Sunday 27 March 2011

Effects of Music on the Nervous System


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Effects of Music on the Nervous System


 

The biologists and the life scientists have defined two types of nerves. They are the principal nerves and the arterial nerves. The principal nerves stretch from the neck to all vital organs. The arterial nerves spread from the main nerves to all parts of the body. The secondary nerves are connected to outward parts of the body and convey the messages to the brain. When the veins enlarge the blood pressures decreases. Due to the shrivelling of blood vessels, the blood pressure increases. When the blood pressure varies at different parts of the body it affects the health.

When the secondary nerves work they produce heat whereas the functioning of the central nerves produces the opposite effect. That is due to these nerves, feelings of sloth, sleep, thoughtlessness, forgetfulness, grief and sorrow, fainting, unconsciousness and even death occurs. Obviously, when music could affect the various nerves, it would give rise to various maladies. Mental diseases as well as physical ailments will be caused. The mental effect would destroy his reasoning capacity. It is for this reason that one who listens to music is unable to perform the work that could be accomplished by a sane person.

Music creates vibration in the body and this is conveyed to all the parts of the body through the nervous system. As a result of it, indigestion occurs. Music affects the heart in such a way that the heartbeats becomes irregular. The blood pressure goes awry. All such ailments make a person permanently ill. 

Consequently, even the modern medical science, in spite of its astonishing progress, fails in such a situation. Sometimes, the music is so intense that the listener loses his sanity. He becomes dumb and various kinds of mental diseases occur. In places, where music is more prevalent, we find that there are more neurotic illnesses. It is for this reason that most of the mental hospitals are to be found in Europe and America

Dr. Adlen writes against music, "Even though it seems pleasant, the effect of music is profound upon the nervous system. Specially, when the temperature is high, the ill-effect of music is more. This is the reason that ill-effects of music are more in the hot areas of
Iran and Saudi Arabia. The American people are so disgusted with the bane of music that they have united to demand from the senate a permanent ban on music. It is a pity that the whole world perceives the evils of music yet is adopting it as entertainment."

[ (Refer to the booklet; "Tasir Mausiqi bar Asaab" Pg. 3, 6, 10). Extract from the Book " Greater Sins" by Shaheed Dasgahib ]

A True Incident
An excise officer in Meerut (UP) relates an interesting incident in regard to the effect of music on nervous system. He says:" I was leading a normal life, it was simple and peaceful. 

One of the quality I had, that I never enjoyed music nor it had any effect on me. It so happened, that one day I met with an accident. It was so serious that I had to be operated. The blood was needed and it was arranged easily. The donour was available. After few days, I found a change in my body and temperament. I realised that I was reacting on music. Sometimes through tapping my foot on the rhythms and ofcourse enjoying. This change in my attitude made me think that how this sudden interest in music has developed. What is the reason. I doubted that may it be through the transfusion of the blood. I was curious to know. I consulted my doctor and insisted that he finds out who was the blood donour. It was easier to the doctor. He informed me that the blood was donated by a dancer. From that day I was convinced that the music does affect the nervous system.



Wednesday 23 March 2011

Imam al-Baqir(A.S.) Argues Muslims to Seek Knowledge

O my masters! O the sons (descendants) of the the Messenger of Allah!
I am your servant, the son of your bondwoman, I yield to you in submission,
I stand in awe of the sublimeness of your authority, I am fully aware of your rights,...


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Imam al-Baqir(A.S.) Argues Muslims to Seek Knowledge



Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, talked very much about the importance of knowledge. He urged Moslems to seek knowledge, for it is the first pillar on which the lives of nations and peoples depend. He, peace be on him, praised the virtue of scholars, for they are the source of culture and guidance for the community. The following are some of what has been reported on his authority in this respect:


1. The Virtue of Knowledge
Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, glorified knowledge. He summoned Moslems to cling to it. He urged them to seek it. He lauded those who sought it. 
He said: "Learn, for learning is protection. Seeking knowledge is worship, studying it is glorification (of Allah), looking for it is jihad, teaching it (to others) is alms, and giving it to those who are appropriate for it is proximity (to Allah). 
Knowledge is the signpost of the garden. It is an intimate in lonesomeness, a companion in exile, a friend in estrangement, a guide to ease, a help against affliction, adornment with friends, and a weapon against enemies. By it Allah promotes some people to make them Ima`ms (leaders) for good. So, (people) follow their example and report their works. All wet and dry things, the whales and vermin of the see, and the animals and livestock of the land ask (Allah) to bless them.(Ibn Hamadun, al-Tadhkira, p. 26)
No words glorify knowledge, praise scholars, and embrace its fruits and advantages as these golden words do. Thus, they are worthy of writing in the institutes and universities of knowledge.



2. The Virtue of the Scholar
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, lauded the virtue of the scholar. He explained his social rank, and the plentiful reward which Allah has prepared for him. The following are some of the sayings which have been reported on his authority: 
A. He, peace be on him, said: "The scholar of whose knowledge (people) make use is better than seventy thousand worshipers.
( Jami' Bayan al-Ilm wa Fadlah, vol. 1, p. 32)
B. He, peace be on him, said: "Whoever teaches a door of guidance, will have the same reward of those who put it into practice. Nothing of the rewards of those (who put guidance into practice) will be decreased. Whoever teaches a door of error, will have the same burdens of those who put in into effect. Nothing of the burdens of those (who put error into effect) will be decreased.

(Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 34)
C. He, peace be on him, said: "The servant who goes early in the morning to seek knowledge goes into mercy thoroughly.

(Nasikh al-Tawarikh, vol. 2, p. 205)



3. Associating with Scholars and the Pious
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, urged Moslems to associate with scholars and the pious to make use of their guidance and behavior. He, peace be on him, said: "Indeed association with him whom I trust is more reliable with me than a year's work.
( Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 34)



4. Discussing Knowledge
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, summoned Moslems to discuss knowledge with each other, for that opens new doors to knowledge and science. He, peace be on him, said: "Discussing knowledge is studying, and studying is a good prayer.
( Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 41)



5. Rules for the Student
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, suggested wonderful rules for the student. He, peace be on him, said: "When you sit with a scholar, then listen to him more than speaking to him. Learn good listening as you learn good speech. Do not interrupt (the scholar) while he is busy talking.
(Nasikh al-Tawarikh, vol. 2, p. 205)



6. Proclaiming Knowledge
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, summoned scholars to proclaim and spread knowledge. So, no one will be ignorant. He, peace be on him, said: "The zakat (alms) of knowledge is that you teach it to the servants of Allah.
( Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 41)
He, peace be on him, also said: "Whoever learns knowledge will have the same reward of him who teaches it, and will be better than him. Learn knowledge from scholars. Then teach it to your brothers as the scholars have taught it to you.(Nasikh al-Tawarikh, vol. 2, p. 205)



7. The Ima`m urged Moslems to learn
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, urged Moslems to learn (knowledge) and to ask scholars about it. He, peace be on him, said: "Knowledge is a treasure and the key is the question. Then, may Allah have mercy on you, ask (scholars). Indeed four persons will be rewarded out of knowledge: the questioner, the speaker, the listener, and the one who loves them.
(Al-Khisal, p. 223)



8. Understanding the Religion
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, summoned Moslems to understand deeply the religion and to know the lawful and the unlawful. He, peace be on him, said: "All perfection is in understanding deeply the religion, patience towards misfortune, and taking livelihood into account.
(. Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 32) 
Surely, understanding the religion deeply maintains man's balance and behavior. It prevents man from committing ugly things. In the mean time it prevents him from deviating from the religion.



9. Putting Knowledge into effect
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, urged scholars to put their knowledge into practice. He, peace be on him, said: "When you hear knowledge, then put it into effect. Let your hearts be wide. For the person with the heart that does not encompass his abundant knowledge makes Satan powerful over him. If Satan disputed with you, then dispute with him through what you know. 
Surely, the deception of Satan is weak."Ibn Abu` Layla asked him: "What is the thing which we know?"So, he, peace be on him, replied: "Dispute with Satan through the manifest strength of Allah, the Great and Almighty.



10. Action coupled with knowing Allah is accepted
Knowing Allah is a condition in accepting an act. So, the one who acts and does not know Allah nor does he know the duty which he performs, then his action is useless. Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, said: "No act is accepted except through knowing (Allah). No knowledge (of Allah) is accepted except through an act. Whoever knows (Allah) his knowledge leads him to the act. He who does not know (Allah), his action is invalid.
(Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p. 294)



11. The Ima`m dispraised Boasting of Seeking Knowledge.
Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, dispraised those who boasted of seeking knowledge. He urged the scholars to do their best to seek nearness to Allah and to wish for the hereafter through seeking knowledge. He, peace be on him, said: "He who seeks knowledge to vie with the scholars for glory or to dispute with the foolish or to know the prominent figures, then he shall occupy his place in the Fire. Indeed leadership is inappropriate for anyone except those who are appropriate for it.
(Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 47)
Surely, these corrupt ambitions invalidate the reward which Allah has prepared for the religious scholar, who is the propagator of Allah in the earth. Therefore, if the religious scholar wants success in this world and happiness in the next world, then he should seek knowledge to please Allah.



12. Giving Religious Opinions without Knowledge
Several traditions on giving religious opinions without knowledge were reported on the authority of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, for such opinions mislead people. The following are some of them: 
A. Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, said: "Whoever gives people religious opinions without having knowledge and guidance, the angels of the Merciful (Allah) and the angels of torment will curse him, and he will shoulder the sins of those who put his religious opinions into effect.

(Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 42)
B. He, peace be on him, said: "Say what you know. When you do not know, say: Allah knows best. If the person singles out a verse from the Koran (to misinterpret it), he falls down as far as the sky is from the earth.
(Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 42) 

C. Zara`ra asked Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him: "What is Allah's right against the servants?"The Ima`m, peace be on him, replied: "They should say what they know and refrain from saying what they do not know.
(Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 42)

D. He, peace be on him, said: "If the scholar is asked about a certain thing and he does not know that thing, he should say: Allah knows more. Other than the scholar has no right to say that.
(Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p. 297)



13. The Qualities of the Scholar
In many of his traditions, Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, talked about the qualities of scholars. The following are some of them: 
A. He, peace be on him, said: "The servant who envies those who are superior to him and scorns those who are inferior to him is not a scholar.
(Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p. 294)

Indeed the servant is a scholar when his soul is free from envy, which is among the greatest psychological catastrophes. It is envy that throws people into the tribulation, for it brings about misfortunes. However, the servant is not a scholar when he scorns those who are inferior to him. 
This means that he does not make use of knowledge, which summons him to respect people and treat them with high morals. Surely, the Prophet, may Allah bless him, was sent to complete high moral standards. So, when the scholar follows bad manners, he deviates from the laws and morals of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. 
B. He, peace be on him, said: "The true jurist is he who renounces this world, wishes for the hereafter, and cleaves to the sunna (practices) of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.
( Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 70)

C. He, peace be on him, said: "If you see the scholar love the rich, then he loves (the life in) the world. If you see him associate with the Sultan (ruler) without a necessity, then he is a thief.
(Abi Zahra, al-Imam al-Sadiq, p. 24)

When the scholar loves the rich, he wishes for their properties and to make use of them. This is not among the morals of the scholars whom Allah has commanded to wish for what He has, not for what the others have. As for association with the Sultan without a necessity, it proves that the scholar is not true and that he is a thief, as the Ima`m said. Mahmu`d al-Warraq satirized the religious scholars who made friends with the Sultan, saying: 
They rode their horses and went in groups to the Caliph's house. 
They arrived there in the early morning and stayed till evening to obtain high ranks. 
When they got the nice condition they requested, 
(When) the Caliph became glad with what the leaf contained, 
(When) they harmed those who were inferior to them through oppression and violent conduct, 
they broke the Caliph's promise through the 
oppression of fearful ways. 
They sold truthfulness for treason and bought carrion for safety. 
They hoard fat and weakened those absurd deposits. 
The graves of the people became narrow. And their high palaces became wide. 
From the possessors of politeness,knowledge, and wise opinions 
to the analogy of Abu` Hanifa are in agreement on the gathering of the tradition. 
When the fascinating world charms a person, the person does not make use of knowledge.
( Jami' Bayan al-Ilm wa Fadla, vol. 1, p. 201)

He forgets Allah and takes shelter in the world through weak means. 
Abu` al-'Atahiya also satirized them: 
They looked for the vanities of the world 
and forgot the grandson of the Prophet.
( Jami' Bayan al-Ilm wa Fadla, vol. 1, p. 201)

With this we end our talk about the traditions reported on the authority of the Ima`m, peace be on him. They concern the virtue of knowledge. They praise scholars. Moreover, they are about the high moral standards which scholars should follow to be an example to the community.









Monday 14 March 2011

Imam Hasan Askari (A.S.) Introduced the Saviour of Humanity


"Peace be on you, O intimate friend of Allah Peace be on you, O the decisive argument of Allah, sincerely attached to Him Peace be on you, O Guide Leader of the faithfuls inheritor of the Messengers, clear convincing sign of the Lord of the worlds, blessings of Allah be on you, and on your pure and pious children O Mawlaa, O Abaa Muhammad, Hasan son of Ali, I am your obedient follower and of your children, today is your day, Thursday, I come near you today seek your close friendship receive me with open arms, and keep me close, for the sake of your pure and pious children."
♥ الـلَّـهُـمَّ صَـلِّ عَـلَـى مُـحَـمَّـدٍ وآلِ مُـحَـمَّـدٍ وعَـجِّـلْ فَـرَجَـهُـمْ                                              




 
 
Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S.) has said: "There are two characteristics, which surpass all others: having faith in Allah, and benefiting one's brothers (in faith)." (1)
 
One of the major responsibilities of Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S.), for which he endeavoured earnestly, was to introduce the Imam after him to the Shiites and to inform them of the next Imam's occultation. At the time, the Abbasid dynasty, having had heard the words of the previous Imams (A.S.) and those of Prophets' (A.S.) about the saviour that would be born to Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S.), were in close watch of Imam Hassan's ( A.S.) residency to make sure he would not have a son. Thereupon, Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S.) had to hide his son from the guards sent by the government and in that manner save his son's life.
 
After the martyrdom of Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S.), Imam Mahdi (A.S.) went into the periods of his short and long occultation, whereupon most Shiites were deprived from seeing their Imam. Upon this matter, at the time of Imam al-Askari (A.S.) it was necessary to introduce Imam Mahdi (A.S.) to certain Shiites, and clarify his processes of occultation. Many narrations have been recorded on this matter, but in this excerpt we will refer to only one.
 
Ahmad ibn Is'haq, one of the reliable companions of Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S.), has narrated: "In one of my visits to the Imam, I had intended to ask about his successor. Yet before I had spoken, the Imam (A.S.) said: 'O Ahmad ibn Is'haq! From the creation of Adam, Allah (SWT) has never left the earth without His successor on people, and will never do so until the Day of Judgment…' I asked: 'O son of the messenger of Allah! So who is the successor and Imam after you?'
Imam Askari (A.S.) stood up immediately, and entered the house. He then returned carrying a three year old boy, whose face was filled with a halo of light. He said: 'O Ahmad! If it were not for your eminence in the eyes of Almighty Allah and His chosen people, I would not have shown you my child. His name and nickname are the same as that of Prophet Muhammad's (S.A.W.); and it is he who will fill the earth with justice after it has been corrupted with oppression…By Allah (SWT)! He will live through a long occultation from which people will not survive perdition and deviation, except for those who stand firm on believing in his Imamate, and those who are honoured with the opportunity to pray for haste in his reappearance."
 
Ahmad ibn Ishaq narrates: "the minute I asked Imam Askari (A.S.): 'Will any sign or miracle appear to make me confident?' the child began speaking: 'I am the remainder of Allah (Baqiatullah) on earth; the one who will take revenge on the enemies of Allah; and after seeing me, do not search for any other signs!"… (Selection taken from," An Analysis of the Life of Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.)", by Muhammad Baqir Qurashi)
Footnote: 1- Tuhaf al-Uqul, p. 489
 
 

Thursday 10 March 2011

Lessons From The Life Of JANAB-E-FATEMA ZEHRA (s.a.)

 

 "Peace be on you, O the carefully examined, tried and measured by Him who created you, and found you, in your test, cool and compact, steady and stable..."

 

1)Be kind to your parents. 


J.Zehra(sa) would speak with her mother sayyada Khadija(sa) while She was in her womb to keep her company because the women of makkah had boycotted her. J.Zehra(sa) would clean the prophet's (sawa) wounds after 
the makkans injured Him with stones. J.Zehra(sa) was a source of comfort to her father. She would come to her when He(sawa) didn't feel well like before the event of Kisa.

‎2)Trust your parents: with important decision of your life. 

J.Zehra(sa) trusted Her father when he left her in makkah while he migrated to madina. J.Zehra(sa) trusted her father with the decisions of choosing I.Ali(as) for her husband. Several men had propsed to marry J.Zehra(sa) but the the Prophet(sawa) only asked her about the proposal of I.Ali(as) and She agreed to marry him.

3)When choosing a life partner look for piety not money. 

J.Zehra(sa) chose to marry I.Ali(as) based on his piety. She did not look at how rich he {Imam Ali(as)} was.

‎4)Give in the way of Allah what you love most.

J.Zehra(sa) gave away her wedding dress the day after she got married.

‎5)Give in the way of Allah without expecting reward /thanks.

J.Zehra (sa) & Her family gave away their meals 3 days in a row to the poor without asking for any reward while they themselves remained hungry. This event led to the revelation of Surah Dahar in their praise.

‎6)Always acquire Knowledge.

J.Zehra(sa) would asked her sons to tell her about the sermons of the prophet(sawa).

‎7)Always share your knowledge.

J.Zehra(sa) was always willing to answer questions of the women of madina,even if they were many.

8)Raise your children in the way of Allah.

J.Zehra(sa) raised I.Hasan(as), I.Husain(as), J.Zainab(sa) and J.Umme Kulthum(sa) to be leaders of Islam.

‎9)Love your children equally.

J.Zehra(sa) greeted both I.Hasan(as) and I.Husain(as) as 'Qurata aini wa Thawartta fuadi', 'the light of my eyes & the delight of my heart' in the event of kisa.

10)Always Glorify Allah.

J.Zehra(sa) would always glorify Allah by reciting the Tasbih whenever she would peform the work of the house.

11)Treat your servents well.

J.Zehra(sa) always treated sayyada Fizza well and took turns in performing household work with her.

12)Observe HIJAB properly.

J.Zehra(sa) always observed Hijab even if the visiter to her house was a blind man.

 ‎13)Speak up when your rights are taken away.

J.Zehra(sa) went to the court and spoke up against her rights & inheritance being taken away.

‎14)Prepare for your Death.

J.Zehra(sa) was very concerned about her burial and wanted her Hijab to be maintained after she died & had a casket designed that would cover her body.

15)Never trust the enemies of Islam.

J.Fatema Zehra (sa)said certain people not to be allowed to come to her burial & her exact burial place has been kept a secret.

Alla'humma La'an Qatalatal Bibi Fatima Zahra(sa)

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                                          Our duty is to send laanat on the killers of SAYYADA FATEMATUZ ZAHRA(SA) & pray for the reappearance of her last son, Hazrat Imam Mahdi(ATFS), so that her son comes and take the revenge from the killers of all 13 Masoomeen(asws).

Al-Ajal Al-Ajal Ya Imam-e-Zamana(atfs), may Allah make his early appearance, Ameen!!