MONTH OF SHA’BAN

Significance

Sha’ban is the month of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), in which believers are told to increase their remembrance of the Prophet and send blessings on him. The Prophet (pbuh) has said that whoever loves him will fast in this month. It is also recommended to give sadaqa and seek istighfar in this month.

Sha’ban is the only month of the Islamic calendar which does not have a single wafat, or day of mourning. It is truly a blessed month, with auspicious occasions of the birth of many great personalities:

3rd – Birthday of Imam Husayn (pbuh)

4th – Birthday of Hazrat Abbas (pbuh)

5th – Birthday of Imam Ali Zaynul Abideen (pbuh)

15th – Birthday of Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (pbuh)

Rasulullah (pbuh) has said: “Sha’ban is my month”. He used to fast for the whole month of Sha’ban. Imam Ali Zaynul Abideen (pbuh) has said, “Whosoever loves the Prophet and wishes to seek nearness to Allah receiving His bounties, favours and rewards in this world and in the hereafter, must connect Sha’ban with the month of Ramadhan in the matter of fasting and special prayers”.

Rasulullah (pbuh) has also said:

"Whosoever observes nine fasts in the month of Sha’ban should not fear the interrogation of Munkar & Nakeer in the grave. Whosoever observes twelve fasts in the month of Sha’ban, 70,000 angels will descend over his/her grave on the first night of his burial,(the night of wahshah - restlessness) to remove his/her fear & loneliness”.

The 13th, 14th and 15th of Rajab, Sha’ban and Ramadhan are known as “Ayyamul Biydh” (Illuminated days).

Imam Ali (pbuh)’s advice on the first day of Sha’ban

Imam Ali (pbuh) once saw some Muslims arguing among themselves on the topic of fate and destiny, on the first day of Sha’ban. He discouraged them from their preoccupation and instead drew their attention to the merits of this month. He said that the Lord had called it Sha’ban because His favours and bounties were scattered (sha’aba) all over during it.

Allah presents His great bounties in this month which are easy to achieve, and inexpensive, said Imam Ali (pbuh). This could mean that the doing of ibadah (acts of worship), performing other good deeds and abstaining from evils will carry manifold benefits. Then he enumerated some of the good actions which should not be overlooked in this month. These include salaa, zakat, amr bil-ma’ruf, (enjoining towards good), nahyi anilmunkar (forbidding the evil), goodness to parents, relatives and neighbours, mutual reconciliation and giving charity to the poor and destitute.

General A’mal for Sha’ban

•Recite 70 times every day:

“I seek forgiveness of Allah, there is no God but He, the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Ever Living, the Eternal and I turn (repentant) to Him.”

•Fast as much as possible.

If not possible, it is highly recommended to fast on Thursdays of this month.

•Special salaa for every Thursday in Sha’ban

It is mustahab to recite two raka’aat salaa every Thursday in Sha’ban. In each raka’aat recite Suratul Fatiha followed by 100 times Suratul Ikhlas. After completing the salaa, recite 100 times salawat on the Prophet (pbuh) and his family.

•It is also highly recommended to give sadaqa during this month.

•Recite Dua Sha’baniyya

•Eve of 15th Sha’ban – Perform ‘Amal of Laylatul Bara’a

THE EVE OF 15th SHA’BAN

Rasulullah (pbuh) has said: "When the night of the middle of Sha’ban comes, spend the night in prayer and fast the next day for in it Allah forgives more sins than the hairs of the goats of the tribe of Kalb." He also said: " When the night of the middle of Sha’ban comes, Allah says:

"Is there anyone begging for forgiveness that I might forgive him? Is there anyone begging for sustenance that I may feed him?

A’MAL FOR THE EVE OF 15th SHA’BAN

1. At the time of sunset – ghusl

2. Recite Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (pbuh)

3. Recite Dua Kumayl

4. Recite:

a) Tasbeehat e Arba’a 100x

b) Subhanallah 100x

c) Alhamdulillah 100x

d) Allahu Akber 100x

e) Laa ilaha illallah 100x

Recite dua welcoming Imam Al-‘Asr (pbuh)

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and his family

O Allah for the sake of this night, and he who was born tonight, Your decisive proof,

Your “promise”, which You joined with as a favour to keep alive its superiority,

So You fulfilled Your words truly and justly;

No one can change Your Words nor obscure Your signs

The Bright sign was previously hidden and covered in the gloominess of darkness. Dignified was his birth, honoured was his association, and the angels stood witness to him.

Allah is his witness and supporter, when the promised event (of his return) approaches,

And the angels will aid him. He (the Imam) is the sword of Allah which does not miss (its target),

The light of God which cannot be concealed, The possessor of forbearance who does not act improperly, the pivot of age, The confidant of time, the authority of the affair Which descends with the angels on the night of Qadr, Among those who (matter) in the Day of Gathering And resurrection, (those who) interpret His revelation, guide towards His commands, and forbidden laws.

O Allah bless their seal, the one who will rise among them, who is hidden from the cosmos

O Allah, make us reach his days, his appearance and his rising. Cause us to be among his helpers, join our struggle (to achieve truth) with his struggle, include us among his supporters and sincere friends,

Give us life in his reign, gentle so that we receive the bounties, benefit from his company, rise for his rightful (struggle), and are safe from evil.

O the Most Merciful of the Merciful!

(All) praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

May His blessings be on Muhammed, the seal of the Prophets, And the Messenger, and upon his family, the truthful, and the articulate progeny. Curse all the oppressors and judge between us and them, O the best of all the Judges.

5. Imam Al-Baqir (pbuh) and Imam

As-Sadiq (pbuh) used to pray a 4 Raka’aat Salaa as below:

In each Raka’a, recite Suratul Fatiha 100x and Suratul Ikhlas 100x. After the salaam recite the following dua:

O Allah! I stand in need of You, and from Your punishment, am fearful, seeking refuge

O Allah! Do not change my name nor alter my body, nor try me with a severe trial, and make not my enemies rejoice (at my failure),

I seek refuge in Your forgiveness from Your punishment

And I seek refuge in Your mercy from Your chastisement

And in Your pleasure from Your anger, and in You from You

Great is Your praise, You are the way You have praised Yourself. Above what is said by the speakers.

6. After Salatul Isha, pray 2 raka’aat with Suratul Fatiha and Suratul Kaafirun in the 1st raka’a and Suratul Fatiha and Suratul Ikhlas in the second. After salaa recite Tasbee of Sayyida and the following dua:

O He to whom the bondmen turn to in the event of urgent important matters;

And unto whom people run for help when the misfortune strikes!

O He who knows the hidden as well as the evident!

O He who is aware of the bias of the suspicious mind, and the clever activity of the fanciful deviating intellect!

O Lord of the cosmos and the creatures who live there!

O He who exercises full authority over the earths and the heavens!

You are Allah, I stride towards you with there is no God except You (on my lips).

Therefore "There is no god except You”, treat me tonight like the one whom You paid attention, took pity on and heard his prayer,

And, aware of his trembling, tolerated and overlooked his past misdeeds and many mistakes to give answer to his cry of help,

I surrender myself to You request You to keep my defects undisclosed.

O Allah put me close to You as You are loving and forgiving, take off the loads of my errors as You are loving and forgiving,

Cover me with Your mercy tonight (because) You show generosity in abundance, let me be tonight among Your friends whom You elected to obey You, when You selected to worship You, and kept them sincerely attached and committed to You.

O “Allah let me be like the one who finds happiness in his efforts and makes full use of the good fortune available to him,

let me be like one kept from evil, lived a life free of cares; exercised self-control, so won easily. Spare and free me from the cravings I have accumulated, prevent me from the wasteful conduct that transgress Your bounds, discipline me in Your obedience which will direct me to Your neighbourhood, very near to You.”

My Lord and master with You the hunted take refuge, the beseecher humbly makes a request to You, the repentant guilty, apologetic, relies on Your liberal kindness, You trained and educated Your servants to be kind and liberal,’

You are the most kind of all those who show kindness; You developed Your servants to be forgiving and compassionate, You are All-Forgiving and Merciful.

O Allah do not keep from me that which I expect to get from Your generosity, do not send me away from Your boundless reserves of bounties,

Do not exclude me from the share You distribute freely tonight to the people who obey You, And take me in under Your sanctuary to protect me from the evil of the wild creatures,

Lord! If I am not among the deserving, You are Liberal, Indulgent, and All-Forgiving,”

so give me to my heart’s content in accordance with Your potence, not what I deserve; because my expectations are very high, my hopes live in hope of sure fulfillment, I cling to and hang on Your liberal generosity,’

Indeed You are the most Merciful of all who show mercy, and the most generous of all who are generous.

O Allah designate me clearly to obtain freely my share from Your bounties.

I seek refuge with Your forgiveness to avoid the penalty You may decide,

Be lenient to me in the matter of sins that have wrapped up and held in check my refinement, And thus brought me into distress, I take steps to be good for the sake of Your pleasure, prosper on account of Your bounties.’

And peace on account of Your uninterrupted endowments, And prosper on account of Your countless bounties. As I enjoy Your protection and lay myself at the mercy of Your generosity,

Take refuge with Your forgiveness from Your penalty, You may decide and with Your indulgence to avoid Your anger, give me that which I asked for, As I make a request to You most humbly, I beseech You; As there is nothing beyond Your power.

Then go into sajda and recite:

•20x Yaa Rabbiy,

•7x Yaa Allah,

•7x Laa Hawla wa laa quwwata illaabillah,

•10x Ma Sha’Allah

•10x Laa quwwata illaa billah,

•Finally Allahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammad wa aali Muhammad.

7. Recite the following tonight and every night during the rest of the month:

“O Allah, if You have forgotten us during the previous days of Sha’ban, then please be merciful to us in the days now to follow.”

8. Shaykh Kafamee writes in “Misbah” to recite Surah Yaseen 3x for the following 3 reasons:

1. For long life

2. For prosperity

3. For safety from misfortune

Then recite the following 21 times and do not talk to anyone until the recitation is completed:

O Allah! You are mighty of patience and perseverance, and we have no strength to bear Your judgement.

O Allah! O Allah! O Allah!

Safety, safety, safety,

From plague and epidemics, accidental death, an evil ending, and the taunting of enemies.

Ya Rabb! Free us from the punishment, surely we believe in Your Mercy, O the most merciful.

Shaykh Toosi and Kafami have advised the recitation of the following dua’; (this dua’ is also recited after Salaatush Shifa)

O Allah, on this night, the seekers have sought You,

The aspirers have aspired for You,

The searchers have hoped for Your blessings and grace.

For You have, on this night, hidden bounties,

Rewards, presents and gifts Which You bestow upon whom You please, from Your servants

And You deny them to one who has not reached Your regard.

Here I am, Your adject servant, in need of You, Hopeful of Your blessings and grace.

So O my Master, if You bestow blessings on this night, on anyone of Your creatures

And turn to him with affection,

Then bless Muhammad and his family, the pure, the purified, the virtuous, the excellent

And favour me with Your bounty, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah, bless Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets, and his family, the purified ones, (and send) a perfect salutation.

Surely Allah is Praiseworthy, Glorious

O Allah, I have supplicated to You as You have commanded, so answer me, as You have promised, surely You do not break Your promises.

9. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to recite the following dua’ in sajda tonight after Salaatut Tahajjud. (It can also be recited tonight after praying a 10 raka'aat salaa in 5 sets of 2 raka'aat. In each raka' a recite Suratul Fatiha and 10x Suratul Ikhlaas).

My being and my mind have prostrated for You, and my heart has believed in You.

These are my hands and the sins I have committed against myself, O Mighty!

From who every great thing is hoped,

Forgive me the mighty (great) sins, for none can forgive the mighty sins except the Mighty Rabb.

I seek refuge in the light of your countenance, by which the heavens and the earths have been illuminated

The darkness has been removed,

The affairs of the first and last ones have been improved, (I seek refuge) from Your sudden punishment, changing of good health, and removal of Your blessings.

O Allah! Grant me a heart which is pious, pure, disassociated from polytheism, not disbelieving or unfortunate.

Place both cheeks on sajdaga in turn and say:

I have placed my face on sand. It is Your right on me that I promise for You.

‘Amal for day of 15 Sha’ban

On 15th Sha’ban, Imam Muhammad bin Hasan Al Mahdi (pbuh) was born in 256 AH.

It is recommended to:

1) Recite salaa of Salman Farsi.

2) Recite the Ziayra of Imam Husayn (pbuh)

ZIYARA OF IMAM HUSAYN (pbuh)

This ziyara is to be recited on 1st Rajab, 15th Rajab and 15th Sha’ban.

Peace be on you, O the son of the Messenger of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the son of the seal of the Prophets!

Peace be on you, O the son of the chief of the messengers!

Peace be on you, O the son of the chief of the Trustees!

Peace be on you, O Aba Abdillah!

Peace be on you, O Husayn son of Ali!

Peace be on you, O the son of Fatimah Zahra, the leader of the women of the worlds!

Peace be on you, O beloved of Allah, and the son of His beloved

Peace be on you, O the sincere friend of Allah, and the son of His sincere servant

Peace be on you, O proof of Allah (over His creatures), and the son of His proof,

Peace be on you, O dear friend of Allah, and the son of His dear friend

Peace be on you, O envoy of Allah, and the son of His envoy!

Peace be on you, O treasurer of the subscribed book,

Peace be on you, O inheritor of the Tawrat, Injeel, and Zuboor!

Peace be on you, O trusted one of the Beneficent!

Peace be on you, O partner of the Holy Qur’an!

Peace be on you, O pillar of religion,

Peace be on you, O the gate of (understanding) the wisdom of the Lord of the worlds!

Peace be on you, O the gate of relief which gives safety to whoever entered it.

Peace be on you, O the container of the knowledge of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the place of the secrets of Allah!

Peace be on you, O the fighter in the way of Allah, and the son of a fighter in His way, and O one who was left alone.

Peace be on you, and on the souls who perished with you, and followed you in your death. May my father and mother, and myself be sacrificed for you.

O Aba Abdillah

Unbearable was your tragedy, and great was your loss on us,

And on all the people of Islam.

May Allah curse the people who laid the basis of oppression and the wrongs done against you, O Ahlul Bayt.

May Allah curse those who denied you your position and removed you from the rank which Allah had given you.

May my father and mother, and myself be sacrificed for you.

O Aba Abdillah, I bear witness that the shadows of the throne and the creatures, trembled at (the shedding of) your blood,

And the heaven and earth wept for you,

And (so did) the dwellers of the heavens and the land and sea.

May Allah bless you in abundance, the knowledge of which is with Allah.

Here I am, O caller to Allah.

If my body did not answer your call for help,  nor my tongue at your plea for assistance,  then surely, my heart answered you, and my hearing and sight.

Glory be to our Lord, the promise of our Lord will surely happen.

I bear witness that you are pure, purifying, from (origins which are) pure, purified and purifying. And the city became pure because of you,

And the earth on which you are became pure and your shrine became pure.

I bear witness that you enjoined towards justice and equity,

Invited towards them, and that you were truthful, honest. Verified what you called towards, and you were the fearless warrior of Allah.

And I bear witness that you delivered from Allah, and from your grandfather, the messenger of Allah, and from your father, Ameerul Mu’mineen, and from your brother Hasan.

You advised and struggled in the way of Allah. You worshipped Allah sincerely, until death overtook you. May Allah reward you, the best of rewards of the foremost.

May Allah bless you, and greet you with the perfect greeting.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family.

And bless Husayn, the oppressed, the martyr, the guide, Killed remorsefully, prisoner of miseries.

Blessings which are continuous pure, and full of praise. Its first one rises, and its last one never ends.

The best of what You have blessed anyone, from the children of Your Prophets,

O God of the worlds.

IMAM MUHAMMAD AL-MAHDI (pbuh)

“And We intend to bestow our favour upon those who were considered weak in the land and to make them the Aimma and to make them the heirs.” 28:5

Imagine that you live your entire life in a place where the sun is always behind the clouds. Your parents and grandparents lived here too, and so did their parents and grandparents. You have adequate sustenance and you survive because that is what you have been taught to do. You know that the sun exists because of the very fact that you survive.

“The world subsists due to his existence, due to his blessings, creation is sustained and on account of his existence – the heavens and earth remain intact”

Dua Adeela.

You have been taught the ideology of tawheed and although around you there is ample proof of the existence of Allah, you wish to see and hear such an individual that will prove conclusively not only to you but to all who have doubted you.

The restlessness and sadness in the soul is the missing of the hujjat of Allah, for Imam is the sun behind the clouds.

We await his Zhuhur for it is the ultimate proof (hujjat) that this world was created  by design, and its purpose will indeed be realized - that tawheed WILL prevail and the promise of Allah will be fulfilled.

TIMELINE OF IMAM MUHAMMAD AL-MAHDI (PBUH)

Age Event

253 AH

867 CE

Marriage of Imam Hasan Al-Askery (pbuh) to Sayyida Narjis Khatoon (pbuh),the grand-daughter of the Emperor of Rum

255 AH

869 CE

Birth

Imam was born on Friday, 15th of Sha’ban, in Samarra.

Sayyida Hakima (sister of 10th Imam) relates that she went to her nephew`s (11th Imam) house after iftar on 14th Sha'ban and was told by him to stay as his son was to be born.

Sayyida Hakima stayed for the night and was asked by Imam Hasan Al-Askery (pbuh) to continuously recite Suratul Qadr. At Fajr, Sayyida Hakima was surprised to hear the recitation of Suratul Qadr from the womb of Sayyida Narjis who was feeling uneasy. Imam was born at Fajr on the 15th of Sha’ban.

Sayyida Hakima took him to the 11th Imam to whom the infant recited:

“In the name of Allah the most Kind, the most Merciful… and We intend to bestow (our) favours upon those who were considered weak in the land and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs “Qur’an – Suratul Qasas - 28:5

To protect the 12th Imam, Imam Hasan Al- Askery (pbuh) did not make public the news concerning the birth.

He only disclosed to a few reliable followers.

(Abu Hashim Al Jafari Ahmed b Ishaq, Sayyida Hakima, Khadija (another aunt).

258 AH

872 CE

3-4 yrs

Abu Dayan asked the 11th Imam who would be the Imam after him.

Suddenly a curtain rose and he saw a young child (3 - 4 years old) with a luminous face.

Imam also invited chosen believers from Qum and revealed the birth of the 12th Imam.

260 AH

874 CE

5 yrs

Imam Hasan Al-Askery (pbuh) dies

On 8th Rabi ul Awwal

Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (pbuh) led the funeral prayers (Salaa alal Mayyit). After leading the prayers the 12th Imam approached a servant of his father’s named Adyan and asked for a letter that he had. Adyan handed it over (11th Imam had sent Adyan to Baghdad with an errand and  asked him to come back with the reply and if he had died to hand it to the one who lead his funeral prayers who would be his successor and Imam of the time.

Start of GHAYBATUS SUGHRA

This is when Imam went into the minor concealment and appointed representatives (Naibs, Safirs......). Imam responded to requests through them by word or signed notes known as “tawqi”. His handwriting was well known.

There were 4 representatives:

1. Uthman bin Saeed (A.R.)

2. Muhammad bin Uthman (A.R.)

3. Husayn bin Rawh (A.R.)

4. Ali bin Muhammad Samry (A.R.)

260- 262 AH

874-876 CE

5 – 7 yrs

Uthman bin Saeed (A.R.)

He was the first representative of the Imam. It is said that at the age of 11 years he was a servant in the house of the 9th Imam later to enjoy the confidence of Imam.

He occupied the same position of trust with the 10th and 11th Imam who told Shias that after him they would not see the 12th Imam and would have to obey Uthman. After the 11th Imam's martyrdom Uthman moved to Baghdad and disguised as a butter seller, he set up the collection of khums for Imam. He served the 12th Imam for 18 months and received a letter near his death from Imam telling him to appoint his son Mohammed as the next representative and telling him how fortunate his father was to have a son like him.

262-305 AH

876-918 CE

7 – 50 yrs

Muhammad bin Uthman (A.R.)

He continued in his father’s footsteps also as a butter seller. In the early years of the reign of Al-Mutadid, the rulers then started searching for Imam and killed countless mu'mineen with even the slightest resemblance to Imam.

Dua Samaat was learnt through Muhammad bin Uthman. As instructed by Imam he appointed Husayn bin Rawh as the next representative after his death in 305 (A.H.). He is buried in East Baghdad (in Khallani).

305-326 AH

918-938 CE

50–71 yrs

Husayn bin Rawh (A.R.)

His kuniyya was Abul Qasim. He was from the family of Nawbakhti. His sociable nature won him respect from all. He managed to keep his activities a secret from the rulers whilst maintaining good relations with them. It is to him that we address the 'areeza' to be delivered to Imam. He served faithfully until he died in Sha'ban 326 A.H., revealing the appointment of Ali bin Muhammad Samry after him.

326-329 AH

938-941 CE

71 -74 yrs

Ali bin Muhammad Samry (A.R.)

He served for only three years. A week before his death he received a letter from Imam telling him of his forthcoming death and that there would be no representative after him. He died on 15th Sha'ban 329 A.H.

329 AH to …...

941 CE .....

71 yrs to …

GHAYBATUL KUBRA

During ghaybatul Kubra Imam continues to guide his follower.

Numerous letters have been written by him to quote a few - Ishaq bin Yaqub, Sheikh Mufid etc.

It is reported from Imam Ja’fer As-Sadiq  (pbuh) that 30 people all over the world meet with him regularly.

They are not necessarily mujtahideen but can be ordinary mu’mineen.

Imam is known to meet a believer on 3 occasions:

1. At the time of trouble.

2. He is present at every Hajj.

3. He attends the funeral of every believer who has no religious obligations pending on him/her e.g. Khums, Salaa, Fasting

ZHUHUR - SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Transport yourself to an era when there will be turmoil and anarchy in the world, an era where there will be a two pronged attack on Islam –

1. From a man appearing righteous but being ruthless within the Middle East (the prophesized Sufyani) who from Palestine will attack and gain control over Syria, Palestine and Jordan – making Damascus his seat of power with his sight on Iraq and subsequently Madina and Makka.

2. Dajjal - meaning deceiver or imposter and as Syed Muhammad Sadr in his book Tareekh Al-

Ghaybatul Kubra says, is probably a representation of an ideology which may be subscribed to by many countries rather than a literal person who will attempt to deceive the Muslim world into believing that their economies rely on him/it in order to destroy the Haramayn using Iraq as his/it’s foothold to gain entry.

•Baghdad will be occupied by an army from the West and the city will be in a state of anarchy.

•There will be a power vacuum in Saudi Arabia.

•Human beings will have unprecedented power and opportunity through information technology – so much so that an announcement made anywhere in the world will be heard by all in their own tongue and at that very instant.

At the same time, an army from Iran under a descendant of Imam Hasan (pbuh), known in ahadith as Syed Hasani will be mobilised to combat the attacks on Islam and this army will enter Iraq through Basra.

313 leaders (amongst them incidentally some 50 women) will share spiritual knowledge with each other, empowering and unifying other individuals everywhere.

Imam Ali (pbuh) in Nahjul Balagha (Sermon 149) says:

Then a group of people will be sharpened like the sharpening of the swords by the blacksmith. Their sight will be brightened by revelation. The commentary of the Qur’an will be put into their ears and they will be given drinks of wisdom, morning and evening.

Zhuhur will be in 2 stages:

Ist Stage

It will start in the month of Dhulhijja when 40 mu’mineen will realise the imminence of zhuhur and not return home from hajj.

They will go to the Haram, and plead to Allah near the Ka’ba for an audience with Imam. One of them will be called by Imam and told to represent the group. Through this representative, they will be invited to meet Imam who will ask one of them to make the announcement of his imminent zhuhur at the door of the Ka’ba. The announcer will be killed - He is the Nafse Zakiyya whose blood will touch the Ka’ba mentioned in many prophecies. (Biharul Anwaar Vol. 13)

2nd Stage

Not more than 15 days later, with his back to the wall of the Ka’ba, wearing the attire of the Prophet (pbuh), shaded by a cloud, on the day of ‘Ashura in an odd year known only to Allah; Imam will address the world at dawn in an announcement which will be heard by every human being in his/her own language –

“Ya Ayyuhal ‘aalam” (O inhabitants of the worlds) -

Baqiyatullahi khayrul lakum in kuntum mu’mineen…..”

What remains with Allah is better for you if you are mu’mineen” 11:86

An announcer will say:

“And Say: The truth has come and falsehood has vanished, Indeed falsehood is a vanishing (thing).” 17:81

Imam will introduce himself – “Anaa Baqiyatullah”

The 313 network will have already arrived pledging their allegiance to him with a covenant of 26 conditions the same covenant given by his ancestor Ali ibn Abi Talib (pbuh)to his soldiers (Kitabe Jahan ba’daz zhuhur pg.125-126)

1. Not to steal

2. Not to commit adultery

3. Not to abuse a Muslim

4. Not to murder anyone unlawfully

5. Not to violate anyone’s honour

6. Not to attack anyone’s dwelling

7. Not to harm anyone

8. Not to hoard gold, silver, wheat and barley

9. Not to usurp the property of an orphan

10. Not give false testimony

11. Not forsake the masjid

12. Not drink wine or intoxicants

13. Not wear clothing of silk or golden thread

14. Not wear a gold belt

15. Not indulge in highway robbery

16. Not attack travellers and wayfarers

17. Not indulge in homosexuality

18. Not destroy food stocks

19. Be content with little

20. Use perfume and fragrance

21. Stay away from uncleanliness

22. Do amr bil ma’ruf

23. Do nahyi anil munkar

24. Wear simple clothes

25. Rest on an earthen pillow

26. Strive in Allah’s way as is His right

Imam (pbuh) will promise those who take the covenant that:

•He will stay with them

•He will dress like them

•He will keep a mount similar to them

•He will work according to their will

•He will be content with a little

•He will, with Allah’s help fill the world with equity and justice

•He will do the ibada of Allah as is His right

•He will give them direct access to him without an intermediary.

These will keep their communities or networks informed and mobilised calling them to Imam. Sufyani will put his media machine into action.

Imam’s first confrontation will be in Makka where he will appoint a Governor, and go towards Madina which will be destroyed. Imam will restore Madina to its former glory and proceed towards Kufa to meet the army of Syed Hasani.

After combating the deception and army of Dajjal, possibly in Palestine, they will proceed towards Syria in pursuit of Sufyani. He will have escaped there when his entire army will have suffered immense losses in the desert of Baaida near Madina, on the way to Makka.

At the border of Iraq with Syria, Imam will wait for Prophet Isa (pbuh) and just before Fajr, he will descend and Imam will lead Salatul Fajr before they are engaged in combat.

Imam’s army will be victorious but Sufyani will escape to Jerusalem. Imam will pursue him and he will be defeated by Prophet Isa (pbuh).

Imam will rebuild Masjidul Aqsa which will have been destroyed.

With the Middle East under Imam’s control, he will establish his government in Kufa rebuilding Iraq.

The revolution of Imam will be an intellectual one – Fadhl bin Yasaar heard Imam Baqir (pbuh) say:

“When our Qaaim rises, he will face more difficulty than the Prophet (pbuh) did during the period of ignorance”

Imam explained: “When the Prophet announced his mission, people worshipped stones and wood – When Imam rises – people will interpret the law of Allah against his interpretation and argue with him by means of the Qur’an –but his justice will enter their homes just as the heat and cold enter it.”

He will send his helpers and liberators to the east and the west of the world and as both the 5th and 6th Imam have said, they will continue their struggle until Allah’s pleasure is acquired.

In other words, the occupation of the entire world will be to recognise Allah –the quest for Oneness – Tawheed.

Imam Ali (pbuh) in Nahjul Balagha (Saying 20) says:

“The world will bend towards us after having been resistant as the biting shecamel bends towards its young”

IMAM’S RULE

A global government will be formed, which will have absolute power and will redefine autocracy.

Shaheed Mutahhari in his book ‘The Awaited Saviour’ says it will be when there will be a:

1. Final victory of righteousness, virtue, peace, justice, freedom and truth over the forces of egoism, tyranny, deceit and fraud.

2. Establishment of a world government.

3. Reclamation and rehabilitation of the whole earth so that no area remains wasted.

4. Attainment of full rationality by humankind, adherence to ideology and emancipation from animal impulses and undue social restrictions.

5. Maximum utilization of the gifts of the earth.

6. Just distribution of wealth and property among all human beings.

7. Complete eradication of all vices like usury, use of intoxicants, treachery, theft and homicide and total disappearance of abnormal complexes, malice and ill-will.

8. Eradication of war and restoration of peace, friendship, co-operation and benevolence.

9. Complete coherence between man and nature.

AREEZA (DRAFT TRANSLATION)

I write to you, Yaa Mawlaya (pbuh) in need of your help … I complain about what has descended on me … seeking refuge with Allah, then with you from affairs which darken my days, occupy my heart, occupy my thoughts, and rob me some of my innermost essence (that which is an important ne’ma of Allah).

Keep me safe from imagining the coming of problems, free me from what you see of my inclination of devotion (to others) and falling short of protecting myself against the plotting of my own nafs; and my lack of endurance in my sabr and strength and so I get torn apart (splintered personality).

And I trust in the wisdom of Allah … praise be to Him and you in the planning about me … the knowledge of your status is with Allah, the Rabb of the worlds, the Guardian of all arrangements, the Master of all affairs, confident with you in speeding up intercession to Him – Praise be to Him in all my affairs.

I am certain in the answer from Allah, to You (Allah) alone do I present my pleas; and you are Ya Mawlaya, I know one who can actualize my needs, put effect my thoughts and verify my hope in you for my affairs

WRITE HAJAT HERE

This (that written above) is what I have no strength to bear and no patience for. And if I deserve it (my plight), and weak because of my ugly deeds and neglect in my waajibaat with Allah… So I plead to you in helping me … Yaa Mawlaya with my longing and present my asking to Allah in my affairs before the arrival of wreckage and the gloating of enemies, so to you I clearly declare the ne’mas of Allah, and I ask Allah for help, honour and a manifest near victory in achieving that which I hope for and the best of beginnings and the competition of all my actions, and safety from fear in everything.

Indeed He is great in praise in whatever He does and He is enough and the best of Guardians in origins and conclusions.

DUA FOR THE SAFETY OF IMAM MAHDI (PBUH)

O Allah, be, for Your representative the  Hujjat (proof), son of Al Hasan, Your blessings be on him and his forefathers, in this hour and in every hour, a guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper, a proof, and an eye until You make him live on the earth, in obedience (to You), and cause him to live in it for a long time.

DUA FOR FULFILMENT OF NEEDS

Ya Aba Salih, Al Mahdi

DUA FARAJ

It is reported in the book ‘Kumuz ul Najat’ by Shaikh Fazil bin Hasan Tabrisi, that a man called Abul Hasan Muhammad bin Abul Laith was at one time hiding in a graveyard in Baghdad out of fear for his life.

Imam taught him this duas which saved his life. He said that when the phrase “Ya Sahibuz Zaman” was recited, Imam pointed to himself which not only proved his identity but indicated that our minds should be directed towards Imam when we recite it.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

O Allah,  trials are great,

fear has increased,

the cover has been removed,

all hopes have been cut off,

the earth has shrunk (with very little to spare for us), the heavens are withholding blessings

we call upon You for help, we direct our complain to You,

we have total faith in you in times of distress and wellbeing.

O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad  and the family of Muhammad the Ulil Amr - obedience to whom has been made obligatory, through which their high status has been made known

Therefore let there be joy after sorrow for us in their name, right away, in the twinkle of an eye more rapidly.

O Muhammad, O Ali, O Ali, O Muhammad

Give me enough because both of you provide sufficiently and help me because both of you help and protect.

O Our Master O the Authority of our time!

Help! Help! Help!

Come to my help, Come to my help, Come to my help, in this hour, in this hour, in this hour,

Be quick, Be quick, Be quick,

O the most Merciful!

In the name of Muhammad and his pure progeny.

DUA SHA’BANIYYA

(THE WHISPERED PRAYER OF SHA’BAN)

The dua or munajat has been taught by Imam Ali (pbuh).

This dua contains sublime themes teaching how to beseech Allah; how to tell Him of the secrets of the heart; how to offer apologies and how to remain hopeful. Also, in this dua the meanings of the interpretation of God’s countenance (Laqa), God’s witnessing (Shahood) and God’s nearness (Qurb) have been described.

My Rabb, bestow Your blessings on Muhammad and his descendants; respond to my prayer when I pray to You; listen to my call when I call You; and turn to me when I make my submission to You in confidence.

I have come running to You and am standing before You imploring You in humility and hoping to get the reward You have for me. You know what is in my heart, and You are aware of what I need.

You know my mind and are not unaware of my future and of my present, of what I want to begin my speech with; of the request I would utter, and of the hopes I have in regard to my ultimate lot.

My Rabb, whatever You have destined for me up to the end of my life, whether concerning the open aspect of my life or the hidden aspect of it, is bound to come.

What is to my advantage and what is to my disadvantage - all my losses and gains are in Your hand, not in the hand of anybody else.

My Rabb, if You deprive me, who else will provide me; and if You let me down, who else will help me?

My Rabb, I seek Your protection from Your anger and from earning Your displeasure. If I am not fit for gaining Your Mercy, You are certainly fit to be generous to me by virtue of Your Magnanimity.

My Rabb, I see as if I am standing before You protected by my trust in You. You said what befitted You and covered me with Your forgiveness.

My Rabb, if You forgive me, then who is more suited than You to do that? If the time of my death has come near and my deeds have not still brought me close to You, I make this confession of my sins a means of approaching You. I have been unjust to my soul for I have not looked after it. It will certainly be doomed if You do not forgive it.

My Rabb, You have always been kind to me during my life time. Therefore do not cut off Your favour from me at the time of my death.

My Rabb, how can I lose the hope, of Your looking kindly, in me after my death, when you have always been good to me during my life.

My Rabb, in my case do what befits You and bestow Your favour on me, a sinner enwrapped in his ignorance.

My Rabb, You have concealed many of my sins in this world. I am in a greater need of their being conceded in the next. As You have not revealed my sins even to any of Your pious bondmen, do not expose me on the Day of Resurrection before everybody.

My Rabb, Your generosity has expanded my aspiration, and Your forgiveness is superior to my deeds. Therefore gladden my heart by allowing me to meet You on the day You administer justice to Your bondmen. My Rabb, my apology to You is the apology of him who cannot afford his apology being not accepted. Therefore accept my apology, You the Most Magnanimous of those to whom the evildoers tender their apology.

My Rabb, do not turn down my request; do not foil my desire; and do not cut off my hope and expectation of You.

My Rabb, if You had wanted to disgrace me, You would not have guided me; and if You had wanted to expose my faults and vices, You would not have kept me safe and sound. My Rabb, I do not think that You will turn down my request for that in asking You for which I have spent my whole life. My Rabb, all praise is due to You, always and forever, growing not diminishing, as You like and please. My Rabb, if You condemn me for my crimes, I will cling to Your forgiveness, and if You hold me for my sins, I will cling to Your granting pardon. If You haul me into the hell, I will tell its inmates that I love You.

My Rabb, if my deeds are too small in relation to how I should obey You, my aspirations are high enough as compared to what I should expect of You.

My Rabb, how can I go away from You unsuccessful and disappointed, when I had a high hope that You will be kind enough to send me away enjoying safety and deliverance.

My Rabb, I have wasted my life committing the crime of forgetting You and played havoc with my youth, intoxicated with keeping myself away from You. My Rabb, I did not wake up when I was under a delusion about You and was inclined to earn Your displeasure.

My Rabb, I am Your bondman, son of Your bondman. I am standing before You, trying to use Your own magnanimity as a means of approaching You. My Rabb, I am a bondman of Yours, I want to rid myself of the sins I used to commit in Your presence because I lacked the sense of feeling ashamed that You were looking at me. I request You to forgive me, because forgiveness is a characteristic of Your Kindness.

My Rabb, I was not strong enough to move away from Your disobedience, except when You awakened me to Your love. I was exactly as You wanted me to be. I am thankful to You for introducing me to Your Kindness and purging my heart of the impurities of being inattentive to You. My Rabb, look upon me as the person whom You called and he responded to You, whom You helped by using his services, and he obeyed You. O One, Who is not far from one who is away from You. O One, Who does not withhold His reward from one who hopes for it. My Rabb, provide me with a heart, the passion of which may bring it near You, with a tongue the truth of which may be submitted to You, and with a vision the nature of which may bring it close to You.

My Rabb, whoever gets acquainted with You, is not unknown; whoever takes shelter under You, is not disappointed; and one to whom You turn, is not a slave.

One who follows Your path is enlightened; and one who takes refuge in You, is saved.

My Rabb, I have taken refuge in You.

Therefore do not disappoint me of Your Mercy and do not keep me secluded from Your Kindness.

My Rabb, place me among your friends in the position of one who hopes for an increase in Your love.

My Rabb, inspire me with a passionate love of remembering You so that I may keep on remembering You, and by Your Holy Name and Pure Position cherish my cheerful determination into a success.

My Rabb, I invoke You to admit me to the place reserved for those who obey You, and to attach me to the nice abode of those who enjoy Your good pleasure ... I can neither defend myself nor do I control what is advantageous for me.

My Rabb, I am Your powerless sinning slave and Your repentant bondman. So do not make me one of those from whom You turn away Your face, and whom his negligence has secluded from Your forgiveness. My Rabb, grant me complete severance of my relations with everything else and total submission to You.

Enlighten the eyes of our hearts with the light of their looking at You to the extent that they penetrate the veils of light and reach the Source of Grandeur, and let our souls get suspended by the glory of Your sanctity. My Rabb, make me one of those whom You call and they respond; when You look at and they are thunderstruck by Your majesty. You whisper to them secretly and they work for You openly.

My Rabb, I have not allowed my pessimistic despair to overcome my good opinion about You, nor did I ever lose my hope of Your benevolence.

My Rabb, if my errors have degraded me with You, You may forgive me in view of my unqualified reliance on You.

My Rabb, if my sins have made me unfit to receive Your tender affection, my firm belief has reminded me of Your Compassion.

My Rabb, if my disregard for preparations to meet You has put me to sleep, my knowledge of Your kind bounties has awakened me.

My Rabb, if Your severe punishment calls me to Hell, the abundance of Your reward invites me to Paradise.

My Rabb, I ask You and pray to You earnestly, I desire and request You to show Your favour to Muhammad and his descendants, make me one of those who always remember You and never violate the pledge they make to You, who do not fail ,to show You their gratitude and do not take Your orders lightly.

My Rabb, let me be attached to the Light of Your Majestic Glory, so that I may know You alone, be away from others, and have a heart fearful of You and an eye watchful of You. May Allah's blessing and peace be on Muhammad and those of his descendants who are pure.

Table of Contents

MONTH OF SHA’BAN

Significance

Imam Ali (pbuh)’s advice on the first day of Sha’ban

General A’mal for Sha’ban

THE EVE OF 15th SHA’BAN

A’MAL FOR THE EVE OF 15th SHA’BAN

‘Amal for day of 15 Sha’ban

ZIYARA OF IMAM HUSAYN (pbuh)

IMAM MUHAMMAD AL-MAHDI (pbuh)

TIMELINE OF IMAM MUHAMMAD AL-MAHDI (PBUH)

Age Event

Birth

Imam Hasan Al-Askery (pbuh) dies

Start of GHAYBATUS SUGHRA

Uthman bin Saeed (A.R.)

Muhammad bin Uthman (A.R.)

Husayn bin Rawh (A.R.)

Ali bin Muhammad Samry (A.R.)

GHAYBATUL KUBRA

ZHUHUR - SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Ist Stage

2nd Stage

IMAM’S RULE

AREEZA (DRAFT TRANSLATION)

WRITE HAJAT HERE

DUA FOR THE SAFETY OF IMAM MAHDI (PBUH)

DUA FOR FULFILMENT OF NEEDS

DUA FARAJ

DUA SHA’BANIYYA