Day: March 25, 2020

हज़रत अली (अलैहिस्सलाम) के कथन (381 – 400)

381

वाणी जब तक तुम ने उसे कहा नहीं तुम्हारी बन्धक है और जब तुम ने कह दिया तो तुम उस के बन्धक हो। अतः अपनी ज़बान की उसी तरह रक्षा करो जिस तरह अपने सोने चाँदी की करते हो क्यूँकि बहुत सी बातें ऐसी होती हैं जो किसी बड़ी नेमत को छीन लेती हैं और विपत्ति को बुलावा देती हैं।

382

जो नहीं जानते उसे न कहो बल्कि जो जानते हो वो भी सब का सब मत कहो क्यूँकि अल्लाह ने तुम्हारे अंगों पर कुछ कर्तव्य लागू किए हैं जिन के द्वारा क़यामत के दिन वो तुम्हारे ऊपर हुज्जत लाए गा।

383

इस बात से डरो कि अल्लाह तुम को अपनी अवज्ञा के समय देखे और अपनी आज्ञा के पालन के समय अनुपस्थित पाए और तुम को घाटा उठाने वालों में गिना जाए। अतः यदि ख़ुद को शक्तिशालि दिखाना हो तो अपनी शक्ति को पाक परवरदिगार के आज्ञा पालन में लगाओ और यदि कमज़ोर होना हो तो अल्लाह की अवहेलना करने में कमज़ोरी दिखाओ।

384

दुनिया की अस्थिरता को देखते हुए उस की ओर झुकना मूर्खता है और पुण्य प्राप्त होने का विश्वास होने के बावजूद नेक काम करने में कोताही का अर्थ घाटा उठाना है और परखे बिना हर एक पर भरोसा कर लेना कमज़ोरी की निशानी है।

385

अल्लाह के नज़दीक दुनिया की तुच्छता के लिए यही काफ़ी है कि अगर अल्लाह के आदेशों की अवहेलना होती है तो इसी दुनिया में और अगर अल्लाह की ओर से नेमतें प्राप्त होती हैं तो इसी दुनिया को छोड़ने पर।

386

कोई व्यक्ति अगर किसी चीज़ को हासिल करने की कोशिश करता है तो उस को या उस के कुछ हिस्से को पा लेता है।

387

आप (अ.स.) ने फ़रमायाः वो भलाई, भलाई नहीं जिस के बाद नरक की आग हो और वो बुराई, बुराई नहीं जिस के बाद स्वर्ग मिले। स्वर्ग के सामने हर नेमत छोटी है और नरक के सामने हर मुसीबत आराम है।

388

जान लो कि अगर खाने के लिए कुछ न हो तो यह एक मुसीबत है। इस से भी बड़ी मुसीबत शरीर की बीमारी है और शारीरिक बीमारियों मे सब से बड़ी बीमारी दिल की बीमारी है। और जान लो कि नेमतों में सब से बड़ी नेमत धन की अधिकता है और धन की अधिकता से भी अच्छा शरीर का निरोग होना है और शरीर के निरोग होने से अच्छा दिल का पाप से सुरक्षित होना है।

389

जिसे उस का कर्म पीछे हटा देता है उसे उस का कुल आगे नहीं बढ़ा सकता।

एक दूसरी रिवायत में इस तरह आया है।

जिस के अपने अन्दर कोई ख़ूबी न हो उसे उस के पूर्वजों की महानता से कोई लाभ नहीं होता।

390

मोमिन का समय तीन भागों में विभाजित होता है। एक भाग में तो वो अपने परवरदिगार से बातें करता है, एक भाग में वो अपनी जीविका की व्यवस्था करता है और एक भाग में वो हलाल और पवित्र स्वादों का स्वाद लेने के लिए अपने आप को स्वतंत्र छोड़ देता है। और बुद्धिमान को शोभा नहीं देता कि वो तीन चीज़ों के अलावा किसी और चीज़ के पीछे भागे। अपने रोज़गार का प्रबन्ध करना या परलोक की ओर क़दम बढ़ाने के लिए काम करना और या ऐसी चीज़ो से स्वाद लेना जो हराम न हों।

391

दुनिया से दिल न लगओ, अल्लाह तुम को दुनिया की ख़राबियाँ दिखा देगा और बेपरवा न रहो क्यूँकि तुम्हारी ओर से बेपरवा नहीं रहा जाए गा।

392

आप (अ.स.) ने फ़रमायाः बात करो ताकि पहचाने जाओ क्यूँकि इंसान अपनी ज़ुबान के नीचे छिपा है।

393

दुनिया से तुम को जो हासिल हो ले लो और जो चीज़ तुम से मुँह मोड़ ले तुम भी उस से मुँह मोड़ लो। और अगर ऐसा नहीं कर सकते तो फिर दुनिया माँगने व हासिल करने में संतुलन स्थापित करो।

394

बहुत से वाक्य आक्रमण से अधिक प्रभाव रखते हैं।

395

जिस चीज़ पर संतोष कर लिया जाए वही काफ़ी है।

396

मौत आ जाए किन्तु अपमान न हो। कम मिले किन्तु दूसरे के द्वारा न मिले। जिसे कोई चीज़ आसानी से नहीं मिलती वो चीज़ उसे कोशिश कर के भी नहीं मिलती। काल दो दिनों पर विभाजित है। एक दिन तुम्हारे पक्ष में है और एक दिन तुम्हारे विपक्ष में। जब काल तुम्हारे पक्ष में हो तो इतरओ मत और जब विपक्ष में हो तो धैर्य से काम लो।

397

सब से अच्छी सुगन्ध मुश्क है जिस का पात्र हलका और जिस की महक मस्तिष्क के लिए अच्छी है।

398

गर्व करना छोड़ दो, अहंकार को ख़त्म कर दो और क़ब्र को याद रखो।

399

आप (अ.स.) ने फ़रमायाः पुत्र का पिता पर एक हक़ है और पिता का पुत्र पर एक हक़ है। पिता का पुत्र पर यह हक़ है कि पुत्र पाक परवरदिगार की अवज्ञा के अतिरिक्त हर चीज़ में उस के आदेश का पालन करे। पुत्र का हक़ पिता पर यह है कि उस का अच्छा नाम रखे और उस को क़ुरान की शिक्षा दे।

400

बुरी नज़र, टोना टोटका, जादू और अच्छा शगुन होता है, मगर अपशगुन कोई चीज़ नहीं है और एक की बीमारी दूसरे को लग जाना ग़लत है। ख़ुशबू लगाना और शहद खाना बीमारी में लाभदायक है। सवारी करना और हरियाली पर नज़र करना दुख, शोक, क्षोभ एवं व्याकुलता को दूर करता है।

In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct. The Quran says:

“And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.” [Noble Quran 2:228]

The Quran, in addressing the believers, often uses the expression, ‘believing men and women’ to emphasize the equality of men and women in regard to their respective duties, rights, virtues and merits. It says:

“For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.” [Noble Quran 33:35]

This clearly contradicts the assertion of the Christian Fathers that women do not possess souls and that they will exist as sexless beings in the next life. The Quran says that women have souls in exactly the same way as men and will enter Paradise if they do good:

“Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight.” [Noble Quran 43:70]

“Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life.” [Noble Quran 16:97]

The Quran admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women:

“O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them – except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good.” [Noble Quran 4:19]

Considering the fact that before the advent of Islam the pagan Arabs used to bury their female children alive, make women dance naked in the vicinity of the Ka’bah during their annual fairs, and treat women as mere chattels and objects of sexual pleasure possessing no rights or position whatsoever, these teachings of the Noble Quran were revolutionary. Unlike other religions, which regarded women as being possessed of inherent sin and wickedness and men as being possessed of inherent virtue and nobility, Islam regards men and women as being of the same essence created from a single soul. The Quran declares:

“O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and reverence the wombs (that bore you); for Allah ever watches over you.” [Noble Quran 4:1]

The Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Women are the twin halves of men.” The Quran emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simile:

“They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them.” [Noble Quran 2:187]

Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of marriage, secure each other’s chastity. The garment gives comfort to the body; so does the husband find comfort in his wife’s company and she in his. “The garment is the grace, the beauty, the embellishment of the body, so too are wives to their husbands as their husbands are to them.” Islam does not consider woman “an instrument of the Devil”, but rather the Quran calls her Muhsana – a fortress against Satan because a good woman, by marrying a man, helps him keep to the path of rectitude in his life. It is for this reason that marriage was considered by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as a most virtuous act. He said: “When a man marries, he has completed one half of his religion.” He enjoined matrimony on Muslims by saying: “Marriage is part of my way and whoever keeps away from my way is not from me (i.e. is not my follower).” The Quran has given the raison d’�tre of marriage in the following words:

“And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” [Noble Quran 30:21]

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was full of praise for virtuous and chaste women. He said:

“The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman. He once told the future khalifah, ‘Umar: “Shall I not inform you about the best treasure a man can hoard? It is a virtuous wife who pleases him whenever he looks towards her, and who guards herself when he is absent from her.”

On other occasions the Prophet said:

“The best property a man can have is a remembering tongue (about Allah), a grateful heart and a believing wife who helps him in his faith.” And again: “The world, the whole of it, is a commodity and the best of the commodities of the world is a virtuous wife.”

Before the advent of Islam women were often treated worse than animals. The Prophet wanted to put a stop to all cruelties to women. He preached kindness towards them. He told the Muslims: “Fear Allah in respect of women.” And: “The best of you are they who behave best to their wives.” And: “A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good.” And: “The more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was most emphatic in enjoining upon Muslims to be kind to their women when he delivered his famous khutbah on the Mount of Mercy at Arafat in the presence of one hundred and twenty-four thousand of his Companions who had gathered there for the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage). In it he ordered those present, and through them all those Muslims who were to come later, to be respectful and kind towards women. He said:

“Fear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah, and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their food and clothing according to your means.”

In Islam a woman is a completely independent personality. She can make any contract or bequest in her own name. She is entitled to inherit in her position as mother, as wife, as sister and as daughter. She has perfect liberty to choose her husband. The pagan society of pre-Islamic Arabia had an irrational prejudice against their female children whom they used to bury alive. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was totally opposed to this practice. He showed them that supporting their female children would act as a screen for them against the fire of Hell:

It is narrated by the Prophet’s wife, Ayshah, that a woman entered her house with two of her daughters. She asked for charity but Ayshah could not find anything except a date, which was given to her. The woman divided it between her two daughters and did not eat any herself. Then she got up and left. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to the house, Ayshah told him about what had happened and he declared that when the woman was brought to account (on the Day of Judgment) about her two daughters they would act as a screen for her from the fires of Hell.

The worst calamity for a woman is when her husband passes away and, as a widow, the responsibility of maintaining the children falls upon her. In the Eastern World, where a woman does not always go out to earn her living, the problems of widowhood are indescribable. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) upheld the cause of widows. Most of his wives were widows. In an age when widows were rarely permitted to remarry, the Prophet encouraged his followers to marry them. He was always ready to help widows and exhorted his followers to do the same. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “One who makes efforts (to help) the widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or like one who stands up for prayers in the night and fasts in the day.”

Woman as mother commands great respect in Islam. The Noble Quran speaks of the rights of the mother in a number of verses. It enjoins Muslims to show respect to their mothers and serve them well even if they are still unbelievers. The Prophet states emphatically that the rights of the mother are paramount. Abu Hurayrah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention?” He replied, “Your mother.” “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” “Then who?” He replied, “Your father.”

In another tradition, the Prophet advised a believer not to join the war against the Quraish in defense of Islam, but to look after his mother, saying that his service to his mother would be a cause of his salvation. Mu’awiyah, the son of Jahimah, reported that Jahimah came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, “Messenger of Allah! I want to join the fighting (in the path of Allah) and I have come to seek your advice.” He said, “Then remain in your mother’s service, because Paradise is under her feet.”

The Prophet’s followers accepted his teachings and brought about a revolution in their social attitude towards women. They no longer considered women as mere chattels, but as an integral part of society. For the first time women were given the right to have a share in inheritance. In the new social climate, women rediscovered themselves and became highly active members of society rendering useful service during the wars which the pagan Arabs forced on the emerging Muslim Ummah. They carried provisions for the soldiers, nursed them, and even fought alongside them if it was necessary. It became a common sight to see women helping their husbands in the fields, carrying on trade and business independently, and going out of their homes to satisfy their needs.

Ayshah reported that Saudah bint Zam’ah went out one night. ‘Umar saw her and recognized her and said, “By God, O Saudah, why do you not hide yourself from us?” She went back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and told him about it while he was having supper in her room, and he said, “It is permitted by Allah for you to go out for your needs.” The predominant idea in the teachings of Islam with regard to men and women is that a husband and wife should be full-fledged partners in making their home a happy and prosperous place, that they should be loyal and faithful to one another, and genuinely interested in each other’s welfare and the welfare of their children. A woman is expected to exercise a humanizing influence over her husband and to soften the sternness inherent in his nature. A man is enjoined to educate the women in his care so that they cultivate the qualities in which they, by their very nature, excel.

These aspects were much emphasized by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He exhorted men to marry women of piety and women to be faithful to their husbands and kind to their children. He said:

“Among my followers the best of men are those who are best to their wives, and the best of women are those who are best to their husbands. To each of such women is set down a reward equivalent to the reward of a thousand martyrs. Among my followers, again, the best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work, and love them dearly for everything, save what is a transgression of Allah’s laws.”

Once Mu’awiyah asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “What are the rights that a wife has over her husband?” The Prophet replied, “Feed her when you take your food, give her clothes to wear when you wear clothes, refrain from giving her a slap on the face or abusing her, and do not separate from your wife, except within the house.” Once a woman came to the Prophet with a complaint against her husband. He told her: “There is no woman who removes something to replace it in its proper place, with a view to tidying her husband’s house, but that Allah sets it down as a virtue for her. Nor is there a man who walks with his wife hand-in-hand, but that Allah sets it down as a virtue for him; and if he puts his arm round her shoulder in love, his virtue is increased tenfold.” Once he was heard praising the women of the tribe of Quraish, “…because they are the kindest to their children while they are infants and because they keep a careful watch over the belongings of their husbands.”

The Shari’ah regards women as the spiritual and intellectual equals of men. The main distinction it makes between them is in the physical realm based on the equitable principle of fair division of labor. It allots the more strenuous work to the man and makes him responsible for the maintenance of the family. It allots the work of managing the home and the upbringing and training of children to the woman, work which has the greatest importance in the task of building a healthy and prosperous society.

It is a fact, however, that sound administration within the domestic field is impossible without a unified policy. For this reason the Shari’ah requires a man, as head of the family, to consult with his family and then to have the final say in decisions concerning it. In doing so he must not abuse his prerogative to cause any injury to his wife. Any transgression of this principle involves for him the risk of losing the favor of Allah, because his wife is not his subordinate but she is, to use the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), ‘the queen of her house’, and this is the position a true believer is expected to give his wife. In contrast to these enlightened teachings of Islam in respect of women, Western talk of women’s liberation or emancipation is actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honor, and degradation of her soul!