Picture attached below.

for the news story, please read on the other thread from yesterday:

Suicide Bomber Targets Shia Ashura Procession In Potiskum

https://www.nairaland.com/1980207/suicide-bomber-targets-shia-ashura

i really dont understand what some people are pulling their hair over and trying to "prove", when their very books and scholars admit that the practice was done in the time of the Prophet (s) with his approval. when you think it was later discontinued by the Prophet (sa) or by Umar, that is all details. trying to "shame" the Shia because of mut'ah or trying to demonize the act is very silly because this is something that the Prophet (s) had approved. are you implying he (sa) approved of something "bad" and only to realize later and discontinue it? astaghfirullah!!! like polygamy, mut'ah has its advantages, and also rules and conditions, that if properly implemented can solve many societal ills. Wallahi, it is waste of time engaging such people to reason.

...continue


Camp Preparation


1. Both camps became ready. Imam Husayn prepared his 72 riders and foot soldiers. Zuhair bin Qain was put in charge of the right wing and Habib bin Mazahir the left. The centre was left for the Ahlulbayt and the standard was entrusted to his brother, Abbas b. Ali (as).

2. Ibn Saad put Amr b. Hajjaj in charge of the right wing and Shimr b. Zil Jaushan in command of the left. Urwah b. Qais was put in charge of the mounted fighters whilst Shabt b. Rabi was in charge of the foot soldiers. He gave his standard to his slave, Duraid.

Abdullah bin Zubair Azadi was put in command of the Medina division, Qais b. Ashath in charge of the Rabia division, Abdur Rahman in charge of the Asad division whilst Hurr bin Riyahi was in charge of the Hamadan division.


Imam's Attempts at Salvation for the Enemy


1. The Imam (as) alongside his companions attempted to awaken the souls of those in front of them, to make them aware of the sin they were about to indulge in and to make them aware that the Earth itself may split into pieces, mountains may crash.

2. The Imam rode towards the enemy and began to speak:


"O people of Iraq. Listen to my words and do not hurry to attack me so that I may remind you of the duties you have towards me and so that by telling you the true circumstances I may free myself from any blame in your attacking me. If you give me justice, you will become happier through that. If you do not give me justice of your own accord as individuals, then agree upon your affairs and your associates; let not you affair be in darkness to you. Then carry it out against me and do not reflect any further. Indeed my guardian is God, who created the book, he takes care of the righteous".

3. The ladies of the Imam's camp heard this and began to weep. Upon hearing them, Imam Husayn sent Hadhrat Abbas to tell them to stop as they would weep a lot more later on.

4. Once the camps were silent again, the Imam praised God, invoked blessings on the Prophets, angels and all messengers. The Imam then carried on speaking in a very eloquent manner:

"O people, the almighty Allah created the world and made it an abode of death and destruction. And it takes it's inmates from one place to another. Deceived is the one who is deceived by it. He is corrupted who has been corrupted by it. Hence this world must not deceive you. As it cuts off the hope of all those who rely on it and whosoever is greedy about it, fails. I see you that you gathered upon a matter with which you have made the almighty wrathful upon you, that he has turned away his merciful face from you and has decreed his revenge on you. The best lord is our lord and the worst servants are you. You agreed to obey and brought faith in Muhammad, the Prophet, and now you are the same people who marched against his progeny and intend to eliminate them. The satan has you under his control and he has made you forgetful of the remembrance of God. Thus, woe be upon you and what you have intended. We belong to Allah and to him we shall return.

They are those who have disbelieved after their acceptance of faith. Keep aloof from these oppressors."




5. The Holy Imam counselled them and threatened them with future losses and the deception of the material world. He made it clear they would now be targets of everlasting wrath from God. He continued:

"Trace back my lineage and consider who I am. Then look back at yourselves and remonstrate with yourselves. Consider whether it is right for you to kill me and to violate the honour of my womenfolk. Am I not the son of the daughter of your Prophet, of his testamentary trustee (wasi) and his cousin, the first of the believers in God and the man who first believed in what his apostle brought from his lord? Was not Hamzah my uncle? Was not Ja'far, the one who flies in heaven, my uncle? Have you not heard the world of the apostle of God concerning myself: 'These are the two leaders of the youths of the inhabitants of heaven?'

Whether you believe what I am saying, it is the truth, for by God, I have never told a lie since I learnt that Got hated people who told them. There are those amongst you, those who if you asked, would tell you: Ask Jabir ibn Abdullah, Abu Said Al-Khudri, Sahl bin Sad, Zaid bin Arqam and Anas bin Malik to tell you that they heard these words from the apostle of God, concerning myself and my brother. Is there not sufficient in this to prevent you from shedding my blood?"


6. No discourse like this would be possible from any other person in such a situation where most would get tongue tied. The Imam had come with presence of mind and created a revolution of views in their ranks. He asked them to understand the logic of it all yet those who were in pure darkness had covered their conscience and reason.


7. After interrupting Shimr added:

"If I understand what you are saying, then I only worship God (very shakily) on the edge" (Shimr)


"I think that you worship God on seventy edges. You do not understand what he is saying for God has input ignorance upon your heart", Habib replied.

"If you are in any doubt about this, you are in doubt that I am the son of the daughter of the Prophet. By God, there is no other son of a Prophet, other than me, among you and the people from the East to the West. Shame on you, are you seeking retribution from me for one of your dead whom I have killed, or for property of yours which I expropriated, or for a wound which I have inflicted?" Imam Husayn added.

8. The Imam called upon the commanders Shabth bin Rabi, Hijar bin Abjar, Qais bin Ashath and Yazid bin Harith and asked them why they wrote to him pleading with him to come and telling him there was an army waiting for him. They were shameless and outright lied to which the Imam was astonished.

9. The ignorant soldiers rejected the call of the Imam. The deceiving Qais attempted to say that Imam Husayn rejected the call of his cousins yet the Imam made it clear he would take reguse with his lord and always stand up for the truth, highlighting regimes would change and kingdoms would get diminished yet immortal words shall remain forever, words based on truth, humanity, nobility and courage.


Zuhair bin Qain's Speech


"O people of Kufa! Beware of the divine chastisement. It is the duty of every Muslim to dispense good counsel to his muslim brother. So far we were brothers in one faith till hostilities had not emerged between us and you are deserving of good counsel from us. When swords are drawn, it is the end of security. We shall become one community and you another. The almighty Allah has tested us and you through the progeny of his messenger so that it be seen how we behave. We invite you to help them and leave off the obedience of the tyrant Yazid and Ubaydullah Ibn Ziyad as you shall see nothing during their regimes except evil. You shall be blinded, maimed, cut up into pieces and impaled on date palms like your elders and reciters of Quran like Hujr bin Adi, Hani bin Urwah and others like them were dealt with."


1. This speech uses all proofs and contains the call of truth with all its dimensions and meanings. It also explained to them that the aim of the speech was to fulfil a religious duty (one Muslim to another). This speech also made it clear the roots of brotherhood would be cut up and each community would become a distinct group reminding them for their need to love the Prophet's progeny.

2. Zubair also highlighted the tyranny of the Umayyads and how they had dealth with some of the most righteous personalities to have lived. But within moments of his speech being concluded he was ridiculed and threatened, adding, "We are such that we shall kill your friend and his companions or we shall make him and his friends surrender to Ibn Ziyad".

3. Zubair replied to them with logic. He stated the progeny of the Prophet were more deserving of friendship and support. He also stated that the accursed Yazid would accept their obedience even without the killing of Imam Husayn.

4. Many of the soldiers became bewildered. Shimr, afraid that they may head towards peace, shot an arrow in the direction of Zubair in order to shut him up. However Zubair denounced him as less than cattle and challenged him to recite more than two verses of the Quran. At this point Imam Husayn realised Zubairs speech was having no effect and sent one of his companions to tell him to stop.


Burair's Speech


1. Burair bin Khudhair, a prominent Sheikh, exhorted the army, expressing the greatness of the Prophet and his family to which they replied, "O Burair you have talked a great deal. Do not say anymore. Husayn shall suffer thirst in the same way as before him one had to bear the thirst".

2. Burair reminded them of their pledges and letters sent to the Imam yet they were committed to sin and denied. At this point the Imam realised he was having no effect and therefore went away from them while they shot arrows towards him.


Final Speech of Imam Husayn


1. For the final time the Imam tried to bring his enemies onto the path of salvation and fulfil his duty. He came with the book of Allah (Quran) opened before him, wearing the turban of Prophet Muhammad, and armed with the weapons of his grandfather also. He exuded such awe that all foreheads humbled before him and eyes dared not to look upon him.

"May destruction and sorrow afflict you, O people! After calling me eagerly when I hastened to respond to you, you have drawn out your swords on me? Have you inflamed the fire against us and for the benefit of your enemies that we had ignited for your and our enemies, without there being any justification for you in that? O do you have hope in it, against your friends you have prepared? Or that if you have hope from them that you have gathered against your friend. Should you not be troubled by hardships when the sword is not yet drawn and no sort of harm has been caused to you? And nothing has been given to it, but you hastened to him like the green locusts and you have come to him like the falling of moths into the fire. At that time you broke the pledge. This humiliation afflicted you because of that. O slaves of the community, outcasts of the tribes and those who have distanced from the book of Allah and the sunnah! Woe be upon you! Will you support these people and deny your assistance to us? Indeed by Allah, is it a betrayal of trust among you that your roots have become firm on it and your branches have matured and become strong on it and you have put forth the worst of the fruits, such that you aggrieve one who looks and you become the diet of every usurper.

Verily, this wicked one son of the wicked one has put forth two options: be killed by the sword or be humiliated. Never! I shall never opt for degradation! Allah, his Prophet, believers, the pure ones, the purified, the exalted and the noble souls would never accept it from me, that I should prefer the humiliation of a decadent person instead of martyrdom of great men. I shall fight with these family members in spite of the scarcity of their number and despite the fact that the Kufans have withdrawn their support for us".

2. After this the Holy Imam recited to following poem of Faruta bin Muradi:

"If we are able to vanquish them, we have vanquished them before also many times and if we are defeated we shall not be of the vanquished ones.

Fear does not come upon us. It is our death and the wealth of others.

Tell those who ridicule to take lesson from us as they shall see what we have seen".


3. After the poem the Imam continued:


"..after that you shall not remain but as much as one who mounts the horse and it rotates like a hand mill on you and it's pivot shakes you up.

I have heard from my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah. Therefore sit together and think and decide upon this matter so that your actions may not make you full of remorse. And then you do whatever you want with me without giving further respite.

"Surely I rely on Allah, my Lord and your Lord; there is no living creature but He holds it by it's forelock; Surely my lord is on the right path".

Raising up his hands in prayer, Imam Husayn recited:

"O Allah! Prevent the clouds from raining on them and make them suffer a famine like that of the time of Yusuf. O Lord! Impose the slave of Hajjaj bin Yusuf on them so that he may make them taste all kinds of disgrace and indignity and injustice and oppression as they have rejected me and they have left me without friends. Our Lord! On Thee do we rely and to Thee we turn, and to Thee do we turn".

4. Imam Husayn had exploded like a volcano, displaying amounts of will power and determination never seen before by man.

He made the following points:


a) Imam Husayn condemned them severely because when they had written to him their enemies were trying to force their will and humiliate them whereas the Imam hastened to help them and instead they did a U-turn.

b) Imam Husayn expressed deep regret in their assistance to the Umayyads. They themselves had no hope or aspirations within that regime; a regime that neither acted with justice nor spread any truth.

c) Imam Husayn denounced their evil traits which had made them ignorant towards the truth. They had left Quran and truth and instead become sinners and much more.

d) Imam Husayn wanted and did make it clear that a person of his lofty status could not ever give allegiance to a bastard man who instead wanted to humiliate the Imam. The Imam himself was made to make humanity and lofty values prominent.

e) Imam Husayn made it clear that he would enter the battlefield with his family, all of whom considered death as nothing but a consequence.

f) Imam Husayn told the army of Ibn Saad what would happen to them in the future. He informed them they will be ruled by a tyrant who would give them severe punishment. In addition, not much time had passed that Mokhtar rose up against them and butchered them with fury.

5. Once again the army was bewildered and thrown into confusion.


Hurr's Response



1. Hurr became affected by the speech of Imam Husayn so much so that there was a tug of war going on within his soul. We had to decide whether he would choose to be the commander of this regime which trusted him yet face eternal punishment or join Imam Husayn and the depleted numbers with him and sacrifice himself for truth and justice.

2. Hurr went to Ibn Saad and asked him if there was any other way and what was to be expected. Ibn Saad made it clear there would be no other ending instead replying, "It will be a terrible battle, the least part of which will be heads falling and severed hands flying through the air".

3. Once he was sure they would fight the Imam, Hurr broke ranks which surprised Muhajir bin Aws so much so that he stated: "By God, I have never seen you act like this before. If I was asked who was the bravest of the Kufans I would not normally neglect to mention you. What is this I see in you today?"

Hurr replied, "By God, I find myself between heaven and hell and I shall not prefer anything to paradise even though I am cut to pieces and burnt".

4. Hurr galloped on his horse towards the Imam, full of shame and regret and said in a loud voice, "O my Lord! I am turning towards you while I have terrified your saints and the son of your Prophet, Aba Abdillah. I have repented, would I be forgiven?"

After arriving Hurr asked for repentance explaining he would never have stopped the Imam's way had he known the position they had reached (to kill him). The Imam became glad and accepted his repentance.

5. After his acceptance, Hurr told the Imam of a dream he had on the preceding night:

"Last night I saw my father in a dream that he was asking me: What are you doing these days and where are you? I replied: I was in pursuit of Husayn. He told me: Woe be on you, what has happened to you. Are you pursuing Husayn, the son of Allah's messenger?

I request you to grant the permission to fight so that I may be the first to be killed in your service just as I was the first one to attack you?"


Hurr's Speech


1. After gaining permission from the Imam in order to speak to the enemy, as he felt he could perhaps make a difference, Hurr went towards them and began to address them:

"People of Kufa, your mothers will be deprived of their sons and tears will come to their eyes. Have you summoned this righteous man? But when he as come to you, have you handed him over to him enemies? Did you claim that you would fight with your own lives for him and then have you begun to attack him in order to kill him? You have laid hold of his life; you have seized his throat; you have encircled him on every side in order to prevent him returning to God's land (Hijaz).

He has come into your hands like a prisoner who no longer has the power to use his own life and cannot defend it against harm. You have prevented him, his womenfolk, his children and his people from getting the water of the Euphrates which Jews, Christians and Magians may drink and which the pigs and dogs of Sawad drink. They (Imam Husayn's family) are likely to die of thirst. How wickedly you have treated the offspring left by Muhammad. May God not give you water to drink on the day of thirst if you do not repent from your current attitude and make amends for it".


2. The army of Ibn Ziyad began to shake as many of them were having a mental tussle as Hurr yet responded towards their selfish desires. Some even shot arrows towards him as their argument.

3. 30 riders joined Imam Husayn's camp as a result of Hurr's speech. Before leaving they told the enemy, "The son of Allah's messenger has presented you 3 proposals yet you did not accept any of them."


THE BATTLE


1. All the efforts Imam Husayn made in order to keep the peace were defeated as Ibn Saad did not want to prolong the battle any longer as he was afraid his army may split into two opposing groups and the desertion of the 30 rides towards Imam Husayn had shaken him.

"Testify to the Governor that I was the first to fire to Husayn" - Umar Bin Saad


2. Bin Saad wanted everyone to see this so that the soldier's could eventually relay the message to Ibn Ziyad. Ibn Ziyad did not trust him and therefore Umar Bin Saad wanted to gain his trust so he could become the ruler of Ray (Iran).

3. Arrows began raining upon the side of Imam Husayn from the direction of Umar Bin Saad. So many arrows had come in from the enemy towards that side that not one man was left without an arrow related injury. This also destroyed the argument for peace and self defence became obligatory upon the true Muslims.

Therefore Imam Husayn replied, "O noble souls, arise as these arrows shot by those people are targeting you".

4. The companions of the great Imam came forward and began a battle that lasted some time. Never has a battle like this occurred before because one side were 32 horsemen and 40 foot soldiers whereas on the other was a well equipped army of thousands and thousands (approx. 30,000) yet these brave souls fought valiantly and in such an outstanding manner that minds are still perplexed by it to this very day.

5. The Imam's companions fought this way because they had absolute faith and believed they were fighting for the sake of God (Allah). In this way they gave such honour to the Islamic community that has not been seen ever since and could never be equalled. No such gift has been given to humanity throughout it's history.

Karbala: Beginning of Hostilities (P1)

In order to commemorate Ashura I wanted to give you a summary of detailed events of the Night of Ashura through to the day and beginning of hostilities. I am certain once we have the complete knowledge of what exactly happened on the day of Ashura it will help us gain a stronger connection to our Holy Imam as well as gaining a deeper understanding to why we mourn year after year.


1. No community in the existence of mankind has had to face the calamities of the day of Ashura. Any person, upon hearing of these events, is able to break down into tears and get extremely emotional so much so it is said even the decadent oppressor Umar ibn Saad wept upon the troubles of the Prophet's family.


"The day Husayn was martyred our eyes were injured and our relatives were dishonoured..." - Imam Al-Ridha (as)


Beginning of Hostilities


1. On the afternoon of 9th Muharram strict orders had arrived from Ibn Ziyad towards his Commander to commence the battle against the Prophet's family. They began the march forwards in order to fulfil their lust for blood against the standard bearers of truth and justice.

2. At that time, Imam Husayn was briefly asleep, outside his tent, with his sword upon his knees when his sister Zaynab (sa) heard the sounds and came to awaken him:

"My Brother, don't you hear the sounds which are getting nearer?" Lady Zaynab asked.
"I have seen the apostle of God in my sleep", replied the Imam.

At this moment the lady struck her own face and cried out in grief.

"You have no reason to lament sister, be quiet, may God have mercy on you".

Then he turned towards Abbas ibn Ali, his brother, "Brother, the enemy have come, so get ready; but first, you, yourself, ride out to meet them, to talk to them about what they have in mind and what appears appropriate to them and to ask about what had brought them against us."

3. Abbas (as) went with approx. 20 horsemen including Zuhair b. Al-Qain and the commander told them they were told by Ibn Ziyad to offer them the opportunity to surrender to their will or face getting attacked. Abbas ibn Ali told them to wait while he conveyed the message to Imam Husayn, to which they agreed.

Before returning Habib b. Mazahir addressed the enemy, reminding them about the hereafter:

"By Allah, the worst people to meet the Almighty and his Prophet and his partisans are those who spend their days and nights in allah's remembrance".

"O Ibn Mazahir do you claim to be purified?" - Azra b. Qais, an enemy soldier asked.

"O son of Qais, fear Allah, and do not be of those who help misguidance and falsehood and slay the purified progeny of the foremost Prophet", Zuhair b. Qain said, glancing towards Azra.

"You were a follower of Uthman in our opinion, what has happened to you?" Azra told him.

"By Allah, I did not write to Husayn and I did not send any messenger to him. But I met him on the way. When I saw him I was reminded of Allah's messenger and I understood what disloyalty and betrayal of trust you are committing. I saw you inclined towards the material world and I decided to help him, and join his entourage so that I may defend the rights of the Messenger of Allah's that you have trespassed", Zuhair clarified.

4. The respected Abbas went back and conveyed the message to Imam Husayn. Imam Husayn asked Abbas to persuade them to delay the battle until morning so they could spend the evening in prayer, insisting Allah knew how much he loved the prayer, recitation of God's words (Quran), invoking him and asking for forgiveness from him.

5. Fearing Ibn Ziyad's reaction, in case he would not be happy with any decisions, Ibn Saad referred to the judgement of Shimr so he could use him as back up just incase he made the wrong decision (in Ibn Ziyad's eyes). Shimr did not offer any suggestions. Amr ibn Zujjaij gave a speech towards the enemy demanding the matter be reported to Ibn Ziyad.

6. Ibn Ashath supported this view as he believed the Imam was not going to fight yet he just wanted respite. Ibn Ashath judged people according to the Kufans (residents of Kufa, Iraq) and therefore misjudged the Imam's intentioned and later revealed "By Allah, if I knew that they would act in that way, I would never have accorded them any respite".


Battle Delayed Until Morning




1. After most commanders expressed a willingness to postpone hostilities, Ibn Saad issued the permission via one of his men whom he sent to relay the message to the Imam's camp.

"O companions of Husayn ibn Ali, we will grant you a day until tomorrow. Then, if you surrender, we will send you to our governor, Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad but if you refuse we will not leave you any longer".

Therefore the battle was postponed until the 10th of Muharram.


Imam's Permitted Companions to Leave


1. The Holy Imam gathered his companions and family and asked them to go anywhere they liked and to leave him alone in this night so he could worship Allah on his own. He also wanted them to be aware of his position so he stated:

"I glorify God with the most perfect glorification and I praise him in happiness and misfortune. O God, I praise you for blessing us with Prophethood, teaching us the Quran, and making us understand the religion. You have given us hearing, sight and hearts, and have made us among those who give thanks (to you). I know of no followers more loyal and more virtuous than my followers, nor of any House more pious and more close knit than mine. May God reward you well on my behalf. Indeed I do not think there will be any further days left to us by these men. I permit you to leave me. All of you go away with the absolution of you oath to follow me, for there will be no further obligation on you from me. Use it as a camel (to ride away in).

Each of you take the hand of one person from my family so that the almighty bestows each of you a mighty reward. After that you spread out in the land till the time the almighty makes the conditions favourable because these people do not want anyone except me and if they are able to get me they will not go after anyone else."




2. This statement from the Imam shows how much faith he had. He also made it clear to them that the definite result of the following day would be death if they chose to stay. This statement also shows his readiness and firm determination towards fighting for the truth in the face of death.

3. Imam Husayn gave them the evening darkness to go away so they shall not be ashamed to leave in front of him and to use the night as their veil.


Ahlulbayt Reply


1. Before completing his speech his family rose up and declined his offer. Abbas ibn Ali was the first to declare this, stating, "We will not leave you to make ourselves continue living after your passing away. May God never let us see such a thing".

2. Imam Husayn told the sons of his cousin Muslim, who was earlier killed by Ibn Ziyad in Kufa, to leave as "...enough of your family members have been killed".

They immediately declined, stating they would prefer to give their lives, family and property than face the same of those who deserted their beloved Imam, never striking swords along side him.


Companions Reply


1. The companions had true faith because of Imam Husayn's honesty, lofty principles and eagerness to fight for the truth. Their consciences were affected by this speech and here are some of their statements:

"Could we leave you alone? How should we excuse ourselves before God concerning the performance of our duty to you? By God, I will stab them with my spear until it breaks. I will strike them with my sword as long as the hilt is in my hand. If I have no weapon left to fight them with, I will throw stones at them until the time I am killed with you." - Muslim bin Ausaja

"By God, we will never leave you until God knows that we persevered through you the company of his Prophet in his absence. By God, if I knew that I would die and then be revived and then burnt and then revived and then scattered and that would be done to me 70 times, I would never leave you until I met my death fighting on your behalf. So how could I do it when there can only be one death, which is a great blessing and can never be rejected?" - Saeed bin Abdullah

"By God, I would prefer to be killed and then recalled to life; and then be killed a thousand times in this manner; and that in this way God, the mighty and exalted, should protect your life and the lives of these young men of your house." - Zuhair bin Qain




2. Imam Husayn's companions were extremely loyal, so much so that it has never been seen before. They were convinced that the Imam held responsibility before God and defending him was their honour.

3. Having tested these companions, the Imam found them to be the best in rightfulness and loyalty. They were eager for martyrdom in order to qualify for the bounties of the hereafter. After praying for them to be rewarded well by God, Imam Husayn's companions replied in unison, "Thanks be to Allah, that he favoured us with being your helpers and honoured us by Martyrdom in your company. Should we not be elated that we shall also live in your level, in your company?"

4. Muhammad bin Bashir, the Imam's most senior companion received news that his son had been taken prisoner in Rayy (Iran). The Imam thought he wanted to leave him and free his son yet Muhammad replied, "May the wild beasts devour me alive, if I leave you..."

5. It is stated between 10 and 20 people left the camp of Imam Husayn during the night. Among these was Firaas Makhzoomi who was a close relative of the Imam, through his grandmother Umme Hani, daughter of Ali ibn Abu Talib. It is stated he did not realise the extent of disbelief (of God) within the forces of the Ummayads and was fearful of death.


Imam Exposes Kufans


1. Imam Husayn told his companions how he had been deceived by the Kufans.


"They wrote to me only to deceive me and get into the good books of Muaweyah's son".


2. Most letters sent by Kufans to Imam Husayn were sent on the order of Yazid so that the Imam would come to them and be killed. They had not written to him on the basis of faith or with any aims of justice.


Imam Speaks of His Death


1. On a separate occasion Imam Husayn came to his tent and began to search for his sword whilst uttering the following poem:


"Time, shame on you as a friend! At the day's dawning and the sun's setting,
How many a companion or seeker will be a corpse! Time will not be satisfied with any substitute.
The matter will rest with the mighty one and every living creature will have to journey along my path."


These words were overheard by his son, Imam Zaynul Abideen and his sister Zaynab who were present in his tent. The 4th Imam controlled his tears yet Lady Zaynab could not control herself, instead getting up, her eyes filled with tears exclaimed, "What a grief and what a sorrow! Would that death deprived me of life today. O dear Husayn! As if today have died my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, my mother Fatima Zahra, my father Ali and my brother Hassan. O my surviving one and the guardian of those who survive!"

Upon hearing these words, Imam Husayn consoled his sister and told her not to let the Satan take her patience away.


2. Once she became certain her brother would be killed, Lady Zaynab along with the other ladies of the camp became extremely grief stricken. The Imam ordered them to not tear their clothes nor scratch their face when would be killed.


Precautionary Steps


1. The Imam did not want his camp to be victim of an ambush during the night and therefore surveyed his area with his companion Nafe bin Hilal and took the following steps:

a) The Imam ordered everyone to bring their tents closer together. They were not arranged in a single row; rather they were bunched together in a few lines so that if they remained within their tents the enemy could only approach them from one side.

b) Imam Husayn ordered a trench to be dug up at the back of the tents (on his family's side) and for it to be filled with firewood which could be lit during the battle.

(i) This way the women and children would not be harmed during battle as the enemy would not be able to cross the burning ditch.
(ii) This way there would only be one front of attack. If this step was not taken the enemy would have easily been able to surround them and the battle would not have lasted a full day.


Night of Worship


1. It is said the sound of worship in this night was like the "humming of bees". Everyone prostrated towards their lord, recited Quran and begged for his forgiveness and mercy. No one slept on this night for any moment.


Over-joyous Companions


1. It is stated in this night, whilst some companions chose not to, others were extremely joyful such as Habib who stated:

"What can be more joyful than this? By Allah, very soon these oppressors shall fall upon us with their swords and at that time we shall take the Horul Ein (Houris of paradise) within our bosoms."


Shimr Ridicules Imam Husayn


1. Upon hearing the following words uttered by Imam Husayn in prayer, the accursed Shimr bin Zil Jaushan laughed:

"And not let those who disbelieve think that our gathering them respite is better for their souls; We grant them respite only that they may add to their sins; and they shall have a disgraceful chastisement. On no account will Allah leave the believers in the condition which you are in until he separates the evil from the good".


Imam's Dream


1. During the night, Imam Husayn dozed off after having deadly pains. He awoke and told everyone that he saw dogs attacking him and the one who would kill him would have leprosy spots on his face. Furthermore, the Imam told everyone he had seen the Holy Prophet and he had said:

"My son, you are the martyr of the Ahlulbayt. The folks of the heavens and the higher worlds are talking among themselves about your arrival. Tonight you shall dine with us. Hurry up, do not delay."

Upon hearing this a deep sorrow fell upon everyone as they knew the ending of their time in this world was coming close.


Distressed Ladies of the Ahlulbayt


1. The ladies of the Prophet's house were very distressed as they kept thinking about the impending doom. They did not know what their fate would be after being separated from their guardian and that they would be in foreign lands. They were surrounded by a cruel enemy.

2. The enemies of the Ahlulbayt spent their night rejoicing and one battalion under the command of Urwah bin Qais kept an eye of the camps incase someone tried to join the Imam and also to stop anybody escaping.


Application of Perfume

1. The Holy Imam set up a tent in the early morning in which he placed a musk of perfume. One after another, everyone entered the tent and applied the fragrance their bodies in order to prepare themselves for death and martyrdom for the sake of Allah.







ASHURA (10th Day)


1. Imam Zaynul Abideen (as) said of Ashura:


"There is no day like the day of the Martyrdom of Husayn. When 30,000 mercenaries attacked him while claiming to be from this community and each of them was trying to obtain divine proximity by shedding the blood of his eminence even though he reminded them of the almighty but they did not accept his advice and killed him most unjustly".


2. Imam Husayn and his companions recited morning prayer with dry ablution (tayyamum) as water was cut off by the enemy since the 7th day. Before their prayers could be completed, the enemy banged out the drums of war whilst chanting, "Either we shall fight or sacrifice our lives for the order of Ibn Marjana (Ibn Ziyad)".

3. The chief of the nobles, Imam Husayn emerged, glanced at the desert and saw the soldiers wielding their swords and spears in order to get a good price from the son of Marjana (Ibn Ziyad). Imam Husayn asked for a copy of the Quran, placed it on his head, and with complete humility recited:

"O God, it is you in whom I trust amid all grief. You are my hope amid all violence. You are my trust and provision in everything that happens to me, no matter how much the heart may seem to weaken it, trickery may seem to diminish my hope in it, the friend may seem to desert me in it, and the enemy may seem to rejoice in it. It comes upon me through you and when I complain to you of it, it is because of my desire for you, you alone. You have comforted me in everything and have revealed its significance to me. You are the master of all grace, the possessor of all goodness and the ultimate resort for all desire."


Burning of Firewood


1. The Imam then ordered for the firewood behind the tents to be lit and prevented the enemies from attacking from the rear.

2. Upon seeing this, some enemies came towards the camp of Imam Husayn, shouting like animals.

3. Shimr called out "Husayn, are you hurrying towards the fire (of hell) before the day of judgement?" to which the Imam replied, "Son of a goat-herdess you are worthy to be burnt by that". Muslim bin Ausaja wanted to shoot an arrow at him but was prevented by the Imam who stated he was unwilling to begin the fighting.

4. Another degraded decadent, Muhammad bin Ashath came towards the Imam and shouted, "Husayn, now you shall go to hell". The Imam told him, "May the almighty curse you, your father and your community. O son of the sinful apostate and enemy of Allah, the Prophet and the Muslims".

5. Abdullah bin Hawza attempted to also come and insult the Imam. The Imam made it clear he was going towards his God willingly and cursed him. Upon hearing this curse, his horse became upset and dropped Abdullah from his horse. Muslim proceeded to cut his right left while his left was stuck to the horse. The horse dragged him back towards his camp and died on the way, hitting his head on every stone along the way.

6. Masruq b. Hadhrami, upon seeing these actions, became guilty and ran away from the battlefield, for he became fearful of God's wrath.

continue...

AustineE1:

prophet Mohammed mandated muslims to go on pilgrimage in their life time and being one of the five pillars of Islam,most devoted muslims who can afford it,carry out this mandate. During pilgrimage muslims from all over the world visit Mecca and Medina,the second most holiest city in Islam and when Sallah is called,the Wahabbi and Salafist Imam leads other Muslim Ummahs in prayers to Allah,dont you think that one wld assume that Wahabbi and Salafist are more inclined to true knowlegde of Islam and truly practise Islam in accordance to the law of Allah.
And if Wahabbi Saudi truly funds ISIS,then ISIS wont be threatening to blow up the black stone of Mecca or Kaaba,which they claim that by Muslims kissing it during Pilgrimage connotes idolatry....am nt holding brief for Saudi(Wahabbism) but i only think that Sunnis are more inclined to terrorism or radical Jihadism and one can hardly differentiate between other Sunnis and Wahabbi(Sunnis).

No! you cannot assume they are "more inclined" to Islam because they have political authority over the holiest places of Islam. you need to read history and know how the al-Saud came to power in Arabia. their first victims were mainstream Sunnis before Shias were.

also, Muslims go to perform pilgrimage in Makkah and Medinah in batches. you do not necessarily have to be led by the Wahhabi prayer leader approved by the Saudi authorities. each batch has its own leader and imam that leads it.

the thing with ISIS and alqaeda and its other affiliates that the West doesnt seem to learn is that these people are monsters. you cannot trust them. they will always end up biting the hands that fed them. if the West see their extremism and barbarism as means to accomplish the goals of the West, then the West should know that these monsters would still come back to "payback". Bin Laden did it after the West used and nurtured him in afghanistan against the Soviets. it is not a hidden secret the West and its arabian/muslim puppets (saudi, qatar and turkey) support and fund terrorists, or so called jihadists, into syria. it just happened that the ISIS monster got out of control. Bashar al-Assad warned the West. he told them that it would only be time before these monsters turn their barbarism against Westerners.

Breaking: Bomb Blast targeted on Ashura Processions in Potiskum kills 27

Monday, 03 November 2014 13:26

By K. Isah
Like many cities and towns in Nigeria, Ashura procession was held in Potiskum to commemorate the Ashura Tragedy and the Sacrifice of Imam Husain(alaihis salam) who was matryed in the defence of Islam, Justice and humanity.

The procession ended in Potiskum peacefully around 12 noon. However, as people were on their way back to their various destinatiions, a road side bomb targetting them blasted and killed several people many of them children. The number of people killed, as per the information at hand, reached 27. Out the figure, three are sisters.

22 of them are victims of the bomblast while 5 were shot died by the Nigerian soldiers who opended fire on people, just after the blast, at area close to the Center (Markaz) of the Islamic Movement. in both cases over 80 were injured at various degrees.

It should be noted that among those who were matryred by bomblast 16 are children. Below are pictures of Ashura procession in Potiskum. Mallam Mustafa gave the closing speech and prayers.

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1461:breaking-bomb-blast-targeted-ashura-procession-in-potiskum&catid=41:frontpage

Ashura Bomb Attack in Potiskum, Nigeria: Dozens of mourners killed, many injured


By Ibrahim Usman
A bomb targeted at the Ashura procession in Potiskum, Nigeria on Monday was reported to have killed many members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, while many sustained injuries.

At the time of filing this report, 27 people were reported martyred while 80 sustained various forms of injuries.

Members of the Islamic Movement in Potiskum were commemorating Ashura Day, in conformity with their counterparts Muslims across the globe.

The Ashura is an annual event commemorated by the Movement in major cities across Nigeria to mourn the brutal murder of Imam Husain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad in the plain of Karbala, Iraq, 61 after Hijra.

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky had on Sunday alerted on grand plan to infiltrate and attack the Ashura procession by the Nigerian security.

Ameer of the Movement in Potiskum, Malam Mustapha Lawan Nasidi, told the BBC Hausa that, the bomb was targeted at the procession, and exploded when people were dispersing and innocent mourners were killed and many sustained injuries.

To worsen the situation, he said, soldiers arrived the scene and opened fire on the already aggrieved and bereaved mourners. “We hold the Nigerian military and government accountable. They openly killed our brothers and sisters. Bombs are properties of security operatives, and not civilians. Why don’t they investigate trademark bombs that explode in this country to ascertain where it comes from? Because they know it is their handiwork, or their agents’. We hold them responsible”, said Nasidi.

No official of the Nigerian government, or its security outfit had made any statement on the incident.

It would be recalled that soldiers had killed 34 members of the Islamic Movement, including 3 biological son of Sheikh Zakzaky, during Quds Day procession on July 25, this year.

Members of the Islamic Movement in Potiskum were in the recent past target of attack by the Nigerian security, in which in one incident two people died,one was a brother to Malam Lawan Nasidi.

Last Updated on Monday, 03 November 2014 16:30

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1464:ashura-bomb-attack-in-potiskum-nigeria-dozens-of-mourner-killed-many-injured&catid=41:frontpage

Explosion rocks Yobe as suicide bomber strikes

November 3, 2014Sani Tukur

A bomb attack has reportedly occurred in Potiskum, Yobe state.

Witnesses say a suicide bomber targeting members of the Shiite group, Islamic Brotherhood of Nigeria, detonated his explosive vest, killing many instantly.

A resident of the town, Adamu Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES over the telephone that nearly 20 persons were killed and several others injured.

“My sister lost three of her sons in the blast,” he said.

The bombing took place at Faydia Islamic school, ran by the Shiite. It is located near the old market in Potiskum.

The bomber struck when members of the Shiite were gathering to go on a procession to mark the Ashura day

Ashura day is the tenth day of the month of Muharram, the new month of the Islamic calendar.

Shiite Muslims commemorate the day to mourn the death of Hasain Bn Ali, the grand son of Prophet Mohammed who was reportedly killed on that day.

As the faithful were about embarking on the procession, the bomber got into their midst and detonated his bomb, witnesses say.

Potiskum is the largest town outside Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.

Although, the town had witnessed several bomb and gun attacks from members of the Boko Haram sect in the past, it has of recent enjoyed relative peace.

That has now been punctured by today’s bombing.

Efforts to speak with the spokespersons of both the Police and the Joint Task Force, JTf, in the state were unsuccessful.

Details later…

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/170499-explosion-rocks-yobe-as-suicide-bomber-strikes.html

AustineE1:

Young man,people like you are the reason Nigeria has found itself in this mess,for how long are we going to suppress the truth.Every muslim knows that the Sunni's believes that the Shia's are infidels and must be wiped or dealth with.From Iraq-Iran,Yemen-Syria,Egypt-Lebanon etc it has been war between this two groups....but from a neutral point of view and from information available to all,the Sunnis are the most troublesome group,always killing,bombing and maiming Shia's. In countries like Iran where shia's hold sway,they dont kill sunnis,they are more innovative and they embrace science and development but go to any Area where sunnis are dominant or even less dominant,they still terrorise others courtesy of Isis,Al qeada,boko haram etc.
Meanwhile where is 'Lagos Shia',come and speak for your people.

there is really nothing to speak.

after the tragedy of Karbala, Imam Ali Ibn al-Hussain (as)-son of Imam Hussain (as)- spoke to the tyrant Yazeed: "is it death you are threatening us with? death to us is a path, and our honor from God is martyrdom".

the enemies of Islam and Muslims have always plotted to silence the message of sacrifice, justice and freedom that Imam Hussain (as) represent. these killings will not work. Imam Hussain (as) lives on!!!!!! our Sunni brothers have nothing to do with the suicide bombings, criminality and killings targeting Shias. this is the handiwork of Wahhabis/Salafists, the slaves of America and Israel. they are the rotten egg in the Muslim body. they target Muslims and try to widen the sectarian gap because they camouflage as "Sunnis", while they also kill Sunnis. yesterday in Iraq over 300 Sunnis from the Abu Nimr clan were massacred by ISIS because they opposed ISIS and their evils. and the Sunnis are seeking help from the Shias. everywhere you hear sectarian killings targeting the Shias, or even Christians, Saudi Wahhabism is at work. all those groups you mentioned have one thing in common: Wahhabism. they kill Muslims, and commit atrocities on behalf of the West (as in Syria), and they are still used to tarnish the image of Muslims as a whole, and spread islamophobia. the only cure to this Wahhabi sickness is for Shia-Sunni unity. we can unite against criminality even if we have our theological differences.

tbaba1234:



They are as bad as ISIS. So many atrocities...

Salam and goodnight.

we are commemorating Ashura of Imam Hussain (as) on Tuesday, 4th of november, 2014. please commemorate this sunnah, and uphold Allah's command in the Quran for the "QURBAH" of our Prophet (sa).

Goodnight.

LyfeJennings:

I no wan trade words with U cos I might commit a grave sin amd say what I shouldn't say but dude, take a chill pill.

ok

AlBaqir:


Is Yassir Qadhi tbaba1234 mujtahid? Lol.

LyfeJennings:



Plenty talk no dey full basket joor. Guy, If U like cut urself, if U like shoot urself. Nigga, its ur body and OYO lowa. I no dey carry religion for head cos no one isnt making it out here alive. Life is too short for all this argument. I'm a peace loving muslim, I dont support terrorism. Whatever has happened in the prophet era has happened and it cant and wouldn't change the world. Those folks never made life any better, instead they made it hard... (Astagafirlah )

God bless the Michael Faradays and the Wright Brothers of this world who invented and made life better for us...

The man, I no get time for Ashura tins mehn.

and look at the words of the "morality police" who wanted to oppose "shirk". if you are a frustrated fellow, then dont spill your venom.

those people sacrificed their lives so that you and i would have today something called Islam and the Holy Qur'an. ask any sane Sunni scholar, and he would tell you that if not for the noble and benevolent sacrifice of Imam Hussain (as), there would have been nothing as Islam left in the world. Imam Hussain (as) therefore was a divine instrument in entrenching Islam for posterity to come.

it is a small price to honor the memory of our Prophet's (sa) "near ones".

it is a Quranic obligation to love the Prophet's (sa) "near ones".

it is a sunnah.

and there are great lessons for us all to learn from. if non-Muslims can appreciate the sacrifice and lessons of Imam Hussain (as), then we should consider ourselves blessed to be in the same religion as Imam Hussain (as) was.

"Hussain taught me how to achieve victory while being oppressed"- Mahatma Gandhi

tbaba1234:


Let us not go there, we know what carnage shia militias are also causing. All madness.

by and large, the Shia militias are reacting in self defense to what ISIS, and previously alqaeda and its other Wahhabi affiliates have committed against the Shias of Iraq since the fall of the tyrant Saddam. also, Sunni propaganda is very wicked and venomous. when a terrorist gets killed, aljazeera would lie that a Sunni got killed by the so called "Shia militias". of course not to forget that ISIS also targets Sunnis opposed to them, and when a Sunni mosque gets bombed, aljazeera and the western media first point finger at the Shia civil defense groups to cause more sectarian tension. not to forget, it has never been the practice of the Shia to attack any place of worship. it is not in our beliefs.

LyfeJennings:




See this shia guy o. Look gee, I'm a moderate muslim. I am still struggling with sins and U are here quoting Quram and hadith for me... What’s my business with ISIS? The middle east is cursed with war, its plagued, all the madness there is beyond Islam. Its got political undertone and Islam is just an excuse. Guy, I am paper chasing and dont have time for this frivolous discussion. Shiite celebration of Ashura is extreme & I stand on that, ISIS operation defines madness and I am not in any way supporting it. U don hear??

trust me, if not for the Shia commemoration of Ashura, you and your likes wouldnt even be aware that there was a grandson of Prophet Muhammad (sa) who got beheaded by your predecessors. it would become a well kept secret swept under the carpet. instead, your likes would be building and naming government schools in honor of the cursed one, Yazeed, as even with all the Shia "extremism" on Ashura, it so happened in Wahhabi Saudi Arabia. you should be thanking the Shia for keeping the Muslim consciousness awake, the spirit of Islam alive and the memory of the Prophet (sa) and his Ahlul-Bayt (as) and love for them fresh.

if you are "moderate" or whatever you call yourself, then do not judge. seek knowledge first.

feeling sad and shedding tears for Imam Hussain (as) and over the tragedy of Karbala is sunnah because the Prophet (sa) did that. whatever the Prophet (sa) did or spoke is "sunnah". so here we are practicing a sunnah. as for tatbeer, again, i repeat, a tiny minority of overzealous Shias perform it. and they have their reasons too, even though i see the practice of tatbeer as an unneeded means to spread the message of Ashura and Imam Hussain (as). crying and feeling sad, wearing black, hitting one's chest, are better ways, and of course, the lectures, sermons, gatherings, processions etc. are all better means to keep this tradition and memory alive to honor the Ahlul-Bayt (as) of the Prophet (sa) and to uphold the love for the Ahlul-Bayt (as) which Allah (swt) has made obligatory in the Holy Quran.

tbaba1234:


Yea, but only one madness claims lives needlessly.

good point. it seems the the influence of Yassir al-Qadhi is over you!!!

LyfeJennings:



I never said they great but their madness has reduced some other madness in that area.. Ashura isnt to be celebrated the way Shiite in the middle east celebrate it.. so

Ashura is not celebrated. it is commemorated. it is a sad day in the history of Islam, not a feast or festival nor a fasting day. if the Shia are wrong as per your ignorance, then there is nothing right Sunnis have done to counter the wrong-be it your fasting or your terrorism that disgraces Islam and has turned Muslims into a demonized cult globally thanks to your likes.

the Prophet (sa), shed tears for Imam Hussain (as), decades before the happening as the Prophet (sa) didnt live to witness the tragedy. we too would shed tears. as for self-flagellation or tatbeer, only a very small minority amongst Shias do it. and trust me, even though i dont see the need to do tatbeer, they do have very sound arguments to make. and besides they are doing tatbeer on themselves, not on Sunnis, or their fellow Shias who dont, or anyone else. so whats your headache? the commemoration of Ashura being a sad day is what makes it "mourning". but in reality, Ashura isnt even marked by Shias in order just to "mourn" per se. Ashura becomes mourning because it was a sad tragedy. you only mark a tragedy through sadness and tears, not through display of joy. the mourning and sad displays are not the end. they are the means to spread the message of Imam Hussain (as) and the Prophet Muhammad's (sa) Ahlul-Bayt (as), and also, to uphold the command of Allah in the Holy Quran to every Muslim: "Say O Muhammad: I ask of no reward from you (Muslims), except the love for my near ones". therefore if we love the "near ones" of the Prophet (sa), we cannot feel happy on such a sad occasion. if the Prophet (sa) shed tears for Imam Hussain (as), then shedding tears for Imam Hussain (as) became a sunnah.

LyfeJennings:
If not for ISIS
Iraq Shiite muslims would have been tearing themselves with daggers and knives all in the name of Ashura. But with the formation of ISIS, if any Shirk is celebrated, na bombing things o

Holy Qur'an 18:29
"The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve."

so what happens to the above verse? and how does self-flagellation that some Shias do, for very good reasons-well thought, amount to shirk? everything in your life and beliefs revolve around shirk. you have turned your beliefs into a big idol without realizing it. and how do others striking themselves harm you? does that justify you killing them?

of course, this is all excuse. you support a terrorist group and clamor that they target Iraqi citizens who should be free in their country. you are not concerned about shirk or whatever. you are concerned about continuing the jahiliyyah culture that banu umayyah strove to continue through the beheading of Imam Hussain (as), the Prophet Muhammad's (sa) grandson. all this your silly fasting on Ashura is not about piety or devotion, it is about a willful effort to distort history and conceal the real meaning of Ashura surrounding the tragedy of Karbala that your terrorist predecessors committed against the household of the holy Prophet (sa). my message to you is the message of Sayyida Zainab Bint Ali (as) to Yazid (la), after the tragedy of Karbala: "try your best, do your best, by Allah you will NEVER erase our heritage/memory"!!!

just as your banu umayyah, and banu abass, and the ottomans, and and and...................came and went, ISIS will come and go too. but Ashura will remain, and Imam Hussain (as) will remain. you can kill and kill, but the place of the Ahlul-Bayt (as) will remain. the Shia will continue to awaken the sleeping Sunnis who are sincere and dont know what took place. as for the others who are not sincere, Allah will judge you along with Yazeed! you will only remain a miserable murderer and follower of murderers who oppressed and murdered the household of Prophet Muhammad (sa). the terror you practice today has indeed nothing to do with the Islam of Muhammad (sa). it has to do with jahiliyyah of your predecessors who were quick to butcher the Prophet's (sa) family and display their jahiliyyah traits starting just start after the passing away of the Prophet (sa) and starting from Saqifah Banu Saeda. the fabrication machine of banu umayyah have also fabricated tons of hadiths in your books to make the Prophet (sa) look barbaric and one like them in their days of jahiliyyah. you can try your best, but Islam will remain the Islam of Muhammad (sa) and the family of Muhammad (sa), and those honorable sahaba who abode by the household (as). not the Islam of any renegade, apostate or criminal sahaba or dynasty you honor. you can talk all the nonsense you like. your fasting on Ashura is a sin, and it is bid'ah. there was no fasting on the 10th of Muharram by the Jews of Medina when the Prophet (sa) just arrived Medina. its simple calculation. there was no calendar coincidence of the 10th of Muharram (Ashura day) with any Jewish fasting. your bid'ah is not piety. it is meant to conceal the truth. and shame on you, and everyone that fast to contribute their share to try erasing the memory of Imam Hussain (as). you will not succeed!

we will not only cry tears for Imam Hussain (as), but we will cry blood instead of tears as Imam Mehdi (aj) rightly said.

‘Declaration of war’: Abbas warns over 1st Al-Aqsa Mosque closure since 1967

Published time: October 30, 2014 09:07
Edited time: October 30, 2014 14:18


The Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound behind the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, a densely-populated Palestinian neighbourhood on a steep hillside flanking the southern walls of Jerusalem's Old City. (AFP Photo)

The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has been closed to all worshipers for the first time since 1967. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called the closure a ‘declaration of war.’

Both Jewish and Muslim worshipers will be prohibited from visiting the site “until further notice,” Israel’s public security minister said. Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered "a significant hike" in the number of police forces patrolling Jerusalem, Naharnet daily reports.

Palestinian authorities quickly responded to the move, saying it was a "dangerous and blatant challenge" that would lead to more tension and instability in an already volatile situation.

This dangerous Israeli escalation is a declaration of war on the Palestinian people and its sacred places and on the Arab and Islamic nation," Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina quoted him as saying.

"We hold the Israeli government responsible for this dangerous escalation in Jerusalem that has reached its peak through the closure of the Al-Aqsa mosque this morning," he told AFP.

He added that the state of Palestinian would employ all legal means to "hold Israel accountable" and put an end to "these ongoing attacks."

Omar Al-Kiswani, director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, told RT the decision to close the site was very dangerous and irrational, saying it would lead to destabilization and a strengthening of tensions not only in Jerusalem, but in the entire region. He said the situation in Jerusalem has been turbulent as a result of the closure.

“We lay responsibility for this decision on the Israeli government and police,” Al-Kiswani said.

The closure of Al-Aqsa, Islam’s third holiest site, followed the shooting of a right-wing Jewish activist, Yehuda Glick, on Wednesday. Glick had advocated for greater Jewish access to the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism where Al-Aqsa sits, along with the much revered Dome of the Rock.

The Americna-born Glick was shot three times by an assailant who fled the scene on the motorcycle.

On Thursday Israeli police shot dead Mutaz Hijazi in East Jerusalem, whom they claim was responsible for the attack on Glick. Israeli counter-terrorism officers said they came under fire after surrounding a residence in the Abu Tor neighborhood. Hijazi reportedly died in the subsequent shootout. Israeli security services later said that Hijazi had spent 11 years in an Israeli prison before being released in 2012.

The shooting coincided with renewed clashes between Palestinians and Jewish security forces.

On Tuesday, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat had told municipal authorities to crack down on residents in East Jerusalem over a range of offenses in order to compel them to pressure Palestinian youth who have been clashing with police on a near daily basis.

Earlier this month, Abbas warned his government would appeal to international law to deal with alleged Israeli “aggression” against Al-Aqsa.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas warned that his government will seek international “legal measures” to deal with Israeli “aggression” against Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque.

Abbas accused Israeli settlers of attempting to “attack the mosque” and called for Jews to be banned from the site.

Abbas' statements mirrored comments made by Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, who earlier urged Muslims to “defend” the holy mosque after Israeli forces restricted entrance for Palestinians. Meshaal further accused Israel of trying to seize the site.

Israeli authorities have said that all are free to worship at the the compound.

Two weeks prior, clashes erupted between Palestinians and police after Israeli authorities placed restrictions on Al-Aqsa, only allowing Palestinians over the age of 50 to enter the site. Nearly 400 people gathered at the entrance to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to protest the restrictions, with some in attendance lobbing stones at police. Police responded by firing stun grenades. Three injuries and several arrests resulted from the disturbances.

A police spokesperson at the time said police would show "zero tolerance" to prevent further clashes in the area.

http://rt.com/news/200755-al-aqsa-mosque-closed/

...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/

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...

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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/

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...

AlBaqir:

Peace
There are debates over how many children came from the union of the holy prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) and lady Khadija (may Allah be please with her) considering the fact that she had married twice before she got married with Muhammad (peace be on him and his progeny).
Whichever way it is, Fatima (as) was the ONLY surviving daughter of the holy prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) when 'verse of purification of ahl al-bayt' and 'verse of Mubahila' were revealed.

brother, if you permit me to shed more light on that. notwithstanding how many biological children the Prophet (sa) had, or whether or not the "daughters" apart from Sayyida Fatima (as) were his biological daughters, we have been stressing that the word "Ahlul-Bayt" as per the Holy Qur'an is an Islamic technical term. it doesn't take into consideration blood relation, but a status bestowed by Allah (swt). theoretically, or literally, anyone related to the Prophet (sa) by blood can be "considered" part of his "Ahlul-Bayt". we do not discount that. but here we are stressing the Qur'anic meaning of "Ahlul-Bayt" (as). we are talking about what the divine definition is. that meaning as per the Qur'an is restricted to 5 people during the life of the Prophet (sa), and the 9 holy Imams from the progeny of Imam Hussain (as) after the Prophet (sa). for that reason, we saw the declaration to Prophet Noah (as) about his biological son:

"And Noah called to his Lord and said, "My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges! He said, "O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant." (Holy Qur'an 11:45-46)

those related to the Prophet (sa) through blood, and not regarded in the Qur'anic meaning of the term "Ahlul-Bayt", do not necessarily have to be unrighteous, unbelievers, wicked, evil or evildoers. they may be good and righteous people. but the Qur'anic term of "Ahlul-Bayt" is a restrictive term to 5 people in the lifetime of the Prophet (sa). anywhere in the Qur'an the word "Ahlul-Bayt" (of Prophet Muhammad) is mentioned, that word is being used by Allah (swt) referring to 5 people only- the Prophet (sa), Imam Ali (as), Sayyida Fatima (as), Imam Hassan (as), and Imam Hussein (as). otherwise, we may as well say Abu Lahab is related to the Prophet (sa) for instance. after the lifetime of the Prophet (sa), the term encompasses the carriers of the divine imamate after Imam Hussein (as), who are the 9 Imams (as) from the progeny of Imam Hussein (as) to complete the line of a total of 12 Imams (as) or successors as promised by Prophet Muhammad (sa); Imam Ali, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (as) being the first 3 Imams (as).

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.

Jazak'Allahu Khaira akhi Al-Baqir!

'azam'Allahu ujurakum bi musab Abi Abdillahi'l Hussein (as).

The below verses are related to your above discussion:

"Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds -Offspring one of the other; and Allah is Hearing, Knowing." (Holy Qur'an 5:33-34)

"Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet Muhammad's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification." (Holy Qur'an 33:33)

Examples from the Holy Qur'an of a Wife "Not Part of Her Husband's Family" and a Son "Not Part of His Father's Family"!

"And Firon's family took him (Moses) up that he might be an enemy and a grief for them; surely Firon and Haman and their hosts were wrongdoers." (Holy Qur'an 28:8 )

"And Firon's wife said: A refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive." (Holy Qur'an 28:9)

"And God sets forth, as an example to those who believe the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: 'O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong':" (Holy Qur'an 66:11)

Question: is the "wife of Pharaoh" (in 28:9, 66:11) part of "Fir'awn's family" (in 28:8 ) that Moses (as) would later on become an enemy to and grief for? No! there is example right in the Holy Qur'an of how a wife is not part of her husband's family figuratively!!!

another proof of a son not being part of his father's family from the Qur'anic language and point of view:

"And Noah called to his Lord and said, "My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges! He said, "O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant." (Holy Qur'an 11:45-46)

podosci:

There is a verse in the Quran that supports the killing of muslims who convert to other religion...it is written in black and white,,,,,,,,d Religion like all other religion propagates peace but the laws of the religion are obsolete and both the Quran and Hadith need reform

there is no verse in the Qur'an that proclaims the death penalty for apostasy. it is just not found in the Qur'an. in fact, quite the contrary is found. take a look:

"And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." (18:29)

"There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong." (2:256)

"You have your religion, and I have my religion." (109:6)

"Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve, and then increase in their disbelief - Allah will never forgive them nor guide them to the path." (4:137).

based on verse (4:137),if a person is to be killed for apostasy,then how can he "believe again after he disbelieves"?

podosci:

If not for wealth.......the saudis would be worst than our brothers from northern extraction..............Islam has gotn too violent and d Quran and Hadith needs to be revised to deal with modernizatin and changing times

my dear, it isn't the Qur'an or Hadiths that need reform. these are only writings on paper. you cannot reform or change historical records. that would become tampering or plagiarism. it would appear as if the extremists do have a point, and are the "real muslims", and other muslims who oppose them are "fake" and are trying to "hide" something from the texts which we all read to gain inspiration from.

it is Muslims that need reform. just as the extremists can cherry-pick verses and narrations from the Holy Qur'an and Hadith records, and twist them and take them out of their historical contexts, to justify their barbarism and backwardness, there are verses and narrations that easily, truthfully and conveniently promote peace, love, mercy, tolerance and co-existence. the Saudi problem is one of both a deadly ideology called Wahhabism/Salafism coupled with abundant money/petro-dollars. the deadly Wahhabi ideology is there, and the money to fuel it is also there endlessly. so that is the problem. Saudi Wahhabism has eaten up the body of Muslim/Islam.

Saudi Arabia faces outcry over death sentence for Shia faith leader

Nimr Baqir al-Nimr’s conviction for sedition adding to unrest and promoting sectarian hatred, says Human Rights Watch


Ian Black, Middle East editor

The Guardian, Thursday 16 October 2014 19.01 BST



A woman near Manama, Bahrain, holds up a portrait of Shia leader Nimr Baqir al-Nimr in solidarity. Photograph: Mohammed Al-Shaikh/AFP/Getty Images


Saudi Arabia is facing an international outcry and accusations of promoting sectarian hatred after a Shia Muslim religious leader from the country’s volatile eastern province was sentenced to death.

Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, who led protests in Qatif at the height of the Arab spring in 2011, was convicted on Wednesday of sedition and other charges in a case that has been followed closely by Shias in the kingdom and neighbouring Bahrain.

Shia Muslims make up 10%-15% of the population of Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, which bills itself as playing a lead role in the fight against the jihadis of Islamic State (Isis) in Syria and Iraq. Riyadh has supported Sunni groups fighting to overthrow Bashar al-Assad but denies backing Isis.

State prosecutors had reportedly asked for Nimr to be crucified. The sentence is thought likely to be commuted on appeal.

Nimr was arrested in 2012 and ill-treated during his two-year detention, much of it spent in solitary confinement. He was denied surgery for bullet wounds suffered when he was arrested. He was charged with “disobeying the ruler”, “inciting sectarian strife”, and encouraging and leading demonstrations.

In Iran, Saudi Arabia’s chief regional rival and the political centre of the Shia world, the foreign ministry warned on Thursday that execution would have “dire consequences”. It called Nimr an ayatollah, giving him the second most senior clerical title in the Shia hierarchy. Iran, like Saudi Arabia, uses capital punishment.

In London the Foreign Office stated that it was aware of the sentencing, adding: “The UK opposes the death penalty as a matter of principle.”

The Saudi authorities have portrayed the cleric as an “instigator of discord and rioting”. But Nimr’s supporters and family have denied that he incited violence.

In a BBC interview, Nimr said he backed “the roar of the word against authorities rather than weapons”. The arrest of his brother and other relatives after sentencing has fuelled anger that is being ventilated on Twitter and other social media.

“Saudi Arabia’s harsh treatment of a prominent Shia cleric is only adding to existing sectarian discord and unrest,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Saudi Arabia’s path to stability in the eastern province lies in ending systematic discrimination against Shia citizens, not in death sentences.”

Amnesty International described Nimr’s sentencing as part of a wider Saudi government crackdown on dissent.

Shia and Sunni groups said they were extremely alarmed by the sentence. “Ayatollah al-Nimr is a respected Muslim figure in Saudi Arabia,” 10 organisations said in statement. “He is a faith leader, reformist and human rights activist, who has campaigned for an end to discriminatory laws against the Shia minority. The sentencing will further inflame sectarian tensions and provide encouragement to extremist groups such as Isis to continue their persecution of religious minorities.”

Toby Matthiessen, a Cambridge expert on Saudi Arabia, said: “In the last two years Nimr has become known by Shia across the world. For many Salafis and Sunnis with anti-Shia leanings he has become a real hate figure. In the context of Isis, with the Saudi royal family trying to legitimise itself in the eyes of Sunnis, being tough is probably a positive thing. Nimr was a revolutionary who called for non-violent protests and the downfall of the Al Saud, but also for Assad to go. He wasn’t sectarian.”

Yusif al-Khoei, of the London-based Al-Khoei Foundation, said he was “appalled” by the news and with others was considering boycotting a Saudi-organised conference on inter-religious dialogue in Vienna.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/16/saudi-arabia-death-sentence-shia-nimr-baqir-human-rights