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Salam, In the maqtal of Husayn (عليه السلام), it is narrated from Zayn al-'Abideen that on the eve of 'Ashura, when Zaynab realizes the fate of his brother, she falls to the ground, laments, and slaps her face. In response, Husayn says, “Sister, I swear to you – and I keep my oaths – that you must not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor cry out with grief and sorrow when I die.” -Maqtal al Husayn of Abi Mikhnaf Why do mainstream Shia of today hit themselves and cry excessively 1300 years later for more than a month despite the fact that Imam Husayn told even his own sister not to grieve after his death?

I think it seems like a well made documentary and Rebecca Masterton is a very staunch traditional Shia. The academic amongst us brothers your input and comments would be most appreciated. I am not going to tag anyone but we all know who they are. Anyone not sticking to the norms of posting among brothers for the sake of learning will be asked not to participate in this thread. And please do not copy paste long passages, instead give us your own input again not without proofs. Jazakallah khair.

I think it is quite obvious that Shiachat is very silent these days. I had a long absence due to personal commitments. This said I was quite shocked (so to speak) to find out that Shiachat is not what it has been before. I do not know the exact reason but I think it might be due to people finding posts repetitive, boring and not exciting. The 2013-era is indeed dead to quote Nietzsche. I mean some initiatives can be made to make the place more engaging. I won't mention my personal intentions, which I think have been well established. However, if an admin wants an elaboration (note: only an admin), they can contact me on PM). And these are my last words: Walhamdulillahi rabil alameen, wa salalahü ala Tâha wa Ahle Taha.

Hey all, I'm doing research on how (Shia) Muslims perceive the Karbala narrative in relation to the Syrian Civil War. I've seen that there are already many threads that mention Yazid and Husayn in relation to the Syrian Civil War, but I want to see if its possible to start an organized discussion about this topic. What I am interested in is: How do you understand, perceive and explain the events at Karbala? Often the Karbala narrative is analysed by researchers as a narrative about: ''What is right versus wrong, belief versus disbelief, and the oppressed versus the oppressor, faith against brute force. Karbala was about standing in the face of oppression, regardless no matter the cost''. Is this definition correct to you? Hamid Dabashi notes: Yazid is the personification of evil and injustice in the Shi’i historical memory’ while Hossein ''represents the ideal type: a revolutionary hero who revolts against zulm (tyranny)'' (Hamid Dabashi, A religion of protest (2011)) How do you perceive the story of Karbala in relation to the Syrian Civil War? Is it a conflict between right and wrong, as often displayed in the media? Do you perceive it as a revolution by the oppressed versus an oppressor? Is it right to compare Assad to Yazid or Assad to Husayn, and if so; does it even matter? What is your opinion on politicians using the Karbala narrative in the Syrian Civil War? Do you agree with them, is it correct to use it this way, and does it influence your perception of the war? Political actors in the Syrian Civil War have evoked the narrative as following: ‘We need to prevent another Karbala from happening’ - Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader in late 2011 ‘We are facing monsters, the grandsons of Yazid and Muawiyah, and the grandsons of those who carried out the Karbala massacres – and today they want to repeat them’ - Akram al-Kaabi from Iraqi Ḥaraka Ḥizballāh an-Nujabā in a speech for Iraqi militia troops in Aleppo late 2016 ‘What is happening in Syria is similar to what happened in Karbala, but the oppressed and the oppressors are different’ -Turkish president Recip Erdogan at Arab Awakening conference in Istanbul 2012 ‘Karbala is in Aleppo this year, and the infant of Imam Hussain is under the rubble of its houses’ - Subhi al-Tufayli, formal leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah-movement, at Friday sermon in Beirut 2016 I think its only fair to give some info on myself and on why I am doing this research. Lets start with saying I'm Dutch and not religious. First time I encountered Shiism and the story of Hussain was when I was young and playing with my Lebanese (shia) friends. After my trip to Iran in 2014 and speaking to many Iranians, I found the story of Husayn very interesting and I continued to do more research on how the story and life of Hussain became so influential in the collective memory of Iranian Muslims. This research can be read here, but note its in Dutch; https://www.academia.edu/26035771/Labbayk_YaHussain_collective_Muharram-rituals_the_conversion_of_Iran_by_the_Safavids_and_the_creation_of_a_Iranian_identity_Dutch_ Thank you already for taking time and reading (and thinking about this) and possibly already for contributing to this discussion, I'm looking forward to hear of you!

A recent book on Islam could be yours. The main thrust of the book is to address criticisms of Islam but it also goes to explain Islam. Go to the following website: http://www.acloserlookatislam.com/ Then Click "Giveaway Details " And when it goes to that page Click "Enter Giveaway"

Salam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatu Dear brothers and sisters, if one of you could transliterate this noha in english, I would be extremely grateful.

I just wanted to see fellow shia's view on prophet Ibrahim (a.s) and how he corresponds on the greatest creation list. I personally think he is the second best creation and that if it wasn't for him, Allah would not have made among his offspring the 12 imams were it not for his dua.

Salam Alaikum Here are a few videos of the Imam Hussain Annual Arbaeen Procession 1437/2015 - Windsor, Canada فيديو مسيرة اربعين الامام الحسين (ع) ١٤٣٧ في وندزر، كندا Imam Hussain Annual Arbaeen Procession 1437 in Windsor, Canada http://youtu.be/Q9Zbjc5phDg مسيرة اربعين الامام الحسين (ع) ١٤٣٧ في وندزر، كندا - تقرير خبري باللغة الانجليزية Arbaeen Procession 1437 - Windsor, Canada - English News report http://youtu.be/lgnCh3DGIgM مسيرة اربعين الامام الحسين (ع) ١٤٣٧ في وندزر، كندا - تقرير خبري باللغة العربية Arbaeen Procession 1437 - Windsor, Canada - Arabic News report http://youtu.be/Qjvw3czHuy0 كلمة باللغة الانجليزية للاخ احمد بزي في مسيرة الاربعين ١٤٣٧ في وندزر، كندا English speech by brother Ahmed Bazzi in the Arbaeen Procession 1437 - Windsor, Canada http://youtu.be/L0tLiH_xWYE كلمة باللغة العربية للشيخ علي عيديبي في مسيرة الاربعين ١٤٣٧ في ونذزر، كندا Arabic speech by Shaikh Ali Aideebi in the Arbaeen Procession 1437- Windsor, Canada http://youtu.be/NVO__6S54iI

I am searching for the book of Maqtal al Husayn in Arabic. As far as I know the first original book is by Abu Mikhnaf. Can anybody help with the link if available to download or buy ? As far as I know the first original book is by Abu Mikhnaf.