Real Inner Sacrifices

1. Dhibh (1): That which is sacrificed
   “It is mentioned in verse (37:107): “And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” That is, Hazrat Isma’il was sacrificed spiritually instead of his external and physical sacrifice, which in many senses was greater than his physical sacrifice. He was sacrificed in the dream, his soul continued to be seized for several days in a wakeful state, he attained the rank of martyrdom in spiritual jihad and he was repeatedly sacrificed at the place of intellect as well.” (A Thousand Wisdoms, Tawil No. 356, p. 193)
2. Dhibh (2): That which is sacrificed
   “Hazrat Ismail was the Permanent Imam and the asas. His intention and worship in the above-mentioned sacrifices were for God and their spiritual benefits were for the people. This is because the Imam, on behalf of God, is always present in this world so that he may accomplish for the people of the world, those useful deeds which they themselves are not able to do. An example of this is the spiritual sacrifice, which is not possible for everyone to accomplish.” (A Thousand Wisdoms, Tawil No. 357, p9. 193-194)
3. Dhibh (3): That which is sacrificed
   Question: “How do the people of the world benefit from the inner sacrifices of the exalted Imam? Is there any such allusion in the Qur’an?”

   Answer: “The wisdom-filled allusion of the Qur’an says the Imam of the time is not only the Imam of the righteous (Imamu’l-muttaqin, 22:74), but the Imam of the people (Imamu’n-nas, 2:214) as well. However, the great difference is that, the door of (spiritual) knowledge and wisdom opens instantly (in this world) for the righteous, whereas for the masses it is closed in this world.” (A Thousand Wisdoms, Tawil No. 358, p. 194)

Tawils of the word ‘Salmân’

1. Salmân (A name) :

   It is said in a Hadith: “Salmân is from us, the ahl-i bayt.” This Hadith alludes to the fact that mu’mins of the first rank, male or female, can also be included in ahl-i bayt.”
   (Tawil 448, A Thousand Wisdoms, page 241)

2. Salmân (Salmânu’-khayr) :

   1. Salmân was an exemplary mu’min of the time of Prophethood.
   2. Salmân is proof of the verse of the sound heart (26:89).
   3. He became one of the doors of paradise.
   4. The sacred light of holy ahl-i bayt had arisen in the personal world of Salmân.
   5. In the time of every Imam, some pure mu’mins (men and women) become like Salmân-i Fârsi.

   (Tawil 450, A Thousand Wisdoms, page 242)

3. Salmân (Salmân as an ‘âlim of given knowledge) :

   When the Commander of the faithful Mawla Ali was asked about Salmân, he said: “He is given the first knowledge and the last knowledge, and that which he has, cannot be grasped.” (Tabaqât, IV, 85). The Imam also said: “He has the knowledge of the first ones and ths last ones.” (Sirat-i Salman, p. 155)
   (Tawil 452, A Thousand Wisdoms, page 243)

The Holy Imams and Jama’at-khanahs are Lit by the Lamp of the Divine Light

It is said in verse (24:36): “(That light is lit) in houses which God has permitted to be exalted, and His name to be remembered therein. He is hallowed therein in the morning and in the evening.” By these houses are meant the Holy Imams and also the Jama’at-khanahs, in which is lit the lamp of Divine light, whose observation and recognition is certain.” (Source: Fruit of Paradise, page 122) “… The jama’at-khanah is the place where the magnificent soul (i.e., light) of the Imam of the time works, to which the souls of all things come, for in the Imam-i mubin (manifest and speaking Imam) all the things of the universe are encompassed (36:12). These bright proofs about the eminence and blessings of Jama’at-khanah are enough for true mu’mins.” (Source: Fruit of Paradise, pages 124-125)