Vol.

2 Issue 23
The Truth A Weekly Bulletin Thu. Jun 7th 2007
Practices How to Train Your will power
to work for you
Many people fail to get ahead because they have no willpower to do
what they know they should be doing. Nor can they help themselves
to avoid the things which they know will ruin them. Many such people
would like to give up smoking, to stop using drugs, or to avoid affairs
outside of marriage. Many find that gambling or alcohol addiction is
Cont’d on Page 2
Belief The Awaited Saviour and The
Resurrection
The Religion of the Ancestors of the Prophets and Imams
It must be believed that the fore-fathers of Prophet Muhammed (P)
and our Imams (AS), who are the vicegerents/leaders after prophet
Muhammed (P), have always been Muslims. Not only that but most of
them have been deputies. The reports about Abu Talib’s Islam which
have come down to us from the members of the Holy Prophet’s House
are indisputable and exact. His life account is also a proof of His Islam.
The Awaited Saviour
The awaited Mahdi, Imam Muhammed ibn Al-Hassan (AS) was born
during the lifetime of his father. He is in occultation, but is alive and
will continue to live so long as the world lasts, for an infallible Imam
must exist at all times. It is an agreed opinion of the Ummah that there
Cont’d on Page 3
Ethics The Characteristics of a Believer
The Holy Prophet Muhammed (P) describes the
believer in his sermon:
“Blessed is he who earns his living through lawful ways and
he whose inward status is good, outward is decent; spends his
surplus wealth in charity; abstains from excessive talking; peo-
ple remain safe of (any) evil from him; he treats others with
justice. Surely whoever believes in Allah fears Him, and whoev-
er fears Allah guards himself against the evils of this world.”
Let us ponder on the meanings, thoughts, and instructions of these
everlasting words of the Glorious Messenger of God (P) in order to un-
derstand and apply them in our daily life. We can learn morals, good
behaviour, laws, and a whole system of life from Prophet Muhammed (P)
who made clear the right path for us in order to guide us, so that we
 Ya’qoobi, Tarikh al-Ya’qoobi, vol. 2, p.89, Dar Sadir, Beirut, Harrani, Tuhaf al-Uqul an aal al-
Rasul, Mawa’idh al-Rasul.
Cont’d on Page 4
 The Truth, Thursday, June 7th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 23
Cont’d from 1 Page
st

wrecking their lives. Yet these people have no willpower to set their
life on the right course. They feel helpless, and they have to deal with
a nagging conscience that tricks them with what they could have done,
or should have done.

Yet there are some strong-willed people who seem to be able to do

what they know is right and avoid what they know is wrong. Such people
experience peace of mind knowing that they are doing the right thing.
Their willpower is obviously working for them.
But how do they do it? What is the secret? The secret is that you can
train your willpower.
Suppose you made a resolution to skip lunch for a month and actu-
ally stuck to your decision. You may save your lunch money, lose a few
pounds, develop sympathy for the poor, and give your digestive system
a much-needed rest. More importantly, you will strengthen your will-
power.
The reason this works is that you teach yourself to avoid lunch even
when you know you could have it if you decide. Your stomach may
growl, but you won’t listen. Thus you train yourself to ignore the calling
of your lower physical self and reach for the higher goals of real human
achievement. If you stick to your decision day after day for a month
you can develop a regular habit of doing the right thing even when your
desires are calling for something else.
Every year, for one month, able Muslims go through a similar fasting
exercise. They observe the fast as a compulsory practice which God pre-
scribed in His revealed messages, especially in His last revealed book.
One of the many benefits they experience from fasting is its training
aspect. The willpower they develop in the one month helps them to
continue doing the right thing and avoiding the wrong throughout the
year. They find the fast such an effective method of spiritual training and
of achieving closeness with their creator that many Muslims also keep
some additional, optional, fasts on other days of the year. They eat an
early breakfast before dawn and a late dinner after sunset. From dawn
to sunset they would have no food or drink; they would also refrain from
sexual activity. Whereas the baser selves regularly call for these things,
Muslims train themselves with the help of God to fulfill their natural
needs in the time and manner which God declared suitable for human
dignity and well-being.

During the fast Muslims also train themselves to always avoid lying,
cheating, backbiting, and all manner of false speech and immoral ac-
tions.
By: Shabir Ally
 The Truth, Thursday, June 7th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 23
Cont’d from 1 Page
st

be no time when there would not be a master, either known and mani-
fest or hidden and concealed. Moreover, Allah’s grace is obligatory at all
times. The Imam is His grace and so his existence is also obligatory.
His long life is not a far-fetched idea, for during the past ages many
other persons such as Prophet Shu’ayb, Prophet Noah, Luqman, Khidhr
and Prophet Isa (Jesus) (Peace be on them) and Iblis (the Devil) and
Dajjal (the Imposter) lived three thousand years or more. Moreover long
life is possible, and whatever is possible, is within the power of Allah.
Imam Mahdi (AS) is not expected to have concealed himself of his
own accord, for he is infallible and he cannot refrain from doing what is
obligatory. Nor can be ordered by Allah to conceal himself, for Allah being
Just and Judicious would not order him to do a wrong thing. Obviously it
is improper for an Imam to hide himself from the eyes and to deprive the
people from being benefited by his instructions. Therefore his occultation
is due to the abundance of the enemies and the infidels and the paucity
of the supporters.
The Mahdi must reappear, for the Holy Prophet (P) has said: “Even if
only one hour of the world was left, Allah would lengthen that
hour until a man of my progeny would appear. His name would
be the same as my name and his patronymic (kunyah) would be
the same as my patronymic. He would fill the earth with justice
and equality as it would be filled with tyranny and oppression.
It would be obligatory for everybody to follow him.”
Certain benefits continue to accrue from the Imam even during his oc-
cultation in the same way as the sun is beneficial even when it is under
the cloud or a lamp is beneficial even when it is behind a curtain.
The Return (Raj’ah)
During the time of the Mahdi (May Allah hasten his blessed advent)
our Holy Prophet and our infallible Imams (Peace be on them) will return
to this world along with a body of men belonging to the past and the sub-
sequent nations, with a view to demonstrate their power and establish
their rights. This is what has been expressly mentioned by a number of
continuous reports and Qur’anic verses. Allah says: “The day on which
We will assemble a group from every people.” (27:83)
Therefore, Muslims believe in the doctrine of ‘Return’ (raj’ah).
The Resurrection
Surely Allah will physically resurrect the dead as they were in this
world in order to restore the rights to all those to whom they were due.
The Resurrection of the dead is not inconceivable and the Prophets have
informed us of it. The Holy Qur’an is full of the verses telling about Res-
urrection, and there is no possibility of interpreting them in some other
way. Therefore it is obligatory to believe in physical Resurrection.
By: Shaykh Tusi
 The Truth, Thursday, June 7th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 23
Cont’d from First Page
could purify ourselves and inform the rest of society.
Surely, the Messenger of Allah Muhammed (P) wanted, through his
sermon, to teach us various things. Among them are:
1. Congratulations go towards the servant of Allah, who makes his
living through lawful means and does righteous deeds; and, as a result,
he leads a fulfilling and successful life both in this world and in the here-
after.
The Messenger (P) certainly wants us to earn our living through lawful
ways and avoid what is unlawful.
2. Congratulations go towards whoever improves his moral behav-
iour. Indeed, happiness and a good life are found where there are good
morals and other people are treated well. These are well-known attri-
butes of a believer and of a praiseworthy character.
Congratulations thus go towards whoever improves his own character
and thus improves his life.
3. In the sermon, the Holy Prophet Muhammed (P) praises faithful
men who are simple-hearted, i.e. he who bear no evil in his heart to-
wards anyone nor is hypocritical, hasty or deceitful, but whose heart is
pure and his self is cleansed against any filth or evil.
4. The believer, whom the Messenger (P) praises his character and
attributes, is also the one who spends whatever he can out of his own
wealth in charitable and benevolent programs, and deeds, seeking Allah’s
pleasure.
A believer is the one who strives to obtain his living through lawful
means and not depend on others, dissatisfied with unemployment and
squandering time. He uses his income thriftily on himself and provides
for his family according to their needs, while he spends the rest in the
cause of Allah. Never is any money amassed for its own sake or deprived
from helping the poor and needy, as this is against Islam.
5. Another characteristic of a believer who deserves a good life and
pleases Allah is in the way he speaks. Controlling the tongue eliminates
all idle chatting and presents one from interfering in or provoking any
hostility. A believer says nothing which displeases Allah, the Almighty and
instead voices what is useful in knowledge and advice, in uttering what is
good and saying what is righteous.
6. A believer never does harm to others. People will feel safe and
secure when they live with a believer because he is the doer of good,
who shows his love of good, by performing it and his dislike of evil by
avoiding it.
Apart from this, he is also just and never forfeits the rights of others.
He respects another’s rights and abides by them.
7. In the same sermon, the Messenger of Allah (P) explains that
belief in Allah and knowing Him makes a man fearful of committing sins
 The Truth, Thursday, June 7th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 23
and evil deeds. He, who fears Allah, never becomes over-involved with
the life of this world in which people strive against each other for mere
material gain. Instead he directs himself towards life in the Hereafter and
strives for its sake.
In Summary
A believer is one who deserves Allah’s pleasure and for him there will
be a good life and happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. The be-
liever is the one in whom the following characteristics are found:
1. Doing what are lawful and righteous deeds.
2. Having good morals and treating people with respect.
3. Having a purified heart and soul, neither hating others nor being
hypocritical.
4. Spending whatever he has out of his wealth in the cause of Allah
i.e. in the fields of charity.
5. Offending no one.
6. Causing no harm to others.
7. Respecting other people’s rights.
These characteristics are only found in truly people who have a strong
faith, who know Allah well, and fear His punishment. Those who know
Him do not think much of this world’s life, and wish only to achieve the
performance of as many good deeds as possible in it, in order to be re-
warded in the life hereafter.
Anecdote Bohlool and a Thief

One day Bohlool was wearing new shoes. He went to the mosque for
prayers. He saw a man staring at his shoes. Bohlool understood that he
wanted his new shoes. Helplessly, Bohlool stood for Salat (Prayer) with
his shoes on.
The thief said, “Salat isn’t done with shoes on.”
Bohlool replied, “I won’t have my Salat, but I will have my shoes.”

[1] Bohlool was sincerely devoted to Allah; he was an intelligent and

virtuous scholar. He was the master of the mind and man-
ners; he spoke with the best of answers
ready on his lips; he protected his faith
and religion by acting as if he is
insane at Imam Musa Al-Kad-
him (A.S.) command, so he
could enforce the rights of
which they had been wronged
and protect his life from being
killed by Haroun Al-Rashid.
 The Truth, Thursday, June 7th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 23
Story Tit for Tat

It is a law of nature that whatever action we take in this world, there

is always a reaction. If we do good, we stand to gain a good reward. If
we do bad, we should expect a bad outcome ultimately. “You reap what
you sow” is a popular saying.
The Holy Qur’an has also guided us on this subject. It says:
“If you do good, you do good to yourselves. (likewise)
If you do evil, you do evil to yourselves.”
(Qur’an: Chapter 17, Verse 7)
One of the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (P) was very
fond of this verse of the Qur’an. He used to recite it loudly and repeat-
edly wherever he went.
A Jewish woman, who had some animosity towards him, had heard
him once and wanted to prove him wrong and thus wanted to make him
unpopular among his people. And therefore, she plotted against him.
She prepared some sweets mixed with poison and sent them to him
as a present. When he received them, he went out of the city with
them. On the way, he met two men who were returning home from a
long journey. They appeared tired and hungry, so he thought of doing
them a good turn. He offered them the sweets. Of course, he was not
aware that they were secretly mixed with poison. No sooner had the two
travelers taken the sweets, they
collapsed and died. When the
news of their death reached Me-
dina, the city where the Prophet
resided, the man was arrested.
He was brought in front of the
Prophet and he related what
had actually happened. The
Jewish woman who had mixed
poison with the sweets was
also brought to the court of
the Prophet. She was stunned
to see the two dead bodies of
the travelers there. They in fact
turned out to be her own two
sons who had gone away on a
journey.
She admitted her evil inten-
tion before the Prophet and all
the people present. Alas, the
poison she had mixed in the
 The Truth, Thursday, June 7th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 23
sweets to kill the companion of the Prophet had instead killed her
own two sons.
What a splendid example of a tragic reaction to a bad
action. It shows how one reaps what he sows.
“Do as you would be done by” are words of wis-
dom from the learned and wise men of the past. They
teach us to do good to others in the same way as
we like others to do good to us.
Sayings
Sayings

Imam Ali Al-Ridha (AS) Said:

• To be patient in the face of hardships is a virtue but to refrain from

forbidden deeds is a greater one.
• Patience and resignation are considered as the worthiest devotions.
• True devotion not only means excessive sayings of prayers and keep-
ing fasts. One ought to meditate on the divinity profoundly.
• Be modest before your friends and be prudent while encountering an
enemy. Be pleasant with everyone.
• I wonder at one who purchases the slaves and releases them. Why
doesn’t he try to make the free people indebted by his good conduct?
• It is much better to be uninterested in other’s properties than to be
munificent.
• To help the disabled is much better than to give alms.
• The best wealth is that which provides a good name for its owner.
• There is no better milk for the baby’s nourishment than its mother’s.

Imam Muhammed Al-Jawad (AS) Said:

• Don’t pretend to be Allah’s servant and be His enemy in privacy.

• Don’t be God’s friend in appearance and his enemy in secret.
• Sincerity is the best of all worships.
• Relying on Allah is the price of every valuable thing and the ladder to
every treasured thing.
• To show a matter before preparing for it properly is spoiling it.
• Love is attracted due to three traits: being just in social dealings, as-
sisting others in hardships and having a pure heart.
• Four things are required to do anything: health, independence, knowl-
edge and divine assistance.
 The Truth, Thursday, June 7th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 23
Poetry
Peace-Loving Friend, A True Muslim

Why do you stare at me like so

When I’m a peace-loving friend, not a foe.

I declare that there is no god but He

And contemplate the wonders of creation that I see.

I pray to God, day, evening and night

That we can all come together, as one, unite.

I fast to feel the hunger and thirst

Of my fellow humans, who care for I must.

I give in charity a proportion of my wealth

To rid the greed that weighs down on my health.

I perform the great pilgrimage and ask for pardon

For all of mankind and ask for His garden.

So tell me young man, why is it so

That you stare at me like I’m but a foe?

I mean you no harm only wish you the best

For I’m ever conscious that life is a test.

Confuse me not for the terrorists you see

I am your peace-loving neighbour, a true Muslim, that’s me.

By: Seraj Ali

If you want to receive yourWeekly Digital Copy (PDF Format) Please subscribe to The Truth’s
Mailing List @ http://groups.google.com/group/thetruth110
If you want any material to be published please send us an e-mail.
Please note that we have the right to Accept, Edit or Refuse any content.
Editor in Chief: Hassan Tabatabai Editor: Ahmad Al Najjar
Designed by: Ahmad Haidar
Contact-Us Please send us your feedbacks, comments, and suggestions to
the following e-mail: thetruth110@gmail.com