Many people, Muslims as non-Muslims, believe that the Quranic verses that refer on the heart’s roll in emotion and belief are examples given by Allah that are related to philosophy or are simply metaphoric examples. In fact, it has been shown to readers that mankind is way far from knowing the truth about the cells involvement in emotion, memory, helping someone, having the feeling for God’s presence… etc…
As a Muslim one believes in the Message revealed to mankind from all the prophets (peace be upon them all) sent by Allah until the last Prophet Mohammed (SAAS). After the death of each of the last three greatest prophets Moses (AS), Jesus (AS) and Mohammed (SAAS) there were so called 12 most faithful and loyal followers whose task was to guide the people and protect the Holy Books that were the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Quran.
Since many of the sayings revealed in this topic will be by the 12 infallible Imams (peace be upon them all), from the family of the Prophet Mohammed (SAAS) and that this blog mainly cofuses on Islamic science, we should cover this page into two parts:
– The first one explaining who these 12 Imams were, their worth, status and moral traits;
– then their sayings will be covered.
The 12 infallible Imams (Peace be upon them):
Every true muslim sould have been following the information given to over 100 000 Muslims during the last greatest speech of the prophet Muhammad’s (SAAS) in his last pilgrimage (called “Haj’at-tal witha’”) during the day called (“ghadir khom”). He said to his brothers and sisters in Islam to not worry; since he was soon to pass away.
He said: “I have left for you the Holy Quran and my Household (“ahlulbayt”). Whoever follows these two will be guided in the right path”.
During the same day Mohammed (SAAS) chose the one who would be the leader after his death and chose the most faithful follower called Imam Ali (AS) who was the first Imam of all the 12 Imams. Notice that there were also 12 faithful followers that succeeded Moses (AS) and Jesus (AS).
With the mention of this Household it was meant Imam Ali as the first Imam. The Imams that were supposed to follow him after his death were Imam Ali’s son Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussein (AS). After these first three Imams the leadership was supposed to be transferred to nine more Imams (from the same family) were the last Imam is the Imam Mehdi (AS) that we all (mankind) are waiting for his reappearance before the return of the Prophet Jesus (AS). For those who want to preferably follow the Quran as a source on Imam Ali can read the following verse:
Verily your guardian is Allah and His messenger (Muhammad) and those who believe and establish the prayer, and give charity (alms) while they are (in Ruku’) bowing down.
(Surah Al-Ma’idah (Chapter 5 – The Table Spread) verse 55)
This famous verse has been revealed in praise of the action of Imam Ali (AS). Abu Dhar recounts, “Once, I was saying my prayers in the company of the Holy Prophet (S) when a beggar came to the mosque asking for some alms. Nobody gave him anything. Ali (AS) was in the state of “Ruku`” and he pointed out his ring to the beggar, who approached him and removed the ring from his finger.” It was at this time that the verse above was revealed. When we say (Ali is the Wali of Allah) in the “Adhan” (that one says before all prayers to call others for praying-time), it is based on this verse of the Holy Quran.
Note that between the disciples of our prophet Muhammad (SAAS), Abu Dhar al- Ghaffari was very truthful, strong and pious. From the outset of his conversion to Islam till the last moment of his life, he didn’t stray from the Path of Truth (i.e. that of the Holy Prophet (SAAS) and his ahlulbayt). He fought hardly against oppression and was one who fully supported Ahlulbayt (AS) and their wilayah (Imam Ali as the first leader and Imam after the Holy Prophet (SAAS)) and was among the first people to convert to Islam.
The significant status of the People of the Household (“Ahlulbayt”) of the Holy Prophet (SAAS) had been continuously emphasised by the Holy Prophet (SAAS) himself during his life time. There are many “Ahadith” (traditions) to this effect.
The most renowned Hadith is that which is known as “Thaqalayn” (i.e. “Two ‘Heavy’ things”). The Holy Prophet (SAAS) said the following:
“I leave behind two heavy things for you – The Holy Qur’án and my Ahlulbayt; if you hold fast unto them, you shall never go astray for they will never separate until they come to me together on the Day of Resurrection”.
This significance of the Ahlulbayt has also been mentioned in the Holy Quran several times. They are specifically mentioned in verse 33 of Surah al-Ahzab, which is known as “Ayat ut Tathir”, literally meaning “the Verse of Purification”.
We narrate Hadith al-Kisa (The event of the Cloak) quite regularly whenever we gather for a “Majlis” (gathering), whether in large numbers or small. The event is said to have taken place at the residence of Bibi Fatimah (AS), the duaghter of the Last Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him & his Household).
The narration states that the Holy Prophet (SAAS) came to the house of his daughter and requested for a cloak and then lay down to rest. His grandsons, Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussein (AS) came and joined him under the cloak. Thereafter, Imam Ali (AS) and Bibi Fatimah (AS) also came under the cloak.
Bibi Fatimah (AS) narrates that when they were all assembled under the cloak, the Holy Angel Jibra-il (AS) came to the Holy Prophet (SAAS) and conveyed to him the verse which reads:
BEHOLD, God raised Adam, and Noah, and the House of Abraham, and the House of `Imran above all mankind,
(Surah Al-Imran (Chapter 3 – The Family of Imran) verse 33)
The word House of ‘Imran used above refers to Ahlulbayt i.e. the Household of the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS).
As a reference to the event of the cloak, the group, assembled under the cloak, has been referred to as “Panjatan Pak” or “Holy group of Five”.
This narration of where the verse was revealed has been recorded in both the Shia and Sunni history books. Two important Sunni references are “Sahih” of Moslem bin Hajjaj, and “Musnad” of Ahmed ibn Hanbal.
At the end of Hadith-e-Kisá, it is narrated that Imam Ali (A) asked the Holy Prophet (SAAS) as to the significance of the gathering under the cloak. The Holy Prophet (SAAS) replied that any group that mentions the event in their gathering, the angels (AS) will seek forgiveness for them until they disperse. The Holy Prophet (SAAS) also said that anyone who has a dire need or is in sorrow will have his prayer answered by the blessings of the narration of the event of the cloak.
When studying the Ayah of Tathir, one will undoubtedly note that the verse begins with addressing the wives of the Holy Prophet (SAAS). Hence, some argue that the people referred to in this verse as Ahlulbayt are the wives, and not the children of the Holy Prophet (SAAS). To this there is a very simple and convincing answer.
The mode of address used in addressing the wives is the feminine plural mode. Hence, in the words “Qarna fi Buyútikunna” – the nún at the end denotes feminine plural address exclusively to the wives of the Holy Prophet (SAAS). Yet, when we come to the part of Ahlulbayt, the verse switches to a different mode of address – “`Ankum Yutahhirakum”. This mode of address is used either for exclusive male plural or male and female mixed plural. Hence the verse changes to addressing a different group of people in a discourse that is overall being addressed to another group. The verse is addressing the wives of the Holy Prophet (SAAS), except in this small part of the verse! In this last part, the address is directed to the Household of the Holy Prophet (SAAS).
Beyond these imams where are many verses from the Holy Quran that describes on believers and their aim (together with Imam Mahdi (AJ)); these verses are 21:105, 24:55. 61:9 and 28:5. Some might argue that this is only in the faith of Muslims but that is untrue. Even the Christians and Jews believe in the coming of Mahdi (AJ). The Jews wait for the so called Meshdi or Mashia (in Hebrew) compared to the Madhi (AJ) name of the muslims that are the same person. The Christians also believe in his coming as mentioned in the Psalm 37 of the Bible. More can be read on: http://smma59.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/mahdi-pbuh-in-other-religions-and-nations/
Some might ask then who we do follow when we for instance don’t find some specific answers to our questions in the Holy Quran or Hadithes (from the Prophet Mohammed (SAAS) and his Ahlulbayt). In such cases one has to follow those scholars (in religion) that are from the family of the ahlulbayt – mening from the family-tree of the 12 imams. These are called ”seyyed” followed by their respective name. One usually asks someone, “who is your so called marja’?” and one can reply that it is Seyyed Sistani, Seyyed Khamenei, Seyyed Shirazi for instance. It is again God who has told us in the Holy Quran to follow these kind of scholars while one seeks for more help in religion:
AND [even] before thy time, [O Muhammad,] We never sent [as Our apostles] any but [mortal] men, whom We inspired: and if you have not [yet] realized this, ask the followers of [earlier] revelation,”
(Surah An-Nahl (Chapter 16 – The Bee) verse 43)
As you can see Allah is the most merciful; He has indeed left us everything we need to always be rightly guided in the so called God’s right path.
The reason why I am informing readers about the twelve Imams is that they were the ones after the prophets who were had an incredible high knowledge. The specific knowledge that they had being very useful to us concerns the heart. The following information revealed by the Imams shows that their scientific knowledge is purely from the Prophet Mahammed (SAAS) and from God Almighty since the information is scientifically very advanced; so advanced that no human being could discover it. Even we today, after 1400 years, have hardly discovered them by the help of highly sophisticated medical and physical devices. Here are some of words told of them:
Imam al-Baqir (AS) – the fifth imam – said the following:
“There are three kinds of hearts:
a. First type: Reversed heart which lacks feelings for any sort of righteous deeds. Such heart is the heart of an unbeliever.
b. Second Type: The heart which contains a black spot in which a war is being waged between the truth and falsehood, and whichever becomes victorious will take over the heart’s control.
c. Third type: The conquered heart in which there is a lighted lamp which is never going to be turned off. Such a heart is the heart of a believer.”
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 70, p-51.)
From these three types of heart scientifical conclusions can be drawn by the first two types.
This type of heart shows that the heart is involved in carrying out a good righteous deed as we have been informed earlier by the work of Dr. J. Andrew Armour.
According to Dr. Armour one does not feel any relieve in stress (no oxytocin secretion to the blood occurs) if one doesn’t perform the altruistic act with a genuine (true) intent. A person carrying out the altruistic act by this manner can be compared to the first type of hearts (a). Therefore, it is usually said that these people have a heart of stone.
The information given on the second type of heart is that there occurs a war between the truth and falsehood and the one that is victorious will take over the control of the heart. This statement justifies the theory of cell memory since in order for one of them be victorious (the truth or the falsehood) this information (the truth or the falsehood) must be saved in specific cell of the heart. The one that is saved (accepted by the individual) will be victorious and control the heart.
Imam al-Baqir (AS) said:
“Initially there is a white spot and light within the heart of a human being and as a result of his committing sin, a block spot appears. If the person repents the black spot gets wiped out, but if he persisted in sinning, the blackness gradually increases ultimately covering the entire white spot, When this happens the owner of such heart will never return towards goodness and become manifestation of the following Quranic verse:
‘Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts.’”
(Source: al-Kafi, vol. 2, p.273)
This quote is similar to the event that takes place in the first and second type of heart.
It is told here that initially a man’s heart has white spots. While committing a sin a black spot will cover the white one, which happens when the falsehood wins over the truth (compared to heart of type b). If the person continues to commit sins these black spots will gradually cover the entire white spot that results in the lose of the battle between the truth and the falsehood. This leads to the fact that the falsehood will be controlling the heart for always (compare to heart of type a).
However, if the person refuses to commit sins everyday during a long battle against the falsehood he will succeed in keeping his heart’s original white spots that he was born with. This person will eventually have the heart of a believer (compared to heart type c).
The next hadith is from the sixth Imam, Imam Sadiq (AS) and since we have a chapter named Imam Sadiq’s scientific miracles the continuing information will be found there.
Click on this link to read more about this amazing hadith.
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