the PDF file
Transcription
the PDF file
لسالم عليكم ورحمة هللا وبركاته 786/110/313 Page 1 of 9 NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER SYDNEY EDITION RAJAB 1435 AH / 2014 AD Blessed is He Who made the constellations in the heavens and made therein a lamp and a shining moon. (The Holy Quran - Surah Al-Furqan: 61) The sun and the moon run with ordained precision. (The Holy Quran - Surah Ar-Rahman:5) The sun and the moon are steadily moving by Allah’s SWT Will. (Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb a.s.: Nahjul Balagha Sermon 89) Glory be to Him (Allah SWT)! He has made thee (O Crescent) the key to a new month for a new situation. (Imam Zainul Abideen a.s.: Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah Dua 43) Also published: Melbourne, Brisbane & International Editions ● Compiled by Mir Altaf Hussain For best results, please print with landscape setting. THE HOLY PROPHET (SAWS) HAS SAID: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaban is my month and Ramadhan is the month of my people.” IMAM JAFAR AS-SADIQ A.S. HAS SAID: “Rajab is the month of seeking forgiveness, so you should seek forgiveness repeatedly in this month.” In this NEWSLETTER . 1. Moonsighting data 2. Aamal upon sighting the new moon 3. Important dates of Rajab 4. Qamar dar Aqrab 5. Know ALLAH swt, the Creator of the UNIVERSE 6. Great Personalities of Islam: the third Saf’ir 7. TAQWA and GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA 8. General Aamal ● Email: [email protected] Imam Zainul Abideen a.s.’ Treatise on Rights ‘Risalat al-Huquq’ (Continued from previous edition) Rights of Relatives 21) The right of your mother is that you know that she carried you where no one carries anyone, she gave to you of the fruit of her heart that which no one gives to anyone, and she protected you with all her organs. She did not care if she went hungry as long as you ate, if she was thirsty as long as you drank, if she was naked as long as you were clothed, if she was in the sun as long as you were in the shade. She gave up sleep for your sake, she protected you from heat and cold, all in order that you might belong to her. You will not be able to show her gratitude, unless through God's help and giving success. 22) The right of your father is that you know that he is your root. Without him, you would not be. Whenever you see anything in yourself which pleases you, know that your father is the root of its blessing upon you. So praise God and thank Him in that measure.There is no strength save in God. 23) The right of your child is that you should know that he is from you and will be ascribed to you, through both his good and his evil, in the immediate affairs of this world. You are responsible for what has been entrusted to you, such as educating him in good conduct (husn al-adab), pointing him in the direction of his Lord, and helping him to obey Him. So act toward him with the action of one who knows that he will be rewarded for good doing toward him and punished for evildoing. 24) The right of your brother is that you know that he is your hand, your might, and your strength. Take him not as a weapon with which to disobey God, nor as equipment with which to wrong God's creatures. Do not neglect to help him against his enemy or to give him good counsel. If he obeys God, well and good, but if not, you should honour God more than him. And there is no strength save in God. 25) The right of your wife (zawja) is that you know that God has made her a repose and a comfort for you; you should know that she is God's favour toward you, so you should honour her and treat her gently. Though her right toward you is more incumbent, you must treat her with compassion, since she is your ward (asir) whom you feed and clothe. If she is ignorant, you should pardon her. To be continued NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 2 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ It is highly recommended to see the new moon every month. Please organize for your whole family to look for the RAJAB new moon on 29 Jamadi al-Akhir (30 Apr 2014) and if necessary on 30 Jamadi al-Akhir (1 May 2014). 1. MOONSIGHTING DATA Birth of New Moon Sunset Best Viewing Time Age of Moon Day:Hour 28 Jamadi al-Akhir 5:17 PM 5:43 PM 29 Jamadi al-Akhir 5:16 PM 5:15 PM Date 1435 AH 29-Apr Mon 30-Apr Tue 2-May Thu 29 April 2014 Last Daylight Date 2014 AD 1-May Wed 28 Jamadi al-Akhir 1435 AH 1 RAJAB if new moon sighted on 29 Jamadi al-Akhir (OR) 30 Jamadi al-Akhir PLEASE CONFIRM WITH YOUR LOCAL ISLAMIC CENTRE 1 RAJAB if new moon not sighted on 29 Jamadi al-Akhir PLEASE CONFIRM WITH YOUR LOCAL ISLAMIC CENTRE ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4:15 PM Moonset Difference Between Sunset & Moonset (H:MM) New Moon Visibility (Naked Eye) 00D:01H 5:18 PM 0:01 Not visible 5:42 PM 5:36 PM 01D:01H 6:01 PM 0:45 5:41 PM 5:55 PM 02D:01H 6:47 PM 1:32 Visible if clear conditions Visible Visible ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ METHOD OF ASCERTAINING THE FIRST DAY OF A MONTH Fatwa No. 1739 of His Eminence Ayatullah Al-Uzma Al-Sayyid Al-Seestani: (For more information, please refer to Ay. Al-Seestani’s Tauzihul Masael.) The 1st day of a month is established in the following four ways: 1. If a person himself sights the moon. 2. If a number of persons confirm to have sighted the moon and their words assure or satisfy a person. Similarly, every other thing which assures or satisfies him about moon having being sighted. 3. If two just (Adil) persons say that they have sighted the moon at night. The first day of the month will not be established if they differ about the details of the new moon. This difference can be either explicit or even implied. For example, when a group of people goes out in search of a new moon and none but two Adils claim to have seen the new moon, though, among those who did not see, there were other Adils equally capable and knowledgeable, then the testimony by the first two Adils will not prove the advent of a new month. 4. If 30 days pass from the first (of the current ongoing month), the 1st (of the next month) will be established; eg. If 30 days pass from the first of Sha'ban, the 1st of Ramadhan will be established, and if 30 days pass from the 1st of Ramadhan, the 1st of Shawwal will be established. NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 3 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. RECOMMENDED AAMAL & ETIQUETTES UPON SIGHTING THE NEW MOON (CHAND RAATH) i) Upon sighting the new moon (chand raath of every month) read the Dua number 43 of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah by Imam Zainul Abideen a.s. (See links provided in this news letter; this dua is also in Tohfatul Awam & Wazaeful Abrar). ii) After reciting the above dua, look intensely at the charts below. Inshallah, the whole month will be peaceful and tranquil. iii) UPON SIGHTING THE NEW MOON OF RAJAB : ● It is recommended by Imam Jaffar as-Sadiq a.s. to see the Holy Quran. ● Other scholars have recommended to also see feroza (turquoise), any Sahifa (mashaf), Surah Yaseen or palm of hand. iv) It is also highly recommended to do ‘salam’ and respectfully greet your parents and elders after the above aamal; and offer words of ‘mubarak’ to each other except for the months of Moharram and Safar. NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 4 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. THE IMPORTANT DATES OF RAJAB Date 1st Friday night (shab) 1 3 5 9 10 13 15 18 20 24 25 26 27 28 Event “Laylath al-Raghaib” The Holy Prophet used to perform special aamaal this Shab-e-Jumah 57 AH Wiladath Imam Mohammed Baqir a.s. Hazrath Nuh a.s. embarked on the journey of the Ark. 254 AH Shahadath of Imam Ali Naqi a.s. 214 AH Wiladath of Imam Ali Naqi a.s. 60 AH Wiladath of Hazrath Ali Asghar a.s. 195 AH Wiladath of Imam Mohammed Taqi a.s. Wiladath of Imam Ali a.s.: 30 years after the Elephant Year (600 AD) 148 AH Shahadath of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq a.s. 63 AH Shahadath of Bibi Zainab a.s. (By riwayath) Wafath of Hazrath Ibrahim a.s., son of the Holy Prophet 57 AH Wiladath of Bibi Sakina a.s. 7 AH Victory in the battle of Khyber 183 AH Shahadath of Imam Musa Kazim a.s. 619 AH DAY: Wafath Hazrath Abu Taleb a.s. (By riwayath) NIGHT: Shab-e-Meraj: Ascension to the Heavens 10 or 12 years after Mab’as (620 or 622 AD) Eid-e-Baset (Mab’as): Start of Prophetic Mission 40 years after the Elephant Year (610 AD) 60 AH Imam Hussain a.s. departs from Madinah Recommended Aamaal The amaal of this night have the following rewards: -Forgiveness of a great number of sins -Protection from the horrors of the first night in the grave -Protection on the Day of Resurrection Read ziarath of Imam Mohammed Baqir a.s. Read ziarath of Imam Ali Naqi a.s. Read ziarath of Imam Ali Naqi a.s. Read ziarath of Hazrath Ali Asghar a.s. Read ziarath of Imam Mohammed Taqi a.s. Read ziarath of Imam Ali a.s. Read ziarath of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq a.s. Read ziarath of Bibi Zainab a.s Read fateha for Hazrath Ibrahim a.s. Read ziarath of Bibi Sakina a.s. Read ziarath of Imam Musa Kazim a.s. Read ziarath of Hazrath Abu Taleb a.s. Note: Please refer Mafateh al-Jinan and Tohfatul Awam for more information on recommended aamaal and Duas. THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING IN RAJAB The Holy Prophet (saws) has said: “If a person fasts one day of Rajab, that person will be guaranteed to win the Grand Pleasure of Allah Almighty, will escape from the wrath of Allah and the gates of Hell will be closed in that person’s face.” Imam Jafar as-Sadiq a.s has said: “If one observes fasting on the last day of Rajab, this will secure against the agonies of death, the horrors of resurrection and the horrors of the grave. If one observes fasting on the last two days of Rajab, this will grant permission to safely pass the Bridge (Pul-e-Sirat). If one observes fasting on the last three days of Rajab, this will secure that person from the horrors and hardships of the day of Great Horror (mehsher), and also grant freedom from Hell. ”Imam Musa Kazim a.s. has said: “If a person fasts three days of Rajab, that person will be guaranteed to be rewarded Paradise. Rajab is a river in Paradise that is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Hence if a person fasts even a single day in Rajab, Allah Almighty will allow that person to drink from that river.” NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 5 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. QAMAR DAR AQRAB It is the period when the moon is in the constellation of Scorpio. | It is an inauspicious period and Nikah (marriage ceremony) SHOULD NOT be performed when the moon is in the constellation of Scorpio. (Imam Jaffar as-Sadiq a.s.). DURING THIS MONTH OF RAJAB : 13 May 2014 : Moon enters Scorpio at 11:07 AM 15 May 2014 : Moon exits Scorpio at 03:43 PM 5. KNOW ALMIGHTY ALLAH SWT, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things. (The Holy Quran - Surah Aal-e-Imraan : 189) Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for men who understand. (The Holy Quran - Surah Aal-e-Imraan : 190) Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire: (The Holy Quran - Surah Aal-e-Imraan : 191) SIGNS & REFLECTION: THE VAST TIME & AGE OF ALLAH SWT’S CREATIONS How large is the world we cannot see in comparison to the world we can see. (Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb a.s.) I know the paths in the universe and the skies better than the paths of this earth. (Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb a.s.) The age of the Earth is 4.54 billion years = 4,540,000,000 years The age of the Sun is 4.57 billion years = 4,570,000,000 years The age of the Solar System is 4.6 billion years = 4,600,000,000 years The best estimate made by astronomers for the age of our Milky Way is 12.6 billion years. Some other estimates say it is 16 billion years. So the age of our Milky Way could be between 12,600,000,000 years to 16,000,000,000 years. Modern astronomy says the Universe was created by the Big Bang which occurred approximately 13.82 billion years ago; The age of our Universe is hence about 13,820,000,000 years. NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 6 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Now think this over about the period of creation AND AGE of the NOOR of our Holy Prophet and his progeny a.s.: Allah swt created the NOOR of our Holy Prophet and his progeny by passing the NOOR for 78,000 years through stages of Power, Greatness, Grace, Mercy, Felicity (Causing happiness), Munificence (liberal, generous), Official dignity, Religious direction, Prophecy, Exaltation, Majesty and Intercession Allah then formed 20 seas of light in each of which were a number of sciences and knowledge which only Allah understands; He then commanded the NOOR of Mohammed to go down through these TWENTY seas of: Glory, Patience, Humility, Submission, Contentment, Faithfulness, Mildness, Abstinence, Fear, Repentance, Good Deeds, Abundance, Religious Direction, Carefulness and Modesty Allah then placed the NOOR and spirit of Mohammed: Under His Arsh for 73,000 yrs In Paradise for 70,000 yrs At Sidrat ul Muntaha for 70,000 yrs Then migrated it through the various levels of Heavens Where it remained until the creation of Adam a.s….. AND THE NOOR OF OUR HOLY PROPHET AND HIS PROGENY WAS CREATED BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE 13,820,000,000 YEARS AGO BECAUSE OUR HOLY PROPHET AND HIS PROGENY WITNESSED THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE!!! To be continued 6. GREAT PERSONALITIES OF ISLAM Hazrath Abu al-Qasim al-Husayn b. Ruh b. Abi Bahr al-Nawbakhti (The third Safir of the Holy Twelfth Imam atf) The third Saf’ir was Ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti was in office from 305 AH to 326 AH (917 AD to937 AD). The date of his birth is not known. On his death bed, the 2nd Saf’ir appointed Ibn Ruh al‑Nawbakhti as the third Saf’ir, saying that the Twelfth Imam had ordered him to do so. There are several reports indicating that al‑Nawbakhti was a native of the traditional Shiite city of Qum, Iran. Al‑Nawbakhti had joined the service of the second Saf’ir and became his agent (wakil). Despite his youth al-Nawbakhti was distinguished by his shrewdness, particularly in his relations with opponents. Al‑Tusi reports that Ibn Ruh was arrested in 312 AH/924 AD by the Abbasid ruler, but does not give any reason for his imprisonment. Ibn Ruh spent five years in jail until the caliph, al‑Muqtadir, released him in 317 AH/929 AD. Ibn Ruh died on the 18th of Sha'ban 326 AH/20 June 938 AD, and was buried in al‑Nawbakhtiyya district in the western side of Baghdad. He was succeeded by Hazrath Abu al‑Hasan ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Sammar. Source: The Occultation of the Twelfth Imam by Jassim M. Hussain In next edition: The third Safir, Hazrath Abu al‑Qasim al‑Husayn b. Ruh b. Abi Bahr al-Nawbakhti NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 7 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. TAQWA AND GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA WHAT IS TAQWA? Taqwa is submission to the command of Allah SWT, and not going near what Allah SWT has prohibited. (Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq a.s.) Hence Taqwa consists of : ● Compulsory obedience to Allah SWT in fulfilling the compulsory duties (Wajibāt) and not leaving even a single duty unperformed. ● Abstaining from what Allah SWT has prohibited (made haram). WHAT ARE THE GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA (GREATER SINS)? (Continued from previous edition) Due to the supreme importance given by the Holy Quran, our Holy Prophet (sas) and Masoomeen (as) to the Greater Sin of ‘QAT’A ARRAHM, this edition includes only this Sin below. 7. QAT’A AR-RAHM (the breaking up of relations with one’s kith and kin) The seventh Greater Sin is Qat’a ar-Rahm, the breaking up of relations with one’s kith and kin. This is clearly confirmed by Imam Ja’far asSadiq (a.s.) as well as Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.), Imam ‘Ali ar-Riďa (a.s.) and Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (a.s.). The Qur’an has also decreed Hell-fire and the curse of Allah (S.w.T.) upon those who cut off ties with their relatives. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says: “Beware of those who cut off relations because I have found them cursed thrice in the Qur’an”: 1) Whoever break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and make mischief in the land, these it is that are the losers. (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:27) 2) And those who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder which Allah has ordered to be joined and make mischief in the land; (as for) those, upon them shall be curse and they shall have the evil (issue) of the abode. (Surah ar-Rā’d, 13:.25) 3) But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship. Those it is whom Allah has cursed, so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes. (Surah Muhammad, 47:22-23) It is one of the Worst Deeds in the Eyes of Allah (S.w.T.) as per the Holy Prophet (S). Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said, “Swallow your anger and behave nicely with your relatives.” Allama Majlisi (r.a.) says, “If one behaves kindly to the relatives who are bad, they would at one time or the other regret their behaviour. Then the Mercy of Allah (S.w.T.) will be upon both of them. If the ill-behaved relatives do not rectify their ways then at least the Mercy of Allah (S.w.T.) will be upon the one who continues kindness to them (the relatives). The Holy Prophet (S) says: “Do not sever relations with your kindred even if they cut off relations with you.” At another occasion the Holy Prophet (S) has informed: “One who severs relationships will not enter Heaven.” The exalted Prophet of Islam (S) has also informed that the invocation Duas of the person who breaks family ties shall not be answered. “In the chapter on the merits of Shab al-Qadr the Prophet (S) has stated that in the night of Qadr Allah (S.w.T.) forgives the sins of all the people except those who drink wine, who disobey their parents, and those who break ties with the relatives or harbour enmity towards the believers.” Arrogance towards Poor Relatives is also Qat’a ar-Rahm. NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 8 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Silet ar-Rahm Any behaviour which is generally regarded by people as good, kind, gracious or obligatory, when directed towards your relatives is Silet arRahm. In this case the meaning as judged by common sense and reason must be accepted. We must consider all the relatives from the father’s side and mother’s side, irrespective of whether they are close or distant, to be our kith and kin who have a right on us. In the same way the children of the daughters and their descendant also come in this category. Imam Baqir (a.s.) relates from the Holy Prophet (S) that he said: “I will (command) all the people of my Umma, whether present or not, and those generations which are to come till the Qiyāma, who are still in the loins of their father and wombs of their mothers, that they should be kind to their relatives (and visit them) even if they live at a distance of a year’s journey. Because kindness to relatives is one of the commands which is made an integral part of the faith (Imān).” Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) relates from Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (r.a.) who quotes the Holy Prophet (S) to have remarked: ‘Sirāt (the bridge passing over Hell that everyone has to cross) will have on each side (of it) ‘Silet ar-Rahm’ and ‘Amanat’ (keeping a trust) one who performs the act of Silet ar-Rahm and maintains trusts (Amanat) shall be able to cross the ‘Sirāt’ easily and will reach Paradise. None of the good deeds will benefit those who have broken ties with relatives or committed breach of trust. They will slip from the bridge of ‘Sirāt’ and drop into Hell-fire.” The practice of Silet ar-Rahm (kindness to kith and kin) accrues worldly advantages, spiritual benefits and bounties of the Hereafter. Silet ar-Rahm Causes All the Good Deeds to be Accepted. It increases wealth, wards off difficulties and calamities. The accounting of your actions on the day of Qiyāma is made easy. Even the ordained time of death is postponed. The reward for Silet ar-Rahm has been described by the Holy Prophet (S) in one of his traditions. He says: “When a person goes towards his relatives so that he can fulfill his rights with his life and his wealth, Allah bestows upon him the reward of a martyr at every step he takes. He (Allah) writes down forty thousand Hasana (the unit of Divine rewards) and He erases forty thousand of his sins and He elevates him by forty thousand grades. The person achieves the position of one who has worshipped Allah for a hundred years.” The traditions of the Ma’sūmīn (a.s.) leave no doubt whatsoever that the fulfilling of the rights of one’s relatives is obligatory. Whether the relatives are Shia or Sunni, pious and religious or sinful and transgressors or whether they are Muslims or Kafirs. It is compulsory to perform Silet ar-Rahm with them. Even if a Muslim relative apostises and becomes a kafir, his rights are not invalidated. Rights of Sadāt Allama Hilli in his book ‘Qawaidul Ahkam’ counsels his son Fakhrul Muhaqqiqain in the following words: “You should practise Silet ar-Rahm with the pure descendants of the Sadāt also. The Almighty Allah (S.w.T.) has emphasized upon this duty so much that he has made the love of relatives of the Holy Prophet (S) as a compensation of the prophetic mission.” The Holy Prophet (S) said: “I shall intercede for four types of people even if they carry the sins of all humanity: A person who has helped my descendants and progeny. A person who has spent his wealth upon my descendants when they were in need. A person who has loved my Progeny with his tongue and his heart. A person who has considered the wants of my descendants when they were surrounded by enemies and were homeless.” NAZARA-ILAL-HILAL (MOONSIGHTING) NEWS LETTER Page 9 of 9 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Rights of the Brothers in Faith ● Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “The foremost right is that you wish for the believing brothers whatever you wish for yourself. The second right is that you must refrain from angering him and try to seek his pleasure and obey him. The third right is that you help him with your life, your wealth, your tongue, and your hands. The fourth right is that you guide him and teach him that which is beneficial for him. The fifth, is that do not eat till satiation when your believing brother is hungry, and do not drink to satiation if he is thirsty, and do not dress nicely if he is deprived of good clothes. The sixth right is that if you have a servant you should send him to do his work. The seventh right is that if the believing brother says something on oath you should believe him, if he invites, you accept his invitation, if he is sick, visit him, if he dies, accompany his bier, if you come to know any of his needs, fulfill them before he asks.” From the confirmed GUNAHAN-E-KABIRA list compiled by Ayatollah Sayed Abdul Husain Dastghaib Shirazi. 8. Fasting is recommended on first Thursday, last Thursday and one Wednesday in between every lunar month To be continued. GENERAL AAMAL Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb a.s. has said: “We fast the first Thursday, last Thursday and one Wednesday between them every month, because Allah created Hell on Wednesday. Seek Allah’s protection from Hell. Fasting three days every month results in sawab of fasting all your life.” FREE APP TO HELP LOCATE THE NEW MOON ON THE WEST HORIZON ! Download the APP ‘Sky Map’ on your mobile phones & tablets. It shows the location of the sun, moon and stars. SEE THESE VERY USEFUL WEBSITES The holy book Sahifa al-Sajjadiyah by Imam Zainul Abideen a.s.: http://www.duas.org/sajjadiya/sajjadiya.htm http://www.al-islam.org/sahifa/ The noble book Mafateh al-Jinan by Sheikh Abbas al-Qummi: http://www.momin.com/Books/Mafatih-ul-Jinan-9.html www.duas.org www.al-islam.org DISCLAIMER: No responsibility/liability, expressed and or implied, is undertaken and accepted for the contents of this newsletter which is compiled after extensive research solely as a service to the community on a non-commercial nonprofit basis.