Religion

Have you ever heard of Yawm al-Hadm?  It means the day of destruction.

Eighty-eight years ago, on the eighth day of Shawwal month, the hands of ignorant and uncoordinated Wahhabism came out of the sleeve of oppression and razed the sacred sanctuary of magnificent leaders of guidance, four infallible  Imams’ graves  in al-Baqi cemetery, and hurt the hearts of millions of Shiites  and Sunnis who would like Ahlul-Bayt (a.s).

Not only were the graves of Imams, Imam Hassan (the second imam), Imam Sajad (the fourth imam), Imam Baqir (the fifth imam), Imam Sadiq (the sixth imam) (a.s) destroyed, but also all the historical monuments of Mecca and Medina, each of which was a sign of the greatness of Islam and the expressive history of Muslims in the world, were destructed due to the idiotic thoughts.

While the whole world is trying to preserve its historical monuments, which indicate the roots of its civilization, these foolish people have ruined the most important historical artefacts of Islam and Islamic civilization for which the hearts of Muslims beat, depriving the Muslim world of these precious treasures, and causing great damage that with nothing Could be compensated.

Wahhabism trade personal property with these Islamic heritages and suppose that Mecca and Medina belong only to them and can do whatever they want with this Islamic endowment. The Muslim should yell and shout at them while these are reserves belonging to all Muslims of the world, in the past and present, and no one in any position has the right to act arbitrarily with them as private property, even the Saudi Wahhabi muftis, who have only very superficial information about Islamic principles and books and traditions, have no right to decide on these matters and issues.

The demonic goal of the enemies by this insult and policy was to eliminate the backing and root of Islamic history and the objective documents of history. The works and buildings and officials and observers should be preserved, but in order to protect their privacy and privilege,  Saudi Wahhabis have completely destroyed the all manifestations of Islamic views.
None of the religions had the honour of these backings, these sacred monuments were a strong fence that was in fact to preserve the history and the first era of Islam.

The character of the Prophet (pbuh), the Messenger of Allah, his household, the identity of his divine invitation and the all great days of the Islamic history, were the manifestations of this.
These works should be renovated, especially the observation and officials, such as the birthplace of the Prophet (pbuh) in Makkah, A place that his great grandfather and   uncle and his dedicated wife were buried in and the neighbourhood of Bani Hashim.

In Medina,  the graves of Hamza and other martyrs and the oppressed in baqi’ should be revived, especially the position and shrine of Imams (a), Imam Hasan Mujtaba and Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin and Imam Muhammad Baqir and Imam Ja’far sadiq (pbuh), these unique honours of the Islamic world and humanity should be renewed. The house of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s), which is one of the places of the reciting and interpreting  the Verses of the Holy Quran.

In particular, Shiites are to remember these documents of history and this insult that has been made to the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s) in the Holy land of Allah and the oppression which still continues.

By the arrival of the eighth day of  Shawwal this year, the tragic memory of the destruction of the graves of Imams (a.s.) is renewed in memory of awake Muslims who deeply love  the Prophet’s (pbuh)and Ahl al-Bayt  – since they have a rightful ear and heart for  the hadith of Thaqalayn.

The muslims should condemn and consider this crime as unforgettable event and declare this day the day of al-Baqi’.

Wahhabism is a fake sect that has created a world of arrogance to bring about breakaway. While condemning this criminal act and the offensive destruction of all Islamic works that exist in Saudi Arabia, It should be  announced to the Wahhabism sect that by taking the path of enmity and stubbornness, they would never be present in the debate scenes with logic and reason to stop the divisions and disagreement among people and put an end to fratricide and corruption. It should be pointed out that today is the day of the Islamic awakening. Awakenings become more powerful, day by day with the unity, decision, endurance, breaking the boundaries of the opposition one after another, and putting their rights at the forefront of their work, the right that all belong to. Therefore, All Muslims in the world would be restored and the disputers and opponents of the Ahl ul-Bayt (pbuh) way would be blackened.*

*Retrieved from grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani and grand Ayatollah Hossein Noori-Hamedani, the most senior Shiite clerics’ speeches

Dahw al-Ard (Arabic: دَحوُ الأرض ) is made up of two words: “dahw” which means extension/spread and “ard” which means land. Some have even interpreted “dahw” to mean to move something from its original place. Therefore, “Dahw al-Ard” means the expansion of the land.

According to the findings of geology, in the beginning all the surfaces of earth were covered with water as a result of the first flood rains until the present continents were first formed three billion years ago. They were formed as a result of the separation of continental rocks due to their hard and thick nature from ocean beds and achieved their current altitude.

Based on Islamic history resources, the first place that rose was Makka (the Kaʿba). Dahw al-Ard (corresponding to the 25th of Zilqada, the 11th month of the lunar calendar) is the day that the land expanded from beneath the Kaʿba.

In the book “Al-Furqan fi al-Tafsir al-Quran”, the following narration has been cited: a man asked Imam Ali (peace be on him), (the first Imam of the Shias and the only person in the world to be born in the Kaʿba) why Makka is known as Makka? The Imam replied: Because God has expanded dry land from beneath it.

The secret to the allocation of the most honorable place on the earth to the foundation of the Kaʿba and its establishment as the Qibla (point towards which Muslims face to offer their prayers) for all the Muslims by Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa (peace be on him and his household) as mentioned in the following verse [2: 149]: “ … فولّ وجهک شطر المسجد الحرام : …turn your face towards the Holy Mosque…”  and similarly, the building of the Kaʿba by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be on him) as indicated in the verse[2: 127] : “وإذ یرفع إبراهیم القواعد من البیت : As Abraham raised the foundations of the House…” , all refer to the noble issue of Dahw al-Ard.

According to some exegetes, verse 30 of the chapter al-Naziat [30:79]: “ َالْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذَلِکَ دَحَاهَا: Thereafter He spread out the earth.” Also refers to this event. It has been stated in the exegesis of this verse that God spread the land in a way that it is ready for human life and cultivation of plants and living things; He filled pits and steep and dangerous precipices through the erosion of mountains and changing rocks to sand and made them flat and inhabitable whereas initially, they were such that they did not allow human beings to live on them.

In reality, Dahw al-Ard is a historical event that indicates how dry land and the prerequisites to the beginning of life on earth were formed and accordingly, Islam considers the expansion of the land on this day to be the start of human life.

Apart from this, other narrations mention the occurrence of other important events such as the birth of Prophet Abraham (peace be on him) and Jesus (peace be on him) on the night of Dahw al-Ard, the landing of Noah’s Ark on Mount Judi, the Holy Prophet’s (peace be on him and his household), leaving of Madina along with thousands of those wishing to perform the rites of Hajj for Makka to perform the Farewell Pilgrimage, and the uprising of the savior of justice for humanity (Imam Mahdi peace be on him).

Considering the abovementioned content which indicated the importance of Dahw al-Ard, the religion of Islam has advised us to perform some acts of worship specific to this day and night to elevate the human spirit; some of which are the following:

1. Staying awake the whole(in worship);

2. Fasting on this day, the rewards of which have been mentioned to be equal to fasting for 70 years;

3. Major ablution (ghusl) with the intention of Dahw al-Ard;

4. Offering two units of prayer before noon. In each unit one must recite the chapter of al-Hamd and thereafter 5 times the chapter of al-Shams. After finishing the prayer one must say:

لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ

There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the All-great.[duas.org]

And then recite the following supplication:

يَا مُقِيلَ الْعَثَرَاتِ أَقِلْنِي عَثْرَتِي يَا مُجِيبَ الدَّعَوَاتِ أَجِبْ دَعْوَتِي يَا سَامِعَ الْأَصْوَاتِ اسْمَعْ صَوْتِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ  تَجَاوَزْ عَنْ سَيِّئَاتِي وَ مَا عِنْدِي يَا ذَا الْجَلالِ وَ الْإِكْرَامِ

O He Who overlooks slips, (please) overlook my slip. O He Who responds to prayers, (please) respond to my prayer. O He Who hears all sounds, (please) listen to mine, have mercy on me, and excuse my wrongdoings and whatever I have committed. O Lord of majesty and honor![Ibid]

5. Supplications and prayers.

translator: Rashed

Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Jawad (the ninth imam) is the son of Imam al-Rida (the eighth one). His name was Muhammad and he was given the nickname ‘Abu Jafar’. Jawad, his other nickname, means very generous. In ethics, just one who expects nothing from others for all the generosity he has had towards them is called ‘Jawad’. Imam al-Jawad, like Prophet Muhammad and his household, was so benevolent and merciful, especially towards the poor and abandoned people. That is why he is considered as one of the most generous people of his age. There was nothing getting him to do all that voluntarily benevolence except reaching Allah’s satisfaction.

His mother’s name was Khayzuran who was of the most outstanding ladies of her age. When she gave birth to Imam al-Jawad, Imam al-Rida said that, “Allah has granted me a son who resembles Moses who parted the sea and he also resembles Jesus Christ whose mother was given a divine holiness”.

On the night he was born, Imam al-Rida whispered the divine secrets to him all the night while he was a newborn in the cradle. Imam al-Jawad was only seven years old when the enemies forced his father to leave Medina and go alone to Marw (khurasan/Iran) and he was eventually martyred there when he had become a nine-year-old boy. Some Shia Muslims doubted at Imam al-Jawad just because they thought he was too young to succeed his father as an Imam. However, seeing his great miracles and his high knowledge got them to admit that he was a true Imam.

Here is a report indicating his high level of knowledge: In caliph’s court, there was a man who had admitted being a thief. Al-Mu’tasim, the Abbasid caliph, gathered some of well-educated and learned people to ask them what he should do to the thief. As you might know, Holy Quran says, ‘the hands of the thief should be cut off.’

However, he did not exactly know from which part of hand Allah had meant. One of the people present in the court said, ‘Cut his hand from elbow.’ The other mentioned, ‘From wrist.’
Finally he asked Imam al-Jawad who was also present, and insisted. Imam said, ‘thieves should be punished by cutting their fingers off and the palms should be left. That is because of what Prophet Muhammad has said that when you genuflect to Allah, it is obligatory for you to put seven parts of your body, including palms, on the ground. And if you cut off his arm from his elbow or his wrist, he will not be able to genuflect properly. So hands belong to Allah and no one has the right to cut them off. It is stated in the Holy Quran that those seven parts of your body belongs to Allah, so do not worship anyone but Him.’ Listening carefully to his great reasons, they had to remain silent!’ It should be noted that Imam al-Jawad was an Imam for about 17 years. During those years, the Imam was under surveillance by the Abbasid caliphs and the only way to stay related to his followers was through letters and deputies. He received their questions and wrote the answers to them. Meanwhile, he also attended the meetings in which he answered the most difficult questions of other religions’ scholars on different subjects by the divine knowledge he had.

Finally, on Dhu l-Qa’da 30, 220/November 25, 835 Imam al-Jawad was poisoned and martyred when he was only 25 years old. He was martyred in the youngest age in comparison to our other 11 Imams. His holy shrine is located in Iraq (al- Kaẓimayn) next to his grandfather Musa b. Jafar’s holy shrine.
Every year, millions of pilgrims from Iran, Iraq and other countries of the world head for al-Kaẓimayn to pay a visit to these two hallowed shrines.

The marriage of the Prophet’s daughter, Lady Fatima and First Imam of Shia, Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them) is one of the most important events in Islam. The marriage took place for the establishment of a family, by which a fundamental and essential part of Islam’s history was created, and by which the pure successors of the Prophet would all come into existence. Also, examples of Islamic values became clear in Lady Fatima’s marriage.

The extraordinary virtues of Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) on one hand, her blood relations with the Prophet on the other hand, and the nobility of her family furthermore, caused many of the high-ranking supporters of the Prophet to propose to her; but all heard negative answers. Each time, the Prophet would usually answer them, saying: “Her matter is in the hands of her Lord.”
The people were speaking of these very things when suddenly it was heard everywhere that the Prophet wished to give his only daughter to Ali ibn Abi Talib in marriage. Imam Ali did not have access to wealth and possessions rather, instead he was from head to toe full of faith and real Islamic values.

Indeed, this blessed historical marriage was a heavenly revelation, because the Prophet himself said: “An angel of God came to me and told me that God sends you greetings and says: ‘I have made Fatima the wife of Ali ibn Abi Talib in the highest heavens already, so you should also marry her to him on earth.’” (Dhakair al-Abqa)

When Imam Ali went to the Prophet with his marriage proposal for Lady Fatima, his face was red with shyness. When the Prophet saw him, he became cheerful and smiled, asking him why he had come. But Imam Ali, because of the imposing presence of the Prophet, could not put forth his wish and, as such, remained silent. Aware of Imam Ali’s intentions, the Prophet said: “Maybe you have come for marriage proposal of Fatima?” He replied: “Yes, I have come for that very purpose.” The Prophet said: “Ali, before you, other men had come for proposal of Fatima. Whenever I informed Fatima of this matter, she would not show her approval. Right now, let me inform her of this conversation.”

It is true that the marriage was heavenly and must take place. But especially because of the high status of Lady Fatima, and to demonstrate the respect and freedom of women in choosing their husbands, it was necessary that the Prophet of Islam should not go ahead in this matter without the consent of Lady Fatima.

When the Prophet described the virtues of Imam Ali for his daughter, he said: “I wish to make you the wife of the best of God’s creation. What is your opinion?” Lady Fatima, who was submerged in shyness and modesty, lowered her head saying nothing and denying nothing. The Prophet raised his head and spoke this historical sentence, “God is the Greatest! Her silence is the proof of her agreement.” Following these events, the marriage contract was concluded.

The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his progeny) said: “In the event that Ali would not have been created, there would have been no one worthy to be Fatima’s spouse.”