A Thousand Wisdoms - Service of Hazar Hikmat
Service of Hazar Hikmat
Tags: Nusrat, La`nat, Banishment , Abundant goodness
It is said in verse (47:7): “O you who believe, if you help Allah, He will help you, and make your foot-hold firm.” The value of every kind of religious service has been elevated to the heaven in this verse. It is not possible for a man of frail constitution to help God, but this is a proof of the paramount importance of religious service that He, in His kindness, has raised the slavery of His slaves to such a lofty rank and promised to grant them success in their good deeds with His heavenly and spiritual help.
This Qur’anic teaching shows that religious service is a great `ibadat, particularly the service of knowledge which has an all-reaching and all-inclusive scope and is the most effective and powerful jihad against ignorance. It is important to reflect that in this verse (47:7) such martial terms as “help (nusrat)” and steadfastness (thibatu’l-qadam)” imply the jihad of knowledge. The word “nusrat” in the Qur’an, is used both before (110:1) and after (48:1-3) victory (fath). Thus nusrat is that help of Allah which is granted to mu’mins through the heavenly and the spiritual army, and steadfastness means to advance without stumbling or slipping. This implies to progress in good deeds with unshakeable resolve, particularly in the jihad of knowledge.
Helpers of Allah (ansaru’llah): It is mentioned in verse (3:52): “And when `Isa perceived their disbelief, he said: Who will be my helpers unto Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah’s helpers.” How exalted the title of ansaru’llah is! Such mu’mins were in the time of Prophethood and are in the time of every Imam too. Thus, ansar or helpers mean those who serve [the Prophet and the Imam in their respective time]. In short, there are many Qur’anic verses in which religious service is praised. Therefore, there cannot be any doubt about its significance.
Question: If one of the names of Satan is mudhill (misleading), can he mislead whoever he wants?
Answer: Satan mainly attacks those who walk on the straight path, however he entices and misleads only those mu’mins who are weak and do not have true knowledge, but his fraudulent trap is just like a cobweb in front of those mu’mins who have high ambition and who are equipped with the arms of true knowledge.
According to the noble Qur’an, there is knowledge in everything. First of all, this applies to the Qur’an itself. That is, there is no verse or word in the meaning of which the marvels and wonders of knowledge and wisdom are not hidden. For instance, take the word “la`nat” which is mentioned forty-one times in different forms in the Qur’an. I am absolutely sure that it is not ordered to curse Satan or any other creature in any of these places. Literally la`nat means driving away, banishment, expulsion and al-la`in means a scarecrow which is made in a field to drive birds away from the crop, which in Burushaski is called ghah-qali and in Turkish ghah-quli.
This means that la`nat is the name of banishment or expulsion from the Divine mercy, which happens as a result of grave disobedience. One alone is accountable for the result of one’s own misdeeds. Thus, the meaning of verse (33:64): “Inna’llaha la`ana’l-kafirin”, is (that the unbelievers were driven away from God’s mercy, therefore) He kept them away (from His mercy). God does not use the word “la`nat” in the sense of imprecation, because prayer is an expression of needfulness, and He is free from any need. Further, la`nat is not an abuse, it is rather a mention, declaration and lesson about Satan and others who, according to the law of retribution, are driven away or banished from Divine mercy.
It is said in verse (2:159): “Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We have revealed after We have made clear in the Book for mankind, they are the ones whom Allah banishes and the banishers (la`inun) (also) banish them.” The word “la`inun” in this verse is worth pondering upon. Who are they? Are they angels or human beings? If they are human beings, are they the common or the chosen ones? The answer is that with respect to any attribute, the Prophet and then his successors come after God. Thus those who banish the banished ones, are in reality the holy Prophet and his progeny, who are the treasures of God’s mercy and knowledge. And in reality closeness to and remoteness from God can be determined with respect to closeness to and remoteness from them.
It is said in verse (5:78): “Banished were the unbelievers of the children of Israel by the tongue of Dawud and `Isa.” That is, when they committed unbelief, they immediately automatically became banished from God’s mercy. Now, their banishment (la`nat) by the tongue of a Prophet merely means the declaration of what has already happened, so that the people of faith may protect themselves from them.
Every wise person can estimate from the preceding example that many intricate problems cannot be solved without ta’wili wisdom. Thus, we try to solve some of the uttered and unuttered questions in the light of ta’wili wisdom, the charity of which we receive from the holy door of the Imam from the progeny of the holy Prophet. Whether someone believes it or not, it is a fact that the wisdom, with which is linked the abundant goodness mentioned in verse (2:269), can be received only and only from the luminous rank of the Imam. Dear friends! It is true that there are countless miracles of knowledge of the `Ali of the time, salawatu’llahi `alayhi. The purpose of showing them to some fortunate ones is that they should render service to the knowledge of the Qur’an and the Imam. Therefore, this humble effort is made to fulfil this sacred farman related to service and our friends are invited to help in this virtuous deed.
New Dedication: This excellent book is dedicated to the three fortunate families of Atlanta, U.S.A., who are enriched with the wealth of faith:
- Mukhi Nizar Ali Alibhai, Life Governor, Mukhiani Almas Nizar Ali, Life Governor, Nayab Nizar Ali, Life Governor, Hina Nizar Ali, Life Governor and Saba Nizar Ali, Life Governor;
- Nasiruddin Khanjee, Life Governor, Khayrunissa Nasiruddin, Life Governor, Hina Nasiruddin, Life Governor, Kashif Nasiruddin, Life Governor, Komal Nasiruddin, Life Governor;
- Sultan Ali Ladji, Life Governor, Shaukat Banu Sultan Ali, Life Governor, Azim Ali Sultan Ali, Life Governor.
There is no doubt that every useful book is an evergreen and fruitful orchard from which innumerable mu’min men and women will continue to attain the fruits of intellect and soul and (God willing) the reward and recompense of this meritorious work will continuously be given to those who serve knowledge and wisdom.
Friendship and love based on faith and knowledge is unique as well as everlasting. Indeed, it is a very great bounty of Almighty Allah that when I went to Atlanta, by His grace and benevolence, this favour increased enormously. The love of students works like wireless. True students are as dear as children and in this there is a great wisdom. al-Hamdu li’llah!
Intercede with a good intercession: That is: Seek pardon and forgiveness of God for all the people of the world as do the angels for the people of the earth (42:5). And do not intercede with a bad intercession, that is, you must never be malevolent, abusive and imprecate with heart and tongue. Read and listen to what the Qur’an says about this: “Whoever intercedes with a good intercession shall receive a share of it, and whoever intercedes with a bad intercession shall receive the like of it.” (4:85).
Our university: By the grace of God, our university is now rendering a tremendous and unique service to Qur’anic wisdom. Qur’anic wisdom is the abundant goodness, therefore no matter how much we praise it, it will not be possible to do justice to it. Thus, how blessed and fortunate are those `azizan who are rendering honorary service day and night to this university of wisdom and who learn and teach others, and also spread the light of knowledge through books in numerous countries. In such a case, why should they not make tremendous progress in their knowledge?
Translation of Hazar Hikmat: Countless thanks to Almighty Allah that now Hazar Hikmat has been translated into the universal language English, and this feat has been accomplished by my great friend, who is like my soul, rather dearer than it. The reason for this is that he is a great lover of true knowledge and he is very learned. This all-embracing virtue encompasses many qualities and accomplishments, such as: He is a very great asset to the nation, a treasure of knowledge of the exalted Imam, a repository of pirs, an example of living books, a unique pearl of the ocean of knowledge, a phoenix of his time in high ambition, a moth of the lamp of the light of imamat, a symbol of the success of friends and a signet ring of the sovereignty of pen. This is the pleasing description of Dr. Faquir Muhammad Hunzai.
The personality of his learned begum Samsam Rashida Noormohamed-Hunzai is greatly amazing. Her every lecture strews flowers of meanings and scatters pearls of realities. If a fortunate mu’min has to explain knowledge in the choking voice of the miracle of the love for Mawla, then he should learn this unique skill from Samsam. However, this is not a mere skill, this in fact is a miracle which is a Divine gift. Such pure souls and such great angels have come to this world from the higher world to together spread the light of Qur’anic knowledge and wisdom on the face of the globe. al-Hamdu li’llah!
We are extremely happy with the ever-increasing progress in knowledge of all the `azizan of Markaz-i `Ilm-u-Hikmat of London. Nevertheless, it is an appropriate opportunity to appreciate Zahir Lalani’s services. He is a Record Officer, Life Governor and Chairman of Material Science Institute. He is endowed with numerous virtues and has rendered many services, therefore he is going to have a golden and bright history. Dr. Faquir Muhammad Hunzai and Samsam Sahibah admire him greatly. I am sure that my dear Zahir Lalani has spiritually become an angel of the time due to his service to knowledge. Now, God willing, his house is going to be the cradle of knowledge.
The work of Hazar Hikmat or Ta’wili Encyclopaedia has given our `azizan in the east and in the west great happiness. This book is unique and its usefulness is universal and all-inclusive, because it is about Qur’anic wisdoms. Their happiness is very befitting, because Almighty God has enriched this reputed army of the `Ali of the time with everlasting and unprecedented wealth of victory and help in the battle of ta’wil. It is possible that some `aziz may not be able to estimate how strangely Hazrat qa’imu’l-qiyamat, `alayhi afzalu’t-tahiyyati wa’s-salam does his work.
The `azizan of the east and the west are sincerely grateful to the resolute, sagacious and reputed office-bearers and members of Gilgit Regional Branch and sub-branches, because not only have they made their branch strong and respected, but they have also duly enhanced the eminence of the Isma`ili jama`at in the eyes of the government and the public. Indeed, in all those meritorious deeds which our sagacious friends have accomplished, the incentive was pure zeal of devotion to and love for God, and God willing, this will always continue. It is because of this that by the grace of God, they receive spiritual help. They do not begin any deed without supplication in the court of God, the Purveyor of all needs. We humbly pray that may God continue to help them in all their religious and worldly good deeds and may He always be kind to them. Amin!
O my `azizan! Sincere congratulations on behalf of all the `azizan living in Pakistan, London, France, America, Canada and other countries. The field of work which God has granted you is unprecedented and the powers and qualities given to you are also unique. al-Hamdu li’llah, all of us are one, and this is not a formal statement, it is a reality. That is, it is an allusion to Monoreality, which is the treasure of azal (timelessness). How many people in this world are aware of this supreme secret?
O dear friends! Living in the east and in the west, continue to serve Qur’anic wisdom with heart and soul, because the unbounded treasure of abundant goodness is in this wisdom. The time has come that a fortunate university may excel others in paying attention to Qur’anic wisdom and spiritual science. God willing, Senior University in Canada and United States of America is fortunate to pioneer and excel in this direction. We pray that may the external and internal worlds echo with the voice of spiritual science and may the people of the world attain its countless benefits! Amin! O the Lord of the worlds!
Nasir al-Din Nasir (Hubb-i `Ali) Hunzai,
Karachi,
Wednesday, 16 Jumada II, 1417 / 30th October, 1996.
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