“If you like, I will tell you about Jesus the son of Mary (‘a). He used a stone as his pillow, wore coarse clothing and ate rough food. His stew was hunger and his lamp in the night was the moon. His shade in the winter was the east of the earth and its west. His fruit and his basil were what grow from the earth for the cattle. He had no wife to try him, and no son to grieve him. He had no wealth to distract him, nor greed to abase him. He had no mount to ride but his feet and none were his servants but his own two hands.”

- Imam Ali ibne Abu Talib (as)

“I remember one day after the Battle of Sifeen, we were walking past a house in Kufa, Imam Ameerul Momineen (Imam Ali) was with me. I heard from the house the most beautiful Quran being recited. A man recited Quran in the middle of the night. I looked at Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib and said to him. O Imam this man reciting Quran, the words he is recites are so beautiful. Imam then look at me and said Kumayl one day I will remind you about this man.”

Months passed and the Khawaarij attacked Imam Ali at the Battle of Nahrawan. When the battle finished, Kumayl narrates:

They say that when you enter the vicinity of Karbala al-Muqaddas and first lay eyes upon the Golden Dome overpowering the skyline, you quickly come to notice that one is missing. Although both the Shrines are built on the same leveled ground and are of the same size, only the dome of Hadhrat Abbas (as) is visible to the guests entering this Holy city.

When the scholars were asked why the dome of Aba Abdillah (as) is seemingly hidden from view, the reply came saying:

“All the worries are in my charge.“

Aamaal E Shab e Qadr at the Shrine of Imam Ali ibne Musa Al Reza(ع)

The following story has been narrated regarding Imam Musa as-Ṣadr.

While taking on his leadership role in Lebanon, the Sayyid was known to have been very active in trying to attract the youth towards becoming more religious and more practicing. Where others had failed, Imam as Sadr (ra) was able to succeed by way of his genuine humility, his sincere love and devotion for the people, and his unconventional yet ingenious methods.

On a certain Friday, 2 boys and 2 girls decided to head to the beach while everyone else was attending Jum'ua prayers. Islamic rules of modesty were not on their priority list. As time went by, the 2 boys noticed someone walking towards them from a distance. As the figure got closer and closer, they began to realize that it wasn’t just any ordinary person, it was a scholar. Finally, their eyes focused in on the black turban and the unmistakable face of their community leader, and they at last realized that Sayyid Musa as-Ṣadr was the one coming towards them.

The boys began to panic, in fear of what he would say to them. They grabbed their towels off the sand, tossed it to their female friends, frantically ordering them to cover themselves before the Sayyid got any closer. As he came within earshot of the boys, they began apologizing profusely, admitting that they were sorry, that they should have been attending Friday prayers instead of coming to the beach with these girls. The Sayyid said nothing. He quietly and calmly sat down on the sand next to where they were standing. The boys looked at each other in utter confusion and with no other recourse available, simply sat down next to their leader, awaiting the angry scolding that they must have no doubt been accustomed to from other typical scholars.

After a few minutes of silence, Sayyid as-Ṣadr turns to the boys and says to them, “You should not be the ones apologizing. Actually, I must apologize to you.” Whatever shock and confusion they had before paled in comparison this new bewilderment. They replied, “But Sayyid, WE were the ones who missed out on your jumua khutbah and instead came here to commit sin.” With pure unpretentiousness, the Imam said to them, “Yes, but it was MY duty to bring you to the masjid. I have failed you. So please, tell me what I can do to bring you to the masjid next time.” He then sat with them for hours on end, listening to their problems, understanding why they made their decision, and what he could do in the future to protect them from commit such acts.

As students, this is a true model, a true example by which we can learn how to effectively deal with our families, our friends, and our communities. Imam Musa as-Ṣadr didn’t put the blame on the youth, the media, the parents, the community, etc…He took full responsibility for everything. This is true humility. This is true community building. This is true leadership.

An Isra 17:26

Bismillah Al Rahman Al Raheem

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.

Tafseer / Commentary

And give the kinsman his due, of dutifulness and kindness, and the needy and the traveller [as well]; and do not squander, by expending for [any purpose] other than in obedience to God

17:27

Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.

Tafseer / Commentary

Indeed squanderers are brothers of devils, that is, they follow their way, and the Devil was ever ungrateful to his Lord, extremely rejective of His graces: likewise his brother the squanderer.

17:28

And if you [must] turn away from the needy awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect, then speak to them a gentle word.

Tafseer / Commentary

إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرٗا Inna ma’al ’usri yusra Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.