An
extract from the will of Ayatullah
Syed
Shahabuddin al-Mar’ashi.
In
the Syrian trimonthly
magazine al-Mawsim,
the Ayatullah’s
will has been
published. A translation of extracts
which were addressed to his son Mahmood
al-Mar’ashi has been reproduced below.
Without doubt these words are not only
those of a father for his son but serve
for us as a reminder as well. Allah (S.W.T.)
says “Inna zikra
tanfaul mu’mineen”;
Verily reminders are valuable for the
believers.
I
advise my son,
1.
Always remain ready to serve the
religion of Islam and strive in the defence
of Truth. Today the religion of Islam is
crying, “Hal min Nasirin
Yansuruni, hal
min Zaabbin Yazubbu
‘Anni?”;
“Is there a helper who will come to my
aid, is there a saviour
who will come to my rescue?”
O
my son, in this age there are very few
who answer this plea from Islam, and may
Allah reward the few that there are.
2.
Always ponder deeply over the
verses of the Holy Qur’an and follow
the advice and instructions contained
therein. Visit the graves frequently and
think, “where were these people
yesterday, what were they, how were they
and where have they come today.”
Do not sit and indulge in vain
and useless gatherings. There are few
gatherings today where gossip, slander
and lies are not present, rather they do
not exist. Refrain from excessive
attachment to this world.
3.
Maintain good relations with your
close relatives because by this act you
will gain inspiration to do good and
earn blessings and an increase in your
means and life-span.
5.
Remain engrossed in the learning of
religious knowledge. Continue to progress
in it everyday and remain busy in
spreading it all the time.
6.
O my son, make a habit of reciting
everyday, after Namaze Subh,
Surae Yasin
once. After Namaze Zuhr,
recite Surae Naba,
after Namaze Asr
recite Surae Asr,
after Namaze Maghrib
Surae Waaqia
and after Namaze Isha
recite Surae Mulk.
In this practice there are amazing gains.
My teachers advised me to this and I have
seen its blessing more than once.
7.
In the Qunoot
of Wajib Namaz
always recite this du’a.
“Allahuma
Inni Asaluka bi Hakki Fatimata wa Abiha wa
Ba’liha wa Baniha wa Sirril Mustawdai
Fiha an Tusaaali ala Muhammadin wa aali
Muhammad. Wa an Taf’al bi Ma Anta Ahlu
wa la Taf’al bu Ma Ana Ahlul.” This
du’a was taught to me both by my father
as well as my teacher Jamalus Salikeen
Shaykh Muhammad Husein Shirazi. He has
narrated this authentic hadith from Sayyid
Murtadha Kashmiri Rizvi by Ibne Tawoos
from The Holy Imams (A.S.)
8.
O my son, in the Rukuu, especially
of the last rakaat, after Zikr recite
salawaat in this way: “Allahumma Sali
Ala
Muhammadin wa aali Muhammad wa Taraham ala
Aajizna wa Aghisna Bihakkihim.”
9.
Always recite the Tasbih of our
wronged grandmother Fatima Zahra (A.S.).
That Tasbih is not only for recitation
after Namaz, but it should be recited all
the time.
10.
O son, there is a memorable speech
by Sayyidae Tahira, Bibi Fatima (A.S.)
which she gave in Masjide Nabawi in front
of the Ummah. Even the Ulema and
proficient linguists have failed to
understand it fully. Think deeply about
her words and try to understand them.
11.
Study the famous sermon of Amirul
Mu’mineen, Sayyidul Mazlumeen (A.S.)
called Shikshikiyyah.
12.
I stress to you to never abandon
the Namaze Shab. Do Istighfaar in the
early mornings.
13.
Be gentle and merciful to the poor
and needy, and especially take care of the
Sadaat and students of Islam.
14.
Avail yourself of the blessings of
the Ziyarat of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S.).
Reach the places where they are buried and
after reciting salutations, repent and ask
du’a – in these actions there is
untold benefits.
15.
O my son, regard your life time as
precious and do not waste it on useless
talks. Allah (S.W.T.) is displeased with a
young man who wastes his time.
16.
I have gathered the earth from the
graves of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.), the Holy
Imams (A.S.), their children, their
companions and Ulema in a small bag. Bury
it in my grave with me, so that I am
blessed.
17.
Also put in my grave the black
clothes I use to wear in the grief-ridden
remembrance of the suffering of the
children of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.)
during the months of Muharram and Safar.
18.
After shrouding me place on my
chest the handkerchief with which I used
to wipe my tears in mourning my
grandfather Husein (A.S.)
19.
O my son, always remain in a state
of purity. By that act the soul of a
person remains content and is free from
grief.
20.
After my death, perform the Haj and
Ziyarat of the grave of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.)
on my behalf. All my life I longed to do
this but due to hardship I could not go.
Similarly, in
Iraq
visit the sacred places on my behalf. For
both these good acts I do not have
anything except a few books. I hope my
children will pay from their own wealth
and do this kindness to me. My Lord is a
witness that I do not have an inch of
land, nor any wealth of any sort.
21.
O my son, if possible, use some of
your wealth as Radde Mazaalim on my
behalf, in case I have any dues
outstanding.
22.
O my son, every Thursday night, ask
someone to come to the side of my grave
and recite about the suffering of Imam
Husein (A.S.)
23.
When my bier is carried, announce
to the people that if I owe anything to
anyone he should forgive me before I am
buried.
24.
Every Thursday night my sons should
come to my grave and recite the Holy
Qur’an and listen to the remembrance of
Imam Husein (A.S.)
25.
The Tasbih, made from the earth of
Kerbala, with which I used to recite my
Istighfaar should be buried with me.
This
will is by Allah’s worthless slave,
servant of the knowledge of the Ahlul Bayt
(A.S.), Abul Ma’ali Shahabuddin al
Huseini al Mar’ashi an-Najafi, written
today the 20th Rabiul Akhar
1398 A.H. in Mashade Hadhrat Masuma Fatema
binte Musa ibne Ja’far (A.S.). I pray
for Allah’s forgiveness.