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lIn the name of Allh, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Topic of Discussion:Topic of Discussion:Topic of Discussion:Topic of Discussion: Characteristics of the Sh`a : adth #Characteristics of the Sh`a : adth #Characteristics of the Sh`a : adth #Characteristics of the Sh`a : adth #2222 [ Discussion #[ Discussion #[ Discussion #[ Discussion #3333 ]]]]

Lectures on Akhlq given by His EminenceAyatullh al-`Um al-jj ash-Shaykh Nir Makrim ash-Shrz (may Allh protect him)

Translated by Saleem Bhimji www.al-mubin.org al-mubin@al-mubin.org

))a@pb@a@b@((Topic: Characteristics and Greatness of the Shi`a

Introduction:

The 65th volume of Bir al-Anwr consists of two important parts: The Greatness of the Sh`a() andthe Characteristics of the Sh`a()

The chapter on the Greatness of the Sh`a illustrates to us the superior status that the Sh`a possess, while the

chapter on the Characteristics of the Sh`adiscuss the characteristics and uniqueness that the Sh`a enjoy. For

us (those who call themselves Sh`a), this means that in addition to the noble, lofty rank that is mentioned in

the adth that the Sh`a have, they also have a great responsibility by being called Sh`a.

Text of the adth:

)!"#$%:('()*+ ,)-*.(,./)! 0(,(1 23 4(5!65*78 '9:

;(? 657@239(5/)!(>A8/!8 '9:;(,.(,.236B(=6CD(,E(56F.

Imm Ja`far ibn Muammad as-diq (prayers be upon him) has said, Test our Sh`a during

the times of the (five daily) alt - how do they protect them (them alt) and (also test our

Sh`a) in relation to our (the Ahl al-Bat) secrets how do they protect them in relation to our

enemies; and (also test our Sh`a) in relation to their money and wealth how do they spend

it amongst their brothers (from amongst the Sh`a).

Explanation of the adth:

[Test our Sh`a during the times of the (five daily) alt that how do they protect them (them alt)[Test our Sh`a during the times of the (five daily) alt that how do they protect them (them alt)[Test our Sh`a during the times of the (five daily) alt that how do they protect them (them alt)[Test our Sh`a during the times of the (five daily) alt that how do they protect them (them alt)]]]]

When the Sh`a have some work or job to perform (and the time for alt has also arrived), do they give

precedence to their work or to the alt? There are some people who think that the alt is only to be done

when there is nothing else to do and say (in these regards), alt in its appointed time (earns) the pleasure of

Allh and alt in its last time (that it can be performed) (earns) the mercy of Allh.

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There are even some people from amongst the Ahl as-Sunnah who claim that they are the only true Muslims

since they give a great importance to the performance of alt on time and that we (the Sh`a) do not!

In relation to the importance of the alt, Imm `Al (prayers be upon him) in his famous letter of

recommendations to Mlik al-Ashtar (may Allh be pleased with him) has stated:

'H;;8(,IJ4.(1 23(5!65*7.Make the best of the times that you reserve for the alt and see how the people protect this

time.

The word used in this adth, 71, intends to tell us that many things will cause it (the alt) to bedestroyed, however the alt must be protected and of course, the `Ulam and scholars must be a practical

example for the people in these regards.

I will not forget the time when the late Imm (Khumayn) (may Allh sanctify his soul) was teaching classes

in the awzah `Ilmiyyah in Qum. We were (at that time) students of the awah, and one day, the late

Ayatullh Sa`d had invited us to come to his house and Imm (Khumayn) was also present in thisgathering. We were busying talking and having religious discussions when the time of the alt came and

the sound of the Adhn was heard (in the house). Without even a pause, Ayatullh Khomeini (may Allhsanctify his soul) got up, and without any delay or hesitation, started to perform the alt.

The same rule applies today that wherever we are and whoever we are, we must give importance to the alt

especially alt al-Fajr. Today, there are a group of people that perform the alt only when in the

company of other people this is not the alt of a student of religion!

[a[a[a[and (also test our Sh`a) in relation to our (the Ahl alnd (also test our Sh`a) in relation to our (the Ahl alnd (also test our Sh`a) in relation to our (the Ahl alnd (also test our Sh`a) in relation to our (the Ahl al----Bat) secretsBat) secretsBat) secretsBat) secrets how do they protect them in relationhow do they protect them in relationhow do they protect them in relationhow do they protect them in relationto our enemies;to our enemies;to our enemies;to our enemies;]]]]

The meaning of protection of the secrets is to safeguard the status and rank of the Ahl al-Bat (prayers be

upon all of them). By this we mean that the rank that the Ahl al-Bat (prayers be upon all of them) possess

must not be spoken about while in the presence of their enemies who do not believe in them (things such as

the Wilyatul Takwn, Miracles, Knowledge of the Unseen, etc that they possess) since these things arenothing other than the secrets of these noble personalities.

During our present time, there are some people, who in addition to mentioning their secrets (to the enemies

of the Ahl al-Bat (prayers be upon all of them)), also resort to exaggeration in relation to them. For example,

there are people who compose poems in their praise who out of their own lack of intelligence say things such

as Zainab (bint Amr al-Mominn `Al ibn Ab Olib) is Allh (may Allh protect us from such words)!

Poets hold a very high status and the Aimmah (prayers be upon all of them) used to give them great

importance such as Da`bal Khaz who held a great rank in the sight of the Aimmah (prayers be upon all of

them), however we must strive to make sure that the religious gatherings (Majlis) are not organized and

held by people such as this (who write corrupt poems).

Those who are writing poems and composing poetry in relation to the Prophet (blessings of Allh be upon

him and his family) and Ahl al-Bat (prayers be upon all of them) must make sure that they present their

poems to the `Ulama first (to read over to make sure they are proper). They must keep away from all forms

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of exaggeration especially in those instances where the poets are competing with one another to attract the

attention of the people to their poems. In regards to this, sometimes we see that one person resorts to Ghul(exaggeration of the greatness of the Ahl al-Bat) and thus, the next person is forced to present even greater

exaggerations, and this act is very dangerous.

[[[[and (also test our Sh`a) in relation to their money and wealthand (also test our Sh`a) in relation to their money and wealthand (also test our Sh`a) in relation to their money and wealthand (also test our Sh`a) in relation to their money and wealth how do they spend it amongst theirhow do they spend it amongst theirhow do they spend it amongst theirhow do they spend it amongst theirbrothers (from amongst the Sh`a).brothers (from amongst the Sh`a).brothers (from amongst the Sh`a).brothers (from amongst the Sh`a).

The word in the adth, =,. can be understood in two different lexical ways. The first is to assume thatthe word comes from the root K=8 and the second is that the root word is K=L however both of these endup (after the rules of Morphology are applied to them) in making the word =,. which is in the meaningof assistance and help.

The Sh`a must be one who is tested through his wealth - how much of it does he keep aside for the help ofothers?

In our present time, we are faced with many difficulties:

1. Unemployment which is the real root of all other forms of corruption including: addiction to drugs, theft

and robbery and prostitution.

2. Problems with getting the youth married.

3. Difficulties for people finding affordable housing.

4. Difficulties in going towards further education. Very many families are faced with the difficulty ofproviding the tuition fees for their youth to go on for further education. Our society is a society of Sh`a and

excessive amounts of wealth are being wasted on useless things where as a group of people in the society do

not even have the basic necessities of life!

Therefore, the characteristics of the Sh`a must also be kept in view and we must remember that we can notonly speak about and concentrate on the status and rewards that are promised to the Sh`a.

It is our hope that we all keep in mind the commandments of the Aimmah (prayers be upon all of them) in

our day to day life and act upon all of them.

and all praise belongs to Allh, Lord of the Worlds, only the mistakes are mine. (Tr.)