Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

This is not gonna be a long post, just a question i want to ask. Yesterday i was watching the program in which a guy has the ability to see the true nature of people. For example if someone is a killer, thief etc he is able to see. This made me think about how Islam talks about people changing into different animals to reflect their true nature after death.

Have you ever really thought about who you truly are? Are you sure that if you look into a mirror with a clear eyesight you will see a human and not an animal? even if you are fooling the world, can you fool yourself as well? Have you become so deceived yourself that when you look in the mirror you don't see your reality?!

Please be honest and truly look into the mirror to see yourself for who you are, otherwise it might be too late. Rather than being raised as a human after death, you might just be an animal.

It has been recorded from the Prophet (S) of God that some persons will be raised on the Last Day in such a mien that even monkeys and dog flies will appear better looking than that. It is also possible that several forms may be prescribed for one individual in that world. Because that world is not like this world, where one individual cannot acquire more than one form. This account itself is logical as well as self-evident. Because, the criterion of those different forms (of which human form is one) would be the state of soul at the time of death the state in which the soul departs from the body. It is in this very state and form that man's soul enters the realm of Barzakh. At the time of entering the other world, that is, the domain of the Hereafter, the first stage of which is Barzakh, in whichever state one's soul departs from the body, it assumes a form suited to it in the next world also. It is the same form in which he is perceived by the inhabitants of Barzakh and by himself, when he first opens his eyes there, if he has not lost his sight to do so. Because, it is not necessary that man may enter the next world in the same physical state as he had in this world. God Himself says that on the Last Day some of the persons will ask God that why has He raised them as blind while they possessed eyes in the world. God will answer them that as they disregarded His clear signs in the world, they are forgotten and disregarded by God today.

ref:First Hadith: On the Tradition of the Forty Ahadith

Hope

This world has become a difficult place to live in. At times it seems as if every door is closed, we are trapped in something for which no escape seems possible. At such times is their something to give us hope? I was listening to this beautiful lecture which shed light on this topic. I hope it also helps you when you feel their is no hope left.

Female Integrity

What kind of times have come? Day by day i am more shocked and depressed. There was a time when females were synonymous with modesty. It was an understood thing that a wife would be loyal, would guard herself. It was implicit that the most important thing to a female would be her modesty.

BUT what is happening now? Wives are having extra marital affairs, girls are prettying themselves up in immodest fashions just to gain attention. And to top it all up it doesn't even shock anyone anymore. A true reflection of this degradation can be seen from the media. They are showing females in the most disgusting and immoral roles. Its amazing to see that this is being churned out of the so called *Islamic Republic of Pakistan*. I feel sick of this setup and immorality. It seems their is no escape, everywhere you turn its the same. *Sigh* world has become a messed messed up place and Pakistan seems to be at the center of that mess.

Patience & Forebearence

I met a friend recently who has been out of Pakistan for a few years and she made me realize how frustrated and impatient we as a nation have become and therefore i felt it was relevant to write something about this topic. Its true that in current times every step is full of difficulty and calamities, it is very easy to lose patience and become frustrated. Life can seem oppressive at times and it almost seems impossible to move on. It's at these times it's important to keep certain traditions and narrations in mind to help one get over the frustrations and disappointments and be patient.  Below i am relating some of these narrations:

Beware! Your patience should not be like those of ordinary people. Instead of remaining patient, they were more concerned with their exhibition of patience. This is Riyakari. The patience of muttaqi (pious) people should be such in which there is hope of reward in the hereafter. Arifs (those who have knowledge about the qualities of Allah) should be such that at the time of patience, they should enjoy their hardships because these hardships have been given by the Beloved who is aware of its result.

Allah the Most High said: “O you who believe, seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient.”

 He also said: “And give good news to the patient. Who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: 'Surely we are Allah's and to Him we shall surely return.' Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those are the followers of the right course.” 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) said: “There are three kinds of forbearance: Forbearance in misfortune, forbearance in obedience and forbearance against disobedience.”

Imam 'Ali (a.s.) the Commander of the Faithful said: “The role of patience in actions is like the role of the head among the organs of the body. If the head is gone the organs become useless and if patience is gone actions are useless.”

And seek assistance through patience and prayer; and most surely it is a hard thing, except for the humble ones (2:45), who know that they shall meet their Lord and that they shall return to Him (2:46). 

Imam As-Sādiq (a. s.) said: "Whenever ‘Alī (a.s.) faced a difficulty, he used to stand up for the prayer and then recite this verse: and seek assistance through patience and prayer." (al-Kāfī) 

Yeah things can seem very difficult at times BUT just remember these traditions and keep in mind the tragedy of Kerbala. How Imam Hussain(a.s) kept on moving even after he had to carry so many bodies, face so many enemies alone, he didn't give up but went ahead with his mission with patience and forbearance.

references:
Al-Mizan-Chapter 13
Living the Right Way by Ayatullah Jawad Tehraani 
WASIYATNAMA (Last Will & Testament) Ayatullah Shaikh Abdulla Mamkani (a.r.)'s will to his children, relatives, well-wishers and friends
 http://www.al-islam.org/short/wasiyatnama/38.htm

Dua by Imam Hussain(a.s)

This is such a short BUT beautiful dua. Each line holds a very deep meaning. Whenever you feel depressed, saddened by this world and hopeless of people just think about these moving words. They will surely help you understand and feel better...:)

In the morning of the day of Āshura the horsemen of the enemy launched an attack on the ranks of the Imam. The Imam(a.s) raised his hands in prayer and said: 


"O Lord! I depend on you in every affliction and am hopeful of Your blessing in every hardship.

In every difficulty with which I am faced, You are my only remedy and resort. 


There have been many embarrassments which weakened my heart and no remedy for it was available.


The friends did not assist me and the enemies rejoiced at my misfortune.


However, when I ceased to seek assistance from everyone except You and sought the remedy only from You, You provided me solace and relief and removed the difficulty.


Every blessing and goodness reaches us from You and everything should be sought from You only".


Ref:Supplication of Imam in the Morning of Ashura