Sins (Offences) Are Of Three Kinds

Amirul Momineen Ali (a.s.) says in Nahaj-ul-Balagah: Zunbun…Maghfoor meaning: Sins are of three kinds: The one which will be forgiven, two; the committer of which can hope for pardon and three; the sin which will never be forgiven.

The forgivable sin will be that which might have been paid for in the world. For example, the offender might have been punished according to Shariat Law because God is far higher than the one who may punish anybody twice for one and the same offence. Another kind of sin which can be hoped to be pardoned is the sin the compensation for which might not have been made in the worldly life but the offender had made a true Tawbah (repentance).

Mirsaad Or The Valley Of People’s Rights

The Third sin which is not at all forgivable is the taking away of someone's right or oppressing somebody. These are the rights of people. God will never overlook them. If one has taken unfairly or oppressively even a little trifling thing of somebody unjustly, Almighty Allah will make the oppressor repay it to the oppressed. That is why the meaning of the words Mirsaad in the verse 'Inna Rabaaka Labil Mirsaad' (Surah Fajr 89:14) is mentioned as the 'Valley of people's rights', that is to say; your Lord is there to make everyone's right repaid to him.

Suspension For One Year Because Of A Straw

Muhaddis Qumi has, in Manaazil-al-Aakhirah, recorded the story of a famous pious man Sulaiman Daaraai, the well-known worshipper. He writes that after he died, some persons saw him in their dreams and asked about his condition. He said: I have remained suspended for one year in a valley. The reason is that, one-day, some people were carrying bundles of grass to the city. I just took one straw from a bundle for using it as a toothpick. After my death, I am in this chastisement for the last one year for the sin of not obtaining the consent of the owner of the grass before taking up the straw from his bundle. They (the angels) ask me: Did you know that the owner was agreeable?

A Thousand Years In The Valley Of Oppressions

Do not ask: Is a straw too of any worth? It is true that its value is insignificant. Yet, it is a property anyway, of someone. Some people take up some things from the property of the owner before the latter's eyes (the owner keeps mum because of a regard or respect). Such taking away of other's property is called 'Akhz-be-Hayaa' about which it is mentioned in narrations that it is just like usurpation and hence prohibited or Haraam.

Do such deeds that, while leaving this world, there may not be even the slightest burden on your shoulders. If you were careless about the till now, still try to obtain the agreement of the owners of the usurped things. This valley of rights too has stages depending on the people. It is written that for some, such suspension will be for a thousand years.

Encroachment Of Others Rights

God Almighty will deal with people in two ways. One dealing will be based on Adl (Justice of God) and another based on Grace (Fazl and Karam). Everyone who has to pay someone's rights will be compensated by snatching away some good deeds of the oppressor and giving them to the oppressed one. This dealing will be based on Adl (justice). For instance, somebody had put a false allegation on someone or had backbitten him or her. Now only God knows how many of the good deeds of the backbiter should be taken from him and given to the oppressed one. Now, in case, the oppressor has nothing like a good deed in his account, the demand of the Divine Justice will be that a proportionate sin of the oppressed may be added to the account of the oppressor or backbiter.

No Oppressor Will Escape The Punishment Due To Him

There is a lengthy hadith in Rawza-e-Kaafi. The hadith no.79 is regarding the accounting and meting of justice on the Day of Resurrection. Therein Imam Zainul Aabedeen (a.s.) is reported to have said: God Almighty says: I am the Only One God. No one except Me is worth worship. I am the Ruler and the Judge Who says nothing against truth. I deal with you on the basis of justice. Today no one will wronged in My Most Supreme Court. Today I will take from the mighty wrongdoer the compensation of the oppressed weak. I will recollect from the debter the due debt and will make the payment of one another through exchange of good and bad deeds done by them. Today is the Day on which, from this difficult path, no one can pass from my sight without accounting for the rights which were usurped by him. O people who have gathered in the Grand Field of Mahshar! Catch hold of every concerned oppressor and obtain whatever is due to you. I Myself am the witness against the oppressors.

Repayment Of Dues Of Believers From Deniers And Vice Versa

It is mentioned at the end of the aforesaid hadith that a Quraishi man asked the Imam (a.s.): If some dues are to be paid to a faithful by a denier what will he obtain from the latter who will be in hell?

The Imam (a.s.) replied: A proportionate cut will be made in the sins of the faithful (momin) and its punishment (azaab) will be added to the chastisement of the denier (Kafir).

The Qureshi inquired: If a Muslim has to obtain his right from another Muslim how will it be retrieved?

The Imam: A proportionate cut will be made in the good deed (reward) of the oppressor and it will be added to the reward of the latter whose dues had remained unpaid.

Qureshi: What if there is no good in the scroll of the oppressor?

Imam (a.s.): A proportionate cut will be made in the sins of the oppressed and its punishment will be added to that of the oppressor.

Cut In Punishment Equal To Right

It must not go unmentioned that if a Kafir has to get from a Muslim, since then, a denier is not qualified to obtain a believer's good, the demand of divine justice will be that a proportionate cut be made in the punishment due to the denier. For a further understanding of this problem please refer to the story of a Jew who had to be paid five Qiraan from a worshipper believer. If has been mentioned in this book earlier.

Fear Of The Claim Of Rights

Imam Zainul Aabedeen (a.s.) has been quoted in Layaaali-al-Akhbaar at p. 548 that on the Day of Resurrection, the hand of a person will be held and raised high so that all could see it. Then it will be announced: If anyone has to take his dues from this person he should come forward and take it. No other thing will be harder than this situation for the people in the field of Mahshar that one's acquaintances should see one. He will fear lest they may not claim their unpaid dues from him.

Most Poor In The Day Of Judgement

In the same book, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) is reported to have said to his companions: Do you know who is poor? They replied: He among us is poor who does not have any money nor any property or assets. The Holy Prophet replied: In fact, the poor in my Ummah is the one who will bring with him his prayers and fasts and Zakat and Hajj but he had also given a bad name to somebody, had taken someone's property unjustly or had shed somebody's blood wrongly or had beaten someone unlawfully. So all of his good (rewards) will be distributed to the aforesaid claimers in proportion to their usurped rights until all of his good will be finished and yet he will remain indebted. Then the sins (punishments) of the rightful claimers will be thrown in the account of the indebted fellow.

Dealing Based On Fazl (Grace)

The person who will be showered with Divine Mercy, will, even though he will remain suspended in the station of people's rights, as he will have to repay some unpaid rights he will be dealt with gracefully. At the time some persons will be drowning in their own perspiration. The Most Merciful Allah will, then show to the gathering a palace of paradise. Then a voice will be heard: “O people! Who claim any right from this one of my servants! Listen. If you desire to dwell in this heavenly palace then, give up your dues and free him.

Truely, a man who behaves straightly with God, his dealing remains straight everywhere. How it is ever possible that God may not straighten it? That is why Imam Sajjad (a.s.) weaps: Waman…meaning: O God! Who except You will save and protect me tomorrow from the claimers of their rights.

Come, lest us all also pray: O Lord! Please deal with us on the basis of Your Grace and Generosity and Kindness: Illaahee…Yaa Kareem. The Hazrat had taught a prayer to Abu Hamzah Shimali in which it is mentioned at many places: Wa Ilaa… Meaning: My God! I beseech Your Grace and Mercy.

The Hauz (Cistern) Of Kausar

Inna Aatainaa Kal Kausar (Surah Kausar 108:1)

One of the Islamic matters about which there is specific mention in the Holy Quran and so also in both Shia and Sunni narrations is Hauz-e-Kausar: “That abundant good which has been granted by the Lord of the Universe to His Messenger Muhammad Mustafa (s.a.w.s.).

The length of this cistern, as has been earlier mentioned, is equal to the distance from Sanaa (Yemen) to Basra. Cups equal to the number of stars in the sky will be on the its bank which will be filled by the hands to sky will be filled with the hands of Hoorul Ayn (fairies) and will be served to the Momin (the Faithful). These cups will be of various kinds; some will be made of heavenly silver and some of billor (flint glass).

Hauz-e-Kausar Heavenly Wine — Springs Of Milk And Honey

According to some narrations, this Hauz or cistern will be divided into three parts:

Anhhar…Meaning: Heavenly wine, milk and honey will be flowing in streams.

Anyway, it is certain that the contents of this cistern of the Holy Prophet will be sweeter than honey and cooler than ice. Subhaanallah (praise be to God). What to talk of the cistern the drinking from which will be very pleasing and after drinking which one will never be thirsty.

Wa Isqana… (Nudbaa Prayer)

Shaykh Shoostari has, in Khasaais, and other hadith writers too, have in their works, mentioned that the distributors of Hauz-e-Kausar will be the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and the Amirul Momineen (a.s.) and that every momin (faithful) will get the Aab-e-Kausar (water of Kausar).

Kausar Becomes Happy With The Mourners Of Husain (a.s.)

The mourners of Husain (a.s.) have one additional distinction with respect of Hauz-e-Kausar. Imam Sadiq (a.s) says: Inanl Kausar…Husain. The Imam (a.s.) says that the mourners of Husain (a.s.) will on arrival at the Huaz-e-Kausar make the Hauz happy.

For obtaining more details please refer to the first part of the late Khuyabani's book Muharram Wa Waqqaiyal Aiyaam.

The Ears Acquainted With The Heavenly Song

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said: The Lord of the universe has created a thousand tress around this Huaz. Every tree has three hundred and sixty branches full of leaves and every leaf giver out (releases) different songs. If you want to hear those sweet and pleasing sounds, then you must make your ears worthy of it, that is, you should not lend your ears to worldly music and the non-sense accompany it.

Appearance Of Muhammad And Aale Muhammad (a.s.)

Saahibe Livaa…

One of the stations of Qiyamat will also be that of appearance of the grandeur and greatness of Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad (a.s.).

Livaa-e-hamd means the flag the high spay of which will be equal to the distance covered in a thousand year long journey. There will be three parts in that flag and each one of them will have a length equal to the distance between the east and west. It is mentioned in another narration Aazamu…meaning: Every part of that flag will be bigger than the sun and the moon. On one of them will be written Bismillaahirrehmaanirraheem and on another second AL Hamdu Lillaah Rabbil Aalameen and on the third Laa Ilaah Illallaah Muhammadur Rasoolullaah.

All the messengers and prophets and pious and righteous people and the faithful will camp beneath that flag the bearer of which will be the conqueror of Khaibar Amirul Momineen Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.).

The Minber (Pulpit) Of Wasilah (Medium)

Wa Qarrub Ilaihi Waselah

In the aforesaid words of the prayer, 'Wasilah' means that particular pulpit of light which will be established in the field of Mahshar. It will have one thousand staircases and every staircases will be cemented with another by Zamarrud (emerald), Zabarjad (chrysolite), Yaaqoot (ruby) and gold and all these precious things will be from paradise. The top most stair (Arsha-e-Minber) will be reserved for the last Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and the one below it will be for the immediate legatee of the Holy Prophet Janab Amirul Momineen Ali (a.s.) and those lower than them those will be for Ibrahim (a.s.) and other messengers and legatees according to their ranks.

Muqaam-e-Mahmood

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) will occupy the minber so elegantly and will be initiating the praise of Almighty Allah in such a magnificent way that none of the formers and the latters will have ever heard such praising. After the said glorification of the Lord Almighty, the Holy Prophet will say to the angels, the messengers, the righteous people and the faithful: What to talk about the luck whereby first person of the realm of existence may remember anyone on this high place. O Lord! Place us among this pious group. Read this sentence in the Ziyarat of Aashoorah: Wa As Alullaah… meaning: I beseech of Allah for reaching the Muqaam-e-Mohmood (the praised stage) which (O Aale Muhammad!) God has reserved for you.

This high station is the reward of the Holy Prophet's awakening during nights and early rising at dawn: Wa Minal Lail…Mahmooda. (Surah Israa 17:79)

Translation: And do offer prayers in the particular hours of night. This tradition is specially for you in grace. Very soon, your Lord will take you to the Muqaam-e-Mahmood.

The Holy Prophet took no rest during nights for ten years till dawn and he worshipped so much that his legs soared.

Ali Bin Abi Talib, The Distributor Of Paradise And Hell

Qaseemun Naar Wal Jannah

In the said Muqaam-e-Mehmood, the most beautiful angel will come to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and salute him and will say: I am Rizwan, the gate keeper of paradise. Then he will submit the keys of paradise to the Holy Prophet. Thereafter a very fear some and ugly angel will approach the Holy Prophet and submit the keys of hell to him. The Holy Prophet will entrust all the keys to the Maulaa-e-Kaainaat Amirul Momineen Ali (a.s.). The Amir (a.s.) will come to the Siraat and only he will go to paradise whom he will permit. Otherwise the leaping flames of hellfire will drag him to Jahannam.

The Holy Prophet will tell Amirul Momineen: O Ali! The obedience hell fire is to you is much more than the obedience of a slave to his master.

Siraat

Wa Innal…La Naakiboon (74:23)

Translation: And doubtlessly those who have no certainly of belief in the Hereafter are deviated from the right path.

Siraat too is one of the things belief in which is obligatory and it is one of the Zurooriyaat-e-Deen (essentials of Faith/religion). So one must have an over all faith in it.

The literal meaning of Siraat is 'Path'! Those people who had remained on the right path, that is, who had not deviated from the right way of truth, honesty and righteousness will, in the Hereafter too, pass securely and safely on the path over hell. Some of them will cross that bridge as swiftly as lightning, some like mounted men and some falling and rising. Briefly speaking, they will cross that bridge-road in the same way in which they had crossed the path of their lives in the world.

A Thousand Bridles Of Hell In The Hands Of A Thousand Angels

Explaining the Holy Verse:

Wa Jee A Yaw Maizim Bi Jahannam (Surah Fajr 89:23), the Holy Prophet is reported to have said: “On the Day of Resurrection, hell will be brought forth in such a manner that it will have a thousand bridles and every bridle will be held by a thousand angels. Thus a thousand thousand (10,00,000) angels will be dragging hell. Hell will be shrieking and flames will be leaping from it high. It will encircle the entire gathering in Mahshar like the bezel of a ring. People of hell will be so restless that some of them will be almost dead. At that time will come the Command of God to bring forth Siraat. A bridge will be raised over hell and each and every one will have to pass through it without any exception. The following ayat of Surah Maryam: 71-72) explains this matter: Wa Imminkum…Jisiyaa.

Translation: There will be none of you who will not have to pass from over hell because the bridge 'Siraat' is above it. This is a firm word of your Lord. Then We will save the righteous and will leave the disobedients to themselves kneeling.

Both the people of paradise and the people of hell will have to cross that bridge of Siraat. Then the Holy Prophet said: There will be seven valleys in that path and there will be some stations in every valley and every station will be of a length of seventeen thousand farsakhs (farasakh=6 km) and seventy thousand angles will be posted in every valley. All will have to cross all of these valleys compulsorily.

The first Valley

Arrahm Wal Amaanah Wal Valaayah

You will be halted at the beginning of the bridge. “O the one who had broken off relations with your father and mother and brother!” Bad consequences of bad behaviour with these close relatives do appear even before death like cut in lifespan and removal of barkat (fruitfullness) from wealth. One will be asked about this offence in Qiyamat at the start of Siraat also. The Holy Quran asserts: Wa Taqullaah…Arhaam. (Surah Nisaa 4:1).

Translation: And fear God with Whose medium you ask one another and also be afraid of the consequences (punishment) of breaking off close relations.

If anyone of your close relatives (Zavil Arhaam) becomes ill visit him, help him if he is poor and needy. Support him if required. Do visit him at appropriate hours without fail.

Dishonesty In Wealth And Talk

Another station is that of Amaanat (honesty). It is not concerned only with money. If some one tells you something and also says that it should be kept secret and then if you tell that thing to someone else then also you have done a dishonest thing (a branch of trust) Al Majaalisu Bil Amaanah. If you have dishonoured or disgraced somebody, then you have been dishonest with him. For example, some one pledged his house with you and took a loan from you. Now, if he returns your money at the fixed time and you do not return his house to him, you have committed dishonesty, because, it will an excessive use (contrary to contract conditions). Similarly, if you have taken someone's house or shop on ijraarah (hire or lease) you must vacate the said premises as soon as the period ends. In short, be the dishonesty verbal or in deed, you will be questioned about it.

Permit Of Wilayat-e-Ali (a.s.) For Crossing The Siraat Bridge

One more station (Mauqif/halt) in the very first valley, which has been mentioned in many Sunni and Shia narrations, is the Wilayat of Ali (a.s.). In commentaries (tafseers) like that of Saalabi, the explanation of verse Waqifoohum…(Surah Saaffaat 37:24) is shown as: Masoolun…meaning: Stop them! They will be asked also about Wilayat Ali, that is, whether or not they were friendly with Ali (a.s.)?

Hamweeni and Tabari both are famous Sunni scholars. They have said that the Holy Prophet had said: O Ali! The one who will possess the permit of your Wilayat (friendship) will cross the bridge.

There are many narrations also which we omit, to be brief.

Second Valley – As Salaat (Namaz or Prayer)

After crossing the first valley (Wilayat-e-Ali and Trust and Family relations) man will reach the second valley where he will be asked about daily prayers (Salaat or Namaz), prayers for Signs (such as eclipses) and Qazaa (missed prayers) etc. as has been hinted earlier.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: The one who missed Namaz or prayers will not receive my intercession (Shafaat). The last vasiyyat (Will) of Imam Sadiq (a.s) was: Laa Tanaalu…(Safeenat-ul-Bihaar) meaning: Our Shafaat can never reach those persons who underestimated the value of Namaz, for example, who prayed Fajr Namaz to sunrise or just before it, to offer Zuhrain at about sunset time. Such people will also not get the intercession of the impeccables. Then what to say about those who do not offer Namaz at all?

It is mentioned in narrations: One who gives up prayers dies thirsty and he will also rise thirsty on the Day of Judgement.

Teach Namaz To Children And Make Them Habituated To It

A thing which I want to emphasize and which I wish that all should know and convey it to others also is the responsibility which is on us with regard to our children. We must make our children habituated to Namaz or prayers even before they become adult. It is incumbent on all of us to train our children in such a manner they may become regular worshippers. There is no doubt in it that we will get its reward. The reward of whatever good deeds the children do before becoming major (as a result of the parents efforts) will reach the parents. Even after the children become adults, their parents will be benefited by their childrens good works as God will be pleased with the parents who trained their children nicely.

Reciting ‘Bismillahirrehmaanirraheem’ By A Child Ends The Chastisement Of His father

You might have heard that once a messenger was passing by a graveyard with his companions. At one spot, the Prophet told his companions: Walk away from this spot swiftly because the person in this grave is being punished. One year thereafter, that messenger was again passing with the same companions by the same graveyard but then there was no sign of any chastisement. The messenger said to God: O Lord! How is it that now this maiyat (body) is not being punished! Came a Voice: He had a son. After this man died, people took his son to a Madressa where the Maulavi or Ustaad taught the child to recited Bismillahirrehmaanirraheem. So when the child recited this and remembered Me with my attributes of Rahmaan (kind) and Raheem (Merciful) We too removed from this child's father his punishment as he was the means of this child's birth.

Summary is that a child's prayers and worships also benefits the parents. So this is our duty and the first demand of Amr Bil Maaroof and Nahy Aneel Munkar (Commanding of good and prohibition of evils) that we should pay our attention first to our children and thereafter to other near and dear ones. Wa Anzir…Hijaarah (Surah Tahrim 66:6).

Translation: O Faithful people! Save yourselves and your children from hellfire which will be fuelled by men and stones.

Third Valley – Al Khums Wal Zakat

If some one had failed to pay even one dirham of Khums or Zakat (poor tax) then he will be stopped in the third valley. There are many narrations regarding those who do not pay Zakat. In one of them the impeccables (a.s.) have said: God will make aqraa overpower the fellow who did not pay Zakat and it will cling to his neck. (When a python becomes to much full of poison its hair fall down and such bald giant python is called 'aqraa' in Arabic).

In another narration, the Hazrat says: If a farmer does not pay Zakat or his land, the same land along with all of its seven layers turns into a heavy stone clung to his neck.

Similarly, it is mentioned that Hazrat Hujjatul Asr (a.t.f.s.) will, in the time of his appearance, kill the one who stopped Zakat payment.

So beware! Not a single dirham of zakaat should remain unpaid because, if you had collected gold and silver and wealth and had not paid the zakat for it those dirhams and dinars will be made red hot in hellfire for stamping the sides of that offender.

Yawma Yuhmaa…Taknizoon. (Surah Taubah 9:35)

Translation: The day gold and silver will be made red hot in hellfire where with their sides and foreheads will be stamped and they will be told: This is what you had gathered for you. So now, taste the fruit of your collection.

By the way, let it also be understood that there is no difference between the zakat of wealth and the zakat of body. You should pay the zakat of your body (fitrah) during the night of Eid-ul-Fitr.

When The Intercessor Himself Will Become The Opponent (claimant)

Now remains the problem of Khums. Narrations in this matter show that the questioning will be harsher than that regarding zakat. Only one of many such narrations is sufficient for emphasis. In Kaafi and in Tahzeeb and also in Man Laa Yahzaruhul Faqeeh, it is written that Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s) said Inna Ashadd…meaning: On the Day of Judgement, that hour will be extremely hard for people when those entitled to Khums will raise their claims and they will ask their dues from those who did not pay the same. It is enough (for showing the importance of this matter and the seriousness of this offence) to mention that those who are intercessors will come up as opponents.

Fourth Valley – As Sawn (Fasting)

There will be questioning about the fasts of the Holy month of Ramadhan in the fourth valley. As sawmu Junnatun Minannaar meaning: Fast is a shield against fire. The Holy Imam (a.s.) said that one who fasts gets two pleasures: The first is at the time of breaking the fast (sunset) when one gets a very pleasing feeling. Another is Inda Liqaa Allah. It means either at the time of death or while crossing the bridge Siraat when he or she will meet his or her Lord.

Fifth Valley – Al Hajj

If a person, during any period of his life, gets the ability to perform Hajj (according to relevant conditions) and yet he does no perform it, then he will be stopped in this valley. Rather, on the basis of a narration, there are two groups who will be told at the time of their death: Mut Yahodiyyn Av Nasraaniyyah meaning: You are dying as a Jew or a Christian (non at as a Muslim). Those two groups consist of people who did not pay due zakat and those who did not perform Hajj. It is enough for the condemnation of one who does not perform obligatory Hajj to say that the Lord of the Universe has, in the Holy Quran, used the work Kafir (denier) for him: Wa Lillaahi…Aalameen. (Surah Aale Imraan: 97).

Translation: And it is obligatory for people to perform Hajj only for the sake of Allah if they are able to reach Khaan-e-Ka'ba and who, despite having such ability, committed Kufr from Hajj, then (he should remember that) Allah independent of the universe.

No more discussion on these subjects is advisable as, by so doing, we will be going out of the discussion of Usool-e-Aqaaid (basic beliefs). Our only intention is to provide their list to most of the believers.

Sixth Valley – At Tahaarah (Cleanliness)

Ibne Abbas is reported to have said that Tahaarat means all the three types of cleanliness, that it, Wuzoo (ablution), Ghusl (bath) and Tayamum (intentional gesture). Some hadith writers have said that what is meant is absolute cleanliness. If someone is not regular in cleaning (women must especially take care of their cleanliness at particular times, otherwise) such persons will be halted in the sixth aqabah (valley) for questioning in this regard. Rather, it is also found in some narrations that, as mentioned by us earlier also, that being careless about cleanliness results in the punishment of Fishaar-e-Qabr (squeezing of grave).

Seventh Valley – Mazaalim (Oppression)

This valley is also called Aqba-e-Adl (Valley of Justice) and Aqba-e-Haqq-un-Naas (Valley of People's Rights). In the Holy Quran, it is mentioned a Mirsaad which means (ambush): Inna Rabbuka La Bil Mirsaad (Surah Fajr 89:14). If any one was slapped unjustly the offender will be detained in this valley for five hundred years and his bones will be crushed as a punishment for this crime.

O shopkeeper! What right have you to beat your servant? O teacher! On what sharaee (legal) ground are you punishing a child whereby it leaves black marks on the child's body. O Mr. Husband! Why are you beating your wives? From where the husband got a right's to whip his wife?

Of course, there are some exceptions. But such circumstances are rare and they are out of our subject and hence not discussed here. Otherwise we would have dealt with them.

Wal Laatee…Sabeelaa. (Surah Nisaa 4:34)

Translation: And those women about whom you fear that they will revolt then (first) try to make them understand (if despite it they do not realize) then you may stop sleeping with them and (even thereafter if they do not understand then) beat (but blood must not sprout nor should any organ break). Then if they begin to obey you, you also must not try to find ways of harming them.

Forty Years Imprisonment And Forty Years Of Chastisement And Scoldings

In short, who is there who can claim that he has never breached and trampled the rights of others. The impeccable (a.s.) has said: If somebody has with held someone's right, for example, not returned his trust then he will be detained in Aqabah (valley) for forty years and that nothing will be said to him. He will keep crying and weeping during all this time. Then an announcer (Munaadi) will announce: This is the fellow who kept any property of others with him. Then he will be reprimanded for another forty years. Then he will fall down in hell.

Of course, this punishment will be awarded in case his sheet of deeds had no good deeds. Otherwise, his good (reward) will be, proportionately, given to the rightful claimant as has been mentioned earlier. It is mentioned in some narrations that the reward of seven hundred Rakaat of Namaz or prayer will be given for non-payment of single dirham.

A Strange Story About Burning In Barzakh

It is written in Mustadrak of Saqqat-ul-Islam Noori that according to what is mentioned in Anwaar-ul-Maziyyah (by Syed Gayasuddin Najafi, a Shia jurisprudent and a famous scholar among Imamiyah): In our village situated near Hilla there lived a man named Muhammad bin Abi Azeenah. He was the trustee of a mosque. He used to attend that masjid daily as a routine every day. One day, when he did not come to mosque, we inquired about him. We came to know that he was ill. We wondered very much because on the very previous day, we had seen him hale and healthy. When we went to see him, we found him burnt from head to feet. He used to faint, them become conscious and again faint. In once such interval, I asked him what had happened to him? He replied: Last night in my dream I was shown Siraat and then I was ordered to walk over it. So I proceeded, in the beginning the ground under my feet was levelled. Then I found that it has become thin. Initially, it was soft but later on it turned very sharp. I was putting my steps very slowly, balancing myself to escape falling down. Dark flames of fire from beneath were leaping upwards. I was observing that many people were dropping down like leaves in the fall (autumn). Once I felt that there was nothing except an hair like rope under my feet. The suddenly the fire dragged me to it and I also fell down in that cave of fire. The more I tried to come up the more I was going down. (Hellfire has the quality of drawing people to it, and that, according to a narration, the depth is equal to the length of a seventy year journey). As soon as I realized that I was about to be finished, I remembered that whenever I was falling or stumbling or falling, I used to exclaim Yaa Ali and saying Yaa Maulaai, Yaa Ameerul Momineen, Aghisni. I felt inspired to look upward. So when I looked up I found that a saintly person was standing by the side of the Siraat. He extended his hand, caught me and fetched me out. I submitted: O Master! I am burnt down. Please help me. The Hazrat passed his Holy hand over my body from my knee to femur. Suddenly I woke up to find that particular part of my body had no sign of burning and that it had healed but the rest of my body was burning.

That person remained bedridden for three months, weeping and complaining. Various medicines were given by a number of doctors before he became healthy after three months when fresh flesh appeared on his body. It is also written in this book Mystadrak that whenever that person was describing this even he was getting fever and was trembling.

Doubtlessly there is only one medicine and it is to cling to the Wilayat of the pious Ahle Bayt (a.s.). Imam Reza (a.s.) has promised that he will guide the visitors of his shrine on the bridge of Siraat. Moreover, Hazrat Abu Abdullah-al-Husain (a.s.) is also reported to have given many good tidings to those who cling to the friendship (Wilayat) of Ahle Bayt (a.s.) with regard to Siraat. So much so that, in one narration, Imam Sadiq (a.s) is reported to have said that the Syed-us-Shuhadaa (a.s.) will obtain salvation of Janaab Mukhtar (r.a.) also.

Shafaa’at (Intercession)

One more thing which has been accepted as an essential belief in shafaa'at (Intercession) on the Day of Judgement. Those pious persons who have attained nearness to God and who are also respectable in the Divine view will hold the hand of the fallen weak and unable ones to free them from the chains and shackles of hell. It can also happen that they will raise someone's rank in paradise. For instance, a man enters paradise due to his good deeds but as he got a lower rank he is unable to be benefited by nearness to Muhammad and Aale Muhammad (a.s.). So the Taahir Imams (a.s.) will intercede on their behalf and get a higher rank for them. In brief, all are in need of such Shafaa'at.

The Entire Creation Including Messengers Will Need Muhammadi Shafaa’at

As per Bihar-ul-Anwaar, Abu Aiman is reported to have said that he once requested Imam Baqir (a.s): O Son of Rasoolullaah! You saints have made people proud (careless) by promising shafaa'at to them. This made the face of Hazrat turn red. He said: “Woe unto you. On the Day of Ressurection, all the formers and the latters, including even messengers, will be in need of the intercession of my grand father Muhammad (s.a.w.s.). Have you become proud imaging that you need no Shafaa'at!

Greater Intercession Is The Prerogative Of Only Muhammad And Aale Muhammad (a.s.)

The main shafaa’at is the intercession by Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and the Aale Muhammad (a.s.). Rest of intercessors are branches of the main one. This is to convey that they got this privilege because of the formers. For example, among the rest of the intercessors are also the ulema (scholars) and the righteous who will help many in entering paradise. Can they ever be other than the followers of Muhammad and Aale Muhammad (a.s.)? Likewise, among the intercessors will be Momineen (faithful persons) too. The Masoom (a.s.) says that every momin will intercede n favour of a hundred persons. From where the Momineen got this honour? Only from Muhammad and Aale Muhammad (a.s.). Also for instance, the intercessors will also include the Saadaats. Have they not been given this respectable position only due to their belonging to the Holy Progeny? Similarly the Holy Quran and the Holy mosques will also intercede on the Day of Resurrection. They too are among the aasaar (symbols) of the aforesaid Holy persons.