AIDS – the scourge of the mankind is one of the most dreaded disease that has gripped the whole world. The disease which was not known to us before 1980s is now on the hit list of research and medical management. Revenue amounting to millions of rupees is spent annually over the globe to check the spread of disease. The wide variations of the presentation of the disease and its virus have left the scientists baffled. AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus - HIV which attacks on the backbone of the immune system, the white blood cells - WBCs. The alarming drop in these cells renders an individual susceptible to variety of life threatening infections in the various organs, eventually terminating in death.

There are various causes of AIDS, mainly having multiple sexual partners, using infected needles and through blood transfusion. Out of all causes, having illegitimate unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple sexual partners is the leading cause of the spread of disease. India now tops the list of the countries affected with AIDS after Africa. Regrettably the disease has now started affecting the individuals of younger age groups. Recently AIDS has also become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric age group. It will eventually hinder the progress of the country if proper steps are not undertaken by the Indian Government. May Allaah Ta'aala protect our mumineen from this disease.

Maulaana Imaam Mo'iz (as) who is the 14th Fatemi Imaam has said in 357 AH addressing to the leaders and army men of the tribe of Qitama that, “O people, be loyal to your wives, don't show interest in or get attracted to other women. Your wives are the source of satisfaction for you. If you share relations with other women then indeed, your wealth will get spoiled and your life will become bitter and will harm you. You will become weak and drained. You will lose your strength and vigor. Your health will deteriorate and decline.” It is therefore clear that the words of Imaam Mo'iz (as) said before 1050 yrs. ago were prognostication about AIDS that adultery will harm you and inflict disease on you. Today, those words have translated into the hard truth.

The main purpose behind writing this article is not only to convey the general understanding of the disease. The essence of this article unfolds the truth about the types of people who are affected by this disease, which has its own individuality in each type. Not going too far and deep in the history, let us recollect the time after the demise of Rasoolullasah (saws). As we all know, after returning from the farewell Hajj (Hijjat ul Wadaa') at the place of Ghadeer-e-Khum, Rasoolullaah (saws) by the order of Allaah Ta'aala, did Nass-e-Jali and declared Maulaana Ali (as) as his Wasi in the presence of 70,000 Hujjaj. He proclaimed,

“Man kunto maulaaho, fa haaza Aliyun maulaaho.”

‘For whom I am Maulaa, their Maulaa is Ali.'

All of them accepted the words of Rasoolullaah (saws) and congratulated and greeted Maulaana Ali (as). They gave the Misaaq to him. No sooner did Rasoolullaah (saws) closed his eyes and ascended to the Heavens, these people forgot and broke their promise which they gave to Rasoolullaah (saws) and disregarded the martabah (rank, status) of Maulaana Ali (as). Instead of considering him as the Wasi of Rasoolullaah (saws) they fell into the deep cavern of obscurity and misery and elected Abu Bakr as the first Khaleefah - caliph. The Noor of Imaan vanished from their hearts and hither to they are wandering and roving in the darkness of ignorance and wickedness. These people, who claim to be “Sunnis”, are the one who are really suffering from the AIDS – Acquired Imaan Deficiency Syndrome. Do they really deserve to be called as “Sunnis” when they did not follow the Sunnat-e-‘Uzmaa (the great sunnat) of Rasoolullaah (saws) – of following Maulaana Ali (as) after him? May Allaah guide them to the right path.

The AIDS which we are talking about – “Acquired Imaan Deficiency Syndrome”, cannot be tested in the laboratory. As our A'immat-e-Taahereen (as) has said,

“Ilmonaa sa'bun mustas'abun, laa yahmelohu illa Nabiyun Mursalun, au Malakun Moqarrabun au muminun, imtahanallaaho qalbahu bil Imaan.”

‘Our knowledge (glory) is difficult and complicated to grasp, no one except Nabiyullaah, Intimate angels (A'immat-e-Taahereen (as)) or a mumin can understand (lit. – lift up) it, Allaah has tested their hearts with Imaan.'

It goes beyond our imagination, to which extent this roohaani (spiritual) AIDS have spread and drifted the people away from the righteous and divine path of salvation ( najaat ) and redemption. The virus of this Imaan deficiency has not spared even the mumineen. Maulaana Ali (as) says in his sermon about the deeds of Shaitaan, ‘You should take a lesson from what Allaah did with the disobedience of Iblees! He nullified his great acts and extensive efforts of ibaadat that he used to do earlier on account of the vanity of one single moment, although he had obeyed and prayed to Allaah for 6000 years – whether by the reckoning of this world or of the next world is not known. Who can remain safe from the torment of Allaah after Iblees by committing a similar disobedience? None at all. Allaah cannot let a human being enter His Paradise if he does the same thing for which Allaah turned out His angel – Iblees from Him.'

From these words it is clear that even a small shortcoming or mistake can change our destiny from Heaven to Hell. Hence it is ordained upon mumineen to protect their Imaan and faith. People who keep relation with Da'i uz-Zamaan (tus) the way it has been decreed upon them by Allaah, never get their Imaan spoiled or blemished. But those who are disloyal, treacherous and unfaithful to Da'i uz-Zamaan (tus) are the ones whose deeds fall upon them and are inflicted upon with AIDS. This spiritual disease is far more dangerous and lethal than that caused by HIV. Allaah Ta'aala says for them in the Qur'an that,

“Fee qoloobehim marazun fazaadahomullaho marazaa wa lahum ‘azaabun aleem bemaa kaanu yakzeboon.”

‘Their hearts are diseased and will be more diseased and for them is the torturous punishment for their falsehood.'

The suppuration (pus) of the Nifaaq (hypocrisy) and disbelief runs so deep into the interiors of intellect that it destroys the uprightness and integrity of Imaan and gracefulness and thus leaves the man hollow and empty. This stage cannot be undone or reversed even by the guidance and right advice unless the pus of hypocrisy is removed. Eventually the soul of Imaan departs him and the spiritual bond between him and Imaam uz-Zamaan (as) breaks. He ultimately dies the death of an ignorant.

These AIDS-affected people don't have any life in the Hereafter. Their life is limited in this world. Severing the relations of our community and blending with the people of other faiths makes them weak and diseased internally. The kick of the decayed alcohol of hypocrisy and disobedience is so strong that they don't even pay heed to their family and become desolate even in the crowd. They don't even bother about the status and rank of Da'i uz-Zamaan (tus) and their character becomes naked and opposes Saheb-e-Da'wat openly. They get ugly from within and cannot even tolerate the company of a mumin who has faith and belief in Da'i uz-Zamaan (tus). Their wickedness surfaces up swiftly in such situations. Only those who have their Imaan weakened get carried away by the tricks of such Munaafeqeen (hypocrites).

The people who are suffering from the spiritual AIDS exhibit their characteristic wicked features on various occasions and in diverse ways. During the days of Wa'az of Moharram ul-Haraam, they go in the Majlis of strayed black people at night. In the month of Ramazaan, they plan a month long tour and mingle with the swerved and digressed people. These are the people who sever the relation with the A'immat-e-aal-e-Mohammad (as) and ties up with the beliefs of the enemies of Ahl ul-Bayt (as) whose destiny is Hell. Mumineen who waste their money and time by going to charlatan Bapus and witch crafters instead of following an age old tradition of approaching Saheb-e-Da'wat for Ta'weez-Faal and spiritual advice to overcome hindrances also fall miserably in this grade of hypocrites. Mumineen who bow down their heads and keep faith in the Mazaar of the other communities deviating from the godly succession of our Du'aat ul-Mutlaqeen (aq) and our beliefs taint their fate with falsehood. The band of such untrusted people offer namaaz in the places other than our masjid they often get robbed of the tareeqah and timings of our namaaz and easily get accustomed with the incredible tareeqah which against the teachings of Ahl ul-Bayt (as).

O mumineen, our hearts rest in peace and harmony with the name of Allaah. The name of Allaah exists by the Da'wat of Allaah. Saheb-e-Da'wat, whether it is Nabi, Wasi, Imaam or Da'i – all are the representatives of the deen-shari'at of Allaah (Hujjatullaah) on this earth who calls us towards the wahdaaniyat (oneness) of Allaah. The acceptance and recognition of their rank and status is the key to our salvation and deliverance. The path of their love and loyalty takes us to our destiny – Paradise. Allaah has laid down for us, faithfulness and devotion to them, which is an absolute righteousness. And their enmity and hostility is an absolute evil.

Do remember that the succession of Ambiyaa (as), A'immat-e-Taahereen (as) and Naa'ib-e-Imaam Du'aat ul-Mutlaqeen (aq) is Siraat ul-Mustaqeem through which we can reach to Allaah and our destiny – Paradise. This is like an express highway which is direct, straight and unswerving. It has milestones on it in the form of A'immat-e-Taahereen (as) and Du'aat ul-Akrameen (aq) who shows us the right path and direction. We actually come to know how far we are from our final destination. We will never deviate from our worldly journey as long as we are on this express way. The path on which others are is the dangerous, unreliable and internal unnamed roads which are narrow without any milestones or direction. Driving on such roads will indeed lead us no where. Is it justifiable and sensible on our part to leave the expressway and wander on other undesired roads with no final destiny or a proper destination? Verily, only a hint is necessary for the intellectuals…