This is an edited version of extracts from speeches delivered by Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi at Milad al-Nabi Celebrations held in Atlanta and San Francisco, USA,… Read More »Pluralism and the Quran – Reza Shah-Kazemi
They are not all alike. Of the People of the Scripture there is a staunch community who recite the revelations of God in the… Read More »Universality of the Quranic Message – Reza Shah-Kazemi
Man kana yarjoo liqaa Allahifa-inna ajala Allahi laatin wahuwa assamee AAualAAaleem Whoever hopes to meet God, the term appointed by God will then most surely… Read More »Layla tul Qadr – The Night of Power and Destiny
Layla tul Qadr falls on the 23rd of Ramadan and this is a significant event in Muslim history as not only did Prophet Muhammad… Read More »Layla tul Qadr – The Night of Power
By Sami N. Makarem While the Sunnis believe in five pillars in Islam, the Isma’ilis raise them to seven. Al-Qadi an-Nu’man devoted the first… Read More »Philosophical Significance of the Imam in Ismailism
Miraj – Spiritual or Corporeal By Mumtaz Ali Tajddin S. Ali Editor’s Note: Miraj is observed on 27 Rajab. Please follow link for Calendar Converter… Read More »Miraj wa Isra – Ascension and Night Journey of Prophet Muhammad
Love for Imam Ali in the Quran and Sunnah By Reza Shah-Kazemi Chapter 10: What we have said so far has shed light on the… Read More »Love for Imam Ali in the Quran and Sunnah
Reincarnation or Companionship on High? An article by Imam Hazrat Mowlana Sultan Mahomed Shah (s.a.s.) Aga Khan III The Christian burial ceremony and the prayers… Read More »Reincarnation or Companionship on High?
Truth, Reality and Religion: On the use of Knowledge and Intellect in Deen and Dunia By Mohib Ebrahim NOTE: This article is… Read More »Truth, Reality and Religion
Nasir Khusraw Collection on Ismaili Web Nasir Khusraw (1004-1060) By Alice C. Hunsberger Nasir-i Khusraw and his Spiritual Nisbah by Mehdi Mohaghegh Nasir Khusraw… Read More »Nasir Khusraw Collection at Ismaili Web
Mowlana Hazar Imam’s 76th Birthday – Khushiali Mubarak! Salgirah Mubarak! (Birthday Blessings!) — December 13, 2012 His Highness the Aga Khan Mowlana Hazar Imam – Spiritual… Read More »Aga Khan’s 76th Birthday — December 13, 2012
Yaum-ul-Ghadir Mubarak! Eid Mubarak Everyone!
Eid-e Gadhir is celebrated with great rejoicing by Shia Muslims where they remember Prophet Muhammad’s last instructions to the believers. Eid-e-Ghadir is one of the most important days of rejoicing for Shia Muslims around the world as that was the day our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) declared Hazrat Ali’s vicegerency at Ghadir e Khumm on his return from his last pilgrimage which is known in history as ‘Hajjat-ul-Wida’. This took place on the 18th of Zil-Hajj, in 632 AC, 3 months before his demise, when the Prophet and his followers were returning from his last pilgrimage. Prophet Muhammad announced that he had received an important revelation from Allah, and made a halt at the pond called Ghadir Khumm. A make-shift dias was erected from sadles, sticks and camel skins and as soon as all the pilgrims were gathered, he acted upon the revelation of Ayah-e Gadhir Khumm.
“O Messenger (Prophet), deliver to the people what has been revealed to you from your Lord and if you do not do so then you will not have delivered His message and Allah will protect you from the people. For God does not guide those who reject Faith.”Ya ‘ayyuhar Rasoolu ballig maa unzila ilayka mir-Rabbik. Wa illam taf’al famaa ballagta Risaalatah. Wallaahu ya’simuka minan naas. Innal’laaha laa yahdilqawmal kaafiriin. Quran 5:67
The Prophet thence declared “‘Man Kuntu Mowlahu fa haza Aliyun Mowlahu’ – ‘He of whomever I am the Master-Lord (Mowla), Ali is hereby his Master-Lord (Mowla). Prophet Muhammad had been discoursing all the other revelations among the Muslims regarding the tenets and practice of the faith and about material life, and what could this verse of surpassing urgency mean and why was he admonished that if he did not reveal that message then his mission would be unfulfilled! Why had he been warned so strongly by Allah to deliver the message right away.According to Shia tradition, Prophet Muhammad had been apprehensive about declaring his own son-in-law and cousin Ali ibn Abu Talib as his spiritual (Amirul Momineen, Commander of the believers) and secular (Caliph, King) heir, for fear that it would divide the nascent Muslim community. The rich Muslims were already jealous of Hazrat Ali’s favored position with Prophet Muhammad (being married to Hazrat Fatima, being his cousin, appointed as Commander at many important battles) and in the above revelation God reassures him.
Read More »Eid-e Ghadir – Declaration at Gadhir e Khumm, Prophet Muhammad Appoints Imam Ali as His Successor
Entebbe, Uganda, October 8, 2012 Bismillah-ir Rahaman-ir Rahim Your Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, and Your Excellency, the First Lady, Your Excellency,… Read More »Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan – Inauguration Bujagali Hydropower Project