16th ShehrAllah 1441 H
The Battle of Badr took place on 17th Shehr Ramadan, with Allah Taala bestowed His Nabi SA with triumph.
The 100th surah of the Quran: Surah ‘Adiyat describes horses as they charge into battle. Each of the first five verses narrates a trait of these horses. Allah Taala states:
By the charging horses (1) their sprint sparking fire (with their hooves) (2) their onslaught at dawn (3) the dust that they stir up (4) their penetration into midst of the enemy (5)….
Rasul Allah SA has directed us to learn three skills: horse riding, archery and swimming.
Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin RA states in his nasihat that the reins of the Duat Mutlaqeen AS are in the hands of Imam al-Zaman AS, there is no room for any error. We have heard Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS repeatedly stress that the noble steed of Maulana Imam Husain AS was no ordinary one. This also reveals why Allah would seek to swear by horses.
We heard during the 14th bayan that Imam Zain al-Abidin AS saw a date lying on the bathroom floor. He picked it up and gave it to a servant to keep with him until he returned. Instead, the servant ate it. Having completed his wuzu, Imam AS asked him about the date to which he replied that he had eaten it. Immediately, Imam AS replied, I am setting you free. When asked why he set him free, Imam AS answered, because of his act jannat has become obligatory for him, and I do not wish that such a person be among my slaves. After narrating this event, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA counseled us, ‘if you ever happen to come across one of your brethren in such an unpleasant and derelict state then pick him up, uplift him, jannat will become obligatory for you’.
Each aspect of this narration helps us understand the meaning of upliftment. Imam AS saw the date lying on the ground, he immediately picked it up. When taking it from him, his servant did not think why he was being asked to hold something that was lying on the floor, but instead thought that it is Imam AS who is giving it to me. He also thought that it would be better that I consume the date, and by doing made it a part of him. Imam AS continued this action of upliftment by setting him free and bestowed him with the glad tidings that he is now amongst the people of jannat.
Today, Syedna al-Dai al-Ajal’s TUS desire to uplift Mumineen has seen them rise to unprecedented heights. We know that whatever Maula TUS aspires to, Allah will fulfil. It is up to us become part of this initiative and expend our efforts in it. Cure for an illness is in Allah’s hands, but doctors are all expected to strive to their level best.
Rasul Allah SA established the sharia of Islam to raise creation, to uplift each and every organism. It has the potential to turn dusty souls into priceless jewels. Thus adherence to its tenets ensures that we are raised and transformed in each and every aspect. Syedna al-Dai al-Ajal’s TUS repeated call towards the lofty counsel of Amirul Mumineen AS, ‘do good towards those who have wronged you’, has redefined humanity.
On the day of Ashura, Imam Husain AS raised his Ahle Bait and Ashaab AS to such heights and with such swiftness that they took their places in jannat even before the perspiration of their horses had dried.
