Pearls of Wisdom
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Aqa TUS highlighted Jupiter or مشتري in the fourth waaz of Ashara Mubaraka 1447 H. Being 1,300 times the size of Earth, Jupiter is the second largest celestial body after the Sun. Mushtari means buyer in the Arabic language and it is known as a star of sa’adat. Combining these two ideas, Maula TUS explained that sa’adat is something that must be bought. Under this overarching idea, he explained what sa’adat is, the relation of sa’adat and happiness, the highest level of sa’adat and the importance of giving sa’adat to others.
To acquire sa’adat one must understand what sa’adat is. Maula TUS divided sa’adat into two categories: internal sa’adat and external sa’adat. Internal sa’adat consists of the body and soul: health and beauty is sa’adat for the body and sa’adat for the soul is possessing the ability to understand and having good character. External sa’adat includes money, a good wife, good companions, and good children. Most importantly sa’adat is in the muhabbat of Awliya Allah. Obtaining these forms of sa’adat, however, comes with making sacrifices. For example, to purchase a nice house and car, one must spend a large sum of money. Similarly, in order to achieve good character a mumin has to constantly make an effort through modesty, generosity and piety. Ali Zainul Aabideen AS displayed this sacrifice by giving sadaqa before traveling for safety and protection and after returning as shukr for the safe passage in order to maintain the sa’adat. Sadaqa is one of the four things that grant forgiveness of sins so by performing sadaqa and making the sacrifice that comes along with it, one is granted sa’adat. Following Aimat Tahereen’s seerat, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA the 49th Dai-al-Mutlaq, would collect coins in a bowl, and would at times get up from his gaadi to hand the money to the beggars himself.
Maula TUS revealed that sa’adat is ultimately happiness. When Allah intends good for a people, he tests them first, if they respond and accept happily Allah will be happy with them, and grant them lasting happiness. Imam Mohammed-ul- Baqir AS performed such tests on beggars. When he performed zabihat he would give the passing beggars the head of the animal, if they were pleased by so little, he would give them meat from the zabihat, making them even more happy, but if they were not pleased they would receive nothing. Through these tests, it is clear that happiness with Allah Ta’ala’s qaza qadar gives mumineen sa’adat. The way to achieve this happiness to gain sa’adat, is by living life through deen.
In order to live life through deen, it is imperative that mumineen avoid interest or ribaa. Interest hinders happiness and sa’adat. Syedna Dawood bin Ajabshah Burhanuddin RA was invited for a ziyaafat at a mumin’s house. The man had made grand preparations for Syedna’s RA arrival, but Syedna was informed that the mumin’s wealth was earned through interest. Syedna RA informed the man he would not eat food that was earned through interest. The mumin sought Syedna’s RA guidance on how to purify himself. Syedna RA asked him to give up all his wealth, belongings and even his business. Then, Syedna RA gave him 4 fuloos and a handkerchief to begin a new venture. The mumin went to the market and spread the handkerchief and started his business. At that time, a foreigner came to the market asking for four fuloos in exchange for a stone. The mumin gave the foreigner four fuloos in exchange for the stone. Later, after examining the stone carefully, it was discovered that it was a pure ruby worth 3,00,000. By listening to Syedna, the man was purified and ultimately got sa’adat. Through obedience of Awliya Allah, the man simultaneously gained sa’adat and happiness.
Maula TUS then explained that the highest level of sa’adat lies in fulfilling Awliya Allah’s happiness. A mumin must follow the directives of Maula, in fact he should follow the wishes of Maula TUS even before any directives are given.
Finally, a mumin must strive to not only earn sa’adat for himself but to also give sa’adat to others. Syedna Noor Mohammed Nooruddin RA was exemplary in this regard. During times of drought, he saved hundreds of mumineen from starvation, however, he felt so much pain for the mumineen that suffered that that became the reason for his wafaat.
In these remaining five days let us shed tears and do matam of Imam Husain while truly feeling the pain and comprehending the magnitude of the events of Karbala and the sacrifice of Imam Husain SA.