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Salaam, Having been to Iraq for Arbaeen and 3rd Shabaan, this year I had planned to visit Iraq for Ashur. Based on the political evets in the ME, i had to cancel the trip despite having a visa and time off from work. I decided to keep my time off and made a niyyah that one way or another i will be in Karbala from 6th Muharram onwards. I was checking flights everyday and then was able to book a flight to Baghdad on Jun 25 leaving on Jun 29th. Arrived in Baghdad on the morning on Jul 1 and drove straight to Najaf. I was surprised to see how "empty" Najaf was. We were able to walk right up to the zareeh of Imam Ali (عليه السلام) without any obstructions. Evening picked up a little bit more but nothing like the usual sea of people during maksoosi days. Speaking to locals, they said it was partly due to all the cancelations and the pilgrims who did make it to Iraq were already on their way to Karbala. We left for Karbala on Jul 2 and reached here just after zuhr. We dropped our stuff at the hotel and immediately left to visit the shrines. Much to our surprise, we were able to walk right up to the zareeh in both shrines. Most people had prayed and left for lunch and afternoon siesta. A couple of people said that it would significantly pick up from 7th Muh onwards. Maghrib prayers were slightly more packed. We went back to our hotel for a majlis and dinner and then headed over to Maqam-e-Ali Asghar and Ali Akbar. Much to my surprise, the streets were packed with pilgrims all around both shrines. It was not Arbaeen-level busy but significantly busier than the afternoon. We were able to make our way to both landmarks - Hz Ali Asghar (عليه السلام) and Hz Ali Akbar (عليه السلام). As expected they were packed with pilgrims with several zawar distributing milk as tabarruk.

Did You Know That John ibn Huwai Is The Collapse of Religious Narcissism? There are names in history that we remember but never really encounter. John is one of them. We have heard of him. We mention him in our majalis. Sometimes we cry when his name is spoken, the slave of Abu Dharr, the African companion, the man who asked for permission to die and was granted it. We mourn him. But do we ever stop and ask: Why was he there? Why did God write him into the script of Karbala? Why was his blood spilled beside the blood of Ali Akbar? Why was he given a role in a tragedy that is known to be the culmination of all prophets’ missions? Karbala was not a battlefield of random warriors. Every drop of blood spilled there was deliberate, chosen, sacred, and purposeful. So what was the meaning behind John's? Why did Husain the grandson of the Prophet, the symbol of all that is noble, majestic, and pure allow a former Black slave to die beside him? The answer is; because God wanted to destroy us. I mean our illusions not our bodies. The illusion that piety is inherited, th illusion that skin color and ethnicity have anything to do with proximity to truth, the illusion that status in a religious community means closeness to God. The illusion that being born into a righteous family automatically makes one among the righteous, the illusion that eloquence, knowledge, social presence, or historical relevance define spiritual value. John's presence on the Day of Ashura is a threat to all of these. And that is why we have sentimentalized him. Because when you reduce a truth to a tear, you can avoid responsibility. When you cry for a figure, you don’t have to answer to him. You don’t have to ask whether his blood has exposed you. We love Husain. That’s what we say. But Husain is not an abstract idea, he is a mirror. And John, standing next to him, is the crack that runs through the center of our pride. Because the man who had no name, no title, no noble blood, no power, no Arabic tongue, no tribal honor was seen by Husain as a brother in jihad. A full human. A full martyr. And a full servant of God. That, in itself, is a revolution. We have turned Islam into a vertical religion. Hierarchies of value, graduations of worth, scales of recognition.... We measure people even in the mosque by how they speak, how they dress, which family they belong to, how they interpret doctrine, whether their tears are visible, whether they are “with us.” These are the false currencies of a decaying religiosity. So, Karbala was sent to expose that decay. And in the midst of the fire and blood, God placed John to teach us that salvation is not given to the most privileged, it is given to the most sincere. That if truth passes through your village, you must follow it even if you have no claim to it. Even if you are not invited. Even if they look at you and think: “Why are you here?” John had every reason to walk away. No one would blame him. He was not Qurayshi, not Hashemi, not from the household, and also not obligated by any tribal code. But he saw something the rest of us still struggle to see: That truth is not inherited. It is witnessed. And once you witness it, you cannot walk away unless your soul is already dead. John's martyrdom was a judgment on the living, not the Yazidis. The us, the religious, the ones who attend the majalis. The ones who wear the colors of piety, but maintain the structures of arrogance. The ones who would invite Zainab to speak but not sit next to her servant. The ones who would proudly chant Ya Husain yet avoid the black man in the corner of the mosque. God allowed John’s blood to mix with the blood of the Prophet’s family to destroy this hypocrisy, the hypocrisy of religious exceptionalism. And yet we reconstruct it. We make Karbala a museum, we polish it. We name our children after the martyrs, but refuse to sit beside their spiritual equals. We say Husain stood for justice but only until it disrupts our social order. We claim to be lovers of the oppressed but only in theory, not in seating arrangements. If Husain were alive today, we would invite him to our commemorations but would we allow his John to speak? Would he even be seen? This is the central question. John forces us to confront whether our love of Husain is truly about truth, or merely identity. Is our mourning a commitment to the cause or a celebration of cultural nostalgia? Because if it is the former, then John must not be a token. He must be a standard. If John can reach Karbala, then so can the outcast, the one without lineage, the convert, the poor, the woman excluded from authority, the person on the edge of the community who is invisible in your events but known to the Lord of the Martyrs. In fact, those people are the Karbala of today. And how we treat them is the Yazid within us. John is not merely a figure in a tragedy. He is a verdict. His martyrdom renders our religious pride meaningless. He stands as God's argument against every religious elitism, every clerical arrogance, every cultural superiority complex that poisons the ummah. He was not famous, but his sincerity made him eternal. And we with all our names, speeches, wealth, families, and followings will be forgotten, unless we learn what John teaches. He did not need to be from the Ahlulbayt to stand with them, he did not have their blood but he had their truth. And that is what mattered. We must ask ourselves: In our institutions, in our movements, in our souls who is the John we have silenced? Who have we told, directly or indirectly, You do not belong here? Until we answer that, until we dismantle the Yazid that lives in our hierarchies we do not have the right to say Ya Husain. Because John already said it and he died for it. Not as a Black man, not as a servant, not as an outsider. But as a brother. companion, martyr and above all as a free human being. Cc:Zainab Usman (Yayar Ridha)

Hussainu minnee wa ana min Al-Hussain Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain He and I are one and the same It was Rasoolullah who pulled out the spear from Ali-Akbar's chest It was Rasoolullah who saw Ali-Asghar ripped from his mother's breast It was Rasoolullah who spent days with no water and no rest Hussainu minnee wa ana min Al-Hussain Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain He and I are one and the same The first is Muhammad, the middle is Muhammad and so is the last What's done is done but let's not repeat the past The end is nigh. Are we ready for the rising and the blast? Oh Fatima, losing Mohsin being crushed by the door was not enough. The aggressors were pretending to be so tough. They wanted the world but its gains are nothing but fluff. Hussainu minnee wa ana min Al-Hussain Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain He and I are one and the same The Ahlulbayt are the lights who show us the way They tell us when we do our duty it's Eid day. Beware! Those who disobeyed left Hussain's body trodden under the sun's ray. Abbas' humility left his children near forgotten. Yet you struggle to fast with hearts so cold, so rotten. Are you serving the One who is not begotten? Zainab went from Kufa to Shaam and saw nothing but beauty. Beauty is what you see in His face doing nothing but your duty. For the Yazids of today. You can keep the war booty. Assalaamu alaa aseeril kurubaat, wa qateelil 'abaraat For your sacrifice, we shed tears as loving friends Intercede for us that our faith remains certain to the end. Hussainu minnee wa ana min Al-Hussain Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain He and I are one and the same

Assalamou Alaykoum I am hoping to walk from Najaf to Karbala this summer, and I would like to ask for any practical tips that will be very useful during this time

Name - Ali-ibn-ul Husain Title - Zain-ul Abideen Kunyat - Abu Muhammad Born - Saturday 15th of Jamadi-ul-Awwal (some mention 5th Sha'ban), at Medina Father's Name - Husain ibn Ali Mother's Name - Shahr Banoo, daughter of King Yazdigard II Died - at the age of 58 years, in Medina , on the 21st of Muharram 95 AH. Poisoned by Waleed bin Abdul Malik Marwan. Buried - Jannat-ul-Baqi .

Any clue on which maqtal book is the most reliable one to read, preferably a classical one? Abu Mikhnaf's? Al-Luhoof? Any leads will be greatly appreciated. Jazakumallah khair.

The Struggle of Faith and Challenges in Modern Society - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi | Shahadat of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel June 28th, 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ZifVkh0gE - Verse 15 of Surah al-Ḥujarāt defines the characteristics of a mu’min (believer) as someone who believes in Allah and His Messenger without any doubt and struggles in Allah's path with their wealth and themselves. - The term "struggle" refers to jihad, which includes both minor and major jihad. - The major jihad is the spiritual struggle against desires that are contrary to Divine teachings. - The modern challenge lies in society's inclination to follow sinful desires - This challenge is not limited to adults but is also impacting children who are being exposed to various agendas - The essence of imān (faith) is to cultivate a sense of servitude (‘ubudiyyah) towards Allah. - Hazrat Muslim bin ‘Aqil's example is mentioned as a good servant of Allah who achieved this status through obedience to Allah, the Prophet, Imam Ali, Imam Hasan, and Imam Husayn. - The challenges faced by Hazrat Muslim bin ‘Aqil in Kufa, including the dwindling support and eventual abandonment by the people. - This eventually ended with Muslim bin ‘Aqil being left alone after the prayer, with no one remaining to support him.

We see this is not a Shia fabrication, but also found in our Sunni brethren historic records and hadith. So how can our Sunni brethren fast on this day, as a day of happiness and congratulations, when the sky cried and mourned? وقال علي بن محمد المدائني ، عن علي بن مدرك ، عن جده الأسود بن قيس : احمرت آفاق السماء بعد قتل الحسين بستة أشهر ، نرى ذلك في آفاق السماء كأنها الدم . قال : فحدثت بذلك شريكا ، فقال لي : ما أنت من الأسود ؟ ، قلت : هو جدي أبو أمي قال : أم والله إن كان لصدوق الحديث ، عظيم الأمانة ، مكرما للضيف. “Ali bin Madrak” quotes from his grandfather “Aswad bin Qais” who said: after the martyrdom of imam “Husayn” [AS] the horizon was red until six months and we saw it like blood in sky, “Ali bin Muhammad Madaeni” asked him: what’s your relationship with “Aswad”: he said: he’s my maternal grandfather, “Ali bin Muhammad Madaeni” said: swear by god! he was honest, hospitable and great trustee. “Al-Dhahabi” – Siyar al-A’lam al-Nubala – vol. 3, p 312 عن ابن سيرين قال لم تبك السماء على أحد بعد يحيى بن زكريا إلا على الحسين بن علي. “Ibn Sirin” said: sky has cried for no one other than “Zachariah” and “Husayn bin Ali”. “Al-Dhahabi” – Siyar al-A’lam al-Nubala – vol. 3, p 312 عَنْ نَضْرَةَ الْأَزْدِيَّةِ قَالَتْ : لَمَّا أَنْ قُتِلَ الْحُسَيْنُ بن علي (عليهما السلام) مَطَرَتِ السَّمَاءُ دَماً فَأَصْبَحْتُ وَ كُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ لَنَا مَلْآنُ دَما . “Nazrah al-Azdiyyah” says: when “Husayn bin Ali” [AS] was martyred, sky cried blood and we’d see that all our things are covered with blood. “Al-Mazi”- “Tahzib al-Kamal” – vol. 6, p 433 عن عيسى بن الحارث الكندي ، قال : لما قتل الحسين مكثنا سبعة أيام إذا صلينا فنظرنا إلى الشمس على أطراف الحيطان كأنها الملاحف المعصفرة ، ونظرنا إلى الكواكب يضرب بعضها بعضا. “Isa bin Harith Kandi” says: when “Husayn bin Ali” [AS] was martyred, until seven days, whenever we said “Asr” prayer, we’d see that sunlight that hit the walls of our homes is so red as if they were covered with red tent and we’d see that some of stars beat each other. {bumped into each other} “Al-Dhahabi” – Siyar al-A’lam al-Nubala – p 3, vol. 312

Salam alaikum! I am planning to visit Karbala during this Ramadan but will be there for less than 10 days. So, do my fasts become qasr or can I fast like my own hometown? Your answer based on the Shia Fiqh would be highly appreciated. Jazakallah Khair.

Ziyaarat al Arba'een https://youtu.be/weUSOGwNicw

The First Zair of Imam al-Husayn (a)

I've been looking for the most authentic, well researched and referenced book on the history of Karbala? It would be preferred if some modern day Ayatollah or scholar on hadith has done tehkeem & takhreej (research/revision) of that book. Has Sheikh al-Mufid's Kitab al-Irshad been revised by some modern scholar? I'm starting this thread inviting knowledgable members to have discussion on books written on Karbala, their pros & cons.

The tragedy of Karbala failed to topple the caliph of the time, it never managed to change the status quo at any point in Islamic history, neither did it bring about any real revolutionary social or moral change for the vast majority of the Ummah - apart from the cultivation of 'aza that we still participate in today. This tragedy provided no 'advantage' to the Ahl al-Bayt (a) either, in fact it always seemed to have brought them a great deal of pain. If the events that took place were solely about good vs. bad/truth vs. falsehood, why did it necessitate such sacrifices from Imam Hussain (a)? And why him, in particular, when the other nine Imams were also under similar leaderships and circumstances? Did it have something to do with Imam Hussain's personality, specifically, that made him more bold than the others? Is there some greater reality here that we have not been made aware of?

(Kindly ignore the spellings and the wordings in the title. i had to improvise due to the character limit) ‘I said to Aba Abdullah Ja’far (a) Bin Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a), ‘O son of Rasool-Allah (s)! How did the day of Ashura come to be a day of difficulties, and gloom, and distress, and wailing, besides the day in which Rasool-Allah (s) passed away, and the day in which Fatima (a) passed away, and the day in which Amir Al-Momineen (a) was murdered, and the day in which Al-Hassan (a) was murdered by the poison?’ So he (a) said: ‘The day of Al-Husayn (a) was the day of the greatest difficulties from the entirety of the days, and that is that the Companions of the Cloak (As’haab Al-Kisaa) were the most prestigious of the creatures to Allah the High, and they (a) were five of them. So when the Prophet (a) passed away from among them (a), there remained Amir Al-Momineen (a), and Fatima (a), and Al-Hassan (a), and Al-Husayn (a). So there was among them, for the people was a condolence and a comfort. So when Fatima (a) passed away, in Amir Al-Momineen (a), and Al-Hassan (a), and Al-Husayn (a) there used to be condolence and comfort for the people. So when Amir Al-Momineen (a) passed away, in Al-Hassan (a) and Al-Husayn (a), there used to be condolence and comfort for the people. So when Al-Hassan (a) passed away, there used to be for the people, in Al-Husayn (a), a condolence and comfort for the people. So when Al-Husayn (a) was killed, there did not remain anyone from the Companions of the Cloak for the people, to be a condolence and comfort for the people. So, his going away was like the going away of all of them (a), and his remaining was like the remaining of all of them (a). Thus, it is due to that, his day became the day of the greatest difficulties’. Abdullah Al-fazal Al-Hashimy said, ‘So I said to him (a), ‘O son of Rasool-Allah (s)! So did not there become a condolence and comfort in Ali (a) Bin Al-Husyan (a), the like of what was for them in his forefathers (a)?’ So he (a) said: ‘Yes, Ali (a) Bin Al-Husayn (a) was the Chief of the worshippers, and an Imam (a), and a Proof over the creatures after his past forefathers (a), but he (a) did not meet Rasool-Allah (s), and did not hear from him (s), and his Knowledge and inheritance was from his father, from his grandfather, from the Prophet (s). And Amir Al-Momineen (a), and Fatima (a), and Al-Hassan (a), and Al-Husayn (a), the people had seen them (a) with Rasool-Allah (s) in various situations in a steady stream. So whenever they used to look at any one of them (a), they would remember his state with Rasool-Allah (s), and the words of Rasool-Allah (s) for him (a) and with regards to him (s). So when they passed, the people lost the witnessing the most prestigious ones to Allah Mighty and Majestic, and losing one of them (a) did not amount to losing all of them (a) except in the case of losing Al-Husayn (a) because he (a) passed away at the end of them. Thus, it is due to that, his day became the day of the greatest difficulties’. Abdullah Bin Al Fazal Al-Hashimy said, ‘So I said to him (a), ‘O son of Rasool-Allah (s)! So how come the general Muslims call the day of Ashura as a day of Blessing?’ So he (a) wept, then said: ‘When Al-Husayn (a) was killed, the people tried to get closer to Yazeed (la) and placed the news (whatever was pleasing to him (la)), and took parts of the wealth from him (la). So, from whatever they placed to him (la) was the matter of this day that is a day of Blessing so that the people, instead of being distress, and weeping, and difficulties, and the grief, would take to happiness, and the cheerfulness, and the exchanging of gifts, and celebrating it as a festival (Eid). Allah will Judge between us (a) and them (la)’. He (the narrator) said, ‘Then he (a) said: ‘O cousin! And that was the least harmful to Al-Islam and its people, but the people who assumed our cordiality, and assumed that they are actually making a Religion by our Wilayah and are speaking with our Imamate (began) claiming that Al-Husayn (a) was not killed and that it just appeared to be so to the people, and that his matter was like that of Isa (a) Bin Mayram (a). So now there is no authorisation for the Imams (a) against the Clan of Umayya, nor any blame upon them, upon what they were claiming. O cousin! The one who claims that Al-Husayn (a) was not killed, so he has belied Rasool-Allah (s), and Ali (a), and belied the ones after him (a) from the Imams (a). in their news of him (a) being killed. And the one who belies them (a), so he is a disbeliever in Allah the Magnificent, and his blood is Permissible (to be shed) for everyone who hears than from him’. Abdullah Bin Al-Fazal said, ‘So I said to him (a), ‘O son of Rasool-Allah (s)! So what are you saying regarding a people from your Shias who are speaking by it?’ So he (a) said: ‘They are not from my Shias, and I am away from them. Such, and such, and such, and such invalidates the Quran, and the Paradise, and the Fire’. He (the narrator) said, ‘So I said, ‘(What about) The words of Allah the High [2:65] And you have known those among you who exceeded the limits of the Sabbath, so We Said to them: Become apes, despised?’ They were metamorphosed for three days, then died, and did not produce offspring, and that the monkeys today are similar to those ones, and such is the case of the pigs and the rest of the metamorphosed ones. Nothing can be found from these. Since they are similar to it, it is not Permissible to eat their flesh’. Then he (a) said: ‘May Allah Curse the exaggerators (Ghulaat) and the ‘Mufawwiza’ (Believers in delegation of Authority), for they have belittled the disobedience to Allah and have disbelieved in it, and they have associated, and strayed and have strayed others from establishing the Obligations and fulfilment of the rights’. [Al Illal Al Sharaie – V 1 Ch 162 H 1]

The notion of love has it's roots in the trait of kindness. Only a kind person can understand and exhibit love. Now, kind here is not someone who gets delighted after seeing a baby or a dog and starts adoring it. Neither it is someone who starts crying everytime after watching something bad happening to someone. So, what is kindness? A kind person is the one who is bent upon helping anyone with whatever problem one has. He is thirsty of such people who need help. An extremely kind person doesn't want anyone to ask him to help. He feels ashamed if such a thing happens. So, kindness is the pure trait of helping different beings in their works with utter selflessness. Only faith can depict such traits. As Ayatullah Shaheed Murtadha Mutahhari writes in his book, "It is religious faith alone which, above all, respects Truth, honors justice, encourages kindness". So, kindness is a spiritual trait. As this trait becomes more and more apparent within the realm of spirit; it indicates towards a strong, inevitable and beautiful reality. This is called love. It seems, overtly, as if kindness causes love. But no, it is actually love that is the cause of this kind behavior. Love is a feeling while kindness is a trait. Love, though is an extreme force, not easy to control but it has levels. It seems as if it ascends from relative realities to absolute reality. Actually, it breaks down from absolute reality to relative bounds. At the lowest level of this hierarchy is human to human love. This has no essence of itself. It's core lies in faith only. This is just a symbol. Despite being very limited and quite less, it exists. The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) has said, "Allah has divided kindness into 100 parts. Out of which 1 part is induced in all humanity." So, the love amongst the humans is basically, 100th part of the entire phenomenon. Amazing. This love can be seen everywhere and everyone has experienced it. May Allah let every person have a taste of love. Love of a mother for her child, a father for his child, among siblings, friends, family relatives, husband and wife etc. It doesn't even matter how they are related or is their even any relationship or not. Love is independent of any relationship, distance or any material dimension. It can be resembled in different ways but love doesn't depend upon it's symbol. At this point, a human mind starts to tremble. Because this feeling is incomprehensible and unpercievable. He tries to break and kill all the false perceptions that might be their. Love, as I said, has no physical dimension. Though, a human mind lagging the ability to understand it, might mistake it (and it happens very often). False notions are created which shame the truth and pure character of love. Carnal desires related to lust and greed always wander in a human mind. But problem occurs when these satanic thoughts are confused or assumed wrongly as love. From this point, this spiritual notion gets materialized and humiliated. This happens to such an extent that as a result it stops the progress of the spirit of a human being. It makes a person blind towards the reality of love — which is progressive — and stops the journey of soul towards it's ultimate destiny. Human love is just a medium to reach the divine and absolute reality of love but greed makes a person feel as if human love itself is divine and he has found our god in the form of that person or being we love in this material world. So, the final result of this false notion is infidelity. Here is the difference between both. The fake love vs real love. One is destructive to an extent that it directs you to hell and the other might help you reach heaven without any punishment. Heaven and hell? Where did that come from? Yes, as I said, Love is truth. Truth is love. And it is divine and absolute. If a human being on the path of love and kindness doesn't recognize Allah or as a result of love, his faith doesn't reach closer to certainty, then he is trapped in a false notion. Above the level of love is worship which is the last. Love is a consequence of the manifestation of divinity (Maarefat e Ilaahi). As I said love doesn't combines, it breaks down. When we practice taqwa, adhere to our faith, earn knowledge, struggle, stay patient and thus our counted amongst the guided ones; we see the beauty of Allah through the eyes of our heart. It amazes us and turns us crazy. Maula Ali (عليه السلام) says when Asked by his companion Dhalib al Yemani, "Yaa Amir ul Momineen (عليه السلام), Have you seen your Lord?" Maula says, "Would I worship that which I do not see? When Asked, "How do you see him"; Amir up Momineen (عليه السلام) says, "Eyes do not see him with direct witnessing. But hearts percieve him through the realities of authentic belief". Seeing the beauty of Allah though he is unseen. This is Maarefah of Allah. This maarefah from worship and a constant search of being, causes love. But love pays back. Love increases the power of worship and makes it more extreme. It beautifies the already beautiful worship of Allah. It makes a person forget this world. It makes him turn away from this world. Such a human being who is drowned in this extreme love of his beloved (Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) ) is dying to meet his Lord as is also clear from the munajaat of Maula Ali (عليه السلام). Love of Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and AhlulBayt (عليه السلام) for Allah and it's depiction in history is the only way we can fascinate ourselves with the beauty of this feeling. Such a person, loves everything associated with Allah. He can sacrifice himself for the sake of Allah. Not only himself, his entire existence without any hesitation. It is written about Maula Ali (عليه السلام) that when some muslims came to the Holy Prophet (عليه السلام) to complain about Ali (عليه السلام), the Prophet (عليه السلام) said, "Don't complain about Ali, he is crazy (Majnoon) in love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى)." Now, removing all conseptualization let me make it clear through the intercession of AhlulBayt (عليه السلام). Love is, when a man sleeps for the sake of Allah on the bed of The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) even after knowing that he is surrounded by swords. Love is, when Fatima (SA) spends days in hunger and nights in prayer of the Almighty but never complains to anyone about her pains. Love is, when this woman (Fatima (SA)) stands like a mountain between his husband — Wali of Allah — and the oppressors who were burning her house to defend Haq. Love is, when a woman(Fatima (SA) again) being a child accompanies her father and supports him when he is attacked, laughed off and taken lightly by the meccans for the message he conveys and as a result is called as Umm Abiha. Love is, when a man (Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) ) who has committed himself to sacrifice, after sacrificing his whole family, with his body bathed in blood puts himself into the last prostration (sujood) to his lord. Love is, when a woman (Zainab (SA) ) despite all what she saw, despite the chains around her body, despite the thirst killing her throat and the humility she beared as a consequence of her veil being taken away; despite no one, except her ill nephew, standing for her, speaks so loud and so clear that the throne of the tyrant of that time and everytime and his system from top to bottom trembles and breaks into pieces. Love is, when this woman is asked in a disrespectful tone, "Did you see what Allah did to you?" She says, "I saw nothing but the beauty of Allah ((سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى))". I cannot go ahead of this. So, it becomes clear that love is only for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). It resembles kindness and sacrifice. It actually needs sacrifice to flourish in every heart. It needs sacrifice as it's own resemblance. It needs sacrifice for the success of human spirit. Not only from an individualistic stand point because sacrifice has an impact on masses. So, here comes the importance of the greatest effect of love on a soul which is the spirit of sacrifice. Like Ibrahim (عليه السلام) did of his son. Like Lady Hajra (عليه السلام) did of her calm life with her husband and accepted to stay in a desert relying only on her beloved (Allah). So, sacrifice is the greatest symbol of love. And what is the greatest example of sacrifice? Karbala. Can you imagine a person who says to his companions that you will be martyred, your heads will be slaughtered and raised on lances? Who says: 'Leave me alone to die as my enemies need me and not you.' ? But however he may insist, his companions don't move. They are seeing themselves cut into pieces but our eager to go to the battle ground. Who cannot be stunned by such conviction? Who are these people? Who are we in front of such people? We follow our rubbish lame desires. Are we blind or is the history of such people not clear enough? What if we start to follow Weheb al Kalbi (رضي الله عنه), who got martyred and slaughtered while he just got married. What if the woman become like her wife, who saw her smart, young and wonderful husband getting slaughtered in front of her? What will go wrong if mother's take pride in sacrificing their children for the sake of Allah, wherever and whenever possible instead of pampering them and teaching them to become coward? Have you ever seen a sacrifice of a 6 months child? Can anyone imagine herself in place of Bibi Umm Rabab (رضي الله عنه)? Have you seen a mother who prays to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and prostrates in front of Allah out of thankfulness when she hears the news that both of her dear sons got martyred? She doesn't even cry on them. She barely asks about their dead bloodied bodies. Allahu Akber! What can one say? Just doing this conversation and penning down this glorification of love is making me tremble. Karbala's example is unique just like our religion and the holy figures that stand as divine guides for us. Though Karbala carries the legacy of simple human beings like us. But can you see how love changes everything? Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) created friends of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) out of human beings. His Caravan of sacrifice led the greatest example of divine love humanity will ever see. What can we take for us from here besides humility as lovers and shame as worshippers. Humility about our weak hearts who don't nourish the feeling of love to such an extent. Shame that our prostrations, if even as much as the stars in the sky, cannot equate to the millionth of the prostrations of the Martyrs of Karbala on the plains of Karbala. But their is a glimmer of hope. It's true that love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is far beyond from the realm of imagination and we cannot sustain it so easily. But their is hope. Hope that comes from AhlulBayt (عليه السلام). Hope that takes an afflicted, painful heart full of regret in the camp of Yazid, from his calm abode to Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) within a night. Hope that makes us quit our food and drinks on the 10th of Ashura (those who genuinely do) and makes us cry and vail for Imam Hussain (عليه السلام). As this hope remains, it is developed through love. Love for Ahl ul Bayt (عليه السلام). Love for Imam Hussain (عليه السلام). If we make efforts, it is not difficult. When Hurr ibn Yazid al Riyahi (رضي الله عنه) changed his fate in one night by developing all these traits, realising all these instincts; why can't we? He developed love for Imam Hussain (عليه السلام). This is intercession. When Imam (عليه السلام) becomes your beloved, your destiny, he will divert your path towards the divine love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). The notion of mourning the martyrdom and misery of Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) opens the door of love, devotion and self sacrifice within the soul of a human being. It's so deep that it can revive a dead soul. Imam Khomeini has said, "Keep the event of Karbala and the holy name of Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) alive. For by it's survival, Islam will survive." So, don't miss these mourning events. Marsiya and Nauha recited for our beloved Imam (عليه السلام). You will automatically notice that Allah has changed you. You will experience that change at the end of Muharram. As if some new hidden realities have been shown to you. Even if you read down entire books of Hadith and Qur'an and pray day and night, the effect on your soul will not be as swift as contemplating on the tragedy of Karbala and the life of Ahlul Bayt (عليه السلام). Qur'anic verses are beautified by the character of Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام). Qur'an is a book and it's visual reality is the life of Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام). If you have love for Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام), you'll fall in love with Qur'an automatically. Falling in love with both of them will let you gain Maarefat of The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and his Maarefat to the love of Allah. When this divine love will be in your heart, it will break down into infinite denominations and will fall as kindness upon every creature of Allah. In this way, you'll find yourself in love with everything. As Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) says, "O Allah, What did he find who lost you? What did he lose who found you?" [Dua Arafah]. Start your journey of love and immerse yourself in this ocean of love. Though this is nothing in comparison to what an explanation of love should be and my words are not enough to express it. Even if I write what all encompasses my mind, I won't be able to convey it completely.

This is purely an academic discussion and not meant to offend anyone. I am trying to draw parallels between 4 different islamic civil wars (battles). Ridda Wars - Apostasy Wars under the reign of Caliph Abu Bakr against those either stopped being Muslims or refused to acknowledge the leadership of Abu Bakr. Battle of Jamal: Caliph Ali (عليه السلام) against Aisha, Talha, Zubayr and others Battle of Siffin: Caliph Ali (عليه السلام) against Muawiya Battle of Karbala: Yazid against Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) @Cherub786 stated: The justification for Ridda (Apostasy) Wars was the rebels were challenging the writ of the State. Based on the above, we can all agree that challenging the writ of the State is rebellion and not only is it a rebellion but the rebels can be labelled apostates because that is what the Caliphate chose to call them. Q1) Based on the agreement above (blue), can we then assume the Aisha, Talha, Zubayr and other prominent 'sahaba' were apostates? Did they not rebel against Caliph Ali and challenged the writ of the State? Q2) Based on the above agreement (blue), can we assume that Muawiya was an apostate for challenging the writ of the State? Q3) Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) did not challenge the writ of the State directly but isn't not paying allegiance also an act of challenging the writ of the State? Some of the tribes in Ridda Wars were massacred simply for not paying allegiance to Abu Bakr so Yazid had a precedent set before him. Doesn't that justify that Yazid was right in going after Hussain and crushing the rebellion? Based on the agreement, does challenging the writ of the State make Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) an apostate (istagfirullah)? Q4) How are the actions of Yazid different from the actions of Caliph Abu Bakr? Please know that this is a serious academic discussion and not intended to hurt anyone's feelings.

Where can I find the most authentic account of events of Karbala from shia sources?

Salam, Are there brothers/sisters out there who can explain how some people are able to get a hold of the Khak E Shifa (earth of karbala) from Karbala ? Is it very difficult to obtain it ? from whom?. For those who are not able to make a trip to Karbala, is there a way for them to get some Khak E Shifa? I would appreciate if someone can answer. As we know Khak E Shifa has great healing powers and those that have them are very lucky I feel. Ali

Salam, When Imam Hussain was all alone in the final part of Karbala in front of his enemies, when all his men were martyred, he made a call "Hal min..Is there anyone who will carry on helping me with my mission?" Is that words "calling for help" is from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى)? Or just purely from Imam Hussain and has nothing to do with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى)? What happened we (now) didn't answer that call? Or refused to answer that call? What happened if we answer it...Labbaik ya Hussain!.

This post was made because I want people to post Hadith of the Importance of the Turbah of Karbala, I will start, • Umm Salama (عليها السلام) says: I saw Husayn (عليه السلام) sitting in the lap of his grandfather, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), who had a red block of soil in his hand. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was kissing the dust and weeping. I asked him what that soil was. The Prophet (عليه السلام) said: "Gabriel (عليه السلام) has informed me that my son, this Husayn, will be murdered in Iraq. He has brought this earth for me from that land. I am weeping for the suffering that will befall my Husayn." Then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) handed the dust to Umm Salama (عليها السلام) and said to her: "When you see this soil turn into blood, you will know that my Husayn has been slaughtered." Umm Salama (عليها السلام) kept the soil in a bottle and kept watch over it until she saw on the day of Ashura, 10th of Muharram 61 A.H., that it turned to blood. Then she knew that Husayn bin Ali (عليه السلام) had been martyred. [al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak, vol. 4, p. 398] [al-Dhahabi, Siyar a`lam al-nubala', vol. 3, p. 194] [Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa'l-nihayah, vol. 6, p. 230] [al-Suyuti, Khasa'is al-kubra, vol. 2, p. 450; Jam` al-Jawami, vol. 1, p. 26] [Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Tahdhib al-tahdhib , vol. 2, p. 346] • 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (عليه السلام), passed by Karbala after the battle of Siffin. He took a handful of its soil and exclaimed: 'Ah, ah, on this spot some men will be slain, and will enter Paradise without reckoning!' [Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Tahdhib al-tahdhib , vol. 2, p. 348] • After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام), his son Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (عليه السلام) picked some up, declared it to be sacred dust, and kept it in a bag. The Imams (a) used to perform prostrations on it and make a tasbih out of it, and recited Allah's praises on it. [Ibn Shahrashub, al-Manaqib, vol. 2, p. 251] • The Imams (a) insisted that prostration before Allah must be on clean earth only and that it was preferable if it was performed on that earth of Karbala. [al-Tusi, Misbah al-Mutahajjad, p. 511] [al-Saduq, Man la yahduruhu'l faqih, vol. 1, p. 174]

Salam aleykum, I have heard from different hadiths that the earth/dust of Karbala cures every aliment except deadly ones and I do believe that every earth/place has its own energy which affects the people living there. Well, I had an idea in mind and I wanted to see if its advisable or something that should be refrained from. I think all of my turbahs are from Karbala soil and after I have used them for some time they get dirty, I usually take a knife and scrape off the dirty top layer of the turbah, the "dirty" layer is still mixed with large amounts of Karbala soil. So I was thinking: is it allowed to mix this earth with planting earth in a pot and then for example grow herbs or vegetables from that mixed earth? That way the fruit of such earth is grown on/from Karbala soil and should contain the blessings of it the way I see it. Is it okay to do this and has anyone done it before/know if the fruits has the benefits of the earth?

Humanity vs inhumanity - Karbala Message War between humanity and inhumanity has been going on since the beginning of time Physical wars- you conquer and subjugate other human ( Physically) or you keep them in open air prisons or you violate the sovereign state’s sovereignty at will. This requires physical weapons and whoever has the upper hand in physical weapons and has the economic muscle will control, subjugate, coerce others to form a coalition to achieve the goal of Physical colonization. through physical wars, proxy wars, economic wars, currency wars, spearheading/supporting a manufactured crisis within the target state, either alone or with a willing coalition. This playing field is not an even playing field. Spiritual/Intellectual wars- the scope of this war is larger and this virus has long generational life and can degenerate into drug resistant state and could pass down the mutant spiritual DNA to the next generations. Highly infectious and can take a form of a global epidemic. Here the playing field is even. The weapons here is intellect, knowledge. But we have not paid attention to it, no glory, no instant victory parade etc...Humans usually look for glory and fame and bragging rights and want to be acknowledged and sometimes glorified for their physical accomplishments. Religion can not be imposed on anyone through Physical threat. You can only subjugate human body and have him/her do your will. But you do not control his/her heart and mind. Liberation of Human heart and mind is a priority vs freeing them from physical bondage, in a world with uneven playing field. Only way you can change this state (Physical bondage) and bring about its decline, is by bringing about freedom of hearts and minds. Which will in turn remove the will to subjugate others and justice will prevail. So, focus on godless ideologies is vital. Urgent Vaccination is needed . Weapon is available to all, no shortage of manpower (soldiers). We have the tools (Intellect), Karbala. In order to change the status quo. Your thoughts?

Donald Trump should be mindful of Saddam Hussein’s experience invading Iran nearly forty years ago, lest he endure the same fate. Do not threaten us with war, we are alive We have entrusted our swords with our answer to you The word ‘surrender’ has been erased from our vocabulary These were the words passionately chanted by a Shiite Maddahi performer in Iran in September 2018. As a part of commemorating the holy month of Muharram, Shiites often gather and listen to eulogistic tributes to their archetypal hero, Imam Hossein. Ashura—marking the tenth day of Muharram—is a day of lamentation, as Shiites the world over memorialize the martyrdom of Hossein and the epic tale from seventh-century Karbala that came to define their religion and inform their worldview. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/Trump’s-Iran-policy-needs-history-lesson-77011

Asalam o alekom brothers and sisters I have been pondering about a dream I had last night it was about Karbala. In my dream it started out me seeing a red sky and millions and millions of people. I was also hearing loud chants of “labaik ya hussain” and other Farsi nohas about Imam Hussain ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)) and his family members. It was very interesting because in my dream I saw many non Shias I knew in real life who were all Shias in my dream taking part in Arbaen activity’s and all paying respects to the Imams. What was also interesting was that me as well as my family were treated very well in this dream and we were escorted through the millions maybe even billions of people straight to Karbala and the haram straight to the Zari of Imam Hussain and after I touched it everything became red and white and that’s all I remembered. What is the meaning of such a dream? I have never had a dream like this.

Plzz I have aquestion...I wnt to know if the hadith of 12 hypocrite fit on Muawia and some others?? and how muawia died??? plzz answer me in the light of Sunni and Shia books?? I have searched this topic on internet but no resullts..help me...Allah bless u