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Salaam everybody: Here's an opportunity to increase blessings throughout this community and throughout the whole world. I remember seeing old threads from years past about salawat pledges, but this thread will be slightly different. The only goal of this thread is to post the salawat as often as we can, and nothing more: اللّهُمّ صَلّ عَلَى مُحَمّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمّدٍ Allahumma salli `ala muhammadin wa ali muhammadin O Allah: (please do) bless Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad Rules of this thread: 1. All members are encouraged to post the salawat as often as they like, English or Arabic (but only once per post please) 2. Like as many posts as possible (reciting it yourself out loud while you like the post) 3. No other discussions or statements please, this is purely for salawat only Let's see how long this chain will go, and how much blessing we can all accumulate from posting and liking. More information on the salawat: http://www.duas.org/salwaat.htm I'll get started: Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad

Name - Ja'far Title - As-Sadiq Kunyat - Abu Abdullah Born - Monday 17th of Rabi-ul-Awwal 83 A.H. in Medina Father's Name - Muhammad ibn Ali Mother's Name - Umme-e-Farwah Died - At the age of 65 years, at Medina, on Monday, 15th Rajab 148 AH. Poisoned by Mansur Dawaneeqi the Abbasite Buried - Jannat-ul-Baqi

Letter 4 U | Ayatollah Khamenei letter for western Youths Imam Khamenei letter against Bin laden letter (a campaign for spreading truth of Shia Islam against Zionism & rogue state of Israel & wahhabism) please everyone share the letter (4U/for you) among everyone who you can for defending the truth & Palestine (Palestinians) against sheer evil the rogue state of Israel & global zionism.

Name - Hasan Title - Al-Askari Kunyat - Abu Muhammad Born - Monday 8th of Rabi-ul-Akhar 232 A.H. , at Medina Father's Name - Ali ibn Muhammad Mother's Name - Saleel Died - At the age of 28 years, at Samarra, on Friday 8th Rabi-ul-Awwal 260 AH. Poisoned by Mo'tamad the Abbaside Caliph Buried - at Samarra, Baghdad.

Would it be okay to do so. Calculate one's due amount, then split it in two, then give the share of sadat to the marja` or whatever organization, and then give share of Imam to one's needy relatives directly ?

Name - Hasan Title - Al-Mujtaba Kunyat - Abul Muhammad Born - Tuesday, 15th Ramadan 3 AH at Medina Father's Name - Ali ibne abu Talib Mother's Name - Fatima (Daughter of the Holy Prophet) Died - at the age of 46 years, at Medina, on Thursday, 28th Safar, 50 AH. Buried - at the cemetery of Jannat-ul-Baqi in Medina

Hazrat Musa al-Kadhim (as) Name - Musa Title - al-Kadhim Kunyat - Abu Ibrahim Born - Sunday 7st of Safarb 128 A.H., at Abwah (Between Makkah and Madinah) Father's Name - Jaafar ibn Mohammad Mother's Name - Hamidah Khatoun Died - At the age of 55 years, at Baghdad, on Friday, 25th Rajab 183 AH. Poisoned by Harun ar-Rashid the Abbasid caliph Buried - Kadhimayn, Baghdad.

Name - Ali Title - An-Naqi and Al-Hadi Kunyat - Abul Hasan Born - Friday 15th of Zilhajj 212 A.H., at Surba Father's Name - Muhammad ibn Ali Mother's Name - Summana Khatoon Died - At the age of 42 years, at Samarra , on Monday, 26th Jamadi-ul-Akhar 254 AH. Poisoned by Mu'taz the Abbaside Caliph Buried - at Samarra, Baghdad.

Name - Ali Title - Ar-Ridha Kunyat - Abul Hasan Born - Thursday 11th of Zilqad 148 A.H. , at Medina Father's Name - Moosa ibn Ja'far Mother's Name - Ummul Baneen Najma Died - At the age of 55 years, at Mashad in Khorasan, on Tuesday, 17th Safar 203 AH. Poisoned by Mamoon the Abbaside Caliph Buried - in Mashad, Iran .

Assalamualaikum, For my own knowledge, I am researching on the "House of Knowledge" established during the time of 6th Imam Jafar al Sadiq ((عليه السلام)) in the ancient round city of Baghdad (approx. 800 AD). Overview: The Abbasids were staunch enemies of the holy ahlulbait, but the accursed evil Abbassid Caliph Haroon Rashid wanted to establish his authority over muslims by embracing Imam Jafar Sadiq in his arms ( a fake show of public, stating that Haroon loves the ahlulbait and is acting as the caliph just to safeguard religion and assigned the imam as his rightful successor). Haroon did not imprison the imam to avoid public outrage but never wanted to leave the imam out of sight for fear of losing his caliphate, thus the evil caliph had an ingenious idea to appoint important royal responsibilities to the imam and hold him in the palace boundaries with less public interaction so as to hide the true (shia) islam and thus he made the imam the head of many institutions, including the renowed "House of Knowledge" It was in this house of knowledge where biology, chemistry, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, religion and numerous sciences were being taught freely for the first time leading to the Islamic Golden Age, imam had more than 6000 students from all over the world during his era, that is the reason Shias are also famously referred to as "Jafaris", as it was never before and never after the 6th imam when religious and scientific propagation was at this epic level. Now, when I researched more on the internet, many sites listed a few students of Imam Jafar, like Jabir ibn Hayyan (known in the West as Geber), Khwazrimi (father of Algebra, imagine the level of knowledge of imam Jafar Sadiq, when even his student is the father of a science) stating that their master was imam Jafar Sadiq, who had the knowledge of unlimited sciences, it is mind boggling.. Unfortunately, the Wikipedia page for "House of Wisdom" has absolutely no mention of our 6th Imam Jafar Sadiq (عليه السلام)., I'll appreciate if anyone can point me to any sources (reliabile blogs, sites, pdf, ebooks, or book purchase links) related to this topic. Thank you.

What are the guidance functions as described in the religion? The two sources of religion include: the verses of quran and hadith of the prophet (and hadith of imams). A summary has been presented in the following based on the above two sources to understand the guidance functions before we can reach to the concept of guidance during the period of our time by Imam Mahdi (عليه السلام): 1. Guidance by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) & the Prophet: And We did not send any messenger but with the language of his people, so that he might explain to them clearly; then Allah makes whom He pleases err and He guides whom He pleases and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (14:4) And say: The truth is from your Lord, so let him who please believe, and let him who please disbelieve; surely We have prepared for the iniquitous a fire, the curtains of which shall encompass them about; and if they cry for water, they shall be given water like molten brass which will scald their faces; evil the drink and ill the resting-place. (18:29) Say: Allah guides to the truth. Is He then Who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed, or he who himself does not go aright unless he is guided? ….? (10:35) Say: O people! indeed there has come to you the truth from your Lord, therefore whoever goes aright, he goes aright only for the good of his own soul, and whoever goes astray, he goes astray only to the detriment of it, and I am not a custodian over you. (10:135) This is more proper in order that they should give testimony truly or fear that other oaths be given after their oaths; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, and hear; and Allah does not guide the transgressing people. (5:108) The above guidance by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is presented from the verses of Quran and this guidance function has never been ceased. 2. Quran as Guide Sura Luqman, verse 3 answers this question by saying that the Qur’an is: “A guidance and a mercy unto the righteous ones.” Allah says in the Qur’an in Sura Bani-Israel, verse 9: “Indeed this Qur’an guides to the path which is clearer and straighter than any other. “This is the Book. In it is guidance surely without any doubt, to those who fear God, who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what we have provided for them.” (Sura Baqarah, verse 2 and 3) Also the Qur’an states in Sura Luqman, verse 2-4: “These are the verses of the wise Book. A guide and a mercy to those who do good, those who establish regular prayers, and give regular charity, and have in their hearts the assurance of the hereafter.” 3. Imams as Guide Allah has stated in very clear words in Surah Sajdah [32:23] And certainly We gave the Book to Musa, so be not in doubt concerning the receiving of it, and We made it a guide for the children of Israel. [32:24] And We made of them Imams to guide by Our command when they were patient, and they were certain of Our communications. Musa (عليه السلام) left the following tools of guidance for his people: o The Book of God o Imams who were: o Appointed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) o Providing guidance via the edicts of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) o Patient o Definite about the Word of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) The Qur’an by itself cannot teach and guide its readers because there is every possibility of misunderstanding and misinterpretations, and so, it is necessary that the teachings of Qur’an be directly taken from the Prophet and his Ahlul Bait (progeny). The Holy Prophet himself declared: “I leave among you two weighty things, the Book of Allah (the Qur’an) and my Itrat (progeny); if you hold fast to them you will never go astray; and these two shall never separate from each other till they meet at the heavenly fountain of Kauser.” (Hadith al-Thaqalyn) From the purified progeny of the prophet we have 12 imams the hadith mention their count and name. The first imam is Ali (عليه السلام). and 12th is Imam Mahdi (عليه السلام). The following verses are also added as evidence of 12 leaders as guides after the prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): وَمِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰٓ أُمَّةٌۭ يَهْدُونَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَبِهِۦ يَعْدِلُونَ Among the people of Moses is a Nation who guide [the people] by the truth and do justice thereby. (7:159) وَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ أَئِمَّةًۭ يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ لَنَا عَٰبِدِينَ And We made them Imams who guided (people) by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing of good and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of the alms, and Us (alone) did they serve; (21:73) Similarly for our nation it is mentioned in quran that: وَمِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَآ أُمَّةٌۭ يَهْدُونَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَبِهِۦ يَعْدِلُونَ Among those We have created are a Nation who guide by the truth and do justice thereby. (7:181) Thus the presence of guided imams in our nation chosen by Allah has been confirmed. The details can be seen at the following link: https://www.shiachat.com/forum/topic/235032391-12-leaders-imams-as-guide-after-the-prophet/ There are many hadith for the count and names of the 12 imams like: This Ummat will not end and the Day of Judgment will not come, till the coming of 12 Khalifas, they will be guided, on the Deen of Truth. Fathul Bari Volume 13 page 79 Allamah Badradaen Aini in Ummdthul Qari Sharah Sahih Bukhari narrates: ‘This Ummah will not end until the passing of the twelve, they will all be true guides from the Ahlulbayt.’ Ummdthul Qari Volume 2 page 282 and Volume 9 page 8 We read in Ya Nabi al-Muwaddat: The Prophet of Allah said that I am the Chief of Prophets, Ali is the Chief of Wasi, after me there will be 12 Wasi, 1st of them is Ali (عليه السلام), last of them is Mahdi. Faslul khitab page 423, Ya Nabi al Muwaddat page 105 (Beirut) 4. The prophet Muhamamd has been instructed to follow the religion of Ibrahim thus confirming there is no discontinuation in the guidance function since Ibrahim (عليه السلام). to our prophet, even the part of duration by Esa (عليه السلام) is also considered as part of guidance by the verse of quran. 0. قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِين Say, "Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path - a correct religion - the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with Allah ." (6:161) Quran does not consider the duration of Hz Esa .(عليه السلام) as discontinuation in guidance function to the people when he has been taken to skies by almighty Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) as there is no verse mentioning any discontinuity in guidance function to the people. 5 Verses about Esa (عليه السلام) وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the messenger of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so (like Isa) and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure. (4:157) بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا Nay! Allah took him up to Himself; and Allah is Mighty, Wise. (4:158) وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا And there is not one of the followers of the Book but most certainly believes in this before his death, and on the day of resurrection he (Isa) shall be a witness against them. (4:159) Esa (عليه السلام) will be witness against the people of book thus it confirms that his guidance function was not ceased other wise he could never be a witness over them. 6. Verse about Religion for prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) Similarly guidance function did not discontinue after the prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and it is continued till present time in the time of 12th imam. فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ شَهِيدًا How will it be, then, when We bring from every people a witness and bring you as a witness against these? (4:41) وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ أُولَٰئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا And those who believe in Allah and His messengers and do not make a distinction between any of them-- Allah will grant them their rewards; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (4:152) يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent save to perfect His light, though the unbelievers are averse. (9:32) هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ He it is Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse. (9:33) Thus it confirm the manner that the religion guidance is continued from the prophet Ibrahim to Prophet Esa .as and in similar manner it continued from Esa .as to the life of our prophet s,.a.w. The above verses confirm the evidence for the guidance without any discontinuation in religion from the life of the prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to the time of 12th imam Al Mahdi (عليه السلام). Conclusion: أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ What! is he whose heart Allah has opened for Islam so that he is in a light from his Lord (like the hard-hearted)? Nay, woe to those whose hearts are hard against the remembrance of Allah; those are in clear error. (39:22) اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ Allah has revealed the best announcement, a book conformable in its various parts, repeating, whereat do shudder the skins of those who fear their Lord, then their skins and their hearts become pliant to the remembrance of Allah; this is Allah's guidance, He guides with it whom He pleases; and (as for) him whom Allah makes err, there is no guide for him. (39:23) Thus confirming there is the same guidance function in continuation in religion and it rejects the conjectures presented by some members at SC regarding occultation and guidance by Imam Al Mahdi (عليه السلام). ..................(Continued)

Name - Muhammad Title - Al-Baqir Kunyat - Abu Jafar Born - Tuesday 1st of Rajab 57 A.H. , at Medina Father's Name - Ali ibn Husain Mother's Name - Fatima binte Hassan Died - At the age of 59 years, at Medina, on Monday, 7th Zilhajj 116 AH. Poisoned by Hisham bin Abdul Malik Buried - Jannat-ul-Baqi .

Salam, So I happened to watch the ‘long awaited, brand spanking new’ talent show ‘The Shia voice’ on Imam Hussein TV3 last night and here are some thoughts on it; Production/direction wise, It seems like a template from the talent shows in Western media including but not limited to the camera shots and how it’s directed. For instance, The judges and contestants being followed by the camera from the car to the venue. Also, the two presenters/hosts and their roles before and after the contestant goes on stage. The absolute copy/paste of the roles from something like ‘Britain’s got talent’ is somewhat cringe-worthy. I suppose it’s being copied because it worked in Western media which is not a bad thing per se', but a little creativity would have been nice. What I absolutely felt uncomfortable with was the same concept of humour and subliminal mockery of the contestants who may not be performing to the level of others was shown; just as it would be in Western shows. And this is where the ‘entertainment value’ apparently is. When one contestant, who wasn’t performing to the level of others, was clearly struggling in his Noha recitation, the camera shots and actions of some judges were more than awkward to watch. The reason being, is that these contestants aren’t singing or clowning around; it’s what their performing (Noha etc) that is a very sensitive matter and should not be mocked, even subliminally or made/produced/directed for ‘entertainment value’. Despite my criticisms, I found that overall, the show was good, it appealed to its target audience and the youth are much better off watching an imperfect Shia talent show with lots of Quran, Noha and Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام), than watching Western talent shows. It’s a huge production endeavour and they seem to have pulled it off. There were some fantastic and talented contestants with admirable skills, and these shows can encourage more of the youth to engage within their communities and bring out their own talents for the service of Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام). All in all, I give ‘The Shia voice’ a thumbs up. Simply because I believe that anything with the mention of Allah Ta’ala and Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام) is Baraka.

this got first published on 2013!! (we are now 8+ years further) During the US occupation of Iraq, it was routine to torture Iraqis in prisons like Abu Ghraib whose prison guards were using tactics learned in Israeli training camps as Robert Fisk pointed out in ‘Abu Ghraib torture trail leads to Israel’; one of the most baffling questions asked during interrogation was “Where is the man called Imam Mahdi where is he hiding?” According to Mohabat News a pro –Israel Iranian Christian news agency, the fear of the hidden Imam is so credible that they posted news of how the CIA and MI6 have been going to Iraq for the past 20 years to get information about imam Mahdi; how they tortured religious scholars and innocent villagers to ask question-based on where the Imam was last seen? Which city? What time and when will he be coming again and in which year? American corporate media has already shown sinister documentaries depicting the hidden messiah who is apparently advising Iranian politicians from his lofty hidden position and maneuvering to bring about Armageddon. So who is this Imam Mahdi that the Zionists controlling the American Congress and the international monetary system on the lookout for with orders to shoot him on sight. Imam Mahdi is the 12th Shia Imam and according to Islamic hadiths is in ‘occultation’ or hidden and will return to earth to establish peace and justice on earth. He was born on July 29 869 in the city of Samarra, Iraq and his mother Nargis was of Roman descent. He was kept hidden from birth till he disappeared because the rulers of the time the Abbasids knew the Prophesy of Imam Mahdi who will bring about a revolt against oppression and tyranny. The Abbasid’s knew that the prophesized one will be the son of the 11th Shia imam, Imam Al-Askari. In order to kill the child at birth, they kept a close eye on his household, even inspecting the women of the household to see who was with child. https://www.veteranstodayarchives.com/2013/08/11/why-is-israel-looking-for-imam-mahdi/ ----------------------------------- The bombing of the shrine of Imam Hassan al- Askari The Mosque after the first bombing, 2006. On February 22, 2006, at 6:44 a.m. (0344 UTC), explosions occurred at al-Askari Mosque, effectively destroying its golden dome and severely damaging the mosque. Several men wearing military uniforms, had earlier entered the mosque, tied up the guards there and set explosives, resulting in the blast. Two bombs were set off by five to seven men dressed as personnel of the Iraqi who entered the shrine during the morning. Following the blast, American and Iraqi forces surrounded the shrine and began searching houses in the area. Five police officers responsible for protecting the mosque were taken into custody. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_al-Askari_mosque_bombing#:~:text=On February 22%2C 2006%2C at 6%3A44 a.m. (,explosives%2C resulting in the blast. --------------------------------------- i know too that at those times the American government was even trying to find some DNA from the father of our imam (Hassan al askari as) to easilly track him to kill him they tried soo much including digging into the grave. there are numerous narrations and hadith stating that our imam is in constant fear and it looks like the beginning of 2000 is just the beginning. All these articles are complete shocking to read (there are even more of them) . i thought its important to bring them back up to let people realize our imam is living a hard time.. there is a naration from jaffar al sadiq himself stating that if he lived on the time of imam al Mahdi he would have protected him his whole life.. How about us? if these kuffar were searching for him even before the 2000 and they worked really hard to find him, do we think they just gave up? do we think they arent going to use the newest technology to find him? day by day they are busy trying as much as possible to find him to stop him. lets we all discuss this, may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) make us amongst the 313

My eyes tear up at this kalaam... O Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى)... Please reveal Imam Mahdi (عليه السلام) soon and make us amongst his supporters...

We all know that our imam got into occultation and hidden From the human eye aswell From the djins. Some say he walks between us just like a normal human being but he isnt getting recognized that he is the imam. While there are some beliefs that he can also be invisible and as a argument being used that he is not only hidden from human eye but also from the eyes of the djins, so is he in a different dimension or not? ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Dr. Jalali: A small number of Muslims believe that the Imam of the Age is the son of Imam Hasan 'Askari who was born in the year 256 AH/843 CE. However, they say that he has ascended from this world to the unseen world known as Hurqalya1. When humankind reaches maturity and abandons the strife-ridden life of this world, preparing itself to meet and behold the Imam of the Age, it will be able to see him One of the leading authorities has written thus in his book: This [unseen] world had gravitated until it merged with the earth. In the time of Adam he was told: 'Ascend!' And, until now he is ascending. He has not set himself free from the worldly attachments and the filth that sticks with them. He has not reached the clean atmosphere yet. Thus, here it is all darkness. In darkness a human being is searching for a religion and is performing deeds. He has a set of beliefs. When he frees himself from the dust of the traditions and enters the clean space, he will see the brilliant face of the friend of God [= wali = the twelfth Imam] and benefit from his presence without any obstruction, in public. At that time ordinances of religion will become something else, and religion will attain its original form and everything will be different. The word refers to the mythological universe known to the mystics as very difficult world requiring the strength or courage of Hercules to encounter or accomplish. Tr - The Promised Mahdi is among my descendants. His name and patronymic will be the same as mine. In creation and conduct he will be the closest to me. He will live a life of occultation during which people will become confused and lost. At that time, like a brilliant star he will appear and fill the earth with justice and equity, as it is filled with injustice and tyranny4. Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, Volume 51, p. 72.- what do you think? Lets we all discuss this topic and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) bless all of us.

Salaam All. I recently read a narration online (seriously wish I had bookmarked it) regarding an incident regarding either Imam Zain-ul-Abideen's (عليه السلام) son or Imam Baqir's (عليه السلام) son where they had given money to a man to invest/do business but he had a slightly negative reputation. The man disappeared and the Imam's son was clinging to the cloak of the Kaabah imploring and pleading with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) for the safe return of the money. I'm totally paraphrasing here but the Imam said something to the effect of you cannot expect Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) to undo your own foolishness. If someone can point me to the source of this incident/narration I would be much obliged.

So I want to start reading the Qur'an and Hadith's are there translations (English) written by Shi'a scholars that someone could recommend? And are there books about the Imams also written by a Shi'a in English? I really don't want website links I would rather have a physical book I can take with me places. Books on Shi'a theology would be nice too.

According to our books, what qualifies a person as being a Shia of Imam Mahdi (عجّل الله تعالى فرجه الشريف)? I prefer not to be given a hadith because I am not a scholar who can analyse things or understand what is missing or meant. I prefer something which is written by our scholars who have gathered all the information from analysing different hadiths and written what they know in a published work.

Salam, I am wondering, does anyone know any good Shia books that are related specifically/mainly to perfecting your character? Thank you in advance.

Assalam o alikum everyone. Hope everyone is fine here. In 2019, there was a post here about getting free books from Imam Reza (عليه السلام) 's shrine. Is that service still available?

There is this saying of one of the Infallibles (عليه السلام) that goes along the lines of A problem that makes you lose to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is a trial. A problem that pulls you away from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is a curse (Azaab). What is the exact saying? Any sources and exact attributions? I've been looking around for this and haven't been able to find much and would be very grateful for any help. JazakAllah