3 about angels

1	O God, as for the Bearers of Thy Throne,47 who never flag in glorifying Thee, never become weary of calling Thee holy, never tire of worshipping Thee, never prefer curtailment over diligence in Thy command, and are never heedless of passionate love for Thee;
2	Seraphiel, the Owner of the Trumpet, fixed in his gaze, awaiting Thy permission and the descent of the Command, that he may arouse through the Blast the hostages thrown down in the graves;
3	Michael, possessor of standing with Thee and a raised up place in Thy obedience;
4	Gabriel, entrusted with Thy revelation, obeyed by the inhabitants of Thy heavens, distinguished in Thy Presence,48 brought nigh to Thee;
5	the spirit who is over the angels of the veils;49
6	and the spirit who is of Thy command50 - bless them and the angels below them: the residents in Thy heavens, those entrusted with Thy messages,
7	those who become not wearied by perseverance, or exhausted and flagged by toil, whom passions distract not from glorifying Thee, and whose magnification of Thee is never cut off by the inattention of heedless moments;
8	their eyes lowered, they do not attempt to look at Thee; their chins bowed, they have long desired what is with Thee; unrestrained in mentioning Thy boons, they remain humble before Thy mightiness and the majesty of Thy magnificence;
9	those who say when they look upon Gehenna roaring over the people who disobeyed Thee: 'Glory be to Thee, we have not worshipped Thee with the worship Thou deservest!'
10	Bless them, and Thy angels who are the Reposeful, those of proximity to Thee, those who carry the unseen to Thy messengers, those entrusted with Thy revelation,
11	the tribes of angels whom Thou hast singled out for Thyself, freed from need for food and drink by their calling Thee holy, and made to dwell inside Thy heavens' layers,
12	those who will stand upon the heavens' borders51 when the Command descends to complete Thy promise,
13	the keepers of the rain, the drivers of the clouds,
14	him at whose driving's sound is heard the rolling of thunder, and when the reverberating clouds swim before his driving, bolts of lightning flash;
15	the escorts of snow and hail, the descenders with the drops of rain when they fall, the watchers over the treasuries of the winds, those charged with the mountains lest they disappear,
16	those whom Thou hast taught the weights of the waters and the measures contained by torrents and masses of rain;
17	the angels who are Thy messengers to the people of the earth with the disliked affliction that comes down and the beloved ease;
18	the devoted, noble scribes,52 the watchers, noble writers,53 the angel of death and his helpers, Munkar and Nakir,54 Rumaan, the tester in the graves,55 the circlers of the Inhabited House,56 Malik57 and the guardians, Ridwan58 and the gatekeepers of the gardens,
19	those who disobey not God in What He commands them and do What they are commanded;59
20	those who say, Peace be upon you, for that you were patient - and fair is the Ultimate Abode;60
21	the Zabaniya, who, when it is said to them, take him, and fetter him, then roast him in hell,61 hasten to accomplish it, nor do they give him any respite;62
22	him whom we have failed to mention, not knowing his place with Thee, nor with which command Thou hast charged him;
23	and the residents in the air, the earth, and the water, and those of them charged over the creatures;
24	bless them on the day when every soul will come, with it a driver and a witness,63
25	and bless them with a blessing that will add honour to their honour and purity to their purity.
26	O God, and when Thou blessest Thy angels and Thy messengers and Thou extendest our blessings to them, bless us through the good words about them which Thou hast opened up for us! Thou art Munificent, Generous.

2 Praise belongs to God

1	Praise belongs to God who was kind to us through Muhammad (God bless him and his Household) to the exclusion of past communities and bygone generations, displaying thereby His power, which nothing can render incapable, though it be great, and nothing can escape, though it be subtle.
2	He sealed through us all He created, appointed us witnesses over those who deny, and increased us by His kindness over those who are few.
3	O God, bless Muhammad, entrusted by Thee with Thy revelation, distinguished by Thee among Thy creatures, devoted to Thee among Thy servants, the imam of mercy, the leader of good, the key to blessing,
4	who wearied his soul for Thy affairs,
5	exposed his body to detested things for Thy sake,
6	showed open enmity toward his next of kin by summoning to Thee,
7	fought against his family for Thy good pleasure,
8	cut the ties of the womb in giving life to Thy religion,
9	sent far those close because of their denial,
10	brought near those far because of their response to Thee,
11	showed friendship to the most distant for Thy sake,
12	displayed enmity toward the nearest for Thy sake,
13	made his soul persevere in delivering Thy message,
14	tired it in summoning to Thy creed,
15	busied it in counselling those worthy of Thy summons,
16	migrated to the land of exile and the place of remoteness from the home of his saddlebags, the walkway of his feet, the ground of his birth, and the intimate abode of his soul, desiring to exalt Thy religion and seeking help against those who disbelieved in Thee,
17	until what he attempted against Thy enemies went well with him
18	and what he arranged for Thy friends was accomplished.
19	He rose up against them seeking victory through Thine aid, becoming strong in spite of his weakness with Thy help.
20	He fought against them in the centre of their cities
21	and attacked them in the midst of their dwellings,
22	until Thy command prevailed, and Thy word rose up, though the idolaters were averse.43
23	O God, so raise him, because of his labours for Thy sake, to the highest degree of Thy Garden,44
24	that none may equal him in station, none may match him in level, and no angel brought nigh or prophet sent out may parallel him in Thy sight.
25	And inform him concerning his Household the pure and his community the faithful of an excellent intercession, greater than what Thou hast promised him!45
26	O Keeper of promises! O Faithful to Thy word! O He who changes evil deeds into manifold good deeds!46 Thou art of bounty abounding!

Fourth Apostolic Imam

Ali ibn al-Husayn Zaynul-Abidin

The holy Imam Ali Zaynul-Abidin is the Fourth Apostolic Imam. His epithet was Abu Muhammad and was popularly titled as Zaynul-Abidin. The mother of this Holy Imam was the royal personage, Shahr Banu, the daughter of King Yazdgerd, the last pre-Islamic Ruler of Persia. Imam Zaynul-Abidin spent the first two years of his infancy in the lap of his grandfather Ali ibn Abi Talib and then for twelve years he had the gracious patronage of his uncle, the second Holy Imam al-Hassan ibn All. In 61 AH, he was present in Karbala, at the time of the gruesome tragedy of the wholesale massacre of his father, his uncles, his brothers, his cousins and all the godly comrades of his father; and suffered a heartless captivity and imprisonment at the hands of the devilish forces of Yazid. When Imam Hussein had come for the last time to his camp to bid goodbye to his family, Ali Zaynul-Abidin was lying semiconscious in his sickbed and hence he escaped the massacre in Karbala.

Imam Husayn could only manage a very brief talk with the inmates of his camp and departed nominating his sick son as Imam.The Holy Imam Zaynul-Abidin lived for about thirty-four years after his father and all his life he passed in prayers and supplication to Allah and in remembrance of his martyred father.

It is for his ever being in prayers to Allah, mostly lying in prayerful prostration, that this Holy Imam was popularly called "Sajjad". The knowledge and piety of this Holy Imam was matchless.

az-Zuhrl, al-Waqid; and Ibn ’Uyaynah say that they could not find any one equal to him in piety and godliness. He was so mindful of Allah that whenever he sat for ablution for prayers, the complexion of his face would change and when he stood at prayer his body was seen trembling. When asked why this was, he replied, "Know ye not before whom I stand in prayer, and with whom I hold discourse?Even on the gruesome day of Ashura when Yazid’s forces had massacred his father, his kith and kin and his comrades and had set fire to the camp, this Holy Imam was engrossed in his supplications to the Lord.

When the brutal forces of Yazid’s army had taken the ladies and children as captives, carrying them seated on the bare back of the camels, tied in ropes; this Holy Imam, though sick, was put in heavy chains with iron rings round his neck and his ankles, and was made to walk barefooted on the thorny plains from Karbala to Kufah and to Damascus; and even then this godly soul never was unmindful of his prayers to the Lord and was always thankful and supplicative to Him. His charity was unassuming and hidden. After his passing away, the people said that hidden charity ended with the departure of this Holy Imam. Like his grand-father Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ali Zaynul-Abidin used to carry on his own back at night bags of flour and bread for the poor and needy families in Medina and he so maintained hundred of poor families in the city.The Holy Imam was not only hospitable even to his enemies but also used to continually exhort them to the right path. Imam Zaynu l-Abidin along with the AhluI-Bayt passed through dreadful and very dangerous times, for the aggressions and atrocities of the tyrant rulers of the age had reached a climax. There was plunder, pillage, and murder everywhere.

The teachings of Islam were observed more in their breach. The heartless tyrant al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf ath-Thaqaf; was threatening every one who professed allegiance or devotion to the AhluI-Bayt; and those caught were mercilessly put to death. The movement of the Holy Imam was strictly restricted and his meeting with any person was totally banned. Spies were employed to trace out the adherents of the AhluI-Bayt. Practically every house was searched and every family scrutinized.

Imam Zaynul-Abidin was not given the time to offer his prayers peacefully, nor could he deliver any sermons. This God’s Vicegerent on earth therefore, adopted a third course which proved to be very beneficial to his followers.

This was in compiling supplicative prayers for the daily use of man in his endeavour to approach the Almighty Lord. The invaluable collection of his edited prayers are known as as-Sahifah al-Kdmilah or as-Sahifah as-Sajjddiyyah; it is known also as az-Zabur (Psalm) of Al Muhammad The collection is an invaluable treasury of wonderfully effective supplications to the Lord in inimitably beautiful language. Only those who have ever come across those supplications would know the excellence and the beneficial effect of these prayers. Through these prayers the Imam gave all the necessary guidance to the faithful during his seclusion. On the 25th of Muharram 95 AH when he was in Medina, al-Walid ibn Abdi l-Malik ibn Marwan, the then ruler got this Holy Imam martyred by poison. The funeral prayers for this Holy Imam were conducted by his son the Fifth Imam, Muhammad al-Baqir and his body was laid to rest in the cemetery of Jannatu l-Baqi in Medina.

Allamah Tabatabai writes:Imam Sajjad ("Ali ibn al-Husayn entitled Zaynul-Abidin and Sajjad) was the son of the Third Imam and his wife, the queen among women, the daughter of Yazdgerd the King of Iran. he was the only son of Imam Hussein to survive, for his other three brothers Ali Akbar, aged twenty-five, five-year-old Jafar and Ali al-Asghar (or Abdullah) who was a suckling baby were martyred during the event of Karbala.

The Imam had also accompanied his father on the journey that terminated fatally in Karbala, but because of severe illness and the inability to carry arms or participate in fighting he was prevented from taking part in the holy war and being martyred. So he was sent with the womenfolk to Damascus. After spending a period in imprisonment he was sent with honour to Medina because Yazid wanted to conciliate public opinion. But for a second time, by the order of the Umayyad caliph, Abdul-Malik, he was chained and sent from Medina to Damascus and then again returned to Medina. The Fourth Imam, upon returning to Medina, retired from public life completely, closed the door of his house to strangers and spent his time in worship.

He was in con- tact only with the elite among the Shi"ites such as Abu Hamzah ath-Thumali, Abu Khalid Kabuli and the like. The elite disseminated among the Shi"ah the religious sciences they learned from the Imam.

In this way Shi"ism spread considerably and showed its effects during the Imamate of the Fifth Imam. Among the works of the Fourth Imam is a book called Sahifah Sajjadiyyah.

It consists of fifty-seven prayers concerning the most sublime Divine sciences and is known as "The Psalm of the Household of the Prophet." The Fourth Imam died (according to some Shl"ite traditions poisoned by al-Walid ibn Abdi l-Malik ibn Marwan through the instigation of the Umayyad caliph Hisham) in 95/712 after thirty-five years of Imamate.al-Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein, peace be Upon him, said:Refrain from lying in all things, big or small, in seriousness or in jest. For when one starts lying in petty matters, soon he will have the audacity to lie in important matters (also).A man need not fear Allah except on account of his own sins, and should place his hopes only with his Lord. When about something one does not know, one should not be ashamed of having to learn about it. And patience is to faith what the head is to the body; one who does not have patience also lacks faith.

footsteps

Ali ibn al-Husayn Zaynul-'Abidin

(Peace be upon him)

It is someone whose footsteps are known by every place
And it is he who is known to the Bayt in Mecca
the most frequented sanctuary;
It is he who is the son of the best of all men of God
and it is he who is the most pious and devout,
the purest and most unstained
the chestiest and most righteous
a symbol [for Islam]
This is Ali [b. al Husayn] whose parent is the Prophet
This is the son of Fatima, if you do not know who he is
Whosoever recognizes his God knows also
the primacy and superiority of this man
Because the religion has reached nations
through his House.(1)

Imam Sajjad ('Ali ibn al-Husayn entitled Zaynu'l-'Abidin and Sajjad) was the son of the Third Imam and his wife, the queen among women, the daughter of Yazdgerd the King of Iran. He was the only son of Imam Husayn to survive, for his other three brothers 'Ali Akbar, aged twenty-five, five-year-old Ja'far and 'Ali al-Asghar (or 'Abdullah) who was a suckling baby were martyred during the event ofKarbala'. The Imam had also accompanied his father on the journey that terminated fatally in Karbala', but because of severe illness and the inability to carry arms or participate in fighting he was prevented from taking part in the holy war and being martyred. So he was sent with the womenfolk to Damascus. After spending a period in imprisonment he was sent with honour to Medina because Yazid wanted to conciliate public opinion. But for a second time, by the order of the Umayyad caliph, 'Abdu 'l-Malik, he was chained and sent from Medina to Damascus and then again returned toMedina. The Fourth Imam, upon returning toMedina, retired from public life completely, closed the door of his house to strangers and spent his time in worship. He was in contact only with the elite among the Shi'ites such as Abu Hamzah ath-Thumali, Abu Khalid Kabuli and the like. The elite disseminated among the Shi'a the religious sciences they learned from the Imam. In this way Shi'ism spread considerably and showed its effects during the Imamate of the Fifth Imam. Among the works of the Fourth Imam is a book called Sahifah Sajjadiyyah. It consists of fifty-seven prayers concerning the most sublime Divine sciences and is known as "The Psalm of the Household of the Prophet." The Fourth Imam died (according to some Shi'ite traditions poisoned by al-Walid ibn 'Abdi 'l-Malik ibn Marwan through the instigation of the Umayyad caliph Hisham) in 95/712 after thirty-five years of Imamate.

Al-Imam 'Ali ibn al-Husayn, peace be Upon him, said:

Refrain from lying in all things, big or small, in seriousness or in jest. For when one starts lying in petty matters, soon he will have the audacity to lie in important matters (also).

A man need not fear Allah except on account of his own sins, and should place his hopes only with his Lord. When about something one does not know, one should not be ashamed of having to learn about it. And patience is to faith what the head is to the body; one who does not have patience also lacks faith.

Note:

1- Farazdaq, in this poem, refers to the occasion when the Caliph Hisham b. Abd al Malik was overshadowed by the respect which people showed towards the great grandson of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), at the time of Hajj when both of the individuals were trying to reach the crowds around the Ka'ba to get to the black stone. The people gave way to the Imam (as) while the Caliph struggled desperately. The Caliph, deeply offended, inquired in a sarcastic tone, who the person was who people had shown such preference. Farazdaq, who was also present at the moment composed an ode and recited it, addressing himself to Hisham.

Mission

Mission of Imam Sajjad (PBUH)

Imam Sajjad (PBUH) despite facing worst conditions and severe sufferings after the martyrdom of Imam Hosein, not only humiliated and defamed Yazid by displaying courage, bravery, and firmness and defendingmonotheism andprophet-hood from the side of Ahl-ul-Bait but also unveiled it for ever.
Imam Sajjad(PBUH) gave that greatest lesson of path to deliverance to the oppressed world by delivering heart-rending addresses in the streets of Kufa andSyria and in the courts of Bin Ziad and Yazid which is still a beacon of light for the oppressed nations and the Islamic World.
There were four important tasks entrusted to Imam Zainul Abideen (PBUH) i.e. maintenance of the inheritors of Karbala martyrs, protection of the martyrs’ blood, defending Imam Hosein’s targets, and pulling out the aggrieved Ummah from lowness and humiliation by increasing their spirit of courage for the completion of which the brought-up of Revelation and truthful Imam of Islamic nation Imam Ali bin Hosein confronted with firmness worst conditions and the tyrant and oppressive Yazid forces.
He along with Lady Zaynab and other women, the piousness of whom is proved by the Holy Quran, bore all difficulties with heavy thorny chains and chokers in hands, feet and neck and enlightened Mission of Hosein by repeating the stories of Karbala at every point and corner.
Allah has been termed the objective of human life and dua (supplication) has been called the best worship. Dua is the weapon of believer, pillar of the religion and enlightenment of sky and earth while martyrdom has been termed the last source of achieving that objective. Holy Quran has mentioned three holiest objectives i.e.Faith, Migration and Jihad (holy war). a person who keeps complete faith in Godly religion, he leaves his motherland for protection of his highest objectives and faith, and wages Jihad with big to big tyrant ruler for the safety of humanity and increase of honor of society, that is why Jihad is considered one of the doors of the Heaven that Allah Has created for His chosen persons.
Imam Hosein (PBUH) by offering sacrifice in the plains of Karbala along with his 72 near and dear ones for the defense of these highest objectives and promotion of religion, Shari’a, humanity and mankind preached a lesson to the coming generations that those who seek acme of religion and Shari’a they do not become afraid of death rather consider it an eternal life.
After the martyrdom of Imam Hosein (PBUH), his beloved son Ali bin Hosein titled Zain-ul Abideen (PBUH) was entrusted with a most important responsibility. About this title Ibn Jozi writes in ‘Tazkira-tul-Khawas’ : “The pious name of Zainul Abideen (PBUH) was given by the Holy Prophet (PBUH)”
He said brief crux of one of addresses of Imam Sajjad (PBUH)is that “O people, those of you who do not know me, I would like to introduce myself. I am son of Hosein bin Ali bin Abi Talib (PBUH)whose dignity has been trampled and whose Ahl-u-Bait (PBUH)have been detained, their assets were looted but I do not feel myself weak, vulnerable and helpless on account of these reasons rather I feel myself proud that my father presented his life for the supremacy of righteousness and he was killed unjustly.”

written Works

Imam Sajjad’s written Works

Imam Sajjad is famous for his unique written texts. He taught and wrote “Al-Sahifat Al-Kamilat Al-Sajjadiyya, Psalms Of Islam”, "The Hajj", “Risalat Al-Huquq, Treatise On Rights”, and “Kitab Ali bin Hossein”. The first three documents have survived until today, but unfortunately, the forth, respectively, is missing (al-Qarashi 2000, pg.525). These texts are well known and are used by believers who desire a greater closeness to Allah (swt) and specific knowledge on Hajj and rights.

The supplications in the book “Al-Sahifat Al-Kamilat Al-Sajjadiyya, Psalms Of Islam”, gives the believer the most appropriate and beautiful words to speak to the Almighty Allah.

The Imam’s detailed and invaluable dialogue on Hajj guides and teaches the believer the very serious aspect of Niyat (intention) at every step of the Sacred Pilgrimage. In his “Risalat Al-Huquq, Treatise on Rights”, the concept of “rights” is clearly stipulated, detailed under 6 headings starting with Allah has Rights against You.

If the believer understands and follows the direction and instruction particularized in these rights, then it truly will assist in righteous practice and conduct among men and before Allah.

Forgiveness

Imam Sajjad’s Forgiveness

There is a Joy in Forgiveness in which You cannot Find in Revenge

A man related to Imam Sajjad (as) came to him, and started cursing the Imam.

Imam Sajjad (as) did not answer the man. When the man left, Imam Sajjad (as) said to his companions, "you have heard what this man said to me; I would like you to come with me so that you can hear my reply to him."

The companions replied, "We will come with you, for we would like you to answer him back. We too would like to say something to him."

Imam Sajjad (as) put on his shoes and he read this verse as he began to leave, "...Those who lower and suppress their anger, yet forgive people, truly Allah loves them." (3:134)

Hearing that, the companions of Imam Sajjad (as) understood that the Imam will not answer the man back.

They walked towards the man’s house till they reached to his door. With a loud voice Imam (as) said, "Tell him Ali-ibn al-Hussain is here." The man came out offensively prepared to face the punishment of Imam Sajjad (as). But Imam Sajjad (as) told the man, "My Brother! A few moments ago you came to me, and you said whatever you wished.

If what you said about me is true within me, then I will ask Allah for forgiveness; and if what you said is not within me, then May Allah forgive you."

At that time the man kissed Imam Sajjad’s (as) forehead and said: "I said something about you that is not in you, yet I deserve whatever I said to you."

(Selection from "al-Irshad", by Sheikh Mofid, vol. 2, p.145)

Sahifa-e-Sajjadia

Hazrat Sajjad (as) and the Sahifa-e-Sajjadia

When the Imam got stuck in a tight corner and was virtually besieged he was obliged to state his objects and motive in the form of the prayers. These prayers have been compiled in the shape of a book named "Sahifa-e-Sajjadia." This is an ocean of topics and objects of science, mathematics, physics, astronomy, social and political sciences and ethics. Obviously and apparently this is a book of prayers.

But, in fact, this is the expression of fact, pains, and difficulties. We present here a few sentences of it as a specimen.

1. Oh God! I take asylum and refuge with you from the revolt, and rebellious (attitude) refractoriness, of the anger and jealousy and the scarcity of patience, and extravagance and intemperance in life.

Oh God! Keep me alive till my life is led in your service and obedience and when it becomes the pasture and meadow of Satan, take me towards yourself and take my life.

2. Oh sons! Respect you father and mother because if the father was not there you would not have come into existence. Look at the mother that she looks after you with all of her existence (energies). She is not afraid of it that she herself remains hungry and feeds you. She herself remains cloth less (without dress) and covers (dresses) you. She remains in the sun and places you in the Shadow. You cannot thank her. This is God who has the power of thanking her (giving her the reward).

3. Watch over and attend your child because his good or bad (virtues) are related and connected to you and you are responsible for his training and guidance.

4. Be kind to your brother and sister because he/she is your hand (helper) and your power. Help him against the enemy and be his well wisher.

5. Respect your teacher and be polite in his assembly (session) and listen carefully to his words. Do not talk loudly before him. If somebody questions him about something do not reply before he does although you may know the answer to that (question).

6. Respect your neighbor and help and assist him. If you happen to observe a fault or sin of him do hide it and when he slips (commits sin) admonish him.

7. Be just in your conduct and behavior with friend and love him as he loves you.

If he makes up his mind to commit a sin stop him from that and always be a blessing for him, not a torment for him.

His Supplication in Asking for Covering and Protection (Supplication - 41)

O God,
bless Muhammad and his Household,
spread for me the bed of Thy honour,
bring me to the wateringholes of Thy mercy,
set me down in the midst of Thy Garden,
stamp me not with rejection by Thee,
deprive me not through disappointment by Thee,
settle not accounts with me for what I have committed,
make no reckoning with me for what I have earned,
display not what I have hidden,
expose not what I have covered over,
weigh not my works on the scales of fairness,
and make not my tidings known to the eyes of the crowd!

Conceal from them
everything whose unfolding would shame me
and roll up before them
all which would join me to disgrace with Thee!
Ennoble my degree through Thy good pleasure,
perfect my honour through Thy forgiveness,
rank me among the companions of the right hand,
direct me to the roads of the secure,
place me in the throng of the triumphant,
and through me let the sessions of the righteous thrive!152
Amen, Lord of the worlds!

imam sajjad