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THE PROPHET'S HEIR, The Life of Ali Ibn Ali Talib Dr. Hassan Abbas is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at the Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Centre (NESA), at the National Defense University in Washington DC. He also serves as a senior advisor at Harvard University’s Program on Shiism and Global Affairs at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. Earlier he served as professor and department chair at National Defense University’s College of International Security Affairs (2011-2019) and as the Distinguished Quaid i Azam Professor at Columbia University (2009-2011). He held various fellowships including at Harvard Law School’s Islamic [...]

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful The office of His Eminence, the Supreme Religious Authority Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, may God prolong his life. Peace, mercy, and blessings of God upon you. In a few days, the anniversary of the birth of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his honorable reappearance) will come upon us, in the middle of Shaʿbān. On this joyous occasion, please explain what our master, the Supreme Authority, sees as the obligation of the Shīʿah of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) during the time of his absence, may God’s peace be upon him? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [...]

Our societies recently have experienced unparalleled advances in science and technology. Throughout the course of humankind, we have never achieved this advancement we see in our society. However, the byproduct of this advancement is that we have been more materialistic. One of the spiritual diseases in our societies is the materialism. God informs in the Quran about being materialistic. In Chapter 3 verse 92 He says, Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah ] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” When we [...]

The predominant culture today idolizes the “charismatic” leader; a leader who possesses a larger than life persona and carries a certain appeal that attract followers in droves. These leaders have a natural ability to inspire and motivate followers; think Martin Luther King, Oprah Winfrey, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela – all individuals whom fit this bill. These individuals displayed great leadership and made great contributions to the betterment of society, and humanity at large. But that isn’t always the case with charismatic leaders. Many leaders who fit this archetype leveraged their magnetic personalities for ulterior motives; motives that resulted in [...]

By: Shiek Hammam Naserdeen The Holy Quran has presented a clear statement that shocks those who like to believe that it is impossible for a person to change his habits or morals, as it states: قد أفلح من زكاها (سورة الشمس آية ٩)) "Successful is the one who purifies it " (Shams 91 verse 9) Self-building and self-purification require that a person recognizes his faults and strives to remove or correct them. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is narrated to have said in this regard: وعلى العاقل أن يُحصي على نفسه مساويها في الدين والرأي والأخلاق والأدب، فيجمع ذلك [...]