Issue No: 147
11th January 2013
28th Safar 1434 A.H
Salamun alaykum,
Calamity of Thursday:
A grievous incident occurred during the final days of the Noble Prophet on this earthly abode. The Prophet was in severe pain and a number of people were present around him. On a Thursday preceding his death, the prophet requests to be given writing material so that he may write a will that would prevent the muslims from going astray after his death.
What was the response?
This request is denied by a group present with the explanation that the book of Allah i.e. the Qur’an is sufficient.
The greatest catastrophe was that the people present did not allow the Prophet to write the will by opposing one another and shouting loudly.
By choosing to disobey his request the people had hurt the prophet who ordered them to leave.
Whenever he recalled this Calamity of Thursday, Abdullah Ibn Abbas would mourn with his face overflowing with tears.
Obedience to the Messenger of Allah:
The Noble Quran and traditions of our beloved Prophet have underscored the need for all muslims to submit in obedience to Divine leadership at all times. Divine leadership of Allah on the Earth is symbolized by His Messenger and the Divinely appointed Imams.
Leadership during Occultation:
We are blessed to be part of the muslim community submitting to the teachings of the Thaqalayn.- Quran and Ahlul Bayt. The expectation is that one is obedient to the Prophet and Imams.
During the contemporary period of occultation of our twelfth and final Imam, Saahibaz Zamaan - Master of the Age- (May Allah hasten his re-appearance), our point of reference of leadership is towards the Eminent scholars – the Marja Taqleed. Throughout these moments of Aakhir Zaman- the final time- of Ghaybatul Kubra, the major occultation, it is critical that we are conscious of the need to uphold with due reverence and obedience to the institution of the Marja.
By this not only do we succeed in fulfilling the Divine instruction of obedience, but we are safe guarded from any external deviations that will affect our eiman.
Does one cherish the leadership of the Marja and revere the guidance received from him or does one get carried away by personal interests and reflects a behavior typical of the group which denied the last request of the Noble Prophet for writing materials?
As we observe the sad occasion of wafat of the Noble Prophet we present our salutations in a ziyarat with the following words:
O the Messenger of Allah……we have been struck with great sadness, O the beloved of our hearts. What a great calamity since the termination of the revelation and your departure from us. Indeed we are from Allah and to Him is our return.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat