{"id":5065,"date":"2021-11-04T08:10:13","date_gmt":"2021-11-04T08:10:13","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-11-04T08:10:13","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T08:10:13","slug":"contemplation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/5065\/contemplation\/","title":{"rendered":"Contemplation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Contemplation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allah, the Wise, has said:
\n\u0627\u064e\u0648\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0645\u0652 \u064a\u064e\u062a\u064e\u0641\u064e\u06a9\u0651\u064e\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0641\u0650\u064a \u0623\u064e\u064e\u0646\u0652\u0641\u064f\u0633\u0650\u0647\u0650\u0645\u0652 \u0645\u064e\u0627 \u062e\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0642\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064c\u0647\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0651\u064e\u0645\u064c\u0648\u0627\u064e\u062a\u0650 \u0648\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u064e\u0631\u0652\u0636\u064e \u0648\u064e \u0645\u0627\u064e \u0628\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0627\u064e \u0625\u0650\u0644\u0627\u0651\u064e \u0628\u0650\u0627\u0644\u0652\u062d\u064e\u0642\u0650\u0651 \u0648\u064e \u0623\u064e\u064e\u062c\u064e\u0644\u064d \u0645\u064f\u0633\u064e\u0645\u0651\u064b\u0649<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDo they not reflect within themselves: Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two but with truth, and (for) an appointed term?\u201d [35]
\nImam Ali (as) said:
\n\u0623\u064e\u0644\u062a\u0651\u064e\u0641\u064e\u06a9\u0651\u064f\u0631\u064f \u064a\u064e\u062f\u0652\u0639\u064f\u0648 \u0625\u0650\u0650\u0644\u0640\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0628\u0650\u0631\u0651\u0650 \u0648\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0644\u0650 \u0628\u0650\u0647\u0650<\/strong>
\n.
\n\u201cContemplation invites (man) towards good (deed) and its performance.\u201d [36]<\/p>\n

Short Explanation<\/strong>
\nReflecting over one\u2019s own state and that of the other people leads to the manifestation of the good, expiation of sins and illumination of the heart. It draws a person\u2019s attention towards his Hereafter and brings about an increase in his or her (good) deeds.
\nContemplation is a quality and an act of worship, the like of which there is none – just as the Noble Prophet (sa) has said: \u201cAn hour of contemplation is superior to an entire year\u2019s worship.\u201d Only he, upon whose heart Allah has cast His glance and illuminated it with the light of His cognizance, can reach the station of contemplation, whereupon he then begins to perceive the world with a vision of comprehension and understanding, and never becomes heedless of Allah.[37]<\/p>\n

1 \u2013 Rabiaah<\/strong>
\nRabiaah Ibn Kaab reports: \u201cOnce, the Noble Prophet (sa) said to me: \u201cO\u2019 Rabiaah! You have been serving me for seven years and therefore, will you not ask for something from me in order that I grant it to you?\u201d
\n\u201cO\u2019 Prophet of Allah! Grant me some time in order that I may reflect over the matter,\u201d I requested. The next day, when I had arrived in his presence, the Prophet (sa) said: \u201cO\u2019 Rabi\u2019ah! Speak out your wish.\u201d
\n\u201cPray to Allah that He makes me enter Paradise along with you!\u201d I said.
\nHearing this request, he inquired, \u201cWho is it that has taught you to seek this from me?\u201d
\n\u201cNo one has taught it to me. I considered that if I sought great wealth, it would eventually get exhausted; if I sought a long life and numerous children, the ultimate eventuality would be death; hence, as a result of this contemplation, I eventually opted for this request,\u201d I replied.
\nThe Noble Prophet (sa) lowered his head for a few moments as he deliberated, after which, raising his head, he said: \u201cI shall seek your wish from Allah, but you must help me too (in this matter) by prostrating excessively.\u201d[38])<\/p>\n

2 \u2013 Contemplation before Action<\/strong>
\nOne of the companions of the Noble Prophet (sa) said to him: \u201cI always tend to suffer losses in my business transactions. The guile and deception of the sellers or the purchasers act like magic and leave me cheated.\u201d
\nThe Noble Prophet (sa) advised: \u201cIn every transaction in which you fear that you might be deceived, demand from the person with whom you are doing business with the right to annul the transaction within a period of three days. This is for the reason that should you happen to suffer losses, you would be able to take back your money. In addition, be patient and forbearing in the course of the transaction.
\n\u201cDo know that contemplation and patience are from Allah, while hastiness and impetuosity are from Shaitan. You can learn this lesson from a dog, for when you throw a piece of bread to a dog, it does not immediately begin to eat it but first smells it and after finding it to be appropriate, begins eating it; similarly, you should smell every matter that comes up before you (i.e. reflect and ponder over the pros and cons of it and do not embark upon it without the preliminaries). You, with your intellect and wisdom, are no less than a dog; thus, contemplate and reflect before every action.\u201d[39]<\/p>\n

3 \u2013 Types of Contemplation<\/strong>
\nMiqdad, one of the loyal companions of Ali (as), says: \u201cI went to Abu Hurairah who said that he had heard the Noble Prophet (sa) say: \u2018Contemplating for an hour is better than the worship of one year.\u2019
\nI went to Ibn Abbas and heard him say that the Noble Prophet (sa) said: \u2018Contemplation for one hour is superior to seven years of worship.\u2019
\nI went to another companion and heard him narrate that the Noble Prophet (sa) said: \u2018An hour of contemplation is better than seventy years of worship.\u2019
\nI was astonished to hear each of them narrating differently from the other and so, I approached the Noble Prophet (sa) and informed him of the three different versions. He said: \u201cAll three of them speak the truth.\u201d Then, in order to prove his point, he summoned the three men. All of us gathered in the presence of the Noble Prophet (sa).
\nThe Noble Prophet (sa) asked Abu Hurairah: \u201cHow do you contemplate?\u201d
\n\u201cAs stated by Allah in the Qur\u2019an: \u2018(Men of understanding) reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth.\u2019[40]. I too reflect upon the wonders of the heavens and the earth,\u201d he replied.
\nThe Noble Prophet (sa) remarked, \u201cOne hour of your contemplation is better than one year of worship.\u201d
\nThen turning to Ibn Abbas, he asked, \u201cHow do you contemplate?\u201d
\n\u201cI reflect upon death and the horrors of the Day of Judgment,\u201d replied Ibn Abbas.
\nThe Noble Prophet (sa) said, \u201cOne hour of your contemplation is better than seven years of worship.\u201d Then, he asked the other companion, \u201cIn what manner do you contemplate?\u201d
\nThe companion answered, \u201cI reflect upon the fire of Hell and its dreadfulness and severity.\u201d
\n\u201cOne hour of your contemplation is better than seventy years of worship,\u201d the Noble Prophet (sa) stated.
\nIn this way the issue was solved and it became clear that the rewards for contemplation depended upon the intention that accompanied it.[41]<\/p>\n

4 \u2013 Thoughts of Leadership<\/strong>
\nSaadi narrates: \u201cOne of my friends who was disturbed and distressed due to his meagre livelihood, complained to me about his low income and a large family.\u201d
\n\u201cIn order to safeguard my reputation, I intend to shift to another city so that no one becomes aware of the abject state of my affairs,\u201d he said. \u201cYou are aware that I know accounting and can maintain accounts; I have approached you so that you use your rank and position to get me a job in the government so that I might lead my remaining life with peace of mind and will be grateful to you for your efforts!\u201d
\nI said to him, \u201cHandling the accounts of the king entails two aspects; on the one hand it carries hope while on the other hand it is also work which has to be feared. Do not place yourself in an ominous situation for the hope which the work possesses.\u201d
\n\u201cIn view of my condition, your advice appears to be inappropriate; in addition, you have not responded correctly to my request,\u201d said the friend.
\n\u201cYou surely possess piety, knowledge and trustworthiness but (do realize that) envious and fault-finding individuals lie in wait for you. It is in your own interest that you lead your life with contentment and abandon the idea of a high rank and post,\u201d I explained.
\nMy friend was upset when he heard this and said, \u201cWhat kind of reasoning and deliberation is this? It is in times of need that friends should step forward for help, for in good times even enemies pretend to be one\u2019s friend.\u201d
\nSensing his embarrassment over my advice, I took him to the minister of treasury who was known to me. I narrated to him my friend\u2019s plight and the minister assigned him the responsibility of a petty task.
\nAs time passed, the officials found him to be vigilant and pleasant-mannered and so promoted him. After a long time, I embarked on a journey to Makkah with some of my friends. On the way back, not far from my city, I came across my friend who seemed to be in a state of distress. He came towards me looking depressed.
\n\u201cWhy are you in such a state?\u201d I asked him.
\n\u201cJust as you had predicted, a group of people became envious of me and accused me of treason,\u201d he responded. \u201cThe king, without any investigation, threw me into prison and subjected me to torture and punishment. I remained in prison till the news of the return of the pilgrims reached the city, whereupon I was set free. The king even went to the extent of confiscating the inheritance which I had received from my father.\u201d
\nSaadi continues: \u201cI said to him, \u2018I had advised you previously that working for kings is similar to a journey by sea – beneficial, but at the same time, dangerous – you might either strike treasure or end up in destruction, but you refused to take heed!\u2019\u201d[42]<\/p>\n

5 \u2013 The Kingdom of Rey or Killing the Imam<\/strong>
\nYazid instructed his governor, aUbaidullah Ibn Ziyad, that if Husain (as) refused to pledge allegiance, he should fight the Imam (as).
\nPrior to the incident of Kerbala, aUbaidullah Ibn Ziyad had appointed aUmar Ibn Sa`d as governor of the province of Rey, but before he could go there, aUbaidullah Ibn Ziyad sent him a letter, which contained the following instructions: \u2018Husain (as) has arrived in Iraq. First proceed to Iraq, fight with him, kill him and then proceed towards Rey.\u2019
\naUmar Ibn Saad approached aUbaidullah and requested: \u201cO\u2019 Amir! Relieve me of this responsibility!\u201d
\n\u201cI shall relieve you of this responsibility but I shall also relieve you of the governorship of Rey,\u201d aUbaidullah responded.
\naUmar Ibn Saad found himself hesitating between fighting the Imam (as) and governing the great kingdom of Rey. He requested aUbaidullah to give him respite for a night so that he could reflect over the matter. aUbaidullah agreed and aUmar Ibn Saad passed the entire night pondering over the matter till he eventually opted for the kingdom of Rey, which lay before him at that moment, but chose to disregard Hell and Paradise, which were in the next life. He decided to fight the Imam (as).
\nThe next morning, he went to aUbaidullah and expressed his readiness to accept the responsibility of fighting the Imam (as). aUbaidullah placed a huge army at his disposal so that he could proceed to Kerbala for the purpose.
\nImam Husain (as) entered Kerbala on the 2nd of Muharram while aUmar Ibn Saad, in his capacity as the supreme commander of his army and with a four thousand strong cavalry, arrived there on the 3rd.
\nHe appointed Shimr as the chief of his army and on the 10th of Muharram went to the extent of ordering the killing of Imam Husain (as) and seventy two of his children and companions just for the purpose of acquiring the kingdom of Rey.\u201d[43]
\nNotes:<\/strong>
\n[35] Noble Qur\u2019an, Suratul Rum (30), Verse 8
\n[36] Jamea al-Saaadat, Volume 1, Page 166
\n[37] Tadhkerah al-Haqaiq, Page 29
\n[38] Khazinatul Jawahir, Page 345; Al-Daawat (By Rawandi
\n[39] Riwayat-ha Wa Hikayat-ha, Page 195; Dastan-ha-e-Mathnawi, Volume 2, Page 125
\n[40] Noble Qur\u2019an, Surat \u06bele aImran (3), Verse 191
\n[41] Dastan-ha Wa Pand-ha, Volume 5, Page 87; Tafsir Ruhul Bayan, Volume 8, Page 440
\n[42] Hikayat-ha-e-Gulistan, Page 65
\n[43] Muntahal Aamal, Volume 1, Page 333<\/em><\/p>\n

Friendship In Islam<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n