Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Alhassanain (p) Network for Islamic Heritage and Thought

Journey of the Unseen World

Author:Resaleh Team

www.alhassanain.org/english

Table of Contents

Chapter 1A - The Station of the Grave and the beginning of Barzakh westward travel 3

Chapter 1B - The Station of the Grave and the beginning of Barzakh westward travel 9

Chapter 2 - Journey to the First Station 16

Chapter 3 - Journey towards the Second Station 21

Chapter 4 - Journey towards Third Station 24

Chapter 5 - The Fourth Station and Reunion with Haadi 26

Chapter 7 - The Station of Bliss and Peace 29

Chapter 8 - The Last Station The Valley of Peace 33

Chapter 9 - Spring in Valley of Peace 37

Chapter 10 – A visit to Hell 40

Chapter 11 - A Sincere Appeal 43

Chapter 12 - Safeguards against Dangers 44

Chapter 1A - The Station of the Grave and the beginning ofBarzakh westward travel

In the name of Allah, the Benevolent and Ever Merciful

All Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the Universe.The Master of this world and of the Day ofJudgement . Peace and blessings be on the Prophet of Islam and on his Progeny who warned us that Love of this world is a dangerous affliction and that it is the root cause of all diseases afflicting the human race. All other diseases are really branches stemming from this main root. And the cure of this affliction is to keep reminding oneself constantly of Death.

I begin now, by saying that in 1307 H I had written my memories about my schooling and had called it Travel Eastwards and now in 1312 when am writing about theBarzakh , I intend to call ii Westward travel and I hope that it will serve as a souvenir from me and will prove a source of guidance and advice for the general public.

The fact is that our present material and elemental body by virtue of its very nature, is in a dark and impenetrable veil, not allowing man to see into any other world. Death, in fact, is the name of emerging from this curtain and once this curtain is removed, man is able to see that which was hidden to his eyes before, and he becomes aware of facts which he was unaware of, until then.

'Certainly, you were heedless of this (day), now we have removed your veil from you, so now your sight is sharp'. (Soora Qaf Verse 22)

That is to say, in this world you were ignorant of facts. Now after death we have removed from your eyes the material curtain so that you may clearly see the Hereafter.

Hence, I died. Then I saw myself standing, relieved of my illness, feeling fit and healthy, but around my corpse my relatives were busy mourning. I was saddened by their crying and told them that I was cured and not dead but nobody heard me.

It was as if they neither saw nor heard me. Irealised that these people had now become distant from me and so I turned my complete attention towards my corpse. I became especially attentive towards the face and the side which was uncovered. Afterwards, my body was bathed and shrouded. Then, when the people had taken care of their other pending work, they took my body towards the graveyard. I was also present in the funeral procession. In this I saw many wild beasts and animals, which frightened me but the other people present were neither afraid nor even troubled, as if those beasts were their tame and beloved pets. In this way, we reached the graveyard. I stood in the grave, and saw how my body was lowered into it, head first. The moment the body was laid inside, the grave became full of animals emerging from everywhere.

My fear knew no bounds especially when the animals started attacking my body. But the man who was lowering my body was not in the leastfearful, it was asit he did not even see them.

The man laid the body in the grave and then came out. But my primary interest was in my body so I stayed inside the grave. I tried to shy away the animals but they were too many for me to handle and they overcame me. One reason was, that I was so overcome with fear that my very existence was trembling. I called out to the people standing above my grave for help but nobody came forward to help. On the contrary they remained busy in their work, as it they lust could not see the commotion that was going on inside the grave. Suddenly certain people entered the grave from somewhere and came to my help, as the animals ran away when they saw these people. So I thanked them and asked them who they were that they had helped me in such a difficult time. They smiled and replied that they were my good deeds that I had done and that the beasts had been my evil deeds. They asked me if I had not heard the verse "Verily the good deeds clear away the baddeed’s . Then these people disappeared.

As soon as the commotion was over. I regained my senses. I saw that the men outside had closed the grave and had left me atone in the dark and narrow place. I could see the people going back to their houses, even my closefriends, relatives and family members had deserted me and left me alone. These were the very people for whose comfort and welt being I had provided and worked for day and night. Their desertion and unfaithfulness on the one hand and my dark and narrow prison on theother, extremely saddened me and I was close to bursting with sorrow.

I had never before felt such fear and bewilderment and I sat down dejected at the head of the corpse, losing all hopes of receiving any help from anybody except God. I was wondering what would happen next when suddenly the grave started trembling and dust came tailing down off its walls and roof. It was especially violent near the foot of the grave as if some huge beast was trying to split open the grave to enter. Finally the grave did split and two huge men with fearful faces entered (The punishment in the grave, the questioning ofMunkir &Nakeer and the presence of snakes and scorpions in the grave is mentioned in numerous traditions. The details can be had from the books on Beliefs.e.g . SheikhSudooq andAllama Majlsi may be referred to).

The two men were strong and hefty like giants. Smoke and fire bellowed from their mouths and nostrils. In their hands were iron rods so red not that it seemed as if flames were leaping up from them. Suddenly they thundered in voices so sharp that the heavens and earth trembled. "Who is your Lord?"

I was so afraid that I could not control my senses. I lost the power to speak and my courage gave way. I thought that my dead body would not be able to answer their questions and I became certain that they would give the body a good beating with their iron rods and the grave would be engulfed with tire. I saw that as it were their fear had made me lose control over mysenses, if fire engulfed the grave it would become much worse. So I decided to answer their questions myself. I beseeched God for help: O Helper of the Helpless and Rescuer of the Troubled and Afflicted.come to my help." In my heart I alsoseeked the intercession of Imam Ali because I knew him well and I was aware of his strength, and of his position in the eyes of God and that he could come to one's help at any place and at all times. I believed him to be the dispenser of difficulties. My heart had been full of love for him throughout my life and even in death. I knew that this intercessor was God's blessing and that in the most difficult of times when man is near to losing his senses this gift of God comes to his rescue.

The Qur’an says, "And you see men in stupor, and they are not in stupor, but God's chastisement is severe" (Soora Hashr verse 2). But even in such times, the Imam comes to help.Hence as soon as Iseeked his intercession. Inspite of the gravity of the situation, strength returned to me and I felt capable of answering. (According to traditions the light of the Friendship of the Imams will help their friends in the difficult moments after death, as love strengthens heart and resolve).

But my lengthy silence had angered them all the more. Their flaming eyes and faces became harsher. They raised their arms as if about to strike me with their iron rods and in voices sharper than before they repeated, 'Who is your Lord?"

But I was no longer afraid and so I replied softly that Allah, the One, Only and Unique was my Lord, 'He is Allah; there is no God but he, the knower of the unseen and theseen . He is the Beneficent and Ever Merciful. He isAllah, there is no God but He, the King, the Holy.the Peace loving, theBestower of conviction, the Guardian, the Ever-prevalent, the supreme, the great absolute. For too exalted is Allah from what they associate (with him). (Soora Hashr verse 22,23 )

I remembered this particular verse because I had been in the habit of reciting it daily after my morning prayers. (This presence of mind and the ready and appropriate replybefits the author who led a life of piousness, benevolence, lofty morals, in service of humanity and in quest of knowledge about God. Those who lead such lives will enjoy similar conditions. But the ignorant, worldly, cruel and evil will be in difficulties. Therefore man should pay heed, repent and start doinggood from now).

I felt it necessary to recite it in front of them in order to convince them of my position and qualities.so that they may not think that the human race was bereft of lofty qualities. They had objected to the creation of Adam the very first day, saying that he would prove to benought but a source of mischief and bloodshed on earth. However, I saw that as soon as I recited these verses.their anger seemed to melt away. Their faces softened somewhat and one of them told the other that it seemed as H I belonged to the group of scholars of Islam and therefore they should continue with their questioning in a gentler manner.

But the other one replied that God had appointed them to question me and so they should continue in thesane manner regardless of who I was, because their attitude towards me should depend only upon my being able to answer correctly all the questions and it was not yet known whether I would be able to do so. After conversingthus ,they resumed their questioning, Who is your Prophet?"

But now I felt sufficiently courageous and even my voice was strong. Without hesitation I replied, The Messenger and the Prophet of God towards all men, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, May Peacebe Upon Him and his progeny. He is the seal of the Messengers and the head of the Prophets.

The moment I replied, their anger vanished completely and their faces brightened and became happy. Then they questioned me about my Book, Temple, and the Imams and the successors of the Holy Prophet. I replied, SMY book is the HolyOur'an which was revealed by the benevolent Lord unto the sagacious Prophet (S.A.). And my temple is theKa’ba and theMasjdol-Haraam 'wherever you maybe, turn your faces towards it' and 'I have turned my face towards the Creator at the heavens and the earth completely and submissively and I am not from the polytheists'. And my imams and the successors of the Holy Prophet are the Twelve Imams, the first of them Ali, and the last ImamMehdi , who is the Imam and the ruler of our time. Obedience unto them is obligatory and they are infallible. They are the Witnesses on the earth and in the Hereafter they are the intercessors." Then I named each Imam with his parentage and other details.

To this they replied that such a lengthy discourse was unnecessary and the answers should be brief. I promptly remarked "This detail was necessary for you because you had misgivings about the creation of Adam from the very first day. Your objection to the creation of Adam had in fact been an objection on the action of God and from the day that I understood your objection, it was like a burden on me and I had promised myself that whenever I would meet you, I would question you thoroughly: but it is sad that now when we have met, the situation does not permit it: I am in a difficult position and you have been appointed by God to question me."

Then I tell silent and waited to see their reaction. But they stopped their interrogation and merely asked me the source of these answers. This question was a source of concern and worry because I thought that the proofs and theories that I had prepared in the world concerning the Beliefs and principles of Islam, were they indeed necessarily true?

The possibility existed that even Aristotle, who's considered to be the Father of Philosophy was wrong in fact, some of his fallacies were in my notice.Secondly. Those proofs even if correct would hold true only in the Dark and Ignorant world, whereas here was a world of Light and Illumination. Darkness necessitates a guiding stick but here the darkness had gone and was replaced with light of suchilluminance that even the blind would not require a guiding stick.

Of what use was the stick (my proof) now? Then what did these two want from me? "O God I am a newcomer here and I am yet unaware of the prevalent customs and of the nature of the beings present here. O God! I beseech you in the name of Imam Ali, the son of AbuTalib , help me I was thus engrossed in my thoughts and supplications when suddenly their piercing scream, sharper than flint, rang out. "Answer at onceWhat was the source from which you learnt these answers?

(It is necessary to know the beliefs and principles of Islam like the Unity of God, Divine Justice,Prophethood .Imamat and the Day ofJudgement , through understanding and logical proof. In this case,Taqleed following aMarjia or scholar is not permitted, It is not sufficient if one adopts these beliefs because his forefathers believed in them, Blind following in this manner will prove useless in the Hereafter As Islam is a religion of logic and evidence, the Muslim should strive to know the Beliefs and principles through logic and clear understanding of proofs.

If this is not done, then his beliefs cannot be considered free of doubt and he would consequently not qualify to stand amongst the true Muslims in the Hereafter Faith is a state of the heart, but it is attained only when religion has been obtained through logic, All children born to Muslim parents are Muslims due to parental teachings but once a child is of age, it becomes necessary to acquire the principles through logic.Otherwise.

Islam obtained through mere following is not of lasting quality and does not pro wide the necessary incentive required to work for the Hereafter, However proper understanding of religion through logic and proofs will result in the height of awareness and knowledge which in turn will prove to be an incentive for doing deeds for the Hereafter, And God willing,any one who acts with sincerity and with correct principles, will be rewarded in the Hereafter, However, if these essentials of correct principles sincerity of intention.and quality and quantity of deeds are lacking.then the future can prove bleak.)

I could no longer bear to look at their faces,Their eyes were red which anger and flames were leaping up from them, their laces were terrifying. Their mouths were wide open like a lion's with tang-like teeth visible inside. Their iron rods were raised as it they were lust about to strike, Overcome with tear, I almost fainted,At this moment, the answer seemed to be revealed to me. I answered in a weak voice: -l was guided towards these words by Allah, they replied then sleep like the wed pride". They went away but I felt as ill had either gone to sleep or had tainted. But I clearly felt that I was rid or the fear and I slept peacefully.

When I revived and opened my eyes, I saw myself in a pleasant room. A handsome youth, whose very body wasfragrant was sitting next to me with my head in his lap, waiting for me to wake up. I sat up out of respect for him and greeted him. He smiled lovingly, embraced me and returned my greetings, and said, "sit down and be at ease. I'm your friend and companion, not a Prophet or an Imam."

I asked, "May I know who you are? It is indeed my good fortune to have a companion like you. It is my desire to always remain with you."

He replied, "My name isHaadi (Guide), I am also calledAbul Wafa (the Father offulfilment ) and AbuTurab (Father of earth). I guided you to your last answer. Had you failed to reply, they would have given you a good beating with their iron rods and your grave would have become full with the flames from Hell," I replied, " I am indeed grateful to you for your help in freeing me from the dire straits I was in but as that as I'm concerned, the last question was unnecessary and was merely in order to lengthen the questioning process. I had replied correctly to all the questions about the Islamic beliefs. And if one speaks truthfully about factual events, then there is no scope left for questioning. If you keep a red-hot iron on somebody's palm and he complains that his hand is burning, it is superfluous to ask why he is saying so. Itinspite of this a man is foolish enough to ask, then the reply can only be to ask him if he is blind that he cannot see the red hot iron lying on the hand. The last questions which the angels asked can only be termed to be of this category."

Haadi replied, "This is not correct, because man does not usually speak the truth,It is quite possible that he admits to certain truths verbally, but in the heart or hearts he does not believe in them. If the heart does not firmly believe in a principle, it will not act in accordance to it, Such words and admissions are meaningless as the heart does not believe in them, As God has said, 'Do not claim that you have brought faith, only say that you have submitted,' faith has not yet entered your hearts.

"On the very first day when man was asked 'Am I not your Lord?' all did not reply in the affirmative and submit to God's Lordship as they should have." I inquired "Why"?

Haadi replied,In the material world when man is tested for his religious duties and responsibilities, many tail to observe these dutifully until the time arrives to come out of the examination hall.

After death, here in the first station, the true believer and the hypocrite both answer the questions correctly until the last question is asked. If true faith had place in his heart, then only is he able to answer as you did. If, however, the foundation of his beliefs and his religion lay in traditions and customs and not in sound logic, then as deep down in his heart he does not believe in it, it proves useless here. You are aware yourself of the traditions of the Prophet and his progeny concerning this."

I replied, "That's true, the traditions of the Infallible indeed speak of this. But the questioning terrified me so much, that I could not even think logically, and forgot all about this. May God bless you for coming to my help at such a crucialtime. And I pray to God that he may never bereave me of your company.

"But first, tell me, how is it that though we've never met before, you seem to know me well, and in-spite of the short time that we've been together, I've developed such a love for you that I cannot bear to part with you ?"'

He replied, 'I have been with you since the very first day and have always loved you but you never sensed my presence since in the material world your sight lacked the power to perceive me.

Chapter 1B - The Station of the Grave and the beginning ofBarzakh westward travel

Actually, "I am the relationship of love and friendship which you had with Imam Ali and theAhlebait of the Holy Prophet. My meeting and helping a person depends upon the strength of that relationship, that is to say, it depends upon his capability I'm called theHaadi (the guide) because the love ofAhlebait guides a man towards good deeds, but only according to his capability. In other words, I was your guide as far as you are concerned and Ali is the Imam, guide and leader of all the pious people on earth. And the Holy Quran, 'that is the Book, there is no doubt in it, it is a guidance for the pious.' this book and myself we are your guides to the extent of the connections and relations which you had with us And 'One who disowns tempestuousness and believes in God, then verily he has taken hold of the strong rope which is not going to break. And so I am not going to part with you, unless you yourself part with me through following your carnal desires. This is why I am calledAbul Wata .The (father of Faithfulness) and AbuTurab (Father of Earth).

(Here who author has embodied the love ofAhlebait to show how this love will come to help in all situations. The famous tradition of the Holy Prophet says;song who dies loving of the Progeny of Mohammed, dies a Martyr". Imam MohammedBaqir stated to Abu Khalid Kabuli "O, Abu Khalid! By God, the love ofAhlebait illuminates the heart of the faith rut like the sun illuminates the day". Imamshaafai says. "I firmly hold on to the rope (covenant) of Allah, as we have been commanded, and this is the love ofAhlebait ". But it should be pointed out that mere vows of love are not sufficient unless one's deeds are also in accordance. The eighth Imam, Raze (A.S.) said: awe do not, have a permit to free any one from the flames of Half. And our intercession cannot overcome Divine Justice. One who is obedient to Allah is our friend, and the one who is disobedient is our foe"'. This shows that a claim of love and friendship ofAhlebait will hold only when backed with deeds which are according toAhlebait's wishes and desires. Otherwise to continue leading a life bereft of good deeds and even indulging in evil and wrong and then to depend upon the love ofAhlebait is to deceiveone self )

In short, my creation is from the light of Ali (A.S.) I was present in your heart in accordance with your capability, that is, to the extent that you acted in accordance with your vows of love of Ali. I could only stay with you when you didgood ; when you were disobedient, I used to part with you. Similarly, here I will be with you when you are rewarded for your good deeds, but when you are punished for your evil actions, you will not find me present. Allah has stated in the Quran: 'This is because God does not do injustice to his people.but they do injustice to themselves.'

"However. Today was the last day O your tile on earth and is the first day of the Hereafter. I was merely a trust of God given to your forsate keeping. What saddens me most is that you have read the Quran time and again and the Quran is full of my mention, yet today you did not evenrecognise me. Anyway, I'll leave now and for the present you may rest, 'God be with you."

Haadi went away, leaving me alone. I started contemplating on the events and the fact dawned upon me that it was as if life in the world was a dream and man wakes up after death to find the interpretation of his dream becoming a reality.

"O Pity that I overstepped (the bounds) in the court of Allah" (Soora -e-zarnr verse 53) (that is, I kept sinning, withoutrealising God to be present and a witness to my deeds), but now it was useless to cry and feel pitiful for myself because the door of atonement and repentance was now closed.l was engulfed in these thoughts when I fell asleep, but I was soon awakened by another calamity. This time I felt two men sitting on either side: the one on the right was beautiful, but the one on left was ugly to look at. They were sniffing my body from head to toe and kept entering something in the files which they had in their hands. They had brought along some boxes of various sizes and they kept the body like the heart, the power of thought, power of intention, were subjected time and again to their sniffing whilst they whispered amongst themselves, repeated the sniffing procedure, filled the boxes and sealed them.

I remained still that they might notrealise I was awake but I was terrified because Irealised that they were judging my deeds and recording them. The good looking man seemed to be a well-wisher because from what little I could overhear it seemed as if he was not allowing those sins for which I had repented to be recorded. At times he would say that such and such sin had been compensated by a certain good deed that I had done, just as the alchemist's elixir turns earth into gold. So I developed a liking for this person because of his kindness towards me. When they finished writing, they folded the sheets and wrapped them around my neck like fetters, and they put the sealed boxes in a bag and placed it by my head.

Then I saw them bringing an iron cage; it had thick iron bars and was about my size. They put me inside and bolted it. Then, as they turned its lever, it started to constrict, tightening on my body. It became so tight that it became difficult to breath, and I felt that I could not even call to anybody for help. They kept turning the lever until the cage which had originally been my size was now no bigger than a small cooking vessel; small and hot. My.bones cracked and brake and quite literally oil oozed out of my body as black as soot. They mopped it up but I had fainted and was unaware of what was going on.

When I became conscious again, I found my head inHaadi's lap I said, "Haadi forgive me. But I am feeling so bad that I cannot even get up. My joints have all broken, and I cannot yet breathe properly." My voice had gone weak and I was crying as if I was reproachingHaadi for not being present when I had needed him so much. This was the first constriction that I had ever faced.Haadi consoled me and told me that what had happened to me was an unavoidable event which everyone had to face in the first stage in the grave. Anyhow, he hoped that I would not have to face similar events in the future. Secondly, he said, all events here were a result of my own past deeds.

(Constriction in the grave and other punishments of theBarzakh , are the result of whose sins which one has not repented for. It has nothing to do with correctness of one's faith. The possibility exists that a person though a (we faithful commits certain mistakes or sins in his life time. and will have to bear the punishment for these in the Hereafter. Therefore man should only sin toa extent that he can bear to be punished for,Saad lbne Maaz was one of the respected companions of the Holy Prophet. When he died, the Holy Prophet accompanied his funeral barefoot and without his cloak to show his grief. The Prophet himself laidSaad in the grave.prayed for him and said thatGabreil andMeekail along with a host of angels were present in the funeral But whenSaad's mother said, 'CSaad ! You are indeed fortunate that the Holy Prophet has walked barefoot in your funeral and has lowered you in yourgrave, The Holy Prophet asked her to be quiet and said, You cannot prevent him from suffering the punishment of the grave.Saad did not treat his family members kindly and so is now suffering constriction.)

But the cage that you saw is created by men's own evil traits. It is possible that for some it might be thousand times more painful.

There are three basic vices

1) Avarice and greed.

2) Conceit and arrogance.

3) Jealousy.

The first of these was responsible for the expulsion of Adam from heaven, the second expelled Satan from God's court and the third sent Kane headlong to Hell,From these three stem thousands of branches and depending on lack or excess of these, men possess their individual characters and traits.

Haadi kept on talking and consoling me. Simultaneously, he kept moving his hands gently over my back, sides and other affected parts.and it relieved my pain and gave me renewed strength.

My body appeared to have been purged of all debasements and had become pure and clean. I now understood that the constriction had actually been an act of purifying, so that if man possessed evil traits these debasements would, as a result of the constriction, be squeezed out of him like the black oil which I had seen.

In reply to my questioning. Haadi replied. "The big bag contains your luggage. Open it so that I may also see what you have brought along for your journey.

I opened the bag and found inside the sealed boxes. Some of these contained an inscription that they were meant to be used at certain destinations. There were also packets of rewards and punishments containing labels that they would be opened at specific places. I askedHaadi . 'What do these boxes contain?"

Haadi replied,These are the very moments of the days and nights that you have spent in which you have done good or evil. Whenever an act was committed, the boxes opened like oysters and preserved your acts like valuable gems. These moments are now present in these boxes in front of you."

Then I asked,What is this chain in my neck?"Haadi replied. "This is your Deed Sheet. You will be judged on its basis on the Day ofJudgement . For the present (inBarzakh ) it is not required.As the. Quran says inSoora -e-Asra , verse 14 'we have made the destiny of every human being cling to his neck and we shall bring forth for him on the Day of Resurrection a book which he will find wide open."

Then he said. "l see that you have very little provision for your life in the Eternal abode. I suggest that you stay here for a few Fridays as your friends and heirs in the world might send some gifts for you, because the Holy Prophet has said, 'The more provision you have in your journey (of Hereafter) the better it is' I will go now and, try to obtain a passport for you from the '(mg of the World and the Hereafter. No orders have been issued in this regard in the past week. On Thursday night, I suggest you.go and visit your family. Maybe they will think of you and pray for your well being and forgiveness."

Haadi left and I sat down to wait for his return. But my stay now was in a pleasant place and the room was well carpeted. Thursday night arrived but there was yet no sign ofHaadi . I decided to follow his advice and in the form of a white dove, I alighted on a branch of a tree near my house on earth in order to see my family.

(Allama Majlisi in his bookhaqqul Yaqeen writes that the spirits came to visit their family weekly. monthly, or annually depending upon their rank. They arrive in the form of a bird, and sit on the wall of the house and watch. If the family members are happy and busy in good deeds, the spirit also becomes happy and if otherwise.the spirit becomes sad- On Thursday nights, these spirits arrive and the spirits at the faithful are accompanied by an angel. If the family members are in any kind of hardship, then the angel shields them from the spirit's view, that he may not be troubled by their plight.)

I saw my family members but I was all the more saddened. They were doing what they considered would prove beneficial for me. My friends and relatives had gathered. Quran was being recited, aMajlis was being addressed, and good food had been prepared. But I could feel that aft this was merely for custom's sake. The sole aim was to put up a good show. The people being served the dinner were all wealthy and not in the least needy. Not a single poor or deprived and deserving soul was to be seen. Of what good was such food for me? One could see that even the guests, who had come tofulfil the customs, were so callous that when by mistake they were not served promptly, they did not hesitate from cursing me and my heirs. My relatives were not even mourning Imam Hussein, some were lamenting that they were now bereft of a guardian.

Others were crying over the loss of their sustainer and worrying for the future. It was clear that they had no thoughts for me, andwere only interested in themselves, so much so, that they were even oblivious of their own hereafter.Of what use was all this for me? It saddened me further that they seemed to be complaining as if the Master and the Creator had committed an injustice unto them; they were objecting to the actions of the Wise and All-knowing God. I lost hopes of receiving any good from this quarter and directly returned to my abode. I was close to expressing my anger at and displeasure with, my family, but then Irealised that for them the misfortune of being separated from me was calamity enough. When I reached my grave, I foundHaadi waiting inside for me. I saw a tray of ripe and fresh apples tying in the centre of the room. I asked, "Where have these come from?" He replied, "Somebody passed by your grave today and recitedSoora -e-Fateha for you. Since his was a sincere act, the Merciful decided that you should be promptly rewarded.May God Bless him too." ThenHaadi busied himself in decorating my room. He arranged the divans, sofas and the chairs, and hung ornaments on the walls.

A chandelier was also fixed and its light was bright and luminescent as thesun's . I said, "Haadi , you yourself said that this is not my permanent place. Then why are you taking somuch pains today in decorating this room?" He replied, "I have received information that the Imam's son whose grave you had visited once, and the religious scholars whom you used to remember in your Night Prayers are coming to visit you in order to thank you for your friendship."

I replied, "This is indeed my good fortune and it compensates for the sadness that!felt after visiting my family."

I kept thinking that such good fortune was indeed more then what a sinner like me could ever have hoped for.

(InUsool eKafi ImamSadiq is quoted as saying that in the west there is a beautiful garden. watered by theFuraat . The spirits of the faithful reside here. Theyrecognise each other and visit each other.in the mornings they are free to fly out from here. In the East there is another valley.this one in meant for the wicked and the sinners. Here the spirits are punished for their past deeds.their load is bitter and their water stinks. Probably this description refers to the Valley of Peace and the Valley ofBarhoot .)

I toldHaadi that my room was small and not fit to accommodate such personalities. He replied that it was small for me but that when the guests would arrive, it would expand accordingly.

Suddenly the guests arrived and seated themselves according to their ranks and station. Their majestic faces shone. The most prominent of them wereHazrat Abbas andHazrat Ali Akbar. They sat down on a gold divan but I noticed that they were fully dressed for war-helmet, shield, sword etc. I wondered at the need for all this here, but I was so awe-struck that I could not muster the courage to speak.

Haadi ,myself and others lined up respectfully in front ofHazrat Abbas andHazrat Ali Akbar. I was so engrossed in watching my majestic guests ofhonour that I almost forgot myself:

SuddenlyHazrat Abbas addressed toHaadi , "Have you taken his passport from my father?"

Haadi replied in the affirmative and repeated a verse fromSoora -e-Rehman , "O groups of Jinn’s andhumans, have you the strength to go out of the bounds of the heavens and the earth? Certainly not, without (God's gifted) strength."

On hearing this verse,Hazrat Abbas turned towards me and said,Your remembering and recalling my father, the King of alt saints, in your life, has proved to be your salvation. I welcome you with the news that you have been pardoned and absolved."

I bowed down and prostrated and kissed the floor, out of respect and gratefulness at being given thishonour . I stood up but I was overcome with emotion at being treated so nicely and gently by these revered guests. Tears flowed down my cheek.Hazrat Habib lbne Mazahir who was standing adjacent bent towards me and said softly, ""Don'tloose heart.you have been exempted from all hardships which would normally have confronted atraveller in this route. These two and their lather will never forget you.Hazrat Alt helps his friends and believers in this world and it was he who sent his two sons to greet you, so that they may meet you and you may rest assured. And for your information,Hazrat Zainab has sent you her greetings. She says that she can never forget how you went barefoot on pilgrimage to her brother's shrine, shed tears for him and bore hardships including hunger and thirst and sickness on your trip.

I cannot possibly express how I felt on hearing this,All I could say was May God's peace and blessing be on you and on them.

Then I askedHabib , "why are these two dressed in full battle attire, when there is no war going on?"

Hazrat Habib's lace became pale and he started crying. Then he replied. "In Karbala these two could not fight to their heart's content. They had intended to completely destroy the enemy and send them headlong to Hell, but God did not wish this and so their desire could notmaterialise . They bowed down to God's will, but their intention remained embossed in their hearts and here it has taken this form. They will remain attired in this way until our Twelfth Imam avenges the blood of Hussein (Peace be upon him)."

The guests then left and the room once again returned to its original size.Haadi and I were left alone. I remarked toHaadi , "I will never again visit my family because it only increased my sadness. The deeds which on the face of it are being done for my spirits benefit were actually lust or face saving, for society's sake and to gain acclaim from the relatives. I have lost all hopes of receiving any benefit from them."

I will now rest contented with whatever I already have. As for any potential dangers, I can only hope that,Hazrat Abbas andHazrat Ali Akbar will come to my rescue.'

Haadi replied "You don't require anything more. The first three steps should prove easy for you. This is because the first stage in the world is from birth to the age of three years when the child's brain is still devoid of sensibility. The next stage is up to fifteen years of age when he is not yet held responsible for his deeds by God. The third stage is up to the age of eighteen years.In these three years though he becomes accountable. his mind is still immature. Man's deeds are judged keeping in view his intelligence.

"When Allah created Intelligence He said, "I will base punishment and reward on you."" The first three stages here correspond to those three stages, so they should prove easy for you. If any problem or danger does befall you, it will soon clear up by itself. So Idont consider it necessary to accompany you through these stages. I'll take your leave now. You'll find me waiting for you at stage four. Take your baggage and start tomorrow morning from here. Take that straight road going in the direction ofKa’ba .

On hearing this I clung toHaadi and said "Haadi you know well I cannot bear to be separated from you Even if the road is straight and wide and spacious, and the journey trouble-free but still, I would be alone, without you and a stranger in an unknown place. This I cannot bear. Even our Prophet (S.A.) has said to search a companion if one wishes to travel".

Haadi repliedYou have to face these three stages alone, because in the world also I was not your companion during these three stages. I have been with you only since you become mentally mature. I belong to the exalted ones and our duty is to guideto well being and sublimity. Whatever befalls you in these stages will be due to your own actions. So blame yourself, not me".

Then he left, leaving me alone. I began to ponder over what he had said and finally reached the conclusion that he was right. I would indeed have to lace it alone without my friendHaadi , the AbuTurab and AbuWata .

Allah has said, "You will not find any change in the ways and customs of Allah". The events of the world and the hereafter were inter related and could not be separated. We have understood our earthly life. The hereafter follows a similar pattern and it is useless to dissent.

Chapter 2 - Journey to the First Station

Irealised that it was time to leave. I picked up my Bag of Deeds and started on the road whichHaadi had pointed out. The road was clear, and a pleasant and cool breeze was blowing. I was fresh and eager to meetHaadi again at the fourth station. I was walking briskly and managed to cover quite some distance. Before noon, however, I was feeling a bit tired. It had become warmer, and I was thirsty. The pathway had narrowed and there were thorns here and there. Trying to keep tree of these, I kept on until I reached the foot of a mountain and started climbing uphill.

The loneliness was getting on my nerves when suddenly I looked back and to my great relief, saw a person walking towards me on the same path. I was happy that I had at last found a companion to lessen the loneliness of the journey. When he came close, I saw that he was quite ugly to look at and had a distressed took. He had huge teeth, anover hanging upper lip and wide, fearful and stinking nostrils. He greeted me with "Saam Alaik " that is the 'I' in the salaam was missing. This was enough to put me on my guard, because this was not the. Islamic way; in fact, was a sign of enmity. Furthermore it appeared to be intended that way, and did not seem to be a mistake, so I was on my guard and merely replied "Same to you."

Then I asked "Where are you going?" He replied "Wherever you intend to go." I did not feel easy on having him as a companion.However I asked "May I know who you are?" He replied I am your alter ego. They call me Ignorance. My title is waywardness my family name AbuLahaw (meaning father of playfulness i.e. to waste time in non-serious things). My aim is to create mischief, to ferment discord and dissension and to mislead people and cause them to go astray."

All this conversation further troubled and worried me. I thought that I should have been betterof alone, without such a person as companion.

(Traditions show that when Satan lostfavour at Allah he was granted the wish that a child of his would be born whenever a human being was born, and he would remain the tatters constant companion, even inBarzakh . His job would be to mislead people.lithe human being had overcome the Satanic commands and his own desires in the earthly life then this twin would remain overpowered inBarzakh and cause no harm. However, here he will cause problems and troubles to the extent that Man had sinned in his earthly lie. As the Prophet had said "I too had this Satan but he embraced Islam on my hands.

The gist of this is that human being has his carnal and material desires from birth and no man is an exception. If he gives in to these and errs, he will subsequently regret, feel remorseful and consequently suffer. The successful one is he who is so firm of mind that he always overpowers his desires. The ideal being was Holy Prophet (S.A.) who had completely vanquished and triumphed over desires.)

I asked him "It we come to a diversion will you know which route to take? He replied in the negative. I then asked, "I am thirsty. Is there any water nearby?" He replied "I don't know. I asked, "Is our destination near?" He again said, "I don'tknows I said "Intelligence and wisdom go hand in hand with existence. How is it that you do not knowany thing ?"

He said "I only know that I have been at your side ever since you were born. I have never separated tram you except when Allah has especiallyfavoured you and you yourself have separated from me."

Isoliloquised "Then this must be the Satan who used to mislead me in the world and on whose beckoning I used to sin. And even now he is not leaving me alone. This is indeed the height of enmity. Allah, Oh Allah, have mercy He kept following me, couple of paces behind. The road was uphill and steep and it was difficult going. At last I reached the top. I was tired, and so sat down to rest for awhile. Ignorance sat down beside me and said "You seem to be tired. Do you want to know a short cut which will shorten your travel to only a fifth?"

I replied "'Inspite of your ignorance it seems that' can pull miracles." He said "It's not that. Come here, I'll show you. See this road on which you are travelling, though it's bright is bent like a bow and is not less than 5 Km. The chord joining the two points of the arc is no more than onekilometre .

"Geometrically, an arc whether small or big is always bigger than its chord. So we leave this popular road and instead take to the lesser known path it'll be a short cut and no longer than 1kilometre instead of five. Surely it's wiser to take the short cut."

I replied, "Don't be stupid. Don't you know that these highways are a result of the route being popular and constantlytraversed. The people who chose ft weren't senseless. And there's a famous saying that always travel on routes which are popular andfavoured bytravellers ."

He said "You are indeed stupid. You are taking poets and story tellers to be wise men and you are content to 10110w in theirfoot steps . The path that I am pointing out is obviously shorter. And it is also possible that the people who chose the longer route had enough provision with them or had some means of conveyance. It is possible that they wanted to avoid that tunnel at the mouth of the chord, or maybe their mount could not pass through it. So tell me, why shouldn't the two of us take the short-cut?"

Here I committed the mistake of falling or what he said, mistaking him to be a well wisher. We left the main road and took to the short-cut. But it was not at all easy going here were deep ditches full of rubbish. The path was strewn with needle like thorns and we often came across snakes and scorpions As soon as we would cross one ravine, we would reach another.

It was so hot that my tongue was literally hanging out withthirst, My feet were also injured and bleeding. I was feelingafraid right down to the core of my heart.

My companion seemed to be enjoying my plight. He was joking and laughing at me. We travelled for what seemed to be ages and when at last we reached the highway again we had covered at least 10 Km, Each step had been an ordeal and I was dead tired, I had developed complete hatred for my twin and I told him so WI wish we had never met. I would be happier if we were astar apart as the two poles".

But he kept waiting for me whilst I sat down to rest. A bit rested, I got up to resume my journey and he again started following me. Suddenly I spotted some greenery about one fourthkilometre away from the highway.Seeing. his chance, ignorance again assaulted me. He came running to me and said, "Hey do you see the greenery over there? There's sure to be water there too. And you really are so thirsty. Let's go and have a look. Maybe we'll find a fresh water spring and you can get a cool drink. When we come back we'll resume our journey."

I can sincerely say that I did not want to obey him; but I was tired and thirsty and I knew that greenery was not possible without water (When man has to confront the consequences of his actions, he wishes he had never committed them. But this repentance is often not serious enough to stop him from again falling in for temptations and desires.)

So I again felt in his trap. We went towards ft and the route proved to be an extremely difficult and painful one. When we reached, I saw that there was no sign of water anywhere. The ground was rocky and plain. There were huge black snakes visible everywhere. The greenery itself consisted of self-sustaining wild shrubs which do not require additional water.Dejected. I turned back and after again crossing the troublesome path, reached the highway.

We were now in an open ground and all around us were fields full of water-melon plants, laden with fruits. Ignorance at once picked up one and busied himself eating it. He said 'Why don't you take one also. It'll kill your thirst"

I said "It's somebody's personal property and it's not right to take without permission'.ignorance was so engrossed in eating that he was unmindful of the juice trickling down his beard and onto his chest. Shaking his head, he replied "Oh:

Don't be so pious. Listen, firstly there's a good chance that the fields are self-growing and don't belong to anybody, Secondly, even if somebody owns them, Islamic Law allowstravellers to consume the necessary minimum from the lands adjacent to the highways. And then, you look like you are about to die of thirst. In such conditions one is even allowed to consume dead bodies.InSoora -e-Baqra (Cow) Verse No.173. God says:

"Whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring, nor exceeding the limit, then he is not guilty of sin, verily Allah is forgiving, merciful."

"And finally, you are no longer in Earth where you are required to live according to the Islamic laws. You are now inBarzakh and those laws are applicable there.not here. You religious people go to extremes. At times you give rulings which even God has not decreed,"

Fool that I was, I again fell for him. I thought "Satan he maybe, but he certainly argues logically." I plucked a watermelon and tried to eat but it was so poisonously bitter, that it injured my mouth and throat. I threw it way and said, "These must be Satanic watermelons.in fact of Ignorance."

He said "No, no, you are mistaken.its just a coincidence that particular melon was so bitter. Try another," So I tried a second and then a third but they were all the same. He was continuously eating and kept exclaiming, "Delicious melons, how extremely sweet.'" I snatched a slice from his hands and tasted it. It tasted similar to the ones I had eaten before, as bitter as one could imagine. I threw it away in disgust and exclaimed "God damn you.why are you eating these and claiming them to be tasty ? I think snake venom must be less bitter." Now be said. "According to my taste, they are sweet and tasty melons. I am Ignorance and these melons are related to me. Whatever is good or beneficial for me is harmful for you, because lam Satan and you are a human. These are according to my taste and nature not to yours.

(This is in accordance with the philosophical argument, the gist of which is that people judge things in accordance with their own nature. A sinner does not see wrong or bad in sins and disobedience,in tact finds pleasure and contentment in these. Whereas a righteous person would be horrified at these and lust the thought of committing evil would sicken him. Henceforth the author has used the word "Darky " instead of Satanic Twin, in order to make obvious the darkness ofSatanic incitements.

Suddenly a vicious dog attacked us. Behind it was a guard armed with a stick. He was cursing us and it was clear that he too intended to attack.Darky quickly took the cue and was out onto the road in one bound. I too, tried to escape but could not manage it. The dog caught hold of my clothes and I fell down out of sheer fear at this sudden attack. The guard too reached the scene and joined in with his stick,My pleas went unheard. I kept repeating that I had not eaten a single melon, but his answer was that as far as damage was concerned it was the same whether I had eaten them or thrown them away. At last, after he had given me a thorough beating, I managed to get away. I reached the road, but I was in a bad state, deeply injured and thirsty. I cried forHaadi , that he had left me alone to face such times.

Darky , however, was gleeful at his success. His laughter knew no limits. He watched me from afar and taunted me, "Go on,call Haadi . Do you really expect him to be helpful to you here, in thisplace ? On the earth you had sown seeds for these sorrows in my garden: now is the time for tasting them. 'The World is the field where the Hereafter is cultivated and the Hereafter is the day of harvest.' You think yourself to be a scholar.

Don't you know the Quran has said that "Whoever has sinned as much as agrain, shall see it (in the hereafter)?" How can you expectHaadi to help youinspite of these laws of God. IAdmitted that we will soon reach those places whereHaadi will be present but don't forget I too will be there. You will have to lace calamities at places where .Haadi will be useless for you. Did notHaadi himself tell you that whenever you sinned he went away, leaving you alone, though he returned to you when you repented7Don't you even remember your own Prophet's tradition. "A faithful does not commit adultery as long as he is a true faithful. HenceHaadi was never present with you at these occasions when you sinned.so how can he help you now, when you have to pay for those deeds of yours." I thought that there was no solution for this accursed being. He was too well informed for my comfort. I stopped calling forHaadi , opened my bag and took out tan apple. It was a juicy one and refreshed me and quenched my thirst. Even my bruises became well.got up and resumed my journey.

(From the traditions of the Infallible we gather that faith is not a permanent resident of thefaithful's heart. If hesins , faith leaves him to return only when he repents. As faith is a divine and godly gift it does not remain with the faithful if he indulges in sins. (e.g . lying, adultery. fraud.rivelry , etc.)and as faith departs he is engulfed in Darkness and Ignorance. May God grant us all the desire and chance to Repenttruly. )

After sometime I reacheda bisection with one road leading to an open, airy and bright city and the other towards a desolate place. A Sentry was standing guard at the bisection. I approached him and said."Comrade. it possible can you preventDarky from following me? He has already caused me a great deal of trouble today."

The guard replied. 'Just as the human's shadow isinseperatable from the body, so isDarky . Tonight, however, he will not be able to approach you, because they are not allowed inside the City of Light. They will stay the night in that desolate and dark place on your left. When you resume your journey he will again be at your side. However, it is possible that he will not trouble you so much then".

I entered the bright and developed city. This was the first station. There were beautiful buildings; flowing lakes, greenery, and trees laden with fruits; beautiful servants with eloquent speech,' delicate and tasty food, and delicious drinks. I felt so happy and contented, especially as this came after the horrible and burdensome journey and the troubles that I had borne because of myDarky . These were now compensated by theEdenic place, and had it not been for the urge to meetHaadi at the fourth station, I would have been contented to stay here only.

Here I also met a few of my students who had died a few years before me. We spent the night here. In the morning1 the breeze was scented with the smell of fresh fruits, We strolled in the city, chatting and inquiring about each other's welfare because in the hereafter one can only inquire about another's welfare at such stops as one is too busy to even think of another when he is travelling. As the Qur'an says, "On the Day ofJudgement each man will be engrossed in his own self, oblivious of others". We were also thankful to be rid of the Darkies.

In short, we were completely happy here, with the best of people, service and food. The best thing was that the ugly Darkies were not near us. We were thankful to God, that for our small deeds on the earth he had so richly rewarded us, As Quran says inSoora -e-Safat verse 61, "For the like of this all strivers should strive".

Chapter 3 - Journey towards the Second Station

The bell peeled "Come towards the best deed'. This was a sign that it was time to depart for the next station. We picked up our respective packs and luggage and started. We reacheda bisection and to our great dismay saw the Darkies, who were approaching us like black smoke.

I asked a Duly Officer present if there was any way to avoid their company. He replied "These are only the laces of your own base and beastly selves (traits) like injustice, pride, desire, anger etc. Hence, of you had not separated from them in you earthly life, how can you separate them from your own selves now.

But they are of different kinds and all are not bad. Some are purely black, some are mixed black and white and some white and bright. And they are named accordingly e.g.Ammara (inciter to evil), "Lawwama " (Helper towards repentance),Mutmainna (contented with God). If any of you have the whiteMutmainna for your companion, then he is a companion worth having. He is useful, beneficial and sometimes better and more sublime then even angels.Mutmainna (Contentment) was in fact God's gift to you but you wasted it by your ungratefulness and carnal desires.

You will now reap whatever you have sown in your earthly material life. Then you were free to sow whatever you wished, but now you have no choice but to reap accordingly, whether good or bad. As God has said, "Do you (cause the seeds to) grow or are we the growers?"

No sooner was this said, then the Darkies reached us and each of us had his particular companion alongside as we went forward. But our group had somewhat separated, some were left behind with their Darkies and some were travelling besides me. I myself had myDarky by my side until we reached a mountain. The path here was very narrow and difficult. On one side of the mountain was a deep moat, but it was difficult terrain to cross. An idea occurred to me that I should go to the summit because extremely warm air from the moat was suffocating me. Suddenly my satanic twin come near and said, 'You are correct in thinking of going to the top.

Not only is the air from the moat so extremely warm and humid, there are also poisonous animals there. And also from the top you'll be able to look down around you on all sides.

On the earth I had been in the habit of speaking loudly in order to impose my authority on others and also I always had the ambition to reach higher and sublime levels, so I liked the idea and decided to reach the top. But there was no direct path to the summit, so I walked along the mountain wall, and even then it was difficult going. A couple of times I slipped. Once I stumbled and almost fell down in the moat but lust saved myself by catching hold of a thorny bush, badly injuring my hands and feel in the process. Further down the road, I again fell: my nose hit the ground, broke and started bleeding profusely,( l) I remarked, 'It is verytrouble some to reach the top- It might have been better to have travelled through the moat."

The accursed being laughed and said, "He who is proud in the world, God will break his back, and he who tries to be higher than others God will rub his nose in dust (that is, lower him" I really wonder at you, that you have read all this, but have never acted accordingly. "Taste it, you were (thought yourself to be) Respected and Elite".

(The author has hinted that whoever is proud and arrogant in the word, God will punish him in the Hereafter in such a way as break his pride and turn it to dust. AbuJahl used to say "I am the Respected and Elite on the day ofJudgement , he and others like him will be addressed 'O Respected and Elite, taste the punishment".)

I kept walking as he talked, bearing the hardships, one after another. At last I came out of the plateau, through which there had been no visible path, though with inured body and feelings.

Now when I turned back, I saw that mycompanions who had been just behind me, were stumbling and falling down into the deep and dark moat. They were crying in pain and anguish and their Darkies were laughing wickedly and gleefully.

Finally. we reached a road where the going was much easier. There were no new problems here except that I was extremely thirsty. MyDarky again tried a couple of time to trap me by his deceiving and captivating arguments but I did not pay heed. At times, I mustadmit., I felt like giving in but still I resisted. When herealised that I just would not give in, he himself fell back.

(If one practices denying his self and desires. after a while he will no longer be troubled by desires and whims. If one practices denying his-self and his desires, after a while he will no longer be troubled by desires and whims,But alertness and vigilance will have to be a constant practice.)

After quite some time, I reached a garden. The path itself passed through its centre. I spotted a pond, with people sitting around it, eating from trays full of fruits. As soon as they saw me, they stood up respectfully, greeted me and asked me to join there asked, "Who are you and why are these fruits here?"

They replied, "Each of us had been fasting when we died. This is theIftari sent by the Benevolent, Merciful Allah for our supper. We believe that you too can partake of it. Admitted that you were not fasting at the time of your death but you have often played host to people who were lasting and arranged theirIftari so you have a right to these fruits." I sat down with them and ate a little. It quenched my thirst and healed my heart and body. They required about my travel and I replied "Thank God it's past.

And my sorrows and troubles have disappeared now that I have met you. But I had to leave my friends and companions behind as they were entrapped by their Darkies. MyDarky too tried his level best but I did not tall for him. Now he has himself taken back. I hope he never catches up with me again". They laughed and replied "Its not so. In this garden they can only use their weapons of deception and lying but when we will proceed from here they are sure to reach us through a short cut and will literally tight to destroy us'

I asked,We don't have any weapons how will we win?" They replied, "If in the world you denied yourself and went against your desires, and so prepared yourdefence , then these defensive weapons will, God willing, have reached the battle field in advance. As Quran says In Sura-e-AnfaI1 verse 60, "Make preparation for them (the enemy) from whatever possible, strength, well-bred horses (cavalry) in order to frighten with fl your enemies and the enemies of God,"

I said, "I always thought that this verse referred to making preparations tar Holy War." They replied, "The laws of Qur'an are universally applicable and not restricted to the earth,Otherwise the Qur'an would be faulty and lacking. But it is not so because it is a divine gift and has been revealed unto the last of the Prophets."

Chapter 4 - Journey towards Third Station

We got up and resumed our journey. The road was good and it was easy going. On both sides were dense trees laden with fruits and a lake of cool and sweet water flowed alongside the path. A pleasant breeze further refreshed the mind. It was as if we were beholding the very image of the Beauty of God.

The journey passed without any problems worth mentioning. It had been so easy that we were not in the least tired or travel-weary when we reached the third station. Each of us was given a separate palace for our stay. The bricks of these palaces were of silver and gold.

The palaces were elaborately equipped and furnished and not a single thing was lacking. The delicate crockery, exquisite flooring and murals wereunbelievable, The servants were beautiful, well-mannered, eloquent and well-dressed. They were busy, moving all around us, making arrangements for our comfort, as if they were the very pictures described in Quran:

"Around them circle beautiful, ever living boys (servants)" and when you see them, you will imagine them to be spread pearls and when you behold, then you will behold bounties and a large power."

I felt shy asking such people for service. Suddenly, I spotted a large mirror and in it I saw the sublime station to which by his grace the Exalted Allah had elevated me. I felt high on being sohonoured and rested back comfortably.

Night fell and the palace became illuminated. Careful scrutiny revealed that the light was emerging from the branches of the trees. This light was so bright that a thousand of our electric bulbs would not be able to match it. The palace and the gardens were bright with this light. I was wondering at this spectacle when a voice called out verse 35 ofSoor -e-Noor Allah is the light of the Heavens and the Earth. The similitude of this light is as a niche whereinis a lamp . The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as if it were a shining star, lit from a blessed tree. the olive, neither of the East nor or the West, whose oil glows forth (of itself) though fire did not touch it; light upon light; Allah guides unto his light, whomsoever he wills."

I at oncerealised that the tight was of the tree of Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny and this city, the city of love. Only those people were allowed to stay here who had the ultimate love for Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny. Here the residents were busy, recalling the sublime qualities of Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny and asking God to send his peace and blessings upon them as through them only the human race had acquired knowledge of Allah and the correct ways to worship him.

Here we were in great comfort.Out hearts were full of thankfulness to God for his grace and bounty, and to Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny for having guided us towards the correct path. On the gate was a sign saying in bold letters "The love of Ali is such a quality that in its presence no sin can harm.""

(This tradition is believed universally by all Muslims. It means that anyone who truly lovesAll , does not sin because naturally he tries to fallow his ideal in thoughts and deed. Hence Ali's love acts as a shield against committing sins. If one finds himself to be proclaiming love for Ali but also committing sins, he should closely observe and question this love as to whether there really is true love in his heart and if so, is it just for the name "Ali" whether it is for Ali’s qualities, habits, the style, ideals, thoughts and deeds. Are all these acceptable to him and do these appeal to him, because "ALI" represents these and not merely a historical name.)

Chapter 5 - The Fourth Station and Reunion withHaadi

In the morning we started for the next station. The road was clear and easy. On both sides there were lush green trees in full blossom. Cool water flowing softly in the lakes, and a pleasant breeze, all these made it a perfect scene, beyond description. We reached the outskirts and it seemed as if its beauties accompanied us for a little while outside the city in order to see us out.

The path was now no longer clear and clean.in tact , it had become narrow and rocky. Then it passed through a twisting and snaking valley. Had we not been so many people in our group, we would surely have lost our way. We reached a spot where numerous forks led toward the left and it was not easy to decide which one to chose. As we went on, we suddenly saw the Darkies approaching us from one of the paths on the left,

The moment I saw myDarky , I felt overcome with mixed emotions or grief, sorrow and anger. In the brief moment that my eyes were or him, my foot struck a stone and was badly injured. I limped on but could only manage a slow pace and was soon left behind as my other companions went toward with quick steps.Darky stayed on my left until we reacheda bisection . I could not choose which fork to take. Seeing my momentary hesitation,Darky approached and said, "What are you thinking?" Then pointing towards the left fork, he said, "This path is the correct one."' So saying, he took a few steps towards the left, expecting me to follow,However .instead of following him, I choose to go the other way, in the opposite direction.

Darky kept insisting that I follow him but I did not pay him the least heed, because I had already suffered enough and each time he had been the cause. I thought ofHazart Ali's words "To try him whom you have already tried (and he has failed) is stupidity".

In a short while we were out of the valley. The road again became clear and the visibility also increased further on the dark shapes of trees in a meadow could be seen. I at once understood that this was the Fourth Station whereHaadi had promised to meet me. The thought of seeingHaadi again, spurred me on to the extent that I almost started running and left a dejectedDarky well behind.

(It is an accepted tact that the way to happiness and success lies in opposing the satanically incitements and desires. As said below if satanic incitements and' desires are constantly opposed, they gradually lose the power to misguide and doinggood continuously further increases one ‘s eagerness and appetite for good deeds.)

Soon I sawHaadi waiting for me at the city gate. When I saw him thus, waiting as he had promised he would, I ran to him, and greeted and embraced him. I felt as if I had been granted a fresh life. Hand in hand we entered the city.Haadi guided me to a palace, which had been especially built for me. It was most comfortable and peaceful here. I rested a while then had some refreshments. Seeing me fresh once more,Haadi asked,

"Well, how is it withyou ? Tell me howwas your journey through the last three stages ?" I answered "All praise is for God, the Creator and sustainer of all Universe, He showers us with bountiesinspite of our sins, Whatever it was that befell me wasnought but punishment for my own deeds for which I alone was responsible. And if you had been with me,Darky would never have dared to mislead me. Anyhow, all that is now past. What matters is that I have finally reached here and met you again. The ordeal is over and the sorrows forgotten".

(Possibly (a) knowledge and (b) piety as they have served the purpose of a guiding stick and a shield in the world and so might take these forms in the hereafter.)

Haadi said, "Well I wasn't with you so you kept failing inDarky's traps; but even now when I am with you, do not imagine yourself to be completely safe from him,My position is merely that of God's decisive arguments My job is merely to warn and alert you againstDarky's deceptions. But never forget thatDarky is equipped with powerful tools. He will try his best to mislead you. And this lime if you fall in his trap and are misled away from the straight path it could spell your end, and I would be unable to help you as I have delivered to you the ultimate proof. In these stations you have only a stick and a shield for your protection.' But even these will prove insufficient. So, as today is Friday, go visit your family and see if they have done any good deed on your behalf which can help you here. (Spirits aresome times able to visit their families. according to certain traditions).

I said,Haadi , you know well that I have given up all hopes fromthat quarters . Their only interest lies in their own selves. The living forget the dead very easily. When I visited them last time, I had not been dead even a week, butinspite of it, whatever they were doing was only for their own sake."

Haadi said, "No, you must go there today. I'm sure they must have remembered the Holy Prophet's tradition that 'Remember your dead with good (deeds or words'). 'And if you go there they might recall you, since it might cause Allah to remind them of you. And even fl you have lost hopes of their helping you, at least have hopes from Allah. If one keeps knocking, the door is bound to yield. And never lose hope.in Allah, 'Allah's mercy is close to the Good-doers'.

OnHaadi's insistence, I went to my old home. I saw that the name, respect and position ft had held in the past were no more. The gate was closed to the public unlike the way it had been in the past. My family's earning and livelihood had dwindled almostto nil. My children lay listless and none came to inquire their welfare, ft saddened me beyond words. Compulsively, I turned towards Allah: 'O Most Merciful, have pity on my children and myself, because you are the lord of all'. It seemed as if my praying for them refreshed my remembrance in their hearts because they started recalling me and the good time they had in my lifetime. They wept and prayed for me.

(When a person's mind attentively concentrates on another it is possible that it causes the other to compulsively think of him.)

When I returned, I found a beautiful and healthy horse standing besidesHaadi . I askedHaadi where it had come from, and he replied smilingly, "your family prayed for you and God's blessing has come to you in this form.

"And it is just as well because it would have been very difficult to continue our journey on fool. Also your prayer for your family has been granted and henceforth they will live in comfort and well-being.

"You can see yourself how beneficial your visit has proved for all of you. It seems that on Earth people are careless about praying for each other as they are ignorant of its benefits. The Holy Prophet has said 'If three days pass without people inquiring the well-being of each other then the bond of faith between them breaks."

I returned to my room and was pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful and lovely maiden sitting on the couch. Her eyes were bright and her shining face seemed 10 illuminate the whole room.Haadi announced, 'This maiden has been wed to you and especially sent here for tonight from the Valley of Peace',So saying, he left.

The two of us were left atone. When I approached her, she stood up to greet me, and respectfully kissed my hands,We then sat down next to each other. We spent the night in blissful comfort.

(Praying sincerely for the dead can improve their lot as God can bless them through his mercy and forgiveness.)

Chapter 7 - The Station of Bliss and Peace

We spent the night here, and resumed our journey in the morning.Haadi had already informed me that by evening we would be cut of the land of Desire but then we would have to face the punishments due to the sins of the Tongue. The previous punishments were due to indulgence in immoral sexual pleasures and these would be due to the sins of the tongue, but these would be as harsh as those. He had.said that there would be no provision of water or food and so it would be advisable to carry some water on the horse and I should myself travel on toot. He also told me to carry my shield as it would prove very useful.

I asked, "What is this shield made of?" He replied, "This is the result of your fasts. You fasted and remained hungry and thirsty to please God and these lasts prevented you not only from immoral sexual indulgence but in fact from disobedience of all kinds. "Fasting is a shield to protect from the Fire of Hell."'

We had only just started whenDarky appeared. I said, "Be gone, O cursed being?"" He said, "Why don't you yourself move away from me, instead?" So, I moved a few steps away and continued my journey withHaadi , butDarky remained alongside on the left.

On both sides various animals were visible, e.g. dogs, wolves, monkeys, rats.snakes , scorpions,sheeps etc., all of differentcolours . They were fighting, amongst themselves, attacking, and tearing away at each other, whenever they got the chance. Flames emerged from the ears and mouths of some of them. Sometimes they would see a mirage and would go there in hopes of finding water, but finding it dry would return dejected. Some were eating the dead carcasses of others. Some would fall in dark and deep wells and as they would 1a111 huge flames would emerge.

I askedHaadi , "Who are these wells for?" "They are meant for people who laugh at other faithful and make fun of them, whether through words, flints, gestures.making faces, eye-movements etc. This is their destination,As God has said, Hell is for the fault finders and insulters," As for those who are eating carcasses, they were the back-biters, And the ones with flaming ears, they used to listen to others backbiting.And these dogs. wolves and cats lighting each other used to curse, blame and insult each other. And those with yellow faces and two tongues were the fault-finder, liars and complainers.

Here the air was extremely hot, I kept askingHaadi for waterSometimes he would give me a little, and sometimes none. He kept saying that the journey was lengthy and our store of watermeagre , which we would have to make last until the end."

(Hazrat All: "How lengthy is the journey (at the Here tatter) and howmeagre our store of provisions (that is, good deeds which would help there.)

I asked him why he had taken so little to start with, and he replied, "You did not make yourself capable of taking more. I asked, "Why did the capabilitydecrease ?"

He said, "You are yourself to blame, because you did not drink much of piety then, and so your capacity cannot increase now. The more watchful and pious you had been on earth, the more water you would have had now. Nothing can be done about it now, Haven't you read the opening verse of 'Soora -e-Mominoon ', "Certainly the faithful have succeeded, who used to be fearful in their prayers and abstained from meaningless pastimes?" You neither abstained from such pastimes nor were you fearful in your prayers. Obviously you will now reap what you had sown.

"Whoever has done a grain of good shall see it and, whoever has done a grain of evil shall see it." Then he pointed in a certain direction and asked me what I could see there.Itseemed like white and black and flames all mixed together.

But when I looked carefully it was a green garden, with dense trees, full of fruits. Suddenly Irealised that they were burning. Shocked, I turned toHaadi and asked, "What is happening there?" He replied that the garden had been made from the praise and remembrance of God by the faithful, but when these faithful lied or indulged in backbiting, or insulting, the garden went up in flames. That is,their .sins caused the reward of their good deeds to go waste. Had their faith been strong enough, they would have given more thought and importance to the gardens they had prepared and would not have allowed them to bum by indulging in such acts.

(The Holy Prophet once told his companions that whoever says "Lailaha illalah (there is no God but Allah) once, the angels prepare a tree for him in Heaven. They remarked, 'In that case, by now we must be having a garden each'. He replied, 'Yes, but on the condition that you abstain from sins, like conceit because it destroys the trees.')

When their owners reach here andrealise what has happened, theywilt be extremely sorry, but sorrow would now be useless,That is why all the Prophets had continuously warned about the effects of good and bad deeds.as these cannot be seen whilst on earth. In the beginning only of the Quran, God linked piety to faith in the unseen: "This is guidance for the pious, those who have faith in the unseen and who stand firm their prayers.'

When we reached near these burnt gardens suddenly I felt a cool breeze which blew away the, ashes. In a little while, the garden was once more green, with lush trees laden with fruits, chirping birds and cool lakes. On earth, the faithful must have either repented for past sins or had sent fresh deeds. IThought that if the earthlings were aware of what I hadlust seen, they would die with sorrow at having ever allowed their gardens to burn.Haadi informed me that this was the first land or the Valley of Peace and here there was peace or all sides. He said, Rest your stick and your shield on the saddle and let the mount graze in the field so that he too may be rested by the time we are ready leave."

Haadi then said that we could take a break from our journey and stay in that place for ten days in order that I might recover after the tiring travel, and regain strength which would be required in the forthcoming leg as there we would have to lace many thieves, highwaymen and pirates and, as I did not have the required strength to face them he suggested that I should visit my old home once more the coming Friday to check if my family had sent me any gifts which could prove useful.

I said, "Haadi , you yourself told me that we had arrived in the Valley of Peace. Now you expect me to believe that there are robbers and pirates in this valley? I feel that you are merely trying to dissuade me. I certainly did not expect this from you."So saying. I started crying.

Haadi said, "My friend, do not distrust me. You are not aware how dark and narrow the coming route is. Our route in the Valley of Peace lies adjacent to the Valley of Punishment where all sorts of punishments are being meted out. The slightest slip will mean a fall into that valley where even I would be unable to help you. And you are aware thatDarky is constantly trying to mislead you. If you don't spend the next ten days here to recover, you might well have to spend two months in the Valley at Punishment."

I said. "Do you mean to say that I have to face the stage of the Bridge (Pul -e-Sirat ) now?! This I cannot believe."

He said, "I have already told you that whatever is happening here is the similitude of the events to take place on the Day ofJudgement . Consider this route to be the image of that Bridge. These stages have to be crossed and it will be good to provide for them in good time.

Anyhow, Friday night I went home once again. There I saw that my wife had married again and was busy trying to make her new husband happy. My children had separated and gone their different ways and were running individual and separate businesses. Dejected and forlorn I sat on a branch near my house. I could see that people were deeply engrossed in their worldly affairs. I thought, if only they would think of their ownHereafter even if for a moment. But no, they were busy planning their future, and their children's future. I recalled the Holy prophets tradition: "I the last ages, wives will prove to be the undoing of men: and when not wives, then children and relatives".

I was deep in such thoughts when suddenly my eyes fell on a room in my house. My sons and their wives had gathered and were sitting with their children talking with each other and eating some fruits. One of them said to the other, "The tree which bore this Fruit had been sown by our late lather. Now he is lying in a grave under mounds of Earth and we are eating its fruit." The other son replied, "How wrong you are! He must be eating tastier fruits in Heaven."

The first one said, "Yes, you are right. He used to love me a lot.To please me and make me happy. he often used to buy me gifts. May God blesshim. "

May God blesshim . He used to buy gifts for me too. He would buy books and penswhen ever I required. To be sure, he was a religious man and it was his wish that we too would become religious, me and make me happy, he often used to buy me gifts.

"He used to buy gifts for me 100. He would buy books and pens whenever I required.To be sure. he was a Religious man and ft was his wish that we too would become Religious" said the other.

They spoke well of me forsometime , then one remarked that as it was Thursday night, it would be good to recite Quran for me. One at them started recitingSoora Dukhan and the otherSoora Dahr for me. I cannot describe how happy this made me. I prayed for their well being and returned to my current abode.

Chapter 8 - The Last StationThe Valley of Peace

When I returned I saw that my mount was ready for the journey andHaadi was packing a portmanteau on it. I asked him where it had come from. He said that an angel had just delivered it saying that it contained a gill fromHazrat Fatema Zehra (AS). This was the result ofSoora Dukhan as thisSoora was related to her and the other contained a gift fromHazrat All asSoora -e-Dahr was connected to him. They had sent these gifts and had requested that we take a path well away from Valley ofBarhoot (Valley of Punishment) so that the hot air from it would not bother me.

I asked, "Is it possible to open them and see the contents?" He said "Not Now, theypre not required yet. When it becomes necessary, they will open by themselves.'

I was dazedWith happiness. I climbed my mount and started". After some time, we reached the Land of Greed and Avarice. There we saw people with faces like dogs, some of them were healthy and strong, others weak and trail. There were dead bodies lying here and there. The dogs would approach these in order to eat them, but would fall to fighting amongst themselves. They would light each other fiercely until they were almost dead with the fatigue and tension; and the carcasses remained untouched. Fresh packs would then approach. The stronger ones would attack tr1e weaker once and make them run away but were also unable to enjoy the carcasses because of their own internal competition for supremacy and each one's desire to have all of it alone, without sharing The whole ground seemed to be one big battlefield 'The world is a dead body and those who desire it, dogs.'

Some dogs were eating these carcasses but smoke was bellowing from their heads and fire from their behinds and even other dogs would not approach them.Haadi informed me that they used to take bribes and used to embezzle or steal wealth belonging to orphans.

"Those who eat the wealth of orphans eat fire in their stomachs."

The real value of worldly goods in the eyes Of Gad and the Infallibles InNahjul Balagha ,Hazrat All (A.S.) calls the world and its possessions "dead bodies. "

There is a famous tradition of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) which describes almost similar conditions. This is quoted in the book 'RobheRehan ' from the book 'Kafi quotingHazrat Ali (A.S.) as saying that he andHazrat Fatima (A.S.) once visited the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) and found him in tears. They asked him the cause and he replied. -O Ali the night that I went forMeraj (Ascension I saw same women of myUmmah who were being so severely punished that I became concerned for them and started crying. I saw a woman who had been hung by her breasts, Then I saw a second woman who was eating her own flesh and a fire raged below her A third woman was hanging by her tongue and biding water was being poured down here throat. A fourth was bent double, hands and feet tied together, snakes and scorpions crawling all over her A fifth was deaf, dumb and blind, enclosed in a cage of tire, her brains oozing out of holes inhero skull Her body was breaking into pieces due to leprosy.

Another was hung by her feet, inside overYet another woman's body was being shredded to pieces by scissors made of fire. One woman had a head of a pig and a body of a donkey and was being given several kinds of punishments. Another had the face of a dog, fire was entering her body from her behinds and coming out of her mouth and the angels were giving her a beating with iron rods,"

Hazrat Fatima (A.S.) then inquired other father (Peace be upon him) "Pray, tell me, what had these women done?"

He (Peacebe upon him) replied: Listen, beloved One.she who was hanging by her breasts used to deny her husband his rightful pleasure.The one hanging by her feet used to go out or her house without her husband's permission. The one eating her own flesh used to beautify herself and show her body to men otherthen her husband, The one who was tied hands and feet together, with snakes and scorpions on her, never used to care about the filthy and unclean, or 'Najaasat ', and was not careful about bathing regularly after menses, intercourse etc. thus taking her prayers lightly. The deaf, dumb and blind used to bear children through adultery but would claim they were her husband S. The one whose body was being cut by scissors made of fire never took care of herHijab in front of non-Mahrams (men other than those allowed to see her). The one whose body was being burned and who was eating her own intestines used to provide other women to men for sex. The one with the face of a pig and body of a donkey was back-biter and a liar,And the one with the face of a dog, with fire entering from her behinds and coming out of her face, was a jealous woman. - Then the Prophet (Peace be upon him), sorrowful is the plight of the woman who makes her husband angry and happiness awaits her who makes him happy."

These conditions are description of the sufferings (of the soul) to be borne inBarzakh . The Day ofJudgement will be even more severe and harsh.)

I remarked toHaadi ,Haadi , we had decided to travel well away from the Valley of Punishment. How is it then that we are here? Have we lost our way?" He said, this is just the image of that Valley.Its hot smoke won't reach you."

We came out of the Land of Greed to enter the Land of Jealousy. In this there were numerous workshops. Dark men resembling Darkies were at work. The machinery was making such a deafening roar that one could not hear anything else. Dust and smoke had covered everything. Therobot like machines looked like huge giants and were made at a metal harder than steel, and these were moving all about the place. One of these approached us and stopped just in front, SuddenlyDarky too flew in, looking like black smoke. I turned around and much to mydismay, could see no sign ofHaadi anywhere.Darky said. "Want to see the machines at work? I bet you have never seen anything like this on Earth.-

Though I wished to see the workshops in detail but since the suggestion came fromDarky and since all his previous suggestions had landed me in trouble, I turned a deaf ear, and whipped my mount on, reading theSoora -e-Falaq : "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Say. 'I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn,From the evil of what he has created, From the evil of darkness when it overspreads, From the evil of malignant witchcraft, And from the evil of the envier when he enviesDarky remarked, "Pity. You used to recite it on Earth, but never tried to put it in practice. It’s not going to help you now."

Fear overcame me. I sawDarky approach the machine and then he disappeared. I hoped that he had gone away, and was wondering whereHaadi had gone when suddenlyDarky reappeared in the form of a fearful creature. My horse shied at the sight and went off-track, falling and throwing me down also lust near the machine. I was hurt so badly that my body lost all feelings and I could not even get up. The dreadful turning machines were approaching nearer and nearer, as if they were going to engulf me.Darky was screaming with laughter and saying, "Go on, read 'From the envier when he envies,' O Fool, name me one scholar andlearned man who has been free of jealousy. You managed to escape from my previous traps and this has made my heart bleed. I'll see to it that you don't ever get out of this one." So saying, he caught me and tried to crush me.

His making fun of me angered me. Though I was weak Istrianed to tight. But he was stronger and I could see that he was overpowering me. When I saw thisI involuntarily I started callingHazrat Ali (A.S.) for help: -"Ya AliMadad ". No sooner had I said this, all the machines which had been about to crush 'me, suddenly started a disorderly retreat and in the process crashed into each other, breaking into piecesDarky too tried to run away, but was crushed under the wheels of a giant roller. I said, "Wretched person, you were making fun of me. Now you are in the same boat that I was in. And nobody deserves it more this you do. This was my last encounter withDarky .

I managed to come back to the Main Road which was the straight road and the correct path. It had only beenDarky's mischief that my mount had gone astray.

But though back, I was too weak to go on or even get up. ~ Each and every joint ached, and I was extremely thirsty. It was hot and the atmosphere was lull of the stink and smoke. Suddenly I sawHaadi running towards me. As he approached, he took out the portmanteau which containedHazrat Ali's (A.S.) gift and from it took out a crystal-glass bottle. From it he poured out some clean, cool and sweet water which he offered to me. The water quenched my thirst and refreshed me physically. Mentally and spiritually: 'Verily, the righteous shall drink a cup tempered with camphor (Kafur ).

I saw thatall the ordeal had been too much for the mount. He suddenly felt down and died. Now I was left without a horse.

I picked up the back-pack and put it on my back.Haadi picked up the portmanteau and we resumed our journey. The desert was larger than our Sahara Desert and had become dark and gloomy due to the constant emission of fumes by the machines. I noticed that men made of fire balls were tumbling out of the machines and falling down onto the ground just like cigarettes from a vending machine.

(Mistakes and sins (like jealousy for example) leave their effect on the soul and hinder man's natural pro grass on the straight path by weakening his resolve and intention.)

Haadi informed me that on Earth these people had been jealous of the faithful, due to one cause or another and used to show their jealousy by word or deed. Sorrowful fate awaited them inside these machines and due to constriction, this fire of jealousy came out from their within. He quoted the tradition that Jealousy is like fire and 'It devours faith like tire devours wood.'

The route being dark,Haadi walked in front and I followed. I remarked to him, "it seems to me that we are off trackHazrat Ali's recommendation had been that I should not be troubled at all, but I have never before faced such troubles as these."

Haadi replied, "No, no, we are not lost. The fact is that hardly anybody is completely free of jealousy. Everybody experiences it,Through in varying degrees. Had you not hadHazrat Fatema Zahra's recommendation with you, your fate would have been no different from the people you saw. But remember, most of these unfortunate people after serving their time here will be released and willloin the ranks of the blessed and happy ones,"

(In this world our traits and feelings remain hidden in our heart; in the hereafter, however; they will become obvious even to others, embarrassing the sinner in front of all.)

As the air was hot and stuffy and my back bark was also troubling me, we walked fast in order to cross this land as soon as possible,The fear thatDarky mightstilt be alive and following me, urged me on yet faster. Rank and stinking sweat oozed from my body and wet my clothes. My ankles were dead tired and painful. It was with the utmost difficulty that we managed to emerge from this land at last, and then we heaved a sigh of relief. A cool breeze started blowing and fountains of sweet water erupted.mountains and valleys were lush green. We sat down to rest by a fountain.said , "Haadi , it seems that myDarky has been crushed under the wheels of the machines and has been killed." He replied, No, certainly not. He never dies. However, in this particular land he won't approach you because now we are quite far from the Valley orBarhoot . In front of us lies the land where people are being punished for their pride and arrogance. As you had managed to rid yourself of these traits in your lifetime, you will not be troubled there. From here the Valley of Peace is not far,"

As we went on the atmosphere kept on becoming pleasant. There was sweet scent in the air, luscious trees were in abundance and mountains covered with dense trees and waterfalls of sparkling water could be seen.In the mountain plains. k numerous tents of fine white silk were visible.

(After the soul has been cleansed of its vices and punished for its past sins. it will be able to enjoy the blessings and bounties. The Quran says, "Each of you will enter it (hell): Then we will send salvation for the God-fearing ones".)

Chapter 9 -Spring in Valley of Peace

Haadi said, "This is the city 'Huma '. Here people stay in these tents." The pillars and pegs of these tents were of gold and the ropes were of silver. While we were still some distance awayHaadi said, "Wait here, I'll go and find your place." I asked,What is this place called. The atmosphere here is so pleasant and peaceful I wish that we could stay here for a few days."

Haadi said, "This is the Valley of me Right and the Sacred Land and you will have to stay here for a few days. Then he opened y portmanteau and took outHazrat Zehra's gilt. Taking it he went towards a certain tent. My eyes followed him as he approached it, took out a piece of paper from his pocket and read it out aloud. The front flap of the tent was at once pulled open and some beautiful boys and girls came out. They rushed towards me, withHaadi following behind.Haadi took out another wallet from the portmanteau and told me, "Go to your ten: with these attendants. Rest and wait for me. I'll have to go toAasma to arrange accommodation for you. "I said 'Haadi , I am a stranger here without a single friend. Don't go away."

He said 'Its for your sake that I'm going and consider this to be your own country. Go to your tent. You will not be alone. You will find friends there. 'In the tents are beautiful maidens as yet untouched by humans orjinns .' (Soora -e-Rehman Verse 72)

Saying so,Haadi left. I came to my tent with the attendants respectfully hovering around me. A maiden was sitting inside on a divan. She stood up to greet me. After a while, a handsome lad came in. In his hands were a silver bowl and towels. He helped me wash my hands and lace with rose-scented water.

Now when I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, I wassuprised and pleased to see that I was no less beautiful then the maiden sitting beside me who had been gifted by Allah. "Men have authority over women" (Soora -e-Nisa Verse 34).

We sat down on the divan. I looked around and noticed that the tent was supported on live fillers, the central one being the tallest and firmest of all. It was gold plated and studded with rubies and emeralds.

Wishing to test the maiden sitting beside me, I asked her why there were five pillars in the tent. She replied, "All tents in the Valley have five pillars. This is because Islam also has live pillars: Prayer, Fast, Hajj,Zakat andKhums , andWilayat (love and friendship of theAhlebait ). The central one is ofWilayat and in fact it is supporting the whole tent. It is more important than others (as it helps to achieve all others),"

I said, "I was under the impression that each of the pillars was symbolical for remembering each of thePanjtan (the immediate family of the Holy Prophet)."

She replied, "They are amongst theUsool i.e. Roots and this is the place for theFuroo or Branches and its connections and it is lust the image of theirPure light. Prophethood andVicegerancy , (Imamat ) are both part ofUsool .

InSafeenatual Bahar Muhaddis Qummi has quoted ImamBaqir (A.S.) as saying that Faith has five pillars, Prayer, Fast.HajjZakat andWilayat . The narrator Zahra asked, Which of these is the best?"lmam (AS.) replied, "'Wilayat because fl is the very soul of the other deeds. " In the end he said U somebody spends his lifetime praying throughout the nights and fasts in the days. spends all he has in the way of God, and performs pilgrimage every year but he does not have an infallible Imam to follow, under whose guidance he has performed these deeds, he will not be rewarded for them and will not be given the rank Of the faith rut" (Because it is almost impossible to expect that without the guidance and teachings of the Imams (A.S.) we can perform deeds correctly with an understanding of the spirituality contained).

They whole Universe and whatever if contains is in fact inter-related as if it has been prepared in one factory for a sole and common purpose. The difference which is observed is only due 10 difference of less with mare, of roots with branches, of light with its rays. Man should by to reach these levels of depth in understanding and himself become a link in this chain of the Secret and Unseen. He would then become the centre and core of all beings and hence the manifestation of the Name of God and hence God's Vicegerent.

Man by nature has this capability but he does not try to know his reality and instead wastes his time on Earth in material pursuits.Soora -e-Asr says that, 'Albeit Man is in loss'.. Elsewhere he is called 'Unjust.Ignorant' and 'Ignorant ofQadr (systems)."

I said "May I inquire where you have studied? Your speech is certainly worth listening to," She replied. '"I have been educated in the Holy city ofMadina and those green mountains and this invigorating atmosphere are much lower in status than it."

The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said, 'I am the city of knowledge, and Ali (A.S.) is its gate.' I have been brought up byHazrat Fatima (A.S.) who, like her father, is herself a city of knowledge and purity and she is the Blessed Night and the Night ofQadar and is better than a thousand cities of knowledge. It is almost as if Quran was revealed unto her. 'In it come for separation all wise commands' most suits her.That, all matters are decided through her. She is the Olive Tree which is 'neither to the east nor to the west and its oil is close to being lit up though fire has not touched it' She is 'Light upon Light' and it is Fatima (A,S .) on whom 'Angels and spirits come down in the (night ofQadr ) by the order of their Lord with all matters'."

She went oneulogising Hazrat Fatima (A.S.) and I sat engrossed listen .g to her. Then she said, "This scroll whichHaadi gave me wasHazrat Fatima's (A.S.). In it she has written that one of her sons is coming to me and that I should do everything I can for him as he is to be my owner and Lord. It seems that I'm the fruit and result of the seeds which you hadsown on earth. God has perfected your harvest and has given it to you in my form. As He says inSoora -e-Waqea Verse "Have you seen that which you sow? Do you cause it to grow or do we?" "I praise God and to him indeed belongs all praise and in the end praise is for Allah the Lord of all Universe.

After this, a sumptuous variety of dishes and drinks was brought for us. The meal was too delicious to be described. There were bounties which no human eye has ever seen andnor have ears heard of. Alter eating we reclined on the couch.

I said, "It seems to me that you are not a permanent resident of this place. She replied, "You are correct. I came here lust to welcome you and I brought this tent and its possessions along with me. In fact all the tents that you see here were brought for welcoming its residents who are now staying in them. This is God's guest roam. When you proceed from here, I will go back to my own country'."

I said, "I feel like taking a walk in the garden and seeing the camps, the mountains and the valleys. And I suppose it's possible that I might even meet old relatives here."

She replied. "Of course you may. You are free here to do as you like,But just remember that before you enter any tent you should greet its inmates and take permission to enter. And for your information when I arrived, I noticed your eldest daughter’s tent nearby. For your sake, I visited and befriended her. If you wish, we can visit her."

"Certainly, why not', said I. So we went towards her tent and as we approached it, I called out Salaam to her.Recognising my voice, she rushed out, followed by a train of attendants. We greeted each other and thanked God for our reunion, and thatinspite of our numerous sins, he had forgiven and blessed us. Then we went inside and sat down on a Jewel studded couch, lacing each other, since this was better than sitting side by side.

I asked her what had befallen her on her journey and she replied, "The first station and the Land of Jealousywas quite difficult.it seems that mosttravellers lace problems in these stages, though to varying extent. At certain times it seemed that my salvation was only due to your prayers for my welfare. I also wished and prayed for you. Alter that one of my sisters also had to undertake this journey. Then your time came and I prayed to God not to leave my mother and my brothers and sisters alone in the world."

"What befell your sister?"

"When she came here I saw that she was much higher in rank and station than I was and she told me that she did not have to lace thevanous hardships that we have undergone. She saw the various lands but did not have any difficulty in crossing them."

"This is because she died young. You know that she was only eighteen years old when she died. That is why her journey was so much easier. We with our longer lives have managed to sin more.

Then I went for a walk in the woods. As I would approach a tree, its fruit laden branches would bend down towards me. The fruits were fresh and sweet and did not decrease in number regardless of how many I ate. Melodious voices rang out from the trees, inviting me to eat whatever I liked.

Then we returned towards my tent. From afar, I sawHaadi standing in the doorway waiting for me. I ran to greet him. He smiled.and said, "You seem to be enjoying yourself here, visiting andsight seeing . But get ready for moving again. We are going to the city. The respected scholars and the faithful have received news of your arrival here and are waiting anxiously to meet you.

Chapter 10 –A visit to Hell

I said "I'm prepared to leave, butHaadi theres one thing which saddensme.He said. " Sadness and in the Valley of Peace! I cannot believe it." "You are right, but didn't you notice thatHazrat Abbas (A.S.) andHazrat Ali Akbar (A.S.) are still in their battle-dress and blood stains still visible onHazrat AliAsghar's (A.S.) neck. I wish to avenge their deaths."

He replied, "But their enemies, the accursed beings, are in the Valley ofBarhoot and it is the duly of the Twelfth Imam.the ImamMehdi (A.S.) to avenge, which he shall, whenever he appears. I said, "True, but I wish to go to the Valley ofBarhoot and punish them with my own two hands."

"God has ordained two harsh and severe angels for this task. Do you consider yourself more capable than God and his angels?""No, no, of course not! Of course nobody is more severe than God and his angels because he is the Ultimate Justice. No doubt he is Benevolent and Merciful, but he is also the Forceful and all-powerful. However, it was my desire to punish them personally."

"No doubt God will reward you for your feelings. But you shouldrealise that theFaithful's illuminance can cool down the fire of Hell. Are you willing that the heat should decrease for the period that you are there?" He was right and so I said, "All right, but at least take me to some place from where I may be able to see them being punished."

WhenHaadi saw that I lust would not be satisfied he left to present my request to the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him),Hazrat Ali (A.S.) andHazrat Fatima (A.S.).When they learnt about this. they prayed for my welfare and the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "O Lord! WeAhlebait are always content and satisfied with whatever your will is.because you only wish the best. We cannot dare object. However today one of your servants has come to your guest house where sorrow and sadness cannot enter, but he loves us so much that he wishes to see our enemies being punished and he will not be content until his desire is fulfilled. If you please, in order to satisfy him, allow him to see the Valley ofBarhoot ."

The Holy Prophet's (Peace be upon him) wish was granted and it was ordered that I should be allowed to see the enemies of theAhlebait (A.S.) being punished but that angels should accompany me so that I would not be troubled at all in this journey and the hot air would not harm me.

When I received this news, I was overjoyed and I started preparing for my journey along with a few of my friends. We were accompanied with angels on all sides to protect us. Soon we approached a hill. When it was about a hundred steps ahead we saw that the eastern horizon was overcast with dark clouds and sparks of different shapes were emitting from them, as if they were made of tire and were bursting. We could hear the thunder from afar. As soon as the angels saw this, they involuntarily said, "Thereis no course of circumstances and no power except God's."

I asked, "What is the matter?" The angels replied, "This is the Valley ofBarhoot and these sparks, resembling arrows.spears , swords and cudgels are in fact the curses which thefaithfuls send upon the enemies of theAhlebait and these are hitting their targets. But this is not the real punishment. The real punishment and wrath of God is being meted out in the plains ofBarhoot . The plain is even warmer than the iron-monger's kiln. Snakes, scorpions and beasts made of fire are present there to continuously torture those accursed beings."

We climbed the hill from here we could see that the fiery arrows would pass clean through the bodies which they entered. Each of the arrows, swords etc. passed through numerous people and if by chance any of the darts fell down it would get up again to continue hitting its targets. If the people tried to escape, the arms would follow them until they would manage to strike. It seemed as if these arms and darts were conscious beings and also as if somebody was picking up the enemies bodily and throwing them down onto the ground here and there. It reminded me of the sight of mustard seeds popping about while being roasted. The enemies of theAhlebait (A.S.) were wailing away and their voices sounded like the whining and yelping of dogs. The sight gave me great pleasure and satisfaction. I sat down on the hill to enjoy thescennary and since I had been informed that these arms were in infect thefaithiuls curses, I repeated the curse which I used to read inZiarate-Ashura .

"O God! Send down your curse on the first oppressor who did injustice to Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and his Progeny and to the last, who followed in his footsteps. O God, send down your curse on the wretched people who fought with Hussein (A.S.) and those who were with them and obeyed them and followed them in killing Hussein (A.S.). O God, send down your curse on all of them."

Then I said, ""Ogod especially curse on my behalf the first oppressor, then the second, the third, and the fourth0 always and forever." "O God, curseYazid son ofMuawiyah , the fifth and curseObaidullah sonZiyad and Omar son ofSaad andShimr and the families of AbuSufyan ,Ziyad andMarwan upto the Day ofJudgement ."

(The above are responsible for the murder of the grandson of the Holy Prophet)

All the angels and friends accompanying me joined me in repeating these two curses again and again. The fiery arms increasedten fold in number and the atmosphere became dense and dark with dust. The punishment became much more severe. A spark would strike an enemy causing him to jump up in the air, where he would be struck by more darts from all directions. They were being tossed around like footballs, managing to land only alter a length of time. On seeing this we continued cursing until our voices became hoarse and throats dry. By now the accursed people had been roasted alive their skins were peeling.and their bodies had become pierced like sieves.

They were wishing that they would die but here even death could not rescue them because here there was no death: only eternal wrath and punishment. On earth they had oppressed until death had freed the oppressed from their tyranny.but in the Hereafter since death does not exist, the oppressors could not escape their eternal harsh fate.

The Quran says: "The Hereafter is in, fact life" and "Whenever their skin will burn away.we will replace it with another.'

Here we also observed two strange sights. One that amongst these people there were two men whom fire could not reach. Flames would leap towards them, but would be turned away by large fans thus keeping the two men safe. When I inquired, I was informed that one wasHaatim ofTaai , the otherNausherwan the Just. Being infidels, they had been sent to Hell but the generosity of one and the justice of the other kept its flames away from them, as generosity and justice both were God'sfavourite qualities and he does not let anybody'slabour go waste or unrewarded.

Secondly, I saw some people who though also present inHell, were out of reach of its flames and were also not troubled by its fiery darts. However though they were not being punished themselves, they were losing their wits just seeing others being punished. Their faces had gone white and they were completely bewildered and terrified. I was informed that these were friends ofAhlebait and they used to hate the enemies ofAhlebail but they had been neglectful of their prayers and fasts and other obligations and had also not avoided the forbidden deeds. They were also answerable to of hers. The Just could forgive disobedience and sins but could not overlook the rights due to other men. So they were sent to hell but their love ofAhlebait .

became a shield, saving them from its fire. At the termination of their sentence, since they had been correct in their faith and beliefs, if God so willed, they would be freed from Hell and would enjoy God's blessings.

Seeing the fate of the enemies ofAhlebait really gratified me and we resumed our journey saying, -O God, give them such a punishment from which even the dwellers of Hell would wish that they were freed."

Chapter 11 - A Sincere Appeal

The original text ends here. The translation was not meant for scholars who can benefit from the book in its original form, but for the public, so that they may read and benefit by taking stock of their deeds and actions1 and hopefully atoning, repenting and asking forgiveness, before death overcomes. God is Most Merciful and if anyone truly repents, God is willing to forgive completely. In order to maintain interest, at places the text has been abridged, and lengthy references and philosophical discourse avoided. Certain sentences footnotes and explanations have been added to the original text by the translator.

The conditions of the Grave, the Lands of Lust, of Jealousy, of Greed and Avarice, Satan and the Satanic Twin (Darky ) and his destructive activities, his inciting and misleading arguments wherever possible, the punishment meted out to the sinners for their wrong deeds, the late of pride, and good deeds going waste due to certain sins, all these are occasions for awakening and contemplation. One should try to prepare and stock deeds for the future because death is inevitable and it closes the door of action forever. If we fail to do good for ourselves ft is indeed foolishness to expect that our children will act on our behalf after our death.

We can only expect those deeds which we have managed to do, to come to our rescue and help, and cannot be certain of anything else.

My God helpevery body to atone and dogood .

All praise is for God.

Peacebe upon Mohammed and his progeny.

Chapter 12 - Safeguards against Dangers

Although the events after death have been described already and will prove to be an incentive towards preparing for the Hereafter, but as nobody can escape from this journey, I wish to list some occasions and practices narrated by reverend personalities which will help everybody in their preparations. Only those who are aware of the reality and facts about the Hereafter can inform us about this and these are Mohammed (PBUH) and his progeny who are the cause of the creation of the Universe. And the gist of their teachings is that if anybody has to undertake a journey, he should make preparations for it.

Therefore, daily before sleeping. Hazrat Ali used to announce from the mosque. OPeople, get ready and make preparations for your journey of the Hereafter. May God have Mercy onyou. TheProclaimer of Death is announcing 'Take heed. Be prepared for departing; you will face numerous dangers there (Nehjul Balagha ).

The first of these is the time when one experiences the pangs of death.(Soora -e-O verse 19). This is an extremely hard time. On one side there is the intensity of pain and illness, the tongue becomes mute and the body refuses to respond. On the other hand, the crying and wailing relatives and the thought of being separated from them forever, the grief of the children's becoming orphans, separation from one's mate and life-partner and from wealth and other worldly goods (in the collection of which one had spent his lifetime); the agony of death, combined with these hardships, and the thought of the forthcoming hardships to be faced after death, all cause this time to be.painful beyond imagination. SheikhSudooq has quoted ImamJafer -e-Sadiq as saying, "If anyone wishes to make the pangs O death easy and light, he should maintain good relations with his relatives and should be kind and gentle with his parents. One who behaves thusly will die easily and in his lifetime he will not be troubled with paucity and will on the contrary live happily." The Holy Prophet has recommendedSoora -e-Yaseen andSoora-e.wassaaifaat and reading thedua 'LaIlaha lila AllahUl Haleem ul Kareem.

(There is no power except God, the forbearing and gracious) to the end, in theQunoot as being beneficial for the time of death)

Secondoccasion : Adeela Indul Maut (Satanic thought in death): This is the turning away from the Truth to the false and wrong at the time of death. This is because Satan approaches men at the time of their death creating and raising doubts in their minds to the extent that one's correct faith may be completely shaken; one may even become bereft of it and he may die anin filed or faithless. Traditions adviceus that as safeguard one should be in the habit of recalling theUsool -e-Deen with its proof so that when he is reminded of theUsool at his death bed, and inTalqeen , certainty of faith would prevail and doubts would cease.Dua -e-Adeela , present inMafateeh-ul-Jinaan is also helpful and should be read at the death bed. Reciting thetasbeeh ofHazrat Fatima, wearingAqiq (cornelian) ring, readingSoora -e-Maumenoon on Fridays, readingBismillah.,.La Haula Wala ... alter Morning andMaghrib Prayers, are all beneficial. (Recommending of particularduas andscooras for particular objects is because of the special meanings contained ion them, which if understood and taken to heart, have corrective influence upon man.)

Third occasion;Wehshate Qabr (Fear and horror of the Grave). This is moresevere, and fearful than the previous occasions. When the body is brought near the grave it should not be put into it at once. Since this is a very fearful time, it should rather be prepared for it by breaking the journey thrice (Manzil ), because the spirit still retains interest in the body.

The Holy Prophet has said. The most fearful time for the dead is their first night in the grave. Help your dead in this hour of need by giving charity on their behalf and by praying for them (Namaz -e-Wehshat )."ln this prayer, in the firstRakaat one should readAyat-ul-Kursi afterSoora -e-Hamd and in the second afterSoora -e-Hamd Soora -e-Qadr ten times. Alternatively, in the firstRakaat ,Soora -e-Tawheed (Qul howa Allah) is read twice and in the second,Soora -e-Takaasur ten times.

Also beneficial is reading LaIlaha lila Allahul Malik ul Haqqul Mubeen (There is no power except God, the king. the right, themanifester ) 100 times daily and readingSoorae-Yaseen every night before sleeping.

Fourth occasion: Constriction in theGrave : This is also a difficult time. The grave calls out every day "I am the rest house of thetravellers ; I am a house of Horror and also of Respect."For some. the grave will be a garden from amongst the gardens of Heaven and for others a pit from the pits of Hell. ImamSadiq has said that nobody can escape this constriction, but there are practices which can prove helpful in this regard e.g.

Hazrat Ali has said that readingSoorae-Nisa every Friday will save one from constriction.

one who makes a habit of readingSoora -e-Zukhruf will remain safe from the constriction and beasts in the grave.

ImamJaffar -e-Sadiq has said that whoever dies between Thursday noon and Friday noon will be spared constriction.

ImamRaza has informed that the habit of night prayers keeps one safe from constriction.

The Holy Prophet has said that recitingSoora -e-Takaasur before sleeping helps to ward off constrictions.

People buried in the sacred land of Najaf constriction.

ImamRaza has informed that the habit of night prayers keeps one safe from constriction.

The Holy Prophet has said that recitingSoorae-Takaasur before sleeping helps to wardoft constriction.

People buried in the sacred land of Najaf are also spared constriction.

Fifth occasionThe questioning ofMunkir andNakeer :

ImamJafar -e-Sadiq has said that one who does not believe that questioning will take place in the grave is not a true faithful. These questions have been mentioned already. ReadingTaiqeen twice before burial is completed is very beneficial but especially (and maybe only if the person had these believes and thoughts in his lifetime.

Sixth occasion:Barzakh .Barzakh has been discussed already. It is a time of extreme helplessness. Deeds done for the dead and the benefits arising from one's previous deeds are the only useful things at this time.

Seventh occasion Day ofJudgement : It is the harshest, severest and most fearful day. There are fifty stations in the Day ofJudgement , each more difficult than the previous.

I hope that the readers of this book will pray for me.

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