3 Levels of Azadari; Judging the Commitment of Others - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

- The majlis for the shahadat of Hazrat Muslim is in a way an announcement of the beginning of the commemoration of the martyrdom of Karbala.
- Cautioning everyone when using adjectives like “true”, “untrue” or “real” “unreal”, for religious activities and people's efforts.
- For example when we say ‘real Islam’ or ‘unreal Islam’ or ‘true azaadar’ or ‘untrue azaadar’.
- Importance of realizing that people are all at different levels.
- Referencing with aayat 132 of surah Ana’m
- Using the example of worship to further explain the concept of ‘levels’.
- Narrating a hadith of Imam Ali(a), where Imam explains the 3 types of worship that we find amongst people: the worship of a merchant, the worship of a slave, and the worship of truly free people.
- Some, from the Hadith above, conclude that only the third level of people’s worship will be accepted. However Imam Ali is talking about the levels of people in worship.
- All three levels of worship, if done with sincerity, will be accepted by Allah(s.w.t) and they will be rewarded according to their level.
- The value of deeds and worship in Islam depends on the intention and motive.
- In all three levels of worship, Allah(s.w.t) is the ultimate goal.
- In Surah Ibrahim Aayat 7, you can observe the motive of the 3rd group.
- Giving examples from the Quran of the motives of the first 2 levels of worship.
- Mentioning Aayat 20 of Surah Hadid where Allah(s.w.t) combines the motives of all three levels of worship.
- We cannot condemn the first two levels and say we need to be always at the 3rd level.
- People in the community and in the Ummah at large are at different levels therefore we cannot put others down.
- We should refrain from using words such as ‘this is true Shism’, ‘this is true Islam’, or ‘this is human Islam’ as if all others are inhuman, untrue or unreal.
- People are doing their duties according to their capabilities.
- We cannot reach a spiritual level without going through the ritualistic level. They depend on one another.
- Azadari has different levels too and every level has its own merits.
- Some people do azaadari because it holds great reward.
- Others do it because of their sense of loyalty towards the Prophet and love for his family as prescribed in the Quran.
- The third group do it in order to get motivation to reform themselves, and by extension their families and the community at large.
- These three levels of azaadari are: the ritual level, the spiritual level and the social level of azaadari.
- All three levels are a valid form of azaadari of Imam Hussain(a).
- The social dimension of azadari cannot be ignored.
- One of the important institutions of mass education in the Shia world is the act of azadari.
- Centres do not have to publicize and ask people to come, rather they have to worry how they will cater to large numbers who show up.
- The purpose of azadari cannot be different from the purpose of the mission.
- Imam Hussain in his will to his brother Muhammad Hanafia says that his purpose was to seek reformation in the community of his grandfather and the method he used was ‘Amr bil ma’ruf and nahi anil munkar’ ( promoting good and discouraging evil).
- For us, azadari is an attempt to make ourselves better and use the same method of Amr bil ma’ruf and nahi anil munkar’ but there are levels and different ways to do that.
- The simplest level is the one of the heart. We should like what is good and dislike what is evil.
- The second level is the level of the tongue. To promote good by our words, by writing and by our actions.
- The third level, the highest one, to use legitimate force. This is only for those who are in a position of authority and can impose rules that instill good in society and rules that will stop evil within society.

MP3: https://s3.amazonaws.com/JCC/Wafat/ShahadatMuslimIbnAqeel_RizvI_2015-09-22_203524675.mp3

Shahadat of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqil
Recited By: Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi
Date: September 22nd, 2015