Self Sacrifice in Behavior of Masoumin (Innocent imams)

Isar means self sacrifice, generosity and forgiveness in Arabic language and in terminology of Muslim people. And it is used in Quran with this meaning. It is an admired property and all admired and good properties are confirmed by thoughtful people and religious schools. This property more or less existed in Arab society before appearance of Islam. And prophet of Islam – before being appointed as a prophet- participated in activities which had an aspect of isar (self sacrifice).

News ID: ۵۷۵۴۰

چهارشنبه - ۱۴ آبان ۲۰۰۷ / 2007 14 August

Isar means self sacrifice, generosity and forgiveness in Arabic language and in terminology of Muslim people. And it is used in Quran with this meaning. It is an admired property and all admired and good properties are confirmed by thoughtful people and religious schools. This property more or less existed in Arab society before appearance of Islam.
And prophet of Islam – before being appointed as a prophet- participated in activities which had an aspect of isar (self sacrifice). Following appearance of Islam, this property was confirmed and used in order to develop religion of Islam and defending oppressed people. Prophet of Islam was the first isargar (Someone who devotes life for others, someone who is self sacrificed) and his faithful wife, Khadijeh was the next isargar. Hazrat Ali and other innocent imams were other people who made efforts during their lives to develop Islam and be self sacrificed. Isar appears in behavior and in devoting properties and life to others. And it is well observed in behavior of masoumin (innocent imams).
There have been cases narrated for each of them. This self sacrifice is even clearly seen in worship of God which is a relation between creator and human. Definition of Isar (Self Sacrifice) Isar is the infinitive of “Efal”? verb in Arabic. It means choosing and attaching priority. “Alasrah”? and “Almasar”? mean generosity and virtue in Arabic. Hence, Arab people remind of their virtues as “Masar”?.1 Prophet of Islam said to Ansar (Mohammad’s comrades): You will see superiority of others on you in receiving spoils of war; so, be patient in order to visit me next to the pool. 2 In this sentence isar is used in the meaning of attaching superiority.
Isar is used in the meaning of positive superiority which is equal with virtue. It is used in the same meaning in verse 9 of Alhashr Surah in Quran. In this verse of Quran, God has talked about isar of Insar among Mohajerin (Means immigrants).it is said in this verse: They (Ansar) considered them (Mohajerin) prior to themselves despite about the thing they needed. Ansar never envied that why the prophet gave the spoils of war to Mohajerin, not to them. It is said in Verse 92 of Yousef Surah that brothers of Yousef told him: “Swear to God that God preferred you on us; although we made mistake (About you).
In Verse 72 of Taha Surah we also read: (Magicians) told: We never choose you despite what you have brought for us from clear reasons. In Persian, Isar means make a selection, considering others’ objectives prior to our goals and considering others prior in order to achieve profit and repelling loss. There is a Persian poem in this regard which says: You are dearer than my head and soul I envy if I don’t sacrifice myself for you 3 Se we should say that isar in any case is a work more than duty, either a social duty or national or tribal or even a duty regarding worship to which God does not need; but human becomes happy that he bows down before God. It is the will of God that human worships God when it is considered as a necessary and obligatory job; but when human does worship more than his duty he has done isar although in this isar there is no denial imagined for the opposite side (God).
And it is considered as a virtue for human. Status of Isar among Thinkers Any good property which causes welfare and comfort for human and protects him from wicked act and cruelty is confirmed and emphasized by all thinkers of the world. In this regard we can refer to Plato’s opinion. He believed that extreme point of human is to love perfection and going in the way that reaches to absolute perfection. Those who reach to this point are happy with the creator of this world. And God is the absolute perfection. As it is said in one prayer: Oh God! I ask your perfection with the most perfect and all your perfection is perfect. Oh God! I ask your beauty with the most beautiful and the whole your beauty is beautiful.
That is why human –apart from being believer or unbeliever- always looks for absolute perfection and loves it. It is said in one verse 6 of Al-Ensheghagh Surah of Quran: Oh man! You make suffering effort in the way to reach your God. And you will meet him. In this verse of Quran, the addressee is man in general, not a particular person and not believers only. That is why Muslim man in his fivefold daily prayer asks for the direct way –among different ways which end to God and that is the closest way- in order to reach God. (Oh God! Lead us to the direct way) 5 Mystics want to fly to light and perfection world from the darkness of this world with this eagerness.
They are bred of Alexander prison and are determined to move to Solomon land. Since they attach value to goodness, they are willing not to annoy anyone. They behave manly and generously with friends and act moderately with enemies. Mystics’ opinion about friend is obvious in another poem which says: The head which is not ready to be sacrificed for dears That is a heavy load carrying on shoulders All good characteristics including isar had a special status in the reason of prophets. They were extremely wise before being appointed as prophet.
Mohammad, the messenger, the son of Abdollah was the first innocent. Before being appointed as a prophet, he was a well known person in Arab society. He was also known as “Mohammad Amin”? (Amin means honest). In order to defend oppressed people, in addition to tribal duties –as a ruling custom in the society of those days- Hazrat Mohammad devoted life and materialistic properties (If he had any properties). Hazrat Mohammad participated in Helf Al-Fozoul (The details about this event are written in the history of Islam) in which generous people decided to defend oppressed people in addition to tribal duties and due to their innocent feelings and wisdom. Hazrat Mohammad had not been appointed as the prophet at that time. He participated in the movement and was proud of that.
Helf Al-Fozoul agreement was established because of the following story: An Arab man sold something to a cruel man. The man didn’t pay the price of that particular thing. The seller was far from his own tribe and couldn’t ask for help from them. He asked Ghoreish (The tribe where Mohammad the messenger lived in) for help loudly. A group of Ghoerish people including Hazrat Mohammad –who was 20 years old at thattime- gathered in the house of Abdollah-ibn Jad’aan and promised to defend any oppressed person in order to take back his right. 6 It is narrated that Hazrat Mohammad after being appointed as the prophet and moving to Madineh said: I attended a promise in the house of Abdollah-ibn Jad’aan that if I was invited to such a promise in Islam too, I would accept the invitation. Islam has not added anything to it except strengthening it.
7 It might be the first big isar that we know about the Arab history before Islam and it has been confirmed by Islam too. It was said that isar is a good work more than duty. In pagan state of Arab before Islam the custom said that defending the oppressed person was the duty of the tribe to which that person belonged. But wise men of that age which in its center was Hazrat Mohammad decided to defend any oppressed person without considering race and tribe. They went more than their duties. All great men, peacemakers in particular, sacrificed their materialistic properties and lives to improve life of human being. Although they did not benefit in this way, they did not face losses either. There is a saying from prophet of Islam which says: “The story of me and you is like the story of the man who lit fire and butterflies and locusts wanted to fall in fire. But he protected them from falling into fire and burning. I try to protect you from falling into fire and burning and you are escaping from me.
8 The poet how well said about isar of great men: I wish God helps any one who helped me I wish a long life for any one who degraded me I wish flowers without thorns grow in the garden of the person Who put a thorn in my way out of enmity? I have no problem with any one in two worlds I wish lots of comfort for any one Who suffered me? Islam and Isar In order to study the view of Islam regarding isar –which has appeared in the way of masoumin- it is better to categorize isar into three categorizations of “Isar in worship”?, “Isar in properties”? and “Isar in life”?. Later we will give examples from the way of life of each of religious leaders for each of categorization. Isar in Worship Saying prayers, fasting in Ramadon, hajj and jihad are the obligatory worships which are considered as duty for one Muslim.
After that we come to recommended worships and Muslims are not obliged to do them. And they are favorable by the religion. If someone wants to do worship more than what religion has asked Muslims –either obligatory or recommended- he has in fact expressed his eagerness to becoming close to God. He has enriched his soul this way. This work is in fact isar in worship. No benefit will be gained by the opposite side as in no worship God benefits from human. And human proves his bowing and sincerity by his worship. In this aspect we can consider isar in worship as a virtue which its benefit is gained by human himself.
This verse of Quran may refer to this type of worship when God says: God blames those who prefer world to afterlife world. And they are not ready to forbear from the current world. Prophet of Islam and innocent imams did such isar in worship. In Verse 2 of Taha Surah God has told Hazrat Mohammad: “I did not descend Quran to you in order that you suffer.”? It is said that this verse of Quran was descended when prophet of Islam was very upset about unbelief and suffered from that very much. In Verse 6 of Al-Kahf Surah God says: “Maybe if they do not believe in this word, you don’t suffer from upset this much. God has said “I did not descend Quran to you in order that you suffer.”?
It is narrated that Hazrat Mohammad said night prayers (A long prayers which is said during night) for a long time so that his feet swelled. At that time Gabriel told Hazrat Mohammad: “Protect your body; because it has a right too.”? 9 It is narrated that Imam Hasan (Second imam of Shiite) walked on feet when going to Hajj. That was while the caravan was moving and people were on camels. 10 It is also narrated that Imam Sajjad (Fourth imam of Shiite) walked on feet while going to Hajj. And he was on the way for 20 days. It is said that the best acts are the hardest ones.
Nightly worships of Imam Ali are famous. He worshipped God and said prayers lonely at home or in the mosque. Isar in properties Appearance of isar in properties –due to having social dimension- can be observed more than isar in worship in the behavior of masoumin. In addition to that, great men of religion have advised people for that. And it shows their attitude towards such isar. The largest and first financial isar and spending money for religion - relying on its instructions- might be the one that Hazrat Khadijeh (The wife of Hazrat Mohammad) did. She devoted her wealth. That was while she had no duty in this regard. The first wife of prophet of Islam forbore what he had in the way of Islam. She is the first Muslim after Mohammad the messenger. She accepted him as a prophet since first days of being appointed as a messenger.
Unbelievers of Mecca laid economic siege to Bani- Hashem (The tribe of Hazrat Mohammad) and they had to move to She’b Abitaleb (A place out of Mecca). In that situation it was mainly wealth of Khadijeh which met their financial needs. Yaghoobi writes in his book: “The messenger of God with Bani –Hashem (Hazrat Mohammad’s tribe) and Bani –Matlab (Another tribe) stayed in She’b Abitaleb for three years. During those three years Hazrat Mohammad, Aboutaleb (Uncle of Hazrat Mohammad) and Hazrat Khadijeh lost all they had. And they were caught in a very hard economic situation.”? 12 As other examples of financial isar, we can refer to Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatemeh (Imam Ali’s wife and the daughter of Hazrat Mohammad). They were complete sample of isar when they gave their bread to the needy people, orphans and captives.
They had only water for their iftar (When Muslims are fasting in Ramadon, they start eating and drinking after the whole day in iftar.) Following financial improvement of the Muslims, Imam Ali was at the foremost position among comrades of Hazrat Mohammad. He had a considerable share from the treasury. But he never spent that in his personal life. He gave his share out of treasury to the needy. And this way he presented a model of isar and virtue for human being. There is an ode said about Imam Sajjad (The fourth imam of Shiite) which its meaning is: Imam Sajjad never said “No”? to the people who asked him for help. 13 It is obvious that importance of money and properties among masoumin was limited to the amount that they could use them for the needy people. To prove this claim we can refer to what Hazrat Ali wrote in his letter to Othman- ibn- Hanif, the governor that he had appointed for Basra: You should know that your imam (Meant Hazrat Ali himself) has limited his world to two cloths and two loafs of bread.
You should be aware that you cannot act this way. But contribute me by being devout, chaste and honest. I swear to God that I didn’t save any gold from your world. I didn’t save any of spoils of war. And I didn’t add any cloths to my two old cloths. 14 In this letter Hazrat Ali emphasized that it was not obligatory to act as he acted. He advised others to contribute him. It means it is not an easy job that can be done by everyone to consider others prior to themselves. And it is not an obligator work in all situations. But the leader (imam) of the Muslims is an example in isar and considering others prior to himself. Imam Ali asks his comrades to contribute him in this way. There are numerous stories about financial isar of imams in different religious books.
And mentioning all of the stories and narrations will take a long time. Such isar in properties and forbearing their own rights and giving the right to others were conformed even for unbelievers who cam for war with Muslims. Lessons of Islam religion taught to its followers to act this way every where and consider it as their religious motto. It is said in history that when Salaheddin Ayoubi resisted bravely during The Crusades – relying on lessons of religion- he stopped Richard the First who was famous to Lion Hearted. Richard the First, who had become ill again and did not see any support by Aka and Sour, asked for peace for one more time. While burning in fever, Richard asked for ice water and fruits with loud voice.
Salaheddin gave him some pears, peaches and snow. He also had his personal doctor visit Richard. 15 This act roots in religious belief of a Muslim champion. It is said in history that Salaheddin conformed religious rules and regulations strictly. He did all obligatory acts of religion. 16 We should not forget that isar is not only discussed when devoting money to others and benefiting others, but also it is discussed when considering forbearing the benefits that can be gained by a person. Since governors used religious subjects to legalize their ruling, comrades of innocent imams preferred to avoid accepting governmental positions and participate in profitable businesses which were apparently with no religious problems. That is why Shiite people always preferred to be in tight financial status rather than becoming close to governors. The governors at that time were cruel and did not act based on religious morality.
Isar in Life Martyrdom is the highest and best value; because martyr devotes his life. Even if isar in life does not end to martyrdom it is considered the greatest and noblest isar. There are numerous examples of this type of isar in behavior of masoumin. They desired to be killed in the way of God in their praying. And that is the best reason for isar in life. It is said in history that Hazrat Ali slept in bed of Hazrat Mohammad when enemies wanted to find Hazrat Mohammad. Hazrat Ali did it voluntarily and happily in order to save the life of Hazrat Mohammad from enemies. Although his life was in danger, but Hazrat Mohammad could immigrate to Medina that way. As another example we can refer to AAashoura event. And every one has heard and knows isar of comrades of Imam Hussein on that day.
Isar of martyrs and war wounded people in Islamic society reflects isar culture which roots in religious lessons. Here it is time to analyze what has been discussed as description. Analyzing Isar of Masoumin There are two important points in what was said in the article and categorization in three parts of “Isar in worship”?, “Isar in Properties”? and “Isar in life”?: The first point is the gol of such isar. In all cases which were discussed above we see that isargaran (Those who sacrifice life or properties) focused on one main and excellent goal. And that goal was God. As it was mentioned before, God is the extreme perfection in logic of Plato.
In logic of mystics and literary people, God is beloved and friend. In belief of Muslims and religious people, it is mainly God. Every one looks for this extreme perfection or beloved or God. When people enter the process of finding, their status is realized in being serious or brave. When it comes to exams, real followers are distinguished from lazy people. God says in Verse 2, Al-Ankabout Surah: “Do people think they are left when they say they believe in Islam? Do they think they wouldn’t be examined?”? Imams and those who searched for truth all had objectives in their lives.
And an action has objective when thinking is the base of that. After thinking and choosing the goal- which is God in religious isar- Standing sufferings on the way becomes easy. Those who were self sacrificed, not only did not suffer from their isar, but also enjoyed it. Imam Ali really enjoyed his martyrdom and isar; because when he was hit by sword in the mosque he said: I wear to God that I was saved. Imam Hussein said on Aashoura day: “Oh swords! Come to me if the religion of Mohammad does not remain except by killing me.”? Imam Hussein deeply believed what he said. And he was happy to be killed in the way of his goal. When her sister (Hazrat Zeibab) is asked what she has seen in Karbala, she answered: “I saw nothing except beauty.”? The next point which may be more attended as far as practical aspect is concerned is selecting the way. Having objective relies on thought and consideration. It requires consultation and does not usually have that much external dimension. But problems appear when the person starts to act.
The problems are mainly tolerable for isargar (Self sacrificed person) person; because, he has reasonable objective in mind. And they might not be considered as problems. But sometimes propagations and ruling models and examples in the society question the personal objective of the person. In practical method of masoumin (Innocent imams) this issue is important and attended. They all had a unique objective and chose different ways. In all ways, they considered God prior to themselves and devoted life in their ways; but some people blamed them. The story of peace of Imam Hasan (The second Shiite imam) was a kind of isar. He aimed at protecting Islamic society from disagreements and separation.
In fact Imam Hasan showed sacrifice; but people blamed him and called him as the deviator of believers. Imam Hasan tolerated the suffering from accepting peace due to his excellent objective. And he also tolerated bad words of ignorant people. And it is an example of isar in method (way). One of the descriptions about imams is that blames of others did not influence on them. And it was because they acted in the way of God. 17 This is a wise action when a leader quarrels when it is needed and keeps silence when the situation requires. And even if the enemy continues quarreling it is wise to keep silence in that particular appropriate time. When the word isar (Self sacrifice) is heard, the meaning is associated that isargar (The person who sacrifices) should always sacrifice his life to achieve his goal and be exposed to danger and attack to enemy. This belief is not logic and deep. It is in fact a superficial belief. When we pause and think deeply about the issue we understand that isar means forgetting ourselves and considering others prior to us.
Sometimes it becomes certain when the person leaves the stage for others in order that they put in practice what they shout and claim. They actually have neither the intention to that nor required ability. They finally become disgraced among all people. And it is clarified when the self sacrificed person withdraws and tolerates blames of others even friends when withdrawal. There is one verse in Quran that refers to this issue. God says in Verse 173 of Al-e-Emran Surah: “Don’t think that when I grant respite to those who became unbeliever, it is good for them. I grant respite to them in order that they add to their sins.
And there is a degrading suffering for them. We can conclude from this verse of Quran that, unbelievers who have gained power from God, if God does not take their powers it is because they use their wisdom and choose a saving way. Since they don’t act so, wisdom tells that they should be suffered. Method of masoumin (Innocent imams) witnesses their self sacrifice with such method. Imam Ali (The first imam of Shiite) who knew it was his right to govern the Islamic society, left governance and let others -those who claimed- enter the field. Then people recognized who was right and who was not. People themselves asked Imam Ali to govern the Islamic society. As another example, we can refer to Imam Reza (The eighth imam of Shiite) made disgraced the enemies who claimed to support Islam and Ahl-e- Beit (Imam Ali and other imams). He had the same objective on mind as Imam Ali had; but chose another method.
Conclusion We can conclude from the text that:
1: Isar is a virtue special for thinkers who consider themselves prior to themselves in order to achieve an excellent goal and perfection. They devote properties and life in this way.
2: Isargaran (Self sacrificed people) do not consider deprivation as being deprived from something; but they consider it as a part of perfection in their spirit.
3: Isar can be ascertained in properties and life.
4: Religious leaders, masoumin (Innocent imams) in particular, were self sacrifice in three dimensions of worship, properties and life. And they have taught it to others with their behavior and words.
5: isargaran (Self sacrificed people) and masoumin in particular, selected the objective by their wisdom. Then they step towards their goals choosing an appropriate way. Hence, their methods have been different.
6: isar is considering others prior to oneself to achieve a logic goal. It can be ascertained in isolation or in making effort and facing with difficulties.
It depends on which way is logic and appropriate. Sources
1: Ibn Manzour, Lesan- ol- Arab, Dar-e Ehya Al- Tarat Al- Arabi, Beirut, 1988, page 70-72
2: Ibn Manzour, the same source
3: Dehkhoda, Persian Dictionary, Dehkhoda Dictionary Institution, The word “Isar”? 4: Prayer special for “Sahar”? (means midnight just before sunrise) in Ramadon month 5: Refer to Almizan Commentary on Quran, Volume 1
6: Dr Mohammad- Ebrahim Ayati, History of Islam Prophet, University of Tehran, Issue 1366- 1779, page 66- 67
7: Dr Ayati, the same source, page 67
8: Nahj-ol Fesaheh, Translated by6 Abolghasem Payandeh, Bita, without location, Volume 1, page 565
9: Mahmoud- Bin- Omar Alzamkhashri (Jarollah), Alkashaf An Haghayegh Ghavamez Altanzeel and Oyoun Alaghavil Fi Vojouh- e-ltavil, Dar-ol- Ketab Al-Arabi, Beirut, Bita, Volume 3, page 50
10: Zeinoddin Aljabaee Alameli (Al-Shahid Al-Sani), Al-Rozato Al-Bahiat Fi Sharhellamat, Islamic Propagation Office, 1410 (Lunar year) Volume 1, page 162
11: Al-Sheikh Mohammad Bin Al-Hasan Al-Horr Al-Ameli, Vasayel Al-Shiite Ela Tahsil Masael Al-shariat, Eslamieh Book Shop, Tehran, 1396 (Lunar year), Volume 8, page 56
12: Dr Ayati, the same source, page 161
13: An ode attributed to Farzdagh
14: Nahj-ol Balagheh, Letter 45 15: Will Dorant, History of Civilization, Islamic Revolution Publication and Training Organization, Tehran, 1988, Volume 4, page 805 16: Hafez Abolfada Esmaeel Ibn-Kaseer (Ibn Kaseer), Albadayeh and Alnaharieh, Dar Ehya Altarat Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1988, Volume 13, page 8
17: In Nodben Prayer Hazrat Ali has been described as: …. References 1: Quran 2: Nahj-ol Balagheh 3: Nahj-ol Fesaheh 4: Ayati, Mohammad Ebrahim, History of Islam Prophet, Published by University of Tehran, Issue 1779, Year 1987 5: Ibn Kaseer, Al-Hafez Abolfada Esmaeel Ibn-Kaseer, Albadayeh and Alnaharieh, Dar Ehya Altarat Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1988 6: Ibn Manzour, Lesan- ol- Arab, Published by: Dar-e Ehya Al- Tarat Al- Arabi, Beirut, 1988 7: Al-Horr Al-Ameli (Sheikh), Vasayel Al-Shiite Ela Tahsil Masael Al-shariat, Eslamieh Book Shop, Tehran, 1396 (Lunar year) 8: Dehkhoda, Persian Dictionary, Published by: Dehkhoda Dictionary Institution 9: Alzamkhashri, Mahmoud- Bin- Omar Alzamkhashri (Jarollah), Alkashaf An Haghayegh Ghavamez Al-tanzeel and Oyoun Alaghavil Fi Vojouh- e-tavil, Published by: Dar-ol- Ketab Al-Arabi, Beirut, Bita 10: Al-Shahid Al-Sani, Zeinoddin Aljabaee Alameli (Al-Shahid Al-Sani), Al-Rozato Al-Bahiat Fi Sharhellamat Al-Dameshghiat, Published by: Islamic Propagation Office, Ghom, 1410 (Lunar year) 11: Tabatabayee (Allameh) Mohammad-Hussein, Almizan Fi Tafsir-e Al-Ghoran 12: Will Dorant, History of Civilization, Published by: Islamic Revolution Publication and Training Organization, Tehran, 1989