Ali Rizvi

Twisted Humor : Why, Angelina Jolie?

2009-10-26T20:26:07Z

Bush & Obama were sitting in a bar.

A Guy approaches and inquires: “What are you guys up to?”

Bush: “We are planning for World War III."

Guy: “Really, what's going to happen?"

Bush: “Well, this time we are going to kill 140 Million Muslims and Angelina Jolie..!"

Guy: "Angelina jolie? Why, Angelina Jolie?"

Bush Turns To Obama and says: “See! I told you, no one would worry about 140 Million Muslims!!!!! !!!!”

This World Is A Deep Ocean

2009-07-15T15:28:26Z

“This world is a deep ocean in which many knowledgeable people have drowned. In this ocean, piety (Taqwa) should be your ship; Your cargo should be Iman (true faith); Your sail on this ship should be Tawakkul (complete reliance on Allah); The captain should be reason (Aql); Your guide should be Knoweldge (Ilm); Your anchor should be patience (Sabr).”

Imam Musa al Kadhim (AS)

Enemies and Friends of Shaytan

2009-06-24T17:33:37Z

There are 15 enemies and 11 friends of Shaytan. Here is the list.

ENEMIES OF SHAITAN (THE CURSED ONE)

1. O Prophet of Allah, my first enemy is you and your Ahlul-Bait (progeny) because if it wasn't for you and your AhlulBait, my mission would be quite successful. There would have been not even a single believer (follower of right path shown by Allah). You bought the religion of Allah (al-Islam) to this world, You made people believers of Allah's communication.
2. O Prophet of Allah my second enemy is that just ruler who rules a nation with complete justice.
3. O Prophet of Allah, my third enemy is that rich person who does not have any ego or feel superior to other poor people around him.
4. O Prophet of Allah, my fourth enemy is that business man who perform his business with justice.
5. O Prophet of Allah my fifth enemy is that Aalim (scholar) who fears Allah and practice what he preaches.
6. O Prophet of Allah, my sixth enemy is that specific Mo'min (believer) who work on showing other the path of truth. Who offer other the knowledge of Wajibats (obligatory) and Haram (forbidden) duties of Allah. This person is undoing all my hard work.
7. O Prophet of Allah, my seventh enemy is that person who does not listen to what is forbidden, does not see what is forbidden, and does not eat what is forbidden.
Comment by Maulana Sadiq Hasan Qibla: This person does not look any Na-Mehram women/men (a women with whom a man can marry or a man with whom a woman can marry), does not watches movies or shows. This person prevent himself or herself from listening to Music, Songs, lies, or Geebath (Backbiting). This person does not eat forbidden food (meat which is not cut according to the Islamic ways such as meat cut by non Muslim business men, etc.) and that food which is not purchased with the halal (allowed) earnings (such as earnings from selling alcohol, from gambling, from selling drugs and from many other sources which are forbidden in Islam.)
8. O Prophet of Allah, my eighth enemy is that believer who keeps himself clean all the time. A person who stays in Wuzu and who wears clean clothes.
9. O Prophet of Allah, my ninth enemy is that person who has a big heart. Who spents his/her money for the sake of Allah.
Comment by Maulana Sadiq Hasan: Once Prophet of Allah asked his companion did you know that one Dinar can be more than One Lakh (hundred thousand) Dinar? Prophet's companions replied no O Prophet of Allah. Then, (our beloved) Prophet of Allah said, "If a person who owns for instance ten lakhs and gives one lakh in charity is less than that poor man who owns two dinnar and gives one dinnar in charity."
10. O Prophet of Allah, my tenth enemy is that person who gives Sadqa (charity) only for the name of Allah.
11. o Prophet of Allah, my eleventh enemy is that person who reads, memorizes, and act according to Quran.
12. O Prophet of Allah, my twelfth enemy is that person who recites "Namaz-e-Shab" (prayers recited after the midnight and before namaz Fajr). I am always afraid of this person.
13. O Prophet of Allah, my thirteenth enemy is that person who offers his wajib (obligatory) Khums, wajib Zakat, and other wajib sadaqas.
14. O Prophet of Allah, my fourteenth enemy is that woman who observes Hijaab (Veil) and safeguards her Hijaab.
15. O Prophet of Allah, my fifteenth enemy is that who performs his "Ibadat" (such as prayers) without having thoughts except for the thoughts of Allah.

After hearing the list of fifteen enemies of Shaitan, our beloved Prophet of Allah (may the peace of Allah be upon him and his progeny) asked Shaitan to name his eleven friends. Upon which, the cursed Shaitan named the following eleven people:

THE FRIENDS OF SHAITAN (THE CURSED ONE)

1. The first friend of mine is that leader who is a oppressor (Zalim).
2. My second friend is that business man who does his/ her business by deceiving his / her customers.
3. My third friend is that "Mo'min" (believer) who drinks alcohol.
4. My fourth friend is that rich person who is proud of his wealth and who angrily refuses to give money in charity to poor and needy.
5. My fifth friend is that person who does backbiting (Geebat), who talks to people in such a way that enemity increases between people and who reveals the defects of people.
6. My sixth friend is that person who kill other human being for any reason other than for Allah.
7. My seventh friend is that person who snatches away the belongings (such as wealth) of an orphan.
8. My eighth friend is that person whose livelihood is based on collecting interest.
9. My ninth friend is that person who gives more important to his worldly life rather than giving important to his life after death. This friend of mine prefers to performs those deeds which he know, will bring benefits in this world but in hereafter such deeds will bring loss.
10. My tenth friend is that person who keep long hopes and delays in asking for forgiveness from Allah.
(Here Maulana gave the example of that person who delays in asking forgiveness from Allah. For instance he said, "people refuse to ask forgiveness from Allah because they say we are young and angel of death is not running after us yet. Therefore these people, who delay in asking for repentance, say we are not going to quit listening to music, we are not going to observe Hijab, or we are not going to keep the beard. These people say that they will do all this after ten or more years. These are the tenth friends of Shaitan, because they keep long hopes and delay in asking for forgiveness from Allah.")
11. My eleventh friend is that person who helps women to increase their interest in performing "Jaadu" (magic) on people.

Empire - Obama and Afghanistan - 29 Apr 09

2009-05-10T20:46:24Z

Bravo CBS 60 Minutes : Is Peace Out of Reach

2009-01-31T16:33:10Z

Watch CBS Videos Online

Dr. Norman Finkelstein talking about Gaza (Palestine) Massacre

2009-01-30T18:41:22Z

Occupation 101

2009-01-23T05:34:50Z

Larry King's Interview of Iranian President

2008-09-30T15:35:20Z

This is a play list so videos will play one after another, sit back and enjoy.

The Four Questions

2008-09-30T14:57:11Z

Imam Ali (A.S.) was always available when the three khalifa sought his advice on religious matters. His position as the jurist was on the top of the list among the companions of the Holy Prophet (saw). Umar Ibne Khattab the 2nd Caliph had given clear instructions that when Ali was present in the mosque of the Prophet no one should take precedence over him in answering questions on religious matters. In one such encounter during the time of the 2nd Caliph, a group of Jewish scholars approached the caliph and said, 'We have a few questions. If we get the answers to these questions correctly, we will accept the Islamic faith.

'Ask whatever you want to ask,' said the caliph.

They asked the following questions:

1. What are the locks and keys of heaven?
2. Who was the messenger who was neither of the human nor of the Jinn and who warned his people?
3. Which are the 5 beings who were created without ! the aid of ovaries?
4. What are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve?

The caliph thought over these questions for a time, then said, 'I do not know the answers to these questions. I will take you to a man who is most knowledgeable in the commandments of Allah and the Holy Prophet and the greatest among us.

The caliph then brought the Jewish scholars to Ali (a.s.). They asked the same questions to him. Ali (a.s.) answered thus:

1. The locks of the heavens are beliefs in more than one god, and its keys are the letters of 'La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammad- Ur - Rasulallah. '

2. The messenger who warned his people is the ant who, when Solomon's army was passing by, said to his people, ' Enter your houses so that the army may not stamp you out (without intention)'. So Allah states in the Holy Qur'an, ' Until they came to the valley of the Ants, said an ant (addressing the other ants of the valley) O' you ants' enter into! your dwellings, so that Solomon and his hosts may not crush you while they know it not'. (Sura An-Naml. V 18)

3. The five beings who were not born of ovaries are: Adam, Eve, the staff of Moses which used to change into a python, the camel of Saleh, and the sheep of Ibrahim (which was sent by Allah to become a ransom of the life of Ibrahim's son Ismael).

4. One is Allah who has no partners, Two are Adam and Eve, Three are the substances ( i.e. non-living matter, plants and animals), Four are the Heavenly books: Torah of Moses, Bible of Jesus, Zubur of Dawood and the Qur'an of Hadhrat Muhammad (saw).

Five are the daily prayers.

Six are the days of creation of the heavens and earth, as per the verse of the Qur'an: ' And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and what is between them two, in six periods and touched us not any fatigue.' (Sura Qaf V. 38).

Seven are the seven heavens, in the light of the Qur'anic Verse: ' And we have erected above you the seven strong ones.' (Sura An-Naba V12)

Eight are those angels who bear the heavens, as per the Qur'anic Verse: ' And the angels shall be on the side of it; and above them shall bear that day `Arsh' (the throne of authority). of your Lord, eight of them (Sura Al-Haaqqah. V.17)

Nine are the nine signs given to Moses as stated by God: 'And indeed we gave Moses nine clear signs (miracles); so ask the children of Israel when he came to them, Pharaoh said to him; 'Verily I deem you O' Moses one bewitched. '(Sura Bani Israel , V 101).

Ten are the ten days, i.e. God had promised Moses that he would stay on the mountain of Toor for thirty days, and later added ten more days to this duration, as it is stated in the Qur'an.' And we made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and completed it with ten more;' Thus was completed the term of his Lord, forty nights, and (before he went up) Moses said to his brother Aaron: You take my place among my people, act rightly and follow not the path of the mischief-makers. ' (Sura Al-A'araf. V.142).

Eleven are the brothers of Joseph, son of Jacob, as the Qur'an states, 'When said Joseph to his father, O' my father; Verily I did see (dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon,, I saw them all prostrating to me.' (Sura Yousuf. V.4).

Twelve are the Twelve water-springs manifested by the staff of Moses, as God states, ' And (remember) when Moses sought water for his people; said We, `Strike the rock with your staff' Then gushed out therefrom twelve springs; each people knew their drinking place; 'Eat and drink God's provision, and commit not evil in the earth acting mischievously. '(Sura Al Baqarah V60).

When the Jewish scholars heard the replies of Hadhrat Ali (a.s.) they said, 'We bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (saw) is His Messenger and Ali (a.s.) is the 'Wasi' and successor of the Messenger of Allah as Aaron was the Wasi of Moses. They all embraced Islam, went back to their tribe and converted all of them to Islam.

The Killing Zone - Documentary about Israeli Crimes

2008-09-25T22:47:30Z

Also can be seen here:
Dispatches: The Killing Zone

Rise up for Allah's Sake In twos or singly

2008-09-15T15:24:28Z

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَعِظُكُم بِوَاحِدَةٍ أَن تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ مَثْنَى وَفُرَادَى ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُوا مَا بِصَاحِبِكُم مِّن جِنَّةٍ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ لَّكُم بَيْنَ يَدَيْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ {46}

[Shakir 34:46] Say: I exhort you only to one thing, that rise up for Allah's sake in twos and singly, then ponder: there is no madness in your fellow-citizen; he is only a warner to you before a severe chastisement.
[Yusufali 34:46] Say: "I do admonish you on one point: that ye do stand up before Allah,- (It may be) in pairs, or (it may be) singly,- and reflect (within yourselves): your Companion is not possessed: he is no less than a warner to you, in face of a terrible Penalty."
[Pickthal 34:46] Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I exhort you unto one thing only: that ye awake, for Allah's sake, by twos and singly, and then reflect: There is no madness in your comrade. He is naught else than a warner unto you in face of a terrific doom.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 34:46]

It is an exhortation which only an intelligent person would grasp. The Holy Prophet is commanded by Allah to invite the people to independent thinking about Allah, and his prophethood. The suggestion is to use individual reflection over the matter, because crowd mentality would not serve the purpose of perceiving or realising the finer and higher spiritual truths. Each person should earnestly and sincerely communicate to himself. During times of need, the promise of the Lord to guide the sincere ones is there. (Ankabut: 69; Nahl 43; Anbiya: 7). The essential prerequisite for such realisation is a heartfelt reflection free from any preconceived notion or prejudice.

Surah Saba (Sheba) (34:46) - http://www.al-islam.org/quran/

Malak ul-Maut (Angel of Death)

2008-04-23T13:48:12Z

I got this in the email without reference to the author or source. I think it is worth sharing.

It was early in the morning at four,
When death knocked upon a bedroom door,

Who is there? The sleeping one cried.
I'm Malakul Mawt, let me inside.

At once, the man began to shiver,
As one sweating in deadly fever,

He shouted to his sleeping wife,
Don't let him take away my life.

Please go away, O Angel of Death!
Leave me alone; I'm not ready yet.

The angel knocked again and again,
Friend! I'll take your life without a pain,

This your soul Allah requires,
I come not with my own desire.

Bewildered, the man began to cry,
O Angel I'm so afraid to die,

I'll give you gold and be your slave,
Don't send me to the unlit grave.

I'll point my gun, towards your head,
You dare come in; I'll shoot you dead.

By now the Angel was in the room,
Saying, O Friend! Prepare for you doom.

Why are you afraid! Tell me O man,
To die according to Allah's plan?

O Angel! I bow my head in shame,
I had no time to take Allah's Name.

From morning till dusk, I made my wealth,
Not even caring for my health.

Allah's command I never obeyed,
Nor five times a day I ever prayed.

A Ramadan came and a Ramadan went,
But no time had I to repent.

The Hajj was already FARD on me,
But I would not part with my money.

All charities I did ignore,
Taking usury more and more.

O Angel! I appeal to you,
Spare my life for a year or two.

The Laws of Quran I will obey,
I'll begin SALAT this very day.

My Fast and Hajj, I will complete,
And keep away from self-conceit.

I will refrain from usury,
And give all my wealth to charity,

Death is ordained for everyone,
Father, mother, daughter or son.

I do understand your fears,
But it is now too late for tears.

Your parents, you did not obey,
Hungry beggars, you turned away.

Instead of making more Muslims,
You made your children non-Muslims.

You ignored the Mua'dhin Adhaan,
Nor did you read the Holy Quran.

Breaking promises all your life,
Backbiting friends, and causing strife.

From hoarded goods, great profits you made,
And your poor workers, you underpaid.

Horses and cards were your leisure,
Moneymaking was your pleasure.

You ate vitamins and grew more fat,
With the very sick, you never sat.

A pint of blood you never gave,
Which could a little baby save?

O Human, you have done enough wrong,
You bought good properties for a song.

Paradise for you? I cannot tell,
Undoubtedly you will dwell in hell.

With a cry, he jumped out of bed,
And suddenly, he fell down dead.

O Reader! Take moral from here,
You never know, your end may be near

Change your living and make amends
For heaven, on your deeds depends.

I am a muslim

2008-01-29T06:52:28Z

I am a muslim
Originally uploaded by rizvi.

Here is how the placard reads:

"I am a Muslim"
Kill me & call it
"Collateral Damage"
Imprison me & call it
"Security Measure"
Exile my people en masse & call it
"New Middle East"
Rob my resources, Invade my land,
Alter my leadership & call it
"Democracy"

Selling Islamophobia in America

2008-01-09T21:52:37Z

Who Wrote the Bible?

2007-10-16T06:16:35Z

Self Building - Word from the wise

2007-05-18T16:27:02Z

BUILDING THE SELF

Offer the five daily prayers on time.

Observe fast on Mondays and Thursdays as far as possible.

Reduce the period of SLEEP and busy yourself in the recitation of the Holy Quran more.

Attach importance to your promises and agreements.

Help the needy.

Keep away from places where your character may be suspected.

Avoid pompous and sumptuous gatherings and do not arrange the same.

Put on simple dress.

Do not indulge in talkativeness.

Put in regular physical exercise.

Study more.

Help the people in learning craft.

Learn the Arabic language and be alert in every field.

You should not remember the good that you have done but do not forget your past mistakes.

Consider the poor materialistically but think of the pious and the saintly spiritually.

Keep yourself informed about the Muslims.

Another Spring Blooms

2007-04-25T18:43:27Z

Aaminah arrives
Originally uploaded by rizvi.

As usual I took my time procrastinating on writing this entry but you know what they say, better late ...

Actually I am not that late if you consider Aaminah came earlier than expected. The doctor reassured that there was no sign of a delivery earlier than the estimated April 21,2007 but her birth it self was a sign, a sign of God.

I am happy to log that this spring has brought another very special flower in my garden and life would never be the same. Now that I have two daughters (Alhamdolillah) life would be double the fun.

Aaminah like Maryam is also born in April and both have the same zodiac sign as their mom (not that zodiacs signs really matter that much).

Aaminah was born on April 16, 2007 (28 Rabi al Awwal 1428H) in Seattle, WA. Aaminah Fatimah Syed weighed 8 lbs 14.6 oz and 20.5 inches long at birth. Here is a link where you can find all of Aaminah's photos.This page will be updated every time I add new photos of Aaminah so check often.

Thank God everything went smoothly without any complications. I have to say that Salish Women's Health and Northwest Hospital Child Birth Center staff are one of the best if not the best in Seattle.

PS: I keep saying and writing Maryam when I mean Aaminah, I guess I will get over this habit in due time :-)

saaridunya @ 2007-04-24T18:23:00

2007-04-25T01:23:58Z

Who is Shia ?

…The true follower of Ahlul Bayt (a)

Perhaps... one may think that the Shia of Ahlul Bayt (a) is someone who is born in a shia family, or someone who participates in the azadari of Imam Husain (a)… someone who only claims to love Prophet (s) and His Ahlul Bayt (a)... but has nothing to do with obedience to the teachings of Islam…

الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : شِيعَتِي واللَّهِ ، الحُلَماءُ ، العُلَماءُ بِاللَّهِ ودِينِهِ ، العامِلونَ بطاعَتِهِ وأمرِهِ ، المُهتَدُونَ بِحُبِّهِ ، أنضاءُ عِبادَةٍ ، أحلاسُ زَهادَةٍ ، صُفرُ الوُجوهِ مِن التَّهَجُّد...ِ

Imam Ali (a): My Shias ! By God ! The forbearers, the knowledgeable of God and His religion, actively following Him and His orders, guided by His love, appear weak because of worship, seekers of seclusion for their piousness, of pale complexion because of their night prayers…

... عُمشُ العُيونِ مِن البُكاءِ ، ذُبُلُ الشِّفاهِ مِن الذِّكرِ ، خُمصُ البُطونِ مِنَ الطِّوى ، تُعرَفُ الرَّبّانيَّةُ في وُجُوهِهِم ، والرَّهبانيَّةُ في سَمتِهِم ، مَصابيحُ كُلِّ ظُلمَةٍ...

…their eyes are weak because of weeping, their lips are dry because of remembrance of God, their stomachs are sunken because of eating in moderation, their faces reveal Godliness, and simplicity is apparent from their appearance, they are guiding lights in every darkness…

... إن شَهِدُوا لَم يُعرَفُوا ، وإن غابوا لَم يُفتَقَدُوا ، اُولئكَ شِيعَتِي الأطيَبُونَ وإخواني الأكرَمُونَ ، ألا هاه شَوقاً إلَيهِم

…they are not recognized even when seen, they are not remembered when not present, these are my pure shias and my respected brothers. Ah ! I wish so much to meet them…

[al-Amali, Toosi, p. 1189, hadith # 576]

الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : ما شِيعَتُنا إلّا مَنِ اتَّقى اللَّهَ وأطاعَهُ ، وما كانوا يُعرَفُونَ إلّا بالتَّواضُعِ والتَّخَشُّعِ وأداءِ الأمانَةِ وكَثرَةِ ذِكرِ اللَّهِ

Imam al-Baqir (a): No one is our shia except by the fear of God and His obedience, and they are not recognized except by their humbleness, reverence, trustworthiness, and abundance of remembrance of God.

[Tuhaf al-Uqool, hadith # 295]

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : شِيعَتُنا أهلُ الوَرَعِ والاجتِهادِ ، وأهلُ الوَفاءِ والأمانَةِ ، وأهلُ الزُّهدِ والعِبادَةِ ، أصحابُ إحدى وخَمسينَ رَكعَةً في اليَومِ واللَّيلَةِ...

Imam al-Sadiq (a) : Our shias are those who are pious and men of solid opinion, they are loyal and trustworthy, they are men of piety and worship, they pray fifty one rak’ats prayers during day and night…

، القائمونَ باللَّيلِ ، الصائمونَ بالنَّهارِ ، يُزَكُّونَ أموالَهُم ، ويَحُجُّونَ البَيتَ ، ويَجتَنِبُونَ كُلَّ مُحَرَّمٍ

…they are usually awake in the night, they observe fasts during the day, they purify their property (by paying poor-rate) they perform Hajj of Ka’aba, they abstain from all that which is forbidden.

[al-Bihar, v.68, p. 167, hadith # 23]

الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : لا تَذهَبْ بِكُمُ المَذاهِبُ ، فوَاللَّهِ ما شِيعَتُنا إلّا مَن أطاعَ اللَّهَ عَزَّوجلَّ

Imam al-Baqir (a): You shouldn’t be mislead by different views (in Islam), for by God nobody is our shia except by obedience to God, the powerful and magnificent.

[al-Kafi, v.2, p. 73, hadith # 1]

الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام... : شِيعَةُ عَلِيٍّ مَن صَدَّقَ قَولَهُ فِعلُهُ

Imam al-Kazim (a) : … the Shia of Ali (a) is the one whose action testifies his words.

[al-Kafi, v.8, p. 228, hadith # 290]

الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : شيعَتُنا هُمُ العارِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ ، العامِلُونَ بِأمرِ اللَّهِ ، أهلُ الفَضائلِ ، الناطِقُونَ بالصَّوابِ ، مَأكُولُهُم القُوتُ ، ومَلبَسُهُمُ الاقتِصادُ

Imam Ali (a): Our Shia are those who are gnostics of Allah, they act according to the orders of God, they possess excellences, they speak only truth, their food is limited to gaining strength, their dress is simple….

، ومَشيُهُمُ التَّواضُعُ ... تَحسَبُهُم مَرضى وقد خُولِطُوا وما هُم بذلكَ ، بَل خامَرَهُم مِن عَظَمَةِ رَبِّهم وشِدَّةِ سُلطانِهِ ما طاشَت لَهُ قُلُوبُهُم ، وذَهِلَتْ مِنهُ عُقولُهُم

...their behavior is humble, you think that they have lost their senses, but its not like that, instead, the greatness of their Lord has made them oblivion and His power has overwhelmed their hearts and taken over their intellects…

، فإذا اشتاقُوا مِن ذلكَ بادَرُوا إلى اللَّهِ تعالى بِالأعمالِ الزَّكِيَّةِ ، لا يَرضَونَ لَهُ بالقَليلِ ، ولا يَستَكثِرُونَ لَهُ الجَزِيلَ

…So when they strongly wish of Him, they promptly strive to do pure actions before God, the most High; they are not happy with few good actions, and they never take their abundant good actions to be sufficient.

[al-Bihar, v.78, p. 29, hadith # 96]

الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام - في صِفةِ الشِّيعَةِ - : إنّهُم حُصونٌ حَصينَةٌ ، في صُدورٍ أمينَةٍ ، وأحلامٌ رَزينَةٌ ، لَيسُوا بِالمذايِيعِ البُذُرِ ، ولا بالجُفاةِ المُرائينَ ، رُهبانٌ باللَّيلِ اُسْدٌ بالنَّهارِ

Imam al-Baqir (a): (describing the attributes of Shias): They are like strong fortress, their chests are trustworthy, they are men of prudence and self-control, they are not extravagant, they are neither oppressors nor ostentatious, they are devoted worshippers in night and brave like lion in day.

[Mishkat al-Anwar, p. 62]

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لَيسَ مِن شِيعَتِنا مَن يكونُ في مِصرٍ يكونُ فيهِ آلافٌ ويكونُ في المِصرِ أورَعَ مِنهُ

Imam al-Sadiq (a) : He is not from our shia who lives in a population of several thousand people and someone else is more pious than him among them.

[al-Bihar al-Anwar, vol.2, p. 80, hadith # 76]

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لَيسَ مِن شِيعَتِنا مَن قالَ بِلِسانِهِ وخالَفَنا في أعمالِنا وآثارِنا

Imam al-Sadiq (a): He is not from our Shia who accepts us by only his tongue and is against our actions and our legacy.

[al-Bihar al-Anwar, v.68, p. 164, hadith # 13]

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : اِمتَحِنُوا شِيعَتَنا عِندَ ثَلاثٍ : عِندَ مَواقيتِ الصلَواتِ كيفَ مُحافَظَتُهُم علَيها ، وعِندَ أسرارِهِم كيفَ حِفظُهُم لَها عَن عَدُوِّنا ، وإلى أموالِهِم كيفَ مُواساتُهُم لإِخوانِهم فيها

Imam al-Sadiq (a) : Test our shias on three occasions: At the time of prayers as to how they safeguard their prayers, and when they have a secret as to how they keep them from our enemies and by their properties (and wealth) as to how they spend on their brethren.

[al-Bihar, v.83, p. 22, hadith # 40]

الامام الصّادق عليه السلام : إنّما شِيعَةُ عليٍّ مَن عَفَّ بَطنُهُ وفَرجُهُ ، واشتَدَّ جِهادُهُ ، وعَمِلَ لِخالِقِهِ ، ورَجا ثَوابَهُ ، وخافَ عِقابَهُ ، فإذا رأيتَ اُولئكَ فاُولئكَ شِيعَةُ جعفرٍ

Imam al-Sadiq (a): Verily the shia of Ali is the one who is purified of (influence of) stomach and sexual desires, and intense is his struggle...and his action is for his creator, and his hope is for divine reward and he is afraid of his end so if you see someone like that, then that is the shia of Ja’far (Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq).

[al-Kafi, v.2, p. 233, hadith # 9]

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ليسَ مِن شِيعَتِنا مَن أنكَرَ أربَعةَ أشياءَ : المِعراجَ ، والمُساءَلَةَ فِي القَبرِ ، وخَلقَ الجَنَّةِ والنارِ ، والشَّفاعَةَ

Imam al-Sadiq (a) : He is not from our shias who denies four things: Mairaj (heavenly ascension of Prophet (s)), and questioning in grave, and creation of heaven and hell and shafa’at (intercession).

[al-Bihar al-Anwar, v.69, p. 9, hadith # 11]

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّما شِيعَتُنا يُعرَفُونَ بخِصالٍ شَتّى : بالسَّخاءِ والبَذلِ لِلإخوانِ ، وبأن يُصَلُّوا الخَمسينَ لَيلاً ونهاراً

Imam al-Sadiq (a): Verily our shias are known for their following attributes: By their generosity towards their brethren and by their praying of fifty one rak’ats of prayers during night and day.

[Tuhaf al-Uqool, hadith #303]

الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : ليسَ مِن شيعَتِنا مَن خَلا ثُمّ لَم يَرُعْ قلبُهُ

Imam al-Kazim (a) said : He is not from our shia whose heart is not afraid of God in his loneliness.

[Basaer al-Darajat, p. 247, hadith # 10]

الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : شِيعَتُنا المُتَباذِلُونَ في وَلَايتِنا ، المُتَحابُّونَ في مَوَدَّتِنا المُتَزاوِرُونَ في إحياءِ أمرِنا…

Imam Ali (a) : Our Shias…they spend on each other for the sake of our wilayah, they love each other for the sake of our love, they visit each other for the sake of keeping alive our affair…

…الذينَ إن غَضِبُوا لَم يَظلِمُوا ، وإن رَضُوا لَم يُسرِفُوا ، بَرَكَةٌ على مَن جاوَرُوا ، سِلمٌ لِمَن خالَطُوا

…they never oppress if they become angry with someone and they never become extravagant in their happiness, they are mercy for their neighbors, and a source of peace and security for those who live with them.

[al-Kafi, v.2, p. 236, hadith # 24]

So…it is not easy to claim for a Muslim to be a shia of Ahlul Bayt (a)…

It demands a lot of continuous struggle and hardship in the way of God to become a true follower of Ahlul Bayt (a)...

That is why the Prophet of God (s) has said…

رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وآله :يا عليُّ ، ... هذا حَبيبي جَبرَئيلُ يُخبِرُني عنِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ جلالُهُ أ نّهُ قد أعطى مُحِبَّكَ وشِيعَتَكَ سَبعَ خِصالٍ...

Prophet of God (s): O Ali…my friend here Gabriel has informed me from God, the magnificent that certainly He has blessed your lovers and your shia with seven attributes…

... الرِّفقَ عندَ المَوتِ ، والاُنسَ عندَ الوَحشَةِ ، والنورَ عندَ الظُّلمَةِ ، والأمنَ عندَ الفَزَعِ ، والقِسطَ عندَ المِيزانِ ، والجَوازَ على الصِّراطِ ،

…ease at the time of death… and familiarity in the loneliness…and light in the darkness (of grave)… and peace in the fear (of the day of judgment) …and justice when the deeds will be judged… and crossing of the (bridge) sirat…

ودُخولَ الجَنَّةِ قَبلَ سائرِ الناسِ مِن الاُمَمِ بثَمانينَ عاماً

…And entry in the paradise eighty years before all other human beings.

[al-Bihar al-Anwar, v. 68, p. 4, hadith # 9]

عنه صلى الله عليه وآله : شِيعَةُ عَلِيٍّ هُمُ الفائزُونَ يَومَ القِيامَةِ

The Prophet of God (s): The Shia of Ali, they will be successful on the day of Judgment.

[al-Amali, Toosi, p. 104, hadith # 72]

Antiwar Protest Monday March 19, 2007

2007-03-26T00:43:04Z

IMAGE_123
Originally uploaded by rizvi.

This was the second continuous day of protest against the illegitimate war in Iraq in Seattle, WA.

The previous day media reported more than 3000 people in the anti war rally organized by Seattle ANSWER.

The important thing about this protest was it was arranged on a week day and it was a rainy day (not just Seattle showers but real down pour) yet people showed up in large number and rallied for hours against the unjust war to end and prevent any more occupation and interventions in their name.

FEMA Concentration Camp for Families in Taylor, Texas

2007-01-28T18:16:53Z



"FEMA Concentration Camp for Families in Taylor, Texas" on Google Video
FEMA Concentration Camp for Families in Taylor, Texas- administered by a mix of ICE, Homeland Security and Private security firms.

Planet of the Arabs

2007-01-18T05:35:46Z



"Planet of the Arabs" on Google Video
A trailer-esque montage spectacle of Hollywood's relentless vilification and dehumanization of Arabs and Muslims. Inspired by the book "Reel Bad Arabs" by Dr. Jack Shaheen.

Freedom of Speech: David Duke on CNN

2006-12-15T07:30:29Z

Wolf Blitzer interviewing David Duke live from Iran during the conference on holocaust which he says represents freedom of speech not jailing anyone who has a different opinion on a historic event like famous author David Irving is right now in Austrian Jail.

He invites people to visit http://www.DavidDuke.com

Maher Arar's Letelier-Moffitt Award Acceptance

2006-10-28T03:56:54Z



"Maher Arar's Letelier-Moffitt Award Acceptance" on Google Video
Maher Arar's award acceptance (shown at the National Press Club for Institute for Policy Studies' 30th Annual Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards) describes his extradition and torture in Syria at the discretion of the U.S. government. Delivered by video from Canada, as U.S. officials denied his entry to the country. Maher Arar has taken bold actions to demand justice for the suffering he endured as a victim of the U.S. policy known as “extraordinary rendition.” A Canadian citizen, Arar was detained by U.S. officials in 2002, accused of terrorist links, and handed over to Syrian authorities renowned for torture. On September 18, 2006, a Canadian government commission confirmed that Arar had been brutally tortured during his nearly year-long imprisonment in Syria and declared him innocent of any terrorist ties. The report urges the Canadian government to formally protest the U.S. government’s handling of the case. Arar is working with the Center for Constitutional Rights to appeal a case against the U.S. government that was dismissed on national security grounds. He will accept his award via video because he is still barred from entry into the United States. Maher Arar shared this 2006 Letelier-Moffitt International Award with the Center for Constitutional Rights, fighting the legal battle on behalf of Mr. Arar.

Chavez to Bush,, you're a Donkey

2006-09-23T19:29:01Z



"Chavez to Bush,, you're a Donkey" on Google Video
Chaves treates "Mr Danger" as a donkey.

breaking the silence

2006-09-05T08:02:42Z



"breaking the silence" on Google Video
John Pilger dissects the truth and lies in the 'war on terror'. Award-winning journalist John Pilger investigates the discrepancies between American and British claims for the 'war on terror' and the facts on the ground as he finds them in Afghanistan and Washington, DC. In 2001, as the bombs began to drop, George W. Bush promised Afghanistan "the generosity of America and its allies". Now, the familiar old warlords are regaining power, religious fundamentalism is renewing its grip and military skirmishes continue routinely. In "liberated" Afghanistan, America has its military base and pipeline access, while the people have the warlords who are, says one woman, "in many ways worse than the Taliban". In Washington, Pilger conducts a series of remarkable interviews with William Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, and leading Administration officials such as Douglas Feith, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and John Bolton, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. These people, and the other architects of the Project for the New American Century, were dismissed as 'the crazies' by the first Bush Administration in the early 90s when they first presented their ideas for pre-emptive strikes and world domination. Pilger also interviews presidential candidate General Wesley Clark, and former intelligence officers, all the while raising searching questions about the real motives for the 'war on terror'. While President Bush refers to the US attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq as two 'great victories', Pilger asks the question - victories over whom, and for what purpose? Pilger describes Afghanistan as a country "more devastated than anything I have seen since Pol Pot's Cambodia". He finds that Al-Qaida has not been defeated and that the Taliban is re-emerging. And of the "victory" in Iraq, he asks: "Is this Bush's Vietnam?"