Lofty status of the Black Queen in Islam by Bro. Asad AbdurRahman
In the time of the Messenger of Allah (S), there was a young princess (see etymology for Habesha below).
Habasha is the name of seventh century Kush which extended from Yemen (Shams) to North East Africa. Habesha people are known today as Abyssinian, Ethiopian, and Eritrean.
The young Princess from Habesha was kidnapped at the age of 11, and was intended for sale on the slave market. Prophet Muhammad (S) adopted her instead. It was common practice in the early days of Islam for a Believer to purchase a captive in bondage and set them free. According to Allah in His Holy Book, the freeing of a slave is a prerequisite to obtaining faith. In Surah Al-Balad Allah says:
"And what will explain to thee, the path that is steep? Freeing the bondman; Or the giving of food in a day of privation. To the orphan with claims of relationship, or to the indigent (down) in the dust. Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion." - Holy Quran 90:12-17
Prophet Muhammad (S), once an orphan himself, adopted, educated, and raised children to positions of authority. The Secretary of Defense, Zayd Ben Harith, was adopted and raised by Prophet Muhammad (S) Ref. Holy Quran 33:37.
The Blessing of being raised in the House of Prophet Muhammad (S)
To be raised in the House of the Messenger of Allah (S) was to be raised in a house that was blessed and purified by Almighty Allah ref Holy Quran 33:33
To be raised in the House of the Messenger of Allah (S) was to be raised in the house visited by the Arch Angel Jibril (AS) ref Hadith Kisa
To be raised in the House of the Messenger of Allah (S) was to be raised in the presence of the Holy Spirit- who taught the Messenger (S) the inner meanings of the Holy Quran. ref Kafi Book of Knowledge
To be raised in the House of the Messenger of Allah (S) was to become a Becon of Light ref Holy Quran 2:257. And this is what became of the young princess from Habesha. She was an Islamic scholar who knew the inner meanings of the Holy Quran, and Prophet Muhammad (S) named her Fizza (SA)
Hazrat Fizza (SA) was predestined to reflect the Light of Ahlul Bayt (AS)
Concerning the words and wisdom of Prophet Muhammad (S), Allah says:
"Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is naught save a revelation that is revealed" -Holy Quran 53:3-4
The word Fizza (Fidha فِضَّةٍ۬) is Quranic Arabic for silver. In Surah Al-Insaan Allah says:
"And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and goblets of crystal― Crystal-clear, made of silver: they will determine the measure thereof " -Holy Quran 76:15-16
"Upon them will be Green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy" -Holy Quran 76:21
The attribute of Fizza (SA) is the attribute of silver which is the best known reflector of visible light. Metaphysically it means that Fizza is the best known reflector of spiritual light, raised by Fatimah Zahra (SA), who is known throught the Islamic and Christian worlds as the Lady of Light.
The name Fizza translates into silver. Silver metal is brilliant, eye catching, and attractive. It has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals. Silver remains stable in pure air and water.
The House of the Messenger of Allah (S) was a pure environment. Allah says in the Holy Quran that he purifies the members of this household with a thorough purification. Concerning Ahlul Bayt (AS) Allah says:
"...Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, Ahlul Bayt, and purify you with a thorough purification." -Holy Quran 33:33
It was this environment which kept Fizza (SA) in her natural state, pure and untarnished. Fizza (SA) was cultivated in the environment of Ahlul Bayt (AS). She is known as Malka-e-Habesha, which means Abysinian, Eithiopian, or more literally "Black Queen".
Fizza (SA) mastered the Quran to such a degree, that she could give any answer to any question, by reciting a verse from the Quran. She could easily hold a conversation by reciting the Quran. And she is reported to have spoken a language which consisted of Quran and nothing but Quran. Some reports say that she spoke nothing but Quran for a full twenty years!
Princess Fizza (SA) was not an avarage princess. She was raised in the house of the descendants of Abraham (AS), about whom Allah says:
"Verily Allah did choose Adam and Noah the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran above all the worlds." -Holy Quran 3:33
Princess Fizza (SA) was raised with Chiefs of the Youths in Paradise, Hassan and Hussein (AS), the beloved grandsons of Prophet Muhammad (S). She was raised in the home of the Manifesting Imam, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS), about whom Allah says:
"Verily We shall give life to the dead, and We record that which they sent before and that which they leave behind, and of all things have We taken account in a Manifesting Imam." -Holy Quran 36:12
Fatimah Zahra (SA), daughter of the Holy Prophet (S), on her deathbed said to Imam Ali (AS): "I loved her (Fizza) like my daughter".- Nahjul Balagha
The respected companion Salman Farsi once came to the door of Ahlul Bayt (AS), searching for Imam Ali (AS). When Hazrat Fizza (SA) opened the door she was asked the whereabouts of Imam Ali (AS), and replied by saying: "He is probably on the stars distributing the gifts of provision." Without realising the wisdom of her statement, Salman Farsi (RA) became agitated and took offence to her reply. So he went in search of Imam Ali (AS).
Salman Farsi (RA) eventually found Imam Ali (AS) working in the garden of a non-Muslim. He complained to Imam Ali (AS) about Hazrat Fizza (SA), mentioning what Fizza (SA) said about Imam Ali (AS) being on the stars distributing the gifts of provision. Imam Ali (AS) smiled and said: "Salman, do you have any doubts?"
Etymology: Habesha is from Abesha
Abesha, a variant of Habesha is a word used to refer to both Eritreans and Ethiopians, or, more specifically, to the Semitic-speaking inhabitants of those countries. The first inscription to refer to "Habesha" is a Sabaean South Arabian inscription ca. 200 AD referring to king GDRT of Aksum (an ancient Kingdom located in modern Ethiopia and Eritrea) as king of the city of Aksum and the "clans of Habesha."
As Sabaic and Ge'ez (the ancient language and alphabet of Ethiopia, still used) it was unvocalized, it is written as "h.bs't" (put the dot under the h and the apostrophe on top of the s) and later as vocalized as h.abs'aat (put the dot under the h, apostrophe over the s, and make the two a's a long "a" - meaning an a with a line over it), which evolved into today's Habesha.
The term was translated by the famous Christian King Ezana of Aksum in the mid 4th century as "Ethiopia" in Greek, which previously referred to Africa south of Egypt in general, or Nubia (in modern-day Sudan) in particular. The term is not, as commonly assumed, of Arabic origin, but of local Semitic origin. Spurious Arabic etymologies tend to connect the term with the meaning "mixed," on the false assumption that the peoples of the Horn of Africa are the product of African-Arab mixes.
The term was also used by the Turks as "Habesh" or "Habeshistan" to refer to their small territory taken from Ethiopia in 1557, comprising of the port cities of Massawa and Hergigo (Habeshistan also included Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the capital of the province, Suwakin in Sudan, and Aden in Yemen).
Abesha neh? Translation: Are you Abesha (male)/from Ethiopia or Eritrea?
Abesha nesh? (for a female, as above)
"Abesha timeslaleh, abesha neh (You look abesha, are you abesha ? masculine) or
Abesha timesyalesh, abesha nesh (You look abesha, are you abesha ? - feminine).
Showing posts with label Hassan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hassan. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Hazrat Fizza (SA): According to Surah Al-Insaan (76)- Tafsir
Hazrat Fizza (SA) had the honour of taking part in the "Three Days Fast". Once, when Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husain (AS) fell sick, the Holy Prophet (S) suggested that Imam Ali (AS) make a vow (Nazr) to fast for three days when the children recovered.
When the children were better, Imam Ali (AS), Hazrat Fatimah (SA), Imam Hasan (AS), Imam Husain (AS) and Hazrat Fizza (SA) all fasted to fulfil the vow.
However, on each of the three days, when they sat to break their fast, a hungry person called at their door. The first said he was poor, the second said he was an orphan and the third said he was a freed captive. Each time, the big-hearted members of the house, including Bibi Fizza, gave away their food and broke their fast with water.
In praise of this selfless action Allah revealed the 76th Chapter of the Holy Qur'an. The incident is described as follows:
يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذۡرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوۡمً۬ا كَانَ شَرُّهُ ۥ مُسۡتَطِيرً۬ا (٧) وَيُطۡعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسۡكِينً۬ا وَيَتِيمً۬ا وَأَسِيرًا (٨) إِنَّمَا نُطۡعِمُكُمۡ لِوَجۡهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمۡ جَزَآءً۬ وَلَا شُكُورًا (٩) إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوۡمًا عَبُوسً۬ا قَمۡطَرِيرً۬ا (١٠) فَوَقَٮٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمِ وَلَقَّٮٰهُمۡ نَضۡرَةً۬ وَسُرُورً۬ا (١١
"They who fulfil their vows, and fear the day, the woe of which stretches far and wide. And they give away food, out of love for Him, to the poor and the orphan and the captive, (saying), We feed you only for the sake of Allah, we do not want anything from you, not even thanks. Verily we fear from our Lord a stern day of distress. So Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and give them freshness and pleasure". (Surah Dahr - Insaan 76:7-11)
When the children were better, Imam Ali (AS), Hazrat Fatimah (SA), Imam Hasan (AS), Imam Husain (AS) and Hazrat Fizza (SA) all fasted to fulfil the vow.
However, on each of the three days, when they sat to break their fast, a hungry person called at their door. The first said he was poor, the second said he was an orphan and the third said he was a freed captive. Each time, the big-hearted members of the house, including Bibi Fizza, gave away their food and broke their fast with water.
In praise of this selfless action Allah revealed the 76th Chapter of the Holy Qur'an. The incident is described as follows:
يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذۡرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوۡمً۬ا كَانَ شَرُّهُ ۥ مُسۡتَطِيرً۬ا (٧) وَيُطۡعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسۡكِينً۬ا وَيَتِيمً۬ا وَأَسِيرًا (٨) إِنَّمَا نُطۡعِمُكُمۡ لِوَجۡهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمۡ جَزَآءً۬ وَلَا شُكُورًا (٩) إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوۡمًا عَبُوسً۬ا قَمۡطَرِيرً۬ا (١٠) فَوَقَٮٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمِ وَلَقَّٮٰهُمۡ نَضۡرَةً۬ وَسُرُورً۬ا (١١
"They who fulfil their vows, and fear the day, the woe of which stretches far and wide. And they give away food, out of love for Him, to the poor and the orphan and the captive, (saying), We feed you only for the sake of Allah, we do not want anything from you, not even thanks. Verily we fear from our Lord a stern day of distress. So Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and give them freshness and pleasure". (Surah Dahr - Insaan 76:7-11)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Ammar Ben Yasir (RA) according to Tafsir of Quran
Imam Al-Hasan Al-Askari (AS): Tafsir of Surah Al-Baqara 2:3
وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ
"...and spend of what We have given them;" -Holy Quran 2:3
The Holy Prophet (S) turned towards his companions and asked: Has anyone of you today given any benefit to your believer brother by employing your rank? Ali (AS) replied: O Allah's Messenger! I have done so. The Holy Prophet (S) said: Describe your the event.
Ali (AS) said: Today I happaned to pass by Ammar Yasir who was apprehended by a Jew, who had loaned him thirty Dirhams. Ammar complained to me: Dear brother of Allah's Messenger! This Jew has apprehended me only to give pain to me and disgrace me, and that too, only because I befriend you Ahlul Bayt (AS). Kindly use your rank and position and get me released.
I intended to request that Jew to favor Ammar with kindness but Ammar (RA) spoke up: Dear brother of Allah's Messenger! Your honor in my eyes and heart is much more than that you make recomendation to him, who would never reject your word, even if you ask him to give feast to the whole world. Please just request Almighty Allah to help me to return his money and protect me from seeking loans in the future.
So I raised my hands to the sky and prayed: O Allah! Please fulfill Ammar's need. Thereafter I said to him: Pick up any stone or brick in front of you from the ground and it will turn into gold by Allah for you. So he picked up a stone weighing a few kilograms. It became gold in his hands. Then he asked the Jew: How much do I owe you? The Jew replied: Thirty Dirhams. He was asked how much in gold coins? He replied: Three Dinars.
Ammar (RA) prayed to Almighty Allah: O Lord! Kindly make this gold soft so that I amy slice it off and give to this Jew. Allah softened the metal. He took off three Mithqals gold and gave it to that Jew. Then, looking at the remaining gold, said: O Allah. I have heard that you have said in Holy Quran:
كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَيَطۡغَىٰٓ أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰٓ
"No, but verily man is rebellious. That he thinketh himself independent!" -Holy Quran 96:6-7
I don't wish to be that much wealthy. Therefore, O Allah: for the sake of one whom You made this stone gold, please return it to its original form. So it became a stone, and Ammar (RA) threw it away and exclaimed: O dear-most brother of Allah's Messenger! Your friendship in this world and Hereafter is enough for me.
Upon hearing this, the Prophet of Allah said: Ammar's contentment made even the angels wonder. They described Allah's glory. Allah's Mercy continues to rain on him from high heavens.
Then turning towards Ammar Ben Yasir (RA) he said: O Abal Yaqdhan: Good news for you. You, in honesty, are Ali's A(AS) brother and are the most high ranking in his freindship. You are among those who will be killed due to your devotion for him. You will be killed by a rebellious group, and in this world your last provision will be some uncooked milk. AND YOUR SOUL SHALL JOIN WITH THE SOULS OF MUHAMMAD AND HIS PROGENY (AS). You are, in my sight, among the desired Shi'as.
وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ
"...and spend of what We have given them;" -Holy Quran 2:3
The Holy Prophet (S) turned towards his companions and asked: Has anyone of you today given any benefit to your believer brother by employing your rank? Ali (AS) replied: O Allah's Messenger! I have done so. The Holy Prophet (S) said: Describe your the event.
Ali (AS) said: Today I happaned to pass by Ammar Yasir who was apprehended by a Jew, who had loaned him thirty Dirhams. Ammar complained to me: Dear brother of Allah's Messenger! This Jew has apprehended me only to give pain to me and disgrace me, and that too, only because I befriend you Ahlul Bayt (AS). Kindly use your rank and position and get me released.
I intended to request that Jew to favor Ammar with kindness but Ammar (RA) spoke up: Dear brother of Allah's Messenger! Your honor in my eyes and heart is much more than that you make recomendation to him, who would never reject your word, even if you ask him to give feast to the whole world. Please just request Almighty Allah to help me to return his money and protect me from seeking loans in the future.
So I raised my hands to the sky and prayed: O Allah! Please fulfill Ammar's need. Thereafter I said to him: Pick up any stone or brick in front of you from the ground and it will turn into gold by Allah for you. So he picked up a stone weighing a few kilograms. It became gold in his hands. Then he asked the Jew: How much do I owe you? The Jew replied: Thirty Dirhams. He was asked how much in gold coins? He replied: Three Dinars.
Ammar (RA) prayed to Almighty Allah: O Lord! Kindly make this gold soft so that I amy slice it off and give to this Jew. Allah softened the metal. He took off three Mithqals gold and gave it to that Jew. Then, looking at the remaining gold, said: O Allah. I have heard that you have said in Holy Quran:
كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَيَطۡغَىٰٓ أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰٓ
"No, but verily man is rebellious. That he thinketh himself independent!" -Holy Quran 96:6-7
I don't wish to be that much wealthy. Therefore, O Allah: for the sake of one whom You made this stone gold, please return it to its original form. So it became a stone, and Ammar (RA) threw it away and exclaimed: O dear-most brother of Allah's Messenger! Your friendship in this world and Hereafter is enough for me.
Upon hearing this, the Prophet of Allah said: Ammar's contentment made even the angels wonder. They described Allah's glory. Allah's Mercy continues to rain on him from high heavens.
Then turning towards Ammar Ben Yasir (RA) he said: O Abal Yaqdhan: Good news for you. You, in honesty, are Ali's A(AS) brother and are the most high ranking in his freindship. You are among those who will be killed due to your devotion for him. You will be killed by a rebellious group, and in this world your last provision will be some uncooked milk. AND YOUR SOUL SHALL JOIN WITH THE SOULS OF MUHAMMAD AND HIS PROGENY (AS). You are, in my sight, among the desired Shi'as.
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