He who knows his Self, knoweth his Lord
– Prophet Muhammad
Shia Muslims across the globe are commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza, the 8th Shia Imam and rightful successor to Prophet Mohammad. In Iran, especially in the holy city of Mashhad, millions of mourners have gathered at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), to mark this sad day in history, reciting elegies in groups, and giving out to charity or free food to the mourners.
Back in 818 A.D., the Abbasid ruler, Ma’moun, forcibly brought Imam Reza (AS) to the northeastern Iranian province of Khorasan from Medina in Saudi Arabia. Two years later the rightful successor to Prophet Mohammad was, imprisoned, poisoned and murdered by Ma’mun. He was buried in this place called Mashhad al-Reza, or the place of martyrdom of Imam Reza (AS). Imam Reza (AS) is the only Shia Imam reposing in Iran.
Quotes of the Imam Reza:
True devotion is not limited to prayers and fasting. Worship is not abundant prayer and fasting; rather it is abundant reflecting on the affair of Allah, the Great and Almighty.
The highest degree of wisdom is Self-awareness.
To help the disabled is much better than to give alms.
Silence is one of the gates to wisdom.
Giving alms repels the certain catastrophe.
Keeping other’s secrets, patience in hardships and tolerance towards others are all signs of faith.
The intellect of a Muslim man does not mature & complete till he has ten qualities:
1) Benevolence & benefaction be expected & hoped from him.
2) And people be secure & peaceful from his evil doing.
3) He considers the small amount of benefaction from others as abundant & plentiful.
4) And takes plenty of his own benevolence & goodness to be a meagre amount of it.
5) He does not get tired & exhausted by the demands & requirement asked to be fulfilled.
6) He does not get fatigued & restless from seeking knowledge for all the length of his life.
7) He loves poverty more than the plentifulness & affluence, on the course of Allah.
8) And he loves disgrace &abjectness of the way of Allah more than the honour on the course of His enemy.
9) And anonymity is more liked by him than fame.
Then he (A.S) said. “The tenth one & what is the tenth?
The person asked him (A.S.) “What is that?” Imam (A.S.) reflected, “He does not see a person but that he says “He is better & more pious than myself.”
To avoid the cold (flu) of the winter, before leaving your house always open the door first for a few moments, let the outside air in, then step outside. To avoid the cold of the summer, always open the door first before entering the house, let the inside air out, and then step inside.
Today, January 2, 2014, corresponding with the 30th day of the lunar month Safar, marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza, the 8th Imam of Shi’ite Muslims. On this occasion we extend our deepest condolences to the presence of the Holy great Qutb of Nematollahi Gonabadi Order, Haj Dr. Noor Ali Tabandeh, “MajzoobAli Shah”, all Gonabadi dervishes, all the Muslims and lovers of the Ahl al-Bait around the globe.
“Majzooban Noor website”