SALAM YA MAZLOOMEEN-E-KARBALA (SLWT)

Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and the Sahifa-e-Sajjadia

When the Imam got stuck in a tight corner and was virtually besieged he was obliged to state his objects and motive in the form of the prayers. These prayers have been compiled in the shape of a book named "Sahifa-e-Sajjadia. " This is an ocean of topics and objects of science, mathematics, physics, astronomy, social and political sciences and ethics. Obviously and apparently this is a book of prayers.

But, in fact, this is the _expression of fact, pains, and difficulties. We present here a few sentences of it as a specimen.

1. Oh God! I take asylum and refuge with you from the revolt, and rebellious (attitude) refractoriness, of the anger and jealousy and the scarcity of patience, and extravagance and intemperance in life.

Oh God! Keep me alive till my life is led in your service and obedience and when it becomes the pasture and meadow of Satan, take me towards yourself and take my life."

2. Oh sons! Respect you father and mother because if the father was not there you would not have come into existence. Look at the mother that she looks after you with all of her existence (energies). She is not afraid of it that she herself remains hungry and feeds you. She herself remains cloth less (without dress) and covers (dresses) you. She remains in the sun and places you in the Shadow. You cannot thank her. This is God who has the power of thanking her (giving her the reward).

3. Watch over and attend your child because his good or bad (virtues) are related and connected to you and you are responsible for his training and guidance.

4. Be kind to your brother and sister because he/she is your hand (helper) and your power. Help him against the enemy and be his well wisher.

5. Respect your teacher and be polite in his assembly (session) and listen carefully to his words. Do not talk loudly before him. If somebody questions him about something do not reply before he does although you may know the answer to that (question).

6. Respect your neighbor and help and assist him. If you happen to observe a fault or sin of him do hide it and when he slips (commits sin) admonish him.

7. Be just in your conduct and behavior with friend and love him as he loves you.

If he makes up his mind to commit a sin stop him from that and always be a blessing for him, not a torment for him.

Al-Sahifah Al-Sajjadiyyah

His Giving Charity in Secret

The most lovable thing for the Ima`m, peace be on him, was giving charity in secret. He did not want anyone to recognize him because he wanted to make close relationships with the poor people he helped in order to seek Allah's good pleasure as well as urged the Muslims to adopt giving charity secretly, so he said: "Giving charity secretly removes the wrath of Allah.3" He went out veiled in the darkness and carried gifts to the poor who stood at the doors

Speech is better than Silence

A person asked the Ima`m, peace be on him: "Which is better- speech or silence?" "Each has blights," answered the Ima`m, "when they are sound of blights, speech is better."
Another person asked him: "How is this, son of Allah's Apostle?"
The Ima`m, peace be on him, replied: "Allah, the Glorified, sent the prophets and the trustees (of authority) to speak, not to keep silent. (They did not) deserve the Garden through silence; rather through speech. I cannot equate the sun with the moon.2"

The Happiness of Man

The Ima`m, peace be on him, talked about the things which made man happy in the world. He said: "One is happy when his daily bread is in his homeland, his friends are righteous, and has a son through whom he seeks help.3"
Indeed, he who has these things wins all the good of the world, and is therein among the happy.

A small selection of Imam Zainul Abidin (AS)’s sayings

~*Try to earn a high position in Paradise (Jannah). Remember that highest positions will be given to those who have been most useful to their brothers in faith and who have been most helpful to the needy. Remember there are times when a person says but one good sentence and that brings him very near to Allah and brings his freedom on the Day of Judgment.

~*Never think that what you do for your brother in faith is unimportant because these are the things that will be of much use to you on a day when nothing else will be of any use.

~* (Speaking) Good words increase a person's wealth and sustenance, prolong his life, make him to be loved by his wife and children and take him to paradise.

~*He who honors himself will debase the worldly life.

~*The richest of people is that who is satisfied with what Allah has chosen for him.

~*The whole goodness is to protect yourself (against all that which is unacceptable) .

~*The very hypocrite is that who warns people (against evil deeds) but he does not stop committing them and orders them (to do good acts) but he does not do (such acts). When he stands for offering the prayer he turns right and left, when he genuflects (in the prayer) he huddles, and when he prostrates himself, he pecks. In evenings, his only concern is dinner while he was not fasting. In mornings, his only concern is to sleep while he has not passed (the last) night with worship. The believer, on the other hand, mixes his acts with clemency; he sits down so that he may learn (something); he keeps silent so that he may save himself, he does not divulge his secrets before his friends (even); he does not conceal witnessing for the strangers; he does not act any rightful action out of showing off, he does not neglect any act out of prudence; if he is praised, he fears sayings of the eulogists and seeks Allah's forgiveness for what they do not know; he does not care for the ignorance of those who ignore him.

~*To spend moderately in times of poverty, give generously in times of luxury, treat people fairly, and greet them initiatively - these manners are within the characters of the believers.