Oh people of Kufa! Oh you deceivers! You traitors! You sinners! Now you weep? May God never diminish the flow of tears and may your hearts forever burn with grief and sorrow! Your false pledges contain no element of truth and sincerity. Know that you are as disgraceful and devoid of good moral character as the low and despicable purchased slave girls. Now you are weeping for my brother and raise wailing
cries after him? Yes, by God you weep because you deserve it. Yes, weep more and laugh less because you have contaminated yourself in the ignominy of slaying the Imam of the time. The stain of the unjustly shed blood of my brother is on your forehead and you can never wipe it off. Oh Kufians! Woe be upon you! Do you know which part of Mohammad you have cut and the vow that you have broken and whose blood you have shed and whose sanctity you have violated? By killing your Imam you have assumed responsibility for such a disgraceful, grievous and gruesome deed.

www.nairaland.com/811368/ashura-commemorating-martyrdom-imam-hussain/3

vedaxcool: ^
just avoid answering the simple question was Zaynab lying when she said kufee shias murdered Husayn r.a u invented a leeway to escape? Oh dear you really deserve pity! Kufee shias are solely responsible for the death of Husayn r.a, you can either refer to the thread posted earlier or keep deceiving yourself on that very matter!

Definately Zaynab was speaking the truth when she said Kufee shias murdered that much I know there I said what you tried so hard in dribbling your way from. Personally this thread is a waste of my time where crocodile tears and pretense are elevated to the height of religious piety! My own patience is wearing thin!

Did I try to vindicate the Kuffans? No! Don't we Shia Muslims curse them? Yes we do.

Now you are trying to play with the word "shia".if being "shia" (partisans/followers/loyalists) is what the Kuffan hypocrites displayed then certainly we Shia Muslims today are not what the so called "kufi shia" of yours were.while I do not belie what Sayyida Zainab (as) said,I insist that the hypocrites of Kufa were not acting on their own.they were taken orders from above alongside Yazeed's army,governor and commanders in Kufa.their change of loyalty in betraying Imam Hussein (as) doesn't at all qualify them to be called "shia" of Imam Ali (as) or Imam Hussein (as) that we Shia Muslims are proud to be.in fact they were not Muslims.whether you call them "shia","shayateen","buddhists","sunni","animists",join me let us condemn them and also condemn whose plan/order they were executing in killing Imam Hussein (as),his household and true and loyal Shia who stood by him.we as Shia today do not look to the hypocrites of Kufa who betrayed the religion of Islam for inspiration.we Shia Muslims of today look up to the loyal and truthful Shia who stood defending Imam Hussein (as) to their last drop of blood.why don't you mention their names instead of spreading propaganda for sectarian hatred to deceive the unsuspecting.my disagreement with you is not whether Kufans (the hypocrites among them) were evil or not.I'm not defending the hypocrites at all.but you're here defending Yazeed.I'm telling you the kufans were behaving by the political command from Yazeed and his governor in Kufa.I can point a number of Kufans who were true companions of Imam Hussein (as) and didn't betray him,because they were the true Shia and defenders of Islam against Yazeed and his associates and supporters.I'm proud of those kufan Shia who stood by Imam Hussein (as) because I learn from their sacrifice and devotion and piety what being Shia and Muslim is all about.you're trying to exonerate Yazeed and his governor in Kufa and the army he sent under which influence of power and intimidationthe kufans were suppressed and they turned/changed their support.my contention is not on the role the hypocrites of kufa (may Allah curse them) played.my contention with you is on whose behalf were they acting.the sermon of Sayyida Zainab (as) and her pointing finger at kufans is 100% true;but that in no way exonerate Yazeed.

Hani Ibn Urwa (ra) was a true Kufan Shia and he stood by Muslim Ibn Aqeel (as),and Hani (ra) is considered among the martyrs of Karbala.on what grounds can a true Shia like Hani (ra) be called "shia",and the hypocrite Kufans that betrayed Imam Hussein (as) also be referred to (by you) as "shia" without distinction? Is this a just labeling? If those Kufan hypocrites you call "shia" were "shia" to you then they were muslims.would you accept if a non-muslim accuse muslims of killing Imam Hussein (as)? I wouldn't because I don't believe anyone who raises a finger against the Household of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is a muslim of any sort.

We go back to my questions which you don't want to answer.but you must answer for you to know the truth that the kufan hypocrites were "shia of yazeed" and not "shia of Hussein" that I am proud to be and every Shia Muslim is proud to be.you call yourself "Sunni" but you defend Yazeed (la).its weird! and I'm asking you to join me to be a follower of Imam Hussein (as),master of youth of paradise,and stop your wahhabi propaganda against the Shia aimed at defending the tyrant,Yazeed (la).


Answer me my friend:

Who killed Muslim Ibn Aqeel (as)?

Where (in kufa) was he killed?

How was he killed?


If you answer these 3 questions in a simple and direct manner,believe me I'm done with you.you can be ranting all you want about shia this or that;and Imam Hussein (as) will always be my master and grandson of my master (saw),and we will always remember him well,and Yazeed (la) will always be remembered for tyranny and oppression which Imam Hussein (as) stood against and refused to compromise on.answer my questions!

Millions flood Iraq shrine city for Ashura rituals

By Abdelamir Hanoun (AFP) – 3 hours ago 

KARBALA, Iraq — Millions of Shiites flooded the Iraqi shrine city of Karbala on Sunday for the peak of Ashura rituals, which have been largely spared the attacks that struck pilgrims in past years.

A bomb wounded 10 pilgrims in Diyala province, north of Baghdad, but it was the first such attack since a car bomb against pilgrims killed three people on November 17.

Throngs of pilgrims beat their chests and some used swords to make cuts on their heads as a sign of mourning for Imam Hussein, grandson of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, who was killed in 680 AD by the armies of the caliph Yazid.

Tradition holds that the revered imam was decapitated and his body mutilated. Hussein is buried in the holy city, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad, and his death was a formative event in Shiite Islam.

Black-clad pilgrims, some of them in tears, listened over loudspeakers to the story of the battle in which Hussein was killed, and later carried out a ritual run to the shrine, striking their heads in mourning and shouting: "We sacrifice for you, O Hussein."

The commemorations, which also included a reenactment of the attack that killed Hussein, officially wrapped up by 3:00 pm (1200 GMT), according to an AFP journalist.

Mohammed Khaled, a 37-year-old pilgrim dressed in a black robe who came to Karbala from Baghdad, said Ashura is a chance for people to "express their love of and adherence to the principles of Imam Hussein."

"It also reminds us of the importance of adhering to (what is) right and rejecting falsehood," he said.

Karbala provincial Governor Amal al-Din al-Har told AFP that about three million pilgrims, including 200,000 foreigners, travelled to Karbala for the rituals.

The number of foreign pilgrims was down considerably from the 650,000 who were said to have attended last year.

Staff Lieutenant General Othman al-Ghanimi, head of Al-Furat al-Awsat operations command that covers Karbala, said 30,000 security forces personnel were deployed at the northern, southern and eastern entrances of the city to protect the pilgrims.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Mohammed al-Hasnawi, the command's spokesman, said its forces were also preparing to protect pilgrims on their way back to their homes.

There have not been any attacks on pilgrims in Karbala province so far, Hasnawi said.

Pilgrims are most vulnerable when they are going to and from Karbala, when they are not protected by the heavy security in the city itself.

Governor Har said 2,400 vehicles from various ministries and from Karbala province would help transport pilgrims home.

Ahmed Fadhel, a 30-year-old pilgrim from Najaf province, said both security and services in Karbala were good, but added: "We are ready to participate in this commemoration in spite of any circumstances."

This is the third year since the 2003 US-led invasion that Iraqi security forces have been in sole charge of security during Ashura.

In the past, pilgrims were often targeted by bombings that killed dozens, including a wave of attacks against pilgrims the day before the peak of Ashura rituals last year that killed 28 people and wounded 78.

And while there were two attacks against pilgrims this year, the violence was much lower than before.

A roadside bomb wounded 10 pilgrims east of Baquba in Diyala province on Sunday, police and a doctor said, while a car bomb targeted pilgrims north of Baghdad on November 17, killing three people and wounding 25.

Attacks also hit Ashura commemorations elsewhere in the Muslim world.

In Pakistan, a bomb attack on a Shiite procession killed five people and wounded more than 80 on Sunday, while a similar attack the day before left eight people dead, and a suicide bombing earlier in the week killed 23 people.

And in Yemen, gunmen shot dead three Shiites and wounded 10 on Saturday.

Shiites make up around 15 percent of Muslims worldwide. They represent the majority populations in Iraq, Iran and Bahrain and form significant communities in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Copyright © 2012 AFP. All rights reserved.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h9fMcxY8DwK-Ihd0pCc8qKhc4d-Q?docId=CNG.71b375fdb7c81763c729487b3fe69a5a.791

Ashura procession in Potiskum, Nigeria

Pictures of Ashura Mourning Procession in Potiskum, Nigeria on Sunday the 25th of Nov 2012 marking the annual Ashura commemoration.





More pictures:

http://www.islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=548:ashura-procession-in-potiskum-nigeria&catid=41:frontpage

Pictures of Ashura Procession in Kano, Nigeria

These are the pictures of Ashura mourning procession in Kano on Sunday the 11th Muharram 1434, Nigeria attended by hundreds of thousands of Muslims.

Pictures taken by Muhammad Isa



More pictures:

http://www.islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=547:pictures-of-ashura-procession-in-kano-nigeria&catid=41:frontpage

Ashura Mourning Procession in Kaduna, Nigeria

Pictures of Ashura mourning procession in Kaduna, Nigeria on Sunday the 10th of Muharram 1434. Hundreds of thousands joined the rest of the world to mark  the Ashura day . 



More pictures:

http://www.islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=544:ashura-mourning-procession-in-kaduna-nigeria&catid=41:frontpage

"Is Karbala for Shias Only, Or For All Of Humanity?" - Dr. Sayed Khalil Tabatabai - Muharram 1434


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC3tx3jHZ0A

Iraq arrests 66 al-Qaeda terrorists ahead of Arbaeen

Iraqi security sources have arrested 66 members of the al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq network as they were planning attacks against Shia Muslims marking Arbaeen, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH).


On Sunday, Staff Lieutenant General Othman al-Ghanimi, head of Al-Furat al-Awsat operations command said that the terrorists were rounded up during sweep operations in the central province of Karbala, the Aswat al-Iraq news agency reported.

He added that Iraqi police had also seized various kinds of weapons and munitions in the operations.

Ghanimi further noted that 35,000 security soldiers have been deployed to Karbala city, located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of Baghdad to provide security for people taking part in Arbaeen ceremonies for Prophet Muhammad's grandson, scheduled for January 3.


Al-Qaeda in Iraq is a shadowy group that was once allegedly led by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Zarqawi was reportedly killed in June 2006.

According to US government and military officials, the group was then led by Ayyub al-Masri, who was killed along with Abu Omar al-Baghdadi -- another leader of the group -- in a joint Iraqi-US operation in Salahuddin Province in April 2010.

Al-Qaeda in Iraq has been blamed for some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country since the US-led invasion in March 2003.

MP/SZH

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/12/24/279856/66-alqaeda-members-arrested-in-iraq/

The Sermons of Sayyida Zainab and Imam Zain Al-Abideen (as) in Kufa- Dr. Sayyid Khalil Tabatabaie


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv0lrGvTzVI

16 Million Reach Karbala Despite Martyrdoms of Dozens

Millions of Muslims are flooding to the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate the religious ceremony of (Chelum) Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Millions of Muslims are flooding to the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate the religious ceremony of (Chelum) Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Meanwhile , the deputy head of Karbala provincial council Nasim Jassem al-Khatabi expected that "over 16 million pilgrims are expected to attend the mourning ceremonies in Holy city for Arbaeen."

He further noted that this year Karbala will see the largest number of pilgrims visiting the city during Arbaeen ever.

Moreover, the Iraqi official highlighted that "the holy city is prepared to host the pilgrims and its hotels have been prepared for serving the guests."

"It is expected that 650000 of the pilgrims will be from other countries, especially Arab and Muslim states, he stated, and pointed out that "some of the pilgrims began travelling to the holy city since three weeks ago."


This comes as Iraqi authorities have heightened security measures as millions of Shia pilgrims from all over the world are gradually arriving in the holy city, 80 kilometers south of Baghdad.

Scores of people have been martyred in recent weeks across Iraq in attacks targeting pilgrims as they embark on the traditional walk to Karbala for Arbaeen commemorations.

On Monday, at least 23 people were martyred and 83 injured in a series of shootings and bombings in the north, center, and south of the country. Much of the violence targeted the pilgrims.

Last year, the Iraqi defense and interior ministries deployed 35,000 security forces to secure roads for the pilgrims.

End item/ 149

http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=377937

World’s Shias mark Arbaeen in Karbala

[img]http://previous.presstv.ir/photo/20130103/fathi20130103053558877.jpg[/img]
Shia Muslims from around the world gather in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate the religious rituals of Arbaeen on January 3, 2012.


Thu Jan 3, 2013 5:43AM GMT

Millions of Shia Muslims from across the globe have come together in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to mark the Arbaeen ritual, which marks the 40th day following the seventh-century martyrdom of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein (PBUH), Press TV reports.

Dressed in black, the pilgrims gathered on Thursday in Karbala to mourn the tragedy, in which Imam Hussein (PBUH) along with 72 of his companions were martyred, reported Press TV correspondent Wisam AlBayati from the holy city.

As Shias were flooding Karbala, a car comb struck a mourning procession in the Iraqi town of Musayyib, 60 kilometers (35 miles) south of Baghdad, killing 17 people.

Pilgrims condemned the deadly attack, but they noted that it would not change their mind about attending Arbaeen ritual.

“These attacks will not terrify the pilgrims. Imam Hussein sacrificed his life for the sake of people, and his followers are ready to sacrifice their lives to show their loyalty to him,” Ali al-Husseini, a pilgrim, told Press TV.

Such ceremonies have often been targeted by terrorist attacks over the past years.

The Iraqi police have deployed 35,000 troops to ensure security during the ritual. A few days ago, Iraq announced that it had arrested a number of al-Qaeda leaders across the country.

The number of Shias gathering in Karbala is constantly rising as the third Shia imam gains more recognition.

“This is a clear evidence to show that the cause of Imam Hussein continues to be supported by the Shia population,” said Hassan al-Mssawi, a pilgrim.

SF/HJL/KA/HN

http://www.presstv.com/detail/2013/01/03/281524/shia-muslims-mourn-on-arbaeen-in-karbala/

Arba'een in Norway: Peace and justice - The message of Imam Hussain (peace be up him)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eYVl_XYPxw

28th Rajab: Departure of Imam Hussain (as) from Madina to Makkah,and also Eid al-Mab'ath marking the beginning of the prophetic mission of the Great Prophet Muhammad (s).

another holy month of Muharram has set upon us to revive and remember the martyrdom, memory,legacy,and revolution of Imam Hussain (as) in the path of his grandfather,Prophet Muhammad (sa),to uphold,protect and revive Islam and its pure teachings.

Imam Hussain (as) declared his first revolutionary communiqué which took the form of a will he wrote to his brother, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah (ra) :

"...I did not revolt for the cause of evil, tyranny or corruption, but to reform my grandfather's (Prophet Muhammad (saw)) nation. I want to enjoin the good and denounce the evil, and take the course of my father and grandfather".

Imam Sajjad (A.S) said:

"Surely, I have never brought to mind the martyrdom of the children of Fatimah (A.S.) except that I have been choked with tears due to it".

Bihar al‑Anwar vol. 46, pg. 109.

The crescent of Muharram has appeared, and commemorative and customary ten days mourning for the martyrs of Karbala for the Household of the purest of pure, the master of the messenger, Muhammad (sa), has commenced.

may Allah (swt) reward us and bless us for the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (as) as we feel the sadness of the tragedy that made our beloved Prophet (sa) shed tears.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:

"Surely, there exists in the hearts of the Mu' mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Husain (A.S.), a heat that never subsides".

Mustadrak al-Wasail, vol. 10,pg. 318

Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria ready for Ashura mourning

By Ammar Muhammad Rajab
Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah Zaria has been fully wraped in black and red banners and flags as sign of ourning ready for Ashura mourning ceremonies, to be conducted by Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H).

As part of the Ashura mourning, black flag from the tomb of Imam Hussain in Karbal will be hoisted on the dome of the Hussainiyyah in a grand ceremony today, Friday. afterwards, the daily Ashura mourning will begin through the night.


http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1417:hussainiyyah-baqiyyatullah-zaria-ready-for-ashura-mourning-&catid=41:frontpage

Ashura Day 1: hoisting of Black flag on the dome of Husainiyyah, Zaria

By K. Isa
The Leader of the islamic Movement in Nigeria, led the hoisting of a black flag on the dome of Husainiyyah Baqiyyatullah zaria on Friday the 1st of Muharram 1426 (24/10/14). The flag was donated to the Islamic Movement from the holy shrine of imam Husain (alaihis salam), Karbala, Iraq.

Hundreds of thousands witnessed the event from far as the red flag on the dome of the Husainiyyah was replaced with the black flag with inscription of ' ya Husain' on it. This, heralded the beginning of Ashura Mourning gathering at Husainiyyah.

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1418:ashura-day-1-hoisting-of-black-flag-on-the-dome-of-husainiyyah-zaria&catid=41:frontpage

Muharram: Sheikh Zakzaky speaks on significance of Hijra and necessity for Islamic government

By Ibrahim Usman

During the first day of the Muharram mourning session (Majalis) on Friday (25/10/2014), which also coincided with the first day in the Islamic calendar, (Hijrah), Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky spoke on significance of Hijrah,necessity for Islamic and how the process of establishing an Islamic government is now being ridiculed.

Sheikh Zakzaky who was speaking before thousands of people at the Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria explained that, Hijrah was a turning point in the history of Islam by which the process of establishing a just system started.

He congratulated the Muslim Ummah for witnessing yet another year, saying for Allah to spare one’s life to witness a new day is worthy of thanks-giving.

He cited a Hadith from Imam Ja’afar al-Sadiq (AS) that says a day is worth celebrating to a servant if he did not commit a sin during the day. “It is a day worthy of celebrating for who did not commit a sin in the day, for many were given the opportunity but did not take good advantage of it”.

Sheikh Zakzaky pointed out that, the Hijra calendar consisted of 12 months right from creation as stated in the holy Qur’an, from which the Gregorian derived the idea of dedicating 12 months to its calendar.

According to the Leader, four months in the Hijrah calendar, Zul Qa’adah, Zul Hijjah, Rajab and Muharram are sacred in which war is prohibited, but that the month of Muharram is singled out as the month of grief and calamity in which the blood of Pious Ones (Household of the Holy Prophet) was spilled in the most crude manner in the plain of Karbala.

On Hijrah (Migration), he explained that the Holy Prophet migrated with his Household and companions not as a refugee, but as an invited guest by the people, and he later established an Islamic government. ”The lamented Holy Prophet established a government in Madinah not by force, but by good conduct and based on their support and allegiance to him”.

Sheikh Zakzaky lamented the manner at which the Islamic state exemplified by the Holy Prophet is now being ridiculed to means terrorism and violence. “Because they do not like a genuine Islamic state, they formed a terror cell with the name of an Islamic State. They want to show world that forming an Islamic state means bloodshed and terrorism”, he added.

Nigeria in which they created another terror cell called Boko Haram. “There is nothing like Boko Haram but the government itself, with the country’s Commander-in-Chief at the helm of affairs, the Nigerian military the members. They assign a section of the military to be the insurgents in disguise, while the other gullible and unsuspecting military fighting the insurgents. They are daily killing their colleagues and colleagues in the name of Boko Haram insurgency”.

The remark by the Leader ushered the beginning of Muharram.

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1420:muharram-sheikh-zakzaky-speaks-on-significance-of-hijra-and-necessity-for-islamic-government&catid=41:frontpage

Ashura Day1: Sheikh Speaks on the Hijrah of the Prophet + Pics

By K. Isah
More Pictures taken during the first gathering of Ashura Mourning at Husainiyyah baqiyatullah, Zaria on 1st of Muharram 1436( 24/10/14). Sheikh Zakzaky (H) delivered lecture on the fall of new Islamic Year 1436,

the significance of new year and bloody act of the enemies of the Prophet (SAWA) who killed his son Imam Husain(alaihis salam) in the sacred month of Muharram. Hijrah, Sheikh said, is Sunnah of the Prophet and it was not initiated by any body as claimed by those who want to give credits to thier favourite ones.

Sheikh further spoke on the migration of the Prophet to Madina, formerly yathrib. It was renamed the City of the Prophet ( ie Madina) or Tayyba. The city became the city of Islam with the coming ot the Prophet (SAWA), thus Islam got a center where Islam can be fully practiced. This shows the necessity of having Islamic state where it can be fully practised at full scale. From Madina Islam spread to other parts of Arabian peninsula to the extent it reached the whole world. For Islam to have center where it spread to other parts of the world is a necessity.

Islamic State of Iraq and Libid (ISIL) is a creation of enemies of Islam to give it a bad name, just like boko Haram in Nigeria. All this is done to show that Boko haram and ISIL are trying to establish Islam, thus portraying Islam in bad shape. Whereas when the first center or state of Islam was established- that is Madina by the holy Prophet, there was no single blood shedded. In contrast, the people of Madina received the Prophet warmly as they sing the praise of him to welcome him to the new city.

The Prophet entered Madina after having stayed for a while at Quba, waiting for his family members to arrive. Imam Ali (alaihis salam) left Makka with the family members of the holy Prophet. Before he left Makka he challenged the pagans to chase him if they are really strong enough to face him. A group of youths, instigated by thier masters, chased him to fight him. They could not face the young Ali, though one of them tried to challenge him but humiliated. The Imam arrived in Quba, where he met the holy prophet and together they entered Madina.

Those who claimed Islam flourished through war and fighting should know that Madina- the first Islamic center, received him and made him leader peacefully. Not only that the people of Madina defended their new leader against attacks by pagans and their allies with their blood and wealth. Madina became a center where Islam governed peacefully, without shedding of blood. Contrary to present new groups, who resorted to killings and destruct ions, on behalf of the enemies of Islam who created them.

Ziyara of imam Husain was recited by Leader and closing prayer.

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1419:ashura1436-day1-more-pictures&catid=41:frontpage

A'ashura- A Day of Grief

Imam Ridha (A.S.) said:

The one for whom the day of A'shura is a day of tragedy, grief and weeping, Allah The Mighty, The Glorious, shall make the Day of Judgment, a day of joy and happiness for him.

Bihar al-Anwar, vol,: 44,pg: 284

Imam Ridha (A.S.) said:

With the advent of the month of Muharram, my father Imam Kazim (A.S.) would never be seen laughing; gloom and sadness would overcome him for (the first) ten days of the month; and when the tenth day of the month would dawn, it would be a day of tragedy, grief and weeping for him.

Amaali Saduq, pg,:111

A Glimpse from the Ray of Imam Hussain

Imam Hussain (a) is distinguished amongst other martyrs and revolutionaries by characteristics that excel all other martyrs; he became the master of all martyrs – from the first to the last – and this is not because he is an infallible Imam, nor is it because he is the grandson, and the beloved one of the Messenger of Allah (s), but it is because of the majesty of the aims for which he started his revolution, the immensity of the sacrifice that he offered, and the perfection he achieved in various dimensions. This is why the particular emphasis is made by Ahl-ul-Bayt (a) on establishing and upholding the Hussaini Sha’a’er, and the salute and visitation of Imam Hussain (a).


Allah Almighty states {Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s Way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the Presence of their Lord}[1]

This noble verse in the holy Qur’an points to the state of those who are killed in the cause of Allah, and it emphasises that their ‘life’ continues even after being killed, and that they remain alive. So he who is killed in the cause of Allah, his life would not be terminated, but he remains alive and receives sustenance (from Allah Almighty).

Also just as there are categories in this material life, those who are happy and those who are not, such classifications also exist in the hereafter too.

And how can it not be, when we have martyrs who scarified their lives to uphold the Truth and the Oneness of Allah Almighty. With their blood they have taken life out of darkness and into light, so that future generations can receive and adhere to the teaching of Islam.

And what if he who sacrificed himself – as well as being a martyr whom Allah promised eternal life – was also a pillar of faith and one of the Imams[2] of the Muslims and mankind, such as Sayyid-ul-Shuhada Imam Hussain (a). What a great martyr he is, and an esteemed station he occupies! Addressing Imam Hussain (a), his son and successor Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) states, “and as for the Hereafter, it is luminous with the light of your face”.

The Infallible Imam

If we want to get acquainted with the great personality of an infallible Imam, it is necessary for us to refer to some of the hadith that elucidate the station of the Imam (a) in the view of Allah Almighty, as well as his creative and legislative position.

Commenting about the Qur’anic verse, {and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing}[3] Imam Sadiq (a) said; “(This is) obedience of Allah and gaining knowledge about the Imam”.

Also commenting about the Qur’anic verse, {Say: “See ye? If your stream be some morning lost (in the underground earth), who then can supply you with clear-flowing water?”}[4] Imam Kadhem (a) said, “If your Imam disappears from you, then who will bring you another Imam?”

In another hadith from Imam Redha (a), he said, “. . . the Imam is the trustee of Allah amongst His creation, His proof and evidence upon His servants, His viceroy on His land, the herald to Allah, the defender of the commandments of Allah . . .”

The Ma’soom Imam has been chosen by Allah Almighty to represent Him, since he has a significant position in the sight of Allah. The lofty station that the Ma’soom has attained is beyond our comprehension. Addressing the significance and superiority of the Imam, Imam Redha (a) said, “who can attain the full knowledge and understanding of the Imam, or who can choose an Imam? How impossible! The intellects went astray, the minds were confused, the eyes were blurred, the great men were belittled, the wise were bewildered, the eloquent failed to describe one aspect of his characteristics, or one virtue of his many virtues, and admitted their failure to do so, . . .”

So through these noble hadith and many more like them, it is possible for us to appreciate certain aspects of the personality and station of Imam Hussain (a), and his closeness to Allah Almighty, and his role in leading and guiding the community of mankind. Thus if we wanted to reach the divine mercy, and attain the bliss and felicity of this world and the hereafter, then we must certainly follow the foot steps of Imam Hussain (a), move according to the course he devised for future generations with his pure blood. Of course the same is true for other infallibles (a), but here we are talking about and focusing on Imam Hussain (a).

Imam Hussain (a) is distinguished amongst other martyrs and revolutionaries by characteristics that excel all other martyrs; he became the master of all martyrs – from the first to the last – and this is not because he is an infallible Imam, nor is it because he is the grandson, and the beloved one of the Messenger of Allah (s), but it is because of the majesty of the aims for which he started his revolution, the immensity of the sacrifice that he offered, and the perfection he achieved in various dimensions. This is why the particular emphasis is made by Ahl-ul-Bayt (a) on establishing and upholding the Hussaini Sha’a’er, and the salute and visitation of Imam Hussain (a).

Hadith on the Virtue of Imam Hussain (a)

There are many hadith about the station and position of Imam Hussain (a). The Messenger of Allah (s) is reported as saying, “he who want to see the one inhabitant of the Earth who is most beloved by the inhabitants of the skies, he should look at al-Hussain”.

The Messenger (s) is also reported as saying, “Truly al-Hussain is one of the gates of Paradise; he who opposes him, Allah would deny him even the scent of Paradise”.

Perhaps only this hadith is sufficient so as not mention any more hadith about the station of Imam Hussain (a).

There are many hadith narrated from the Ahl-ul-Bayt (a) with regards to establishing the Hussaini Sha’a’er. Imam Sadiq (a) is quoted as saying, “He whose eyes fill with tears when we are mentioned to him, Allah would bar his face from fire (of Hell)”. And can you imagine what would be the reward for he who weeps for Imam Hussain (a), who is Sayyid-ul-Shuhada (Master of the Martyrs) and Qateel-al-‘Abarah (the murder victim who brings tears to the eyes).

Imam Mahdi may Allah hasten his return in his salute – known as Ziyarat Nahiyah – to Imam Hussain (a) declares,

“Peace be to he in whose torbah (the soil of the burial site) Allah has made the cure (for every disease),

Peace be upon he under whose dome prayers are answered,

Peace be upon he whose descendents are the Imams, . . . ”

From the above alone, only the first statement is sufficient (his torbah being cure for every disease) to show the divine miracle in the matter, and if this proves anything it points towards the position and station of Imam Hussain (a).
The Companions of Imam Hussain (a)

One other aspect that distinguished the movement of Imam Hussain (a) amongst other movements throughout history is the distinguished virtue of his companions, who were martyred alongside him, to the extent that Imam Hussain (a) said,

“I do not know of companions and family members more faithful and devoted than my companions and family members”

One of the greatest of the martyrs of Karbala is Abul-Fadhl al-Abbas (a), the son of Imam Ali (a) and his mother is Omm-al-Baneen. Abul-Fadhl has many virtues and qualities, and has shown many miracles, which point to his station, and closeness to Allah Almighty. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) has said about al-Abbas (a),

“May Allah have Mercy upon my uncle Abbas ibn Ali, for he favoured his brother over himself, showed extreme courage, and sacrificed himself for his brother, such that both of his hands were cut off. Thus Allah replaced them with two wings, with which he flies with the angels in Paradise, just as He gave Ja’far ibn Abi Talib. In the Sight of Allah al-Abbas has a station and position that all martyrs would envy on the Day of Judgement.”

Furthermore, al-Abbas (a) is known as Baab-al-Hawa’edge or the “Gate of Needs” to Allah Almighty, and this in itself is a manifestation of martyrs being alive by their Lord, such that people use their Light after their martyrdom, and the people plead to them to fulfil their needs.
Day of Ashura

There are days that are turning points in the course of history and in the direction of life on Earth, and one of the most important of those days is the day of Ashura. Just as the 27th of Rajab – the day of Mab’ath or First Revelation to Prophet Muhammad – forever changed the course of history and life on Earth, and just as the Messenger of Allah (s) planted the seeds of Islam and Iman in the hearts of the people, the day of Ashura and the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (a) returned Faith or Iman to the hearts of the people and restored the image of Islam which the evil hands tried to distort and destroy.

When the pagans of Quraysh asked the Messenger of Allah (s) to forego his mission and his call for the oneness of Allah in exchange for all that wished for in terms of wealth and position, the Messenger of Allah (s) replied, “by Allah if they were to put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, for relinquishing this cause, before Allah establishes it or I die, I would not abandon it”. Just as the Messenger of Allah (s) showed his resolve and steadfastness in his mission, Imam Hussain (a) manifested his resolve on a number of occasions in Karbala, which would never be forgotten by the passage of time. For example at noontime on the day of Ashura, one of the companions said it is prayer time as it is now noontime, Imam Hussain (a) said, “Yes it is”, and he led the noon prayers, despite the raging battle and the ferocity of his enemies. Thus at the most pressing and dangerous times Imam Hussain (a) did not relinquish even one of the obligations of Allah Almighty, and he took this stance to emphasise the importance of protecting the sanctity of the divine obligations, establish and uphold the Islam and its laws and teachings. In the Zeyarat (Salutation) of Imam Hussain (a) it is stated, “I hereby testify that you upheld the prayers, paid the Zakat, enjoined on good, and forbid evil”. The day of Ashura is the day that teaches us how to straighten and perfect our way of life in this world, and how to match it to the Seerah or the way of life of Imam Hussain (a), who sacrificed everything he had for the sake of Enjoining Good, Forbidding Evil, and upholding the duties of Islam, implementing its teachings, and adhering to Ahl-ul-Bayt (a).

Hussain: Torch of Guidance and Ark of Salvation

It is reported that on one occasion Imam Hussain (a) entered into a room where Prophet Muhammad (s) was present, and the latter welcome him by saying, “Welcome to you O Aba-Abdillah, the beauty of the heavens and earths”. It was said to the Prophet, “How can anyone other than you be the beauty of the heavens and earths?” The Messenger of Allah (s) replied, “by He who sent me as a messenger, al-Hussain is greater in the heavens than he is on earths. And it is written on the right of the Arsh “Throne”[5] that, “al-Hussain is Torch of Guidance and Ark of Salvation”, and then the Messenger of Allah (s) took the hand of Imam Hussain (a) and said, “O people! This is Hussain son of Ali, so glorify him and favour him (over others) Just as Allah has favoured him, for by He in whose hand is my soul, his place is in the heavens, and the place of those who love him is also in heaven, and the place of those who love them is also in heaven.”

Imam Sadiq, (a) said, “My (grand) father is Qateel-al-‘Abarah (the murder victim who brings tears to the eyes). The Imam was asked what is Qateel-al-‘Abarah? The Imam replied, “He (Imam Hussain) is not mentioned to a believer, unless he weeps for him.”
The Choice of Allah

Imam Hussain used to say, “I want to enjoin good, and forbid evil, follow the teachings of my grandfather (Rasulollah) and that of my father Ali ibn Abi Talib, . . .”. He wanted to take the Ummah from Evil to Good, and put a stop to Evil, he wanted to rescue the Ummah from the low and miserable state they had settled in to honour and glory, and this after the Muslim Ummah had accepted this deteriorated condition, symbolised by its state of apathy, reliance on worldly matters, its silence to oppression, and therefore the domination of tyrants such as Yazid and his father and their likes over the realm of the Ummah. Imam Hussain (a) wanted to spread and disseminate the spirit of Iman – commitment and conviction – and Truth in amongst the Ummah so that it could awaken once again; just as it was in the days of the Messenger of Allah (s). For it was clear to him that the religion (of Islam) was being distorted and deviated and he wanted to restore it afresh.

to be continued...

...continue


This is how Imam Hussain (a) became the Torch of guidance, and Ark of salvation, and this is how he became the Choice of Allah Almighty. It is reported from Imam Ali (a) that the Messenger of Allah (s) said, “when I entered paradise[6], I saw written on its door with gold, there is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Beloved One of Allah, Ali is Waliy-ullah, Fatima is Amatullah, Hassan and Hussain are the Choice of Allah, and upon he who hates them be the Curse of Allah.”

Adherence to the Choice of Allah, and using the light of this Divine Torch, will bring guidance in this world and salvation in the hereafter. This is because the love of Imam Hussain (a) is associated with good deeds, he is a torch who shows the path of the Truth to those who seek it, and since by his sacred movement he – (a) – discriminates between the path of Truth and the path of Falsehood. In his well-known declaration on the day of Ashura, he states,

“If the religion of Muhammad were not stand unless by my killing, O swords! So take me”.

Furthermore, Imam Hussain (a) also is the fifth member of As-hab al-Kissa, about whom the Purification verse was revealed; in the statement of the Almighty:

{Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, Ahl-ul-Bayt (Members of the Household), and to make you pure and spotless.}[7]

So by the evidence of the Qur’an, he is from the Ahl-ul-Bayt (a). The Messenger of Allah (s), “To love me and my Ahl-ul-Bayt is valuable and beneficial on seven occasions: whose fears are immense; at the time of death, in the grave, at the time of resurrection, at the (time of evaluating one’s) Book of Deeds, at the time of questioning, and at the time of weighing (one’s deeds of good verses evil)”.

Truly Imam Hussain (a) is a Torch of guidance, and his light continues to shine upon us with goodness and blessing; for it distinguishes the path of the Truth from Falsehood at all times and ages, this is in addition to the perpetual presence of his light in his Ma’soom descendent – in the manifestation of his grandson Imam Mahdi may Allah hasten his reappearance. In acknowledging the momentous sacrifice Imam Hussain (a) made, and the colossal trial and tribulation he faced on the day of Ashura, Allah Almighty fashioned the Imams – who are the protectors of Islam – in amongst his descendents.

Head of Imam Hussain (a)

One of the miracles that Allah Almighty gave to Imam Hussain (a) was that his sacred head spoke as it was being carried from Karbala – in Iraq – to Shaam – modern Syria – and back to Karbala where it was buried in the grave where his sacred body had been buried. In the course of the entire passage of the women and children captives, with which the heads of the martyrs of Karbala were also carried from Karbala to Shaam and back, the sacred head of Imam Hussain (a) used to recite the holy Qur’an, and this phenomenon proved instrumental in guiding the people to Truth. The sacred head of Imam Hussain (a) also spoke in the court of the evil Yazid. When the sacred head of Imam Hussain (a) arrived at the court of Yazid, amongst others, the Roman envoy of the emperor of Rome was also present. After realising that the captives were the women and children of the household of the Prophet of Islam, and the head of the grandson of the Prophet was amongst them, the Roman envoy protested to and rebuked Yazid, and said, “had we had a descendent of Jesus amongst us we would have honour him and glorify him”. In response to this protest Yazid ordered the Roman envoy to be killed immediately. The sacred head of Imam Hussain (a) said in a loud voice, “there is no power but that of Allah”. At that occasion and at every other occasion throughout the journey from Karbala to Shaam and back, people were astonished to see and hear the sacred head of Imam Hussain speaking, and they realised that this was no ordinary event but a divine miracle, and Allah Almighty is showing them the realty of Imam Hussain (a). Such events revealed to the people the reality and the significance of the hadith stated by the Messenger of Allah (s), “I leave behind two momentous weights, the Book of Allah and my descendents the Ahl-ul-Bayt”the people realised that the truth is with Imam Hussain (a) when they saw the miracle of his sacred head speaking or reciting the holy Qur’an.

Conveying the Voice of Imam Hussain (a) to the World

There are therefore certain duties that we must discharge with respect to the movement of Imam Hussain (a), some of which are:

1. We must present the movement of Imam Hussain (a), as well as his principles and aims to the world through modern media such as Radio and Television, books, internet, etc. in the way that Imam Hussain (a) would want it. We must glorify the Sha’a’er which the Hussainiyahs facilitate commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a). It is also desirable that the days of Ashura are declared public holidays and signs of sadness and mourning being publicly displayed. Imam Redha (a) said, “even the Jahiliyyah – the pre-Islamic era – used to regard Muharram as a scared month, thereby forbade war and fighting in it, whereas our sanctity was violated in this month! Our blood was shed, our dignity breached, our women and children were taken prisoners, our tents were torched; and all their contents looted, our dignity were not saved even for the sake of (our grandfather) the Messenger of Allah (s) . . . , truly the day of Hussain wounded our eyelids[8], shed our tears, humiliated our revered in the land of Karb (anguish) and Bala’ (affliction), and you (O land) have left us with anguish and affliction until the last day of this life. So for the likes of Hussain the weepers should weep, for crying and weeping destroys the great sins”. Then Imam Redha (a) said, “With the start of the month of Muharram, my father could not be seen smiling, every day his heartache and anguish would increase until the tenth day, which was the day of sorrow, grief and weeping; saying this is the day al-Hussain (a) was killed”. Imam Redha (a) is also reported as saying, “he who does not concern himself with his business and occupation, or seek to sort out his affairs on the day of Ashura, Allah Almighty would see to his needs in this world and in the hereafter, and he for whom the day of Ashura is the day of mourning and sorrow, Allah would make the Day of Judgement the day of joy and happiness, and he would be pleased seeing us in Paradise. He who considers the day of Ashura the day of barakah – blessing and good fortune – and stores food stuff etc. in his house, on the day of judgement Allah would resurrect him and accommodate him at the bottom of hell with Yazid, Obaydullah ibn Zeyad, and Ommar ibn Sa’d – may the curse of Allah be upon them”.

2. Just as Imam Hussain (a) strived to implement the teachings of Islam and the laws of the holy Qur’an, so too we must follow in his footsteps and implement the teachings and laws of Islam throughout the Muslim land.

3. It is imperative upon us, wherever we may be, to hold programs for Imam Hussain (a), in the best possible manner, since the survival of Islam until the end of time is the aim which Imam Hussain (a) died for. Islam shall remain alive by virtue of the blood of Imam Hussain (a) and the blood of those were brought up in his school, defending Islamic values and teachings, throughout history.

In short, commemorating the memory of Imam Hussain (a) by holding mourning programs of Ta’ziah in the days of Ashura, giving food on those days, etc. all of such programs help keep the memory of Imam Hussain (a) alive, and it is such programs that have protected the spirit of Shi’a and adherence to the holy Qur’an and the Ahl-ul-Bayt alayhum-as-salam.

Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) and Ashura

Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) also manifested the essence of this duty by his prolonged grief and weeping for his father. It is reported from Imam Baqir (a), “ . . . and he (Imam Zayn al-Abidin) wept for his father for twenty years, and every time he was served food and drink, he wept for Imam Hussain (a), until on one occasion his servant said to him, “Is your sorrow and grief not going to end?”, Imam Zayn al-Abidin, (a) replied, “Woe unto you! The prophet Jacob had twelve sons, and (when) Allah made one of them disappear, his eyes turned white (i.e. blind) because of his increasing crying for him, his head turned grey because of grief, and his back humped because of sorrow, and all this while his son was alive in the world. Whereas I saw my father, my brother, my uncle, and seventeen members of my family killed around me . . . so how can my grief and sorrow end?” It is reported that Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) cried and wept so much for Imam Hussain (a) that it was feared that he would loose his eyesight. Every time he was given water to drink, he wept such that his tears poured into the water cup, and when he was asked about this, he replied “how can I not to when my father was denied the water that was absolutely free for the beasts and wild animals”.

Ahl-ul-Bayt (a) and Azadari (Ashura)

The Ma’soom Imams (a) held Azadari or mourning programs on the day of Ashura, and in fact the Imams of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (a) encouraged others to continue to hold such programs to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a) in various forms and styles of remembrance be it those which are obligatory, or those that are Mustahab or permissible, for this day is like no other day. There has been many hadith from them in this respect; in one narration Imam Sadiq (a) is asked as to why the day of Ashura became the day of sorrow and grief, lamentation and weeping, rather than the day when the Messenger of Allah (s) died, or the day when Fatima-al-Zahra (a) died, or the day when Amir-ul-Mu’minin (a) was killed, or when Imam Hassan (a) was killed by poisoning? Imam Sadiq (a) replied, “Truly the day of al-Hussain is the day of the greatest catastrophe, since As-hab al-Kissa – people of the cloak – (a) who were the most honourable of creation in the sight of Allah were five, and when the Messenger of Allah (s) died, Imam Ali, Fatima al-Zahra, Hassan and Hussain (a) remained, and the people sought solace and comfort in them, and when Fatima al-Zahra (a) died, people sought consolation and comfort in Amir-ul-Mu’minin, Hassan and Hussain (a), and when Amir-ul-Mu’minin (a) died people sought solace and comfort in al-Hassan and al-Hussain (a), and when al-Hassan (a) died people could find comfort in Imam Hussain (a), but when Imam Hussain (a) was killed, there remained no other member of As-hab al-Kissa to seek solace and comfort in, and by the killing of the last of them all access to As-hab al-Kissa was severed, whereas so long as there was even one of them amongst the people, it was as if all of them were amongst the people. That is why the day of al-Hussain (a) is the most calamitous of all days.”

Thus great rewards have been reported for establishing and upholding these Hussaini Sha’a'er. Imam Baqir (a) stated, “Imam Zayn al-Abidin used to say, “Any believer who weeps for Imam Hussain (a) and his tragedy such that his tears run down his cheek, Allah Almighty shall accommodate him in Paradise, and any believer who wept for us for what we suffered at the hands of our enemy in this world such that his tears run down his cheeks Allah shall accommodate him in a lofty station, and any believer who suffers hardship in our cause, such that he weeps for us and his tears run down his cheek, Allah Almighty shall repel from his face any anguish and protects him from fire on the day of Judgement”.

This was a quick insight in the role of Sayyid-ul-Shuhada (a) in protecting Islam, and a glimpse of his station in the sight of Allah Almighty, and lofty station and the eminence of the Imam in this world and in the hereafter, and how can it not be when he addresses Allah Almighty in his famous poem that he recited on the day of Ashura, during the last few moments of his life when he was lying on the ground overwhelmed by horrific injuries and swords wounds:

I left all creatures for the sake of You

and I orphaned the children so that I see You

So if I am cut into pieces for the love of You

the heart would lean to none other than You

And these words reflect the extent of the sincerity of Imam Hussain (a) in his love for Allah, and his honesty in defending Islam.

We pray to Allah Almighty to help us succeed in discharging our duties towards Imam Hussain (a) and his blessed and sacred movement.

O Allah bless Muhammad and the household of Muhammad, and make for us a position of honesty with Imam Hussain (a) and the companions of Hussain (a), who gave their blood for the sake of Imam Hussain (a), and grant us the intercession of Imam Hussain (a) on the Day of Judgement, for You have power over everything.

Notes:

[1] The Holy Qur’an, Surah 3: Ayah 169.

[2] Imam – literally meaning leader – and in the scope of this article Imam refers to one or more of the twelve Ma’soom Imams who in turn succeeded Prophet Muhammad after his death as appointed by him. The first of the twelve Imams is Imam Ali (a), followed by his son Imam Hassan (a), followed by Imam Hassan’s brother Imam Hussain (a), followed by nine Imams, all descendents of Imam Hussain (a). On instructions from Allah Almighty, Prophet Muhammad salla-llahu-alayhi-wa-aalih appointed Imam Ali (a) as his immediate successor and stated the names of all twelve imams, even though only three were born in his lifetime. The nine Ma’soom Imams who followed Imam Hussain alayhum-as-salam are respective order: Imam Zayn al-Abidin, Imam Baqir, Imam Sadiq, Imam Kadhem, Imam Ridha, Imam Jawad, Imam Hadi, Imam Askari, Imam Mahdi alayhum-as-salam. Imam Mahdi is alive and he by the will of Allah he will appear to lead the people to peace and justice, after the world has been overwhelmed by tyranny and injustice.

[3] The Holy Qur’an, Surah 2: Ayah 269.

[4] The Holy Qur’an, Surah 67: Ayah 30.

[5] Arsh or is a symbolic “Throne” of Allah in the heavens, just as the Ka’bah in the holy city of Makkah is referred to as the “House” of Allah.

[6] . . . during one of many Me’raaj (Ascension to the heavens) that the Messenger of Allah (s) made.

[7] The Holy Qur’an, Surah 33: Ayah 33.

[8] Meaning we wept blood.

http://www.aimislam.com/a-glimpse-from-the-ray-of-imam-hussain/

Plz my question, y not Ali ,or hassan y only Hussain. And did d prophet ask us to shed blood on the day of ashura.pls proof from d Quran and sahib hadith.t x

mohsaaf:
Plz my question, y not Ali ,or hassan y only Hussain. And did d prophet ask us to shed blood on the day of ashura.pls proof from d Quran and sahib hadith.t x

i am sure if you review this thread thoroughly, or the forum, these questions have already been answered.but let me give you a quick run down of points that will answer you.

1.) the Prophet (sa) shed tears for Imam Hussain (as) and was sad when it was revealed to him. the Prophet (sa) even had a piece of clay from Karbala which he kept, and then left with Um Salamah (Ra) after his death. so its a SUNNAH.

2.) the Qur'an orders us to LOVE the Ahlul-Bayt (as). so such a day cannot pass without spreading the message that this was the saddest day in Islamic history. we cannot turn a blind eye to what happened to those we are commanded to LOVE in the Quran. this is very vital to do, and therefore you see cultural means developed to commemorate Ashura, or bring it to the limelight, because many have tried over time and still do to conceal the tragedy.

3.) we believe in IMAMATE, and Imam Hussain (as) is our third Imam.

why remember Imam Hussain (as), and not Imam Hassan's or Imam Ali's (as) martyrdom?

the truth is we do commemorate the birth and death days of the Prophet (sa) and all the members of the Ahlul-Bayt (as). we do commemorate them, but emphasis is not placed on them as much as we place on the tragedy of Karbala. the question is why so much emphasis on the tragedy of Karbala?

4.) the tragedy of Karbala is BIG. you cannot compare what happened at Karbala to what happened to Imam Ali (as) when he was struck by a Kharijite. the Kharijite was arrested immediately. you cannot also compare Karbala to the poisoning of Imam Hassan (as) when he was poisoned by his wife at the be behest of his arch foe Muawiya. those two were sad incidents indeed, but Karbala was not an incident. it was a tragic EVENT in history. you have the grandson of the Prophet (sa) beheaded, and his brothers, nephews, sons-including his six month old baby-and companions all besieged, overpowered, tortured with thirst, and finally brutally murdered in cold blood, and the females of the Prophet's (sa) household taken as prisoners of war to the court of Yazeed in Damascus, travelling hundreds of miles, often times on foot, and in chains, in the desert from Karbala and Kufa in Iraq.

5.) why we also insist on marking Karbala, aside from the fact that being sad on Ashura is a SUNNAH and LOVE for the Ahlul-Bayt (as) is a divine command in the Holy Quran, is because Karbala is also a CAUSE.

6.) Karbala is the CULMINATION of the oppression and injustices meted to the Ahlul-Bayt (as), since day one when the Prophet (sa) passed away.

7.) Karbala exposes the injustice of Saqifah Banu Saeda, and it renewed the declaration of Ghadir Khumm.

8.) Karbala is the supreme sacrifice for Islam. the Ahlul-Bayt (as) persevered all the trials they faced and oppression. they even allowed their enemies material gains and worldly power, so long as Islam was not threatened. at the time of Imam Hussain (as), since it was established at Ghadir Khumm that the Ahlul-Bayt (as) are the guardians of faith and the faithfuls and the custodians of Islam on earth and the divinely chosen leaders of the ummah till the resurrection, Imam Hussain (as) couldn't allow the tyrant to use tyranny, injustice, and oppression to intimidate him or threaten him since Islam's survival was threatened. it was the blood of Imam Hussain (as) that preserved Islam. to that we are ever grateful, and therefore we must remember the great man who was a divine instrument in preserving the deen.

9.) the Imams of the Ahlul-Bayt (as) commended those who revive their legacy and memory.

10.) Sayings of the Ahlul-Bayt (as) :

-The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
Surely, there exists in the hearts of the Mu’ mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Husain (A.S.), a heat that never subsides.
Mustadrak al-Wasail, vol. 10,pg. 318

-Imam ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S.) said:
Surely, Allah has chosen for us followers (Shi’ites), who assist us and are happy at our happiness and are sad in our sadness.
Ghurar al-Hikam, Vol: 1/ pg.: 235.

-Imam ‘Ali Ibn al-Husain (A.S) used to say:
Every Mu’min, whose eyes shed tears upon the killing of Husain Ibn’ Ali(A.S.) and his companions, such that the tears roll down his cheeks, Allah shall accommodate him in the elevated rooms of paradise.
Yannaabe’ al-Mawaddah, pg.: 429.

-Imam Ridha (A.S.) said:
With the advent of the month of Muharram, my father Imam Kazim (A.S.) would never be seen laughing; gloom and sadness would overcome him for (the first) ten days of the month; and when the tenth day of the month would dawn, it would be a day of tragedy, grief and weeping for him.
Amaali Saduq, pg,:111

-The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
O’ Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husain (A.S.) for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise.
Bihar al-Anwar, vol,: 44;pg,:293.

-Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:
There is none who recites poetry about Husain (A.S.) and weeps and makes others weep by means of it, except that Allah makes Paradise incumbent upon him and forgives his sins.
Rijal al-Shaikh al-Tusi, pg.: 289.

-Imam Ali Ibn al-Hussain (A.S.) said:
Surely, I have never brought to mind the martyrdom of the children of Fatimah (A.S.) except that I have been choked with tears due to it.
Bihar al-Anwar, Vol.: 46, Pg.: 109.

-Imam Ridha (a) told the son of Shabib: “O son of Shabib! Whenever you are going to cry try to cry for Husayn ibn Ali because he was slaughtered like …. and with him, 18 men of his family were killed who had no similar on the earth… O son of Shabib! If it makes you happy to be with us in the highest ranks of heaven be sad for our sadness and be happy for our happiness and you should have our wilayah, because if a person loves even a stone Allah (swt) will resurrect him with that stone.” (Was’ail al-Shi’a, vo. 14, p. 503)

more ahadiths on marking the sad day of Ashura:

http://ahlubait./2010/page/13/

Did d prophet wore black clothe on the day of ashura?
Did he struck himself with any object on the face or any part of his body on DAT day?
What was the practice of the sahabas on the day of ashura since since Karbala incidence took place more than 50 yrs after hijra?
Tnx.

mohsaaf:
Did d prophet wore black clothe on the day of ashura?
Did he struck himself with any object on the face or any part of his body on DAT day?
What was the practice of the sahabas on the day of ashura since since Karbala incidence took place more than 50 yrs after hijra?
Tnx.

the wearing of black, striking one's self, etc. these are all cultural practices that are practiced or used to reveal sadness. if you dig into the hadiths, you do find instances where the sahabas hit themselves, wear black, visit the grave of the departed, etc. there are instances. review this thread:

http://www.shiapen.com/comprehensive/azadari-mourning-for-imam-hussain/introduction.html

as for the practice of the sahaba, most of the sahaba were dead during the tragedy of Karbala. the few that remained were in very old age, and yet still a number of them stood with Imam Hussain (as) in Karbala and were martyred. e.g. Zuhayr Ibn Qain (RA). one of the prominent sahabas who was alive, blind and in old age was Jabir Ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (RA). Jabir (RA) is renowned as the sahabi who commenced the mourning of Arbaeen for Imam Hussain (as), i.e. forty days after the death. there is also a narration that Imam Ali (as) during his lifetime halted in a journey at Karbala and cried and told his companions about the future tragedy.

the message of Ashura is not about the crying (this one is sunnah by the way that the Prophet himself carried out), hitting one's self, or wearing black cloth. it is about holding on to the message of Imam Hussain (as) and holding on to the Ahlul-Bayt (as) as the Prophet (sa) ordered us to do in hadith al-thaqalain, and loving the Ahlul-Bayt (as) as per the Quran's Verse of Mawaddah. so when you witness this day, it is a sad day and should be taken as such. how you choose to mark it in sadness is your choice, as far as the act is not outside the boundary of the shariah. there is for example the practice of self-flagellation or tatbeer which is very controversial, and most Shias do not partake in it and our scholars have issued fatwas forbidding it. but wearing black, crying, and hitting the chest are harmless and in fact even encouraged in the hadiths. in fact crying is a sign of taqwa as per the Quran. if you dont cry, it means your heart is strong and cruel.

also, we look up to what the holy Imams of the Ahlul-Bayt (as), who were the ones concerned with the tragedy and the martyrdom of their father, and are related to the Prophet (sa), had to say. taking all these facts into consideration, we just cant let this day pass like any other as if nothing happened.