By Kulsum Mustafa, TwoCircles.net
Lucknow: “Mere love of Ahle-bait will not make you a true Muslim, or ensure your entry into heaven. Following the tenants of Islam like namaaz, roza, zakat etc are essential for this,” said Shia cleric and Imam-e Jumma, Syed Kalbe Jawwad. The maulana was addressing evening majlis at Sibtainabad Imambara situated in the heart of Lucknow.
Emphasiszing the importance of the practical and compulsory aspects of Islam the cleric said that for all the true followers of Hazrat Ali it is important that they understand that he himself not just preached but practiced all the tenants of Islam.
“Anyone who is not close to Medina is not close to Ali and anyone who is not close to masjid is also not close to Ali,” said the cleric, addressing a huge gathering of mourners commentrating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain, grandson of Prophet who along with his family and friends of 72 fought the Battle of Karbala for righteous and refused to bow down to the commands of the then ruler of Iraq Yezid. Mohrarrum moon was sighted on 18th December this year.
Illustrating his point that practical Islam must not be neglected by followers of Shiaism the maulana said that just as it is essential to carry both your ration card and the money if you want to get food grain at subsided rate it is also essential to carry both the love of Ali as well as other tenants of Islam to ‘buy’ for yourself a place in heaven.
Citing an example of the great love that the Prophet had for Ali, who was also his son in law, the cleric narrated an incident, Angel Gibraiel informed Prophet Mohammed that two wrestles were heading towards him with the intention of killing him. The Prophet narrated this whole incident in front of his followers. He asked someone to go forward and catch these killers who were very powerful. Nobody got up to go except Ali, Prophet rejected his request. Ali thrice seeked permission to go but each time the Prophet refused to give him permission. The fourth time when Ali asked the Prophet allowed him to go. After sometime when Ali did not return the Prophet asked someone from the gathering to go and find out where Ali was. This time there were many who wanted to go. They were confident that brave Ali must have already killed the two wrestlers.
By telling the gathering to go look for Ali was a way by which Prophet wanted the Muslims to know that he wanted them to practice in his lifetime to “follow Ali’s footprints .”
The evening majlis at Sibtainabad Imambara, initiated in 2005 after the imambara which is also tomb of Oudh Nawab Amjad Ali Shah was freeded from encoachments under protests from the Shia community has gained a lot of popularity. The working class and youth who may not be able to attend the morning majlisis throng the place every evening.