Issue No: 242
14th August 2015
27th Shawwal 1436 AH
Salamun alaykum,
This week the sad occasion of demise of our sixth Imam J’afar Al Sadiq a.s. was observed. He assumed the office of Imamat in 114 A.H. at the age of 31 years and led the Ummah for 34 years till the time of his martyrdom on the 25th Shawwal,148 A.H. at the age of 65 years.
Last will of 6th Imam:
Abu Basir, a companion of the 6th Imam, went to the Imam’s house to offer his condolences to the bereaved family. Lady Hamida, widow of the Imam mentioned to him ,”O Abu Basir! Had you been there at the time of the final moments of the Imam when he called for all in his house to assemble before him and conveyed his advice:….Surely our intercession does not reach to one who takes the prayers lightly..”
Imam is concerned:
Even at the crucial moment of exit from this mortal world when the soul of Imam is being received by the Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt, the 6th Imam is expressing concern for his shias. Note that in these words of concern, the Imam is not concerned about the people who do not pray. They are in a completely different category. His words are directed to those who do pray. Yes, it is a concern for the ones who though they do pray, yet do not give importance to the prayer.
Reflect:
How does one take the prayers lightly? What needs to be improved in fulfilling obligation of prayers so as to be deserving of the intercession on the final day of judgement? What preparations need to be done towards attaining success in prayers?
As a shia does your performance in prayers increase happiness to your Imam?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat