Lord increase me with knowledge"

And Allah spoke to His generous Messenger Muhammad (pbuhap) with Noon, the Most Exalted said: "Noon, and by the pen that which they record". As for the pen in this verse, it is Ali (a.s.), Imam Al Saadeq (a.s) said: "Noon, is a name for the Prophet of Allah (pbuhahp) and the pen is the name of the Prince of the Believers". (a.s.)

And the pen takes it's ink from Noon, and transfers it to the Book and records/writes lines with it. So the pen has ways, one time it is Noon and one time it is Ba', and at one time it is the dot of Noon, and one time it is the dot of the Ba. So, as for the Prince of believers (a.s.), he is the door of the Prophet of Allah (pbuhahp) and is the door of the city of knowledge, and from him he flows into the creation.

So he is the Ba, and the dot of the Ba, the pen and the ink that the pen carries. And for the dot it has ways, for it is the pouring that comes from Allah to his Messenger (pbuh&hp), and from the Messenger (pbuh&hp) to Ali (a.s.), and from Ali (a.s.) to the creation.

As for the dot that comes from Allah to his Messenger is the Qura'n and the Messenger (pbuh&hp) is Noon and also the dot of Noon. Then as for the Messenger according to Ali (a.s.) represents the Ba' and the dot of Ba', and Ali according to the Messenger (pbuh&hp) represents Noon and the dot of Noon, and Ali (a.s.) according to the creation is the Ba' and the dot of Ba'.

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The Coat of Armour, Jaushan e Kabeer

 By Saleem BhimjiIt has been mentioned in the book, Balad al-Amin and the Misbah of Kafa`mi, that that Imam `Ali ibn al-Husain Sayyid as-Sajjidin (prayers be upon him) related from his father, from his grandfather the Prophet of Allah (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) that this supplication was taught by the Angel Jibra’il (prayers be upon him) to the Prophet (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) during one of the battles.

It was in one of the wars that the Prophet (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) had taken part in, which he had a very heavy and expensive coat of armor on to protect himself. It is related that the coat was so heavy that it was hurting the body of the Prophet (prayers of Allah be upon him and his family). In this state, the Angel Jibra’il (prayers be upon him) came to the Prophet (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) and said:

“O’ Muhammad! Your Lord conveys his salutations to you and has said to take this coat of armor (Jawshan) and to recite it, as this is a protection for you and your Ummah."

At this point, the Angel continued to give the Prophet (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) an explanation on the greatness of this supplication;

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Whoever reads this supplication with a pure intention in the beginning of the month of Ramadhan, Allah SWT will grant him sustenance on the Night of Power and will create for this person 70,000 Angels who will all be busy in the praising and glorification of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) and will give this reward to the person who has read this supplication.

With this said, we see the greatness of the recitation of this supplication. In addition, it is mentioned that whoever reads this supplication three times during the month of Ramadhan, Allah SWT make the hell-fire forbidden on him and would make it obligatory for that person to go into Paradise.

For such a person, Allah SWT will also appoint two Angels to protect that person from all evils (in this world) and he would be in the protection of Allah swt for as long as he is alive.

In the final Hadîth of this supplication, it has been narrated from Imam Hussain ibn `Ali (prayers be upon him) that, “My father Amir al-Mo’minin `Ali ibn Abi Talib (prayers be upon him) had bequeathed to me that I should memorize and protect this supplication and write it on the Kafan (burial shroud) and that I should teach it to my family members, and he highly encouraged me to read this supplication as it contains 1,000 names of Allah, and within these names is the Greatest Name of Allah (Ism-e-A`dham).”

The late Shaykh ` Abbas al-Qummi (Compiler of the book Mafatih al-Jinan) states that, “From this Hadîth, we can derive the following points that first off, it is recommended to write this supplication on one’s kafan just as the late scholar `Allamah Bahrul `Ulum (may Allah grant him peace) has hinted to in a poem:

و سن أن يكتب باألكفان شهادة اإلسالم واإلميان

And it is recommended to write on the Kafan of the Deceased,

The Testimony of Islam and ´Iman.

و هكدا كتابة القرآن واجلوشن املنعوت باألمان

And also, the writing of the Quran,

And the (supplication) of Jawshan as it is a protection from the fire of hell.

The second point we can deduce from the Hadîth is that it is recommended to recite this supplication in the beginning of the month of Ramadhan and there are no Hadîth that tell us to recite this supplication on the specific Nights of Power (Lailatul Qadr). However, `Allamah Majlisi (may Allah raise his rank), in his book, Zadul Ma`ad, under the various acts that should be performed on the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) has stated that in some ahadîth, it has been mentioned to read this supplication on one of the three nights of Power. Thus, his words are sufficient for us (may Allah grant him a resting place in the Abode of Peace).

This supplication has 100 sections and each section contains 10 names of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) and at the end of each section this line should be repeated:

سبحانك يا إال إله إال انت الغوث الغوث, خلصنا من النار يا رب

In the book, Balad al-Amin, it has been mentioned that one should recite the following before each section:

بسم اهللا الرحمان الرحيم

While at the end of each section, the following should be recited:

سبحانك يا ال إله إال أنت الغوث الغوث, صل على محمد و آله

خلصنا من النار يا رب يا دا اجلالل و اإلكرام يا أرحم الراحمني

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In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful

Allahumma Salle Ala Muhammad Al A'ima Wal Mehdiyeen wa Sallim Tasleeman Katheera

1- TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES

O Allah, verily I beseech Thee in Thy name: O Allah, O Most Merciful,

O Most Compassionate, O Most Generous, O Self-Subsisting, O Greatest,

O Eternal, O All-Knowing, O Forbearing, O Wise.

Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

2- TO SEEK HELP

O Master of Masters, O Acceptor of prayers, O Elevator of rank, O Guardian of good deeds,

O Forgiver of evil deeds, O Granter of requests, O Acceptor of repentance, O Hearer of voices,

O Knower of attributes, O Repeller of calamities. Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

3- TO ATTAIN HONOR, DIGNITY

O Best of forgivers, O Best of deciders, O Best of helpers, O Best of rulers,

O Best of providers, O Best of inheritors, O Best of praisers, O Best of rememberers,

O Best of Dischargers, O Best of benefactors. Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

4- TO ACQUIRE NOBILITY

O He, to Whom is all glory and virtue, O He, to Whom is all might and perfection,

O He, to Whom is all dominion and sublimity, O He, Who is great above all,

O He, Who creates heavy clouds, O He, Who is the most powerful,

O He, Who metes out the severest punishment, O He, Who is quick to reckon,

O He, with Whom is the excellent reward, O He, with Whom is the Original Book.

Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

5- TO ACHIEVE RENOWN, SUCCESS

O Allah, verily I beseech Thee in Thy name: O Charitable One, O Benefactor,

O Judge, O Proof, O Sovereign, O Approver,

O Forgiver, O Elevated One, O Helper, O Holder of blessings and manifestation.

Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

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6- TO OBTAIN BLESSINGS, RANKS

O He before Whose greatness everything bows, O He before Whose power everything submits,

O He before Whose might overshadows everything, O He before Whose awesomeness everything is humbled,

O He before Whose fearsomeness everything yields, O He before Whose terribleness mountains shake,

O He before Whose command the heavens are raised, O He through Whose permission the earths are secured,

O He Whose glory the thunder proclaims, O He Who is never cruel to his subjects.

Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

7- TO DISPERSE CALAMITIES

O Forgiver of sins, O Dispeller of tribulations, O Aim of hopes, O Giver of abundant gifts,

O Bestower of bounties, O Provider of creatures, O Judge of destinies, O Hearer of complaints,

O Resurrector of creatures, O Freer of captives. Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

8- TO ASK PARDON

O He, to Whom is due all praise and adoration, O He, Who holds all pride and eminence,

O He, Who holds all honour and rank, O He, Who makes promises and honours them,

O He, Who pardons and is content, O He, Who holds all abundance and provides,

O He, Who is glorious and eternal, O He, Who is liberal and munificent,

O He, Who holds all blessings and bounties, Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

9- TO CLEAR AWAY FEAR, DISEASE

O Allah, verily I beseech Thee in Thy name: O Preventer of misfortune, O Repeller of calamities,

O Elevator of rank, O Fashioner, O Benefiter, O Hearer,

O Aggregator, O Intercessor, O Magnanimous, O Increaser.

Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

10- TO GET CONDUCT APPROVED

O Fashioner of every fashioned thing, O Creator of every created thing, O Provider for every needy thing,

O Sovereign over all subjects, O Dispeller of every hardship, O Comforter of every griever, O Merciful to every sufferer,

O Helper of everything forsaken, O Concealer of every blemished thing,

O Shelter for every exile. Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee, The Granter of all Succour, protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

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"Beast of the Earth"Compiled by Ansaris from The Savior Website Beast of the Earth, called Daabbat-ul-Ard in Arabic: a creature that will come out and which is considered as one of the signs of the Appearance of Al-Mahdi. It will distinguish between believers and non-believers at the end of times by drawing a line on the forehead of every believer whose face will become bright and luminous and with the ring of Solomon, it will seal the nose of every non-believer whose entire face will become black. Such creature will also speak to people.

Before the Appearance, a Beast will come out from the earth to mark and distinguish the believers from the non-believers. This will occur before the Appearance of Al-Qai’m and not afterwards. The minor Appearance is the rise of Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) with the sword and the Beast of the earth is none other than the Commander of the Faithful (AS) himself, as mentioned in the following narration:

On the authority of Abu Abdullah Al-Jadali, he said: "When I visited Ali Bin Abi Talib he told me the following: "There are three things you should know before someone comes in, would you like to know of them?" I replied, "Yes, I would." He then said, "I am the servant of Allah and I am the Beast of the earth, it's Truth, Justice and brother of it's Prophet. Would you like to know about the nose and eyes of Al-Mahdi?" I replied, "Yes I would." He hit his chest and answered, "It is me[2]."

Hence, will the Commander of the Faithful (AS) come forth at the time of Al-Qai’m, or will it be a man from his progeny? Who is the Beast of the earth that will distinguish between Truth and Falsehood and mark people as believers or non-believers in Al-Qai’m?

On the authority of the Commander of the Faithful (AS), he said: "…he will distinguish between Truth and Falsehood by sending the Beast of the earth. Then Romans will march to a coastal village and reach the cave of the young men, but Allah will send those young men out of their cave to them…"[3]

That Beast is the forerunner who will distinguish between believers and non-believers in Imam Al-Mahdi (AS), at the time of his appearance. As for the march of the Romans, it is a reference to the forces of occupation that came in from Kuwait (the coastal side), as the cave of the young men is a reference to Basra, from which the first supporters of Al-Qai’m (AS) will come out, according to the Commander of the Faithful.

Moreover, Abu At-Tufayl was reported saying: "O Commander of the Faithful, you once cited the saying of Allah Almighty:

'And when the word befalls them, We shall bring for them a beast from the earth, to speak to them because people …'

What is that beast then?

He said: O Abu At-Tufayl, mind not of it.

I said: O Commander of the Faithful, tell me of it will you please!

He said: It is a creature that eats food, walks the markets, and marries women.

I asked: Who is it, O Commander of the Faithful?

I answered: It is the mainstay of the Earth on which the Earth rests.

I asked: Who is it, O Commander of the Faithful?

I said: The friend of this Ummah, the one who will distinguish Truth from Falsehood, it's commander and it's Dhul Qarnayn[4].

I asked: Who is it, O Commander of the Faithful?

He said: 'It is the one about whom Allah said, {and a witness from Him recites it}, {and whoever has knowledge of the Book}, {and he who brings the Truth}, {and (he who) accepts it as the Truth}, is me. All people are non-believers apart from me and him.'[5]

Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS) was the first one to believe in the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He was then the first of the

believers, thus confirming what he said about himself, "all people are non-believers apart from me". As for the other person mentioned in the Hadith (…and him), he is the first of the Mahdis, for he is the first believer in Imam Al-Mahdi (AS), as mentioned in the testament[6]. The expression (…and him) cannot refer to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH); it refers to the Beast of the earth about which Abu At-Tufayl enquired.

Narrated by Ali Bin Ibrahim, he said: "My father told me on the authority of Ibn Abi ’Umayr, on the authority of Abu Basir, on the authority of Abu Abdullah (AS) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came upon the Commander of the Faithful (AS) while he was sleeping at the Mosque resting his head on the sand he had assembled. He (PBUH) shook him by the leg then said (to him): "Wake up, O Beast of the earth." Then one of his companions asked: "Shall we refer to each other with this agnomen, O Messenger of Allah (PBUH)?" The Prophet replied: "No, by Allah! This agnomen is Ali’s only, especially that this Beast or creature was mentioned by Allah in His Book:"

{And when the word befalls them, We shall bring forth for them a beast from the earth to speak to them because people did not believe in Our Revelations}. He then said: "O Ali, when the end of times comes, Allah will send you out in your best image and you will have a stamp with which you will mark your enemies."

Ali (AS), the Commander of the Faithful, cannot possibly come out in his own body and figure, until at the time of the second event (the Return). However, the current Hadith talks about the first event (the Minor Appearance, the rise of Al-Qai’m), during which the Beast of the earth will distinguish between believers and non-believers with a staff and a stamp at the time of the Appearance. Certainly, this creature cannot be Imam Al-Mahdi (AS), for it precedes his advent and is one of the signs of his Appearance. Hence, the Beast cannot be but a man from the progeny of the Commander of the Faithful, as Ali (AS) said: "A man from my progeny shall do it."

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On the authority of the Commander of the Faithful (AS), he said: "I will build a pulpit in Egypt, destroy Damascus stone by stone, expel the Jews and Christians from the whole Arab nation, and guide the Arabs with this staff that I have." The narrator of this Hadith, ’Ibayat Al-Assadi, then asked: "O Commander of the Faithful, are you saying that you will live again after you die?" He answered: "How far you went ’Ibayat! You did not fathom what I said. A man from my progeny shall do it –i.e. the Mahdi (AS)."][7]

The Beast of the Earth is none other than the one who will pave the way and about whom the following was said: "He will call upon you to join your Imam and the right path", and whom the Commander of the Faithful (AS) mentioned in his sermon: "…Know that if you follow the one who will come out from the east, he will walk you on the path of the Messenger (PBUH), and you will then be cured from blindness, deafness, and muteness and relieved from the hardship of asking and oppression as well as from the heavy burden weighing down on your necks…"[8].

He is the leader of the standards of the east, the successor of Al-Mahdi to whom the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) commanded you to pledge allegiance, even if crawling over the snow, for he will relieve you from the hardship of asking for the Imam, and end your quest for him.

{Most surely He Who has made the Quran binding on you will bring you back to the destination}.

On the authority of Saleh Bin Maitham, he said: "I asked Abu Jafar (AS): Tell me (of the Beast of the earth). Abu Jafar (AS) replied, "Have you not heard it from your father?" My father died when I was a boy, I answered. I then said, I will tell you (what I know); if it is true, you shall remain silent and if it is not, you shall correct me. "This is easier", he replied. I said: I believe that Ali is the Beast of the Earth. Then I kept silent. He (Abu Jafar (AS)) said: "By Allah, I see you will say that Ali will return to us"; and he cited the following verse...

{He Who has made the Quran binding on you will bring you back to the destination.}. By Allah, it is indeed what

I wanted to ask you about, but I lost the remembrance, I said. Abu Jafar (AS) then said, "Let me tell you something much greater [9] than this... {and We have not sent you but to all the men as a bringer of glad tidings and a warner}, people in the four corners of the world will testify saying “There is no God (worthy of worship) but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger”. He then pointed his hand towards the horizon.][10]

The Earth will obviously be filled with justice before the Return, when the State of Divine Justice is established, what confirms the return to the aforementioned destination, and the testimony (There is no God (worthy of worship) but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger) will be heard in every corner. The Return will not take place unless after the society is lifted to the highest degrees of the acknowledgement of the Oneness of Allah and after Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) brings out 27 letters from the Divine Knowledge. At that time, the acknowledgement of the Oneness of Allah will absolutely be heard throughout the whole Earth prior to the Return.

On the authority of Abu Jafar (AS), he said: [Allah Almighty said, {He Who has made the Quran binding on you will bring you back to the destination}. And so Abu Jafar (AS) said, [I think that Your Prophet (PBUH) will appear to you.][11]

In this context I say: Has anyone ever asked himself how will the Prophet (PBUH) appear? Will he appear only to disappear afterwards or what?!

No, it will not be the Prophet (PBUH) himself but a person from his progeny (Al-Qai’m)[12], who will appear to renew the faith in the Shari’a (the Islamic Law) of the Prophet (PBUH) which was neglected and misconstrued. Al-Qa’im will be entrusted with a divine mission similar to that of the Prophet of Allah (PBUH), and the misleading scholars will come out with personal interpretations of the Book of his forefather and they will use it as an argument disputing with him about it. Not only that, but he will also face harsher opposition than that encountered by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), according to the narrations.

The following narration clearly indicates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and

his guardian Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS) will be present prior to the Return, in other terms they will be present at the time of the Holy Appearance and they will build a mosque of one thousand doors in Kufa. However, the followers of the People of the House consent the mosque will be indisputably built by Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) as it will be made clear in the following.

On the authority of Abu Marwan, he said: I asked Abu Abdullah (AS) about the saying of Allah, the Glorified and Exalted {He Who has made the Quran binding on you will bring you back to the destination}. He answered me: [No, by Allah, life on Earth will not end before the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) reunites with Imam Ali (AS) in Thawya, they will meet and build a mosque with twelve thousand doors in Thawya (a place in Kufa).][13]

Hence it becomes clear that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) referred to in the aforementioned Hadith is Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) himself, while Ali (AS) obviously and incontestably refers to the guardian of Imam Al-Mahdi (AS), i.e. his son, the first of the Mahdis. Their public reunion will take place after the phase of paving the way for the Imam and his State, and after fighting As-Sufyani and his holding sway of Kufa and many other countries. Imam Al-Mahdi and his guardian will only start building the mosque and handling other things after the achievement of stability and the Appearance of Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) in person.

On the authority of Al-Mufaddal Bin Omar, he said: I heard Abu Abdullah (AS) say: [When Al-Qa’im from the progeny Muhammad (PBUH) rises, he will build a mosque of one thousand doors in the upper part of Kufa, and the houses of the people of Kufa will reach the two rivers of Karbala.][14]

On the authority of Abu Jafar (AS), he said: [When Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) enters Kufa, people will say: O son of the Messenger of Allah, praying with you is like praying behind the Messenger of Allah, but this Mosque cannot embrace us all. He will then head to Al-Ghary[15] where he will build a mosque of one thousand doors which would contain the people.][16]

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[2] Ta’weel Al-Ayat, by Sharaf Ad-Deen Al- Husseini, vol. 1, p. 404; Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 39, p. 243.

[3] Bihar Al-Anwar, by Ulema Al-Majlisi, vol. 53, p. 85.

[4] He of the Two Horns; a figure mentioned in the Qur'an as a great and righteous ruler who built a long wall that keeps Gog and Magog from attacking the people of the west. According to traditional Islamic scholars, such agnomen refers to Alexander the Great, for he was the one who reached the two 'Horns' of the Sun, the East and the West, where it rises and where it sets during his campaign (as classically interpreted). However, some contemporary Islamic scholars have argued for an identification with other figures such as Cyrus the Great.

[5] Kitab Salim Bin Qais, a study conducted by Muhammad Baqir Al-Ansari, p. 130.

[6] Refer to the testament of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered on the night his soul rested, to the part related to the Imams and Mahdis, mentioned above in this book.

[7] Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 60; ’Asr Adh-Dhuhoor, p. 67.

[8] Al-Kafi, vol. 8, p. 63.

[9] {We showed them sign after sign, each greater than the precedent and We inflicted upon them punishment in the hope they might return (to Us)}, Az-Zukhruf (Ornaments of Gold): 48. …Therefore the beast of the earth is a sign and the following sign which is much greater is the coming of the one who will be sent by Allah as mentioned in the narration {and We have not sent you but to all the men as a bringer of glad tidings and warner}. Who is this person?

[10] Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 113.

[11] Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 113.

[12] These narrations have been mentioned above in pp. 76-79 of this book, (Thus, if we reveal something about a man, it may apply to his son or grandson and so you shall not deny it).

[13] Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 113.

[14] Irshad (The Book of Guidance), by Sheikh Al-Mufeed, vol. 2, p. 380.

[15] An Arabic adjective meaning beautiful, or good looking; in such context, it refers to Najaf.

[16] Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 97, p. 385

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The Many Mysteries Behind The Will by ZolfigarrLearning religion is a bounty and leaving it is the same as leaving an infant alone in a desert of desolation.

But when someone admires the end times, one cannot resist to think, and at the same time pretend that the riser of the family of Muhammad (pbuh) will not arrive.

Imam Al Mahdi (a.s.) whose name is Muhammad, son of Hassan Al-Askari (a.s), has a responsibility from Allah (swt) to fulfill the promise that even the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been waiting for. The breaking news that every person on the face of the earth must know is that there is a son called Ahmad who is mentioned in the Prophet's will. The Shias who had heard of the

Prophet's will, they only tend to remember that it was not written, yet,it was dictated to Imam Ali (a.s.) during the night of Prophet Muhammads' demise pbuh and his progeny. His will mentioned 12 Imams, and then comes after them 12 Mahdis, and the first Mahdi is Ahmad whose name is similar to the Prophet's name. The biggest quandary the Shias of the scholars will never admit, is the fact that the father of Muhammad, son of Hassan, his father's name is not similar to the father of Muhammad pbuhap. We know well enough in a tradition from the Holy Prophet Muhammad pbuh and his progeny, saying that he was the son of the two slaughters Abdullah and Isma'el. And for him to speak of this, it's enshrouded with wisdom, for only the father of Ahmad Al Hassan, his name is Isma'el and the father of Muhammad is Hassan. So how can we know who the Mahdi is according to the will, is it Muhammad or Ahmad?

In the will of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuhap) it says:

"If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Mohammed the Mandate of the Holy Family of Mohamad Peace be upon them all. These are the twelve Imams. Then there will be twelve Mahdis after them, then when Allah receiveth him, let him hand it over to his son, the first of the close ones, he has three names, one like mine and my Father's: Abdollah (Servant of God), Ahmad and the third name is The Mahdi (the guided) and he is the first Believer"

From Jesus (a.s.) to his nation: "There shall be a Prophet after me with the name of Ahmad from the son of Isma'el (a.s.) "Yanabee AlMawada p.231

Even Jesus (a.s.) called Ahmad to be the son of Isma'el, even though Prophet Muhammad's father was Abdullah. Yet again, this mystery is enshrouded with wisdom and only can be understood by the Riser himself who is the Yamani (a.s.) to put the pieces of the puzzle together about the real Mahdis name and his

father's name. And the Yamani Ahmad, who is the successor and messenger of Muhammad ibn Hassan (a.s.), he calls to the possessor in the End of times. So in this case it proves to us that Ahmad son of Isma'el is the name of the riser that will be born in the end of times.

[Bihar Al Anwar v.12 p.123] Imam Al Ritha (a.s.) said: "The Prophet (pbuhap) said, I am the son of the two slaughters": meaning Isma'el son of Ibraheem AlKhaleel and Abdullah son of AbdulMutaleb.

Al-Imam Al-Baqir, "There is no banner better than that of the banner of Yamani, it is the banner of faith and dedication, because he calls to your possessor, so if the Yamani comes out, selling weapons to people or any Muslim becomes prohibited, and if the Yamani appears, stand up to him, because his banner is the banner of faith, and it's prohibited for any Muslim to turn away from him, and whoever turns away from him, then he's from the people of hell, because he calls to the truth and to the right path". [Al-Ghaybah - Mohammad Ibn Ibrahim A' Noâmani p. 264]

There is "no banner better than that of the banner of Yamani" meaning that any person holding a banner other than the Yamani, then his banner does not represent the true message of Islam and does not support the religion that Imam Al Mahdi wishes to support.

As according to this hadeeth: Muhammad ibn Yahya by Ahmad ibn Muhammad by Al-Hussein ibn Sa'eed by Hamad ibn Al-

Mukhtar by Abi Baseer by Aba Abdullah(Imam Al Saadeq a.s) he says: "Every banner that will be raised before the rising of the riser (a.s.), the possessor of it is an oppressor who worships someone instead of Allah". [Al-Kafi 8/295]

So from here we know that any person rising with a banner before the riser,it is clearly stated that he is a tyrant. And of course we know for sure that two Imams do not contradict themselves, and knowing that Imam Al Baqer (a.s.) saying that there is no banner better than the banner of the Yamani, we must conclude by saying that the Yamani must be a riser of the family of Muhammad peace be upon them, because he will have a banner that will be raised and he is not a tyrant.

And in here "it is the banner of faith and dedication, because he calls to your possessor", we know from also, that the Yamani (a.s.) will have a close companionship with the possessor whose Imam Al-Mahdi (a.s.) Muhammad son of Hassan. And for the Yamani to have a banner of faith and dedication in the end of times,it can only come from someone whose from one of the 313, who knows what Imam Al Mahdi (a.s.) requires to support his call. So Imam Al Mahdi (a.s.) chose him to be his commander and so Allah selected him through Imam Al Mahdi (a.s.) to call people towards him.

And also: "so if the Yamani comes out, selling weapons to people or any Muslim becomes prohibited." We have to understand from this statement and know why selling weapons becomes prohibited.

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If we look in history during the times of the 12 Imams, we never heard of them prohibit the selling of weapons during Banu Abbas. But the selling of weapons will become prohibited when the Yamani emerges but why? The reason is because the enemies of the Yamani will have enmity against Ahlulbayt and it is not allowed to sell weapons to those who have enmity towards Ahlulbayt and even the Prophet. Even during the Prophet's time it was forbidden to sell weapons to the enemies, because once there is a "Mubayana" which is when truth is on one side and the falsehood is on the other side,the Yamani's army which is on truth cannot sell weapons to the army of falsehood because of a Divine decree. It is as if Imam Al Baqer (a.s.) wants to tell us that the Yamani is our riser and he is the one that will rise with the sword and leads the battle.

"and if the Yamani appears, stand up to him, because his banner is the banner of faith, and it's prohibited for any Muslim to turn away from him, and whoever turns away from him, then he's from the people of hell, because he calls to the truth and to the right path".

Another clear note to remember from these words is that Imam Al Baqer (a.s.) tells us that it's not allowed to even turn away from the Yamani (a.s.) Simply turning away will lead to hellfire because the Yamani is a Proof of Allah in the end of times. There is no way or route for guidance without following the Yamani. And we know that in the end of times no one can become guided alone, except that he must follow a guider which is called in arabic a "Mahdi" which can lead to the truth and the right path. Since, we know that the Yamani (a.s.) calls to the possessor,this tells us that he is a messenger that is sent from Muhammad, son of Hassan (a.s.) to call people towards him, as it comes from a Divine decree.

The other idea that must be thought of is that if any Muslim turns away he will enter hellfire, and that counts every Muslim on the face of the earth, he doesn't even have to be a Shia but even all the 72 sects in Islam must wake up to his call. How will the Yamani (a.s.) gather the 72 sects without anything with him? The answer is that he must come forth with a Divine text, and also a will of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuhap) at least to prove who he really is. And the will is known to protect Muslims from misguidance according to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuhap) in the calamity of thursday: [Saheeh Bukhari Volume 7, Book 70, Number 573]:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: When Allah's Apostle was on his death-bed and in the house there were some people among whom was 'Umar bin Al-Khattab, the Prophet said, "Come, let me write for you a will after which you will not go astray."

..and in following this will it can never lead the people astray.

Alhamdulilahi rab al alameen

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Heresy of the Church, Council of Nicaea

by Labbayk Ahmed In today's world, the majority of the Christians believe in The Trinity; The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. According to this doctrine, God exists as three persons but is one God, meaning that God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, have exactly the same nature or being as God the Father in every way.

However, if we go through the simplest of calculations, we would find that “Three” never equals “One” and Jesus Christ never said he is an Absolute God. So from where did the belief in The Trinity start?

The Emperor Constantine the First is the one who attended the opening of the council of Nicea which started its first meeting on 25th of May 325.

The council had a meeting on behalf of the orders from the Emperor Constantine the First, to study the differences in the church of Alexandria between Arius and his followers, and between Alexandros the First (the Pope of Alexandria) and his followers from another side about “the nature of Jesus, is it the same as the nature of God or the nature of humans.”

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Arius denied the Divinity of JesusHe thought that there was a time in which Jesus was not present in, and he considered him high among the creatures of God and from his creation, just like he considered that the Holy Spirit is also from the creation of God. Whereas Alexandros the First (the Pope of Alexandria) made it certain that the nature of Jesus is the same as the nature of God.

The opinion of Alexandros the first (the Pope of Alexandria) predominated by voting and by rejecting Arius and two of the priests by the insistence of signing. From there, they were exiled to Alira (Balkan at the moment) and they burnt the books of Arius, and his doctrine was named as Arian Heresy, and his followers are named, till this day, as the enemies of Christianity.

The Council of Nicaea resulted in making the first type of the “Law of the Christian Faith” (Creed)The relationship of the church with the authority began to take shape after it was a pure religious entity. After three centuries of the enhancement of the Christian thoughts and its desegregation with the thoughts and the religions that are surrounding freely in all directions, the uniting church became the scholar and the authority in the limitation of who enters in the scope of faith and who does not, and this is what was admitted in the meeting of Nicaea:

-That Jesus was born from the Father before all ages (eternal)

-God from God, Light from Light, true God from True God

-Has been born and not created, equal to the Father in essence.

All of the bishops present signed the “Law of Faith” (Creed), except two of them including Arius and his group of course.

The execution of Arius and the absolute deprivation of his manuscriptsArius was executed and a meeting was held about him, which included the scholars of the church and the pagan Emperor Constantine the Second. They did to him exactly what the Jewish scholars and Herod did to Jesus Christ.They named them as Heretical and burnt off all his books and manuscripts. They also commanded by the immediate execution of whoever had any of the manuscripts of Arius. It is better to be said that they are the heretics, as the doctrine of Arius is the original doctrine, whereas their belief in The Trinity that Jesus is an absolute God was admitted for the first time in this council.

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What Can I Say About My Master Ali a.s?  by Laila Ali(Lo! in the Source of Decrees, which We possess, he is indeed a wise Ali) ( وإنه في أم الكتاب لدينا لعلي حكيم )

(He said: This is a right course of Ali: (15:41) ( قال هذا صراط علي مستقيم ).

And we gave them of Our mercy, and assigned to them the truth speaker Ali). 19:50(.) ووهبنا لهم من رحمتنا وجعلنا لهم لسان صدق عليا)

Where do I begin, when I speak about Ali (as)?

Ali, who was born in the House of Allah, Ali, who's first glance saw the Best of Creation, Ali, who's generosity sees no limits, Ali who's bravery is unmatched, Ali whose worship is an example, Ali, even looking at his face is worship! And I can go on... Ali, whose

merits are endless...

Ali is the Light that has guided so many of us onto this path. When I look at the character of Ali, I cannot help but wonder and Thank Allah for His Mercy, for He Bestowed upon us Many Blessings, and One of them being the Creation of Ali (as). And if we go deeper into that, we find that if it were not for the Creation of Ali, as well as Muhammad and Fatima, Allah (swt) would not have created any

of us.

Rumi, the poet, refers to Imam Ali (as) as, ‘ The route of spiritual guidance - wilayah'

‘And the way whereby it makes the Ruby red and the way whereby it gives the lightening-flash to the (iron) horse shoe. And the way whereby it ripens the fruit, and the way whereby it gives heart to one who is distraught.' Yes, Ishq-e-Ali gives heart to the one who is

distraught.

Love for Ali (as) is a balm to any and every wound, only a lover of Ali (as) would understand the method in its healing.

Imam Ali (as) speaks of this love and what would come with it...

“Even if a mountain loves me it will be crushed into bits”. (it means people are tested with my love, and to prove it they have to pass through loss and calamities).

"Anyone who loves us Ahlul Bayt must be ready to face a life of austerity." Imam Ali a.s

Prophet, may God bless him and his family, said on the day (of the assembly) at his house. He had especially gathered the Banu Abd al-Muttalib there in order to make the (following) solemn pledge:

Whoever helps me in this matter will be my brother, my testamentary trustee (wasi) my helper (wazir), my heir and my successor after me.

Then the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, stood up before him among all the gathering of them, and on that day he was the youngest of them, and he said:

O Apostle of God, I will help you.

Then the Prophet, may God bless him and his family, said:

Sit down, you are my brother, my trustee, my helper, my inheritor and successor after me.

This is a clear statement about the succession (after the Prophet).

"Indeed Ali is with the Qur'an and the Qur'an is with Ali, the two will never separate even when they return to me at the pool (of kawther in paradise)"

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

"He granteth wisdom to whomsoever He willeth, and he who have been granted wisdom hath been given abundant good; and none shall mind it save those endowed with wisdom."(2:269)

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In the above verse the word "Wisdom" implies the best knowledge seeking to act with fullness and soundness of one's own conscience.

True knowledge is spiritual illumination or divine guidance worked through the grace of God as and when the necessity occurs.

This being the active result of the constant seeking for it by those who obtained nearness to the Almighty!

It is held by many Sunni scholars, that this verse was revealed for Imam Ali ( as ). It is not surprising that, such a unique gift ( of being granted wisdom ) is inspiration (Ilhaam) is conferred upon the purified ones.

"And among men there is one who selleth his self ( soul ) seeking the pleasure of God; and verily, God is affectionate unto His (faithful) servants." (2:207)

It is held unanimous by the Scholars of the two Islamic schools of thought, that this verse was revealed for Imam Ali (as), when he readily slept in the bed of the Prophet (pbuh&f), when the latter to the will of God had to migrate from Mecca to Medina. The one

who would agree to offer himself instead of the Holy Prophet ( pbuh&f ) who was wanted by the enemy must essentially have;

- Implicit faith in the duty of a man to earn the pleasure of the Almighty Allah and His Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh&f ), at any cost, even at the cost of his own life.

- The courage of surrendering himself willingly with the utmost peace of mind, to sleep under the swords, ready to fall upon him.- The confidence and faith in God's protection.

- The safety of the Prophet ( pbuh&f ) prefered to his own safety.

And on the night of Hijrah, Allah the Glorious Revealed to Jibrail and Mikail, "I have established brotherhood between you two and have ordained the life of one longer than the life of the other. Now, are you willing to make a present of the extra length of life to the

other?"

But each preferred the longer life for himself. Then Allah revealed,

"Why not follow the example of Ali ibn Abu Talib. I have established brotherhood between him and Muhammad (pbuh&f). He is now sleeping on the bed of Muhammad in order to save his life by sacrificing his own. Now descend both of you to the earth and protect

him from his enemies."

Both the angels descended. Jibrail took up his position near Ali's head and Mikail near his feet. Jibrail was crying out aloud "Excellent. Excellent. O son of Abu Talib! There is none like you. Allah is making boast of you before the angels."

The Almighty says: .... .you are only a warner, and (there is) a guide for every people. Holy Qur'an (13:7)

It is stated that when this verse was revealed, the Messenger of Allah placing his hand on his chest said:

"I am the warner, and for every people there is a guide. Then pointing towards Imam All (a.s.), he said: You are the guide, All, by you the believers will be guided after me .

The Almighty says: "...Allah it is Who is his Guardian, and Gabriel and the Righteous among the believers..." Holy Qur'an (66:4)

All leading schools of thought are unanimous that the Righteous among the believers is none other than Ali ibn Abi Talib (as).

On the revelation of this verse, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "0 Ali, these are you and your followers "Do you consider (the person who undertakes) giving of water to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah. They are not equal in the sight of Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people. ". Holy

Qur'an (9:19)

Once Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib and Talha ibn Shaiba proudly boasted in front of Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) about their respective duties; the supplying of water to pilgrims and holding the keys of the Holy Ka'ba. Imam Ali answered them that he has been praying towards

the Ka'ba six months before anyone else (besides the Prophet) ever bowed in prayer and has never ceased struggling in the way of Allah. It was then that this verse was revealed to the Prophet as a proof of Ali's superiority over all other Muslims.

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Once the Prophet told Ali: "0 Ali, say: 0 Allah, grant me your covenant, and place my love in the bosoms of the believers, then the said verse was revealed in Ali's favour .

"(As for) those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of men. Holy Qur'an (98:7)

" Your master [wali] can be only Allah; and His messenger and the those who believe, who establish worship and pay the poor due, and bow down (in prayer) [ "... pay the poor due while bowing down (in prayer)"]" (Quran, V, 55).

Shia and Sunni commentators alike agree that this verse was revealed concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), and many traditions exist supporting this view.

Abu Dharr Ghafari has said: “One day we prayed the noon prayer with the Prophet (SW). A person in need asked people to help him, but no one gave him anything. The person raised his hands to the sky saying, 'Oh God! Bear witness that in the mosque

of the Prophet (SW) that no one gave me anything.' Ali ibn Abi Talib was in the bowing position of the prayer. He pointed with his finger outwards towards the person, who then took his ring and left. The Prophet (SW), who was observing the scene raised his head toward heaven and said: ' Oh God! My brother Moses said to Thee, "Expand my breast and make easy my tasks and make my tongue eloquent so that they will comprehend my words, and make my brother, Harun, my help and vizier" [cf. Quran, XXVIII, 35]. Oh God! I am also Thy prophet; expand my breast and make easy my tasks, make Ali my vizier and helper.'" Abu Dharr says, "The words of the Prophet had not as yet finished when the verse was revealed."

Imam Ali (as) First in many Fields-He was the only man to be born in the Kabah (The house of God) -He was the first to offer homage to the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) -He was the first to offer prayers after the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) -He was the first to offer his services for Jihad. -He was the first to receive religious instructions from the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) -He was the first to compile and codify the Quran -He was the first to be styled as "brother" by the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and on every occasion -He was the first to give burial to the Prophet (PBUH&HF) -He was the first to offer to sleep in the Prophet's (PBUH&HF) bed on the night of his emigration to Medina -He was the first to be appointed commander in all those battles in which the Holy Prophet (sw) did not participate personally - The honor of the propagation of the Quranic Sura, "al Bara'at" fell to Imam Ali's (as) lot - He was the only man to be titled as the "Second Aaron" by the Prophet (PBUH&HF) - The honor of owning a house which opened into the courtyard of the Prophet's (PBUH&HF) mosque was reserved for Imam Ali (as) alone. - He was the first to have the honor of being nominated by the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) as his succesor, testator and vice regent, and to marry his daughter Fatima (as) ... and many many more

Imam Ali and the Ancient ProphetsGod gave Adam the knowledge of His names, while Ali held the entire knowledge of the Book of Allah. Adam was married with Eve in the Garden of Paradise, while God married Imam Ali (as) with Fatima (as) in heaven.

God styled Noah as a "Grateful Creature" and he was called the Second Adam, while Imam Ali (as) was styled as "Abu'l Ummah".

God made Abraham the "Imam" or the "Leaders of men", while Imam Ali (as) was the Imam of all creation, men and Jinn.

Moses was brought up in the house of Pharaoh, while Imam Ali (as) was brought up in the house of the Prophet (PBUH&HF)

Moses threw his rod which became a serpent, whereas Imam Ali (as), while still in the cradle, cleaved the snake into two

Moses name has been mentioned 230 times in the Quran, while Imam Ali's (as) has been referred to in 300 places in the Quran

... and many many more

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The Artist Aliwaley, by Laila Ali Aliwaley is a 14 year old sister from Pakistan who contacted me recently in regards to helping out in the magazine. I was absolutely blown away when I saw her work. I am sure you will all agree that there is a lot of potential in her work. Alhamdolillah we have had an artist in our midst and we are proud to present the work of Aliwaley.

My Journey by Moonlitknight and Aliwaley Bismillah ar-Rahman, ar-Raheem,

My username on Hashemstudios is aliwaley, I am 14 years old, and an Ansari of the Yamani Ale Muhammad (PBUHAHP).

Being born in a Twelver Shia family, all my life I have loved and revered Muhammad and his Pure family (pbuta). I have made choices by the help of Allah between right and wrong, and my parents have always been there for me to help me understand the Path of Allah (swt) and have always given me freedom of choice.

It was on Shab e Baraat, the 15th of Shabaan, that I wrote an Areeza to Imam Muhammad Mahdi (A.S.) I told him that I was unsure of the situation in this world and I felt that something was wrong, and it bothered me. It’s hard to explain how, but I felt I needed direction, so I asked him for it.

I asked my Imam (A.S.) to give me the direction I needed in life, since I felt there was a certain guidance that my life was lacking, although I could not point my finger at what exactly that was and A few days later, my cousins came over to our house.

We spoke about a lot of things, and then they spoke of a new topic I had never heard of before. They told me about a man called “Yamani”, who was to appear before the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (A.S.)

It was interesting, as I had never heard of this Hujjat of Allah before. They gave me relevant Ahadith and explained how the world would be before and during the End Times, and my brother and I listened to them with great interest, and later that same night, they spoke to me in private.

They informed me that Allah had decided on a serious matter, and that I should know of it. It was then that they revealed the news that changed my life forever: They told

me the Yamani (A.S.) had appeared, and his name was Ahmad Al Hasan.

I remember the shock and wonder I went through, and how my mind was racing, and the only question I could articulate was, “What does all of this mean?”

They explained to me the history, the proof, and the logic, then they gave me the link to hashemstudios.com. I remained in shock even after they had left, and that night I could not sleep. My mind was racing over the wonderful possibilities and the dangerous traps. Could this be the direction I had asked for? I surfed the internet that night, hunting for more information.

The next day they came again, and gave me more information. They answered my questions, and then we went to the Shrine of one of the daughters of Imam Ali (A.S.) Standing there, I cried and prayed to Allah urgently, and asked Him to give me the answer of whether this man was true or not. I asked for the intercession of the princess whose Shrine we stood in, and prayed. Then my cousins told me how to do a Quran

Istakhara. And so, when we returned home, I prayed my salat and took out sadqa. Then I prayed to Allah again and again, and told Him how this decision was one my heart had already leapt to. Was He satisfied?

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I asked Him to console my heart.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the Quran, and this opened up:

108:1] “Surely We have given you Kausar,

108:2] Therefore pray to your Lord and make a sacrifice.

108:3] Surely your enemy is the one who shall be without posterity.”

I was numb with shock and lack of sleep. That night we were meant to go to a dinner party, where we would meet my cousins again.

And when we got there, I went to one of them and told her, “I made an Istakhara, but I don’t understand how it answers my question.”

She told me to show her the ayat, so I did, and she went in private and looked at them, then joined me again at the dinner table, smiling. She whispered, “Surah Kausar? It’s one of the Surahs Allah Most Kind sent the Prophet SAWW to console his heart.”

I looked at her and imagine my joy, all I could say was, “so that’s a yes then, isn’t it?” And this is how my heart, mind, and soul turned towards the direction sent to me by my Imam Mahdi (A.S.), to his Yamani, and I became the Ansari of Allah. After this, life became very interesting, I did the shahada, and started seeing interesting dreams. One of my cousins saw two dreams about me which I can never thank Allah Most Kind enough for.

The first one she saw was about Imam Mahdi (A.S.). She saw that he was looking at her and he told her to call me, because he would give me the compelling evidence that I needed. The next dream she saw that I was sitting at a table in a beautiful room filled with sunlight, and at the table teaching me was Ahmad Al Hassan (A.S.), the Yamani,

himself.

And now, Allah has granted me the honor of being one of the designers of The Mahdi Times. May Allah be pleased with all that we do for Him, and may we grow closer to Him every step of this Journey. Peace be upon you all!

6:28] “And We have not sent you but to all the men as a bearer of good news and as a warner, but most men do not know.”

Allah huma sualey ala Muhammad wa aley Muhammad, wal aimatan wal Mahdiyeen, wa sallim tasleeman kathira.

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The Letter of Amir al Momineen to Malik al Ashtar by Laila MalikThe letter of Amir al Momineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) to Malik al Ashtar is arguably one of the most beautifully written letters in history. The elegance and wisdom of Ali (as) embodies every letter on that page and is visible for all to see. Like Ali (as) says, ''There is enough light for those that want to see'', likewise those that wish to see who Ali (as) is and why we revere him, look towards this letter.

One thing we have to remember is that Ali (as) belongs to the whole world, not just to Shia Muslims. The Message of Ali (as) is Universal, and he came for all mankind. That sentiment is backed up by how many non-Muslims refer to the teachings of Imam Ali (as) and especially in regards to this letter of his to Malik al Ashtar.

Kofi Anan from the United Nations speaks about how this is the greatest letter of government ever written by a human being.

He went on to frame this line at the United Nations;

Remember, Maalik, that amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you have; they are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than that of yours, they are human beings like you.

Rajiv Ghandi spoke about how he would always keep with him the Charter of Government which Ali (as) gave to Malik. He would say that he would never enter a cabinet meeting in his government without a new minister being given this letter.

Ali's legacy is there for all to see. Ralph Emerson the famous American Philosopher would say how no human can understand the essence of humanity like Ali ibn Abi Talib. Look at the mixture in one human being, in one minute he is a warrior, the next minute he is a leader, then he is a man of knowledge, then he is a man of philosophy. Have you ever seen a human being as rounded? He says, look at his words, which human says, "Oh mankind, you came from a drop of semen and leave as a piece of dust. You don't know when you came and you don't know when you are going, so why do you walk around like you know everything?"

(the letter is too long to include in this newsletter but you can find it online simply by googling)

The Martyrdom of Ali by Zainab Kazim A brave man was Ali, The Lion Of God, the Prophet's wasi, His father was the chief of the clan, He was a good and pious man. His mother was entirely free from blame. Fatema binte Asad was her name. His cousin, the prophet was brought up by these two, Children they'd had and quite a few too. In Kaaba our first Imam was born, Near the very early hours of dawn. When his eyes opened for the very first time, He was met with the Prophet's face sublime. The Prophet wished to adopt Ali, To relieve his guardians of a responsibility. Once the prophet had a feast, With a tiny amount of things to eat. Some meat, some bread and some milk to drink, Filled the appetites to the brink. But the food remained the same as before, Not any less, not any more. The invited men were from his kin, He wanted them to repent their sin, Advising them to accept the Faith, And helping him to propagate. When the Prophet asked if they would, Only Ali whole-heartedly stood. Gradually more people chose Islam. So they might be free from any harm. It was of course for their very own good, Not only in this but afterwards too. The Quraish had troubled the Muslims for a long time now, How they survived? God knows how! The Prophet's life was not at stake, Ali thought and acted straight. He done something very brave,Which could have led him to his grave. For on the Prophet's bed he slept, While into the

night the Prophet crept, From Mecca to Medina the Prophet had gone. He traveled by night and rested by dawn.

Soon Ali came to Medina too, To unite with his cousin, the last Rasool. The Prophet made progress to preach Islam. He also invited Christians from Najran, The Christian and Muslim talked on and on. The Christian insisted God had a son. On this point the two sides didn't agree, So a Mubahala there was to be. From the Prophet's side, five people went, Five people whom God had sent, One heavenly lady and four pious men, The Prophet, Ali, Fatema and Hasnain.The five faces shown so radiantly, That the Christian notices this obviously. And so from Mubahala they declined. As the wrath of God came to their mind. Ali was also one of the five under the Kisa, With the Prophet, Hasnain and Fatema. The Prophet loved his Ahl-e-bait. And about them he often said. My Ahl-e-bait are the Ark of Nooh, The boat that will help save you. The strong rope of God that leads to the Heavens, From the fire of Hell that menacingly threatens. The door of forgiveness, the purified ones, They will save fathers, mothers, daughters and sons. Ali fought many battles again and again, Badr, Ohad, Khandaq, Khyber and Honain. Prophet loved Ali there is no doubt, On many occasions he pointed out, I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate. He is the most equitable judge, the embodiment of faith. On the Prophet's last pilgrimage to Mecca and back. The Prophet proclaimed on a camel's hack, I must tell you something

before I depart, My Ahl-e-bait and Qur'an will never part. But the most important thing for Muslims and Islam, Is to accept Ali as Maula of those whose Maula I am. On the morn of 19th Ramadhan, When the moazzan gave the call for Azan,

Ali knew that death was near, Yet went to the Mosque without any fear. Suddenly a sword struck his head. By God I've reached my aim, he said. Bin-e-Muljim done this dirty deed. He tried to escape and ran to his steed. He was caught and brought back to Ali, who ordered his ropes loose immediately. Distrust came over Bin-e-Muljim, When Ali offered some juice to him. All looked sadly at the man, Then he said, O Abdul Rehman, If you had taken this drink from me, Up in Heaven you'd be with me. In two more days Ali was dead. This was the day man really dread, For centuries now man has wept. While up in Heaven Ali slept. May Zainab be blessed by Ali, For this humble effort of poetry.

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The Household of Muhammad s.a.w, The Ahlul Bayt a.s

by Muhammad Ebrahim In the Name of God, the One, The Conqueror. I greet you in the Universal greeting of Assalaamu-Alaykum Wa Rahmat’Allah Wa Barakatu, Peace & Blessings from a Merciful Lord be upon you. I find it is incumbent on us to discuss the personalities that make up the household of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), their importance, their divine status according to the Qur’an, research hadith books of the Sunnah and general logic in regards to them. I pray that the information presented here will elucidate why many Muslims have no knowledge about them, and to educate the reader of their duties towards them Insh’Allah.

So who are the Ahlul-Bayt (as)? I wish to begin with a narration from a famous hadith book of the Sunnah accepted as authentic.

Sahih Muslim Book 31, Hadith 5955

'A'isha reported that Allah's Apostle (May peace be upon him) went out one morning wearing a striped cloak of the black camel's hair that there came Hasan b. 'Ali. He wrapped him under it, then came Husain and he wrapped him under it along with the other one (Hasan). Then came Fatima and he took her under it, then came 'Ali and he also took him under it and then the Prophet (saw) said: Allah only desires to take away any uncleanliness from you, O people of the household, and purify you (thorough purifying).

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So from this above hadith, we see that the members of the household of Prophet Muhammad (saw) were primarily 5 individuals which included himself (pbuh), Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), Fatima as-Zahra (as), Hassan ibn Ali (as), Hussein ibn Ali (as). Knowing the members of the household of the Prophet (saw), and being dutiful to them and acknowledging their right upon us is extremely important and it forms the very basis of the religion for those who aim to follow the life of the Prophet (saw) or those who aim to carry out his sunnah (way of life).

In another hadith, Sahih Muslim Book 31 Hadith 5920

Yazid b. Hayyan reported, I went along with Husain b. Sabra and 'Umar b. Muslim to Zaid b. Arqam and, as we sat by his side, Husain said to him: Zaid. you have been able to acquire a great virtue that you saw Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) listened to his talk, fought by his side in (different) battles, offered prayer behind me. Zaid, you have in fact earned a great virtue. Zaid, narrate to us what you heard from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). He said: I have grown old and have almost spent my age and I have forgotten some of the things which I remembered in connection with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), so accept whatever I narrate to you, and which I do not narrate do not compel me to do that. He then said: One day Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stood up to deliver sermon at a watering place known as Khumm situated between Mecca and Medina. He praised Allah, extolled Him and delivered the sermon and. exhorted (us) and said: Now to our purpose. O people, I am a human being. I am about to receive a messenger (the angel of death) from my Lord and I, in response to Allah's call, (would bid good-bye to you), but I am leaving among you two weighty things: the one being the Book of Allah in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it. He exhorted (us) (to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said: The second are the members of my household I remind you (of your duties) to the members of my family. He (Husain) said to Zaid: Who are the members of his household? Aren't his wives the members of his family? Thereupon he said: His wives are the members of his family (but here) the members of his family are those for whom acceptance of Zakat is forbidden. And he said: Who are they? Thereupon he said: 'Ali and the offspring of 'Ali, 'Aqil and the offspring of 'Aqil and the offspring of Ja'far and the offspring of 'Abbas. Husain said: These are those for whom the acceptance of Zakat is forbidden. Zaid said: Yes.

To many reading the above hadith will sound rather strange, since it would be the first time that in which they hear that the 2nd thing is the members of the Prophets (saw) household. I will come back to what the belief of a sect of the muslims regarding the 2 weighty things are in due course Insh’Allah. So now we pose the Question; Here the Ahlul-Bayt (as) are mentioned within the narrations, and of their importance in being our part of the rope of Allah. If they were so important, were they ever been mentioned in the Qur’an?

The Holy Qur’an (33:33)

“Allah only wishes to remove all impurity from you, O members of the Household (of the Prophet (saw), and purify you with a thorough purification”.

So this verse clearly indicates; not only are they (pbut) mentioned within Allah’s (swt) book, but also mentions that they are thoroughly pure, purified through the Will of the Almighty.

Furthermore, The Holy Qur’an (15:39-40)

(Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Because Thou hast put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong."Except Thy servants among them sincere and purified (by Thy Grace)".

This verse states that the goal and mission of Iblis will be to mislead many amongst man except the servants that Allah wills to be purified. Surely one could state that the above verse could be discussing a great many of individuals, as many servants of God exists. I ask you to remember the verse above though, where Allah specifically mentions that he purifies the Household of the Prophet (saw). And as the very many individuals who may exist as servants of the Lord, we cannot be sure of what is within their hearts as to whether or not they are indeed purified, but here in this verse we are granted surety that the Members of the Prophet (saw) have been purified by Allah (swt).

If it be that we need to further discuss the purity of this individuals, here is another example.

During the time of Prophet Muhammad (saw), it used to be common practice that men when they had born to them a daughter they would kill them, as they believed that daughters were not able to be heirs and because of this they were killed. The verse regarding this was revealed.

The Holy Qur’an (81:8-9)

“When the infant girls buried alive will be questioned for what sin they were killed”.

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The Holy Qur’an (60:12)

“O Prophet! When believing women come to thee to take the oath of fealty to thee, that they will not associate in worship any other thing whatever with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit adultery (or fornication), that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood, and that they will not disobey thee in any just matter,- then do thou receive their fealty, and pray to Allah for the forgiveness (of their sins): for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”.

Here the reference is made to the Pre-Islamic Arab custom of burying new born girls alive. If this was not bad enough, the Prophet (saw) was mocked and teased that he did not have an heir, since he only had a daughter Fatima (pbuh). One day ‘Aas bin wael, who was one of the leaders of the Mushrikeen of Makkah saw the Holy Prophet (saw) coming out of Masjidul-Haraam. So he stopped and conversed with him for some while. Meanwhile, some other elders of Mushrikeen who were inside the mosque were observing this. When the conversation was over and ‘Aas came inside the mosque, the group asked, “O ‘Aas! Whom were you chatting to?” He responded by saying, “With that person who is Abtar”.

Abtar means “Tail-less”, a person whose progeny has been cut off. The Holy prophet (saw) had two sons from Khadeeja (as) namely Qasim and Tahir. Since both of them had died, leaving the prophet without any sons, the pagan arabs started calling the prophet (saw) Abtar.

As a result of continuously being mocked regarding this the following verses of the Qur’an were revealed.

The Holy Qur’an (108: 1-3)

“Verily, We have granted you Al-Kawthar (a pure spring in Paradise). Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only). For he who hates you (O Muhammad), he will be cut off (from posterity and every good thing in this world and in the Hereafter).”

Yes, the obvious reference here is to the physical spring Al-Kauthar which is found in paradise, but the Qur’an has multiple meanings, and for those with eyes to see and ears to hear, know that the spring mentioned is referring to the pure offspring (pbut) of Prophet Muhammad (saw) as the conditions in which the revelation of these verses occurred, explains this perfectly.

Now that it is clear that the members of the household (pbut) are pure, that we are to hold fast to them. Would this not mean they (pbut) would be our connection to the Prophet (saw)? Would this not render them ideally suited to be the leaders over his (saw) people?

Before the Prophet (saw) had passed away he had given clear evidence of who the leader of his people should be after his death. Evidences of this can again be found in hadith books of the Sunnah.

“It is narrated by Barā’ bin ‘Āzib (RA): We were on a journey with Allāh’s Messenger (SAW). (On the way) we stayed at Ghadīr Khum. There it was announced that the prayer was about to be offered. The space under two trees was cleaned for Allāh’s Messenger (SAW). Then he offered the zuhr (noon) prayer, and, holding ‘Alī’s hand, he said: Don’t you know that I am even nearer than the lives of the believers? They said: Why not! He said: Don’t you know that I am even nearer than the life of every believer? They said: Why not! The narrator says that he said while holding ‘Alī’s hand: One who has me as his master has ‘Alī as his master. O Allāh! Befriend the one who befriends him (‘Alī) and be the enemy of one who is his enemy. The narrator says that after this ‘Umar (bin al-Khattāb (RA)) met ‘Alī (RA) and said to him: O Ibn Abī Tālib! Congratulations, you have become the master of every male and female believer, morning and evening (for ever).”

Reference: Ahmad bin Hanbal related it from Barā’ bin ‘Āzib through two different chains of transmission in al-Musnad (4:281); Ibn Abī Shaybah, al-Musannaf (12:78 # 12167); Muhib Tabarī, Dhakhā’ir-ul-‘uqbā fī manāqib dhawī al-qurbā (p.125), ar-Riyād-un-nadrah fī manāqib-il-‘ashrah (3:126, 127); Hindī, Kanz-ul-‘ummāl (13:133, 134 # 36420); Ibn ‘Asākir, Tārīkh Dimashq al-kabīr (5:167, 168); Ibn Athīr, Asad-ul-ghābah (4:103); and Ibn Kathīr in al-Bidāyah wan-nihāyah (4:169; 5:464).

Ahmad bin Hambal in his book Fadā’il-us-sahābah (2:610 number 1042) has added the following

(O Allāh!) Be the enemy of one who is his (‘Alī’s) enemy, and help him who helps him, and love him who loves him. Shu‘bah says that the Prophet (SAW) said in its place, “Bear malice towards him who bears malice towards (‘Alī)”.

Ahmad bin Hambal is considered the founder of the Hanbali school of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), within Sunni Islam.

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For those who may doubt the above hadith which gives clear evidence to the Individual chosen as the divine leader after the Prophet (saw) had passed away, there are many other narrations which indicate the same thing, as can be found in more accepted books of hadith such as sahih Bukhari and Muslim.

Sahih Bukhari 5:56, 5: 700 and Sahih Muslim Book 31 Hadith 5914

Allah's Apostle set out for Tabuk, appointing `Ali as his deputy (in Medina). `Ali said, "Do you want to leave me with the children and women?" The Prophet said, "Will you not be pleased that you will be to me like Aaron to Moses? But there will be no prophet after me."

When we analyze the above hadith, we need to establish exactly what the relationship was that Aaron (as) had with Moses (as)? We then look to the Qur’an which makes understanding the above hadith very clear & simple.

“And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture and appointed with him his brother Aaron a vizier (Minister)”. The Holy Quran 25:35

Besides this clear proof from these narrations, I would like to mention this. There were many suitors who approached the Prophet (saw) regarding marriage to his daughter Fatima (as)

And even though many had asked, her hand in marriage was granted to Ali ibn Abi Talib (as)

There are verses in the Qur’an which could adequately describe this situation.

The Holy Qur’an (11:79)

“They said: "Surely you know that we have neither any desire nor in need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!”.

So here again surely there was divine wisdom behind he who was chosen to be the husband of Fatima (as), as they would certainly go on to be the heirs of the Prophet (saw).

The Prophet (saw) also mentioned in a great many narrations that after him there would 12 princes, who would be the divinely chosen leaders. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) clarified that these successors are similar to the chieftains of The Children Israel. If we look to the Qur’an to explain this statement we find the following verse.

The Holy Qur’an (5:12)

"Allah made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We raised among them twelve chieftains".

Sahih Bukhari: narration 9: 101, Sahih Muslim: hadith 1821

I heard the prophet (saw) saying "twelve princes" then he said a word I did not hear, then my father said "All of them are from Quraish".

Mustardak ala Sahahain V 4 Pg 456

Narrated from masrooq he said we were sitting one night with Abdullah as he was reading the Quran and a man has asked him "O father of abdulrahmad, have you asked the messenger of Allah (pbuh) how many successors will rule this nation ? He said no one has asked me about this matter since I came to Iraq before you , he said we did ask him and he said (pbuh) "Tweleve successors the same number of the successors of Bani Isreal".

The specification of the number is clear as the successors of Moses (as) are twelve, the disciples of Jesus (as) are twelve, and the successors of Muhammad (saw) are also twelve

So who are those 12 chieftains or successors or princes?

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For those who claim that these successors are the companions of the Prophet (saw), then we end with a total 4 leaders in number, and if these were the divinely chosen leaders then I ask who is the 5th, the 9th and 12th of them?

In shia Islam the belief is that the 12 divinely chosen leaders are all from the household of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). In both sunni and shia Islam there exists a belief that towards the end of time there would emerge a man from the Ahul-Bayt (as) of Prophet Muhammad (saw), who would have the same name as the Prophet (saw) who would come to fill the world with truth & justice as it was filled with injustice & corruption. His name is Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Mahdi (as), and is commonly referred to as the Mahdi (as).

In shia Islam he is the 12th divine leader. So as I mentioned before the belief in the Mahdi (as) is found in both sunni and shia Islam. However something which I have always been perplexed by is this; in the case of sunni Islam, they recognize the Mahdi (as), and yet they do not have any knowledge of his father, grand-father or great grand-father. How could it be possible to recognize the last of them yet not know the pure offspring which he comes from? How can we recognize the last of them and not give credit to the rest of them (pbut)?

There are many narrations which give evidence that the Mahdi (as) will be from the Ahlul-Bayt (as) of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "Even if the entire duration of the world's existence has already been exhausted and only one day is left (before the day of judgment), Allah will expand that day to such a length of time, as to accommodate the kingdom of a person from my Ahlul-Bayt who will be called by my name. He will fill out the earth with peace and justice as it will have been full of injustice and tyranny (by then)."

References: Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v2, p86, v9, pp 74-75 ; Sunan Abu Dawud, v2, p7; Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, pp 84,376; V3, p63 ; al-Mustadrak ala al-Sahihayn, by al-Hakim, v4, p557 ; Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Suyuti, pp 2,160 ; al-Urful Wardi, by al-Suyuti, p2 ; al-Majma', by al-Tabarani, p217 ; Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, v9, p144 ; Fat'h al-Bari fi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, by Ibn Hajar Asqalani, v7, p305 ; al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p249 ; al-Tathkirah, by al-Qurtubi, p617 ; al-Hawi, by al-Suyuti, v2, pp 165-166 ; Sharh al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah, by al-Zurqani, v5, p348 ; Fat'h al-Mugheeth, by al-Sakhawi, v3, p41 ; Kanz al-Ummal, v7 P186 ; Iqd al-Durar Fi Akhbar al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, v12, Ch. 1 ; al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sahib al-Zaman, By Ganji al-Shafi'i, Ch. 12 ; al-Fusool al-Muhimmah, by Ibn Sabbagh al-Maliki, Ch. 12 ; Arjahul Matalib, by Ubaidallah Hindi al-Hanafi, p380 ; Muqaddimah, by Ibn Khaldoon, p266

As well as: Sunan Ibn Majah, v2, Tradition 4085

The Prophet (saw) said: "al-Mahdi is one of us, the members of the household i.e. Ahlul-Bayt (as)."

If this is not sufficient perhaps this could clarify the matter even further. From Both Biblical as well as Qur’anic verses we know that Prophet Abraham (as) had 2 sons, Isaac (as) and Ishmael (as). From Isaac came Jacob (as), and from him the 12 tribes of Israel and it is from the lineage of Ishmael (as) that Prophet Muhammad (saw) is born.

Genesis 17: 20.

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have blessed him and I have made him fruitful, and I will multiply him exceedingly: twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation”.

Again we see that from the lineage of Ishmael, the same lineage of Prophet Muhammad (saw), that 12 princes will be born, and these princes will have a great nation.

So who are these 12 princes?

On the night of the death of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) he dictated his will and he mentioned these 12 Princes by name.

The Will of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

“O Father of Al Hassan, bring me a leaf and a paper”, and he dictated his will until he came to a position where he said "O Ali, there will be twelve Imams and after them there will be twelve Mahdi’s. You, O Ali, are the first of the twelve Imams; God has named you in his heavens Ali Al Mortada, The Prince of the believers, Grand truthful, the bright Farouq (Judge and differentiating between true and false), the trusted, and the Mahdi (rightly guided). These names may not be truly attributed to other than you. O Ali, you are my guardian on my own family, their living and their dead! My women, whom you maintain shall find me tomorrow, and whom you reject I am acquitted of her. I will not see her and she will not see me on the day of resurrection, and you are the successor (Khalifa) on my nation after me. If the day of death comes to you, hand it over to my son Hassan the very beneficial. Then if the day of death

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comes to him, let him hand it over to my son Al Hussein, the Martyr, the Pure and the Assassinated. If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, the master of the servants and worshipers Ali. If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Mohamed Al Baqir. If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Jaâfar Al Sadiq (the honest).If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Moussa Al Kadhim (The Patient). If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Ali Al Reda. If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Mohamed Al Thiqa (The Trustworthy). If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Ali Al Nasih (The Advisor). If the day death of comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Al Hassan Al Fadil. If the day of death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, Mohammed the Mandate of the Holy Family of Muhammad (Peace be upon them all). These are the twelve Imams.

The will is unfortunately only mentioned in a great many famous shia books. And for those who may claim that that the Prophet (saw) didn’t have a will, this would be stating that the Prophet (saw) went against the Qur’an. The Quran clearly states

The Holy Qur’an (2:180)

“It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he makes a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable manners. (This is) a duty upon Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”.

Evidence exists within the hadith books of the Sunnah which describe that the Prophet (saw) tried to inform his people about something on the night of his death that if they were to follow they would never go astray.

Sahih Bukhari: narration 7.573 and 9.468

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: When Allah's Apostle was on his death−bed and in the house there were some people among whom was `Umar bin Al−Khattab, the Prophet said, "Come, let me write for you a statement after which you will not go astray." `Umar said, "The Prophet is seriously ill and you have the Qur'an; so the Book of Allah is enough for us." The people present in the house differed and quarrelled. Some said "Go near so that the Prophet may write for you a statement after which you will not go astray," while the others said as `Umar said. When they caused a hue and cry before the Prophet, Allah's Apostle said, "Go away!" Narrated 'Ubaidullah: Ibn `Abbas used to say, "It was very unfortunate that Allah's Apostle was prevented from writing that statement for them because of their disagreement and noise."

If we have a look at this hadith there are a few things we need to consider. The words of Umar when he said; the book of Allah is enough for us! Why would he say this? We know from previous hadiths mentioned that on the farewell pilgrimage the Prophet had mentioned the 2 weighty things, the 1st being the Book of Allah, and the 2nd thing being the members of his household (as). So here we see that a great companion was stating that the 1st of the weighty things was enough for them, and surely this implied that the 2nd of the weighty things they did not require. This was extremely unfortunate since the Prophet (saw) was on his death bed and was attempting to write something after which he had passed would continue to guide his (pbuh) people. The hadith continues that there was a quarrel and these who had caused this were sent away. The sub-narrator continues to state it was truly unfortunate that Allahs apostle (saw) was prevented from writing the statement for them because of their disagreement or noise. This very clearly indicates that those, who had caused the quarrel and had made noise, these were the ones for which the statement was not written. This however does not state that it wasn’t written for those who remained behind. We ask the question, those who didn’t receive the statement, would they be safe from going astray or would those who remained to receive the statement be safe from going astray.

Who were the individuals that were allowed to remain within the Prophets (saw) house? Would it surely not be those who had lived with him, the members of his (saw) household (as)?

By now it should be quite clear why I have gone to such length in describing the people of the household (as) of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), since they form part of the 2 weighty things ordered to us by the Prophet (saw) after he left this earth. I can assure that it is not by chance that many do not know who these members were and what had happened to each and every one of them.

I mentioned before that this may be the first time that many have heard that the 2nd of the two weight things was the Ahlul-Bayt (as). In the school of companions in Islam, there is a dispute regarding what the 2nd of the weighty things are. In the school of companions the two weight things are considered to be, 1st the Book of Allah and the 2nd being the Sunnah i.e. the way of life of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Is there any problem with this?

Let me point out an example of a hadith taken from a very famous hadith book of the sunnah and once we have completed looking at the hadith we could address the question I posed above.

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In the school of companions it is known that after completion of the obligatory prayer of Asr, there is no suggested or Sunnah prayer to be performed afterwards. And perhaps this is evidence enough that it be so.

Sahih Bukhari narration 1.561

Narrated Muawiya: You offer a prayer which I did not see being offered by Allah's Apostle when we were in his company and he certainly had forbidden it (i.e. two rak`at after the `Asr prayer).

As well as

Sahih Bukhari 1.562:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle forbade the offering of two prayers: −1. after the morning prayer till the sunrises. −2. after the `Asr prayer till the sun sets.

However, this hadith indicates otherwise

Sahih Bukhari 1.564:

Narrated `Aisha: By Allah, Who took away the Prophet. The Prophet never missed them (two rak`at) after the `Asr prayer till he met Allah and he did not meet Allah till it became heavy for him to pray while standing so he used to offer most of the prayers while sitting. (She meant the two rak`at after `Asr) He used to pray them in the house and never prayed them in the mosque lest it might be hard for his followers and he loved what was easy for them.

So for a people whose aim it is to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw), this creates a problem. This is a very important matter; it is the acts of worship which there are now clear differences in opinion about. Are we to make the prayer or are we not to make the Prayer? Which of these two acts would be closer to the Sunnah i.e. the way of life of the Prophet (saw)?

Is this not the same as those who claim to be following the bible, and say with their mouths that Jesus is the son of God, yet nowhere in the book is it ever mentioned from Jesus (as), that he was God and that he was to be followed in such a manner?

“And with the Sahih hadiths from the Truthful Ones (as), so do you blame the scholars of the scholars of the Jews and the Christians (May Allah curse them) because they did not follow Muhammad (sawas) even though he was mentioned in their books by his name and description and that he emerges from Faran and you use that as a proof against them? Then go back to your books and judge yourselves”. Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (as)

I ask another question what is the most important thing in your life? Besides the worshipping of Allah and obeying the commands He sent down upon his beloved Prophet (saw)? What is the most important thing in your life? Would you not say your family; your parents, your brothers and sisters, your children?

Would you not reply that they are the dearest of dearest to you? Then how would Prophet Muhammad (saw) feel about his family (as)? Is the lack of respect and love being shown to them not a mirror which reflects the way in which many people treat their own families in these times? How little these days care about their own family members, let alone the members of the Prophet (saw) family (as)?

In the school of companions there is no dispute about the following. Hassan and Hussein (pbut) are the leaders of the youth of paradise. Lady Fatima (pbuh) is the leader of the woman of paradise. Would you not agree? I pose another question what status does Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) then have? His wife and his son’s (pbut) are the leader of the youth & woman in paradise, would he not have a high status? It is deemed fit that he is designated as the 4th Caliph? Yet it is recorded by history that his mother (pbuh) was ordered to give birth to him (as) inside the house of Allah, the Kaaba in Mecca, whilst Mary (pbuh) was ordered to leave the holy house when she was to give birth to Jesus (as).

Even if you don’t acknowledge the Ahlul-Bayt (as) and they mean absolutely nothing to you, do you know that everyday at least 5 times a day, you are sending blessings upon them?

Did you know that because of their importance and their (as) divine status it has become part of salaah and that it is incumbent upon Muslims to send blessings upon them (as)?

You can never ever complete your salaah before reciting Darud Shareef, which includes:

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“Allah-humma Sal-e Alaa Muhammad Wa-Alaa Aal-e Muhammad” Translated: O Allah, confer blessings upon Muhammad (saw) and upon the family of Muhammad (saw) And Darud Shareef continues by sending blessings upon Ibrahim (as) and the family of Ibrahim (as), from whom came Ishmael (as), from whom came Prophet Muhammad (saw) as well as the 12 princes (peace be upon them all).

To those who may not hold the Ahlul-Bayt (as) in high esteem, or who may not think that they (pbut) don’t mean very much.

A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. Or in simpler words when one says something and their actions do not line up with their statements, like sending blessings but not really meaning it, what would this make such a person exhibiting these characteristics? Clue: there is an entire chapter of the Qur’an dedicated to those types of people.

I believe I have clearly shown that just because we are called something doesn’t mean that we are actually doing what the name suggests we are. Just because I call my group black or white, doesn’t automatically make me black or white for example.

“O you people, those non-working scholars have fascinated you and they have resembled the invalid by the truth, as resemblance is named by resemblance for its resemblance to the truth”. Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (as), The Yamani from The Family of Muhammad (saw), The messenger of Imam Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Mahdi (as), May Allah grant him victory over the unjust oppressors and tyrants upon the earth Insha’Allah.

Make lively the matter of the family of Muhammad (saw), for Allah has mercy on whoever brings life to the matter of the family of Muhammad (saw). Imam Jaafer Al-Sadiq (as).

Allah humma sal-e ala Muhammad wa ala al-e Muhammad al A'Imma Wa Mahdyeen Wa Salam Tasleemah Katheerah

Muhammad Ebrahim 17 Ramadan 1432 AH

The Martyrdom of Ali by Zainab KazimO the great Ali (A.S.), the marvelous Ali (A.S.), The powerful Ali (A.S.), the miraculous Ali (A.S.), Yo're life of Prophet, life of Islam, Yo're life of Shariah, life of Qur'an, Your devotion saved Prophet and Islam, It saved Shariah it saved Qur'an, You slept on bed of Prophet Muhammad, In circle of swords in shadow of death, Submitting your life and soul to Allah, You slept soundly having faith in Allah, Allah admired your pure high self, It was valuable He bought your self, And gave His pleasure to you O Ali (A.S.), No one in the world has achieved such rank, Thus you are unique and next to Muhammad, You are possessor of pleasure of Allah, With whom you're pleased Allah is pleased, If you are displeased Allah is displeased, Allah gave power to you on Qiyamat, You are distributer of men to heaven, hell, On 19th of Ramazan you bowed your head, In shadow of the sword you bowed to Allah, Submittin your self to Allah, prayed namaz, And after the rukoo, your marvelous sajda, The killer came close ignoring Allah's justice, He raised his sword and struck on your head, Head was deeply wounded, the blood flowed from wound, Alas my Imam, you became martyr, On your pure lips were words of faith, "I became sussful, by Lord of Ka'ba", And you thanked Allah, your head was bleeding, You were so great, O Allah's vicegerent, The killer was brougth the hands were tied, You freed his hands O merciful Imam, And you were kind to him O wonderful Imam, You also offered milk who had shed your blood, O great patient Imam, came home full of blood, Your eyes saw the vision, of future of the children, Poisoned patient Hasan throwing up the blood, The arrows being shot at bier of Hasan, Looking at Husain you saw him fully wounded, drenched in blood from head to the toe, You saw him beheaded with sword on thirsty neck, His head on spear and body being trample, Abbas, brave son flag bearer of Islam, With severed arms blood flowing from shoulders, Was getting very restless, with empty water skin, With blood and tears flowing from his eyes, Zainab and Umme Kulthoom and all holy ladies, Without veil, bear headed, with hands tied with rope, Abid tied in chains and neck in thorny 'taoq', And lashed on the back, the back full of blood, Seeing these future miseries of the children, Tears flowed from your eyes, O patient great Imam! The pain on your heart, the pain in your head, Which had deep wound but you thanked Allah, The sword was immersed in poison by the killer, With that poisoned sword he had attacked you, The poisoned had spread in all your body, Alas! that sword took your precious life, Jibreel was crying Meekaael was crying, The angels were crying the hoories were crying, All Prophets were crying all souls were crying, The earth was crying the skies were crying, suffering for two days you passed away from world, Zainab and Umme Kulsoom all Itrat mourned for you, Hasan and Husain gave bath, shrouded body, Angels carried bier, Hasanain carried bier, They brought to the place of burial of Imam, They dug the grave a slab was found, On Allah's order, Prophet Nooh had written, This is the grave of great Imam Ali, They buried great Ali son of Abu Talib, embodiment of light stayed as light, Even now from grave shines great Imam's light, He solves people's problems he is MUSHKIL KUSHA, Generous great Imam you are immortal, your great memory forever is alive, in hearts of all orphans as bread provider, In hears of all beggers as reliever of poor, Kalma is your gift to all the Muslims, Namaz is your gift to all the Muslims, Shariah is your gift to all the Muslims, If you had not saved it, Islam would be dead, the faith would be dead the practice would be dead, Your favor is on all mankind of the world, You are for ever the light of guidance!

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Is the Comforter a man or an Absolute Spirit?by Labbayk AhmedIn today's society, the majority of Christians believe that the Comforter is an Absolute Spirit, thus implying that he is the Holy Spirit and one of the Persons of the Trinity.

However, there is sufficient evidence to argue that Jesus Christ spoke of the human characteristics of the Comforter which cannot be applied to an Absolute Spirit.

Jesus said: "But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged". John: Chapter 16.

We can see from this that Jesus clarified, the Comforter is a messenger sent from him to all the people and that he will convict the world in respect of sins, for denying and killing Prophets and Messengers, for abandoning the rights of the Prophets and their executors, losing their fortune in the minor judgment, and for letting down the chief of this world; Imam Al Mahdi (a.s.)

Jesus also said "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, `these' shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare `it' unto you." John: Chapter 16.

The Christians argue, that the Comforter is the Holy Spirit and one of the Persons of the Trinity, then we ask, why does he speak with what he hears and does not follow his desires, but "he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, `these' shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come."

Hearing, speaking, declaring, convicting, etc. are all human actions that can’t be applied to an Absolute Spirit; thus it clearly indicates that a man will be sent by Jesus in the End Times to teach them things that the apostles could not bear at the time of Jesus.

Jesus said: "But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." Book of John, Chapter 14, Verses 26-31

It’s believed that the Comforter is the Holy Spirit; while there is no wrong in saying that he is the Holy Spirit by means of a man filled with the Holy Spirit the way Jesus Christ was filled with it.

However, if the objection was that the spirit can never be a man then we must refer to the Book of 1st John, verse 1-4 that says: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are

of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

As this verse clearly shows that the false prophets or the true prophets are spirits and so the Comforter is a man that is filled with the Holy Spirit. Moreover, there are true Prophets, which is why he said try them or test them, otherwise he would have said no Prophets shall come.

Jesus said: "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." Book of John 14:14-16

Here Jesus clearly states that he will send another Comforter. So in this verse, Jesus is a Comforter and the other Comforter will be from the same kind/race of Jesus, which means he is also a person the way Jesus is a person from the human race. Moreover, the Greek Scripture uses the word (allon) which is used to refer to others from the same race, whereas the word (hetenos) is used to refer to others from another race.

Jesus said: {If ye love me, keep my commandments}. Book of John 14:15

He also said: {And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe} Book of John 14:29

It’s clear from the aforementioned verses that the Comforter will be accused of lying, that’s why Jesus recommended to believe and follow him: "If you love me, you will obey my commandments", "I have told you this now, before it all happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe", "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not stumble", "I have told you this so that you will not give up your faith" and "I have told you this so that when the time comes for them to do these things you would remember what I told you. I didn't tell you these things in the beginning for I was with you."

Whereas the Holy Spirit is one of the Persons of the Trinity according to the Christians belief, so the apostles should have already been believers in him, so how can they give up their faith unless the Comforter is a man?

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Finding the Rightly Guided One and Discerning Self Deception (in this Age of Lawlessness)– a letter to sincere and thoughtful Christians.By: Neil A. Jensen (Australia)

I am a new student of the followers of Imam Ahmad Al Hassan Al Mahdi, and am grateful to be asked to write an article for this magazine. A chance to serve.

The ansars have welcomed me as a family member, and even though many are

my junior in years, their sincerity, humility, and kindness has made me feel like a treasured son in a loving family. As a brother said to me last night, 'we all desire love and family, don't we?' In the community of ansars I have found that.

So in a way they have dragged me by the collar of encouragement and tenderness, to talk and share my thoughts.

May any mistakes herein be overlooked, and the inner essence of my reasoning and conscience be seen. My conscience is the reasoning of accepting Islam: a desire for one family, one faith, one world of peace, and One God.

These young men and women are a fine example of Islam, a treasure I would not want to lose. In them I see a hope for the current crisis in the world, therefore my full support is offered to the mission of the Yamani (A.S).

The Great Apostasy2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

1} Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2} not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word

or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3} Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.

My thoughts:

In my study of the Holy Bible, I do not see Trinity mentioned (as described by Roman Creeds) at all. The phrase ‘Son of God’ is a descriptive terminology for me. A collective hope (refer to the writings of Paul in Ephesians).

This mystery explained in the Bible also has its opposite the ‘son of perdition’.

But of course, mankind has always appointed and encouraged its specific leaders. So these terms can be personalized, no problem at all, by men who have a set agenda of power

and control. For men whose hearts are corrupted, whose desires are flawed and filthy, and who lack the devotion of a pure heart. Whereas the heart of a devotee in love with God is clean, pure, and spotless. A ‘believer’ whose intention was even righteous in its seed from the beginning. The Hindu

term for seed is ‘bija’, and from seeds a plant grows.

It is natural for man to aggrandize the ego and fall into error and misconception. It is also intrinsic and natural for the heart within man, to seek some type of shelter and guidance. How important is it then to seek correct guidance?

Indeed, the Comforter is Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan, as messenger from Jesus to the Christians and he came to teach us the religion of God and to fill the Land with Peace and Justice after it has been filled with Tyranny and Injustice.

Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan said: 'Jesus (A.S) said "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God"

And I, the slave of God, tell you: With food, the son of Adam shall die, and with the word of God, he shall live.

My mission is similar to Noah's (A.S), Abraham's (A.S), Moses' (A.S), Jesus' (A.S), and to Mohammad's (PBUH).

My mission is to spread monotheism (belief that there is only one God) in every place on this Earth. The purpose of the Prophets and Executors is my own purpose and to explain the Torah, the Bible and the Quran, and whatever you disagreed upon. To explain the deviation of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars and their secession from the Law of God, and their violation of Prophets' recommendations (A.S)

My will is the will and volition of God (to Whom be ascribed all perfection and majesty); for the people of Earth to crave for nothing but God's will; to overwhelm the Earth with justice and fairness, just like it is filled with tyranny and oppression; to feed the hungry and shelter the poor; to bring joy to orphans after their prolonged sadness; to fulfill the widows' material needs with honor and dignity; and to achieve the most important thing in the Law of God; justice, mercy and honesty}.

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Greeks personalized their pagan pantheon, and a powerful man would have chosen one specific Deity to glean its power, to take shelter therein, and through certain religious rituals obtain a specific goal. This same thread is seen throughout many cultures including Hinduism and its demi-gods, and even shamanic based cultures and its spirits, and the Great Satan of modern materialistic/atheistic culture.

The Hindu text Bhagavad Gita says ‘what a great man does, others will follow’.

Some schools of Hindu thought aspire to become gods in self-realization; just before final ‘emancipation’ or ‘self -extermination’ (moksha and nirvana). Such schools adhere to a shadow of devotion, a trickster devotion, an imposter of the jaded heart...

Human beings cultivate ‘sense gratification and exploitation’, and after much frustration and many years of not being able to satisfy their impure desires, will seek escape, and may turn to religion. They are not driven by fear of God based on a simple and pure heart, but instead they seek religion for an impure motive. So therefore, the desire for salvation can also be a great stumbling block for the human being (with incorrect view), for the human being who is driven by fear. Because worldly things were never meant to satisfy the deepest recess of the human heart. Only love in its pristine nature can it fill that void within the Cave of the Heart. Only that form of love can truly satisfy.

There are schools of Hindu and Vedic philosophy though, such as the Vaisnava bhakti (devotional) cults, that would more easily grasp the brilliance of Abrahamic mono-theistic vision. In these bhakti cults becoming God is seen as the greatest fall-down, greatest stumbling block, and greatest sin. Which spoils rasa (mellow and taste of devotional mood). Desire for liberation in these cults is seen as the final hurdle. Similarly the devout muslim does not desire to bring forward the Judgement Day, but instead cultivates reverential fear of God, and aspires for love of God. So too would the sincere and devoutly intelligent christian, whose heart is saturated in rasa, with correct guidance.

Son of God is used in biblical text to point toward the will of God for creation, and destiny of humanity in its unified realization. A gift and grace from an extremely loving and merciful God. The gift of devotion for a humanity and society well founded. No doubt a ‘grateful’ society, well guided.

May Allah bless Imam ‘Ahmad’ Al Hassan Al Mahdi (pbuh)!

I am certain Jesus used the term this way when he encouraged his disciples to pray to the Father, when asking for things in his name. God being the Crest Jewel in the eyes of the devotees, who are saturated in longing for love, and devotional service.

Jesus (a.s), the messenger, and a key figure in these last days, always referred to himself as the ‘son of man’. Denoting the servitorship mood of a devotee, and messenger to mankind. A Profound and humble phrase, steeped in realization of God's WIll.

REFERENCE: JOHN 14:12-1412} Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13} And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14} If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15} If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16} And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17} Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Imam Ahmad Al Hassan (pbuh) is the promised comforter and guide. And from him the will of God has begun to unfold in these last times once again.

Leaving aside scholars teachings, from the Islamic and Christian schools of

thought, Simply let us reason for a little. Like eager and hungry children, hungry for comfort and guidance.

What does the ‘Son of God’ mentioned in the Bible really mean to you?

As a small child I leave that in your heart to ponder, within your innocent child’s heart..... Just imagine!

But first, let us now discern what is meant by the ‘son of perdition’. As mature and reasoning adults, with concern for real children of the world, and what we want for them.

In this context I can boldy say, those who do not accept the Yamani (pbuh), are the children of hell. This is a clear directive from the hand of Almighty God and His will, and backed by the Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and the Holy Quran.

Perdition come from error, incorrect view, in the inability to humble oneself. Whereas the ‘spirit of truth’ points clearly to 'LA ILAH ILLALLAH'. (There is no God, but God)

LET US CONTINUE READING THESSALONIANS...

4} who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God,

A fantasy of the mind and corrupted human heart – jaded by the imposter.

NOW LET US SEE WHAT THE HOLY QURAN SAYS ABOUT PURITY OF HEART:

Surah 112.

The Unity, Sincerity, Oneness Of Allah

1} Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;

2} Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;

3} He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;

4} And there is none like unto Him.

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Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was a true prophet of God. And it is evident in the last ten years of history ‘the Spirit of Anti-Christ’ has worked hard to defame that great prophet (pbuh) by any means possible.

Since the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York, the manipulation of the good name of Islam, has been tarnished across the globe, and the scholars with all their education standards are failing, failing to teach real religion. Instead they are wranglers of the law.

It is imperative to teach pure devotion, and to teach what traps lie await in this world. Political jostling and clinging to power only pleases the desires of Satan(s). Whereas pure religion and devotion satisfies all standards of the law immediately.

Who was behind that great evil in New York? And what, has arisen now in full view for the wise to see?

THE SON OF PERDITION IT SEEMS.

But the Satans(s) plans will fail, of this there is no doubt.

LET US CONTINUE WITH THESSALONIANS:

...showing himself that he is God.

5} Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6} And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.

The wisdom and plan of God unfolds...

7} For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

8} And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9} The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10} and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth,

What is the ‘love of the truth’ according to correct Christian doctrine, that is free of polytheism and idolatry?

LET US LISTEN TO WHAT JESUS SAYS ABOUT 'TRUTH':

[LUKE 10:27] And he answering said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

NOW BACK TO THESSALONIANS:

that they might be saved... 11} And for this reason God will send them strong delusion,

If we have not been granted a ‘vision of the unseen’, it is still possible to stand upon faith and truth (surah 112). And be free of the increasing of non-belief in our developing societies...

By the gift of the ‘spirit of truth’, of love and sound reasoning, of correct conscience, and also by sincere and intelligent seeking, we can find the will of God – and it is here...

...In this family of God, descending from Fatima and Ali (pbut), the path ordained and predestined by Allah in the will of Prophet Mohammad. The real ALHUS SUNNAH WAL JAM’AH.

MY TESTIMONY:I accepted Islam by accepting the Holy Quran as truth early in 2011. A friend of mine came to me most days then, he was an ex-vietnam war veteran, diagnosed with mental illness, had battled drugs and was slowly dying from a virus in his blood. One day before he committed suicide he looked at my Quran in the bookshelf, and said ‘ you should read the Quran Neil’.

In my heart I always knew Mohammad (pbuh) was the Prophet. So I picked up the Quran and read it,I knew then, what to do. Before my friend took his life, he telephoned me and said ‘your rightly guided Neil and a prophet’. I said ‘no, no, no, I am now a muslim’. And I thanked him.

I found the Naqshbandi Sufi Order in Cyprus online and took internet Bayat

from Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, and began to awaken. At the time, some months before that, I began to journal my life story and own experiences of war, drugs, and mental illness...and visions. Then the Arab Springs in the Middle East erupted.

After some time following the dikhr prescribed by Shaykh Nazim a realization entered my heart, of Allah’s and Mohammad’s will to harmonize my faith. Fatima (pbuh) and her beauty, entered my heart. I began to see Allah in relation to family and love, something I long for.

The Naqshbandi Order I took initiation in, descends from Abu Bakr, so I will never join any partisan quarrel. Why? Because of Fatima (pbuh), and understanding ‘the final will and desires’ of Prophet Mohammad (pbuhap). Also by understanding through direct realization in my heart, the manifest will of Allah in these end times. My conscience finally found its solace in religion.

You see, I had always wrestled and had been dissatisfied with religion of the world, that fought amongst itself, defeating the love extended by God. So, can you imagine the joy I felt when I found Ahmad Al Hassan (pbuh), the Yamani online?

Therefore I fully support him, and offer this invitation and testimony to all people of faith, and all those who profess Islam! This is my testimony of faith! I invite you to join us!!!

Would a God of love leave us orphans in such turbulent times? Of course not!

SO LET US REASON...One example of the tools that Anti-Christ has proficiently used over the last ten years is the mass media. The culture exhibited through television, news papers, music, internet, and radio, has skillfully, subtly and blatantly promoted self-agrandizement of the ego, taught lack of compassion, mocking of the weak, the oppressed, the social outcast, disrespect of widows and the poor, abuse of the body through lust and sexuality....if you doubt this just turn the television on tonight and see what is up for entertainment and humor!

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The media houses tap many households and ruin them everyday and know very well the art of manipulation to achieve certain obscure goals. What is this teaching young people, with maleable minds, and dysfunctional family unbringings?

The recent riots in London show a sickness. The Prime Minister called these young people the sick ones! But he himself lacked the courage to step up to the mark of truth. And instead called in U.S. riot control to teach skills how to maintain order. Who advised him? Who guided him to do this?

May I suggest the sickness is much broader than disadvantaged and angry teenagers. That the children are simply an outward symptom of a sickness that lies at the core of modern society?

Is society that bound, that it dare not speak out the truth in honesty? And our leaders lacking the heart to speak such evident truth? Sadly it seems so! It also seems that religious leaders have also pandered to the lure of the political agenda of this world, unwilling to surrender to ‘this holy directive’ from Basra! The Yamani (pbuh)!

Is it any wonder then that the call to ‘Al Mahdi’ will be received at first by few, and the true message of Jesus not really seen? A force at work has prepared the foundation for lawlessness very well it seems, and not held accountable for it. Whereas Islam and its good name has been run through the dirt. Please read Ahmad al Hassan’s (pbuh) book ‘The Calf’.

But be sure, angels make record of all deeds, and Allah knows the intention of all hearts. Allah knows the intention of my heart also, and how soiled it became from choosing the propaganda of mass media as a source of solace and entertainment (taught in my youth). And when pain struck, at the age of 25 years old, and addiction, and the shame of immorality grew, sickness grew. After my search overseas and experience of war, and realizing something was very amiss in my soul, and family also. But listen, who is accountable at maturity? Each of us, before God and His judgement! That is a truth, as sure as the sun rises at dawn!

So let us reason!

Let us take the guidance and advice, from the perspective of Islam’s Holy Book:

QURANSurah 113. The Daybreak, Dawn

1. Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn 2. From the mischief of created things; 3. From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads; 4. From the mischief of those who practise secret arts; 5. And from the mischief of the envious one as he practises envy.

LET'S RETURN BACK TO THESSALONIANS:

that they should believe the lie... 12} that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Please consider, thoughtfully!

NOW LET US LOOK AT THE BIBLE AND WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT TRUTH, AND, HOW TO DISCERN THE ANTICHRIST:

[1 John 2]

1} My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2} And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

3} Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4} He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

7} Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8} Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

9} He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10} He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11} But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12} I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13} I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14} I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

Simply beautiful words, a focus on family...a spiritual household based on love and righteousness, penned by the hand of a wise man, penned with wise words from the heart, of vision. A universal mystery attainable by all in this earth. One Ummah!

15} Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

A clear admonition for all peoples and nations. And a very clear admonition for countries which base their foundations upon christian values.

16} For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17} And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

18} Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19} They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

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Apostasy has occured in Jewish, Islamic, and the Christian religion. The proof of this is evident, and recorded in religious histories.

20} But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

The Oneness of God and the truth concealed within that truth is our great hope now! Have we lost the ‘spirit of truth’ (John 14:12)? Praise God, no!

The Yamani (pbuh) has come to guide us and prepare us. Truth has come as a comforter, and to point us to the safety of the Ark once again!

All throughout the Holy Quran, Holy Bible. And Holy Torah, we can see that God follows the plan over and over again. And messengers and warners when humanity is in need.

I dare, I say boldly, so it should be, because the world is full of sincere seekers craving to find truth and peace. Those sincere one’s who need not be orphaned and handed over to the wiles of non-belief and falsehood.

Truth has appeared again, by the will of a merciful God. And was declared in the final will of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Based in the family founded on Divinity. And men laughed and scoffed, thinking senility had arisen. No, a simple childlike heart had grown in the Prophet in his last hours. The Beatitude of going home to God.

‘Be as little children to see the kingdom of God’ was the teaching of that other great Messenger Jesus/Isha (pbuh).

How wrong they were, these men, they simply could not foresee the far reaching vision of a true Prophet of God. So let us not lay blame anymore, but seize truth now, for today! As mature children with a message to share.

Are you now beginning to see how great and magnificent is the wisdom of Allah and His Messengers (pbut). And how perfect is His timing?

LET US CONTINUE WITH JOHN:

21} I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22} Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23} Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Once again the original mystery is alluded to by John. Using words wisely within place and time and circumstance.

24}Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25} And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

26} These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27} But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

28} And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29} If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

1 John 41} Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2} By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Take special note of what John says here....Jesus (pbuh) was a man, and according to Holy Quran was born of Mary who was a virgin. Allah simply has to say ‘Be’ and it is. And within that man was born ‘truth’. Clear.

Later, as his disciples travelled to spread the message of hope and love, they went to Greece. So Greek terminologies and understandings were used by skillfull apostles to teach in suitable language.

From there arose the word ‘Christ’. And Paul in the book of Ephesians began to talk of a universal mystery, relating to Greek thought and mindset of the time. How much disinformation has been spread on the internet by the ignorant? Much! Another proof of non-working scholars.

Islam is also the very same universal message, first expressed in Arabia. So beautiful and universal in its depths, that it spread globally in time. For the wise and thoughtful, the Holy Quran contains words beyond a pretext – it is simply the Word of God, revealed in perfection for us all to ponder on and gaze at in wonderment. The same ‘spirit of truth’ and ‘spirit of grace ‘ and ‘word of God’ granted to the heart of Jesus (pbuh).

Thoughtful Christians brave enough to step away from blinded and biased scholars will find this, (if they are sincere in faith (surah 112)), they will grasp the mystery of faith when it is presented well.

How far removed is the message of that Christ, and Jesus (pbuh), from some ‘pop culture Jesus’ that will come from the sky and take his faithful home. While taking sides in a final armageddon of violence? While planes fall out of the air because saved pilots are raptured...and a ‘pop culture Jesus’ that justifies the lies of violence, and, political and religious maneuvering(s)?

This is so far removed from childhood imagination, it is a perverse adult creation begotten from insanity!

And how easily it is accepted by the pop culture, and propagated by the deceitful media wheel, who knows what the unbelieving heart craves...

... a heart that will purchase at a whim, any entertainment that promises a fix.

A passing fad, that has nothing to do with the Eternal Absolute Supreme truth, that can satisfy the inner longing, and awaken and satiate the spiritual beings need.

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Dare I suggest that the justice and judgements of God are much more profound than such immature views...and that the love and mercy of an oft-forgiving God is much more far-reaching than ‘pop idol worship’ that caters for the blind spiritualists? Imam Ahmad al-Hassan (a.s.) is calling for the Supremacy of God, not the supremacy of people!

Dear Christians, recall Paul’s admonishment and desire, that all 'COME TO THE FULLNESS AND STATURE OF CHRIST, KNITTED AND WOVEN TOGETHER'.

Through all and in all. Jesus (pbuh) the Christ, the man whose heart was saturated in love for God and humanity, the son of man, and who was nurtured and raised by a blessed young woman called Mary(a.s). A devout chosen woman, who prepared fertile soil in the heart of her beloved son. So that the seed of truth, when ready to sprout, would take good root. Then to blossom and appear as ‘the spirit of grace’. So in maturity and flowering he would offer his portion as a fragrant incense in love to Allah.

The early saints and martyrs (pbut) are no doubt seated in such heavenly places, and their testimony calls, as does the witness of Jesus (pbuh). And we, through faith, love and the hand of grace, can meet them in the air in a sensible manner.

We can choose to unite as one family, as Christians and Muslims, and watch that ‘dajjal within’ vanish like salt in water. And the saltiness only remaining a reminder to not turn back like Lot’s wife who turned into a pillar of salt. Let us hear this message of grace. The Yamani (pbuh) has offered that same hand of love, that is steady and never changing.

Ministers and preachers who teach a ‘false partisan christ’ are simply blinded by the ‘spirit of the anti-christ’ and ‘popular culture’. Similarly muslim scholars are also divided one with each other, and even prepared to make war upon the innocent, for their self-begotten fancies. Surely this is evidence enough that the last times are here?

No doubt the spirit of anti-christ and imposter (the Dajjal) has been hard at

work, to divide religion, and to prompt man to usurp the throne of God in belief. A son of perdition – claiming itself as God. Far removed indeed from the original meaning of ‘son of God’, and even moreso removed from the meaning of ‘son of man’.

False teachers jade the sweetest of mysteries. Whereas the gift given to the faithful servants of God, who press forward with the best of their portion and offer it to Allah – in due course become like crest jewels in the crown of a King - the saints of God who have discerned purity of faith. And step out in that faith (and conscience clear)... the true Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam’ah.

Perfect examples for all of us – to learn the will of the One True God and his Prophets – while still in these earthly bodies – let us not forget that saltiness, as Jesus (pbuh) said ‘if something loses its saltiness it is fit to be cast away’. Here lies the mystery of ‘our shield of faith’ and ‘bright morning star’ as we patiently wait to become once again like small children in the final hours.

But first, discern the spirit of anti-christ and what it casts away – because that half truth often chooses to hide in seeds before they sprout – due to the weakness of adult falsehoods. Ponder as children when they trust that life is a gift from a kind father – the key to our mature ‘spiritual shield of faith’ lies there in completeness.

LET US READ ON WITH JOHN:4} You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5} They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6} We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Please consider the consequences of powerful self-delusion, and think of small children who know the truth. Grasp hold of mercy while it is available, and prepare diligently a good soil to stop the

weeds of perdition before they even spread.

Maybe then we all would be restored back to the simplest of messages, and childhood visions: A message of truth which is free from adult folly and idol worship.

My conscience says , it is time, to support the ansars (a.s) and Imam Ahmad Al Hassan Al Mahdi (pbuh).

I invite you to consider also, and please forgive me if my words are incorrect, proud, or fall short of the mark of an ansar. In truth, presently I am fallen, and do not even know how to live a muslim standard. Words are nothing unless work begins....

So thank you for this opportunity to learn, and to begin working, by following the example set by the Ansars and for the chance to admire Ali (pbuh) and Fatima (pbuh).

Grateful.

[1JOHN 5:21] Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

NEIL A. JENSEN

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Why is the Yamani a.s the First Mahdi? By Embasedor Why is the Yamani a.s the First Mahdi?

In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. The Beneficent, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment.

Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family.

from imam Al-Baqir (A.S):(There is no banner better than that of the banner of Yamani, it is the banner of faith and dedication, because he calls to your possessor, so if the Yamani comes out, selling weapons to people or any Muslim becomes prohibited, and if the Yamani appears, stand up to him, because he’s banner is the banner of faith, and its prohibited for any Muslim to turn away from him, and who ever turns away from him, then he’s from the people of hell, because he calls to the truth and to the right path).

When we read about the Yamani a.s and the First Mahdi a.s we seem to think that they are two different people who play a different role in the emergence of Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s. However, with God’s help, Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan a.s clarified for us that the Yamani a.s and the first Mahdi are the same person. Inshallah I will put out brief clarification from the evidence and proofs that Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan came with to prove his point on this matter.

First of all, narrations from the Prophet and his progeny have stated that the Infallible successors after the Prophet are the 12 Imams and the 12 Mahdi’s and there is no other infallible successor other than them after the prophet. Moving forward we should know that the Yamani a.s is an infallible successor and this is clearly stated in Imam Al Baqir’s narration "and its prohibited for any Muslim to turn away from him, and who ever turns away from him, then he’s from the people of hell,". Disobeying or turning away from anybody other than the successors of Allah s.w.t does not make us go to hell. So the Yamani a.s is an infallible successor, therefore he has to be one of the 12 Mahdi’s, since 11 Imams have passed away and since Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s is the 12th Imam.

Moreover the narrations that talk about the Yamani a.s state that he is from the 313, he is available at the time or age of appearance of Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s, he calls to our possessor (Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s) and he hands the banner to Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari A.S. On the other hand if we look at the narrations that talk about the First Mahdi they state that he is the first believer in the call of Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s and that he is also available at the time or age of appearance of Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s and he is in contact with out Imam.

To put it in brief or simplify it, we can say that the narrations that were talking about the Yamani a.s and the First Mahdi a.s were talking about the same person but using different nicknames.

Moreover, we know that the Imams and the Mahdi’s are successors of Allah s.w.t and the First Mahdi a.s is from them, we also know that we are obliged to follow them and obey them, if we say that the Yamani a.s is not the First Mahdi then he must be obeying the First Mahdi and in the end the Yamani a.s is going to be a helper and a secondary to the commander (First Mahdi). But this is clearly not what the narrations state. The narrations state, that the Yamani a.s is the one who accommodates for the emergence of Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s and he is the one who leads the armies of Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s. The narrations about the Yamani a.s and the First Mahdi a.s gave the same meaning and talked about the same person but in a different way. Plus we cannot say that the Yamani a.s is not the First Mahdi otherwise there would be two people calling to our Imam Mohammed Bin Al-Hassan Al-Askari a.s which is clearly not right or acceptable.

We also cannot forget that the narrations talking about the Yamani a.s and the First Mahdi a.s would contradict each other unless we say that the Yamani a.s himself is the first Mahdi.

Your humble brother

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Freedom

by The Red Shia, Ihsan I do not believe that life is a game. Life is anything but a game, and you have no time left in your life: It is not to be wasted on things of no importance. If you choose to help building up a system that is not of benefit to you, or the human species as a whole, then you fail at what is your mission; same goes for choosing to stay with the wrong people...

Things have changed over the couple of years and we have been made to automatons more and more-while we enjoyed it, all of it; often you hear the scientists and so-called "rationalists" talking, about how we got out of an age of idols and superstition. I say: We ended up in worse: in a society of fetish on products and titles, names and acquisition of gain, with no regards on giving other individuals the dignity to live a life worth of living. I do not believe in revolutions, neither in reforms: the answer to our situation is complete revolt.

According to G.W.F. Hegel, the history of the earth has been one of continous evolution to complete, universal freedom. I do strongly believe that we are now at a stage where a certain Individualism is asked of us: now is the time to choose whether we hold on to the laws of old renown or listen to the voice from within which screams: "Thou Art Free; Thou Shalt not Adhere to any Wordly Masters and States!" The way to exercise our freedom is to THINK, THINK, THINK. Question your intentions, question the intentions of "leaders"- there is a lot of discussion about the "positive results" of democracy. As for me personally, before I heard of Ahmad Al-Hassan, I had been a firm believer in democracy- altough not a democracy within a state, but an anarchist leader-less democracy. But as much as I like the idea and think of great "a real democracy could be, lalala", I don't want to be the one that is fed an opiate- I do not believe the state, but I was lead to know the truth about the Yamani and if I deny it, then how would I be better than all those that have not listened to the Messengers of Allah (swt) before?

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I'm afraid I'll have to tell you that the way you fight for freedom is worthless, dear rioter or demonstrant. YOU are not doing ANYTHING; there is no change from within. Understand that the whole of the system is pointed AGAINST YOU, and what was created to be your true nature. We, the Human Race, have been in a conflict since Adam and Eve were expelled from heaven- Shaytan runs rampant in our age and his rule is being expanded on us. Shaytan came with the illusion of freedom to us- but how can one be free, when he needs to submit to other than the Creator? I am not asking for your answers. I am well aware from where Freedom emerges. It emerges from the God that gaves us reason; it is the Imams that FORBADE us to not seek for knowledge when we have the chance to do so. (Al-Kafi)

I mentioned the word opiate before- and opiate is exactly what you are fed. "You are free to do anything, to live out all your desires, to feed your brain with all the poison we give you, you are free aslong as you do what I tell you and live with what I provide you." There is no goal in modern culture: it leads to nothing. We are trying to walk away from ourselves everyday of our life-but the ability to think gives us responsibility. Whoever may read this, whether you are an Ansar or not: if you want to be free, take responsibility and focus on this: there is no need to restore the "good of our society" any more. You will be shocked about what will happen in the next couple of time- it is not about this system anymore: this system is almost dead. The fight is about the future and those that want to possess your souls have their plans ready-plans in which you are at the bottom of the pyramid.

Anything is transforming! And our conciousness of things is doing so aswell. I have the opinion that, when we see that the past has no meaning, we shouldn't follow the past but follow a higher ideal- and what higher ideal is there than to follow the Law of the One God? The Freethinkers are the minority; the world is against them. Look at how the Muslims are being treated- look at the persecution of the Shi'a-look at what is done to the Ansar of the Imam (a.s.). Why do you think that is?

History is something that goes through stages- and in each step we find the most noble becoming more less and less. It's a spiritual selection. The nobility of mind is what we need to develop-and where is more nobility than in the following of our Imam (a.s.)? I have sworn myself to never be among the idolaters again, as long as I live- I prayed to God to never be among the Misguided again. Insha Allah, God will be gracious and keep me on the path of freedom.

Hope is what leads me- Faith is Optimism.

The Spiders Webby Angel 

Let's see what the society has turned humanity into with their heretical doctrines and ideologies which,through a mixture of reason and truth with falsehood and corruption put the hook in our mouths, making us believe we will get food, but in fact they imprison us making us dependent on those in power that cry for all to possess salvation and truth.

They tell us to do what they do not practice themselves and make us stay in the dark where nobody can see us or hear us except the oppressed, the sad, the poor and those in pursuit desperately seeking a sign that comforts them, making them feel and know that they are part of all and everything and they are not alone ... but the rich will continue claiming that with that lies the salvation, and the supremacy ignoring equality, justice and the true principles of the human being.

They want to pretend to be our saviors while they live in wealth through our poverty, making us believe that we must rely on what they provide to us with, scraps and leftovers that doesn't really bring any satisfaction nor fills anyone, but because we have been apprehended in the appearance, and we keep expecting and waiting the same without being able to refute or stay on our feet by fear of losing what little we already have.

Corruption and deception are widespread in a way that is inconceivable that we can conceive by the sadness within us and how limited we often feel in seeing that everything is still in the same way out there. Even if we feel good about ourselves we know that this life that they want us to live is not real life, because even though the pleasures and comforts that they say they can provide us, there are still

some people out there who have nothing in their hands and are suffering needlessly without reasonable grounds.

The truth, the pleasures and comforts that the government and society provides to us, are like a mirage in the desert for a wanderer who longs to drink and eat and see in the distance food and water, when he begins eating and drinking, he keeps doing it until he realizes that he he was eating sand.

Carried away by illusions and wishful thoughs , the wanderer gets drowned to death by the same thing which He thought that would be beneficial for him.

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They blended the truthful message with the falsehood of their desires, they have permitted what is forbidden by God and have allowed what is unlawful by God as Permissible in order to keep us trapped in the outer message following the garments and external ornaments for its brilliance and likeness, but it actually doesn't provide us any shelter nor cover our sorrows for we don't even feel protected or pleased by them. In fact, they themselves could not even get to feeling satisfied, therefore they must be constantly proving themselves again and again with diversities of taste, quality and choices, to prove themselves that what they are doing is worth enough to keep living that lifestyle, but they are not really living rather their own desires are living them making them act according to the appearance because they can only live by it for being transgressors and unbelievers; clinging to the vices and material attachments ruling that side of the world and by their doctrines they try to transform us into carbon copies of themselves, for it doesn't fit in their interests that people to promote the spirituality and the adaptation of ethic and natural ways of life because they would not be "the rulers or the saviors" rather it would be the same creation of God who provides everything that we really need.

The false ego attachments and material dependencies are forged in us later in the course of time and the track of their doctrines, we were made of light and the purity and likeness of God, we are not our personalities nor our body which choose to move from one side to another just to attend our desires.

Like Jesus a.s said, "Not only bread alone shall man live, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"

This Precious Day by Khadijah Hashem Today is a very special and important day. For today, Allah (SWT) has blessed us with a new day.

Imam Ja'afar al-Sadiq (AS) said; 'Every day that dawns on a person says to him: "O son of Adam! I am a new day, and I am a witness over you, so make sure you do good today, make sure you do good today, for then I will bear witness in your favor on the Day of Judgment, and you will never see me again after today.'

Indeed we have been blessed with a new day filled with fresh opportunities, and verily this day did not rise upon us yesterday, nor will it rise upon us again tomorrow bringing forth with it the opportunities that it has brought today. So we must take advantage of this precious day, for soon it will be nothing more than yesterday.

And as Imam Ali (AS) said; 'Yesterday has gone with all its events and will never return again.'

So let us benefit from today and let us seize the opportunities to perform good acts, and abandon the acts which will cause our souls to separate from us.

Imam Musa al-Kazim (AS) said; 'Verily, Allah, Blessed and Most High, assists the believer with His Spirit, which comes to him whenever he is good and careful of his duty to Allah, and which disappears from him whenever he sins or transgresses.' This spirit

is also mentioned in the Holy Quran; 'He has strengthened them with an inspiration {spirit} from Himself' (58:22); Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (AS) speaks of this inspiration as 'the spirit of belief'. This spirit travels with the believer, and becomes overjoyed when the believer performs good acts, but fades away when the believer sins. So as Imam Ja'afar al-Saldiq (AS) said; 'Curb your soul from all that harms it, before it separates from you'.

It is incumbent upon us to employ our selfs (Nafs) to obey Allah, the Exalted, lest we should find our souls destroyed.

So as this very day presents itself to us, we must seize every opportunity in it to purify and refine our selfs.'Indeed he succeeds who purifies his own self' (91:9). And verily, we will be questioned about this very day, so let us prepare our answer by taking action and addressing our souls. Imam Hasan al-Askhari (AS) said; 'O my soul, indeed this day has passed over you and will never return again, and Allah will ask about what you have spent and consumed therein, so what have you done with your day?'

Indeed, our time is limited, so we must limit our time to good. For when today passes, we may not reach as far as tomorrow. Imam Ali (AS) said; 'Act as one who looks only to the day on which he has arisen, hoping to benefit as much as possible from it. Perform good deeds and abandon evil deeds therein, and Allah is your Helper.'

Mahdi Times August 28, 2011 Volume II

Continued...We must work for our actions today to be better than our actions were yesterday, hence making a spiritual progress. We must not waste this precious day that Allah (SWT) has blessed us with, for when it passes, with it will pass it's blessed opportunities. Imam Ali (AS) said; 'Failure is a

consequence of fear, just as deprivation comes as a result of timidity. Opportunity fleets away like the clouds, so seize the opportunities for doing good.'

May Allah (SWT) give us the strength to fill today and our days to come with only that which will bring us closer to Him, Most Merciful, Most High. Take special care of this day, for once its gone it shall never return again.

A Special Thank YouI want to include a special thank you to all those involved in the newsletter project. I apologize greatly for not being able to have it released on the day you all wished for, which was the night of the martyrdom of Imam Ali a.s. This was due to my involvement with the debates and my own personal shortcomings in your rights. I pray you all forgive me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of Mohammed and the Family of Mohammed a.s. for all you do in their cause, Ramadan Mubarak to you all...

Your Brother,

Abdullah Hashem

For more info on Imam Ahmed a.s. please visit:

http://the-savior.com/home/

http://ar.al-mehdyoon.org/