Ten Virtues of a Mumin – (1) Zuhd

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

مَنْ رَزَقَهُ اللهُ وَلايَةَ عَلِيّ ابنِ ابيطالب صع فَقَدْ أَصَابَ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا والآخِرةِ، ولا أشُكُّ لهُ بِالجَنةِ، وإنَّ في حُبِّ عَليٍّ وَوَلايَتِهِ عِشْرِينَ خَصْلَة، عَشَرةً مِنها في الدُّنيا وعَشَرةً في الآخرة*

(Rasulullah SAW)

He who is given the sustenance/bounty (rizq - rozi) of the valaayat of Ali has attained the goodness of this world and the Hereafter, and I do not doubt that he will enter jannat. In Ali’s love and valaayat are twenty virtues: 10 in this world (dunya) and 10 in the Hereafter (aakherat).

This article was written by Shehzada Dr Aziz bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2015.

Having been blessed with the greatest virtue, the valaayat of Amirul Mumineen SA, it is incumbent on us to be worthy of such a great blessing that ensures our salvation. Rasululullah SA has said that “he who is given the gift (rizq, rozi) of the valaayat of Ali has attained the goodness of this world and the Hereafter, and I do not doubt that he will enter jannat.In Ali’s love and valaayat are twenty virtues: 10 in this world (dunya) and 10 in the Hereafter (aakherat).” The first of the virtues in this world is zuhd (renouncing materialism – lit. asceticism).

(The ten in this world are: 1) renouncing materialism; 2) desire to seek knowledge; 3) piety and scrupulosity; 4) eagerness and desire for worship; 5) sincere repentance; 6) waking up in the night for tahajjud prayers; 7) to put trust in God and not people; 8) memorizing the Quran Majeed; 9) aversion to this world; and 10) generosity.)

During Ashara this year, Syedna Qutbuddin TUS narrated this Hadith and explained the many facets of this Hadith and the individual virtues. Syedna introduced the Hadith saying that this is a bishaarat for the Shi’a of Amirul Mumineen SA. He added that in one sense, those with true valaayat would necessarily have these virtues. If for some reason one with valaayat does not possess these virtues then upon hearing this bayaan he/she should make a firm commitment to acquire them.

The concept of zuhud is to not become preoccupied with this world (dunya) and materialism . In the day-to-day grind of this world this often happens. But the truth is that this world is only a passage to the Hereafter (aakherat). Being born as a human being and then “born” a mumin by giving misaq, is vital in keeping a clear direction towards the Hereafter and in concerning one’s self with the achieving salvation, najaat and Jannat.

However, this does not mean that one has to shun this world. It is a matter of setting priorities. One can strive towards achieving aakherat and also live a full life in this world. This can be achieved by living life according to Shari’at.

For example, earning a livelihood according to the guidance of Shari’at. Amirul Mumineen SA himself used to cultivate the land and personally oversee the work, even in burning heat. Syedna narrated that an individual came to one of our Imams and requested that he pray that he earn without any effort (ghar bethe thaali aawi jaai). Imam AS said that he will not pray for his livelihood, until he went out and felt the heat of the sun and made an effort to earn his living.

This is a great lesson: To be religious means to uphold the pillars of religion and not to be inactive and lethargic in worldly affairs. On the contrary, our hudaat kiraam guide us to be active and energetic in seeking and earning our worldly livelihood.

Amirul Mumineen SA has counseled us to plan and divide our time in a balanced way in three parts. The first part is to spend time in prayer and ‘ibaadat and to remember Allah Ta’ala throughout the night and day. The second part is to spend time seeking and earning a livelihood (halaal ni rozi) and earning a livelihood according to the guidance of Shari’at and staying away from the trade and business of things that are prohibited and haraam such as alcohol. The third part is to spend time with family and for leisure (halaal ni lazzat) - it is important to spend time to enjoy our meals and it is vital to spend quality time with one’s family.

Syedna’s guidance enables us to be worthy of being a mumin and also teaches us how to be a good human being. His guidance encourages us to live a full life in this world while prioritizing aakherat. This balance is the key to a complete, successful and purposeful Life.

We offer thanks to Allah Ta’ala for the bounty and ne’mat of valaayat. We offer thanks for the guidance of our hudaat kiraam, especially Dai-iz-zamaan. We pray that may we always be worthy of such blessings. May we have the strength and understanding to put these teachings into practice in our lives. Over the days of Ashara Syedna expounded further on the meaning of these virtues in our lives today. These will be published in subsequent Sijill articles inshaallah.