ভূমিকা
Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Elixir of Love Help from the Unseen World We read in Nahjul Balagha that Imam Ali (a) asserts that God Almighty throughout the history has meritorious servants to whom He talks through their mind and intellect.
The words of Imam (a) are as follows: "وما برِح لله – عزت آلاؤه – في البرهة بعد البرهة وفي أزمان الفترات عباد ناجاهم في فكرهم، وكلمهم في ذات عقولهم، فاستصبحوا بنور يقظة في الأبصار والأسماع والأفئدة ..." "In all periods and times, particularly during the interregnum (the interval between the coming of two prophets) there are persons with whom Allah-great are His bounties-whispers (through inspiration) into their minds and intellect, and illumines their heart's eyes and ears with the light of consciousness.[^1] These competent servants of Allah are the ones who are thus described in "al-Munajat al-Sha'baniyya": "الهي واجعلني ممن ناديته فأجابك ولاحظته فصَعِقَ لجلالك فناجيته سرا وعمل لك جهراً" "O Allah!
Rank me among those who will answer you when You call them, and will fall unconscious by the manifestation of your Light when you look at them; You whisper to them secretly, and they work for You openly." After being delivered from the traps of nafs-i ammara (the imperative carnal soul) and the satanic temptation and opening up of his heart's eyes and ears, the young tailor was ranked among such competent servants and from then on occasionally enjoyed inspirations from the Unseen, some received in dreams and some while awake, thus being graced with special guidance that is granted to the devoted and sincere mujahids (volunteers of faith).[^2] This guidance is explained in a hadith quoted from the Holy Messenger of Allah (s): "اذا أراد الله بعبده خيرا فقهه في الدين، وألهمه رشده" "Whenever Allah intends good for a person, He makes them expert in religious law and inspires them toward the right path.[^3]" Penalty of a Disapproved Thought One of the significant blessings of Divine guidance for those under His special training is awareness of one's own shortcomings.
The Holy Prophet (s) is quoted as saying: "اذا أراد الله عز وجل بعبده خيرا فقهه في الدين، زهده في الدنيا، وبصره بعيوب نفسه" "Whenever Allah intends good for a person, He makes them expert in religious law, unwilling toward the world and aware of his own shortcomings.[^4]" Having been directed on the path of Divine guidance, the young tailor enjoyed plenty of such inspirations.