Hujjatul Islam Ustad Syed Jawad Naqvi
(Principal Jamia Orwatul Wuthqa – Lahore)
Delivered at: Masjid Baitul ul Ateeq
Lahore – Pakistan
Friday Sermon – 24th February, 2023
Sermon 1: Three fundamental pillars and topics of Imamat
Allah has established Taqwa for protection of human life as a divine plan from creator of human beings for every segment of life where there is specific Taqwa. The human life is under threats and for this Allah has made arrangement of Taqwa in which Allah sent heavenly books, aroused Prophets, Messengers and ordered Prophets to preach the divine book. Similarly for the safety of human being Allah made the system of Imamat which is the fundamental pillar of guidance as well as Taqwa. The Human life is dependent on Imamat.
The way Allah has created human life and kept its demands, needs inside them and made arrangement for that similarly the plan for human life creation and its safety is all in accordance with Allah’s knowledge. In the protection of life the different calamities and threats that man would face, Allah made arrangement in which Allah has made this dependent on Imamat. It is a continuous act whereby the way man faced several challenges in understanding various things same happened for Imamat. The various oppressions that has been done on man in history are massive but the biggest one is the distortion in the system of guidance. To remove guidance from its direction and make it in accordance to our own desires, to hide , conceal things and show only partial as per liking would be considered as biggest oppression. Collectively religion has been victim of this calamity in every generation. The Quran has presented Bani Israel openly that they would do distortion and disturb religion. They would present the Prophetic teachings away from its axis and this has been going on till date. From the time the system of guidance started for man the distortion in religion is going on continuously. The most important fundamental pillar of religion that good impacted was the subject of Imamat. Those who just for name’s sake consider themselves as believers of Imamat and those who are unaware , deniers or opposition of Imamat have all been victims of subject of Imamat. They have all changed the direction for which Imamat was ordained by Allah and changed.
Today is 3rd Shaban, the day of Wiladat of Imam Hussain (a). There should be a title of these days, so this is Ayamullah, the day of Allah as the sign of Allah gets manifested on this day. The day of wiladat of Imams are the days of Allah but we celebrate these days as days of music and rhythms. We consider these days as musical days and is the time for singing to express our happiness. And God forbid even now dancing and many other evils are introduced in the name of wiladat of Imam. This is a big distortion from this perspective. Those who are associated with Imamat they do a musical function and singing, then consider that we have expressed our beliefs in Imamat.
Quran says that these days are Yaumullah which should be reminded to people and same should be expressed as the day. Imamat is that rope which we have forsaken and we have connected ourselves to the party of Shaitan and Yazid. Let’s talk about our generation only. The current generation has people against Imamat, believers as well and unaware as well. These three categories; the deniers, the unaware and believers are all present in this country. If you see their practical lives they are all same even if you don’t listen to what they say. You say their culture, language, work, economy, politics, their children you won’t see any difference in them. They are all the same. The practical lives are same for all whether they believe or not in Imamat. This is because the rope of Imamat has been taken away from them and they don’t have attraction as well to come near Imamat. If one generation has left then other should come and hold the rope of Imamat and not follow the past. No generation has done this to come under the system of Imamat. Since in musical celebration there are fees, food and entertainment, hence scholars also celebrate the same.
There is no celebration in religion, there is no concept of celebration in religion. There is no one greater than the Prophet. In his life if you see his wives, progeny , companions were not celebration his birthday. The Prophet did not celebrate his forefather birthday. This is a western culture to give importance to birthdays which is the western lifestyle which Muslims have adopted and we have covered this with religious color. The day is Ayamullah where on this day some big Nemat of Allah has descended on man, and the sign of guidance has been established for human being. Like Eid ul Fitr is Yaumullah, and Laylatul Qadr is ayamullah and Ramazan. Since the signs of Allah has not ended and not like no other sign will get revealed. The guidance of Allah is going on continuously. Like the day on which Pakistan was made is Yaumullah. This land has been granted as a Nemat. The Islamic revolution is day of Allah. It is with continuity. The day on which Imamat gets manifested is the biggest day of Allah. Imamat is the system and rest all other affairs are done under the system of Imamat. The way Allah says in Quran if the prophet gets killed or dies, what will you do after him? Will you turn on the same state as before Prophet? There would be a reverse revolution towards ignorance? This is the question raised by Allah in Quran to believers. Ignorance was the name of system where the Allah’s systems was not governing. The ignorance is against guidance. The era of ignorance is for all generation wherever the generations live without the system of Allah. The community, land on which there is no system of Allah is the era of ignorance. The era of ignorance is not on some historic dates. The Quran says that ignorance started to end from the Bethat of Prophet and it ended on the Arab lands through him. But on the same land if the Prophet is not present, will you turn back towards the same state means the governance of Allah and Quran will end and same era of ignorance will come?
The history is witnessing that the first thing which Ummah lost was Imamat. Till Yazid came what was the situation? The big companion Anas ibn malik who had a longest life and many big personalities who are Imams in Ahle Sunnah says towards the end of first century, that today in the governance of Banu Umayyah only the slogan of LA ILAHA ILALLAH is left rest everything has been lost. In some hadith only salat is left. When people left religion , they kept on leaving and only verbal slogan of La Ilaha remained. We have to see what they left first? It was Imamat. The one which was announced on Gadeer was left by the people. Then they did fundamental mistake. When people leave the foundations then the secondary systems also gets lost on its own by man.
Today generation of Pakistan should tell what is left from the religion of Mohamad with them. Whether your politics, system of governance, education system, judiciary, markets, banking, culture in house, streets are all as per the system of Allah’s prophet. Where is it? And how it got lost? This is because the system which Allah made and established it with the pillar of Imamat which would preserve it. Unless Imamat and Wilayat is present you cannot protect religion.
Imamat is a continuous pillar of guidance in which break cannot come. The break has come in Imamat for 1200 years. If since 1200 years we consider four generations passing in one generation, then 48 generations have passed without Imamat. If we see the verses, tradition of Imamat it is clear that not even a single day of break can come in Imamat. Something for even one day it is not possible but here 48 generation has passed, and they have only celebrated the musical day of Imamat. The have beaten drums, sung songs and ate food. They think we are connected with Imamat because we are cerebrating Imamat. If there is break in Imamat then human generation remains disconnected from Imamat. When you are disconnected from Imamat then you are distanced from religion, Prophet and Allah. If you see practically we are disconnected from Imamat.
The fundamental which is in Imamat, that Imam is present with people without break. Before one imam leaves another gets appointed. If the era is of infallible then also without break the Imamat is continuing. On the function of 13th Rajab many guests had come, some were related to Ismaili sect. Their elderly scholar said that we both believe in Imamat. Then he clarified Imamat, and then said that this philosophy of Imamat gets fulfilled with the current Imam and there is no break in Imamat. And then they told me that you believe in the Imam of unseen, so how the philosophy of Imamat gets accomplished? I wished that this question should come in the mind of Shias.
Shias also have the concept of Imamat so how Shias remain connected with Imamat during the period of occultation. I told him you should try that this question gets raised in Shias. This is a fundamental question but he says when I ask Shias they start to fight. If you listen to him, then this is what I am saying since years that no break can come in Imamat. If Imamat breaks then there would be break in guidance and system of Allah. There is no break in the system of universe. There is not even a moments break and Quran says if this happens then entire universe would get disturbed. The way there is no break in the system of universe, then in Shariah as well there is no break and the affair of Imamat goes on. The way Quran has discussed about Imamat and what is in tradition is enough to understand on how we should keep Imamat on the earth alive. Else like today the day of Imamat will also become musical.
Allah has given three important topics of Imamat. One is of Imamat of Prophet Ibrahim, the second is of Imam Hussain and third is Imam Mahdi (at). They are three important pillars of Imamat and they are all connected with their own specifics. Since we don’t take religion from Quran we have forgotten. I have said this before that every sect is Ahle Hadith. Everyone takes fatwas from Hadith and no one considers Quran to take orders. You can find orders of Quran not present in Fiqh. If the Fiqh is Quranic then these orders of Quran should get clearly manifested in Quran. The narrators have made chapters of Hadith first and then Fuqaha classified Fiqh with resemblance. In Quran the chapters are not like Fiqh. The Quran has continued topcis continuously, where it moves the complete system of guidance together. If we see the continuity of Imamat in Quran , then we can see the clear verse of Imamat related to Prophet Ibrahim (a). In surah Baqarah verse 124
وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ {124}
And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make you an Imam of men. Ibrahim said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He
When Prophet Ibrahim (a) was aroused on Imamat, he immediately questioned about his progeny to posses Imamat. Allah replied that oppressors in your offspring cannot become Imamat. Imamat did not begin from Prophet Ibrahim (a), as prophets before him were also Imam. But a clear turning point in the history of guidance of human being was the era of Prophet Ibrahim. After this announcement of Imamat was done. You can see how Allah established the continuity of Imamat. The verse under this says
وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَنْ طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ {125}
And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security, and: Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on the standing-place of Ibrahim. And We enjoined Ibrahim and Ismail saying: Purify My House for those who visit (it) and those who abide (in it) for devotion and those who bow down (and) those who prostrate themselves
Then we made Bayt through this Imam and made it Masaba, place of turning. We made this Bayt for people to leave their routine lives and return to Kaaba. Then we ordered to make the station of Ibrahim as place of prayer. The Musalla word is from Salaat. We consider salaat as Namaz, which is one part of Salaat. The real meaning of Salaat is organization and movement in that direction. To select a direction first, then keeping someone as Imam in front, then stand behind him, neither going forward or remaining behind is Salaat. Ibrahim is your Imam and you should stand behind him. Everyone should come to this House , stand on the position of Imamat and do what Prophet Ibrahim (a) did. Then told Ibrahim to purify the house for worship.
For continuity of Imamat, you need a progeny and a center. We don’t say Imam Ibrahim. The Quran has termed Ibrahim as Imam. He is Imam for people till the time humanity is present. How this should continue? For this you need a house, then a place of station of Ibrahim, where people should come and stand behind it. Till the time humanity continues this, then from the progeny of Ibrahim there would be an Imam, where he will make the people do salaat and people will get connected with Imamat. Why Allah made Ibrahim stand in praying place. In Fiqh we say that we have to deliver two units of Namaz in Tawaf. The order is for salaat and not Namaz. Kaaba is the place of returning and you turn towards Kaaba; come behind the station of Ibrhim and follow it, accept it. This is the arrangement of Imamat of Ibrahim Allah did for humanity. Then Allah told the Holy Prophet (s) that he is the follower of Prophet Ibrahim (a). The Ahad of Imamat came continuously from Ibrahim to Prophet. Ibrahim has Imam from his progeny on the earth. This system of Imamat continues. The second is the era of Ahad e Imamat starts from Imam Husain (a).
SECOND SERMON
Sermon 2: Era of Imam Hussain (a) – Revival of Imamat
I advise you to live your lives in accordance with the system of Taqwa. This is the plan of protection for which Allah made arrangement and kept its fundamental foundation as Imamat which is a contiguous order. Till the time man is on earth Imamat is ordained. Man becomes distanced from Imam but Imamat remains. Allah made Noah, Isa, Ibrahim as Imam but people distanced. Allah made thousands of Imam. They can be Prophets, infallible, non -infallible as well. The Imams whom Allah made in Quran one clearly manifested was Taloot. A infallible Prophet is present and oppressed people seek Imam from him, and Allah made Taloot as Imam and commander. They are Quranic Imams but infallible.
Allah made Ibrahim as Imam and then made Kaaba for people to come and make the station of Ibrahim for people stand on it and practice to accept Imamat. Come to the house of Allah then return to your own house with the system of Imamat. But the events of the days which come upon on humanity, they destroy human beings. The humanity forgets everything and when they go too far, then the era of Imamat needs to be revived. There is no break in Imamat before Ibrahim and after Imamat. Then an era of Imamat comes which is the era of Imam Hussain (a). The way Ibrahim revived Imamat. The Holy Prophet (s) is the Imam of all Imams. He also started Imamat of his Ummat but in very short time people distanced from Imamat. There is 2000 yrs. time between the Imamat of Prophet Ibrahim (a) and Holy Prophet (s). The threat which Quran has presented that you will return towards the era of ignorance. And in 60 years there was a beast by the name of Yazid who sat on the position of Imamat. Here again the Imamat got revived. Imam Hussain (a) revived the Imamat like Prophet Ibrahim. What Ibrahim did for Imamat , Allah accomplished that before it reached the end. The valley in which Ibrahim stepped the purpose was achieved. He was thrown in fire and the purpose was achieved. He kept his children in the barren valley and the purpose was achieved. He kept knife on the neck of his son and purpose was achieved without slaughtering. Allah gave success in all these acts. But when the turn of Ummah came, where Yazid becomes Hakim is that destruction for Ummah where the tests which Ibrahim gave were not enough. Here Imam Hussain (a) gave biggest tests and did Imamat of Ummah.
Pakistani community is alive or dead will come to know from his ruler. The ummah is dead if the ruler is corrupt, dead. Yazid was the sign of destruction of Ummah. Then Imam Hussain (a) did the Imamat and you cry and mourn on what he did. But we have not come near one step of Imam Hussain (a). The way the wiladat comes you celebrate with music and on martyrdom you do with crying. But do not get one step near to Imamat.
In Quran the companions and progeny are considered as Ummah of Ibrahim. What Ibrahim did the Prophet repeated, the one who repeat the act of Imam is the follower of Imam. The Prophet repeated hence Quran says he is the Ummah of Ibrahim. This is the Ummah of Prophet. Ummah is for Imam, whether the Ummah got near to the Imamat of Imam Hussain (a) or not? If Ummah have taken even one step on the path of Imam Hussain (a) then they would be Ummah of Imam Hussain (a). I always say look inside yourself. What step have we taken like that of Imam Hussain (a)? Today see the state of your country, they take the name of Imam Hussain (a) and stand with Yazid. This the tyranny you have done on Imam Hussain (a). Have you taken any step like Imam Hussain (a) , if yes then you are Ummah of Imam Hussain (a). To grant continuity to Imamat of Ibrahim , Kaaba was made, Hajj was ordained. The same way to give continuity to the Ummat of Imam Hussain (a) , Ashura, Karbala , shrine of Imam Hussain (a) , Azadari was made and established. The Imamat of Imam Hussain (a) should continue. Azadari means doing what Imam Hussain (a) did. Imam Hussain (a) was hit by swords; this is not the act of Imam Hussain (a). Do what Imam Hussain (a) did? Deny the allegiance of Yazid. The last Yazid was only son of Muawiya? Imam Hussain (a) said Misli La Yabaeo Misli there would be people like him and like me as well. When the time comes, a person like me would never do allegiance to someone like him.
This Yazid is present in every era. Why people left Imamat? This is because Yazids came on the position of Imamat. And people selected to walk with Yazid’s, did alliance with Yazids. History says this is the basis of distancing from Imamat. Today the era of occultation is the era of break of Imamat? Has Allah winded up Imamat and Ummah would end up in hell? The Imamat is continuing.
The third is the era of Mahdaviat. The Mahdaviat is the name of that era of Imamat, when the followers of Imamat tread the path of Imam Hussain (a) and finish the break in Imamat and establish the continuity. The reappearance of Imam is not to come out but it is dominance. The path of dominance is established by Imam Hussain (a). To celebrate Imamat on this day means to take steps like Imam Hussain (a), do Qayam, take decision like Imamat. Come out of the allegiance of Yazid. This is not Hussainiat to be in the allegiance of Yazid and then celebrate Imam Hussain (a) is treachery.
The 3rd Shabaan is era of Imamat and on 15th Shaban is the day of era of Imam Mahdi (a). On 15th all the followers of Imamat would be coming here and we will continue this subject there.
