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Showing posts from March, 2009

Living the Right Way

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Preface The purpose of the Prophets’ Mission Chapter 1 1. Reformation of the Mind Chapter 2 2. Avoiding Hidden Shirk (Polytheism) A) Shirk through Showing off B) Shirk through Obedience C) Shirk through Favours Chapter 3 3. Humility Chapter 4 4. Shunning Conceit Chapter 5 5. Abhorrence of Self-Praise Chapter 6 6. Resisting Envy Chapter 7 7. Generosity Chapter 8 8. Good Natured ness Chapter 9 9. Patience Chapter 10 10. Trust in God Chapter 11 11. Clinging to God Chapter 12 12. Having a Good Opinion of God Chapter 13 13. Truthfulness Chapter 14 14. Not to Counterfeit Religious Sayings Chapter 15 15. Upholding Justice Chapter 16 16. Keeping Covenants Chapter 17 17. Fulfilling Promises Chapter 18 18. Trustworthiness Chapter 19 19. Work and Endeavour Chapter 20 20. Some General Rules for Transactions Chapter 21 21. Shunning Greed Chapter 22 22. Hating Covetousness Chapter 23 23. Benevolence Chapter 24 24. Resisting Anger Chapter 25 25. Fair Speech Chapter 26 26. Maintaining Brother

Mutual Rights and Behaviour

Remember that the bride has just left her loved ones. She might be new to this place. So she deserves consideration and a chance to adjust herself in the new environment. Mulla Mohsin Faiz Kashani in his book, Al Waafi in the chapter of “A Woman's right over her Husband” writes that it is narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that some people inquired from him regarding the rights of a wife over her husband. He (s.a.w.s.) answered, “He should overlook her minor faults and if she commits a major mistake then he should forgive her.” [46] Shahab Abdo Rabbeh relates that I asked Imam Sadiq (a.s.) concerning the rights of a woman over her husband. He (a.s.) answered, “He should fulfill all her basic necessities and must not terrorise her by getting angry time and again. i.e. after fulfilling her needs, is kind and affectionate towards her, then I swear by Allah, he has fulfilled his wife's rights.” [47] The importance of observing the rights of a wife can be gauged from

Nahj al-Balaghah for Children

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introduction the creation the earth the winds the moon the night the sun the ant the feet the locust the birds the peacock the bat the fishes livelihood David herbs the winter good tidings the people of Arabia idols the Prophet the Revelation the stars the rain the Qur'an the leader the tree of prophethood the lamp in the darkness a grain of barley two loaves of bread the mosquito Paradise the earth's produce water with insight off the road the spring of the hearts prayer the sacred house jihad the strongest life

We love Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him)

Was Jesus Sent to be Crucified Who is Jesus? Oneness of God Is Jesus the Son of God? Is Jesus the Same as God? What is My Responsibility Now?

What is My Responsibility Now?

I remember once in my callow years when I did not pay attention to a call for help from a friend in the US. He asked me if I would give him a copy of the Holy Quran. When I asked why, he said something to this effect, "The Bible doesn’t make sense to me. It’s too mythical. I want to read the Quran and see if it’s any different." I never gave him a copy of the Holy Quran. I was too busy being selfish! I was busy playing! Now, I sincerely regret my inaction, and hope I can someday reach him again. I feel sorry because people like him are hard to find. It is very hard to find people who are self motivated to look for the truth. People who need very little direction in order to make serious decisions about their future. People who have an open mind! And this is why I present these pages to you. I present them to you so you would seize the opportunity. After reading these few pages surrounding Jesus Christ (P.B.U.H.) you should take more steps to find the truth about the Bib

Who is Jesus?

If Jesus is not God, not the son of God, and not one of three (trinity), then who is Jesus? I have briefly discussed this in Chapter Three "Is Jesus the Son of God?" This time I would like to expand on Jesus’ life (peace be upon him). I want to talk about Jesus from birth, starting with his mother (peace be upon them both) till the day he was taken up to God. Who was his mother? His mother was The Virgin Mariam (Mary) the daughter of Imran (father) and Hinnah (mother). When Hinnah carried Mariam in her womb she vowed to offer Mariam to God by letting her serve Him in one of His houses of worship. When Mariam was born her mother wrapped her in a piece of cloth, and took her to Al-Aqsa Mosque where she was handed over to the priests. When the priests looked at her, and found out that she was the daughter of their lord and leader Imran they all wanted to take care of her. Although Zachariah the prophet (P.B.U.H.) was the person in charge of sacrificial offerings he was

Oneness of God

One of the main doctrines in Christianity is the trinity. This idea comes from I John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." This verse indicates that God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are one. These words are John’s words and not Jesus’ words nor God’s, but according to the Christians John was inspired by God, and that is the reason for taking his words as the truth. Let us investigate the Bible to see if God is One and only One, or that He is, or they are three in one. Are Jesus and God the same? I have already talked about this topic in the second chapter, and showed the difference between God and Jesus. If you have not read that yet please do so. Let us see what Jesus himself says One of the scribes asked Jesus, Mark 12:28 "…Which is the first commandment of all?" Clearly from the question the man wanted to know the first of all commandments, and the most important one. J

Is Jesus the Son of God?

One of the fundamental beliefs in Christianity is the literal sonship of Jesus Christ to God. This belief comes from the verse in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Also in I John 5:1 "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." these verses clearly state that Jesus is the only begotten, and born Son of God. Let us look at other verses from the Bible to find out whether Jesus was the only begotten son of God, or that there were more than one. Also let us investigate whether Jesus was the only one born of God. Finally, let us investigate whether the word begotten is to be taken literally. Was Jesus the only begotten son of God? In the book of Psalms 2:7 we find "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this

Is Jesus the Same as God?

In John 10:30 Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." This verse, according to Christians, shows God and Jesus Christ to be same. On the other hand, we read in John 20:17, "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." Here Jesus stated that there was a distinction between him and God. In other words that Jesus himself had a God. Also, Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Here Jesus Christ cried in loud voice calling for his God. These are two different and opposite ways Jesus relates himself to God. The first one, he and God are one , and the second, he refers to a higher authority than him which is God . Now assuming that both are correct statements then we have a contradiction. I

Was Jesus Sent to be Crucified

One of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity relates that Jesus died and allowed for the shedding of his blood for the sake of granting forgiveness to people. In other words Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Let us investigate this topic from the Bible, and find out whether Jesus was sent to be crucified and whether he was crucified at all. Willingness of Jesus Christ to die for our sins Peter and the two sons of Zebedee were with Jesus Christ before the elders of the people and the chief priests came to take him to be crucified. Jesus at this point talked to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee as in Matthew 26:38 "Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." Then Jesus went a little further away from them and prayed to God as in Matthew 26:39 "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: neverthel

Relating to the removal of the Spirit and it's hardships (Sakarat)

MANAZILE AKHERA "And the stupor of death will come in truth, that is what you were trying of escape". (Surah-al-Qaf : 19). This stage is full of difficulties & troubles. On one hand a man feels pain, his tongue turns motionless, his bodily components cease to function, while on the other hand weeping & wailing of relatives, grief of their separation, orphaning of children, and the sorrow of leaving behind hardly earned wealth and enormous property for others to feast upon. The wealth which was sometimes gathered by usurpation or through illicit means. The dying man remembers his sins and regrets, but alas, the time (to repent) has passed and accounts closed. Amirul Mo'meneen (A.S.) says, "He (the dying person) regrets over his wealth which he gathered bearing hardships, and now he is being separated from it, leaving it to be feasted upon by his inheritors. His hard earned wealth is left for the use of others." The dying person feels scared, for he is ab