Day: April 11, 2023

Imam Hasan’s Character

The researcher who examines the life of the Holy Prophet’s grandson, Imam Hasan and his brother, Imam Husayn [a], can’t help drawing the conclusion that they enjoyed a high level of education and spiritual and ideological upbringing, which no other person had won next to their grandfather [s], mother and father [a].

The imprints of the revelation and Divine care marked their characters, in all its aspects, ingredients and angles. They were highly refined and brought up in line with Islam’s teachings by their grandfather, the Messenger of Allah [s], their father, Imam Ali [a], and their mother Fatimah Al-Zahra [a], through excellent examples and direct daily guidance.

Although they lost both their grandfather and mother at an early age, their upbringing suffered no interruption. Their father, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib [a], the disciple of the Messenger of Allah [s], and the graduate from the school of Divine revelation, who was the beacon for the people, was alive, throwing his shade over them. There is no doubt that Imams Hasan and Husayn [a] wound up in the stage of Divine preparation.

They were prepared to shoulder the responsibility of the Divine message, in form and content. The ultimate result was that both Imams Hasan and Husayn [a] became Islam personified, walking on the earth.

As the ingredients of the characters of the two Imams were the same, they were singular in their behaviour, march, steps and goals, which were Islamic in their entirety.

BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHIM


COUPLET 1

Yeh Hai Iqbal Faize Yade Name Murtaza Jis Say, Nigahe Fiker Main Khilwat Sarai La Makan Tak Hai

“These are the blessings of the name of Ali (a.s.) that have enlightened me upto the sphere of God.”

Allama Iqbal was brought up under an Islamic atmosphere. His father was a pious, virtuous and very religious man. He was a true Muslim and would pass his time in the company of learned men of Islamic Faith.

Allama Iqbal learned Arabic, Persian and other Islamic subjects at his own house from Moulvi Meer Hasan who was a great learned scholar of his days. He set in Iqbal an inclination towards the studies in the realm of the religion of Islam. Later on Allans Iqbal carried on his own studies. While preparing his Thesis in Philosophy he went through the commentaries on Holy Quran, traditions and jurisprudence of Islan and got himself well equipped with a thorough knowledge about Islam. From the contents of Islamic History he concluded that Hazrat Ali (a.s.) is the hero of Islam and that it was Ali (a.s.) alone who surpassed all Muslims not only in embracing Islam first of all but who ranks a top in supporting the cause of Islam in all phases. He (Ali a.s.) pleaded and supported the cause of Islam at the cost of his life and was always seen by the side of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) protecting him against all odds and preaching the religion with words and deeds. Consequently Allama Iqbal picked up love and praise for Hazrat Ali (a.s.) as much as he has picked up for the Prophet (s.a.w.) of Islam.

Islamic history and traditions revealed this fact that comprison with all the noble companions of the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was superior to all, in knowledge, valour and adherence to religion of Islam and that after the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) he was second to none.

In paying tribute to Hazrat Ali (a.s.) in his poetic verses Allama Iqbal has spent the utmost capacity, profuseness and profoundness of his pen and skill. In his verses while depicting the high qualities of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and speaking of his virtues of valour and intellect, his outstanding noble character, and vastness of knowledge in almost all the spheres of learning Allama Iqbal crosses the limit of human nature and assumes as if Hazrat Ali had been some super human. Now we quote his poetic couplets :

THE FACE OF THE PIR IS LIKE A MIRROR REFLECTING THE REALITY OF GOD

The face of the Pir (Spiritual guide) is like a Divine Mirror for, among the faithful brethren, such change had occurred that one could infer that thoughts must have been influenced by extraordinary change as seen from their actions and movements.

A few days earlier their facial expression indicated that they were hankering after something important and noble. During the period of waiting of this achievement their worry and anxiety was writ large on their amazed and sorrow stricken faces.

But their present peace of mind is a positive proof that their heart was satisfied. Their every talk is full of divine dignity. It is an undenying truth that they might have observed some wonder of divine deed (the Accomplisher) which has not been visible earlier to their eyes. Perhaps Our Saint under this title had predicted the good news that God is found in the face of the Pir and in unequivocal words must have enable his devotees to witness the real Divine lustre.

There were such pious devotees whose state of condition and action needs no clarification and who by seeing the Divine face of Our Saint became so intoxicated that some gave up their property and adopted an ascetic life, some shed their ancestral temperament, some cut off the shackles of worldly life while some others led a lonely life to commune with God and in his remembrance. They were so absorbed that they witnessed Divine lustre in the face of their spiritual guide.

Research scholars among the mystics, regarding the truth of the unity of God, agreed that it is rather difficult to reach the vicinity of God, except those who willingly annihilated themselves before the Beloved or are ready to sacrifice their life to see Divine lustre are capable to achieve their goal. For e.g. Our Saint once facing his devotees said “A disciple who thinks his spiritual guide is far off is an imperfect disciple”.

A spiritual guide who regards his disciples not near him is also not a perfect guide.”

From literal point of view this saying has two parts the first shows a disciples; devotion and love are deeply connected and that it is the duty of a disciple to make this thought unshaken and mature. In the second part, a perfect spiritual guide’s higher stages are described and the devotees are informed of his bounties and blessings. With what amount of sincerity and affection the disciple absorbs himself in the thought of his spiritual guide, similarly the latter becomes his helper and assistant. If the disciple is not absorbed in the thought of his spiritual guide and if the Pir does not help his disciple it will be a great loss and the sincerity becomes null and void.