0 00:00:01,23 --> 00:00:07,11 The Discourse of His Eminence With Regards to the Merits of Imam-e-Zamaan (Peace be upon him) and the Importance of Their Propagation 1 00:00:09,03 --> 00:00:16,00 25/07/1431 A.H. 08/07/2010 C.E. 2 00:00:17,02 --> 00:00:20,20 In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 3 00:00:23,12 --> 00:00:33,10 The Day of Judgement (Qiyamah) has 28 names within the Holy Quran 4 00:00:33,11 --> 00:00:42,05 One of these names is Yaum-ul-Hasrah, "The Day of Intense Regret" 5 00:00:43,18 --> 00:00:47,24 The Quranic verse is this: 6 00:00:49,14 --> 00:00:58,14 "And warn them of the day of intense regret, when the matter shall have been decided…" (Maryam:39) 7 00:00:59,00 --> 00:01:06,04 From our point of view, this verse, in itself, is enough. 8 00:01:08,03 --> 00:01:17,04 If one comprehends whom the verse addresses: 9 00:01:18,08 --> 00:01:28,22 (It addresses) the Last Prophet, and it does so in terms of a warning. 10 00:01:29,15 --> 00:01:40,18 This warning is related to the "Day of Intense Regret". 11 00:01:41,20 --> 00:01:50,13 And God says: Now the matter has been decided (It is sealed and unchangeable). 12 00:01:51,04 --> 00:02:05,17 We were ignorant and have made mistakes which, 13 00:02:06,07 --> 00:02:15,15 if God bestows upon us the ability, we might be able to compensate. 14 00:02:22,05 --> 00:02:30,21 When the Prophet Khidr, alongside Alexander, reached the darkness, 15 00:02:33,18 --> 00:02:45,04 Khidr remarked: "There is something underneath the hoofs of this horse that 16 00:02:45,21 --> 00:02:59,00 whoever picks it up becomes remorseful later on, and whoever refrains from picking it up will also be regretful". 17 00:02:59,16 --> 00:03:09,23 One group declared: "If remorse is the end result (of both actions), 18 00:03:10,14 --> 00:03:17,08 then why should we bother ourselves with dismounting". 19 00:03:17,24 --> 00:03:23,02 However, another group stepped down and picked up (the things in question). 20 00:03:24,00 --> 00:03:33,18 When the darkness subsided, they gazed upon that which they had picked up and saw that they were emeralds. 21 00:03:34,06 --> 00:03:44,13 Those who had picked up (some of these stone) became regretful because they had picked up so few, 22 00:03:44,24 --> 00:03:51,02 (with intense regret) they wished that they had picked up atleast one more piece. 23 00:03:51,10 --> 00:03:59,21 As for those who had not picked up any, their remorse was even more intense. 24 00:04:00,05 --> 00:04:09,00 This is the reality of (the verse) "And warn them of the day of intense regret…" 25 00:04:09,04 --> 00:04:14,11 Within this world there exists darkness… 26 00:04:14,16 --> 00:04:20,18 Truly the Holy Quran is astonishing. 27 00:04:22,01 --> 00:04:33,07 "Allah is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness into the light…" (Al-Baqara:257) 28 00:04:34,08 --> 00:04:44,12 Precious gems are hidden within this darkness, 29 00:04:45,04 --> 00:04:56,05 On the day of judgement, those who picked up (some of these gemstones) will regret as to why they picked up so few, 30 00:04:56,13 --> 00:05:03,22 As for those who failed completely in utilizing this opportunity, 31 00:05:04,03 --> 00:05:11,13 they shall be in such a state of remorse and regret that is utterly indescribable, 32 00:05:11,19 --> 00:05:16,24 because (at that point) there shall exist no possibilty of compensation. 33 00:05:17,00 --> 00:05:37,03 For example, with regards to the martyrdom of Hazrat Zahra (A.S.), we could have rendered an additional community mournful (if we had tried) but we did not. 34 00:05:37,08 --> 00:05:43,15 The regret of this failure shall accompany us eternally, 35 00:05:44,15 --> 00:05:54,20 because last year's martyrdom anniversary can never return. 36 00:05:55,00 --> 00:06:06,22 If mourning had taken place in that (additional) location, even in that (additional) village, 37 00:06:07,02 --> 00:06:16,20 the name and memory of Hazrat Zahra (A.S.) would have been revived, this would have been the result. 38 00:06:16,24 --> 00:06:21,20 The sixth Imam has a saying (relevant to this discussion). 39 00:06:21,21 --> 00:06:38,06 A comprehensive understanding and appreciation of such words requires the juristic intellect of a jurisprudent like Sheikh-e-Ansari, 40 00:06:38,12 --> 00:06:43,00 The saying is this: 41 00:06:43,01 --> 00:06:49,20 "God bestowed His mercy on him who revived our matter" 42 00:06:52,00 --> 00:07:06,22 This statement of the Imam is a solution for the problem facing us on the "Day of Intense Regret". 43 00:07:09,01 --> 00:07:16,11 Firstly, the prayer is in the past tense, 44 00:07:17,05 --> 00:07:22,22 it says: "God bestowed His mercy", not that "God shall bestow His mercy" 45 00:07:23,03 --> 00:07:28,07 and this, in itself, is a lengthy discussion. 46 00:07:28,10 --> 00:07:42,09 How grave is the difference between an "actualized" relationship (that characterizes past tense verbs) and an "anticipatory" relationship (that characterizes present tense verbs)? , 47 00:07:42,15 --> 00:07:46,19 it is a sophisticated academic discussion. 48 00:07:46,23 --> 00:07:57,02 Furthermore, this prayer belongs to an Imam, and the very first sign of an Imam is that (he fits the criterion mentioned in this statement): 49 00:07:57,06 --> 00:08:06,19 "Surely, the Imam is recognized through his knowledge and the fulfillment of his prayers", 50 00:08:06,23 --> 00:08:13,17 thus, his prayers are never rejected. 51 00:08:13,21 --> 00:08:16,01 Keeping this in mind, the prayer in question is as such: 52 00:08:16,08 --> 00:08:24,21 "God bestowed His mercy", not "God shall bestow His mercy" 53 00:08:25,00 --> 00:08:34,24 "God bestowed His mercy on him who revived our matter" 54 00:08:35,24 --> 00:08:45,17 So what is this revival? And what is this mercy? 55 00:08:48,22 --> 00:08:56,07 Firstly, it is a mercy requested and desired by the Imam. 56 00:08:56,11 --> 00:09:02,05 Once again we must refer to the Holy Quran. 57 00:09:02,09 --> 00:09:06,12 The Quran's text is this: 58 00:09:06,17 --> 00:09:15,24 "and the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass" (Az-Zukhruf:32) 59 00:09:16,02 --> 00:09:32,15 That which all of humanity shall amass, from the beginning of creation to the end of time, 60 00:09:32,19 --> 00:09:37,09 will not even be equal to one act of divine mercy. 61 00:09:37,14 --> 00:09:52,14 This is the mercy requested and desired by the Imam for someone who revives their matter. 62 00:09:52,17 --> 00:10:01,04 Indeed, this is what we have forgone and lost uptil now. 63 00:10:01,07 --> 00:10:11,13 Years upon years went by but nothing was done with regards to the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Zahra (A.S.) 64 00:10:11,18 --> 00:10:19,17 What great works could have been carried out, but we lost the opportunity. 65 00:10:19,20 --> 00:10:31,22 Now we must remain alert so that we are able to utilize every chance we get to the utmost of its potential. 66 00:10:32,00 --> 00:10:38,20 "God bestowed His mercy on him who revived our matter" 67 00:10:39,00 --> 00:10:50,13 In this manner, the intense regret (that we spoke of earlier) will be compensated, because all that exists, exists here and now. 68 00:10:50,18 --> 00:11:00,23 That group, which represents the reason behind creation, 69 00:11:01,01 --> 00:11:09,12 is a group of individuals who completely dissolved themselves in God, 70 00:11:10,12 --> 00:11:20,17 i.e. they eradicated their own will vis-à-vis the will of God. 71 00:11:20,22 --> 00:11:33,12 "And they give food out of love for Him to the poor and the orphan and the captive: 72 00:11:33,17 --> 00:11:39,09 We only feed you for Allah's sake" (Al-Insaan:8-9) 73 00:11:39,13 --> 00:11:43,21 This is a sample of their works. 74 00:11:44,00 --> 00:11:53,09 At that time their entire existence becomes absorbed into God's will 75 00:11:54,13 --> 00:12:03,04 It is then that God's will (as personified by the contents of this verse) "Verily, when He intends a thing, 76 00:12:03,05 --> 00:12:07,14 His Command is, "be", and it is!", 77 00:12:07,21 --> 00:12:12,17 His will and intention becomes the same as theirs. 78 00:12:14,21 --> 00:12:27,18 There is a pilgrimage supplication about which Sheikh Sadooq comments: 79 00:12:27,22 --> 00:12:31,03 It is the most authentic of all pilgrimage supplications. 80 00:12:31,05 --> 00:12:34,08 This (high degree of veracity and authenticity) is something completely understood by jurists alone. 81 00:12:34,10 --> 00:12:40,04 The Sheikh, within the book "Man la Yahzur", 82 00:12:40,07 --> 00:12:50,24 selects this particular pilgrimage supplication from amongst all others and deems it to be the most authentic. 83 00:12:51,02 --> 00:12:54,10 Keeping this in mind, the text of this supplication is as such: 84 00:12:54,13 --> 00:13:02,01 "The will of God with regards to the quantity of your matter (your sustenance), 85 00:13:02,04 --> 00:13:08,14 descends upon you and emanates from within your homes" 86 00:13:08,16 --> 00:13:22,20 Therefore, he who toils in order to obtain these things, his toil is not comendable at all. 87 00:13:22,22 --> 00:13:30,06 But we are veiled (and live within a state of ignorance), understanding nothing. 88 00:13:30,09 --> 00:13:35,17 This is because the above meaning is a product of our comprehension. 89 00:13:35,20 --> 00:13:41,03 Firstly, we must recognize who we work for. 90 00:13:41,07 --> 00:13:47,05 For example, mid-Shabaan is upon us, 91 00:13:47,09 --> 00:13:56,04 What is mid-Shabaan? What occurred therein? 92 00:13:57,03 --> 00:14:07,20 Who is the master of this day? (About these questions) the intellects is rendered utterly flabbergasted. 93 00:14:07,22 --> 00:14:13,14 The Imam-e-Zamaan is beyond explanation. 94 00:14:13,16 --> 00:14:24,16 I, myself, am struck with astonishment when I come across this issue. 95 00:14:24,18 --> 00:14:31,00 Sunni and Shi'a (have both narrated such facts) … and it is from amongst the extraordinary wonders. 96 00:14:31,04 --> 00:14:41,15 If God wills, I shall elaborate upon this tradition at some other time. 97 00:14:41,18 --> 00:14:44,18 The tradition, itself, is this: 98 00:14:44,21 --> 00:14:56,17 "His companions are equal to the companions at Badr, 99 00:14:56,20 --> 00:15:04,00 each one of them bears a sword". 100 00:15:04,24 --> 00:15:05,24 Pay great attention to these words. 101 00:15:09,02 --> 00:15:21,07 If the servant is of such a status, than what would be the standing of his master? 102 00:15:22,12 --> 00:15:28,06 "…each one of them bears a sword, 103 00:15:28,18 --> 00:15:38,00 upon the blade of that sword are inscribed a thousand words, 104 00:15:38,05 --> 00:15:48,17 every single one of these words opens up a thousand gates of knowledge". 105 00:15:48,22 --> 00:15:54,16 This is the status of the companions of Imam-e-Zamaan, 106 00:15:54,20 --> 00:16:02,07 after this, we come across a sentence that astounds the mind: 107 00:16:02,10 --> 00:16:15,06 "The first ones have not outdone them, nor shall the last ones attain a status equal to them". 108 00:16:15,09 --> 00:16:26,24 These 313 individuals enjoy a status unmatched by any of the "first ones", 109 00:16:27,02 --> 00:16:30,23 What does (the tradition) mean by the phrase "the first ones"? 110 00:16:31,01 --> 00:16:44,20 All the saints of God from the past, and all His saints to the very end (of time). 111 00:16:45,00 --> 00:16:59,00 From the beginning to the end, all the saints of God put together are still unable to match the status of these 313 individuals. 112 00:16:59,06 --> 00:17:11,08 This is the status of his companions, so what must his own standing be equal to? What must his own status be like? 113 00:17:11,12 --> 00:17:19,17 The issue of Imam-e-Zamaan leaves the mind astonished. 114 00:17:19,20 --> 00:17:34,14 If the people understood, the night of mid-Shabaan would have seen the whole nation drowning (in its greatness). 115 00:17:34,18 --> 00:17:41,02 Never in history did such an occurrence take place. 116 00:17:43,06 --> 00:17:54,11 When the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) introduces him, he uses these words: 117 00:17:54,14 --> 00:17:59,19 "Al-Mahdi is from amongst my children". 118 00:17:59,23 --> 00:18:08,19 Then come two sentences that dazzle the mind: 119 00:18:09,18 --> 00:18:17,21 "His name is my name, and his title is my title". 120 00:18:18,04 --> 00:18:28,13 The name and the title of the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.) is not permissible for anyone else. 121 00:18:28,16 --> 00:18:35,01 It is an exclusive privilige of Hujjat ibn Al-Hasan (Imam-e-Zamaan). 122 00:18:35,04 --> 00:18:44,07 His name is the name of the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.), and his title is the title of the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.). 123 00:18:44,11 --> 00:18:54,01 The sentence that baffles the likes of Sheikh Ansari is this: 124 00:18:54,04 --> 00:19:02,00 "(He) bears the most resemblance to me in terms of physical appearance and moral character" 125 00:19:03,01 --> 00:19:08,00 All who have a soul, also possess a body, 126 00:19:08,01 --> 00:19:25,12 The best in body and the best in soul is the first person of existence, 127 00:19:25,15 --> 00:19:29,09 and that person is the Seal of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) 128 00:19:29,11 --> 00:19:37,09 Then he, himself, remarks: "(He) bears the most resemblance (to me)…" 129 00:19:37,11 --> 00:19:46,05 bearing the most resemblance to me from amongst all of mankind, 130 00:19:46,08 --> 00:19:57,04 from the standpoint of bodily appearance, and also from the standpoint of spiritual perfection, 131 00:19:57,06 --> 00:20:02,02 (no one) bears more resemblance to me than Mahdi. 132 00:20:02,06 --> 00:20:12,05 This is why a description of Imam-e-Zamaan is beyond imagination. 133 00:20:12,07 --> 00:20:27,03 The people put up lights on the night of mid-Shabaan, but who is the true owner of this night? 134 00:20:27,06 --> 00:20:40,02 Sheikh Toosi narrates a prayers for the night of mid-Shabaan in the book "Misbah-ul-Mutahajjid": 135 00:20:40,05 --> 00:20:49,06 (This prayer) astonishes the mind of every philosopher and jurisprudent. 136 00:20:49,09 --> 00:20:57,00 It describes Imam-e-Zamaan using just two phrases: 137 00:20:57,04 --> 00:21:05,11 "Your light bears all-encompassing radiance, and your luminescence is clear and manifest (like that of the full moon)" 138 00:21:05,15 --> 00:21:17,02 Imam-e-Zamaan is the light of God, but a light that has all-encompassing radiance, 139 00:21:17,06 --> 00:21:28,17 Imam-e-Zamaan is the luminescence of God, but a luminescence that is clear and manifest. 140 00:21:28,20 --> 00:21:46,14 This is the utterance of God's chosen saint, an utterance narrated by Sheikh-ut-Taifa Sheikh Toosi in the book "Misbah-ul-Mutahajjid" 141 00:21:47,19 --> 00:21:51,03 This is Imam-e-Zamaan. 142 00:21:51,07 --> 00:21:56,03 All of you have read the Quranic chapter Ash-Shams: 143 00:21:56,07 --> 00:22:00,02 " I swear by the sun and its brilliance, 144 00:22:00,03 --> 00:22:03,16 And the moon when it follows the sun, 145 00:22:03,17 --> 00:22:09,08 And the day when it shows it". (Ash-Shams:1-3) 146 00:22:09,10 --> 00:22:13,03 Three phrases one after the other, 147 00:22:13,05 --> 00:22:20,23 The sun is interpreted as the Seal of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.) 148 00:22:21,00 --> 00:22:25,18 The moon is the Commander of the Faithful (A.S.), 149 00:22:25,22 --> 00:22:34,15 The day is Hujjat ibn Al-Hasan. "And the day when it shows it" 150 00:22:34,19 --> 00:22:45,03 All of you must decide to propogate this issue: 151 00:22:45,05 --> 00:22:55,07 Start with reciting the whole Quran every month without exception, 152 00:22:55,11 --> 00:23:02,04 then gift the reward of this recitation to Imam-e-Zamaan. 153 00:23:02,07 --> 00:23:10,03 Later on you shall find out what the results of this action were? 154 00:23:10,04 --> 00:23:21,09 These (actions) are all red elixirs, but (unfortunately) we came to our senses when it was already too late. 155 00:23:21,11 --> 00:23:27,17 A few years ago I came across this tradition, 156 00:23:27,19 --> 00:23:38,10 a tradition that is so authentic that the jurist, 157 00:23:38,14 --> 00:23:44,05 when we say "the jurist" we do not mean just anybody, 158 00:23:44,09 --> 00:23:57,16 in fact,w e mean to speak of Sheikh Ansari, Mirza Shirazi, Shaheed Awal, Shaheed Thani 159 00:23:57,20 --> 00:24:09,16 The tradition we came across dazzles the mind. Its result is this: 160 00:24:09,18 --> 00:24:13,15 He who acts in accordance to this 161 00:24:13,18 --> 00:24:22,18 i.e. he who reads the Quran as much as he can, and then gifts it to him, 162 00:24:22,21 --> 00:24:31,18 the absolute result of such an action (which is beyond comparison) is that this reader shall be made to accompany him 163 00:24:31,21 --> 00:24:37,12 The very reward of such an act is accompaniment. 164 00:24:37,15 --> 00:24:43,23 Paradise is no longer in question, infact it no longer holds any value. 165 00:24:44,01 --> 00:24:47,23 A person whose action is this: 166 00:24:48,01 --> 00:24:57,06 He reads the Quran as much as possible and gifts it to Imam-e-Zamaan, 167 00:24:57,10 --> 00:25:05,15 his reward is that he accompanies him in this world and the hereafter. 168 00:25:07,21 --> 00:25:18,17 What does it mean if one accompanies him? Accompaniment with Imam-e-Zamaan… 169 00:25:18,21 --> 00:25:21,08 Imam-e-Zamaan is he who: 170 00:25:21,11 --> 00:25:30,23 "Whoever wishes to see Adam and Sheeth, (then know) that I am Adam and I am Sheeth" 171 00:25:31,02 --> 00:25:35,19 Once he reappears, he will declare: 172 00:25:35,23 --> 00:25:41,20 Whoever wishes to see Adam and Sheeth, 173 00:25:41,24 --> 00:25:45,19 I am Adam, I am Sheeth, 174 00:25:45,23 --> 00:25:49,18 I am Nuh, I am Saam, 175 00:25:49,22 --> 00:25:56,11 I am Ibrahim, I am Ismaael, 176 00:25:56,15 --> 00:26:01,20 I am Musa, I am Haroon, 177 00:26:01,24 --> 00:26:05,20 I am Isa, I am Shamoon, 178 00:26:06,00 --> 00:26:08,17 up until the point that we reach this sentence: 179 00:26:08,21 --> 00:26:18,13 "He who seeks to gaze upon Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and Ali (A.S.), then I am Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and I am Ali (A.S.)" 180 00:26:18,17 --> 00:26:30,20 Imam-e-Zamaan is the essence of all the prophets and all their heirs 181 00:26:30,24 --> 00:26:40,15 Service to him, and working for him, 182 00:26:40,16 --> 00:26:47,23 propogating his virtues, publicizing his merits, 183 00:26:48,00 --> 00:26:54,18 reviving his matter, that too in the time of his occultation, 184 00:26:54,22 --> 00:27:02,21 this is the gemstone that shall cause intense regret on the Day of Judgement. 185 00:27:02,24 --> 00:27:11,02 We could have taken one more step in service of him, but we did not. 186 00:27:11,06 --> 00:27:23,20 Nevertheless, we hope that since now God has chosen to write your names into this register, 187 00:27:23,23 --> 00:27:26,21 (and) indeed His choice is not without reason 188 00:27:26,24 --> 00:27:38,01 but is a result of the chaste earnings of your fathers and the pure nourishment provided to you by your mothers, 189 00:27:38,08 --> 00:27:46,11 or that he has chosen you as a result of some virtuous act performed by you, 190 00:27:46,20 --> 00:27:57,23 since not everyone's name can find its way into the register of Siddeeqa-e-Kubra 191 00:27:58,01 --> 00:28:13,14 and for such a night, that in it the Commander of the Faithful yearned for death; that day, that night is revived. 192 00:28:13,18 --> 00:28:24,09 This is a level that is beyond explanation. It is divine grace. 193 00:28:24,15 --> 00:28:31,17 Try to keep your name within this register, and work (for it), 194 00:28:31,19 --> 00:28:35,15 and involve others into this task. 195 00:28:35,18 --> 00:28:42,01 Since these activities require a lot of effort, and this number of people is very little. 196 00:28:42,04 --> 00:28:57,14 All sincere and wise individuals, who comprehend the gravity of this task, should be absorbed into this work. 197 00:28:57,17 --> 00:29:06,11 the higher the degree of excellence in the accomplishment of this task, 198 00:29:06,15 --> 00:29:20,13 the result of such an accomplishment will be seen in two places, two places for sure: 199 00:29:20,14 --> 00:29:24,19 The first instance is at the time of death. 200 00:29:24,21 --> 00:29:34,07 "Piles up upon them the pain of death and the regret of cessation" 201 00:29:34,10 --> 00:29:40,08 It is at that time that without doubt (this sentence comes to life): 202 00:29:40,10 --> 00:29:45,10 "O' the hardship of the dying soul! He who dies, sees me" 203 00:29:45,15 --> 00:29:55,16 Anyone who dies, sees me. There is no exception. 204 00:29:55,19 --> 00:30:01,16 At that moment, the Commander of the Faithful comes to beside your pillow 205 00:30:01,17 --> 00:30:05,02 then he looks and sees: 206 00:30:05,06 --> 00:30:14,18 that your are the same person as the one who toiled in the service of his broken ribbed wife. 207 00:30:14,23 --> 00:30:20,17 Here, the angel Izraeel will no longer remain with you. 208 00:30:20,20 --> 00:30:32,07 The second instance is on the Day of Judgement, a day that the prophets (unanimously declare to be extremely tough and, therefore,) cry out: O' my soul! 209 00:30:32,10 --> 00:30:42,13 Suddenly (on that day) she (Hazrat Fatima Zahra) comes forward, and places a blood drenched shirt on top of her head, 210 00:30:42,15 --> 00:30:48,00 then she says: "O' Lord! My followers" 211 00:30:48,04 --> 00:30:51,23 Jibraeel descends and says: 212 00:30:52,02 --> 00:31:00,03 "O' servant of God! God sends His salutations upon you, and says: 213 00:31:00,06 --> 00:31:07,20 Ask from me whatever your heart desires, and today I shall bestow it upon you" 214 00:31:07,23 --> 00:31:16,10 The tradition says: "She shall collect her followers and servants 215 00:31:16,14 --> 00:31:23,02 like a hen collects pieces of grain (sparing not even a single piece)". 216 00:31:23,07 --> 00:31:27,24 This is the reward of your actions. 217 00:31:28,04 --> 00:31:39,06 In summary, you must understand the worth of this blessing . Do not get tired while walking this path. Try your utmost … 218 00:31:39,10 --> 00:31:49,14 "there afflicts them not thirst or fatigue or hunger in Allah's way" (At-Tawba:120) 219 00:31:49,18 --> 00:31:55,18 What is "Allah's way"? In is mentioned in the Ziarat-e-Jamea: 220 00:31:55,22 --> 00:32:02,13 "You (the Prophet's sacred family) are the greatest way and the steadfast path" 221 00:32:02,16 --> 00:32:05,24 This is your action. 222 00:32:06,03 --> 00:32:11,13 " but a good work is written down to them" (At-Tawba:120) 223 00:32:11,15 --> 00:32:15,07 This is your reward. 224 00:32:15,12 --> 00:32:55,21