Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 1 (in Urdu)

                    Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 2 (in Urdu)

                   Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 3 (in Urdu)

                 Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 4 (in Urdu)

                 Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 5 (in Urdu)

                    Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 6 (in Urdu)

                 Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 7 (in Urdu)

                 Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 8 (in Urdu)

                        Nahjul Balagha Short Lecture 9 (in Urdu)

Who Are The Shia? - Hajj Hassanain Rajabali

Maarfat e Nafs - 2009 - Ayatollah Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi

                                                                    Majlis no1

                                                                             Majlis no 2

[MUST LISTEN] Tazkiya- e - Nafs by Ayatullah Taqi Behjat

The Noble ones

 Ayatollah Taqi Behjat Fumani

                                                       Ayatullah Seyed Ali Aqa Qazi Tabatabai

 Allama Muhammad Hussain Tabatabai

                                                               Ayatollah Bahauddini 
                                                         

                                                                         Allama Amini                                                  

                                                                 Shaheed Murtaza Mutahhari

Conversation with a Hindu Convert to Islam

By SHAIKH VINAY KHETIA

Q: What religion were you affiliated with before your conversion? How practicing were you in this faith and how much did it mean to you?

A: My religion previous to my reversion to Islam was Hinduism. I traditionally come from a very religious and practicing Hindu family. In Hindu terms, my family is in the caste of Brahmins, which is the priest class. I was always very spiritually inclined and inquisitive about my own faith, and I was in touch with Hindu priests.

When I was 14, an event occurred in my life that led me to research my own faith and have a firm belief in God. Islam was quite alien to me still at this time. I was quite well versed in Hinduism. I had some books with in-depth information on spirituality. Then after the age of 15, this spiritual quest of mine had died out again, and I became just like any other non-believer or lost youth who engaged in certain immoral things because I did not have a spiritual inclination or a thirst to get to know my Lord. I was just a youth lost in the depths of filth and corruption of this world.

Q: What was your perception of Islam before you began studying more about it?

A: I had no real perception of it. I just saw it to be another faith. I respected it. Culturally I was told that Muslims and Hindus don't normally become best friends. But I always rejected that irrational notion.

Q: What sparked your interest in Islam?

A: Before I begin with the initial spark, I would like to provide some more background information. Throughout my high-school career the majority of my friends were of the Islamic faith. I was always exposed to Islam through their discussions, and from time to time I would see them pray or recite the Qur'an. But even though I had all these Muslim friends, I never dreamed of ever converting to Islam, nor did I ever have the slightest inclination to do so.
The initial spark I would say had to have begun with my trip to London, England, and the United Arab Emirates. In London I was amazed by all the Muslim women who I saw in fully veiled clothing.  I was just mesmerized by the thought of someone being completely veiled in black and walking in the heat of midday on Oxford Street in Central London. I was so curious as to who these women were, and why they dressed the way they dressed.

Then after leaving London, we were en route to Dubai on Emirate Airlines. While on the plane, I was exploring the on-board TV/radio stations, and I came across this unique language which was being recited so beautifully that it totally captivated me. I honestly was mesmerized by the sound of this language being recited. The channel was called "The Holy Quran". On that flight, I felt like I must have heard the entire Qur'an at least two times over. I listened to it in secrecy, because I did not want to seem like a weirdo if my parents heard me listening to it. But nonetheless, there was something about the recitation of that Qur'an which caught me by the heart at the age of 17 and sparked the need for me to learn more about this faith.

Then when we reached Dubai, I was again amazed by the Arab culture, dress, language, and religion. I was thirsty for more information. The minute we left the airport, I was looking for those beautiful mosques I would see on TV with those tall minarets at the front, from which someone would recite the call to prayer. Being in a Muslim country like this amazed me. I would listen to the radio in my hotel anytime I was alone. Again, I had found the station which played the recitation of the Holy Qur'an. Whenever I was alone in the hotel, I would attentively listen to the beautiful recitation of this holy book.

Coming to the Middle East was a total culture shock for me, seeing so many women covered up in black, men with beards, hearing this Arabic language everywhere, seeing the traditional Arab dress .When the trip ended, I was quite sad to leave, but I had to.

When I got back to Canada, life for me just moved on as usual until the event of September 11th. The event of September 11th was also one of the catalysts which led me to Islam. I was constantly asking my friends about what September 11th had to do with Islam, and who was this Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) that they frequently referred to?

In about the late fall/early winter, a very close friend of mine asked me if Hindus believed in One God. He was always curious. My response to him was "yes." But he wanted proof. So at two a.m. in the morning on a school night, I was sifting through the Baghagavad Geeta, which is a holy Hindu text supposedly revealed by or to "Lord Krishna". After a critical reading of this text, I came to realize that yes, Hinduism really does believe in one supreme God, and that idol worship is not a correct form of worship.

Q: Can you describe the process of your reversion to Islam and how you came to choose Shiism?

A: After I discovered that there was only one God which humans cannot see, I began to research different religions and what their perceptions of God are and how they go about worshipping something they cannot see. Another very close friend of mine also gave me an English copy of the Qur'an for me to read out of interest. I was now on a full-fledged quest to find the truth, and I would not settle for anything less than that.

Everything turned around the day I received a book called Index of Quranic Topics. Within this book, it quoted a prophecy from an ancient Hindu ascetic who foretold the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny). He [the Hindu ascetic] went on to say that Muslims would be circumcised, would eat meat, and establish a call to prayer. I was totally amazed by this, because the ancient Hindu philosopher that foretold this was one of great magnitude for the Hindus, and very well-respected. He is an ancient respected figure in Hindu theology by the name of Maharishi Vyas.

As I continued to research prophecies about Islam from the Hindu books, I found out that the Kaaba and how Abraham and his son built it is written in the Hindu text. The name of Muhammad is also in the Hindu texts. Islam and the coming of Muhammad is also prophesied through the Buddhist texts, Christian texts, Jewish texts, and all prophecies were in utter praise of this man named Muhammad that was going to come. All this was so overwhelming for me. I discovered websites with Islamic miracles, all over the world, anywhere from Turkey to Australia. I knew there had to be something special about these names – Allah and Muhammad.

I began to read the Qur'an a bit later, and after that my heart and mind was completely focused on the words I was reading. I was so amazed and taken aback by these words – I would stay up late nights after everyone would go to sleep and read the Qur'an. This was a book which I could not put down; I just kept reading and reading and researching miracles. My faith in God was now at an all-time high. I decided that this faith was for me. I had only completed the first 4 or 5 surahs of this Qur'an, and my heart just told me that this is the solution to life!

All this time I was hiding this from my family; well, at least I thought so. I felt at this time that my entire family would be against me, everyone except my mother, so I decided to go into what I now know to be Taqiyya. I was told by some brothers that this is fine.

In early mid-winter, I went to a Muslim brother's house, where he taught me how to make Wudhu, pray, gave me some books, and I took the Shahada – the testimony of faith. At this time, only my close friends knew about my leaving Hinduism and embracing Islam. My life felt different from the day I took the Shahada. The feeling is indescribable.

The process of how I came to Shiism was just through nonstop study and through introduction to a friend's father, who I later came to know was an Islamic scholar. His name is Dr. Liyakat Takim – may Allah bless him. He was the one who gave me the reading material which led me to become a Shia Ithna-Ashari. I thank Allah everyday for giving me the opportunity to meet this man, for if not I fear I may have followed the path of the "Ahul Sunnah wa Jammah".

The following books led me to believing in the basic beliefs of Shia Islam: The Right Path and Nahjul Balagha. After this I had many questions about Shia Islam, and I would like to thank the following people for giving me the material and helping to guide me to the true path: Dr. Takim, Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, the Office of Ayatollah Sistani, and the Office of Ayatollah Khamenei. May Allah bless them all.

Q: How did you learn to live as a Muslim? Who or what was most helpful to you in this?

A: My close friends were very helpful in teaching me the rules of Islam and how to live a daily life as a Muslim. I have received guidance whenever I needed it from organizations and Islamic scholars like Dr. Takim, Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, the Office of Ayatollah Shirazi, Shaikh Usama Abdulghani, the Office of Ayatollah Khamenei, and last but not least, the Office of Ayatollah Sistani. I learned to live as a Muslim and rely on Allah through making du'a, through my prayers, and though guidance from knowledgeable people. May Allah forgive me if I have forgotten anyone's name.

Q: How easy or difficult was it for you to take on certain aspects of practical life as a Muslim, e.g. the daily prayers, fasting etc.?

A: The daily prayers were the hardest thing for me to get used to, because I had to learn how to say them, what to say in what part of the prayer, and the different physical positions of prayer. Memorizing this was a task on its own, but Alhamdulillah with the help from Allah, I was able to achieve this within two months after praying five times a day every day. All the other aspects of life, like fasting and Halal meat, came quite naturally to me, again with the help from Allah and the results of Allah's clear response to my supplications.

Q: How did your choice to become a Muslim affect your relationship with family and friends?

A: My relationship with my family is changed forever; they have a son who is a Muslim! At this time I am still not able to gauge where I stand, but with my mother I know I will always be comfortable, but with my father things are definitely progressing towards a positive relationship of mutual respect.

Q: Do you have any message for the youths of our community?

A: My message to the brothers and sisters of the community would have to be, to please keep your agreement with Allah and realize the privilege you have being born as a Muslim. Remember every time you recite the Shahada (the proclamation of faith in Islam), you are making a pledge to Allah that you believe in only Him and His Messenger, so according to these words you are a Muslim and thus must act like one.

Islam is a faith that solves all your problems in life without a doubt. If you want happiness, if you want to feel content, just turn to your Lord. Allah loves those who glorify Him through the night and morning. Miracles will happen in your life, you will feel a Noor (light) within you, and you will notice that your faith will become virtually unbreakable.

Please don't get into the corruption of this society, such as smoking drugs, drinking, clubbing, and being friends with those people who you know deep down can only be harmful to your faith in your Lord. Every time someone does these things, it's as if they are eating away at their own faith, and they are hurting themselves and the people around them that care for them. Wake up and realize the peace one shall get out of submission to his or her Lord. If you truly try and are able to do this, the Satanic powers and influences will not move you off the Siratul Mustaqueem.

I would like to end with two verses from the Qur'an, Surah Saba verses 1-2: In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful-Bismillah ar Rahman ar Rahim. Praise be to Allah to whom all things in the heavens and on earth: to Him be praise in the Hereafter: He is All-Wise, All-Aware. He knows all that goes into the earth and all that comes out thereof; all that comes down from the sky and all that ascends thereto and he is the Most Merciful the Oft-forgiving."

The World in the Eyes of Ahlul Bayt (as)

By ALI JAMALEDDINE

What is this 'world' that we live in? Is it Earth? Is it buildings and towers? Is it rivers and seas? Or maybe it is television, food, or even cars?

It is ironic that we all affirm that we exist in this 'world', yet many cannot even describe this world. It is like saying "I know I live at home, but I have no idea what my home is." If we have the wrong idea about our 'home', then we will fall into many traps and pitfalls. It is equally dangerous, if not more, when we have no idea. So, where can we obtain information about this 'world'?

Surely, the best and most pure source of information is from the creator of this world, Allah, who has conveyed it to us through the Prophet, and the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them). So, how do the Prophet and his Progeny teach us to view this world?

The Passageway

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) says, "Dunya (the world) is a passageway, and the Hereafter is the destination. Take [what you need] from your passageway to your destination." (Nahjul Balagha)

The Imam emphasizes that this world contains items that we absolutely need for the Hereafter. If Dunya was only a negative place that is no good, then we couldn't take anything from it.

The natural question that follows is: what can we take from this world that is of use to us later on? Allah answers that when He says, "Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope." (18:46) In another verse, Allah says, "And the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for recourse." (19:76) Allah also says, "And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is God-consciousness." (2:197)

So clearly, this world offers the chance to do good, to help, and to be pious. There are many opportunities to help the injured, the orphans, and the needy. There are opportunities to spread knowledge. This world has all that and more.

The Farm

The Prophet says, "Dunya is the farm of the Hereafter." (Awali Al La'ali)

This view also shows the good face of Dunya, and it is very similar to the 'passageway' view with one main difference: the benefits of this world depend on solid foundations and continuous monitoring.

If someone wants to build a farm, they will choose the best land. They will make sure they prepare the land and the soil. They will build a fence around it to protect it. They will choose the clean and healthy seeds and will continuously monitor the progress of this farm. If plants get spoiled in a farm, the farmer will extract it and search for the cause and, God willing, eliminate it. If all is done right, and with the blessings of Allah, this farm will produce healthy products. Allah mentions this idea about farms when He says, "Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything." (18:33)

This world is the same. If we protect it with a fence of firm beliefs, then it will stand strong against the tides of doubt and disbelief. If we continue planting good deeds everywhere we go in this world, then this farm will yield healthy and beautiful produce.

For example, the Prophet says, "If a human dies, then his good deeds stop except for three: a Sadaqa Jariah (continuous charity), a beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him". (Bihar al-Anwar) This narration shows three important seeds that will continue to grow and give fruit even after we depart from this world.

Despite the previous two views showing a good side of this world, the Ahlul Bayt(peace be upon them) also warned against a more dangerous aspect. In the second part of this article, we will examine the traditions and teachings of our Infallibles regarding the negative aspects of this world.


As discussed previously the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) described the world in positive terms, with great benefits for humankind. However, they also warned us against a more dangerous and negative side to this Dunya.

The Salty Seawater

Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) says, "The example of this world is like the example of [salty] seawater; whenever the thirsty drinks from it, he gets more thirsty, until it (the seawater) kills him." (Al Kafi)

Consider power and authority. When someone attains power, this world will show him all that is beautiful. He will have money. He will have prestige. He will have respect. If he starts using that to fulfill more desires, it is as if he is drinking seawater. Soon, he start to suffer from diseases. Soon, people will start to hate him. Soon, he will feel empty on the inside. These are not just speculations. History has given us numerous examples of such oppressors who continued to drink from this seawater until they were humiliated before dying. Pharaoh, Qaroon, Namrud, and so many other examples come to mind.

So, this world will offer a lot of attractions, only for it to reel the people into its trap and eventually destroy them. Allah emphasizes this point when He says, "And leave those who take their religion as amusement and diversion and whom the worldly life has deluded." (6:70)

The Spider's Web

In one of his poems, Imam Ali (as) says, "This world is like a house (web) weaved by a spider." (Muhasabat Al Nafs)

The spider's web is one of the most fascinating creations of Allah. One important quality of the spider's web is its extremely weak nature. No water stream is necessary to destroy it, as few droplets are enough. No hurricanes are necessary to rip it to pieces, as weak winds can do that. This world is no different.

The world offers us a lot of things to hang on to. We find our wealth. We find our expensive clothes. We find the sports cars. We find fame. We find our children. If we get hold of any of those, it will be hard for us to throw it away. We start building our own empire thinking this will stay forever. But in a blink of an eye, and for the simplest of reasons, it gets destroyed, just like the spider's web. A fire can take away all the money that one owns. A slip on the brakes, and the most expensive cars are deemed worthless. A small fly can steal the beauty of sleep, even on the most luxurious mattress. Just like a spider's web, the luxuries of this world are very weak.

The words of the Imam are taken from the words of Allah when He says in the Qur'an, "The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew." (29:41) When people start hanging onto materialistic things that Allah describes as adornments to this life, then this world is nothing but a delusion that cannot be any weaker.

The Market

Imam Ali al-Hadi (peace be upon him) says, "The world is a market: some people win, while others lose." [Bihar Al Anwar]

Until now, we have examined descriptions of this world from the Ahlul Bayt which demonstrate the good side or the bad side of this world. However, this narration of Imam al-Hadi has an eloquent touch to it, in which it shows this world with both faces.

If we walk into any market, we will find good products that are worth buying. We will also find bad products that are of no use. We will find beneficial products as well as harmful products. Some are expensive, and others are not. Also in a market, we will find even more than just products. We will find the honest merchant, and we will find the cheater.

The market has both good and bad. This is exactly what life is. We have the good people around us, and we have those are not. We have wealth that can give us a good reputation, and the same wealth may make us notorious. The smart person is one who knows how to take the winning side and leave this market as a winner. Setbacks exist in life, just like off-seasons or inflation in markets. But the profit is determined at the end after all is said and done. And with life, winning or losing will come at the end. When death knocks on the doors, the profits will be calculated. Those who strive to seek the pleasure of God will win. And those who seek the temporary materialistic and worldly pleasures will lose.

That meaning is what we find in the supplication recited during Ramadan, "My God, those who fast have profited, and those who [pray] have won." (Mafatih al-Jinan)

The Broad View

As followers of Ahlul Bayt(peace be upon them), we should adapt the aforementioned views towards this world. Only then we will be able to make the most out of it and leave it as winners. And of course, the most important win is the Hereafter, and that should dictate to a certain extent how we treat this life. As Imam Hasan (peace be upon him) says, "In regard to the world, be as if you were going to live forever. In regards to the Hereafter, be as if you were going to die tomorrow." (Bihar al-Anwar)

This equation finds its basis in the words of Allah when He says: "But seek through that which God has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as God has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, God does not like corrupters." (28:77)

This is a peek at this world. Now that we are seeing it better, will we make the best out of it?

Coping with Cancer

By SHAIKH MANSOUR LEGHAEI
Cancer is a highly charged word in our culture, because we link it so closely with death. The word strikes fear into our hearts and immediately turns life into turmoil.

Firstly, let me share with you the three main Islamic principles related to the topic: 1) monotheism 2) meaningful life 3) conception of death.

Monotheistic conception means the realization of the fact that the world is "mono-axis" and "mono-orbit". This means that the world has come out of a wise will, and that its system is founded on mercy and all that is good.
Meaningful life aims at leading the existing things to a perfection befitting them. Nothing has been created in vain or without purpose. There is no chaos in cosmos. All the existing things of the world are harmonious, and their evolution proceeds towards the same center. The fuel of this harmonious procedure is love, which is the direct fruit of Faith. "He said to heaven and to earth, 'come both willingly or unwillingly.' They both replied: 'We come in willing obedience.'" (41:11)
Conception of death: Many think that talking openly about death is a sign of giving up the desire to live. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thinking and speaking about death simply reckons with a real responsibility, and it can very well coexist with a struggle for life.
We all find in ourselves a desire or wish to live forever. Hence, death is treated as a disastrous end. As such we tend to see it, if at all, in the distant future. From the Islamic point of view, man is created for eternity in hereafter, and death is not annihilation; rather, it is a bridge from here to a more advanced stage of life. The example of here and hereafter is similar to the world of a womb for a fetus and the outer world. This world and the hereafter are but two interconnected stages like those of sowing and harvest, for one reaps what one sows.

How Would a Faithful Muslim Cope with Cancer?

Based on the above principles, for one who has faith in God, when his specialist informs him of being diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, instead of blaming God of being unfair to him, and questioning God as to why it has happened, he realizes that behind the dark shadow of any disaster lies mercy. Hence, optimistically considers the following inspirations:

Mindfulness to the Soul: Cancer or any other disease makes one more mindful and aware of oneself. The power of youth, health, and wealth, though temporary, usually misleads us to forget about ourselves and our souls. When a severe illness such as cancer strikes us, only then do we realize how weak and needy we are. Illness would bridge the gap between our world of everyday selves and the spiritual world, and give more meaning and awareness to the recognition of the real self. By then, an inner voice calls us to an Omnipotent Power who is the Source of all happiness and joy, which results in God-consciousness and His presence. As a result, at night, when the effects of chemotherapy keep one awake, he considers that seemingly painful call as a private invitation to a secret and sacred whispering with God, far away from the eyes of strangers.

Launch of Ascension: Since we believe in a meaningful life, any disease is a wakeup call for the faithful. The more severe it is, the more effective the call would be. We know that pain and disease can launch us on a journey that could change our entire lives. Thus, getting better is not all that one should expect out of being ill, or else one has missed a lot.

Gratefulness to the Blessings of Life: An Arabic expression goes: "The blessing is known when it is taken away." For a believing person, cancer can enhance one's appreciation of life. We realizes the fact that a call from one of our children, a hug from our spouses, a thoughtful inquiry from our friends, every leaf on the tree in our backyard, and truly every moment of life that we have received is a gift from the Merciful God, and then we appreciates it more.

Death, a Platform of Eternity: Finally, if we finds that our cancer is fatal, we realizes the fact that firstly, cancer is only one out of more than a million ways of passing from this world to the next, not the only one. And secondly, death is fearful if it means annihilation and total destruction. For a faithful man, death is but a platform to an eternal joy and happiness in Paradise, and as such it does not strike us as dislikeable.

To Cure and to Prevent Death!

All human beings endeavor to fight for life, and intense fear of death is in its sense of annihilation. Here are two glasses of the Divine Wine for those who wish to be eternal. I will just describe them to you, but should you take a sip, then I assure you that you would confidently leave Endostatin and Angiostatin to the mice!

Name yourself "Good", and act accordingly. You will be eternal. Instead of being depressed by cancer, which results in isolation and lack of motivation, make sure every day you are a cause of good for others. Regardless of how you'll be treated, if you cause a smile on another's face, you'll be happy. Remember! We enjoy happiness when we create joy and happiness for others. This is the law of cause and effect.
Love God, and He will make you eternal. Love is the music of life. Lovers have no fear of death, nor do they have any room for sorrow. As Emily Bronte expressed in her last poem, lovers in God have no cowardly soul. (No coward soul is mine.) When you love God, you love His creation and creatures, and He makes you be loved forever. Love is beyond the reach of death. As Hafez, an Iranian poet of the 14th century says: "Never dies he whose heart is living by love. Thus, our name is engraved eternally in the world."
Shakespeare and Hafez never die. Emily Bronte, though she physically left this world early, never dies. Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) – none of the Prophets ever die, for they joined the eternal ocean of Divine Love. They were satisfied by the eternal water of life – love.

And at last but not least, a priceless message from the Abrahamic faiths as quoted in the Holy Qur'an: "And the same did Abraham enjoin on his sons and Jacob, 'O my sons! Surely God has chosen for you faith, thereforem die not unless you Submit yourselves to God.'" [2:132]

O Lord! Bestow Your Mercy and healing to all the patients of this world, both physically and spiritually, and in Your Presence leave us with no room for sorrow.

Sins and the Ability to Repent

By PROFESSOR HUSAYN ANSARIYAN

Mothers do not give birth to sinful children, and children do not come to this world defiled with sins.

When a baby comes to this life for the first time, his mind is empty of any knowledge, intellect, and information. He is completely ignorant of what is around him. When he comes to this world, he does not know anything, besides crying and suckling. At the same time, when he cries or suckles his mother's breast, he is ignorant of that too. Gradually, instincts, feelings, and lusts move into the circle of his physiological being, and these bodily activities enter into the field of his life. Then the baby begins to learn from the external environment and surroundings and from the conduct of the others what is necessary for him to survive in this life.

As for the body of a baby, it is vulnerable to different kinds of diseases and calamities throughout his life. The same is said about his intellect, soul, spirit, and heart. Concerning morals, he is also liable to commit sins and vices. Hence, sins are accidental to man just as diseases that attack his body. Sin is something accidental and not spontaneous.

Bodily diseases can be cured by following the instructions of a doctor, but intellect, spirit, and soul, when diseased, can be cured by following the instructions of the Almighty and obeying His orders.

If a sinner knows his state and notices his wrongdoing, and he knows what he should do and what he should not do, he must get ready to repent, to turn to Allah, and to follow the instructions of the "Spiritual Doctor", and then he will get out of the circle of sin to the circle of Allah's Mercy. Thus, he gets free of sins and becomes pure, as he has been born.

A sinner cannot pretend that he is unable to repent, because he who is able to commit sins is undoubtedly able to repent of those sins too.

Yes, if we who are able to eat, drink, come and go, talk, get married, work, play sports, travel, and associate with other people will curb all these appetites or activities if a doctor asks us to in order to avoid disease, then we should be able to avoid sins and falling into the abyss of corruption and disobedience. If sinners make excuses for not repenting, Allah will not accept their excuses. If sinners and disobeyers refuse to repent now, Allah will not invite them to repent later.

Sinners must accept the fact that they are able to refrain from sin in any case and any condition. The Qur'anic verses show that Allah is kind to His people, and He accepts their repentance and forgives sinners even if their sins are as vast as the sands of deserts. In fact, Allah may recompense sins with good doings.

Sinners must perceive that if they do not hasten to stop committing sin and being disobedient, and they do not purify their inner beings from sin's dregs, then Allah will torture them severely and punish them for their sins and crimes with the worst punishment.

Allah talks about Himself in the Holy Qur'an by saying:

"The Forgiver of the faults and the Acceptor of repentance, Severe to punish..." (40:3)

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) described God Almighty in Du'a Iftitah by saying, "I have ascertained that You are the Most Merciful of the merciful at the time of forgiveness and mercy, and You are the Severest Punisher at the time of punishment and revenge."

Allah declares to His sinful people His saying:

"Say: 'O my servants who have acted extravagantly against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives the faults altogether; surely He is the Forgiving the Merciful.'" (39:53)

Hence, if we understand the verses of the Qur'an that give us the good news that we have the ability to refrain from sins, and that Allah accepts our repentance and is Forgiving and Merciful, then we have no excuse if we delay repenting and keep on committing sins. Therefore, repenting of sins is a prompt, moral, and rational obligation for all sinners.

If sinners do not hasten to repent, and they refuse to repair what they have committed and to purify themselves from the filth of sin and disobedience, then in the afterlife when they stand before Allah, they will not be excused by appealing to reason, conscience, or wisdom. The Day of Resurrection will come, when sinners will stand with deep regret, calling loudly:

"Were there only a returning for me, I should be of the doers of good." (39:58)

Allah will reply to them:

"Aye! My revelations came to you, but you rejected them, and you were proud, and you were one of the disbelievers." (39:59)

On that day, no excuses will be accepted from sinners. Faith and good deeds alone will save them from torture. Allah emphasizes the inevitable end of such people when saying:

"And had those who are unjust all that is in the earth and the like of it with it, they would certainly offer it as ransom (to be saved) from the evil of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection; and what they never thought of shall become plain to them from Allah." (39:47)

Imam Ali stresses in Du'a Kumayl that there will be no excuse accepted from a sinner when not repenting and turning to Allah, and that Allah has completed His authority over people by saying, "You have the authority over me in all of that, and I have no excuse before Your judgment against me."