:: Post No. 19: Teachings of Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali's (a.s.) ::

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025

Part 1. Knowledge Section

Let us reflect upon the following ayat from the Holy Qur'an and excerpts from Najhul Balagha (Peak of Eloquence) of NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (alayhi salaam):

 

1. True Guidance

Transliteration	English Translation
Wa 'alaamaat; wa binnajmi hum yahtaduun (16:16)	And1184 landmarks (too), and by the star they are guided (to the right way) (16:16)

Here is the footnote (pp.850-851) for the above ayat from S. V. Mir Ahmed Ali's translation of the Holy Qu'ran:

Vr. 16 (1184) The First Holy Imam Ali-ibne-Abi-Taleb said by 'Najm' meaning Star, i.e., Pole-Star which is stationary and by which the travellers in the wilderness and on the sea determine their routes. The inner meaning of the statement is that by 'Alaamaat', i.e., signs [landmarks], are meant the holy Ahlul-Bait and by 'Najm', i.e., the Star, means the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

2. About the Holy Prophet and his Descendants

Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has addressed this topic in the following excerpt from Sermon 99 (p.244) (Source: Peak of Eloquence—Nahjul Balagha, Sixth U. S. edition, 1996. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Elmhurst, NY):

Beware! The example of the descendant (Al) of Muhammad - peace and blessing of Allah be upon him and his descendants - is like that of stars in the sky. When one star sets another one rises. So you are in a position that Allah's blessings on you have been perfected and He has shown you what you used to wish for.

3. Attributes of a learned person with respect to Din and Duniya

Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has addressed this topic in the following excerpt from Sermon 102 (p.246-247) (Source: Peak of Eloquence—Nahjul Balagha, Sixth U. S. edition, 1996. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Elmhurst, NY):

Learned is he who knows his worth. It is enough for a man to remain ignorant if he knows not his worth. Certainly, the most hated man with Allah is he whom Allah has left for his own self. He goes astray from the right path, and moves without a guide. If he is called to the plantation of this world he is active, but if he is called to the plantation of the next world he is slow. As though what he is active for is obligatory upon him whereas in whatever he is slow was not required of him.

4. Enjoining people to piety

Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has addressed this topic in the following excerpt from Sermon 82 (p.207) (Source: Peak of Eloquence—Nahjul Balagha, Sixth U. S. edition, 1996. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Elmhurst, NY):

O' creatures of Allah I advise you to have fear of Allah Who has furnished illustrations and Who has timed for you your lives. He has given you covering of dress and He has scattered for you livelihood. He has surrounded you with His knowledge. He has ordained rewards. He has bestowed upon you vast bounties and extensive gifts. He has warned you through far reaching arguments, and He has counted you by numbers. He has fixed for you ages (to live) in this place of test and house of instruction. You are on test in this world and have to render account about it.

5. The limitation of life

Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has addressed this topic in the following excerpt from Sermon 82 (p.208) (Source: Peak of Eloquence—Nahjul Balagha, Sixth U. S. edition, 1996. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Elmhurst, NY):

People have been created as a proof of (His) power, have been brought up with authority, they are made to die through pangs, and placed in graves where they turn into crumbs. Then they would be resurrected one by one, awarded their recompense and would have to account for their actions, each one separately. They had been allowed time to seek deliverance, had been shown the right path and had been allowed to live and seek favours, the darkness of doubts had been removed, and they had been let free in this period of life as a training place in order to make preparation for the race on the Day of Judgement, to search for the objective with thoughtfulness, to get time necessary to secure benefits and provide for the next place of stay.

6. No happiness without piety

Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has addressed this topic in the following excerpt from Sermon 82 (pp.208-209) (Source: Peak of Eloquence—Nahjul Balagha, Sixth U. S. edition, 1996. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Elmhurst, NY):

How appropriate are these illustrations and effective admonitions provided they are received by pure hearts, open ears, firm views and sharp wits. Fear Allah like him who listened (good advice) and bowed before it, when he committed sin he admitted it, when he felt fear he acted virtuously, when he apprehended he hastened (towards good acts), when he believed he performed virtuous acts, when he was asked to take lesson (from the happenings of this world) he did take the lesson, when he was asked to desist he abstained (from evil), when he responded to the call (of Allah) he leaned (towards him), when he turned back (to evil) he repented, when he followed he almost imitated and when he was shown (the right path) he saw it. Such a man was busy in search of truth and got rid (of the worldly evils) by running away. He collected provision (of good acts) for himself, purified his inner self, built for the next world, and took with himself provision for the day of his departure, keeping in view his journey, his requirement and the position of his need. He sent ahead of him for the abode of his stay (in the next world). O' creatures of Allah, fear Allah keeping in view the reason why He created you and be afraid of Him to the extent He has advised you to do. Make yourself deserve what He has promised you, by having confidence in the truth of His promise and entertaining fear for the Day of Judgement.

7. Preparation for the Day of Judgement

Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has addressed this topic in the following excerpt from Sermon 82 (p.210) (Source: Peak of Eloquence—Nahjul Balagha, Sixth U. S. edition, 1996. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Elmhurst, NY):

And know that you have to pass over the pathway (of sirat) where steps waver, feet slip away and there are fearful dangers at every step. O' creatures of Allah, fear Allah, like the fearing of wise man whom the thought (of next world) has turned away from other matters, fear (of Allah) has afflicted his body with trouble and pain, his engagement in the night prayer has turned even his short sleep into awakening, hope (of eternal recompense) keeps him thirsty in the day, abstention has curbed his desires, and remembrance of Allah is ever moving his tongue. He entertains fear before dangers. He avoids uneven ways in favour of clear ones. He follows the shortest route to secure his purpose, wishfulness does not twist his thinking and ambiguities do not blind his eyes. He enjoys deep sleep and passes his day happily because of the happiness of good tidings and pleasure of (eternal bounties). He passes the pathway of this world in praiseworthy manner. He reaches the next world with virtues. He hastens (towards virtue) out of fear (for vice). He moves briskly during the short time (of life in this world). He devotes himself in seeking (eternal good), he runs away from evil. During today he is mindful of tomorrow, and keeps the future in his view. Certainly Paradise is the best reward and achievement, and hell is appropriate punishment and suffering. Allah is the best Avenger and Helper and the Qur'an is the best argument and confronter.

My Insights: Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam has given to us continuous guidance for living a balanced life with respect to Din and Duniya. At present, there is voluminous activity in the material world and it seems to get all our attention. Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) teaches us that the material is important because it is a transient stop in which we have to prepare for journey and life in the hereafter. If we remember this and act according, we will prosper here and in the hereafter.

May Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam fill our spiritual hearts with his NOOR and nothing else! Ameen.

 

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad:
O Allah! Bestow Peace on and through Muhammad and his Descendants

Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

 

 

Forty Deeper Spiritual Insights

 
 
 

Article by Dr. Noorallah Juma