Peace be upon you all. Let me break the long Hari Raya or Eid silence with my latest voluntary translation for the website http://www.shiar-islam.com/. For the record, this translation was made in a hospital 2 weeks ago after midnight early Friday as I waited for the doctor to check my wife fearing she might give birth then after having mild contractions for the last 24 hours. As it turned out, it was not time for the baby to come out yet. Maybe this Friday? :]
Getting to know the Ahlul-Bait, family of Rasulullah SAW:
Love and care for the Ahlul Bait
Love and care for the Ahlul Bait
Assalamu'alaikum, peace be upon you all.
Alhamdulillah, thanks to Allah. All praise and gratitude to the Divine Presence which has made it incumbent upon all Muslim men and women to give their love and care for the Prophet SAW and his family, the Ahlul Bait. These are the family members which have been purified by Allah Almight. As said in the Quran:
“Verily Allah wishes to remove all impurities from you, O people of the house and to purify you completely.” (Verses of al-Ahzab : 33)
The Prophet SAW said: “The best among you all are the ones whose actions are the best towards my Ahlul Bait, after I have returned to the side of Allah (as in passing away to the next world).” For the record, this is an authentic Hadith or saying of the Prophet narrated by Abu Hurairah RA and related by al-Hakim, Abu Ya'la, Abu Nu'aim and Addailamiy. So there should be no doubt regarding how the Ahlul Bait should be treated.
The venerable master of jurisprudence Imam Syafi'i RA has expressed his love and care for the Ahlul Bait of Rasulullah SAW in many of his poems. In one, he waxed lyrical. The English translation sounds something like this:
“O Ahlul Bait of Rasulullah! Love towards you is an obligation from Allah, which has been revealed in the Quran. Enough that this is a proof of how high the status of you all. Prayers would not be perfect without the Salawat (salutations of blessings) for you all.”
Syeikhul Islam (master of religion) Ibnu Taimiyah in his text titled “Al-Washiatul Kubra” (the most important wills) touched on the matter. In subject number 297 he explained among others: “... members of the family of Rasulullah SAW have a number of rights which must be preserved as best as possible. Allah SWT has given them the right to receive a fifth of the Ghanimah (spoils or loots of war).”
Allah commanded all Muslims to give their Salawat to them along with the Salawat given to Rasulullah SAW. Thus Prophet Muhammad SAW also taught us to make supplications by reciting words to this meaning: “O Allah! Give the Salawat abundantly to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad just like You have given the Salawat abundantly to Abraham and the family of Abraham. Verily You are Most Praiseworthy and Most Great. Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just like You have blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham...”
Alhamdulillah, this command by Allah which is then conveyed by His Prophet to all Muslims men and women has been heeded by quite a number. They not only gave their love but also fought alongside the Ahlul Bait even to the death to uphold the truth and justice. In saving mankind from the oppressions of the unjust, people who follow their Nafs or unguided passion trampling all over the commands of Allah and His Messenge, they are willing to go all the way. This resulted in the Ahlul Bait and their loyal followers gaining victory. Thus the Muslim community were saved from destruction and annihilation.
Still, the death of Rasulullah SAW has seen an about turn. Hypocrites who worshipped their own inner whims and fancies began to come out of the woodworks and show their real colours. They unashamedly got in the way, becoming stumbling blocks which halted the Ahlul Bait’s efforts in spreading the faith. They did all sorts of horrible things continously and repeatedly to the Ahlul Bait. In fact they caught members of the family and supporters who then were severely oppressed.
Some brutally crushed members of Rasulullah’s family such as done by Mu'awiyah bin Abu Sufyan, Yazid bin Mu'awiyah and their descendants. Pulpits of the mosques were used to curse and humiliate the Ahlul Bait of Rasulullah SAW, a propaganda move adopted by all their main leaders except Umar bin Abdul Aziz who stopped this out of place practice during his period becoming commander of the faithfuls.
Rasulullah SAW has pardoned Mu'awiyah’s father Abu Sufyan who has consistently fought againts Islam and oppressed its believers. He has also pardoned Mu’awiyah’s mother Hindun despite the fact that she has not only murdered Saidina Hamzah, an uncle of the Prophet. This woman even cut-out his guts and chewed his liver! Truly there is a big difference between Rasulullah SAW and his Ahlul Bait’s treatment of Abu Sufian and his wife Hindun compared to the way Abu Sufyan, wife and descendants treated the Prophet’s flesh and blood, the exception being only Umar bin Abdul Aziz.
Umar bin Abdul Aziz has received enlightment and guidance from Allah. He acted fast to stop inhuman practices against the Ahlul Bait. Whatever, their machinations eventually turned to nought. They themselves were finally destroyed.
The dynasty of Bani Umaiyah comprising family members and descendants of Mu’awiyah ended up annihilated by Allah SWT, their tombs practically defiled. All their efforts to spread Islam in Spain finally ended up in ashes, wasted just like pouring water into the drain despite the fact that they once conquered Spain for almost 800 years!
This is in contrast to the struggles of Rasulullah SAW and his Ahlul Bait in spreading Islam all over the world. Their efforts turned out to be more effective and longlasting as attested by the number of Muslims who have embraced the faith because of their relentless work. Thus let us follow the command of Allah and His Prophet, emulate the way of such highly regarded religious masters like Imam Syafi’i and others in loving Rasulullah SAW and his Ahlul Bait. Don’t ever follow the way of the misguided people who have lead many Muslims awry age after age, people who have splitted the community by focusing on small matters while forgetting or consciously ignoring things that really matter.
God willing the world would be a much better place. If we love and care for the Ahlul Bait of Rasulullah SAW, fighting alongside them in upholding truth and justice, all our efforts would be blessed by Allah and Muslims would received success in this world and the hereafter.
Amen.