“And what will make you understand? Perchance the Hour is nigh!” Al-Ahzab (The Clans): 63
“Those who do not believe in it would hasten it on, and those who believe are in fear of it, and they know that it is the Truth. Now
most surely those who dispute obstinately concerning the Hour are far astray.” Ash-Shura (Consultation): 18.
- Bihar Al-Anwar, by Ulemah Al-Majlisi, vol. 53, p. 1.
We need to hence be prepared as the Hour is near, Imam’s (a.s) Zuhoor is Alhamdulillah close inhsa’Allah as many of the signs have occurred.
Surah az-Zalzala, the 99th Surah of the Qur’an is very helpful in times of Earthquakes. The intercession of Muhammad wa Aal-e-Muhammad
is a thing to be truly sought after, and dua’s such as Dua Tawassul, Dua-e-Kumayl should be read. Dua-e-Ahad is what is read for 40 Days to be
with the Imam (a.s) in the end. May Allah grant us all the honour to live a life for Him, be granted death in submission to Him and live an
afterlife that pleases Him as we are His creation entirely by Allah.
Do remember your Ansari brothers and sisters in your prayers Insha’Allah.
Iltimaas-e-Dua
‘Fiery T#als of Life’
In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, the Merciful,
Bless Muhammad (SAW) and his pure progeny (AS),
With crisis and chaos spreading through the world at an
extremely rapid pace, it has become quite evident that we have
some pretty dark days ahead of us, and indeed, many trials
and tribulations. There is no doubt that our faith must be
tested. 'Do men think that they will be left alone on
saying "We believe" and that they will not be tested? We
did test those before them and Allah will certainly know
those who are true from those who are
false.' (29:2-3). 'Or did you imagine that you were going
to enter the Garden without Allah knowing those among
you who had struggled and knowing the
steadfast?' (Surah Al' Imran:142)
"Test Every Spirit" (1 John 4:1)
Testing brings forth blessings, because only through testing can our faith be strengthened, thus hastening our spiritual growth and the blessings
that increase that growth. 'He who has created death as well as life, so that He might put you to a test (and thus show) which of you
is best in conduct' (67:2) 'Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves' (3:186) 'We shall
try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and we shall try your reported
(mettle)' (47:31)
'Paradise is surrounded by hardships and perseverance, so one who perseveres and endures hardship in this world will enter
Paradise.' - Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (AS)
So, indeed, through these trials Allah (SWT) is building our character and strengthening our faith, and through patience and perseverance we
are attaining higher spiritual levels. Peter gives a perfect name for our trials (Peter 4:12), calling them the “Fiery trials of life”. As, indeed the
believer resembles gold and steel, as gold is improved in the fire and separated from impurities,
and as steel is strengthened in the fire, so our faith can only be purified by perseverance under
pressure, and can only be strengthened when we learn to rely on Allah (SWT) during times of
crises.
'Those who are with Truth in which there will not be even a speck of falsehood, their
example is like Red Gold. The more you heat it, the more its quality and goodness
increases.'- Imam Ali (AS)
'If i go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. When He is at
work to the North, I cannot see Him, when He turns South, I cannot find Him. Yet
He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me. I will emerge as pure as
gold.' (Job 23:8-10)