OCCASION OF THE REVELATION
VERSE NO. 5-11
HASSAN and HUSSAIN, the two grand children of our prophet were sick. Their parenets (HAZRAT ALI, AND HAZRAT FATIMA) vowed to fast for three days that their sons might be healed. Soon after, the two brothers were restored to health, and they too decided to join their parent in the vowed fasting. So, the household of our prophet went for a fast of 3 days.
They had nothing of food to break their fast at night, except a few round loaf of barely bread.
In the first night, a poor knocked at the door, and asked for some food. All of the five gave their share of bread to the needy, and broke their fast only with a cup of water!
Next day too, they performed their vow by fasting again; and at night an orphan came to them and called for help for being hungry.
The household of purity and piety, did the same as the night before and continiued fasting. In the third night, the same thing happened, and this time, they gave their own food to a captive in the way of God.
When the prophet met with his household, he found them starving and shivering with hunger! The prophet became very anxious and ardent; but at once Gabriel, the Arch angel of God, appeared and brought down to him the above verses.
More than thirty four Sunnite scholars and doctors of the Law, have written the above occasion of revelation in their books, and AllÌmeh Aminy has collected them in his famous book, ``ALGHADIR''.
One may wonder how the household of the prophet could continue their fasting without food for three days?!
We all know that some people like MahÌtmÌ Gandi, were fasting like that for some more than 30 days instead of 3.
THE REWARDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
The Arabic, ``ABRAR'' translated to righteous, is the plural for ``BER'' which means goodness and doing good deeds, as a religious term, it applies to a believer with high virtue and piety. The best example of such righteous are our prophet and his dearer and nearers; and in particular the title applies well to HAZRAT IMAM ALI(AS).
Then, the immediate reference is to some of the good deeds of the ABRAR, as follows:-
1-They perform their vows and are very faithful to their promises.
2-They fear the wrath of God that may appear in the awful Day of Doom, which is full of anger and terror.
3-They feed the poor,orphan,and prisoners, with their own food, which they themselves are utterly in need of it.
This means that, to feed a hungry who has no access to food is one of the best conducts.
4-And whatever they do,they do it sincerely, and purely for the sake of God; without expecting any thanks or reward.
