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(Salam) I am follower of Ayatullah Ali Sistani (hz). I read his (hz) fatwas on net about Zanjeer Zani (Hitting one's back with Knives hanging with chains) that one should avoid this because if a non-muslim sees this he does not understand it. I intend to do Zanjeer Zani this year. I live in Lahore/Pakistan where majority is muslim and even during the procession `majorty is Shia`. My question is that if it is not declared absolute haram by Ayatullah Sistani (hz), then i will like doing this year.

Martyrs of Kerbela - kufa - table.docx

asslamoalaikum, There are many arguments from Quran and Sunnah which prove beyond the shadow of any doubt that Imamat/Calphate/Leadership are divine institutions. This is main flashpoint between Shia and Sunni school of thought. Many examples of divine appointment of Imam/Caliph can be sited from Quran and Sunnah whereas Sunni view about caliphate/imamat is quite vague and confused one which finds no support from Quran and Sunnah (ant its proven many times). Even within Sunni schools of thought there are huge differences about the view of caliphate/imamat. One important and dangerous point regarding this basic difference between Shia and Sunnis is that Shia take Imamat/Caliphate as religious issue while Sunnis (though do not say it verbally) take caliphate/imamat as non-religious issue. The reason is the same because Shia take Imamat as "divine" hence take it as part of religion while Sunni take it as result of Shuru (consultation) has can not convince others that its a religious issue. Irrespective of the fact that Shia try to prove Imamat/Caliphate being divine institution from Quran and Sunnah and Sunnis deny this and try to prove otherwise, i would like to draw the attention of just minded Shias and Sunnis that can they place their right hand on their hearts and say that "A person can lead in an incident like Karbala without divine guidance?". The role of Imam is the protection of Islam and how beautifully Imam Hussain (a.s) performed this duty. It is not so because i am Shia hence i am saying that Imam Hussain a.s was definitely divinely appointed and divinely guided Imam who lead true Islam in Karbala. The roles of Imams (a.s) of each time show apparently that they were best of their time. A non divine imam can not be so perfect.

Hope everyone here is fine. I was reading Imam Hussain a.s 's sayings, One of them says.... "If you neither believe in religion nor fear the hereafter, then at least be free from Tyranny and Arrogance" I want all of you to help me understand this quote. There are so many bad things in this world...in our life, but why Imam a.s said to be free from cruel leadership and that feeling when you think you are smarter and best as compare to others. By the way, I am not criticizing His a.s advice (God forbid), I am just curious that what is special in these two things that Imam a.s advised to be free from them.

(salam) Some people say that Hazrat Sakina a.s was much elder than being of 4 years at the time of Shahadat of Imam Hussain (a.s) and there was no 4 years daughter of Imam Hussain (a.s) in Karbala to whom many incidents are attributed even according to Shia history books. But we have heard much about it like she being slapped before Imam Hussain (a.s) by Shimar (laeen) or she stopping Imam (a.s) from going to battle field, her cloths being burnt after the Khayam were burnt, she was slapped by Shimar (laeen) during the voyage from Karbala to Syria, and she died inside the prison. If there was no such child then why these stories? I want answer from any learned brother because i admit i have no deep knowledge.

CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN GUARANTEES ITS CITIZENS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF ASSEMBLY AND PROFESSING RELIGION: Those who are demanding Shia Muslims to restrict their public processions in Pakistan are talking against the Fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan because right of Assembly and right to profess religion is guaranteed to citizens under the constitution. I am pasting the relevant articles here. 16 Freedom of assembly. Every citizen shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order. 20 Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions. Subject to law, public order and morality:- (a) every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion; and ( b ) every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions. If the state wants that Shias should surrender this right and should not assemble in public then its only solution is suspension of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 16 and Article 20 of the Constitution. Constitutional amendment can be brought by two third majority in the parliament. We welcome our parliament if the parliament can bring this amendment. Then these fundamental rights will be suspended. There will be no political activity or processions, religious activity or processions and even no one will have the right to offer prayer in the mosque either of Shia or Sunni because the Article will be suspended. Are you ready to bring this amendment in the Constitution? The sentence "subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order" in the said articles proves beyond the shadow of any doubt that these religious gatherings or processions can only be regulated but can never be banned. I hope you will understand the point and i also also ask Shia Muslims to raise this point on each forum. Thank you very much your brother in faith. You can read the articles of the constitution in the following online link. http://www.pakistani.../part2.ch1.html

Salaamu alaikum I'm going to global walking to Holy cities of Iraq. departure is 28-Dec-2012 from Iran- Abadan border. we will be in Najaf at 29-Dec-2012. aftre Ziarat Imam Al-Ali a.s we'll leave there to Karbala. the distance between Najaf and Karbala is 90 km. people walk the distance in 3 days and 2 nights.there's many camps in the road, offer many services freely like feeding camps, clinic camps and etc. there's many camps offer room and balnket with pillow for sleeping. in clinic camps many people ready to massage your foots if they are tired of walking! doctors ready to checking your health and give you necessary medicine if you need. in some camp you can take bath and wash yourself. the intresting thing is their persist for using their services freely. they want instead just your Doa (prayer)and hope when you arrive to Karbala tell Imam Hussain a.s that keep them health and get them to heaven in the next world. I will pray for you there but I ask you pray for me to reach Karbala, In sha'Allah. I will report more about this global walking in the future. May Allah (swt) bless you. salam

(salam) Ibn e Taymmiyah (l.a) was the first to lay the foundation of love of Yazeed in the hearts of Sunnis otherwise, before him Sunnis were more inclined to accept the reality and had more love for Ahl ul bayt a.s. Ibn e Taymmiyah (l.a) not only created doubts about the merits of Ahl ul bayt a.s rather he also tried to conceal the truth about the tragedies of Ahl ul bayt a.s like he advocated Yazeed and tried to clear him from the biggest crime of Islamic history. Like see the following attempt by Ibn e Taymmiyah (l.a) ibn Taymiyah says that: “sending the head of Husayn to Damascus has no foundation during the time of Yazid.”[1] In answer to this matter, we should say that: there are many traditions indicating that the head of Imam Husayn (a.s.) has been sent to Yazid; is it possible to deny all of them? We mention some of them here: Y’aqubi writes in his History that: “Yazid wrote a letter to his governor , Walid ibn Abi Sufyan, in Medina that: when you received my letter, call Husayn ibn Ali and Abdullah ibn Zubayr and ask them for swearing allegiance to me, and cut off their heads and send them to me in the case of refusing doing so…”[2] ibn Athir writes that: “as Yazid received the head of Husayn (a.s.), the rank and position of ibn Ziyad was risen by Yazid, he gave him rewards and made him happy for what he had done.”[3] Tabari also quotes that: “then Yazid allowed people to come to him. People entered Yazid’s royal residence; while the head of Husayn (a.s.) was in front of him, and he was beating with his bat on the throat of Husayn (a.s.) …, a person from the Companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.), namely Abu Barzah Aslami said to Yazid that: are you beating with your bat on the throat of Husayn (a.s.)? Be aware! You are beating with your bat on where I saw that the Prophet (s.a.w.) kissed it. O Yazid! You will come in the resurrection day, while ibn Ziyad is your intercessor. But Husayn (a.s.) will come in the resurrection day, while Muhammad (s.a.w.) is his intercessor, then he stood up, turned his back to him and left his meeting.”[4] Siyuti writes that: “when Husayn and children of his father were killed, ibn Ziyad sent their heads to Yazid. Yazid became happy about their killing first, but when he saw that Muslims considered him as an enemy and took vengeance from him, he expressed his repentant.”[5] Sabt ibn Juwzi has quoted that: “when the head of Husayn (a.s.) was put in front of Yazid, he invited people of Damascus and started to beat with bamboo on his holiness’ head. Then he recited ibn Zub’ari’s poems which its content is as this: we killed the great people of Hashimite instead of our great ones who were killed in the battle of Badr, therefore moderation and adjustment were set in this case.”[6] [7] References [1] - Ra’s al- Husayn (a.s.), p. 207; Al- Wasiyah al- Kubra, p. 206. [2] - History of Ya’qubi, vol. 2, p. 241; Al- Futuh, vol. 5, p. 10 and 11. [3] - Kamil of ibn Athir, vol. 3, p. 300; History of Tabari, vol. 4, p. 388; Tarikh al- Khulafa’, p. 208; Al- Bidayah wa al- Nihayah, vol. 8, p. 254; Kitab al- Futuh, vol. 5, p. 252. [4] - History of Tabari, vol. 4, p. 356; Kamil of ibn Athir, vol. 3, p. 298. [5] - Tarikh al- Khulafa’, p. 208. [6] - Tazkarah al- Khawas, p. 235. [7] - Ali Asghar Rizwani, Salafism and Answering to the Doubts, p. 158.

SALAM ALAIKUM EVERYONE, It's Johanna Hill and I'm starting this new thread because we are really in desperate need of your help. Please watch our video and help us to relocate from New York to a place that is less expensive. New York has become unbearable for us and please remember the quote below by Imam Hussain (A.S). Thank you and may Allah (SWT) bless you for all your help. Even one dollar helps, it all adds up. "When a poor man begs for your help, his pride is hurt. By letting him down, you are causing another blow to his pride." -Imam Hussain (as)