Saying No. 1: Balance Between Din and Duniya
Date: Nov. 16, 2004

Ya Ali Madad. In order to achieve the balance between din (spiritual) and duniya (material), let us reflect and implement the following teaching of NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.)(Source: Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali: 89, p. 281): "Whoever keeps his affairs in order with God (follows His orders sincerely), God will also put his affairs with men in order; whoever makes arrangements for salvation, the Lord will arrange his worldly affairs; whoever advises his own self, God will also protect him." By the Holy Imam's Grace, the following projects were executed this year: 40 Enlightenment postings; 40 Prayer Cards; 25 Imamat Tawil Cards; 10 Kalame Mowla Postings; 7 excerpts from Qazi Noaman; 30 Holy Ramadan - Holy Ginan postings; Navroz and Imamat Day Cards; and a few others. Al hamdulillah. All these resources have been archived on the website. The number of people on our mailing list has grown from 200 to 369, therefore, it may be a good idea for sustaining and new members to review some of these materials. In order to navigate the site quickly, please go to the site index page: http://salmanspiritual.com/site_index.html. Peace, light, barakat, taid, and didar Noorallah Juma

Saying No. 2: Bartering Good Deeds for Peace and Light
Date: Nov. 22, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! The first sentence of the Dua-e-Qunut which we recite in the Idd Namaz is translated as follows: "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world, as well as good in the world hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the (hell) fire with Thy kindness, O Benevolent of the benevolents." The question arises how can we get the best of first world (i.e., the world of our Origin and Light) and this material world? The answer lies in the principle of trading or bartering good deeds with the Lord. This principle has been presented in the Holy Qur'an, Ahadith, Holy Ginans and Holy farmans. NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has shedded light on this topic in the following saying: "Verily this world is a house of truth for those who look into it deeply and 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 hereafter. It is a place of acquiring knowledge and wisdom for those who want to acquire them, a place of worship for friends of God and for angels. It is the place where prophets receive revelations of the Lord. 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 God's favours 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?" (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 130, p. 287) Let us pray for the blessings of ilm-u laduni (given, divine knowledge) and acquired secular knowledge so that we may have merit in the first world (i.e., the world of our Origin and Light) and this material world. May Mowla grant us the realization that we were first Light beings, then spiritual beings and now are human beings bridging the din and duniya. Ameen. Peace, light, barakat and taid, Noorallah

Saying No. 3: The Lord Guides His Devoted Believers From Darkness into Light
Date: Nov. 25, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! Let us read the following verse from the Holy Quran: "Allah is the Protecting Guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are false deities. They bring them out of light into darkness. Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein." (Holy Qur'an (Pickthall) 002:257) In the following saying, NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has described how the Lord guides his devoted believers from darkness into light. He has also warned us that our time on this earth is short. After death, the door of repentence will be closed and opportunities for good deeds will be lost. Therefore, the opportunity to barter good deeds for peace and light will also be lost. Only whatever we gather here in form of awakening and enlightening the soul will propel us forward in the next world. "Remember that for those who fear God, He will find ways and means to keep them out of mischief and troubles, out of vices and impieties and out of temptations and trials. He will guide them out of darkness into light. He will bestow upon them His Bounties in this world and in the Heavens, He will grant them such an exalted place that it will be in the vicinity of His Throne, will be lighted with Divine light, and will have angels, prophets, and saints as visitors and neighbours.   Now be ready for this glorious world, make yourself deserving of it and be ready to face death happily and hopefully, for death shall overtake every one of you and when it arrives the door of repentence will be closed and opportunities for good deeds will be lost. Remember that still you are passing through a period towards which those who passed before you have wished to return (i.e. life), but your stay here is ephermeral, you are also a traveller. Be ready to depart from this abode which is not your home and where you are not going to stay eternally. He has clearly informed you that this life is a transitory phase and you must make provisions for the next world before you leave it." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali Khutba 188, p. 150) May Mowla grant us the true understanding of the purpose for which we have descended to this world and may He grant us avenues to enter into the realm of light. Ameen. Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Saying No. 4: Wealth, Children, Good Deeds and Salvation
Date: Nov. 29, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! Let us read the following ayats of from the Holy Quran which pertain to wealth, children, good deeds and salvation: "Wealth and children are an ornament of the life of the world. But the good deeds which endure are better in thy Lord's sight for reward, and better in respect of hope. " (Holy Qur'an (Pickthall) 018:046) "Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will attain salvation: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide. (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 023.101-103) In the following saying, NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has identified two kinds of people who can attain great benefits from this world: "Hazrath was asked the meaning of being well off or well provided for. Hazrath replied "Your welfare do not lie in having enormous wealth and numerous children but it rests in your being highly educated and forbearing, and in your being proud of your obedience to God. If you do a good deed then thank God for it, and if you commit a sin then repent and atone for it. In this world there is real welfare for two kinds of people: one is the person who, when commits a sin, atones for it and the other is the the man who is anxious to do good as much as possible." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 94, p. 282) In the following saying, NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has defined the importance of religious versus secular education: "There are many educated people who have ruined their future on account of their ignorance of religion. Their (secular) knowledge did not prove of any avail to them." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 106, p. 284) May Mowla grant us the courage to purify our souls through sincere repentance and opportunity to do enduring good deeds so that we may attain salvation. Also, may Mowla bless us with religious as well as secular education. Ameen. Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Saying No. 5: Trials are inevitable
Date: Dec. 1, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! Let us read the following ayats on the topic of trials: "Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of God?" Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near!" (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 002:214) "Your wealth and your children are only a temptation, whereas Allah! with Him is an immense reward. So keep your duty to Allah as best ye can, and listen, and obey, and spend; that is better for your souls. And whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the successful. (Holy Qur'an (Pickthall) 064:15-16) NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has shed light on the topic of trials in the following saying: "Take care and do not pray to Lord saying, "Lord I pray Thee to protect and guard me from temptations and trials", for there is none who is not tempted and tried. But beseech Him to guard you against such temptation as may lead you towards wickedness and sins. Because God has said in His Holy Book, "Know thee that time, wealth and children are temptations". It means God tried people through wealth and children, so that it may be tested as who is content with what he gets honestly and who is thankful to God for the position he is placed with regard to his children. Though God knows them better than even they know themselves, yet those trials and tests are for the purpose of their realising and knowing those deeds which merit reward or which deserve punishment. There are some people who love to have male children and hate daughters and there are some who simply crave after wealth and hate poverty." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 93, p. 282) Since trials are inevitable, let us recite the following supplication: "On no soul doth God Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 002:286) Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Saying No. 6: How to Face Trials
Date: Dec. 3, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! Let us read the following ayats on the topic of how to face trials: "Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To God We belong, and to Him is our return". They are those on whom (descend) blessings from God, and mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 002:155-157) NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has shed light on the topic of how to face trials in the following sayings: "Bear sorrows and calamities patiently otherwise you will never be happy." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 197, p. 294)   "Grant of patience (from Heavens) is in proportion to the extent of calamity you are passing through. If you exhibit fretfulness (nervousness), irritation and despair in calamities then your patience and your exertions are wasted." (Sayings of Hazrat Ali 143, p. 289)   "Defend your faith (in God) with the help of charity. Protect your wealth with the aid of Zakaath. Let the prayers guard you from calamities and disasters." (Sayings of Hazrat Ali 145, p. 289) Since trials are inevitable, let us recite the following supplication: "On no soul doth God Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 002:286) Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Saying No. 7: Behaviour of the Mind
Date: Dec. 6, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! Let us read the following ayat on the topic of the creation of the soul and the mind: "But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give!" (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 032:009) NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has shed light on the behaviour of the mind in the following saying: "More wonderful than man himself is that part of his body which is connected with his trunk with muscles. It is his mind. Look what good and bad tendencies it is a source of: On one hand it holds treasures of knowledge and wisdom, and on the other it is found to harbour very ugly desires. If a man sees a tiny gleam of success then greed forces him to humiliate himself. If he gives way to avarice (greed, materialism), then inordinate (excessive) desires ruin him; If he is disappointed then despondency almost kills him. If he is excited then he loses temper and gets angry. If he is pleased then he gives up his precaution. Sudden fear makes him dull and nervous and he is unable to think and find a way out of the situation. During times of peace and prosperity, he becomes careless and unmindful of future. If he acquires wealth then he becomes haughty and arrogant. If he is plunged in distress then his agitation, impatience and nervousness disgrace him. If he is overtaken by poverty then he finds himself in a very sad plight; hunger makes him weak and over-feeding harms him equally. In short, every kind of loss and gain unbalances his mind." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 107, p. 284) Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Saying No. 8: How to supplicate for the faults of the mind
Date: Dec. 8, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! Let us read the following ayat on the topic of supplicating for forgiveness for the faults of the mind: "Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous, Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men;- for God loves those who do good;- And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring God to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except God?- and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done. For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath,- an eternal dwelling: How excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)!" (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 003:133-136) In order to overcoming the weakness of the mind, one has to ask for forgiveness and perform zikr according to the ayats presented above. Study carefully the following exerpt of the supplication of NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) and note how our first Holy Imam taught the murids to supplicate for the faults of the mind (Source: KHUTBA-81: A lesson about how to pray for His forgiveness, p. 46 Nahjul-Balagha): Lord! Forgive my sins which Thou know better than I. Lord! If I repeat these sins please let Thy forgiveness cover them again. Lord! I have always promised myself to obey Thy commands and have always broken these promises. Forgive this weakness of mine. Lord! I have always declared that I shall come near Thee but my mind (has) opposed this, forgive this fault of my mind. Lord! Forgive the sins committed by my eyes. Forgive my vicious and sinful utterances, and forgive my inability to resist temptations. (Ameen) Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Saying No. 9: Remedies for the Mind
Date: Dec. 10, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! Let us read the following ayat teaches us about mercy, Light and the everling guide. We have to ensure that we follow this Light. If the mind is malfunctioning, then it is necessary to remedy it. "O ye that believe! Fear God, and believe in His Apostle, and He will bestow on you a double portion of His Mercy: He will provide for you a Light by which ye shall walk (straight in your path), and He will forgive you (your past): for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 057:028) Let us carefully study the following sayings of NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) on the topic of remedies for the mind: "Minds get tired like bodies. When you feel your mind is tired, then invigorate it with sober advices." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 193, p. 294) "Minds have tendencies of likes and dislikes, and are liable to be energetic and lethargic, therefore make them work when they are energetic and on subjects which they like." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 191, p. 294) "A wiseman's mind is the safest custody of secrets; an open and pleasant countenance gets more friends; patience and forbearance (tolerance) will hide and cover many defects." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 5, p. 273) Sayings of NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) are archived on the following page: http://salmanspiritual.com/sayings/index_01.html. Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Saying No. 10: Aale-e-Muhammad (Descendants of Muhammad)
Date: Dec. 13, 2004

Ya Ali Madad! On the aupicious occasion of our NOOR Mowlana Hazir Imam's 68th birthday, let us thank our beloved Imam for bestowing secular, spiritual (ruhani) and the luminous (noorani) knowledge upon us. Let us also reflect on the following verses of the Holy Qur'an which describe how our predecessors thanked the Lord for the gifts of knowledge: "Say: "Whether ye believe in it or not, it is true that those who were given knowledge beforehand, when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces in humble prostration, "And they say: 'Glory to our Lord! Truly has the promise of our Lord been fulfilled!'" They fall down on their faces in tears, and it increases their (earnest) humility. " (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 17:107-109) On the auspicious occasion of NOOR Mowlana Hazir Imam's birthday, let us reflect on the following extracts from three Khutba of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to clearly understand the position of aale-e-Muhammad (Descendants of Muhammad, may the peace of Allah be upon them): "The Almighty God has placed His trust in Aale-e-Muhammad (Descendants of Muhammad, may the peace of God be upon them). They are strongholds where His Commandments receive protection and from which they are expounded and interpreted. They are fountain heads of knowledge created by Him, shelters for His teachings, refuges for Heavenly Books, mountain like citadels to defend His religion. Islam in its beginning was weak and helpless, they came to its help and defense. Islam was nervous of the infidels around it, they made it strong and powerful." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Khutba 5, 7-8) "I swear by the Lord that I know fully well all the messages of God that the Holy Prophet (may the peace of God be upon him and his descendants) has received, the ways of fulfillment of promises made by God and of all the knowledge that science or philosophy could disclose. We, the progeny of the Holy Prophet (may the peace of God be upon him and his descendants), are the doors through which real wisdom and true knowledge will reach mankind: we are lights of religion." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Khutba 123, 91) "Remember that descendants of the Holy Prophet (S.A.S.) are stars in the Heaven, if one sets the other will rise to illumine your path; the Merciful Lord has thus completed His Blessings amongst you. (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Khutba 103, 72-73). Now let us recite a bouquet of salwats to strengthen our knowledge (ilm) and faith (iman). A'uzu billahi minashaitanir rajim I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast Satan. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Real audio streams: [33 times| 66 times| 99 times| 198 times| 990 times] Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (1) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (2) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (3) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (4) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (5) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (6) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (7) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (8) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (9) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (10) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (11) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds! Follow these links to read an article or a poem on salwat, or hear the recitation of Ayatul Kursi and Salwat. May Mowla enrich you with inspired (given) knowledge (ilm-i laduni). Ameen. Peace, light, barakat, taid and didar, Noorallah

Article by Dr. Noorallah Juma
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