Friday Sermon 7 th June 2015 Hujjatul Islam Ustad Syed Jawad Naqvi (Principal Jamia Orwatul Wuthqa Lahore, Jamia Jafaria Gujranwala) Delivered at: Jamia Masjid Allama Mufti Jafar Gujranwala Pakistan Translated By: Syed Arif Rizvi
In the name of Allah (s.w.t) I inherit, invite and preach all believers and myself towards divine Taqwa. Allah has created a system of guidance for humanity whose foundation has been kept on Taqwa. Taqwa is the divine way of living because there two aspects of life; one is the definition of life itself and then there is a way of living. Life is the name of our actions and movements but our actions have a style and way; which are different. It is possible that two persons are doing the same act but their way of doing would be different. For instance two persons are both attending Friday Prayers which is common act and part of life; but the same two persons who have done a common act have different ways of doing. One might have attended just as a custom, ritual, cultural or geographical rites and the other might have attended in a divine way. Taqwa is present in action and specifically Taqwa is the way, style of doing things in a divinely manner. If you are eating, drinking then the way of eating should be divine, if you are earning, spending it should be in a divine way. Every person is earning and spending also, except for misers who do not spend. It is possible that they are earning in the right way but not spending in a divine way instead spending in a cultural way. It is possible that there is Taqwa in earning but Taqwa is not present in spending. The way every act has a way; it is possible that act is delivered correctly but its way of doing makes it Taqwa. When the way of doing things for a person becomes divine then this way is known as Taqwa. The Holy Quran has presented a divine system of guidance whose foundation has been kept on Taqwa. We have forsaken systems and one tragedy in recognition of religion has been that it has been without system. Our recognition of religion has started from Ahkam (practical laws) leaving aside system. The other thing which has been forsaken are Values (Aqdar). We have left the values which are the skeleton of every system. If we take an example just for sake of understanding; the way Quran also says that one who has constructed his building on the foundation of Taqwa and one who has not done this on Taqwa instead on transgression. I will also use the example in the same context. When a building is constructed; it needs ground to stand but the building, its pillars, its roof, its windows are not ground. If you look at this mosque, there is a dome which is not ground and not even supported by walls, instead there are pillars on which there is a beam on which there is roof. This is the structure on which everything is established and building comes into existence. The system of religion is also like this and it also has a structure and this structure is also on a plot. The ground on which the system of religion has to be established is known as Ideology. One vision, belief, ideology and whatever name you give it but till the time it has no foundation the building cannot come into existence. The plot on which the system of religion gets established is Ideology. On this ground a skeleton is made and on this skeleton the building is made. This skeleton is values and it is the function of Ideology to present Values (Aqdar) or principles of life which are the pillars of religion on the basis of which Ahkam, duties, obligations, dealings etc. are established. The religion which we are taught is directly on Ahkam; neither are we taught Ideology, vision on universe nor values. We are directly taken to rituals and worship without exposing the ground and skeleton of religion. The Ahkam, rights and rituals are not the skeleton of religion. Quran has presented the religion in the same way; first it has presented a vision about universe, man and then 1
values after which it has presented the laws and rights. But we directly come on rights, rituals or Ahkam. If the sequence is correct then this becomes the right way from where the system of religion gets born in which values play a critical role. At present the religion which is presented in the world has resulted into a disturbance everywhere. It is not that this religion is not having any worship in it, this religion is without the skeleton like the entire building present in a warehouse in pieces. Windows, rods, doors and everything is lying in scrap warehouse. You can sell these things but you cannot stay there though all the things required for a building is present in the warehouse but it is scrap because there is no skeleton present hence the scrap warehouse is not a place where you can comfortably live. Religion is going to give comfort and a life of tranquility to people which is known as paradise. If this kind of religion like that of scrap is presented then this religion is not the place of living in peace and comfort. How did the building of religion fell down? You can visit the centers of religion and you will find the scrap of religion present there. You can find the bricks, windows and everything like rituals, Ahkam, organizations, scholars but what is missing are values (Aqdar). The pillars are not present which would bring up the building and all other things will then get connected. If this would be have done then this building would be a comfortable place not just for Muslims but also for everyone else except for enemies of Islam. The tragedy at present of the religious world is that values have ended. Religion is there but it is without self-sacrifice, religion is there but without chastity, modesty, mercy which are all values that are not present. Taqwa is the subject of these values that is when you establish all values then you have established the foundations of Taqwa. The beauty of religion is that it starts with the human being itself whereas others start from outside; religion starts from inside. Religion starts Taqwa from your own self and if you can get these values in your own self then you can establish them outside as well. Taqwa is the collection of values which should be present inside our self and as well as outside. The most we should emphasize are on values which are not seen in mosques or pulpits. Today we have debates but these are on beliefs but not on values. Fatwa s are there but not on the basis of values. Like a person does Salaat but speaks lies still his Salaat is fine because he has done the rituals. One earns adulterated income but still his fasting is fine. He goes to a Mufti and asks him that I have done Sahar and Iftar with food earned with Haram income and the answer is that your fasting is still fine. Fasting is for Taqwa and is to lay the foundation of Taqwa. You have rectified the actions but values (Aqdar) are missing. Takfirism, terrorism, mercilessness, cruelty, hatred are all outcome of such religion where religious people become enemies of each other. Today why Shia is an enemy of Shia because of absence of values. We have left values due to which this situation has come. Taqwa is the collection of values which we should establish in our self and then in society. The leader of Friday prayers and attendees should establish Taqwa in their own self and in society. Every Friday we should check whether we have developed ourselves in Taqwa or not. How many values have I developed in myself in this week? The position of Muttaqeen which Quran has presented proves that the hope for salvation is only with those possess Taqwa. There were various verses presented before and now we present some more verses of Surah Tauba verse 36 Indeed the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah s Book, the day when He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are sacred. That is the upright religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them. Fight all the polytheists, just as they fight you all, and know that Allah is with the Muttaqeen 2
The verse says that Allah has created twelve months in which four are sacred and this is Deen-al- Qayyim that is upright religion which means a religion which is established on its skeleton. Deen-Al- Qayyim is a very beautiful terminology used in Quran. Religion (Deen) and Deen-al-Qayyim (established religion) have a difference; the way I have given the example of building parts present in scrap warehouse which is not worth of use. Deen-Al-Qayyim means a religion standing on its pillars and skeleton. Religion becomes Qayyim only with system and not with some rituals of religion. One of the attributes of Deen-al-Qayyim is that you should have twelve months because there were some people who demanded to have thirteen months because they were business people and were having problems. The business goes by season which does not change with lunar calendar but crops come in a particular season. The traders were getting disturbed by Hajj because their business season were fixed but Hajj used to change every year. Allah said that this is not Deen-al-Qayyim in which you can change things as per your desire. Allah says that there are twelve months and in which there are four sacred months. You should not oppress yourself in these month. Then the verse says look at what enemies are doing, they are killing everyone. The enemies just want to kill like in Saudi they blasted a Sunni mosque yesterday. For Terrorism they do not ask whether you are Shia or Sunni or whether you are which type of Shia. This is the strategy of enemies about you that they want to kill everyone. If this is the strategy of enemies then you also do it the same way. Do not differentiate between tribes of enemies that whom you should fight and not others. Then finally verse assures that Allah is with Muttaqeen. This has been mentioned earlier also that this privilege has been given by Allah to Muttaqeen; that Allah has extended his support to Muttaqeen. Many people say that Allah is with us but Allah says I am with MUTTAQEEN. One with whom Allah is present he does not need anyone else to support. Imam Hussain (a.s) was not supported by people but still he did not consider himself to be alone. I have said this before also that at the time of migration when Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) was in the cave, he told to his companion that do not be afraid Allah is with us. There are two personalities in the cave; one is afraid and one is relaxed. Where is the difference? One was realizing that Allah is with me and other is under pressure. The other was only looking at enemies whereas was Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) could witness Allah as strong and enemies as weak. Allah s promise is that Allah is with you. If you do not get anything out of Taqwa, no paradise then also this privilege is enough that Allah is with you. Imam Hussain (a.s) says that One who has found you, your support what has he lost. Today we say that so and so is with us and we will get salvation which is not true because no one can give you salvation unless Allah is with you. Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s) says that if everyone leave my company, support and leave me completely alone and no one comes to see me, meet me and entire life if I am left alone then also I will not be scared because Allah is with me. The one with whom Allah is there he can never be alone. Imam Khomeini (r.a) says that if everyone, all Iranians, scholars, everyone leaves me then also I will not leave this path because Allah is with me. This can only happen if I leave the company of many others. We have some companions whom we have to leave, these are obstacles in the path of Allah becoming our companion. These are all the effects of Taqwa. There is another verse of Surah Tauba, verse 44 Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask you for leave [ exempting them] from waging jihad with their possessions and their persons, and Allah knows best the Muttaqeen. As I have said before also Surah Tauba is a very straight forward Surah and hence a special arrangement for its delivery was also made; whereby the person who was sent with this Surah to Mecca was asked by Allah to be called back and Prophet was told that either you yourself go or send 3
one who is amongst you. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) called his first companion and then sent Ameerul Momineen (a.s) because if the subject is clear and straight then the one who has to deliver also should be straight and clear. Imam Khomeini (r.a) sent a message to Gurbachov, the Russian president to leave communism and come towards Islam. For this message, Imam did not sent a diplomat but sent a teacher from Qom, Ayatullah Jawad Amouli. When he returned he mentioned how he delivered the message. When this delegation went there Gurbachov gave thirty minutes just like diplomats. Gurbachov extended his hand to get the message which was in a file. This representative of Imam (r.a) did not give the file to him and told his translator to tell Gurbachov that I am not a courier, neither I am a diplomat instead I am a representative of a divine leader who has instructed me to teach this divine message to you. The translator got scared to translate this statement in front of a president of a superpower. The translator did not do proper translation because this would not be considered as something ethical in the diplomatic world. He then asked another person in delegation to translate that in English and he told the same sentence in English. Gurbachov sat down and Ayatullah Amouli started to deliver the message. He would read one sentence, explain it and then ask Gurbachov whether he understood or not. The thirty minutes meeting turned into a two and half hours discussion. A preacher is selected based on the message to be delivered. When a divine message is to be delivered then he should be a straight forward preacher. Hence the Prophet was told to do himself or ask Ali (a.s) to go. Amongst these straight forward things present in Surah Tauba, is this one verse. The verse says that there are some people when the time for waging war comes they ask for leaves. Those who look for leaves should be attentive here that they have been discussed in the Quran. Who are the ones who seek leaves at the time of war or at the time of important religious work or at the time of being present in the field? Allah says that O Prophet! Those who take leaves at sensitive time are hypocrites. A believer will never ask for leaves instead he will tell his personal affairs to wait because my religion needs my services now. This verse is very clear and its translation itself is enough to understand. Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask you for leave [ exempting them] from waging jihad with their possessions and their persons, and Allah knows best the Muttaqeen. One of the signs of a believer is that he will never seek permission for leave at the time when he is needed. When there is no need or work for him he can take leave but when he is required and needed he will never ask for leave. When the time for waging war with possessions comes he will never ask for a leave instead he will come forward with his possessions and life. And Allah is well aware about Muttaqeen and he also knows the ones who only do show off. This verse is also teaching us the way to become Muttaqee because they are ones who give preference to their religious duties over every other work. In Medina there were some people who would come to the Prophet to take leaves at the time of war with all excuses that we have some work at home or in the farm. SECOND SERMON I invite you all and my own self towards Taqwa and you should establish your life on the basis of Taqwa. A person without Taqwa prepares means of devastation for himself as well for others. Those who are without Taqwa have pushed the entire world into fire today. Pakistan has reached this devastating stage jut because of these people who do not possess Taqwa. 4
This month of August is a very important month for Pakistan in which Independence Day that is 14 th August is also in this month. The efforts of those who gave all sacrifices to get freedom for this land have been beaten badly because of these non Muttaqee people who are on verge of completely destroying this country. The destruction is such that that Pakistani army with full efforts is trying to remove the thorns laid by them but still are not able to do it. If people without Taqwa come in power and become leaders for a country this is what happens. A person without Taqwa creates destruction in every field wherever he is present. Since 14 th August is coming on Friday we will discuss about this on the same day if Allah grants the opportunity. This month of August also has special significance for Shia s of Pakistan; one is 5 th and other is 29 th August which has specific significance for Shia s of Pakistan whereas 14 th August is for the entire Pakistan nation. 5 th August is known to everyone as the day of martyrdom anniversary of Late Leader of Shia, Martyr Arif Hussain Hussaini (r.a). Today the Shia nation is indulged into so many issues that they do not have the time to refer to their fundamental issues. One youth told me that what you talk we are not able to understand. I replied that I try to simplify things as much possible so why you are still not able to understand. He said because what you talk is of a different world whereas our issues are of different world. I asked him what are your issues and difficulties. He replied that we are not even able to settle our monthly electricity, telephone bills so how can we think about other issues. This is true also when you are burdened with all bill payments then how you can think about other issues. The youths don t marry because how can they think about marriage because of the burden of such minor issues. When the parents are asked to think about getting their children married; they reply that we are not able to even fill their stomach so how can we think about their marriage. I have these initial difficulties and you are guiding us towards big difficulties. This is a problem with entire community; we have deep wounds but we don t get the time to think about this because of the issues of electricity, ration and till the time these don t get solved we are not willing to think about other big difficulties. 5 th August is the day of martyrdom of Shaheed Arif Hussaini who was martyred under a conspiracy in which many parties including certain Embassies were involved. The Iraqi embassy was top of the list which was under Saddam regime, other Embassies and certain government elements of Zia ul Haqq including his secretary were involved in this. This conspiracy was exposed, the assassinators were arrested but later released with respect. This is always a fact that the Shia killers are always arrested and released though later they are killed in some police encounter but they do not want to kill any Shia killer under the crime of killing Shia because then this proves that Shia killing is a crime. What was involved in that conspiracy and that point which became the basis of martyrdom of such a great divine leader blessed upon this nation? This person was a highly sincere and an icon of sincerity. In the lecture few days back I did in Jamea Orwatul Wuthqa I mentioned that one proof of his sincerity was such that when he was selected as the leader of Shia s he was unknown to all and this was in fact the basis of selecting him as the leader. Since he was unknown and from a small border town and not acquainted with the modern Pakistani world but it was Allah s stratagem that he turned out to be a well aware and acquainted person. People would ask us who is this personality and we were also not aware about him; but our teacher told us about him before he was appointed as the leader of Pakistan Shia. When he visited our Madrassa in Qom and met our teacher; we saw that a dignified personality from our country has come to meet our teacher we asked our teacher who is this person. Our teacher told us that amongst the only two personalities in Pakistan who have sincere divine objectives and utmost sincerity towards Allah he is one of them. This was how he was introduced to us by our teacher. He was made the leader and during the limited four years period of his leadership he did a great task of Shia awakening. Though his four years passed in utmost difficulties but his martyrdom did something great. Imam Khomeini (r.a) says about Martyr Beheshti that the martyrdom of Beheshti 5
has insured the Iranian community. Martyr Beheshti was a great personality and there was a slogan that was recited on his martyrdom and even later Beheshti, Beheshti Ba Khoone Khud Nawishti, Isteqlaal, Azadi, Jamhooriye Islami. This means O Beheshti, you have written with your blood; Revolution, Independence and Islamic System. The same effect was in the martyrdom of Martyr Hussaini which awakened the Shia s of Pakistan. I have pointed towards a painful history in the previous lecture about the painful journey in which he suffered the difficulties from his own people, others and from the government. It was the era of Zia-ul-Haqq which was the devilish era of Pakistan. The trees of terrorism planted by this accursed has destroyed this country and we are brutally suffering till today. We should pay attention that to take the leadership of Shias in the era of Zia-ul- Haqq was not something easy. The personality before him that is Allama Mufti Jafar was the leader of the Shias before Shaheed Hussaini and became an icon of unity for the Shias in Pakistan. Shaheed Hussaini in the era when the martial law of Zia-ul-Haqq was at its peak took the reign of leadership in his hands and it was the time when Shia s were victim of internal disputes. In the era of Late Mufti Jafar there were different type of difficulties but when Shaheed Hussaini became the leader the internal disputes within Shia s had gone to this level that when someone asked him what did you achieve in four years; he replied in four years I have tried to convince my Shia community that I am also Shia. Why was Shaheed Hussaini martyred? He was that person whose belief did not allow even to speak any sectarianism. Pushto radio used to broadcast his Mohurrum Majlis and everyone Shia and Sunni would listen to it. He never participated in sectarian issues and never supported anyone on this. He neither took any step against the government. He was a patriot to Pakistan and there is no one who loved Pakistan more than Shaheed Hussaini. He was striving for unity of religious schools and he was known internationally as proclaimer of Muslim unity. He was an ideal personality in all regards so why he was martyred. If a person is in sectarianism he could get killed, if a person is involved in some antistate militancy activities he could get killed but he was not into any of these. Shaheed Hussaini was martyred because he was the proclaimer and promoter of the awakening of Islamic Revolution. He was first person who presented the reality of Islamic revolution though there were scholars before who had love for Islamic revolution but never talked about Islamic Revolution and now also they don t do. They would talk about Wilayat but did not preach and propagate Wilayat. Shaheed Hussaini was the first propagator of Wilayat in Pakistan which was his first crime for which he was martyred. His second crime was he would never accept Taghoot and he would never like to even sit with Taghoot. One incident about his self-purity where he did not allow his self to get adulterated. When the Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khamenei (d.a) was the president of Iran he made a historic visit to Pakistan. In that visit he was given a warm welcome. Even Zia-ul-Haqq gave a very warm welcome which was his political stratagem to Ayatullah Khamenei and he himself went to the airport to receive and stood in the first row to receive him along with his army companions. Zia-ul-Haqq got the news that Shaheed Hussaini has also come to the airport and waiting outside, he asked his companions to bring him inside but Shaheed Hussaini refused to go inside and stand with Zia-ul-Haqq. He said I don t want to be even counted in that row and would not stand even for a moment in the row of yours even if it is for receiving my beloved personality. I don t even want to stand in a photo session with you. They made many efforts to bring him inside but he did not came inside and preferred to stay outside amongst people. When Ayatullah Khamenei landed he was taken in the Presidential car along with Zia-ul-Haqq with full protocol. As he was moving out in the car, he sighted Shaheed Hussaini. He stopped and greeted Shaheed Hussaini and left. Then later Shaheed Hussaini met him separately. The personality of Shaheed Hussaini was so dignified to this extent that he did not even prefer to stand in 6
the row of Taghoot to receive his beloved personality. A person who hates Taghoot this much so will the Taghoot leave him? This was the crime for which he was killed. Singing the songs of Islamic revolution, creating awareness in his community, awakening them and inviting internationally Muslims towards Unity and distancing, disassociating from Taghoot made him a dignified personality for which he was martyred. It is essential to keep this personality alive and these are the principles of Shaheed Hussaini s which should be kept alive. A secular Christian scholar while doing research on effective historical personalities reached Imam Hussain (a.s) and was astonished to find what kind of personality is Hussain (a.s). He studied the sermons of Imam Hussain (a.s) to understand how this personality left an impact for several centuries and wrote a book. He writes that I have studied the sermons and have concluded that these sentences delivered by this soul proves that this soul is highly esteemed, dignified and honored soul. This soul is one near which disgrace cannot be seen for a long distance. When Allah (s.w.t) said that we have purified Ahlulbayt (a.s) from Rijs (all impurities); Rijs means impurities of self as well as all type of impurities from everywhere accumulated in one place like a garbage pile. Allah has purified Ahlulbayt (a.s) from Rijs (all form of impurities). These impurities are not waste from fruits and vegetables instead Ibrahim and his progeny are purified from Shirk (polytheism); purified from following Taghoot. This is a purified family from which Allah has distanced all impurities and that s why they have this dignity in them. If someone is impure and just takes the name of Imam Hussain (a.s) then is this love of Imam Hussain (a.s); you have to study Imam Hussain (a.s). Disgrace and humility is not accepted by Imam Hussain (a.s). One who does not accept disgrace and humiliation for him Allama Iqbal says that such a person should get martyred. Iqbal ke nafas se hai laala ki aag tez Aise gazal sara ko Chaman se nikal de The soul of Iqbal arouses passion in youths Such ode reciter should be removed from the garden Imam Khomeini (r.a) says that such personality like Shaheed Arif Hussaini should be kept alive and Imam (r.a) delivered a very important and unique message to the nation of Pakistan on the martyrdom of Shaheed Arif Hussaini. In my studies of many such various messages I have concluded there are few messages in history which are so deep in meaning. Amongst other things mentioned in this message one point Imam (r.a) says is to keep the personality of Shaheed Hussaini alive which means the principles of Shaheed Hussaini (r.a) should be kept alive. There are only two personalities from whom Imam (r.a) asked people to study their thoughts and keep them alive and for both of them Imam (r.a) delivered a similar statement. For Martyr Muttahhari, Imam (r.a) says that he was a part of my body and asked the youths that if you want to learn religion then study Martyr Muttahhari. For Shaheed Hussaini; Imam (r.a) said that he was my beloved son of whom I am deprived and then referred to the Pakistani nation to keep him alive. Why he is saying similar things for both of them because the thoughts of Shaheed Hussaini are the thoughts of Martyr Muttahhari which you can clearly see in the books of Shaheed Hussaini. I mentioned about this incident before also that once I was with Shaheed Hussaini (r.a) and I wanted to get some books for studies for which I asked him to give the key of his library. He gave me the key and then again called me back and gave another key saying that go upstairs in my bedroom and you will find the right books for studies there. I went to the general library and took some books; then I went to his bedroom, where there was a cupboard in which there were only the books of Martyr Muttahhari. These books were those which he was himself studying day and night. These were bedside books which a person reads day and night. The thoughts of Martyr Muttahhari were the thoughts of Imam Khomeini (r.a) which we have to keep alive. 7
The second personality is of Late Allama Mufti Jafar Hussain whose death anniversary is also on 29 th August. His anniversary day is coming and God willing it is our and yours duty to bring this personality out of deprivation. These rights were not delivered during his life and neither after this death. I said this statement before also that Allama Mufti Jafar is that personality who has unitedly made the leader and then in a united way left isolated during the last days of his life. Why did this happen? Even after his death many people sitting here also don t know where is grave his. I felt aggrieved when I had find this grave and when I went there and saw I was astonished that this nation does not even known where their leader is buried. This Jamea Jafaria which was made by him remained abandoned for several years and Allah (s.w.t) gave the believers this divine grace to again revive this seminary. We also have this intention to build a memorial seminary building here in memory and name of Allama Mufti Jafar which will be an identity for the Shias. One respect for him is to commemorate his anniversary day. Though his works should also be revived but reviving his personality is also a rights on the nation. It is not worthy for nations to forget their leaders and such purified personalities. When such personalities are forsaken, when a pious and Muttaqee personality like Mufti Jafar is not introduced then duplicate personalities get the opportunity to raise their heads. Since 29 th August is a Saturday and Sunday is the weekend we will have a valuable Majlis on his anniversary and present a token of our beliefs to him. The new generations should know about our past personalities. The students who came here when we asked them do you know who made this Seminary, they were not aware about Allama Mufti Jafar. If you visit Iran you can see the shrine of Imam Khomeini (r.a) made with such grandeur thought it has no worth in front of the greatness of Imam Khomeini (r.a). We should at least recognize the worth of this personality, revive him and do something in his name to keep his memory alive. These works are only done by those who get divine opportunities and those who do not have divine Taufeeq Allah does not use them in any work; hence you should revive this Seminary (Madrassa). Everyone has seen his abstinence and Taqwa except for these youths so I am mentioning for their awareness that he was an esteemed example of abstinence and down to earth living person. During the days of his leadership he would travel in buses. I mentioned all this because in the month of August are the anniversary days of Martyr Arif Hussaini and Late Allama Mufti Jafar. We hope that you all will participate in commemorating the anniversary of Allama Mufti Jafar and it will be done with your cooperation and let us compensate for the abandonment of several years. Let our generation be also aware that our community also has a capital like Allama Mufti Jafar. May Allah grant us all the divine opportunities and May Allah forgive us mistakes and negligence. 8