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

The First Zair of Imam al-Husayn (a)

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 .

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

Salaam, It is with regret that there is news coming from Karbala that 31 people have died in a stampede in Karbala when a rod/barrier broke. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ) There are also about 100 injured so please pray for them. أَمَّنْ يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ

As a father myself, and many of you will know as parents too, our children's lives are so precious, so important, more so than our own. When a child is hurt, we feel that pain, it happens even when we hear about someone else's child. The sorrow, the ache in the heart, we feel it as if they were our own. So it shocks me how the tragedy of Ali Asghar doesn't cause grief, hurt and anger to Muslims worldwide, not just Shi'a Muslims. As many Muslims are parents themselves, the loss of a six month old baby should resonate with everyone. Yet many Muslims deny or question the events of Karbala, over what? Sectarianism? Stubborness to accept the truth? These people value their ideology over innocent lives, innocent children. Nobody would, in their worst nightmares, wish a child to die, a child to be thirsty, a child to be locked up like a criminal and taunted, crying every day until their soul left this world. At the very least nobody would wish to deny these atrocities. Yet, they do, or at least they refuse to speak out against injustice, they refuse to learn from the realities of Karbala. The day of Ashura will go by without even a mention in most of the mosques around the world, isn't that sad? The family of the Prophet gave so much, yet most remember them so little. Beyond Hasan and Husayn being lifted upon the Prophet's shoulders, or being compared to sweet basil, what else do most people remember about Husayn? How sad.

1. Aim of Imam Hussain (AS)’s Revolution The aim of my revolution is to reform the society and revive the true teachings of Islam (Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.243) 2. Being Free-spirited If you don’t believe in any religion, at least be free-spirited and honest in your actions (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 45, P. 51) 3. Revolt against Tyranny I never revolted in vain, as a rebel or as a tyrant; rather, I rose seeking reformation for the nation of Islam (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 329) 4. Patience in the Journey toward What Is Right On the Day of Ashura, he addressed his companions: “Be patient, you noble ones. Death is only a bridge which takes you from misery and loss to the vast Paradise and the eternal graces”. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 297) 5. Peacemaking and Preventing from War O’ people! Listen to my words and don’t hasten to start a war, so that I clarify the reason behind my revolution (al-Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p.253) 6. Being a Just Leader On the night of Ashura, he gathered his followers in his tent, put out the light and said: “Beware that I give you permission to leave this place; there is no obligation on you anymore, and you can all leave.” However, not even one of them left his side…. (al-Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p. 250) , 7. Being a Steadfast Seeker Be steadfast and firm in the way toward what is right, even if your journey is full of pain and challenges. (Usul al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 28) 8. Preserving Human Dignity Death with dignity is better than a life of abasement. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 192) 9. Being Courageous By God, I will never surrender to my enemies like a humiliated person and never pledge allegiance to them like slaves (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 45, P. 7) 10. Martyrdom for What is Right To me, death for the sake of what is right, is nothing but happiness, and living under tyrants nothing but living in a hell (Tuhaf-al- Uqoul, P. 245) 11. Importance of Praying The most incapable person is the one who can’t pray. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol.81, p.257) 12. Generosity The most generous person is the one who gives to those who do not expect his help. (Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.30) 13. Competing in Good Deeds Try to compete with one another in good deeds and hurry to seize the opportunities, and forget the good deeds that you haven’t hastened to do. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol.57, p.121) 14. Being Religious People are slaves of this world. Religion is just what they say. They use it as long as it provides them with their living. When they are tested, there remain only a few true religious ones. (Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.245) 15. Worshiping Allah If you worship Allah the way He deserves to be worshipped, He will fulfill all your wishes, and bless you much more than what you deserve. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 68, p.184) 16. Helping Others God will help the person who cares about other people’s needs, both in this world and the hereafter. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol.75, p.121) 17. Having Faith in Allah O’ Allah! What has gained the one who has not found You, and what has lost the one who has found You? (Bihar al-Anwar, vol.95, p.226) 18. Don’t be an Oppressor Avoid oppressing the one who does not have any supporter against you, other than the Almighty God. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 118) 19. Allah’s Bounties When Allah chooses to favor someone, makes him/her the source of satisfying other people's needs. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol.74, p.205.) 20. Beware of Your Own Sins Beware! Do not be among those who are concerned about the sins of others while neglectful of their own sins. (al-Kafi, vol.8, p.49, Hadith #9) 21. A True Friend One who reveals your faults to you like a mirror is your true friend, and one who flatters you and covers up your faults is your enemy. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 128) 22. Satisfying People, while Disobeying Allah Whoever seeks the satisfaction of people through disobedience of Allah; Then Allah subjects him to people. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 126) 23. Follow the Truth Wisdom will not be gained, unless through following the right path. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 127) 24. Say Good Things Say what you like to be said about you, in the absence of your fellow believer. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 127) 25. Don’t Commit What is Wrong Avoid doing things that would make you apologize; since a believer won’t commit a wrong action that would make him/her sorry. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 120) 26. Actions should be done for Allah If you lead your actions through committing sins and disobeying Allah, your intentions won’t be fulfilled and will be caught in what you fear most. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 120) 27. Kindness and Faithfulness Kindness elevates human beings, and faithfulness is the sign of decency. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 122) 28. Extremism and Abject People Extremism is like going down in a swamp, and keeping company with abject and corrupt ones will bring evil and misery for you. (Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.30) 29. Knowledge Seeking knowledge will lead you toward wisdom and elevation. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 128) 30. Visiting Relatives Visiting relatives and keeping in touch with them will bring you a longer and more substantial life. (Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Oyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha, vol.2, p.44) 31. The Most Generous The most generous person is the one who forgives while in power. (Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.29) 32. Maintaining Family Ties The best way of maintaining family ties is through visiting the ones who have cut ties with you and haven’t visited you for a while. (Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.29) 33. Helping Your Fellow in Religion Whoever helps his/her fellow in religion for the sake of Allah, He will compensate for him/her and eliminate the hardships from his/her life. Also, whoever relieves a believer’s grief, Allah will free him/her of his/her pains and sufferings in this world and the other world. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 121) 34. Trusting Others Only trust those who believe in Allah and are afraid of His questioning on the Day of Judgement. (Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Jameh al- Akhbar, p.97) 35. Paying the Debts While on his way to Karbala, Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) said: “I cannot have whoever owes a debt in my company. Prophet Muhammad ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)&HP) used to say: ‘whoever dies while owing to other people, his/her good deeds will be void in the hereafter.’” (Kalimat al-Imam al-Hussain (عليه السلام) (Words of Imam Hussain), p.417) 36. People’s Praise and Blame Gain people’s praise with your efforts and successes, and do not expose yourself to people’s blames through laziness and lethargy. (Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.29) 37. Gaining Experience Long and numerous experiences strengthens your mind. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 128) 38. A Scholar’s Sign One of the signs of a scholar is criticizing his/her own words and thoughts and being aware of different viewpoints. (Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 119) 39. Beware of What You Say Do not say something which would undermine your self-worth. (Muhammad Baqer al-Majlisi, Jala’a al-Oyoun, vol.2, p.205) 40. Physical Health Observe your physical health in your lifetime. (Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.239)

Please wake me up

Salaamun alaikum, I am attempting to learn about Karbala and struggling to understand what the official Shia position is amongst the Salafi propaganda out there. I figured this forum would be a good place to start to get a better understanding. I am a revert so forgive me if I am a litlte blunt at times or incorrect in my understanding.. From my own reading it appears Yazid wanted the allegience of Imam Hussain (A) as soon as possible and the Imam abstained. The chiefs of Kufa invited Hussain to be their Imam and went back on their oaths as soon as ibn Ziyad started the brutal crackdown in the city. Hussain was eventually boxed in at Karbala and surrounded by the troops of Umar ibn Sa'd. I have read narratives that the Imam did not want to fight and was happy to return realising he had been deserted, nevertheless the opposing army wanted to fight and eventually martyred him and his companions (عليه السلام). It seems to me that the immediate people to blame for the death of Imam Hussain (A) were the people of Kufa and Yazid & Co. It is most unfortunate that some of the Shia chiefs at the time invited Imam Hussain to Kufa and their guilt is evident by the later Tawwabun movement. Do you know if these Tawwabun did not join Hussain out of laxness or were they genuinely unable to escape Kufa when it was put under lockdown? I am personally uncomfortable with what I hear about the Imam being a "necessary sacrifice for Islam" as it reminds me too much of how modern day Christians make Isa (عليه السلام) out to be, that he was sent to this Earth with the sole purpose to be murdered for the sins of the world. Isa's (عليه السلام) mission was much loftier than that despite being opposed by the chiefs of his time who tried to assasinate him. Maybe "unintended sacrifice" is better as surely Imam Hussain went to Kufa because of the letters sent to him - he was doing his duty as an Imam. I cannot imagine him going there with the sole purpose of being brutually massacared.. It seems these me that these narratives distract the reader from the true causes behind Karbala which was basically the failure of the Ummah to support their Imam (I am not just talking about the Kufans either!). To play devil's advocate you could say this is to distract the attention away that some of the Shia chiefs invited Imam Hussain to Kufa.. However at least this is admitted in the Shia narratives (like Nafsul Mahmoon) unlike the Salafi's who tried to make out the people of Sham to be the good guys for not getting involved (they conveniently forget Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan destroyed any support for the Ahl al Bayt in Sham). Finally as a question which I appreciate may be tricky for some people to answer, would Imam Hussain (A) of gone to Kufa if it wasn't for those letters, and/or would he have attempted an uprising? Let's not forget, a Muslim is never meant to throw themselves into destruction. This is why Imam Ali (A) (on the Prophet's (S) advice) did not launch an uprising against Abu Bakr because he very few supporters and was asked to save himself and his followers. In the same way, Imam Hasan drew up a treaty with Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan when his followers betrayed him, went to the side of Muawiyah and left him outnumbered. I struggle to understand the idea that Imam Hussain (A) would not act upon this Sunnah and put him and his family in such a situation, unless he had good reason to believe he would be supported (eg, by an 18,000 army of Kufans). No doubt Imam Husasin (A) sacrificed himself but he had to, he had no choice.. may he rest in peace. What is everyone's perspective on this? As a side note does anyone think that these blood letting rituals only cheapen the image of Imam Hussain (A) and the Ahl al Bayt? Every Muslim I have met (including myself) avoids Shia Islam because of these acts. I did not judge the Shia by their rituals but only by the Prophet and their Imams so I saw the light, but they are doing a big injustice in directing people away from the Ahl al Dhikr through such rituals. This may seem slighty off topic but I believe these rituals are to do with the "blood sacrifice" of Imam Hussain (A), again please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks jzk

وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ {107}[shakir 37:107] And We ransomed him with a Feat sacrifice. [Pickthal 37:107] Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim. [Yusufali 37:107] And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice How do Sunni scholars interpret this verse ?

As salam alaykum, hope you're all well. I have a presentation on a historical person in history class, and I chose Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) in hope of learning more about him, and I want to present about his life as genuine and proper as possible, since it's in front of mostly people that have never heard of him or just heard misconceptions. I unfortunately can't say I know much about the Imams and their lives, so I was wondering if someone could help me. Basically I have to choose an issue around his life, and try to answer that through the presentation, I'm thinking of going with why did he fight at Karbala. I don't want to give any false information, therefore I was wondering if someone could help me a bit with his life, such as his birth (where he was born, when), death, where he lived, education, work etc, basically the beginning of his life. What he has done that made him so famous today (I can't just say he is a Shia Imam, but also how he is relevant for non Muslim history as well in general). Theories on him and why he did what he did, his thoughts, and view on it all. I also have to talk about the how community and society around him was at the time, how people were treated, difference he made and other important things in his life. I would appreciate it a lot if someone could help me with this, I personally have just started getting closer to God, and my religion therefore I don't really know that much besides the basic, and I don't have anyone to ask. It would mean a lot if someone personally told me, or gave me links to sites that have answers, please don't provide information if you don't have the source. Thank you so much to anyone that helps.

Salam I will go to Ziarat of Karbala & other holy site about a week from this Thursday please forgive me