Ten Virtues of a Mumin – (3) Piety & Scrupulosity (wara‘)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ

(Surat Fussilat: 46)

Whoever acts righteously, it is for [the good of] his own soul.

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*

'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).'

(Rasulullah SAW)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi 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. Rasulullah 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 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 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 third virtue is piety and scrupulosity (al-wara’ fi al-din).

Wara’ refers to the virtue of being scrupulous (parezgaar) and pious (deendar). Syedna stressed that wara’ entails bringing into action that which one has committed to in Misaaq - only making a commitment, without acting upon it, is not enough. Amirul Mumineen SA has said “If you have knowledge, you must act upon it” (man ‘alima ‘amil). This concept Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA has beautifully expressed in his Nasihat “’ilm na saathe laazim ‘amal che.”

Syedna al-Mu’ayyad al-Shirazi’s advice is to live life in such a way that every breath becomes a step up on the staircase to the Hereafter (aakherat). Syedna al-Mu’ayyad continues that it is not easy to climb these stairs, just as it is not easy earn a living in this world. Just as it is necessary to work for a living in this world, it is necessary to work for aakherat. It is not sufficient to simply say “I am a Mumin” without demonstrating it through one’s actions.

It is each mumin’s responsibility to fulfill their commitments. Just as there are conditions and efforts required to develop a successful and profitable business, that are conditions and efforts required to be successful in the pursuit of aakherat. As the Qur’an Majeed asserts “Whoever acts righteously (does good deeds) – he does so for the good of his [own] soul” (Surat Fussilat: 46). The guarantee of salvation is assumed by the Imam, and in his seclusion by his Dai, but each mumin will carry the weight of his own deeds. Ranks and darajaat in Jannat are according to one’s own deeds. The reward for good deeds is indeed great.

Imam AS has said “Help us [to save you] by performing pious actions (wara’)and good deeds (ijtihaad)”. Imam AS wishes to elevate us with him to Jannat and seeks our support and help in this endeavor. In all places in this world where admission is considered a “privilege” there are always conditions for entry. The condition for entry to Jannat, aakherat, is piety and purity.

Syedna Qutbuddin said that in the days of Imam Husain (during Ashara Mubaraka), we must especially commit to piety and purity. We must recompense for the time that has passed by acting and reforming our actions in the time that remains. This does not mean that we must live a life of anguish and pain. On the contrary. Amirul Mumineen SA has said describing pious men: “In this world, they reside in the most splendid of residences and consume the finest of delicacies.”, but their ‘amal and action should also always be for aakherat. Syedna asserted: “let a day not go by without namaaz, without reciting the Qur’an and without remembering Allah Ta’ala.” Syedna explained that it is the responsibility of each parent to ensure that their children are familiar with their obligations as mumin, with the environment of the masjid and with our culture, manners and adab. Syedna added, “raise your children in this way, it is your (i.e. the parents’) responsibility. You will feel Allah’s divine grace here in this world and the reward in the Hereafter is exponential also.”

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the tawfeeq and wisdom to follow the path of our awliya’ in knowledge and action. May we be pious and pure. These are the virtues that make us good humans and these are the virtues that prepare us for aakehrat. May Allah Ta’ala grant longest life to Aqamaula TUS in full health and aafiyat to continue to spread wisdom and guidance.