CHAPTER IX
SPRING OF KAUSAR (HAWZE KAUZAR)
The existence of the Spring of Kausar is found in the Qur'an and the traditions, it is the abundance (Khayre Kaseer) which was bestowed on the Prophet (S.A.W.S.). It is quoted in Basaerud Darajat', "Ma'alimul Zulfa", and the third volume of Biharul Anwar' that Abdullah ibne Sinan asked Imam Ja'far -as- Sadiq (A.S.) regarding the Spring of Kausar. Imam (A.S.) replied that it's width is approximately equal to the distance from Basra in Iraq to Sanaa in Yemen. Abdullah seemed astonished.
Then Imam Sadiq (A.S.) asked him, "Do you wish to have a glimpse of it?" He replied, "Yes O son of the Prophet!" Imam (A.S.) escorted him outside Madina, and struck his foot on the ground. Abdullah says that by the Imam's order the veils of the unseen were lifted off my eyes. I saw a stream flowing beneath, and the place where we were standing was surrounded by it. I saw on one side of the stream was flowing water which was whiter than ice, and on the other side milk, and in between was flowing the "pure Drink" (Sharabe Tahoora) coloured red like rubies (Yaqoot). I have never witnessed such a beautiful view before, nor wine (the wine referred to here is not the usual intoxicating liquid, rather it is a pure drink reserved for the
believers in Paradise) flowing between water and milk. Imam (A.S.) said, "As is written in the Qur'an, that in Paradise flows rivers of milk, water and wine, verily this stream flows from it. There are beautiful trees on both sides of this river, and between the trees the 'houries' of Paradise are standing with their beautiful hair flowing in the air, the likeness of which cannot be seen in this World". Then the Imam (A.S.) went towards one of the 'houries' and asked for a drink.
The houri' saluted Imam (A.S.) and filled the cup with water from the stream and presented it to Him. Imam (A.S.) gave the cup to me to drink. 1 drank and was surprised for I had never tasted such a delicious and tasty water in my life, nor ever smelt such fragrance of musk. I said, "May my life be Your ransom, the likeness of what I saw today can never be imagined in my life". Imam Sadiq (A.S.) replied, "Whatever you have seen is quite less when compared to the blessings reserved for Our Shi'ahs. When anyone among them dies, their spirits stroll in these gardens, and drink and bathe in these streams, and thus gain pleasure by consuming the delicious fruits". (Ma'ad)
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) told Imam Ali (A.S.), "The Spring of Kausar flows from beneathe the high heavens. It's water is whiter than milk, sweeter than honey, and softer than ghee. It's pebbles are of tapaz (Zabro Jad),
rubies (yaqoot) and corals (Marjan). It's grass of saffron (Za'faran), and mud of musk (Mushke Azfar)". Then the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) placed his hand on the side of Imam Ali (A.S.) and said, "O Ali! This stream is for me and your self, and those who love you". (Ehsanul Fawaed) For the followers of Imam Husain (A.S.) there is an additional blessing. Imam Ja'far - as - Sadiq (A.S.) says, that the person who weeps on the sufferings of Imam Husain (A.S.) will be happy and contented on the Spring of Kawsar, and will be pleased after looking at it . (Ma'ad)
Manifestation of the High Honour of Ahlulbait (A.S.):
Allah will reveal His other bounties and blessings on the day of Qayamat, one of them will be the manifestation of the high honour and position of Mohammad(S.A.W.S.) and his Progeny.
The Standard of Praise (Liwaul Hamd):
Abdullah ibne Salam asked the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) regarding the Standard of praise (Liwaul Hamd) to be presented to him in Qayamat. He (S.A.W.S.) replied that, it's length is equal to the distance of a thousand years. It's pillars will be of red rubies, and it's handle of white pearls. while it's flag will be of green emeralds. One flag
will be swirling in the east, the second in the west, while the third one will be swirling in the middle. On it three sentences will be engraved , "In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, Merciful", "All praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds", and "There is no God except Allah, Mohammad (S.A.W.S.) is the Messenger of Allah, and Ali (A.S.) is the friend of Allah".The length of each of these sentences will be equal to the length of a thousand years. Abdullah asked, "Who will be carrying this standard"? The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) replied, "The same person who in this world is my Standard-bearer viz . Ali the son of Abu Talib (A.S.)".Abdullah replied, "verily you speak the truth. But also inform me as to who all will remain under the shelter of this standard". He (S.A.W.S.) replied, "The believers (Mo meneen) friends Shi'ahs of Allah, my friends a Shiahs, and the friends and Shi'ahs of Ali (A.S.).verily this position is very high. And Allah's wrath be on the one who believes me, or argues over his (Ali's exalted) creation by Allah".
Ali (A.S.) will be the Distributor of kausar (saqiye kausar).
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) told Ali (A.S.) : "O Ali! verily you are the distributor of (the water of) kausar". It is related in khisaal of Shaikh Sadooq that the Commander of the faithful Ali (A.S.) said, "I along with my progeny
(Ahlulbait) will be standing besides the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) near the spring of kausar.
Whoever wishes to meet us should strive to emulate our actions and words. For every house has some generous and noble people. Intercession (Shafa'at) is surely there for our friends. Hence strive to meet us there. For we shall shun away our enemies from there and give our friends to drink from it. And whoever drinks a sip from that blessed water will never become thirsty.
It is written in the saheeh of Bukhari that when some of the companions of the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) will be removed from the kausar, the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) will say, "o my Lord! these are my companions
Allah will reply, "You do not know what they did after you.
They spread false traditions and made changes in religion (Bid-at) This tradition is also quoted in the ninth volume of the saheeh of Muslim.
The pulpit of praise (Maqame Mahmood)
In the Tafseer of Furat bin Ibrahim kufi Imam Ja'far-as Sadiq (A.S.) quotes a lengthy Hadees from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) that He said : As Allah has promised me, He will surely fulfill it. "May be your Lord will raise
you to a position of great glory". (Surah- al- Bani Israil: 79). He will gather all the people on the day of Qayamat, and will erect a Pulpit (Mimbar) for (zabro Jad), emeralds (zamrood), rubies (Yaqoot) and gold. I will mount on it and sit on the highest step. At that moment Jibra'eel will bring the Standard of praise (Liwaul Hamd), and handing it over to me will say,"O Mohammad (S.A.W.S.)! verily this is the praiseworthy position (Maqame Mahmood) about which Allah had promised you Then I will tell Ali (A.S.) to mount the Pulpit, He shall do so and sit one step after me. Then I will hand over the Standard to him.
Ali (A.S.) will be the Distributor of Heaven & hell (Kaseemill Jannate wan Naar)
The gate-keeper of Paradise (Rizwan) will bring the keys of Paradise and hand them over to me. Likewise the Keeper of hell (Malik) will also come and hand over the keys of hell to me. Then 1 in turn will give the keys to Ali the son of Abu Talib (A.S.) [O Ali ! You are the distributor of Paradise and hell -Holy Prophet]. And at that time Paradise and hell will be obedient to me as a bride is to her groom. And this is the interpretation of the Verse (Ayah): "Do cast into hell every ungrateful., rebellious one". (Surah al-Qaf: 24).
It is written in Tafseere Qummi that Sama'ah says that I asked Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) that, "How wi II the Holy prophet (S.A.W.S.) intercede on the day of Qayamat? He (A.S.) replied, "When people will become weary and tired and will be sweating profusely, they will go to Prophet Adam (A.S.) and plead for his intercession. Adam (A.S.) will put forth his Tarke Ula' (leaving the better work for a less (desirable thing) and excuse himself. He will direct them towards Prophet Nooh (A.S.). Nooh (A.S.) will also apologize and direct them to go to the Prophet after him. Likewise each Prophet will direct them to the Prophet after them till they reach Prophet Issa (A.S.). Issa (A.S.) will then advice them to go to the Last Prophet Mohammad (S .A. W. S.).
Then the people will go to Him and plead his mercy and ask for his intercession. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) will accompany them till the Gate of Mercy (Babur Rahmah) and will fall into prostration (sajdah) there. At that moment Allah's voice will come "O Prophet! Lift your head up and intercede (for the people), for surely your intercession will be accepted. And ask whatever you wish, for surely you shall be given". (The intercession by the Holy Imam A.S.) has already been discussed in the Chapter of Accounting).
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) in
`Khisaal' that three groups of people will intercede on the day of Qayamat, and their intercession will be accepted (1) The Prophets (Ambiya), (2) The Scholars (Ulama), and (3)The Martyrs (Shohada), (Ehsanul Fawaed).
It is written in the third volume of `Biharul Anwaar' that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, "Do not underestimate the Shi'ahs of Ali (A.S.), for each one of them will intercede for the people equal to the tribes of Rabi'ah and Muzar" (two great tribes of Quraysh).
Who will be Interceded for?
In `Biharul Anwaar' it is narrated from the Holy prophet (S.A.W.S.) that He said, "Intercession (Shafa'at) will be for those of my Ummah who have committed major sins (gunahane kabeera), while those who are righteous will be in no need of it".
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says: On the day of Qayamat I will surely intercede for the following four types of people: (1) Those who respect and honour My Progeny (Ahlulbait), (2) Those who fulfill the desires of My Progeny, (3) Those who work for their cause, and (4) Those who love them from their hearts as well as by the tongue (openly and in secret). (Sawaeqe Muhriqa).
Imam Ja'far-as-Sadiq (A.S.) says that the one who considers Prayers (Namaz) to be unimportant or lowly will
not get Our Intercession.
Imam Mohammad-al-Baqir (A.S.) says that Our Shi'ah is the one who obeys Us and does not go against our word.
If a person does not do what is obligatory (wajib) and does not keep himself from sins and evil, he is not amongst the Shi'ahs, and will not receive Intercession of Mohammad (S.A.W.S.) and His Progeny (Ahlulbait). (Ehsanul Fawaed)
In short a believer (Mo'min) should always remain between fear (of Allah's wrath) and desire (of His Mercy), for these are the attributes of a believer.
Heights (A'araf)
There are three different interpretations regarding A' araf.
(1) According to the reports of Ahlulbait (A.S.), A'araf is a height on the Bridge of Serat on which the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) will be standing along with His Progeny (A.S.). The foreheads of the friends and Shi'ahs of Ahlulbait (A.S.) will be emitting a light, and this will act as a permit [of the love of Ali (A.S.)] pass over Poole Serat.
It is stated in Sawaeqe Muhriqa' that no one will be able to pass over the Poole Serat unless he has a permit
from Imam Ali (A.S.).
It is written in the Qur'an: "And on the A' araf there shall be men, who know all by their marks". (Surah-al A'araf: 46).
(2) Another interpretation of A'araf is that it is a wall as said in the Qur'an: "On that day you will see the faithful men and the faithful women -their light running before them and on their right hand, good news for you today: gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein, that is the grand achievement". (Surah-aI-Hadeed: 12)
It is said in the interpretation of this verse that the light referred to here is the Love of Mohammad (S.A.W.S.) and His Progeny (walayah). And this light will be ( glowing more or less) according to the (extent of ) belief ( Eeman) and love (Walayah), and it will be (shining ) on the right side. So will be emitting light such intensely that they will not be able to look at their feet. Some will be emitting light which will be infinite. While some will be emitting a weak light which will dim sometimes and shine sometimes. They will become disturbed and cry out "Our Lord! Make perfect our light, and grant us protection" .( Surah-at-Tahreem: 8) During that moment the light of others will be of no help. The hypocrites and simmers will try to gain benefit from the light of the believers, but will not be able to do so, and a wall will be erected between them and this is the very
A araf. "They will cry out to them: Were we not with you? They shall say: Yes! But you caused yourselves to fall into temptation, and you waited and doubted, and vain desires deceived you, till the threatened punishment of Allah came, which the arch deceiver deceived you about Allah".(Surah al-Hadeed: 14)
"One the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say to those who believe: Wait for us, that we my have light from your light, it shall be said: Turn back and seek a light. Then separation will be brought about between them, with a wall having a door in it, (as for) the inside of it, there shall be mercy in it, and (as for) the outside of it, there shall be punishment". (Surah-aI Hadeed: 13).
(3) A'araf is a place between Paradise and hell. The oppressed ones (mustaz-afeen), idiots and insane people foolish women, children who have died before attaining adulthood, people who have died between the appearance of two Prophets (and did not meet either of them), and people who were alive at that time but the Prophet's message did not reach them, will be made to dwell therein) There shall be no blessings and pleasures of Paradise and no punishment and wrath of Allah.
Shaikh Sa'adi says: A'araf is (like a hell in the eyes of the 'houries', but for the people of hell it is equal to
paradise.
CHAPTER X
BRIDGE OF SERAT (POOLE SERAT)
Serat' in the grammatical sense means a way or a road, and it's meaning according to the Shari'ah is a bridge or a road which passes from the top of hell. In a tradition from Ma'soom (A.S.) it is stated that `Poole Serat' is a bridge thinner than a hair, sharper than a sword, and hotter than fire (of this world). The true believers (Mo'meneen) will pass over it speedily like lightening. Some will find some difficulty over it, but will later find relief. While there will be some who will slip and fall down in the pit of hell. The likeness of 'Poole Serate' is of "The Right Path (Seratal Mustaqeem) of this world, the path of Ali (A.S.) and Aimmah (A.S.)'s obedience.
The person who in this world turned away from the `Seratal Mustaqeem' (The path of Ahlulbait) in word and deed, and was attracted towards falsehood, on the day of Qayamat he will slip over the Poole Serat and fall into hell. In Surah-al-Hamd, Seratal Mustaqeem' refers to both these paths (The path of Ahlulbait and Poole Serat ).
Allamah Majlisi in his book `Haqqul Yaqeen' quotes from Shaikh Sadooq that: Our belief concerning Qayamat is that the Passes (Aqabaat) have each a specific name. some are called Farz (compulsory Acts), others Amr
(Commands), yet others Nahy (Prohibitions). So when a man will reach the Pass of Farz, and he had neglected it (in his life), he will be stopped there and imprisoned for a thousand years, and the dues of Allah will be demanded of him. Now if he goes out of it by means of some good act performed by him in the world, or by the Mercy of Allah, then he escapes from it and goes on to another Pass. He will not cease to be sent from one Pass to another, and be stopped and questioned regarding his shortcomings in respest of each stage.
If he escapes safely from all the Passes, he will arrive at the abode of Permanence (Darul Baqa). Here he comes upon everlasting life, and perpetual beautitude, without any affliction what so ever. He will reside in the neighbourhood of Allah, with the Prophets (A.S.), and the Imam (A.S.), the vercaious ones, the Martyres (Shohada), and the righteous ones from among His slaves. And if he is stopped at a Pass, and is questioned about a certain due in respect of which he is found wanting. and neither a good action on his part nor the Mercy of Allah reaches him, his step will stumble and he will be hurled down in the fire of hell. (E teqadatul Imamiyah).
Imam Mohammad-al-Baqir (A.S.) says, that when the verse (Ayah) "And hell is made to appear on that day" (Surah-al-Fajr: 23) was revealed, the Holy prophet
(S.A.W.S.) was asked regarding it's interpretation. He replied, "Jibra'eel has informed me that when Allah will have gathered everyone from the beginning to the end on the day of Qayamat, one thousand Angels will bring the hell pulling it with a thousand ropes with great difficulty. Hell will be roaring and raging with anger and the voice of breaking (of bones) will be heard from it. At that moment a ferocious voice will erupt from it, which Allah has reserved to take the account of people, and every one will perish (with fear). Men, Angels, and the Prophet will be wailing with fright. Man will cry out, "Our Lord! save me, save me", while the Prophets will cry out, "O Lord! save my people (umrnat)". So each Prophet will take account from Their people (ummat) and walk over the Poole Serat. No one will have any escape from walking over it. Allah says in the Qur'an And there is not one of you but shall come to it, this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord. And we will deliver those who guarded (against evil,) and we will leave the unjust therein on their knees". (Surah-al -Maryam: 71-72)"".
Then the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, "This bridge contains seven Passes (Aqabat), and each Pass has got a station equal to seventy farsakh, and seventy thousand Angels have be pogted on each station. All the people will have to cross these Passes".
1st. Pass: kindness (Sile Raham), Trust (Amanah), Love of Ahlulbait (A.S.) (Walayah)
The first station here is of kindness (Sile Rahm). The person who in this world is not merciful towards his parents will have a short life . He will not prosper (in wealth), and in the Hereafter will be stopped on the first station on poole Serat, and no mercy will be shown towards him. The Holy Qur'an admonishes us in the following words: "And be careful of (your duty to) Allah, by whom you demand one of another (your rights), and to the ties of relationship". (Surah- an- Nisa: 1)
So when one of your relatives is sick visit him, if he is indigent help him and fulfil his wants, and visit them ( your relatives) on important days (of Idd etc.).
The second station is of Trust (Amanah). Trust does not only include welth, but also if someone confides in you and tells a secret requesting you not to reveal it to anyone, this too is included in trust. If you disclose it to another, you have committed breach of trust. If you disgrace someone, you have committed breach. And also if someone keeps some wealth with you as a trust and even after promising to return it, you refuse to do so, you are said to have committed breach (of trust). The same rule applies for hire. If you borrowed something from someone for a fixed period, after the period having expired you do not return it,
it will be deemed as being a violation of trust.
Shaikh Husain bin Sa' eed al Ahwazi relates from Imam Mohammad -al- Baqir (A.S.) that one day someone gave the good news to Abu zarr that his sons had brought a huge stock of cattle, and that his Property had increased. To which Abu zarr replied, "The increasment of property will not make me happy, nor do I consider it to be a prosperity for I believe in being moderate and little is sufficient for me. The guarding of this property would have made me busy and being negligent (of my duty towards Allah). I have heard the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.S.) as saying that, on the day of Qayamat when a person who is trustworthy and kind passes over the poole Serat' kindness and trust will be on both the sides to support him.
It is also related that the person who has committed breach of trust or severed relations with his kith a kin, on the day of Qayamat when he will walk over the poole Serat, none of his deeds will be of any help to him, and he will fall flat into the pit of hell.
The third station is of Love of Ahlulbait (A.S.) (Walayah). Regarding the love of Ahlulbait (A.S.) many traditions have been quoted in the Shi'ah as well as Sunni books, that Walayah means the Love of Imam Ali (A.S.). In Tafseere Sa'labi it is written regarding the verse : "And stop them, for they shall be questioned". (Surah- al-Saffat : 24). It is
said that people will be stopped and asked if they accepted the walayah' of Imam Ali (A.S.) in the world and said, "Aliyyun Waliyullah", while believing in it. Allamah Huwainee and Tabari both great scholars of the Ahle Sunnat quote the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) as saying O' Ali ! Whoever denies your love will be stopped (from going further) over the poole Serat". In Sawaeqe Muhriqa it is written that whoever has got the passport of the Love of Ali (A.S.) will pass easily over the Serat. Many other traditions are quoted which cannot be written here due to lack of space.
2nd. pass: Namaz.(Salat)
On this pass a person will be stopped and questioned regarding the five daily prayers, the prayer of Signs (Namaze Ayaat), and elapsed prayers (Namaze Qaza), about which it has been discussed in the chapter of "Accounting"
Imam Ja'far- as-Sadiq (A.S.) in his last will said "Whoever considering Namaz to be unimportant (or lowly) will not receive our Intercession (in Qayamat)".
Allah says in the Qur'an, "Woe to the praying ones, who are unmindful of their prayers". (Surah- al-Ma'oon : 4-5).
The person who does not offer Namaz dies thirsty, and
will also arise thirsty from his grave. People should themselves recite Namaz &) advice others to do so. We should adapt our children to offer Namaz before they reach puberty, because parents of a child reciting Namaz too get a share in their rewards. Parents who advise their children (while they are still young) to do good deeds and their children in turn follow them, such parents receive the reward thereof. And after a child reaches puberty the good deeds are recorded in his own scrolls. Once a Prophet was passing from near a grave with his companions, when suddenly he told them to pass away quickly for the person in the grave was being chastised by Allah's wrath. One year later when he passed by that same grave, he sensed that the wrath of Allah had been lifted up from the grave. He was astonished and asked Allah the reason for it. Allah relied, "This person had left behind him a child who was sent to school, his teacher taught him to recite "Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem" .Thus when his child addressed Me as being a Beneficent and Merciful Lord, I forgave his parents, for they have been a medium for his birth. I felt ashamed that in spite of their child addressing me thus, I should punish them".
"O' you who believe ! save your selves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones". (Surah- at Tahreem: 6)
Then we should warn our relatives and friends (from the wrath of Allah) by enjoining good (Amr bil Ma'roof) and forbidding evil (Nahy anil Munkar).
3rd. Pass: zakat
If a person in his life has not paid zakat or khums due on him (even equal to a dirham) to the deseeving persons will be stopped at this pass. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, that on the day of Qayamat, the non-payer of zakat' will be in a state that a python (called Aqra) will be wound around his neck. (Aqra is the name of a python, the hairs of whose body have fallen off due to intense poison in it). In another tradition it is stated that if a person does not pay ukhums' due on his agricultural field, on his neck will be placed a chain of the seven worlds on the day of Qayamat. It is also related that when Imam- al- Mahdi (A.T.F.S.) reappeares, He shall put to death those who do not pay zakat due on them. The person hoards large provisions of gold and silver (will zakat due on them), on the day of Qayamat these dirhams and dinars will be made red hot in fire and will be placed on their foreheads and their sides.
As said in the Qur'an, "on the day when it shall be heated in the fire of hell, then their foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded with it, this is what
you hoarded up for yourselves, therefore taste what you hoarded". (Surah- al - Bara'at: 35) There is no difference between the Zakat of wealth and the Zakat of body (Fitrah).
Many harsh words have been used regarding the non payment of khums’, and many traditions are found regarding it. One tradition needs to be quoted here from Usul’al kafi’ that Imam Ja'far- as-Sadiq (A.S.) says that on the day of Qayamat the most difficult time will be when the deserving person of khums will catch hold of the end of the shirt of the one who did not pay it. They will ask for their right from them on this pass, and will not allow him to move further until he gives them their due rights. But the situation will become even worse when the Interceders (Ahlulbait) themselves will ask for Their Rights (khums) from people.
