In The name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful.
The curious beginnings of the tradition of mourning for Imam Hussayn (a.s) and the martyred Ahlul-ul-bayt (as). A very interesting presentation of the history behind what we see as mourning and expression of sadness over what transpired when the wicked Ummayyad regime had mobilized the entire world of 'muslims' to believe Imam Hussayn ('a), his family and his forefathers were the enemies of Islam. To the point that they were willing to abuse, curse and violate the righteous grand daughters of prophet Muhammad (sawa) after they had martyred the Holy Imam. This series of talks has already begun to show how some of their plans to end, shame and embarrass the ahlulbayt (a.s) backfired and led to the establishment of the biggest movement of Islamic revival.
In the Name of Allah The Beneficent, The Most Merciful.
1. Surely We have given you Kausar,
2. Therefore pray to your Lord and make a sacrifice.
3. Surely your enemy is the one who shall be without posterity.
- As an opening majlis for Muharram 2021 Sheikh Ja'far explores briefly yet compellingly the truest interpretation of the above chapter of the Qur'an. Unpacking the environment of the time the chapter was revealed, the experiences which Prophet Muhammad (sawa) was going through which seemed unfortunate at the time, to only be justified by the abundant posterity which flows through his beloved grandson whose blood is spilled mercilessly in Karbala. The praised grandson and pure standard of righteousness which came from the holy house of' Ali and Fatimah ( peace be upon them) whose decapitated head was displayed in the pathways and palaces of the corrupt tyrants who no longer served Islam but were using Islam to serve their lusts. And yet, it's the enemy of Islam who seems to be without posterity. "Where is the grave of Yazid? Who prays over the grave of Muawiya?" - Mawla Ja'far asks..
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1. Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
2. He created man from a clot.
3. Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
4. Who taught (to write) with the pen
5. Taught man what he knew not.
6. Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
7. Because he sees himself free from want.
8. Surely to your Lord is the return.
9. Have you seen him who forbids
10. A servant when he prays?
11. Have you considered if he were on the right way,
12. Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
13. Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
14. Does he not know that Allah does see?
15. Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
16. A lying, sinful forehead.
17. Then let him summon his council,
18. We too would summon the braves of the army.
19. Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).
Surah 96: Al Alaq - Shakir
The Messenger of God - peace and salutations be upon him and his family, said: "May God have mercy on my uncle Abū Ṭālib, if he fathered all of humanity they would [all] be valiant."
[Ja`far ibn Abī Ṭālib; pg. 51]
Where do I start?
Do I start with defending him against accusations of being a Kāfir (disbeliever)?
Do I prove he is a believer?
Or do I speak of his personality/biography?
His name was `Imrān, according to some historians. One of 13 uncles of the Prophet and is one of only 4-6 who were present at the designation of the Prophet. Hamza, Abbas, and Abu Lahab being the others. He was the "tribal chief" of Bani Hashim, and - Makkah did not have a governor, rather a council formed by reps from each tribe - he was the big shot in that council. He was nicknamed "Sayed al-Baṭ'ḥā" (Chief of Makkah). He was also a poet, and his poems are recorded in anthologies - we will look at three, God willing.
As the uncle and guardian of the Prophet, he did the Aqīqah (the ceremony held for a baby after birth) of the Prophet and named him Aḥmad. Why did he name him so? According to al-Kāfī (vol. 6, pg. 34), "due to [him being] praise in the heavens and the world." How did he know? Wasn't he Kāfir?
But can God really put the Seal of Prophets and the best of creation in the care of an infidel?
When they wanted to kill the Holy Prophet, Abū Ṭālib said to him:
By God they will not get to you, gathered as they are.. until I am laid in the ground, buried
So proceed with your matter, you're not blameworthy [for it].. and rejoice, and calm the eyes by it
You invited me, and proclaimed yourself an Advisor.. and you are truthful, for you were and are trustworthy
And you have presented a religion which no doubt is.. from the best of religions for people
If not for blame or my prevention of being slandered.. you would find me openly showing it, clearly!
[Rūḥ al-Ma`ānī - `Allāmah al-Ālūsī; vol. 4, pg. 120]
.... please visit smillingsheikh.wordpress.com
In The Name of Allah the beneficent, The Most merciful. We're honored to present a wonderful reminder on the bounties of Almighty God, the meaning of Rizq, the favors we see and those we often don't see. What it means to be thankful according to the Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and His Divine Progeny (as), delivered on the 5th Friday March at the Soweto Ahlulbait (as) Jama'at by our beloved brother and Sheikh Abdus Salaam Mbonani.
A beautiful talk delivered in Soweto by our believed and respected Scholar and Brother on a subject that is possibly most central to the muslim's belief and practice of their Islam. The transcript of the talk will be available on smillingsheikh.wordpress.com along other talks by Sheikh MH Nchinyane.
On the blessed anniversary of Imam Ali (as), the commander of the faithful - Sheikh MH Nchinyane expands on a discussion he had on iKwekwezi Fm with Christian panelists on the Purpose of Mankind's Creation. For more talks and transcripts from the respected Sheikh visit smillingsheikh.wordpress.com
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
"And make provision, for surely the provision is piety, and be careful (of your duty) to Me, O men of understanding."
- Qur'an {2:197}
Taqwa (piety), by definition, is evasion. In technical use, it is twofold - staying away from what is bad and going towards what is good. That is, as defined by Imam Ja'far (pbuh), "that God finds you where He commanded you to be, and He not find you where He forbade you." The basis to achieving this is in Baqarah {2:256}: "Therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Ṭāghūt and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle." Therefore, keeping away from the evil should be priority, as it translates to readiness for the good. Similarly, this is why staying in the state of ablution is recommended, for it means readiness to worship.
This is the provision we need in this journey called life.
The aforementioned is pertinent, for today's sermon will be about practical spirituality.
What is spirituality? How to attain it? Why give it the adjective "practical?"
- Except from Sermon One text. visit smillingsheikh.wordpress.com for full lecture text.
Brother Ja'fer Mlangeni continues on the subject of Self Re-Discovery and Oneness of God.
Every Friday Muslims are obligated to gather at the peak of the day and remember their lord. The aim of these conversations we intend to record and publish regularly is to unpack the rich lectures we often listen to on these auspicious days. We hope those who listen will be inspired to seek more understanding of the teachings of Qur'an and the Ahlulbayt (a.s).
This beautiful lecture was delivered during the annual commemoration of the holy martyrs of Karbala during the month of Muharram 1441, Gregorian Year 2020. There are countless virtues to be derived in the remembrance of the events which led up to the event which changed the history of the world and Islam forever. Imam Hussein ( Peace Be Upon Him), the divinely commissioned guide of the believers and proof of Allah for all of creation during his time was mercilessly martyred along with over 70 of his family members and companions by the corrupt tyrannical forces of evil on the greatest stand for truth, justice and all things pure.
Bro Ja'fer explores the topic of Sincerity in relation to our purpose of creation, the sacrifice of Karbala, community and being amongst those who stand with the Imam of our time. (my Allah hasten his advent)
On the methods of obtaining sincerity, Bro Ja'fer shares some insights on the importance and ways we can attain sincerity. "In order for any of our actions to achieve their goal in a meaningful manner the actions must be coupled with sincerity." Bro Ja'fer gives concise advise from the teachings of scripture and the example of Prophet Muhammad and His holy Progeny ( Peace be upon them) on ways to achieve this fundamental quality and the maintenance of it.
May God accept the efforts of our scholars and preserve them.
Peace Be Upon you. Do visit sabj.org.za for more.
In this episode we touch on the issues affecting the youth today. Particularly in conjunction with the fallen heroes of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. At the crux of the matter, we also discuss the relation uprisings and revolutions have to the religion of Islam.
