Rafed English
site.site_name : Rafed English

Allah Almighty says in His Glorious Book:

{On that account, We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people, and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.} 37

In some of the Tafsir (exegesis) it is stated that one of the meanings of “saving life” of the above noble verse is “leaving and exiting the darkness of aberration to the Light of being guided”, as the Almighty states,{Can he who was dead, to whom We gave life, and a Light whereby he can walk amongst men, be like him who is in the depths of darkness, from which he can never come out? Thus to those without Faith their own deeds seem pleasing.} 38

So this noble verse considers he who is distant from faith – iman – to be distant from the light or the knowledge with which one lives amongst the people. Therefore the Light that is in fact knowledge or faith as presented in this noble verse is one of the meanings of “giving life”.

This kind of giving life has many manifestations; one would be for individuals who are alive, i.e. to endeavour to guide someone to the right path. In Another case this “giving life” would be for individuals who are dead; for example in a meeting one might highlight the virtues and the good qualities of a mu’min – a believer – who is dead, this act would also be considered “giving life” to the individual concerned. The gatherings that are arranged on the occasions of the birthday or the death of the Imams alayhum-as-salam are also considered a manifestation of “giving life” to those occasions and to their respective owners. This “giving life” is no doubt considered as the Sha’a’er that Allah Almighty refers to in His Glorious Book:

{And whoever holds in honour the Sha‘a’er – Symbols – of Allah, for they truly reflect the piety of the heart.} 39

In fact upholding and “giving life” to the Islamic occasions is one of the Sha’a’er that Islam calls for. So when highlighting the virtues of a believer means keeping his memory alive, it is far more significant when we attempt to keep alive the memory of Rasulollah and his Ahl-ul-Bayt alayhum-as-salam. And this is clearly noticed in the tale reported in the holy Qur’an when Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) alayhis-salam said,{Grant me honourable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest generations} 40.

This means that “O Lord I ask to make the people after me remember me and keep my memory alive – “giving life to me” – so that my teachings and religion remain alive amongst the people – which are Tawheed and the law of Allah – and at the end of the day the religion that you revealed to me shall be the cause for the guidance of the people.”

Notes:

37. The Holy Qur’an, [5:22]

38. The Holy Qur’an, [6:122]

39. The Holy Qur’an, [22:32]

40. The Holy Qur’an, [27: 84]

Adopted from the book : "Husayn; the Sacrifice for Mankind" by : "Imam Muhammad Shirazi"