The Two Safeties
امان کے دو ذریعے
كَانَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمَانَانِ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللهِ، وَقَدْ رُفِعَ أَحَدُهُمَا، فَدُونَكُمُ الْآخَرَ فَتَمَسَّكُوا بِهِ: أَمَّا الْأَمَانُ الَّذِي رُفِعَ فَهُوَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صلى الله عليه وآله)، وَأَمَّا الْأَمَانُ الْبَاقِي فَالْاسْتِغْفَارُ.
زمین میں اللہ کے عذاب سے بچنے کے دو ذریعے تھے، جن میں سے ایک اٹھا لیا گیا ہے، پس اب دوسرے کو تھامے رکھو: جو اٹھا لیا گیا وہ رسول اللہ (ص) کی ذاتِ گرامی تھی، اور جو باقی رہ گیا ہے وہ استغفار (توبہ) ہے۔
“There were two sources of safety from the punishment of Allah on this earth. One of them has been raised (taken away), so hold fast to the other: The source that was raised was the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and the remaining source is seeking forgiveness (Istighfar).”
Reflections: Imam Ali ؑ references the Quranic principle that as long as the Prophet was among the people, and as long as people seek forgiveness, they are safe from divine punishment. Since the Prophet has passed to the higher realm, the only shield left for humanity is sincere repentance. This wisdom reminds us that Istighfar is not just a word, but a constant state of returning to God to ensure our spiritual and worldly safety.