Generosity, munificence of Imam Javad due to Imam Reza’s light

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Tuesday, 23 February 2021

“This great Imam benefited from the care of his father Imam Reza (a.s.) for a short time. But the teachings of Imam Reza (a.s.) were very inspiring and prominent for him and he benefited a lot from the light of this sun,” said Hakim, a member of the Book Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly Referring to the generosity and munificence of Imam Javad (a.s.). 

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Hazrat Imam Javad (a.s.), the Imam of generosity and munificence, and in order to examine the aspects of dignity and forgiveness in the life of that Imam (a.s.), the ABNA correspondent interviewed Hojat al-Islam Sayed Monzar Hakim, a member of the Book Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, chairman of the Zorria al-Nabawia Research Center, Professor of Islamic History, and the head of the department of Specialized Family Fiqh (jurisprudence) at Al-Mustafa International University.

In these months (Rajab, Sha’baan, and Ramadan), both the prayers are full of generosity and munificence (of God) and the events that took place in them; such as the birth of Imams Baqir, Jawad, and Ali (a.s.), the Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation, and the births of the beginning of the month of Sha’ban and finally the blessed birth of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) on the 15^th of Sha’ban and the birth of Imam Hassan (a.s.) in the 15^th month of Ramadan and the night of the first Friday of Rajab (Laylat al-Raghaib) and the days of al-Bayd (ایام البیض), every day of these three months, and nights of Ghadr (لیلة القدر), etc. All these events have opened the table of God’s generosity for us so that in these special few months, we can get acquainted with and be trained with the keyword to progress, which is generosity and munificence.

The path of human progress and growth

Referring to the verses, “أَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطى‌ وَ اتَّقى* وَ صَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنى” (So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah) And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best) (Holy Quran, 92: 5&6) he stated, “These verses state that the path of human rise and fall begins with two keywords: The first is generosity and munificence which comes from “اعطی” (A’ta) so that human beings be generous. Because this attribute fertilizes the human internal capacity and raises him to the peak. Contrary to the initial conception that most people interpret “اعطی” (A’ta) as loss, in the logic of the AhlulBayt (a.s.), “اعطی” (A’ta) means enrichment and perpetuation of gifts, especially raising the capacity of the beneficial human being along with the stabilization of the attribute of generosity and munificence in him and the evolution and culmination of the dynamic human soul.”

“It is in the hadiths that when a person’s sustenance decreases, he should give alms. Giving alms is the training of the soul for giving and munificence. A person who gives, in proportion to his spirit, is forgiven by God and has mercy on him. As some elders used to say, whenever our pockets are empty of money for God (by giving alms), our sustenance will come!” said the chairman of the Zorria al-Nabawia Research Center.

Munificence and benevolence of Imam Javad (a.s.) even for the opponents!

“AhlulBayt (a.s.), which are the pillars of benevolence and munificence, are all one light. Of course, each of them has become more prominent with a special attribute due to time and place conditions. One of the characteristics of Imam Javad (a.s.) is generosity, benevolence, and kindness even for the opponents. In such a way that he even had a kind view toward the environment and animals. Even in educating human beings, this scientific and spiritual generosity is evident in the short hadiths left by them!” emphasized the member of the Book Council of AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.

“In the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.), skill enhancement is very much. For example, Imam Javad (a.s.) set the dowry of his wife, which was forced on him by Ma’mun, as 10 supplications. These supplications have been narrated in Mafatih al-Jennan and most of the books of Imam Javad’s biography. These supplications connect man to God and guide us to meet our needs,” said Hakim, stating that the Imams (a.s.) are trying to make people self-sufficient and make them independent.

“Since God introduces himself as the most benevolent (اکرم الاکرمین) in this surah and considers the reason for this benevolence to be teaching to human beings, we can better understand the value of the munificence and benevolence of Imam Javad (a.s.) who guided us through prayer. It should be noted that according to the advice of the AhlulBayt (a.s.), instead of giving money and material gifts, it is better to teach the deprived people the way to meet their needs. Because the best gift is to make people self-sufficient and independent of the others,” he said, referring to Sura of Alaq in the Holy Quran.

Practical instructions by Imam Javad (a.s.)

“One of the instructions of the Imam Javad (a.s.) is not to reveal performing an action until it is certain. Because it may affect the outcome. It is also narrated from him in the 11^th instruction that a believer needs three things: Tawfiq from God (special divine blessing), correct judgment and preaching to himself (based on self-awareness), accepting advice from counselors, and being open to criticism,” emphasized the member of the Book Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, stating that in the 14-volume book “Leaders of Guidance” and in the 11^th volume, short advices of Imam Javad (a.s.) amounting to 73 instructions.

“Of course, there are ways to achieve this Tawfiq (divine success), and many obstacles to achieving it can be understood by referring to the initial phrases of the Dua of Komeil. We must also know that if a man is open to critics, he will evolve. That is, in addition to criticizing, we must also learn the method of criticism and accept the criticism in order to evolve,” he added.

“One of his other instructions, which is on social affairs, is that he said: Meeting friends (companionship with the good) fertilizes the human intellect. This means advice about companionship, which should fertilize our intellect and not waste our time in vain things, and, God forbid, should not lead man to ruin,” Hakim continued.

“Another guidance of Imam Javad (a.s.) that the Quran also emphasizes and clarifies is: The things that strengthen generosity, benevolence, and munificence in human beings are the appreciation of blessings (both divine and human). In other words, Imam Javad (a.s.) says that not giving thanks for blessings is disbelief in blessings. One who cannot thank the services of the Creator and the creature is a sign of his stinginess” stated the member of the Book Council of AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.

“From the words of Imam Javad (a.s.) we understand well that gratitude for blessings fertilizes the attribute of benevolence and munificence in man. Every sane person knows that the answer to goodness is goodness. Such a person is grateful for the blessings of God and others who have benefited him, both materially and spiritually. He does not the empty half of the glass. He is not the example of the verse: “إِنَّ الْإِنْسانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ” (Most surely man is ungrateful to his Lord) (Holy Quran, 100:6)” Hakim emphasized.

“Imam Javad become an Imam as a child (7 or 9 years old). He benefited from the care of his father Imam Reza (a.s.) for a short time. But the teachings of Imam Reza (a.s.) were very inspiring and prominent for him and he benefited a lot from the light of this sun,” said the head of the department of Specialized Family Fiqh (jurisprudence) at Al-Mustafa International University, regarding the influence of Imam Javad (a.s.) from his father Imam Reza (a.s.) in the attribute of generosity and munificence.

“Although some people mocked Imam Reza (a.s.) for not having a son, when Imam Javad (a.s.) was born and became the Imam as a child, in a short period, his characteristics and traits shone so brightly that all contemporaries and non-contemporaries acknowledged that shining sun. Imam Javad (a.s.), from 9 to 25 years old and during the short period of his Imamate, was the source of many good deeds and blessings, and his blessed existence shone so brightly that (the enemies) could not bear this sun. Therefore, they martyred him by his ungrateful wife,” he added.

“On these occasions, it is very important to get information about the life of the Imams (a.s.). It is recommended that audiences read a book like “Leaders of Guidance” volume by volume to get a comprehensive overview and use it based on their potential. Because the manners of the Imams (a.s.) in accordance with the living conditions of each of them, has manifested a special feature and that is instructive and exemplary,” concluded the member of the Book Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.

Tags

• Generosity
• Imam Javad
• Imam Reza
• munificence