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Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya (Arabic: الصحیفه السجادیه, Arabic pronunciation: ['sæħifætu 'sædʒæ:'diæ]; "Scripture of Sajjad") is a supplication book composed by the great-grandson of the Islamic Prophet, Sajjad. This book is composed after battle of Karbala and shows the relationship between man and God with the universal language. Although it is a collection of Islamic knowledge and thought in supplication form. It is said that the book was an uprising against the Umayyads. Moreover, According to some scholars it is in the highest level of eloquence. The main book is Mutawatir, but some scholars wrote some Addenda for al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. Also there are many descriptions about it. Also the content of this book had been noteworthy for Sunni Muslims and Christians who had read it.
Background
editAl-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya is a collection of supplications and whispered prayers composed by the great-grandson of the Islamic Prophet, Sajjad. The title of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya means the book of Sajjad, which is the epithet of Ali ibn Husayn who is the fourth Shia Imam. Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya is intituled several titles such as “sister of Quran”, “Gospel of Holy Household” and “Psalms of Muhammad dynasty”; which indicate its glorification.[1] This book by form of supplication expresses Islamic knowledge and thoughts and involves all aspects of individual, social, economical, political and cultural life. Reason, human feelings, emotions and conscience is the addressee of this book.[2]
Imam Sajjad composed this book after battle of Karbala. According to some researchers the circumstance at Umayyad Caliphate age was not allowing Imam Sajjad to speak explicit and unambiguous. Not only the regimen did not allow but also the public was unwilling. Therefore Imam Sajjad used rich and meaningful supplications to reconstruct the society and to distribute Islamic knowledge.[3] It seems al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya -which was protected from government agents by Imam Sajjad’s sons and companions- was a sectarian and organisational booklet, which the access of the government agents to it make ineffective all Imam Sajjad's efforts.[4]
Content
editMany scholars believe al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya teaches theology in personal and practical way, not in the abstract language; and indicates the relation between man and God with the universal language. Of course it is not merely the conversation with God, but in supplication form it is a collection of Islamic knowledge and thought.[1] this book emphasizes to freedom of the material world, and there are a lot moral and ethical issues in this book. Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya also comprises some scientific realities which was not discovered before him.[5] most of natural occurrence, events and laws is mentioned in this book, for example the advantages of lightning, season’s changes and environmental changes is described.[6]
Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya was an uprising against the Umayyads.[5] For example salutation to Muhammad and dynasty of Muhammad is repeated in most context of supplications, while Umayyad Caliphate tried to clean up the name and memory of Muhammad and his family.[2] Moreover, Imam Sajjad explains the fact of Imamate (leadership) in several supplications. He explains what the meaning of Imamate is, who is allowed to be Imam (leader) and what the conditions of the imamate are; because the subject of prophet succession and Imamate was faced with serious challenges after Islamic prophet death and particularly after Battle of Karbala. For protecting of Islamic territory, which was the result of endeavors of Islamic Prophet and his companion, Imam Sajjad in several supplications talk about important matter like jihad and martyrdom, protecting of the borders, enjoining good and forbidding wrong, combat power, inability of enemies, awareness, military equipment and so on. While he expresses the ideas, virtues and attributes and characteristics of God's fighters, officials and border guards and explains the true Islamic idea.[4]
In addition, according to some scholars al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya is in the highest level of eloquence and purity after Quran and Ali’s Nahj al-Balagha in Arab words.[5][7][8]
Authenticity
editAccording to Shia tradition, Imam Sajjad had collected his supplications and taught them to his families, particularly his sons, Muhammad al-Baqir and Zayd. The text over time became widely disseminated among all Shia. The specialists in the science of Hadith maintain that the text is Mutawatir,[1] means successive narration which is one conveyed by narrators so numerous that it is not conceivable that they have agreed upon an untruth thus being accepted as unquestionable in its veracity.[9] The endeavors and attentions of different classes of twelver’s scholars in all era for narrating al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, and its mention in scholar’s permissions, and writing its name and descriptions in list of Sheykh Najjashi, Sheykh al-Ta'ifa Toosi, and ibn Shahr Ashoob Mazandarani leave no doubt about validity of this book.[10]
Addenda
editSome scholars wrote some Addenda for al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. The meaning of these Addenda is supplications attributed to Imam Sajjad which does not exist in main al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. Some of them include:
- Second Scripture, compilation of al-Hurr al-Aamili, who is compiler of Wasa'il al-Shi'a
- Third Scripture, compilation of Mirza Abdollah Afandi, the expert of history and biographical evaluation
- Forth Scripture, compilation of Mirza Husain Noori Tabarsi
- Fifth Scripture, compilation of Allamah Sayid Muhsin Amin
- Sixth Scripture, compilation of Sheykh Saleh ibn Mirza Fadhlollah Mazandarani Ha'eri
- Seventh Scripture, compilation of Hadi Kashif al-Qita
- Eighth Scripture, compilation of Mirza Ali Husaini Mar'ashi[11]
Descriptions
editSheikh Agha Bozorg Tehrani had enumerated about 50 descriptions for al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya in the book al-Tharia.[12] Also other had enumerated about 80 description for it.[13]
View of Sunni Muslims scholars
editSome Sunni scholars have made statements about al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. Ibn Shahr Ashoob says in his book Managhib: “While in basra the conversation became about eloquence of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, an eloquent man told: “even I can write like it.” so he started to write, but he could not write any sentence, then he died with the sense of shame.”[11] In 1934, Ayatollah Mar'ashi Najafi sent a version of Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya to Cairo for Sheykh Tantawy Juhari, the prominent Arab Professor of Philosophy and author of many valuable books from Alexandria. After general delivery he wrote in response:
“I have studied this book with utmost care. I have gone through the invocations and supplications with searching eyes. I was stunned by the lofty meanings and deep sense contained therein. I was deeply impressed by the value and magnificence of these invocations. I wonder how the Muslims have all along been ignorant of such a valuable treasure. They have been in deep slumber for these centuries. They could not even feel that Allah has supplied them with such a precious store of knowledge. To the extent that I have been able to meditate over it, I notice that its words are above those of the created ones and below those of the creator.”[11]
however it is noteworthy that some Sunni scholars, like Qunduzi, had narrated parts of Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya in their books. Also, Ibn al-Jawzi in his book Khasais al-A'emeh indicated:
“all Muslims are beholden to Ali ibn hussain, ornament of worshipers, in orthography, and phraseology, and quality of speaking and talking and expressing needs to presence of God. If His Excellency had not attended, Muslims did not know anything about etiquette of speaking and expressing needs to Allah. So the Imam thought to people for asking forgiveness, and show to speak with God, and how to pray for requesting mercy rain, and when they are frightened by enemies how to seek refuge in God and ask him to eliminate the evil of enemies.”[14]
Another Sunni scholars, Zaki Mubark in the book Al-Tasawwuf al-Islami fi al-Adab wal-Akhlagh, considered that al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya is like Gospel by different aspects, but the difference is that Gospel returns the mankind’s heart face towards Jesus Christ and al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya returns it towards to God.[15] Moreover, Sheykh Muhammad Sadiq Fahimi declare in forth international congress of Imam Sajjad "I recommend you to read al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, if you do not understand the Quran more than before then come and decapitate me."[16]
View of Christian prominent characters
editPhilip Woolley, a professor and researchers from Germany, asked to send a version of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, since his friend, who was a Cardinal, saw his al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya incidentally in his library, studied part of it, and took it insistently because the content of the book was novelty for him. In addition, Vatican Library, that had received an English version of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, send a letter in response for acknowledgment and wrote: “This book contains a great mystical themes, so we place it for researchers in the best position of the library.’’ Also, one of the leaders of the Social Democratic Party of Germany wrote to Professor Singler: “this book had a profound impact on me and changed my view about Islam. I invite my friend to study this book.”[17] Also Andre Kowski, a Christian Scientist from Poland, said: “I am deeply impressed by the ideas of Imam Sajjad, whose noble thoughts on the pages of the book al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya are manifested. It is so attractive, to the extent that I feel this book has gave me a completely mystical and divine sense.”[18]
Headlines of suplications
editThe number of supplications in al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya was 75, but 54 of them have been reached us and rest of them have been lost throughout history.[11] the headlines of these supplication are as follows:[1]
- In Praise of God
- Blessing upon Muhammad and his Household
- Blessing upon the Bearers of the Throne
- Blessing upon the Attesters to the Messengers
- Supplication for himself and the People under his Guardianship
- Supplication in the Morning and Evening
- Supplication in Worrisome Tasks
- Supplication in Seeking Refuge
- Supplication in Yearning
- Supplication in Seeking Asylum with God
- Supplication for Good Outcomes
- Supplication in Confession
- Supplication in Seeking Needs from God
- Supplication in Suffering Acts of Wrongdoing
- Supplication when Sick
- Supplication in Asking Release
- Supplication Against Satan
- Supplication in Perils
- Supplication in Asking for Water during a Drought
- Supplication on Noble Moral Traits and Acts Pleasing to God
- Supplication in Sorrow
- Supplication in Hardship
- Supplication for Well-Being
- Supplication for his Parents (upon the two of them be peace)
- Supplication for his Children
- Supplication for his Neighbours and Friends
- Supplication for the People of the Frontiers
- Supplication in Fleeing to God
- Supplication when his Provision was Stinted
- Supplication for Help in Repaying Debts
- Supplication in Repentance
- Supplication in the Night Prayer
- Supplication in Asking for the Best
- Supplication when Afflicted
- Supplication in Satisfaction with the Decree
- Supplication upon Hearing Thunder
- Supplication in Giving Thanks
- Supplication in Asking Pardon
- Supplication in Seeking Pardon and Mercy
- Supplication when Death was Mentioned
- Supplication in Asking for Covering and Protection
- Supplication upon Completing a Reading of the Qur'an
- Supplication when he Looked at the New Crescent Moon
- Supplication for the Coming of the Month of Ramadan
- Supplication in Bidding Farewell to the Month of Ramadan
- Supplication on the Day of Fast-Breaking and on Friday
- Supplication on the Day of Arafa
- Supplication on the Day of Sacrifice and on Friday
- Supplication in Repelling Enemies
- Supplication in Fear
- Supplication in Pleading and Abasement
- Supplication in Imploring God
- Supplication in Abasing himself
- Supplication for the Removal of Worries
references
edit- ^ a b c d introduction, translated with an; Chittick, annotation by William C. (2000). The perfect book of Imam Zaynul-A'abideen A'li Ibnul-Husayn as-Sajjad : as'-S'ah'eefatul-kaamilatus-sajjaadeeyah = aṣ- Ṣaḥīfa al-kāmila as-saǧǧādīya (1. ed. ed.). Qum: Ansariyan Publ. ISBN 9780946079568.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ a b Shahri, Muhammad Hussain (2006). "Human and social dimensions of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya". Safina (in Persian) (9): 155–157.
- ^ Khamenei, Sayid Ali; (compiler), Sahba center (2011). 250-year-old man (in Persian) (forth ed.). Mansoori. p. 193. ISBN 978-600-6275-22-2.
- ^ a b Ilhami niya, Ali Asghar (2006). "invocation strategy in al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya". Hosun (in Persian) (4): 98-114.
- ^ a b c al-Rasheed, Bāqir Sharīf al-Qurashi ; translated by Jāsim (2007). The life of Imām Zayn al-ʻAbidīn (1st ed., 2nd repr. ed.). Qum: Ansariyan. pp. 380–390. ISBN 9789644381652.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Viewpoint of Imam Sajjad (AS) about scientific issues must be examined". Permanent Secretariat of the International Congress of Imam Sajjad (in Persian). shabestan News Agancy.
- ^ KarimiFard, GholamReza (1997). "Rhetorical points in the book al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya". Meshkat (in Persian) (53): 116–134.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help) - ^ Mozaffari, Seddigheh; Ibn al-Rasul, MuhammadReza (2009). "Exquisite array in the book al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya". Persian Language and Literature Research (in Persian). 1 (9): 141–180.
- ^ Nuzhah al-Nathar, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, printed with: Al-Nukat Ala Nuzhah al-Nathr, pgs. 51–70, by Ali ibn Hasan ibn Ali, Dar Ibn al-Jawzi, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, sixth edition, 1422.
- ^ Musavi Brojerdi, Sayyed Hasan (2005). "a research in First Martyr's manuscript of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya". Saffina (in Persian) (7).
- ^ a b c d Husaini Tehrani, Muhammad Husain. Imamology (in Persian). Mashhad Mughaddas: Allama Tabatabaie. pp. 40–79.
- ^ Agha Bozorg Tehrani, Muhammad Muhsin. al-Tharia ila Tasanif al-Shia. Vol. 3. Qom: Ismailiyan. pp. 345–359.
- ^ Hakim, Sayyed Muhammad Hussain (2002). "detailed bibliography of commentaries and translations of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya". religion (in Persian) (53–54): 88–101.
- ^ Khalajī, Muḥammad Taqī (2004). Asrār-i khāmūshān : (sharḥ-i Ṣaḥīfah-i sajjādīyah (in Persian) (Chāp-i 1. ed.). Qum: Partaw-i Khvurshīd. p. 138. ISBN 9649591400.
- ^ Zaki Mubarak, Muhammad (2006). Islamic mysticism in literature and ethics (in Arabic). Sidon: al-Maktaba al-Asriyya. p. 324. ISBN 9953-34-648-8.
- ^ "if you do not understand the Quran more than before, then come and decapitate me". farsnews (in Persian). Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- ^ Short Review on the performance of 33 years of Foundation of Islamic C.P.W. Qom: Foundation of Islamic C.P.W. 2010. pp. 13–14. ISBN 964-91557-0-8.
- ^ Short Review on the performance of 33 years of Foundation of Islamic C.P.W (in Persian). Qom: Foundation of Islamic C.P.W. 2010. pp. 45–46. ISBN 964-91557-0-8.