Introduction To This Station

Ahadih and points that will be mentioned in this station is something that is not at the disposal of the public so easily. There is not heaps of literature available about these. Imam Ali (‘a) said:

Gives example of knowledge, is like tying a bird (it can’t fly), once you write it down the bird cannot fly away After passing the previous stations, there is one situation if you have ever experienced will allow you to value this particular station. The meaning of this station is:

Have you ever experienced mountain climbing?

When you do this, whether amateur or professional – safety comes first. Because, otherwise, it will cost your life. What they do is they put a rope around the belt, and also they make some handles so that you can hold onto them. You need to be well equipped for mountain climbing

In your life you are climbing a mountain, now that you have started the journey Shaytan does not want you to continue in this elevation. You also need to carry rope of safety, hanging on and holding fast to something – this is the meaning of the term I’tisam. This is derived from the word in Arabic called ‘isma,

The bracelet that some people mean is a protection, wearing something for protection without paying attention and being conscious or that we are conscious of it. We must believe that we have a handle of hope ‘i’tisam whenever we are in a sinful situation. We have the intellect and the freewill to stop a sinful act.

Don’t expect a guardian to help you all the time. You need to seek refuge from Allah (SWT). If you are conscious of this fact regardless of the situation you are in, regardless of how many shayateen are surrounding you that you are conscious of saying :

A’othou billahi mina shaytan al-rajeem, billahi a’taseem

I seek refuge from the cursed shaytan, and hold fast to Allah (SWT)

Ali Imran, it’s a command that Allah (SWT) is making for us

And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, and do not separate. And remember Allah's favour unto you: How ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace; and (how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it.

“Thus Allah maketh clear His revelations unto you, that haply ye may be guided.” (3:103)

------------------------Aga Pooya commentary----------------------

"Hold fast, all of you together, to the cord of Allah"-gives a mental impression that a rope is hanging from the heaven so that those who are lying down on the ground (earth) may climb up, by holding it, in the presence of the Lord to seek His nearness.

Abu Sa-id Khudri reports that he heard the Holy Prophet saying:

“I leave behind me, among you, two ropes. If my people hold fast to these two ropes, after me, they shall not go astray. They are the book of Allah, hung from the heaven unto the earth, and my Ahl ul Bayt. One of them is greater than the other. Be it known that these two shall never be separated from each other; and joined together, they shall meet me at the spring of Kawthar.”

The Holy Prophet has also said:

“My Ahl ul Bayt, among you, are like the ark of Nuh. He who sails on it will be safe, but he who holds back shall perish.” The Holy Prophet has said:

“Verily the Quran has been revealed in seven letters. There is no letter which has not an evident and a latent meaning; and verily Ali knows the evident as well as the latent.” (Itiqan-Sahih Bukhari)

Also refer to urwatil wuthqa in al Baqarah: 256.

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You are climbing the mountain and about to drop dead, a divine rope is given to you all you have to do is hold fast. All you have to do is hold fast and they will get you up.

As we elevate Allah (SWT) tells us that:

7.2 Two Attitudes When In A Provocative Situation

When we are in a sinful situation, in our daily transactions.

We can have two attitudes:

7.2.1 Rely On The Self

Son of Prophet Noah (‘a), it is a negative example when there was a flood. Noah (‘a) invite his son into the ship otherwise you will drown. He said don’t worry dad I can take care of myself. If the person is conscious of what he is saying is a Mushrik as Urafa say. The moment that we say that we trust ourselves we have committed shirk. Some people think that their wealth or friends or pride can safeguard them. When you want to climb the mountain you need to analyze the rope you have with you. How long do you want to live in this world. You need to make sure that the rope is reliable. In the mountain climbing of life if we drop dead then we will have eternal hellfire. Noah’s (‘a) son relied on the mountain to save him, the water wont touch me there.

If we rely on anything other than Allah (SWT) including ourselves is not reliable at all. In a hadith Allah (SWT) whispers to David (‘a), “Oh Dawood, if any of my creatures sincerely holds fast to me, even if all the inhabitants of the heavens and earth plot.” against him to destroy him I will find a way to get him out of the situation. Once I know that you want to hold fast to another rope that is other than me, I make sure that I cut it. I don’t care where you are going to drop. (Allah (SWT) wants to introduce himself to us)

7.2.2 Attitude Of A Ma’soom

The attitude of a ma’soom like Prophet Yusuf (‘a). He says I seek refuge with Allah (SWT). After what happened to Prophet Yusuf (‘a) the women (Queen of the time) tried to seduce the Prophet (S). After the failed attempt she invited a lot of women in a gathering a had Prophet Yusuf (‘a) attend that gathering to try to win him over. The moment they saw him they got excited. Then she said:

“I seduced him (and tried to attract him) but yet, he asked God to rescue him.” Then she said: “Still I haven’t given up, if he is not going to respond to what I am doing I am going to put him in prison.”

One woman said, she has promised that she is going to jail you, another said look it is going to cost you your life, another said don’t you have any desires. This is the example of the Shayateen coming back and trying to harm us in greater number. He said:

“Oh God, prison is more sweeter to me than what they are. If you do not safeguard me from their plots. God there is a limit to my patience. If you don’t help me I will be deceived by them.”

He sincerely invoked Allah (SWT), and Allah (SWT) responded by helping him. A good supplication to make in this situation is:

A’othou billahi mina shaytan al-rajeem, billahi a’taseem

“I seek refuge from the cursed shaytan, and hold fast to Allah (SWT).”

Imam Al-Sadiq (‘a):

“Whoever believer (male or female) approaches what Allah (SWT) likes, Allah (SWT) approaches towards all of what you like. Whoever is hanging on to Allah (SWT), Allah (SWT) will safeguard you. If you have sincerely asked Allah (SWT) for help, let the heavens fall down – it will not affect you.”

Imam Al-Sadiq (‘a):

“If you want to be victorious then hold onto the rope of Allah (SWT).”

One of the examples with the rope of Allah (SWT) is the Quran, another example is being a good muslim. Also meaning holding fasting to Ahlul-Bayt. Hadith Qudsi states that:

“On the Day of Judgement Allah (SWT) addresses Fatimah, you will go forward so remember that whoever held fast to you in this world. On that Day everyone would wish to be follower of Fatimah (‘a).”

Hold fast to Allah (SWT), He himself is around for you and not his rope. Prophet Yusuf (‘a) asked for help from Allah (SWT) himself.

Prophet (S):

“Yes you have all your resources, but we have Allah (SWT) – the best of resources. Such a good helper we have.”

7.3 Ways Of Seeking Help With Allah (Swt)

7.3.1 Decide Not To Want Anything, Be Content In Whatever Allah Swt Provides

You need to exercise this – decide not to want anything, whatever Allah (SWT) wants. I am at the disposal at the will of Allah (SWT). Then in situation of sin Allah (SWT) will help you.

A young fellow fell in love with a girl and they wrote to each other, and he proposed to her again and again but she refused. She however found a way out by saying do you really love me? He said of course I do – so she said if you really love me then leave me alone. If you choose not to leave me alone then you would show that you are loving yourself. He then left what he willed and succumbed to her will.

7.3.2 Cut Your Attachment To This Dunya

Do you know what happens when the temptations are there – cut your attachment to this dunya and the akhira. So that when they tell you that islamically you should stop doing this and that you have no problem with it.

7.3.3 Keep In Touch And In-Tune With Allah (Swt)

Keep in touch and stay tuned with Allah (SWT). So that your engagement is more in line with what Allah (SWT) wants you to do.

7.4 Final Words

This mountain of life that we are climbing cannot be made by oneself.

Imam Al-Sadiq (‘a):

“Iman has its degrees, if you are on the second or third degree do not look down upon people.”

Each on their own time, we were all on a worse level before. The methodology of tabligh is very sensitive.

Imam Al-Sadiq (‘a)

“Do not push people, otherwise they might reach higher stage than you and what then if you castigate down upon you.”