#3 Imam Hussein (as) [OFFICIAL THREAD]

[Ali]

Tale of Hussain's Martyrdom

Foreword

In the Name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful

Why the Recurrence of Recounting the Story of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as.)?

Perennial conflict between truth and falsehood did not cease for a moment. At times, the conflict resulted in difficult periods with disastrous consequences for humanity. Had it not been for the Providence, it was about to cause a setback to the human procession towards peace, justice and equity.

The advent of Islam with the Prophet, Mohammed (S) and Imam Ah and his eleven descendants (A) at the helm of guidance for humanity was the grace of Allah.

Perhaps, the most glaring manifestation of this bitter conflict at the early days of Islam was the hostile stance adopted by the Umayyads towards the Messenger of Islam and his pure progeny. Readers of history will have noticed that the Ummayad clan, rivals of the Hashimite clan, although belonging to the same tribe - Quraish, did not spare any way or means to show their enmity and grudge against the Hashimite.

At the time of the Prophet (S) Abu Sufian, Sakhr bin Harb bin Umayya was the commander of the infidel armies who fought the Muslims in the battles Badr, Uhud and al-Khandaq. He professed Islam for fear of his life in 81 H., the year of the conquest of Mekkah.

Abu Sufian's grudge against Islam was all apparent. When Othman, an Ummayyad, assumed the mantle of caliph, Abu Sufian hurried to the grave of Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib, who was martyred in the battle of Uhud. Kicking the grave with his foot, he uttered his now infamous words: "By him whom Abu Sufian take an oath, there is neither heaven nor hell. Snatch it, Oh children of the Umayyads!, as if you were catching a ball; Hold to it (power) with the skin of your teeth".

This hostile stand against Islam was handed down from Abu Sufian to his son, Mu'aawiya. This was clearly manifested when Imam Ali (A) was chosen as caliph. Mu'aawiya waged three devastating wars against the legitimate caliph; these were (al-Jamal), headed by Umul-Mo'mineen (Mother of the believers), A'isha at the pretext of venging the blood of the caliph Othman, (Siffeen), commanded by Mu'aawiya at the same pretext and (al-Nahrawan) at the behest of Mu'aawiya; Mu'aawiya's unrelenting efforts and schemings culminated in assassinating Imam Ali (A), while he was leading congregational prayer.

After the death of Imam Ali (A), his son Imam Hassan (A) inherited the caliphate. Mu'aawiya did not give him a respite. He commissioned a big army and marched from Syria to Iraq to fight Imam Hassan (A). With deceit and carrot and stick he managed to manipulate the military situation in his favour. With many of his military commanders defecting to the enemy side, falling prey to Mu'aawiya's promises, Imam Hassan had no alternative but to sign a (truce) with Mu'aawiya, driven by concern to preserve what was left of the disciples (companions) of the Prophet in his camp, who were tracked down by Mu'aawiya's agents. It was for this and the fact that Imam Hassan wanted to buy time to re-organise his depleted army. Imam Hassan was forced to sign the cease-fire agreement with Mu'aawiya. However, Mu'aawiya did not keep his part of the agreement. He unilaterally revoked the agreement. For him, extending his power base to include Iraq mattered the most. He made this evidently clear in his address to the Kufans:

"Oh people! I did not wage war against you in order to make you observe prayer, fast, pilgrimage, and pay religious dues. I only did so to be able to be in charge of your affairs".

As the era of Mu'aawiya was drawing to a close with all the calamities inflicted on the followers of Imam Ali (A), especially the elite amongst them, he appointed his son wayward Yazid as heir-apparent. This move inflamed the feelings of the majority of Muslims. In protest they refused to endorse his appointment due to his public debauchery and the fact that he did not meet the most basic of requirements of the Islamic office of Caliph. On top of those who publicly rejected Yazid's appointment at the helm of Muslim's affairs were Imam Hassan and his brother, Imam Hussain (A). Thus, Mu'aawiya decided to get rid of them so that he may have a free hand in his plan for the succession to the Ummayyad rule. He was successful in assassinating Imam Hassan (A) through poisoning by his wife Ju'dah bint al-Ash'ath, having promised her marriage from his son Yazid. After implementing the plan, he did not deliver, accusing her of betrayal and fearing for his own son as she might do the same thing to him.

As for Imam Hussain (A), the circumstance were not right for Mu'aawiya to kill him. He left the task of liquidating him to his son, Yazid. When Yazid rose to power after the death of his father, he ordered the governors of provinces to get the pledge of allegiance for him from the Muslims. Accordingly, the governor of al-Madinah requested the allegiance from Imam Hussain (A). His answer was unequivocal, "The like of me do not swear allegiance to Yazid, the playboy and the killer of respected soul". This statement amounted to a declaration of war against the Umayyads.

In his decision to travel to Iraq, Imam Hussain (A) wanted to spare Mekkah and Madinah the honours of war and blood shed, especially during the sacred months. And the fact that the Iraqis invited him to come to them as they, "have brandished swords for him against their enemy, the Banu Umayyah". Yet, even before his arrival in Kufa they betrayed him. They unveiled their true colours in unprecedented dishonesty and cruelty against the Imam, members of his family and companions at the battle of Karbala - as detailed in this tale; a glaring demonstration of enmity, oppression, ruthlessness, and brutality was meted out by the Ummayyad rule.

The question that lingers in the minds is: Why is the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A) commemorated every year in this public display of outpourings, as if it were an ever-fresh memory?

You will find the answer at the tip of every tongue of those infatuated with the love of Imam Hussain (A): We bring our children up on his memory, teach our youth to follow in his footsteps, remind the elderly of the magnitude of the tragedy so that it remains alive in the hearts and minds; and learn lessons, from his sacrifices and firmness in faith, to be emulated in our lives. At adversity, he never wavered, saying:

"If the religion of Mohammed was not going to live on except with me dead, let the swords tear me to pieces".

I used to listen to the account of Imam Hussain's martyrdom related in commemorative gatherings in Najaf and Karbala at a tender age. As time passes and circumstances change as a results of adverse events engulfing Iraq in general and Najaf and Karbala in particular, we ended up settling in London. And when we inaugurated Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Centre in 1982, we marked this occasion with the mourning assembly in memory of Imam Hussain following the traditional family commemoration of this solemn occasion. On the tenth day of Muharram, the tale of the tragedy of Karbala used to be recounted by the late Ayatullah as-Sayyid Moharnmad Taqi Bahrul Uloom.(1) After his death, I took the responsibility of reciting it. Since I assumed this responsibility, I consulted many a book dealing with the story of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A). Shorn of sentiments, my aim has always been accuracy of the reports, doing away with exaggerations and half truths. I hope I have been successful. And in order to reach a wider audience, I asked al-Haj Najim al-Khafaji to translate it into English. Also, to ensure veracity of the text, I kindly requested the eloquent orator, al-Haj Mulla Asgharali Jaffer, President of World Federation of K.S.I. Muslim Communities to revise it; he thankfully obliged and contributed to its publication. May their reward from Imam Hussain, in whose memory this publication has been commissioned, be great. From us are due the thanks and from the readers appreciation.

After all this my only hope is that all of us may have contributed, each in his own humble effort, to keeping the memory of Imam Hussain, the lord of martyrs so that the people of Kisa (mantle): Mohammed, Ali, Fatima, Hassan, and Hussain be our intercessors on the day of reckoning, when neither wealth nor offspring would avail. Allah, the Most High is the only Bestower of success.

Dr. Mohammed Bahrul Uloom

London

10th Muharram, 1415

20th June, 1994

[Ali]

Introduction

Hussain - the Universalist

Hussain (4-62 AH. - 614 AD.) was the youngest son of Ali (A.D. 600-661) by Prophet Mohammed's daughter Fatimah. Ali was the fourth Caliph of Islam. When Yazid, son of Muawiyah, became Caliph he demanded allegiance from Hussain. He refused because of Yazid's wayward ways. Ultimately he had to confront Yazid. It had to be done, to preclude any further deterioration and eventual disintegration of Islam. He had to clear up the damage -the transgression of Islamic values, the frivolous social behaviour, in the name of Islam - the sickening dashing of dreams about future glories of Islam. Hussain had no illusions about the extent of that damage. Was it to ask too much of Hussain to take the responsibility? Certainly not. He as the Prophet's grandson had to do his duty. But there was no easy option for him. He had to bear the brunt. When a situation of this kind arose, a very heavy burden fell on Hussain.

Atonality from Yazid's degenerated symphony

Little wonder that Hussain's patience snapped when the Caliph firmly demanded allegiance. He realised that the consequences of this prolonged anarchy in Islam and a shattering triumph for immorality would permanently deface and disfigure the true faith and a pseudo-religion would emerge under the guise of Islam. Blasphemy would be practised till it dulled the senses and mob psychology took over. Religion would be compromised and its long term effects disregarded.

But for the men behind Islam, with their eyes on the future, this was not to be tolerated at any cost. They had to act before it was too late to halt or reverse the inexorable decline.

Hussain intensified his campaign. He was determined to accomplish his mission by means more vigorous than had hitherto been used. He deserves full credit for the exemplary courage and aplomb with which he handled the ugly situation. He did not resort to aggression yet firmly resisted Yazid's bluster.

Can man stand up to these conditions? When the scene moved to the battle-field of Kerbala, Hussain managed to say daringly: "Man can - but not necessarily with ease He, and a small group of followers including his immediate family were mercilessly massacred. The day of this tragedy is universally commemorated every year and is called "Ashura" (10th Muharram, Islamic calendar) and is marked by processions and mourning. It is observed as a national in holiday certain countries.

Hussain is buried in Kerbala (Iraq). His holy shrine is visited by millions of people, from all over the world, as a mark of veneration.

It is in the very nature of great reformers that they belong to everybody, everywhere. Hussain's noble deed is so relevant to the entire human race, that I am sure there is a far bigger audience waiting for him somewhere than the one he has already. All that is required is to draw people's attention.

The contemporary society, irrespective of race and religion, would do well to have a closer look at the Hero of Kerbala as his message transcends the barriers of caste and creed, race and religion. Advocates of human rights, sociologists, reformers, theologians, all included, will find "delightful wisdom, sweet instructions, and a meaning suited to their mind", in his story. His message is certainly not an exclusive preserve of any particular group. It embraces the entire human race. It was not a power struggle. Hussain persistently and explicitly expounded: "what matters to me is to 'correct', not conquer" - an affirmation that he would die in the firm belief that a despot's idiosyncrasies could never be an effective instrument of religious policies.

Yazid became too big for his boots and assumed the characteristics of a despot who, almost as a condition of his position, made boastful and frivolous claims that he alone could lead the nation.

Hussain was, however, committed to redeeming Islam and maintaining the faith intact.

He hoped that matters will improve and kept a law profile to preserve amity. He had a clear choice: stand aside and let Yazid act according to his whims; (and thus join in and implicitly justify his abominable escapades) or counter his devious bluster. Hussain had to decide: to take the situation in its stride as a price worth paying for the "status quo"; or view it as an ominous foretaste of the consequences of the extensive damage done by the far-reaching anti-Islamic activities of Yazid, the mammon of unrighteousness, whose lust for power prompted him to beat the nation into the mould he favoured. He and his profane crew conspired to scuttle the ship of Islam by worse than heinous deeds, violating the aims for which Islam was born.

Hussain had no desire to live under such a corrupt Caliph. He wanted to act as quietly and "spontaneously" as possible so as to limit the possibilities of an open clash with the Caliph. But Yazid bargained hard. Hussain could not take his effervescent nonsense perpetually and did what was right.

If the moral standards of human behaviour were as high as they were in the person of Hussain the world would be a better place to live in, is the obvious inference. His incredible cool and superhuman moral courage to achieve his mission stirs our deepest emotions. His exemplary conduct, throughout, and adorable, conscience tore Yazid's monstrous designs to shreds.

The virtuous people will continue to do their duty to maintain righteousness in this world and in this they are entitled to universal recognition and support. Hussain's acceptance of persecution in the cause of humanity was most convincing and moving proof of God's immanence in men. He was a man par excellence who maintained the highest standards set by the martyrs and heroes of all ages. With a courage that was more than human he managed to leave a message for the entire world: "Do not submit to exploitation, of any kind; maintain a tenacious grip on veracity; better die with honour than live in shame". He surely deserves universal recognition. "He is an immortal heir of Universal praise". Fourteen Hundred years have passed but the memory of that adorable hero, who resolutely faced the soul-searing trials and tribulations, has not diminished. On the contrary, it has grown in intensity. Imbued with exemplary fortitude, moral fibre and aplomb, Hussain has emerged as the most revered and meritorious martyr the world has produced, who established the highest standards of excellence of which humanity prides itself.

He was the odour of sanctity; the beauty of holiness. Here is a resolute hero, well past the prime of life, who is prepared to brace himself to confront the lurking menace and the acrimonious campaign of the powerful Caliph - to forestall a social and moral disaster. By this action he affirmed forever that it is both a social and moral duty to act when confronted with such situations and people who do not act have only themselves to blame if false values arc imposed on them. Virtuous people who were endowed with sagacity and foresight always disliked sitting on the fence just listening to scheming delinquent busybodies. They acted. They were people who valued rectitude.

And all they asked of the party in power was that they enunciated edicts which were not obnoxious and did not blatantly infringe the higher values of life. The society would indeed pay a heavy price if it ignores reformers and thus extrudes righteousness for good. Any social order, if it seeks continuous satisfaction with a bad regime, of lives in constant fear of it, when all is not well, is heading towards abject catastrophe and total disintegration. These are the situations where a "Hussain" is required. He positively had a clear concept of a healthy social order. His endearing story could not have survived without the impetus of a powerful personality behind it.

Faith and conviction prompted his motley band of men, women and children, of widely differing ages, to defy the stupendous odds. The youngest martyr was Abdullah, Hussain's infant son, the buoyancy of whose innocent brood refloated the sinking ship of Islam. It seems extraordinary that a handful of men, including small boys -some of them hardly eight or nine years - could produce results that were not only amazing but perfectly sustained through the long passage of time. It was an intense collective action - immaculate, controlled, restrained and selfless.

The conflict between good and evil remains perpetual. Both persist in their efforts to sustain. We are besieged by irresistible evil forces. We helplessly oscillate between the two and find ourselves pathetically bogged down in this quagmire. But somehow "the foot prints" of Hussain, "On the sand of time", show us the way. It is for us follow them or go astray.

Our society is swamped by mindlessness. We find ourselves perpetually obsessed by a nauseating craving for terrestrial and temporal gratification, beckoned by the primrose path of pleasure, oblivious of the values of life.

In this situation remember Hussain. Had he surrendered to Yazid, there was "bed or roses" for him but he opted for "bed of thorns".

Total abandonment of the worldly pursuits and progress, for ordinary mortals like most of us, (barring canoodling with debauchery and other frivolous sensual pleasures which are certainly execrable), is neither desirable nor feasible, in the present day world. But if we shift the stress from temporal to spiritual gains we will neither get "icebound" nor tossed around in the turbulent ocean of terrestrial life. This inexorable logic is perfectly rational and a readily accessible compromise. It would do us a deal of good. It would mean that we would be able to devote more time to honest activities. It has the simplest logical ways of making the world a better and more peaceful place to live in. It sounds rather a grandiose kind of idea but it is one that could be perfectly feasible, efficacious and irrefrangible. There is nothing really demanding about such an approach towards life, only a bit of self discipline and genuine introspection will serve the purpose. Our lives will be characterised by benevolence and magnanimity and through individual goodness a healthy society will emerge, peace and justice would prevail.

Finally: Hussain realised that no common beliefs held him and Yazid together. Hussain thought that Islam should be better acted, better practised and better observed. In short, better presented to comply with the holy text (Qur'an) and the divine will.

He administered a shock treatment, to achieve this aim, and the world of Islam came out of the deep slumber, with a jolt, as a direct result of his sacrifice. He deployed a singular strategy; lost the battle yet won the campaign. The total effect was immensely impressive all of which stemmed from his steadfastness that is to say faithfulness to the religious principles. Hussain established a new moral and religious consensus to which even (most of) his opponents felt constrained to make obeisance.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" - Winston Churchill

[Ali]

Tale of Hussain's Martyrdom

Part 1 - Deliberation and Prepartio

At the dawn of the 10th of Muharram, 62 A.H. (680 AD.) after Imam Hussain (A) led his followers for the morning prayer he wore the coat of arms of his grandfather, the Apostle of Allah (SAW), and put his turban on; he wore his father's sword, "Thul-Fiqar" or The two-pronged.

He then addressed his followers, stating with praise of and thanks-giving to Allah, "Allah has destined that you and me shall be killed today. I, therefor, would urge you to be resilient in fighting".

Thereupon, he mobilised his band for war. They were, as later related through Imam Mohammad al-Baqir (A), 45 horsemen and 100 foot soldiers. He made Zuhair bin (son of) Alqain commander of the right flank, Habib bin Mudhahir the left flank, and his household in the centre; he en-trusted the bearing of the standard to his brother Al-Abbas (A). The troops gathered in front of the tents where women and children were housed. He ordered the digging of a trench, surrounding the tents enclosure from the back, filling it with firewood during the night of the tenth of Muharram, setting fire to it when fighting broke out so that it may serve as a back buffer between his fighters and the enemy's army.

[Ali]

Part 2 - The Arena (The desert of Kerbala, Iraq)

A sweltering, simmering, broiling land

Igneous, sultry, arid sand.

No bramble (or thistle) it boasts

A crop of humpbacked dunes it hosts

A torrid, baking, seething place

Even delusion, cannot verdure trace.

Exhausted earth's infecund plot

Anhydrous, husky, soapless, spot.

Parched fragment of a barren world

A glowing meteor to the earth hurled.

No cheerless, forlorn cactus grows

Hellish, blustering simoom blows.

The blazing, fiery, flaming sun

An eerie desolation; the valiant shun.

A spooky silence, ominous hush

The wind escapes it, with a rush.

The terra firma appears ablaze

The earth stunned, in a languid daze.

A vision, on earth, of a virtual hell

A stretch of furnace, a fiery shell

The heatwave diffuses thermal haze

The fervid ether forbids the gaze.

The primeval sands primordial heat

With contempt does inferno treat

Behold a dauntless, valiant band

Stands, resolutely, on this land.

The Profit's grandson; with his group

A tranquil Guild, not a militant troop.

In this sombre, dreary terrain

They, their reverence did sustain.

Omar bin Sa'ad, the commander of the enemy's army came with 30,000 of troops. He made Amr bin al-Hajjaj az-Zubaidi the commander of the right flank of his army and Shimr bin Thil al-Jawshan the commander of the left flank. Izra bin Qais Al-Ahnasi was made the commander of the horsemen, Shibth bin Ribi'e took charge of the archers.

"Suddenly a deafening tumult I heard,

Thundering of myriad hooves, converged.

A tremor struck, the earth did shake,

My tranquillity disrupted, I was awake.

Loomed, ominously, a host of swords,

Rush, headlong, did furious hordes.

The glint of tinsel arms appeared,

As their coursers they spurred.

My waves, in terror, rushed, did flee

As their identity dawned on me.

Their sinister countenance, hideous looks,

Depicted a pack of depraved crooks.

Their obliquity; their visage betrayed,

A flash flood hit me (was dismayed)

[Ali]

Part 3 - Meeting the Enemy

When the two belligerent sides confronted each other and the fire was raging in the trench, Shimr shouted, "Oh Hussain! you are in a hurry to go to hell fire before the day of judgement!" Hussain enquired: Isn't this Shimr bin Thil al-Jawshan; he was told that it was him. Hussain then retorted "Oh son of goatherdess! You are more deserving to burn in it".

When Imam Hussain (A) saw their gathering, which was like a torrent he raised both his hands to the sky and prayed, "Oh My Lord! You are my haven in every mishap, my hope in every predicament my refuge and defender in every ordeal. How many a distress that weakens the heart, makes the enemy rejoices at the misfortune when I entrusted it to You and resorted to You out of preference over others, you did not let me down and had driven away and eliminated all these distressing things. You are the Giver of every boon and the ultimate source of every wish to be granted."

Qaiyim bin Haseen Al-Fizari shouted, "Oh Hussain and followers of Hussain! Can't you see the water of the Euphrates the currents of which twist like the bellies of snakes? I swear by the Almighty you are not going to drink a drop of it until you taste death in doses". It is worth noting that Imam Hussain and his followers were denied access to the water the days earlier at the orders of Ibn Ziyed through Ibn Sa'ad. This was achieved by stationing 500 horsemen between Imam Hussain's camp and the River Euphrates. Imam Hussain was forced to ask his brother Al-Abbas to bring them water on two occasions before the 10th of Muharram. The enemy troops made it exceptionally difficult for Imam Hussain and his band to get water supplies on the night and day of 10th Muharram.

Imam Hussain, convinced of the enemy's determination to fight him, asked for his horse and mounted it; he then addressed them in a high voice saying, "Oh people!, heed my speech and do not get restless until I preach you as I see it my duty towards you and until I explain why I came to you. If you accepted my reasoning, believed in my speech, and were fair to your selves and mine, you would because of that be happier, then you would have no reason to attack me. If you do neither, resolve upon your affair and (gather) your associates, let not your affair be in darkness to you, then have it executed against me and do not reflect (any further). Allah is my helper and He is the Guardian of the righteous."

When the women heard him say this, they raised their voices screaming and crying. He sent his brother Al-Abbas and his son Ali Al-Akbar to the women to calm them down and remarked, "Alas! they will be crying a lot". When the crying came to an end, Imam Hussain (A) resumed his talk and said, "Oh people!, Allah created this world and made it an abode of destruction and transience, taking its inhabitants from one phase to another. It deceives the conceited and seduces the wretched. Let not this world deceive you for it is capable of dashing the hopes of those who put their trust in it and let down those who are greedy for its riches. I can see that you agreed on an affair capable of bringing the wrath of Allah upon you, causing Him to turn His face away from you, spread amongst you His revenge. Glory be to our Lord, and woe to you. You pledged allegiance (to Allah) and believed in the Messenger Mohammad (S), then ganged up against his progeny intent on killing them. Satan has taken hold over you, precipitating you to forget the remembrance of the Almighty. May evil befall you and may your aspiration come to nothing."

"From Allah we come and unto Him we return. Those are people who disbelieved after they had believed; so away with the unjust people."

Hussain was coaxed to change his heart

Induced, to play that heathen's part

Adamant to surrender, though he remained

Aggression he shunned, conflict abstained.

Hussain, explicitly, did explain:

"Vain, 0' Yazid, is temporal gain.

Through calumnious and dissolute ways

Your prevaricate what the Prophet says.

Your evanescent, sordid, slippery boon

will vanish, like a mirage; too soon.

The morbid manoeuvers; you deploy

Islam will ruin, the faith destroy.

Through muddled thinking and notions dark

On a feckless mission do not embark

Potentially hazardous whims dispel.

This mood of bleak despair expel.

This sense of spiritual emptiness

By rational thinking do suppress.

Sanity do not in this bog sink

And push Islam to disaster's brink

Decay of the faith, I do perceive

The Prophet's mission I will retrieve.

Like a looming disc, on the horizon

Poised is the religion's setting sun.

To bury the hatchet, and heal the breach

I show an olive-branch; peace I preach.

A vain strife do not provoke

Save your necks from a hellish yoke.

Listen to me for goodness' sake

(Do not just acquiesce - advice take)

[Ali]

Part 4 - Hussain, the Grandson of the Prophet (S)

"Oh people! Track back my lineage. Relate me and consider who I am. Then look back and remonstrate with yourselves. Consider whether it is right for you to kill me and encroach upon my integrity. Am I not the son of your Prophet's daughter and the son of his vicegerent and cousin, the first of the believers in Allah and his Messenger? Was not Hamza, the master of martyrs, the uncle of my father? Was not the 'winged' Ja'far my uncle? Have you not heard of the tradition of the Prophet (S) concerning myself and my brother, "These are the two lords of the youth of the inhabitants of paradise". Whether you believe in what I say - and it is the truth, for I swear by the Almighty I have never told a lie since I learnt that Allah hated people who told them - or you regard me as a liar, and chose not to believe my statement, there are amongst you who, if you asked them, would tell you! Ask Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari, Aba Sa'eed Al-Khudri, Sahl bin Sa'ad Al-Sa'idi, Zaid bin Arqam and Anas bin Malik, to tell you that they heard these words from the messenger of Allah (SAW) in favour of me and my brother."

"Is there not (sufficient) deterrent in this to prevent you from shedding my blood?"

"If I understand what you are saying," interrupted Shimr bin Thil al-Jawshan, "then I only worship God (very shakily) on the edge".

"I think that you worship God (very shakily) on seventy edges", said Habib b. Mudhahir, "For I testify that you are right. You do not understand what he is saying. For God has impressed (ignorance) upon your heart".

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

They did not say anything to him. Then he called, "Shabath b. Rib'ie, Hajjar b. Abjar, Qays b. al-Ash'ath, Yazid b. al-Harith, didn't you write: 'The fruit has ripened; the dates are ready for picking; come to an army which has been gathered for you' ?"

"We don't know what you are talking about", said Qays b. al-Ash'ath, "Submit to the authority of your kinsmen (the Umayyads). They have never treated you with anything but what you liked".

"By God, I will never give you my hand like a man who has been humiliated; nor will I flee like a slave", said al-Hussain (A). Then he called out, "0 servants of God, I take refuge in my Lord and your Lord from your stoning." (44:20). "I take refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every haughty man who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning." (40:27).

A holy war it means, indeed

If waged to crush the devil's creed.

No rancour, 'gainst you, I hold

But faith do cherish - as I told.

Islam I will resolutely shield

Burnt will stand and never yield.

Would welcome death (and make it tame)

Would rather die than live in shame":

"Your Prophet's scion I'm - you know

At least some regard to his name show.

His singular dictum is my creed

"Universal good" I adore, indeed

Ali, the paragon, the seraphic Imam

Cham of the faith, the shield of Islam

Inimitable, impeccable: I am his son

His peerless attributes I have won.

My heart is virtues' abode and nest

Blessedness harbours in my breast

Condone the rule of right, I do

And believe, that right is might too

Your vulgar sway vanquish I will

This sacred duty will fulfil

My soul is couched on eminence

I was born with a divine sense.

[Ali]

Part 5 - Warning to the People of Kufa

He then dismounted his camel and ordered Aqaba bin Sam'an to hobble it with a tie. The troops of the enemy marched towards him. Among them was Abdullah bin Hawza al-Temimi who shouted, "Is Hussain amongst you?" He said it three times. The followers of Hussain (A) replied, "This is Hussain, what do you want from him?" He retorted, "Oh Hussain! You lied. Be sure you will be consigned to hell". Hussain answered, "I come to a Lord who is forgiving, generous, commanding and intercessor. But who are you?" He replied, "I am Ibn Hawza". Hussain raised his hands very high so much so that his armpit showed and said, "Oh Allah! posses him to hell fire." Ibn Hawza became very angry and charged Hussain with his horse; there was a stream between them; he fell from his horse but his foot got entangled in the stirrup; the horse dragged him on the stones and trees; his free leg was severed; the rest of his body was still attached to the horse who threw him in the fire which was raging in the trench; he was burnt to death.

Imam Hussain (A) raised his voice and said, "Oh Allah! We are the Household of your Prophet, his progeny and his kinship, shatter those who did us injustice and usurped our fight. You are All-hearing, Near".

Masrooq bin Wa'il Al-Hadhrami said, "I was at the forefront of the horsemen which advanced to fight Hussain in the hope that I succeed in dealing a blow to him in order to get a prize from Ibn Ziyad. But when I saw what happened to Ibn Hawza, I was certain that the members of this house (the Household of the Prophet) have sanctity from and position with Allah. I then left their ranks and said to myself, "I am not fighting those people lest I should be in hell fire".

When the followers of Hussain (A) saw the determination of the people of the opposite camp to fight their Lord and Imam Hussain (A) Zuhair bin al-Qain came forward and stood in front of them and addressed them, "Oh people of Kufa! I warn you of the chastisement of Allah. It is incumbent on every Muslim to give counsel to his fellow Muslim. We are still brethren of one religion unless we resort to war. You need advice more than we do. If you resort to the sword there will no longer be any bond between us. We will be two nations (Ummas). Allah has entrusted us with the progeny of His Prophet, Mohammad (S) as a measure just to see how you and we behave towards them. We call upon you to support them and let down the dictator Yazid and Obaidullah bin Ziyad. Under their rule, you will only reap mistreatment, gouging of eyes, chopping of limbs, making a dreadful example of you, hanging you on tree trunks, killing your good men and reciters (of al-Qur'an) like Hijr bin Adi and his followers, and Hani' bin Urwah and his likes". He was heckled and interrupted by the people of Kufa; they swore at him and praised Ibn Ziyad and added that they would not budge until they killed Hani's companion (Imam Hussain) and those who were with him or sent them under escort to Ibn Ziyad.

Zuhair retorted, "Oh Men! the sons of Fatima have more right to befriend and support than the son of Sumayya. If you do not support them I pray to Allah that He guard you against killing them. You are therefore, requested to dissolve this man from Yazid; upon my life! He will be contented with your obedience without the killing of Hussain (A)".

Shimr shot at him with an arrow and said, "Shut up, May Allah silence your camel; we are fed up with your excessive talk".

Zuhair said, "Oh! you son of the incontinent, I do not mean you in my address for you are no more than an animal. I swear by the Almighty that you cannot master not even two ayas (verses) of the Book of Allah (Al-Qur'an). Surely, disgrace and chastisement will befall you on the day of judgement".

Shimr said, "Allah will kill you and your companion in an hour's time".

Zuhair said, "Are you threatening me with death. By the Almighty! Death with him is dearer to me than eternity with you".

Ziad then moved forward raising his voice and said, "Oh bondsmen of God! do not let this rude ruffian and his like deceive you. By the Almighty! Mohammad's (S) intercession is denied to those who shed the blood of his Progeny, and killed their supporters who protected their women."

A man from Hussain's camp called him and said, "Aba Abdillah (Hussain) says to you to come back. Upon my life! Like the faithful of the Pharaohs, you counselled and warned those people to the best of your ability. But alas! they do not seem to heed your admonition".

"When mortals to heinous gains are lured

Their doom, eternal, is procured

Wallow in lustful lap of wealth

With a joyful face, sparkling health

Gloat over, regale, waver not

Indulge, frolic; then meet your lot

Perpetual remorse, unceasing pain

(Ceaselessly equate the ephemeral gain)

Truth sustains, exists, prevails

Knavery flops, infamy fails,

Repent you surely will, I warn

Callously, my "platitudes" you scorn.

A dealer in platitudes, l am not

Explicit support for the faith I sought

Sanity, ethics, sense I preach

Pursue I do whatever I teach.

With effortless clarity I speak

I never talk with tongue-in-cheek

A torch, to light your way I show

Follow its beam and safely go.

Initiate don't an abject act

'Tis futile if done and then retract.

All discernible trends in human thought

[Ali]

Part 6 - Water is Denied

As it was very hot, Hussain and his household, and supporters were very thirsty. Therefore, Burair bin Khudhair Al-Hamadani who was an old devout man, an authority on Qur'an recitation, and well placed and revered by the Hamadani's asked to be permitted to address the people of Kufa. He was given the permission. He called, "Oh you people! Allah has sent Mohammad as a harbinger and warner, calling for the way of Allah, and a shining lantern. And this is the River Euphrates, the water of which is free for all kinds of animals pigs and dogs. Yet you have denied the son of daughter of the Messenger of Allah access to it. Is this the way Mohammad should be rewarded?".

A group of people from the camp of Ibn Ziyad retorted, "Enough of this nonsense. By the Almighty! Hussain shall not quench his thirst with its water like those who were denied to quench their thirst before him".

Burair said, "Oh you people! The heritage of Mohammad has ended up in your midst. And these are his progeny, household, daughters and holy members of his family. So what do you have to say and what are you going to do with them?".

They replied, "We want Emir Obaidullah bin Ziyad to get hold of them, and then decide what he would do with them".

He said, "Are you not satisfied that they go back whence they came? Oh people of Kufa! Woe unto you! Did you forget the letters you wrote and the pledges you made to me to which Allah bears witness? You invited the progeny of your Prophet and claimed that you would protect them with yourselves. When they responded and came to you, you want to hand them over to Ibn Ziyad, and denied them access to the water of the River Euphrates. What evil heirs to your Prophet and his progeny you turned out to be! What has become of you! May Allah not give you a drink on the day of judgement. What an evil folk you are!.

A group of them replied, "We do not know what you are talking about".

He said, "Praise be to Allah for making me more discerning. Oh Lord! I seek refuge with you and disown the actions of these people. Oh Allah! Sow discord among their ranks and make them use their fortitude against each other until they meet with Your wrath."

The response from them was that they fired arrows at him which made him retreat.

Enervate them, this tirade did

The foe still sustained its bid.

Woe to those whose hearts were sealed

Their promiscuous prattle, thus unveiled:

"Confound us not by harangues, Hussain

Unleash not your diatribes, in vain.

The Prophet, some message did convey

Concede, that Yazid now shows the way.

To usurp the Caliphate do not try

Your revolt, does envy imply.

What the Caliph avers, is verily best

Submit, and don't his dictums test

You shouldn't his celestial place dispute

Withhold not allegiance, pay tribute.

The Caliph pilots our faith and fate

Divinely commandeers our love and hate.

His words, divine truth contain"

[Ali]

Part 7 - Hussain's Sermon

At forenoon of the tenth of Muharram when the heat of the sun started scorching the earth, Hussain, his household and companions began to feel the severity of thirst. The enemy was adamant not to give them access to the water of the River Euphrates out of Jahili'ite enmities and Badri'ite grudges. Therefore, Aba Abdillah AI-Hussain, feeling the strain of thirst, mounted his horse and opened the leaves of Al-Qur'an over his head and stood in front of the belligerent camp and shouted, "The Book of Allah and the Sunna (tradition) of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (S) are the arbiters between you and me". He then made them bear witness on his pure soul and that he was wearing the coat of arms of the Prophet (S), his buckler and his turban.

They said that his statement was true. He then asked them what made them decide on fighting him. Their answer was that it was out of obedience to the Emir Obaidullah bin Ziyad. He then delivered this sermon:

Hussain's sermon:

May grief and evil befall you, You wretched bunch! You distressfully called upon us to come to your rescue and when we responded fully, you unsheathed your swords against and pushed us unto the fire which we set alight for our enemy as well as yours. You, therefore, played into the hands of your enemy against your masters (the friends of God). Without justice the enemy administered amongst you and without hope you placed in them. Woe unto you! You abandon us while the sword is still blemished, oneself is collected, and the mind is yet to be made up. Yet, you rushed like the creeping bird and fell over yourselves like butterflies crowding on a flower; then you wrecked it; to hell with you! Oh you slaves of the bondmaid! Ahzab outlanders, forsakers of the Book [of Allah], distorters of facts, bunch of evil, blow of Satan, extinguishers of norms! Woe unto you! Have you chosen to support those, and let us down? Yes, by the Almighty this emanates from an old intrinsic treachery, fed to your origins and handed down to you; therefore, you are like a malignant fruit - distressing to look at and sickening when eaten."

"The [Edited Out] and the son of a [Edited Out] has left us but two choices, either resorting to the sword or capitulating. How preposterous! Humiliation is not our cup of tea! Allah shall never let this happen to us; so shall His Messenger, the believers, and chaste and pure laps and proud souls. For the sake of these values we would rather die in an hour and not submit to the ignobles. Hence my march leading this family albeit meagre in number and deserted by would-be supporters.

Hussain thundered: "0, wretches you

Before the swine pearls I threw.

Don't venom spit in religion's name

Comprehend I do, your noxious game.

When degeneration marks its way

An entire nation goes astray.

Delusion, do not let you sway

Confounded whims induce decay.

For you is mild profoundest hell

That infernal jail can't match you well.

A hideous deed, sponsor not

Save your conscience, mend your lot

Erase and efface your sins' stains

With tainted conscience, no one gains

The lure, the virtuous to pursue

The crass chase it, to grab it, run.

This pathless desolation, do not tread

'Tis disquietude, self-imposed dread

Don't your conscience push and goad

Vainly, trudge not a craggy road".

[Ali]

Part 8 - Al-Hur bin Yazid seeks Forgiveness

He continued with his address stating, "By the Almighty, soon you have done away with us, you will be shaken like a stone mill, like an axis."

"This is a covenant passed, to me from my grandfather the Messenger of God (SAW) through my father. 'You may resolve upon your affair and gather your partners then let not your affair be in darkness to you, then have it executed against me and do not reflect (any further)'. (10:71) 'Surely I rely on Allah, my Lord and yours; there is no living creature but He holds it by its forelock; surely, my Lord is on the right path'. (11:56)"

Then he raised his hands towards heaven and said, "Oh Lord! give them no rain, afflict them with barren years like the years of Yusuf (Joseph) - (draught and famine). Give mastery over them to the boy from Thaqeef (reference to Al-Hajjaj al-Thaqafi), who will give them bitter water (torment them) because they branded us as liars and let us down. You are our Lord; we rely on You and unto You we return."

He returned to his camp and was surrounded by his brethren and followers. He said to them, "The folk are intent on fighting you. May Allah have mercy on you." Then he appealed for help and support.

When Al-Hur bin Yazid ar-Riyahi heard his plea for help he went to Omar bin Sa'ad and asked him, "Are you fighting this man?" Ibn Sa'ad replied, "Yes, by the Almighty! a kind of fighting the bottom line of which is heads will roll and limbs will be chopped".

Al-Hur said, "Are you not satisfied with what to you?" Ibn Sa'ad replied, "Had it been for me I would have accepted his proposal. But your master is adamant".

Al-Hur then stood a middle ground and shuddered, gradually drawing nearer to Hussain (A). One of his companions asked him, "What are you doing?" Al-Hur answered, "I am giving myself the choice between heaven and hell; by the Almighty I choose nothing short of heaven so much so that I do not mind if I were chopped into pieces and burnt. He then spurred his horse aiming towards Hussain (A) with his lance turned around, his bow upside down. He stood before Hussain (A), eyes cast down, and asked him, "0! could I but sacrifice myself for you, You son of the Messenger of Allah! I have been stalking you all the way. It was me who prevented you from going back (to where you came from), kept close watch on you, and roared on you in this place. I have never thought that the people would not agree to your proposition. Oh Lord! I turn to you in repentance for I frightened the hearts of Your friends, the offspring of Your Messenger."

"Oh father of Abdullah! I seek penitence from Allah for what I did. Do you, think that He will accept it? "Hussain (A) answered, "Yes, he will accept your repentance".

He then asked Hussain (A) for permission to address the belligerent camp; he was given it. He called in the highest pitch of his voice, "Oh, people of Kufa! You called on this good servant of God; when he responded you welcomed him and claimed that you do not mind getting killed to spare him. Then you changed your minds, transgressing against him with a view to killing him. You put a stranglehold on him, stretched his patience, and besieged him to prevent him from seeking a safe haven in Allah's vast land. He became like a hostage. You denied him, members of his household, and companions access to the waters of the River Euphrates from which Jews, Christians, and fire worshippers drink, and pigs and dogs wade in. Yet Hussain, his family, and companion, are dying of thirst. What misery you inherited the offspring of Mohammad (S)! May Allah not give you drink on the day of thirst." A group from the camp of Ibn Sa'ad attacked him shooting at him with arrows forcing him to retreat.

Omar bin Sa'ad drew nearer to the camp of Imam Hussain (A) and called Draid, the bearer of the standard, to move forward. He then took an arrow, placed it in his arch and released it in the direction of Hussain's (A) camp, and said, "Bear witness for me with the Emir that I was the first to shoot." The arrows then followed like rain, causing injuries among the companions of Imam Hussain (A).

Having made sure that the enemy is intent on fighting them, Hussain (A) ordered his followers, "Rise to certain death; may Allah have mercy on you; the arrows are the messengers of those people to you".

The companions of Hussain (A) waged a campaign and fought for an hour or so. When the dust settled, there were fifty dead. When Hussain (A) saw this elite group of his companions killed he held his beard and said, "Allah's wrath on the Jews was great because they claimed that he had a son, on the Christians because they made him one of the trinity, on the Magians because they worshipped the sun and the moon, and on the people who were unanimous in the agreement to kill the son of their Prophets daughter. By the Almighty! I am not going to give in to them until I meet Allah blood-dyed".

"Your predilection for conceit

And profane wiles, entranced with deceit

Have driven me to prove, with sword, my case

To screw my courage to the sticking place.

When my sword, to act, is forced

My views, by the apostates, are endorsed.

Bathed in the foe's infernal blood

Zooms, imbrued, through the gory flood.

As I draw my sword (and wield)

premptorily the rivals yield.

A conquest, when I plan to clinch

To elude the battle the bravest flinch.

Launch an assault, and attack you do

A veritable rock will confront you.

In your quest to win; prevail

Assume the aggressive; charge; then fail

To feed hell's fire, be dispatched

Midst devils perform misdeeds, unmatched.

[Ali]

Part 9 - Is there any amongst Man to help us?

He then shouted, "Is there any one who can come to our rescue? Is there any one who can protect the sanctity of the family of Allah's Apostle?" The screaming and crying of women could be heard as a result of his plea.

One by one the companions of Hussain (A) asked for permission to meet in combat with the enemy bidding him farewell, saying, "Peace be with you Oh Aba Abdillah!"; he answered. "Peace be with you; we will follow", reciting, "...so of them is he who accomplished his vow, and of them is he who yet waits, and they have not changed the least". (33:23)

Then the two Jabiri cousins, Saif bin al-Harith bin Sari' and Malik bin Abid bin Sari' emerged crying and asked for permission to fight. Hussain asked them, "What makes you cry? I am hopeful that you will after a very short time have peace of mind and tranquillity". They answered, "We are not crying for ourselves, but for you. We can see that you are beleaguered, and we have no power to be of any good to you". Hussain thanked them. They fought till death.

Then the two Ghifari brothers, Abdullah and Abdul-Rahman sons of Urwah followed and fought and were killed close to Hussain (A).

A group consisting of Omar bin Khalid as-Saidawi, his servant Sa'ad, Jabir bin Al-Harith as-Salmani, and Majma' bin Abdullah Al-A'aithi came out and raided the enemy, the Kufi'ites; when they went deep into their ranks, they were encircled by the troops and cut off. Hussain sent his brother Al-Abbas in a bid to rescue them, which he did successfully. But due to their severe wounds they were overpowered by the Kufi'ites and were killed in one place.

Al-Hur bin Yazid ar-Riyahi attacked the enemy troops killing over forty of them. When his horse got wounded he fought them on foot and fell to the ground. Hussain stood over him wiping away soil and blood which was oozing from his face, saying, "Congratulations oh you Hur! You are Hur (free) as your mother named you". He passed away.

Wadhih, the Turkish servant of Al-Harth al-Mithiji came forward and asked for permission to fight. He fought until he was severely wounded; he called Hussain by name to come to his rescue. Hussain responded. But it was too late as he was in his final moments of life. Hussain hugged him. He said, "I am so lucky; the son of the Messenger of Allah putting his cheek on mine". He died immediately after that.

Aslam, the servant of Hussain (A) was next. He fought bravely. When he was badly wounded he called on Hussain for help. Hussain came to him and hugged him. He was still alive. He smiled, thanked God for granting him martyrdom and passed away.

Muslim bin Awsajah assaulted the enemy and fought very bravely. Amr bin al-Hajjaj and a band of his companions counter attacked the camp of Hussain from the direction of the Euphrates. When the two belligerent forces clashed and the dust settled, Muslim bin Awsajah was found fallen but still with a spark of life.

Hussain (A) and Habib bin Mudhahir walked towards him. Hussain said to him, "May Allah have mercy on you oh Muslim!" and recited, " ... so of them is he who accomplished his vow, and of them is he who yet waits, and they have not changed the least". (33:23)

Habib bin Mudhahir approached him and said, "God knows how sorry I am that you will die, Oh Muslim! the good news is that you will go to heaven". Muslim replied in a faint voice, "May Allah bring good news to you

Habib added, "If I am not absolutely sure that I will follow in your foot steps I would have asked you to let me know of your will". Muslim answered, "I urge you to take care of this", pointing to Imam Hussain, "You should sacrifice your life protecting him". Habib said to him, "Feel serene and be confident about that". He gave up the ghost to its Creator.

When the followers of Ibn Sa'ad knew of the death of Muslim bin Awsajah they shouted in elation. Shibth bin Rib'ii said to those who were around him, "May your mothers be bereaved. You are killing yourselves with your own hands and bring humiliation to yourselves Do you rejoice at the death of Muslim? He has credit in the service of Muslims. I saw him at the battle of Azerbaijan killing six atheists before the horsemen of the Muslim army had the chance to re-group.

When the troops of Ibn Sa'ad suffered many casualties at the hands of the followers of Hussain (A), Amr bin Al-Hajjaj shouted at his followers, "Do you know who you are fighting? You are fighting clear-sighted knights, bent on killing you; by the Almighty! if you would use only stones against them you would have killed them!." Omar bin Sa'ad retorted, "You are right. Tell the troops not to meet with them in duel, for if you do so you will all perish".

Amr bin AI-Hajjaj attacked the right flank of Hussain's camp. The remaining combatants withstood their ground, falling on their knees, aiming their arrows at the enemy. Thus, forcing the horses of the enemy to refrain from forging ahead. When they resumed their attack they came under a hail of arrows from Imam Hussain's (A) followers causing many casualties among their ranks.

Shimr bin Thil al-Jawshan took on the left flank of Hussain's (A) camp. The combatants proved to be as steadfast as their companions in the right flank. The result was complete failure of the enemy to break through the solid defences of Hussain troops.

Among those who remained alive at this stage of the battle was Wahab bin Abdullah Al-Kalbi who was with his mother and wife. His mother urged him to come out and support the son of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah. He answered, "0 mother! I will do my best". He came out chanting these sonnets.

"You better deny me not as I am the son of Al-Kalbi. You will see me and how fatal my blows are. How my assault and campaign seeking my revenge and that of my companions. I repulse the attack in the wake of the attack. For my struggle in the battlefield is not a playing matter."

Then he attacked the enemy killing some and wounding others, returning to his mother, saying to her, "Are you satisfied with my deed?" She answered. "Never! unless you are killed before Hussain (A)".

His wife intervened asking him, "I put you to oath by the Almighty! Do not bereave me by getting killed". His mother said to him, "Do not pay attention to what she says; go back and carry on fighting in front of the son of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah; you will be worthy of his grandfathers intercession on the Day of Judgement". He resumed combat, killing nineteen horsemen and twelve infantry troopers. He lost both his arms and was killed. May his soul rest in peace.

His wife walked towards his body and sat near his head, wiping away blood and saying. "Congratulations for you are guaranteed a place in heaven; I pray to the Almighty to bestow it on me to make me join you". Shimr was very angry at the spectacle. He dispatched his servant to kill her; he dealt a fatal blow to her head with a truncheon; she died instantly. She was the first women among the companions of Hussain (A) to be killed.

The enemy chopped off Wahab's head hurling it towards the tents of Hussain (A); his mother hugged it and wiped the blood off his face. She then was seen holding a tent pole and heading towards the enemy. Imam Hussain (A) prevented her from engaging in combat saying, "Go back. May Allah have mercy on you. You are relieved of jihad (holy war)". She returned uttering, "Oh Lord! do not frustrate my hope". Hussain said to her, "Allah will not do so".

Shimr attacked the tent of Imam Hussain (A) using his spear threatening to set it ablaze. The ladies inside the tent fled screaming and were in a distraught state. Hussain (A) called on him, "Oh you son of Thil Jawshan! Are you calling for my house to be burned while my family are inside? May Allah burn you in hell fire."

Shibth bin Rib'ii said to Shimr, "You have become a source of fright to women. I have never come across neither a deed nor a stance worse than yours". He felt ashamed and withdrew.

[Ali]

Part 10 - The Martyrs Die - One by One

It was just after midday when the fighting was still raging. Aba Thummamah as-Sa'idi approached Hussain (A) and said, "I can see that the enemy is getting very close. By God! I will not let them kill you and I am still alive. I wish to meet Allah, the Exalted after I have said my prayers in your company". Hussain raised his head towards the sky and said, "You remembered prayer! May Allah make you among those who say prayer and invoke Him; indeed, this is the start of (Dhuhr) Noon prayer". "Ask those people to give us a respite until we say our prayer", he added. Al-Hosein (of the enemy camp) said, "It will not be answered". Habib bin Mudhahir replied, "You claimed it will not be accepted from the house of the Messenger. Would it then be accepted from you? Al-Hosein attacked him dealing a sword blow to the head of his horse causing it to rear; he fell of and was rescued by his companions.

Hussain (A) then got ready for prayer - several versions as to how and what sort of prayers was said have been related. One version is that he led what was spared of his followers at that stage of the battle in 'fright prayer'; Zuhair bin Al-Qain and Sa'eed bin Abdullah Al-Hanafi together with half of the followers were in front of him. A second version claims that they said their prayer individually i.e. not in a congregational manner. A third story is that he led them in a quick prayer.

When Sa'eed was badly wounded he fell to the ground and said, "Oh God Almighty! Damn them as you have condemned the people of A'ad and Thamoud; give my regards to Your Prophet and let him know of the pain I am suffering; my aim is to be rewarded by You for defending the progeny of Your Prophet (S.A.W.)". He turned to Hussain and asked, "Have I lived up to my vow?" Hussain replied, "Yes, you are preceding me in entering paradise". He perished. He was found to have received thirteen arrows apart from wounds caused by swords and spears.

When Hussain (A) had finished his prayer he said to his companions, "Oh you noble folk! The gates of paradise are ajar, its rivers are flowing, its fruits are ready to be reaped; its dwellers - the Messenger of Allah and the martyrs who were killed in the way of Allah are waiting to welcome you; they yearn for your company. It is, therefore, incumbent on you to protect the religion of Allah, and His Messenger; drive away the enemy from his family. Their answer was, "Our souls are a protection to yours and our blood for yours; By the Almighty no harm will befall you and members of your kindred as long as we still breathe".

Omar bin Sa'ad ordered Amr bin Sa'eed who was in command of a group of archers to stun the horses of the followers of Hussain (A). The result was that no horseman was spared save Adh-Dhahhaq bin Abdullah Al-Mashriqi. He said the sight of our combatants falling led me to enter my horse in a tent to spare it destruction.

Abu Thamama as-Sa'idi came out and fought valiantly until he was critically wounded. A cousin of his, who had a grudge against him, set upon him and killed him.

Salman bin Mudharib al-Bajli, who is Zuhair bin Al-Qain's cousin, forged ahead fought and got killed.

Handhala bin Sa'eed ash-Shabami shouted "Oh people! I fear for you the like of what befell the (Al-Ahzab) parties, the like of what befell the people of Nuh (Noah), and A'ad and Thamoud, and those who came after them, and Allah does not desire injustice for (His) servants; 0 my people! I fear for you from the day of calling out, the day on which you turn back retreating; there shall be no saviour for you from Allah, and whomsoever Allah causes to en, there is no guide for him. (40:30-93)

O my people! do not kill Hussain "lest Allah should destroy you by a punishment, and he who forges (a lie) indeed fails to attain (his desire)". (20:61)

Hussain rewarded him with a good recompense and said "May Allah's mercy be with you; surely, they will deserve the punishment when they brushed aside your call for them to follow the truth, and rose to shed your blood as well as that of your coreligionists Just imagine how much more would befall them as they killed your good brethren!.

He retorted. "You told the truth, 0 son of the Apostle of God! Is it not then the time to leave for the hereafter? Hussain gave him the permission to join the fray; he saluted Hussain and attacked the enemy and got killed.

Meanwhile, Aabis bin Shabih ash-Shakiri approached Shawthab, the servant of Shakir, who was a trustworthy follower in whose house Shia Muslims used to gather together and talked of the exploits and virtues of Ahl al-Bayt. Aabis said, "What do you like to do?" He replies, "I would like to fight alongside you until I got killed. Aabis wished him well and said to him, step before Hussain so that he can acclaim you as he did with the others who preceded you for that which we can expect reward in the hereafter". Shawthab saluted Hussain and pressed on, fought and got killed.

Aabis drew near Hussain and said, "There remained neither a kindred nor a friend who is dearer to me than you; if I am in a position to avert a diversity from you with any-thing that is more valuable to me than my own life, I would have never hesitated to do so. Peace be with you; I bear witness that I have been on the right guidance of your father and that of yours! He then advanced towards the enemy, sword in hand, and shouting. Since they knew him to be a very brave man, no one stood his ground in the face of his assault. Realising the danger, Omar bin Sa'ad shouted, "Pelt him with stones". As he was overwhelmed by stone throwing, he parted with his coat of arms and headgear and charged the enemy troops who fled. They regrouped and managed to encircle him and kill him. Dispute erupted among the troops each claiming the reward for his killing. Ibn Sa'ad said, "He has not been killed by any of you single-handed". He, therefore, denied them the recompense.

John, the servant of Aba Thar, stood before Hussain asking for permission to fight. He said to him, "0 John! You joined us in quest of welfare; you are therefore, free to part my company". John knelt kissing the Imam's feet and pleading with him "In felicity, I lick your bowls; in adversity I will never let you down! Since my smell is bad, my lineage is humble and my colour is black, I look forward to that day in heaven when you breathe in me making my smell pleasant, my pedigree honourable, and my complexion white. Nay! by God I am not parting with you until this black blood of mine is fused with your blood!" Hussain gave him the permission. He fought valiantly killing twenty five soldiers. He then was killed. Imam Hussain attended his body and said, "0 Lord! Whiten his face and sweeten his smell and gather him (on the Day of Resurrection) with Mohammad and let him be identified with the household of Mohammad". It was related that whomsoever passed by the battlefield smelled the aroma of his body which was more pleasant than musk.

Anas bin Al-Harith bin Nabih Al-Kahili, who was an elderly Companion saw the Apostle, heard his talk, and took part with him in Badr and Hunain battles, sought permission from Hussain, With his turban cloth, he assaulted the enemy troops killing about eighteen before he was killed. When Hussain sow him thus he wept and said,

"May Allah reward you!".

Amr bin Junadah Al-Ansari, a boy of eleven years, whose father was already killed in the battle, approached Hussain for permission to join the fight. Hussain was adamant not to let him do so saying, "This is a boy whose father was killed in the early campaign; his mother may hate to see him killed". The boy said, "My mother ordered me". He gave the permission to fight. No sooner the boy was killed and his severed head was thrown towards Hussain's camp. His mother took the boy's head, wiped the blood from it and hurled it at a nearby man and killed him. She then returned to the camp and fetched a tent pole, or some say a sword, singing war poetry and assaulting the enemy. Imam Hussain returned her to the camp after she had injured two men.

Al-Hajjaj bin Masrouq Al-Ju'fi fought until he was drenched with blood. He returned to Hussain to tell him how happy he was to meet Hussain's grandfather, Apostle of God, and his father the, vicegerent. Hussain replied, "I will soon meet them too". He then returned to the battlefield and got killed.

The Ansaris (Medinese) Sa'ad bin al-Harith and his brother Abul Hutoof heard Hussain's cry for help and the wailing of members of his family. They defected from Ibn Sa'ad army and joined Hussain's band. They fought the enemy and got killed.

Abush-Sha'tha Yazid bin Ziad Al-Kindi, who was on Sa'ad's side did the same by joining Hussain's. He was an archer. He knelt in front of Hussain and shot a hundred arrows. Hussain used to pray for him, "0 Lord! Make his shot hit the target and reward him with paradise". When his arrows ran out he stood up and said, "It seems as though I killed five combatants". He attacked the enemy and killed another nine.

Bidding Hussain farewell, Swaid bin Amr bin Abil Muta' set forth and fought bravely until he was critically wounded. He fell face down. It was thought that he was dead; however when heard that Hussain was killed, he got up brandished a knife, and attacked the enemy; he was then set upon by the thugs and was killed. He was the last of Hussain's companions to be killed before Hussain's martyrdom,

"Died other martyrs, one by one,

All were fearless, coward none.

Plucked were the Prophet's "blooms" in a day

Leaf by leaf-on the sand they lay.

Juveniles, adolescents, young and old,

An army not; seventy-two, all told

I groaned aghast as Hussain I saw,

(His visage stately, with no flaw")

[Ali]

Part 11 - The Martyrdom of Ali al-Akbar

The Martyrdom of Ahl ul-Bayt (A) - The Posterity of the Prophet (S)

Since none of the companions who fought with Hussain was spared, members of his immediate family got ready to make the ultimate sacrifice in a manner that was characteristic of the pedigree of the Prophet - sheer determination, unrivalled bravery, and scant regard to personal safety. They bade farewell to each other, The first to come forward was Abul Hassan Ali al-Akbar who was twenty seven years old. He took permission from his father, Hussain and mounted his horse and met in combat with the Kufans. A man from amongst the crowd shouted, "O Ali! You relate to Yazid - for his mother Layla was daughter of Maymoona daughter of Abi Sufyan - and we want to respect this relationship. We may grant you an amnesty and a refuge if you wish". He said "The kinship of the Apostle of God should be second to none." He pressed on proclaiming who he was.

Imam Hussain could not hold back his tears and shouted at Omar bin Sa'ad, "What has become of you? May Allah bereave you of your kindred as you have made me bereft of mine, and did not respect my relationship of the Prophet. May Allah set on you an adversary who will slay you in your bed." He then raised his hands to the sky and said, "0 Lord! Bear witness on those people for he who emerged to them is bearing a strong likeness to Your Prophet in all departments - resemblance of disposition, complexion, and logic. Hence we look at him when we crave to see Your Apostle. 0 Lord! Deprive them of the riches of the land, divide them, rend them asunder and turn them into smithereens. Never make the rulers be happy with them, for they sent for us so that they may support us but transgressed against us and killed us." He then recited Allah's words, "Surely, Allah chose Adam and Nuh and the descendants of Ibrahim and the descendants of Imran above the nations, offspring, one of the other, and Allah is Hearing Knowing".

Ali al-Akbar continued fighting. He killed all those who had the guts to meet him in duel. He killed scores of combatants.

Since thirst greatly contributed to his overstraining, he returned to his father to rest and complain of what thirst had done to him. Hussain cried, appealed for help and said, "You will soon meet your grandfather who will water you from his tumbler that you will never be thirsty again". He sucked his tongue to alleviate his predicament and gave him his ring to put in his mouth.

Ali returned to the battlefield happy to be told by his father that be would meet his grandfather, the Prophet. He delved into their ranks dispersing them. It seemed as though it were his grandfather, Imam Ali roaring in the battle ground fighting them. He killed more Kufans.

When the death toll mounted, Murra bin Munqidh al-Abdi made a pledge saying, "I shall bear all the sins of the Arabs, if I do not bereave his father." He ran his lance into his back and dealt him a blow on his head causing it to split. He embraced his horse which took him to the enemy camp where he was encircled by the troops who cut him into pieces.

On the brink of dying, he could muster a shout, "0 Aba Abdillah! Farewell. Here is my grandfather; from whose cup I have drunk. Never again I will be thirsty. He says that there will be a cup waiting for you". Hussain hurried to him bending on him, putting his cheek over Ali's and murmuring, "Life is no longer worth living after your departure. How dare they encroach on Allah and violate the sanctity of the Prophet. Alas! It is hard on your grandfather and your father that you call on them for help which they cannot provide".

He then scooped a handful of his pure blood and throw it to the sky; not a single drop fell to the ground! That is why in the visitation ceremony we used to address him, "May my parents be sacrificed for you as you were wrongfully slain; for your blood which ascended to the heavens, for your sacrifice before your father in anticipation of God's reward. Yet he parted with you in extreme heart rending situation when he threw your blood to the sky as an offering and none of it fell to the ground.."

Hussain ordered his youth to carry his body to the tent, where the free females of the household of the Apostle of God gathered around him crying, wailing beating their breasts, and plucking their hair. Zainab al-Kubra (Senior), the pick of Bani Hashim threw herself on his body cuddling it for she saw in his demise her waning strength, the departure of the protector of her privacy and honour, and the crumbling of the buttress of her house.

[Ali]

Part 12 - The Campaign of the Abi Talibs

After Ali ul-Akbar, Abdullah bin Muslim bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib whose mother was Ruqaiyyah al-Kubra, daughter of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali, was next to go to war. In three attacks, he killed a bunch of enemy soldiers. Yazid bin ar-Raqqad al-Juhni shot him with an arrow from which he protected his head with his arm. The arrow pierced his arm and lodged into his forehead sewing the two together. Failing to dislodge his arm from his forehead, he sent an outcry saying, "0 Lord! They trampled on and humiliated us. So, God kill them as they killed us." As he was in that state, a man thrust his spear into his heart causing his death. Yazid bin Ar-Raqqad approached the dead body and plucked his arrow from his forehead causing the arrow to come off leaving the arrowhead buried into the forehead.

Abu Bakr Abdullah al-Akbar (Senior) son of Imam Ali son of Ramla, who was a slave-girl, fought bravely until he was killed.

After Abu Bakr al-Qassim, the turn was for his brother al-Qassim who was just a boy. When Hussain looked at him he embraced him and wept. He gave him permission to fight. His face exuding with light, sword in hand, wearing a shirt and a loin-cloth, and a pair of sandals. As he was engaged in combat his sandals snapped. Paying scant regard to the enemy soldiers, he stopped to tie it up for he did not want to be seen bare-footed by the enemy.

As he was thus Amr bin Sa'ad bin Nufail al-Azdi assaulted him. Hamid bin Muslim said to him, "What do you want of this boy? Is it not enough that all these troops have cut him off!" Amr replied, "By God! I have to harass him." He did not turn away before he dealt him a blow on the head causing him to fall face down. He called on his uncle, "0 Uncle!" Hussain hurried to him as if he were a furious lion and struck Sa'ad with his sword; he lift his arm to protect his head, only to be severed from the elbow. He sent out a loud cry. When the troops heard it, the horsemen launched an attack to evacuate him; he was knocked down and trampled on by the horses and was killed.

When the dust settled, Imam Hussain was seen standing near the boy's head; the boy was kicking. Hussain was saying, "Lo! to those who killed you. Their adversary on the Day of Judgement shall be your grandfather".

"It is with regret that your uncle has been helpless, when you called on me I could not respond to your call, and when I responded there was nothing I could do. By God! It is a cry met with abundance of harm than help", he added. He carried him to the make-shift mortuary, where the bodies of Ali ul-Akbar and members of the Apostle's household lay. He lift his head towards the sky and invoked God, "0 Lord! Do not lose count of them, and do not forgive them ever! 0 Cousins! forbear in adversity; you shall never see disgrace after today".

[Ali]

Part 13 - The Killing of Al-Abbas and his Brothers

When Abbas saw the death toll mounting amongst members of his family, he said to his brothers, Abdullah, 0thman and Ja'far, "0 Sons of my mother! Go forth to meet the enemy so that I may bear witness that you kept your covenant with Allah and His Apostle". He turned to Abdullah who was older than Othman and said to him, "Come forward, brother, so that I may witness your killing and thus be considered (by God)". So, they all fought in the presence of their brother, Al-Abbas till they were killed.

Al-Abbas reached the tether of his patience not to follow in the footsteps of his brethren and companions, especially when he could see that "The proof of the Time", Imam Hussain is getting increasingly beleaguered, his supply root cut, the screams of women and the crying of children, who were thirsty, filled his ears. He, therefore, asked his brother to allow him to meet the enemy in combat. Since Abbas was the most valued asset Hussain cherished because the enemy are wary of his attack and fearful of his courage, and the women feel safe and secure so long as they saw the standard hoisted, Imam Hussain did not wish to part company with him and said, "0 Brother! You are the bearer of my flag".

"Hussain placated Abbas, with calm:

Amity's balm seeks; hurt Islam

Restrain your wrath, my brother brave,

A battle, to precipitate, we don't crave,

'Tis prudent, now to peer ahead,

Don't let them act in haste - instead.

Intellect, sound, they have none

Antagonism, to them is a thrilling fun

Nothing is worse than want of zeal

Its lack can a nation's fortune seal

But aimless zeal is folly's trap

In wisdom's fort 'tis a mighty gap

Their show of passion is not zeal

This pseudo-zeal only varlets feel.

Peoples sans vision were destroyed

The prudent, e'er, vision employed

Canting spivs they all are,

Despicable insensates can't look far.

We hope our "passive defence" does work,

A "defence offensive" till last we shirk.

My cool appraisal of this mess,

Is a genuine effort to forestall distress.

The stakes are dreadfully high,

Staggering results it will imply.

Erupt will battle - will get worse,

They crave and yearn for the divine curse.

Abbas replied, "I am sick and tired of these hypocrites, and I want to exact my revenge on them". Hussain ordered him. to ask them for water for the children. Abbas approached the enemy, preached and warned them of the wrath of the Almighty but to no avail! He shouted as high as he could, "0 son of Sa'ad! This is Hussain the son of the daughter of the Prophet. You have killed members of his family and companions."

"All what is left are his womenfolk and children who are thirsty. Quench their thirst with water for they may die of it". He, nevertheless, was pleading with them to let Imam Hussain and what was left of his household to leave Hijaz for the land of the Romans or the Indians. His words found sympathy with some of the crowd so much so that they cried. But ash-Shimr shouted, "0 son of Abu Turab (one of Imam Ali's titles)! Even if the whole of the earth's surface were awash and we were in control, we would have never allowed you access to it, unless you pledge allegiance to Yazid."

Left my bank my honoured guests

Swamped was I by the swarm of pests.

Shorn of the honour; I was robbed

Wept through waves, through swells I sobbed.

Lamented my ripples, my flow did wail,

Inherit I did, thus, a dolorous tale.

Water, my guests were refused, en bloc,

Agonised I was, distraught, with shock.

This torrid zone and simmering land,

None (sans water) could stand

Capture me if not they did

To counter the foe's obnoxious bid

if access to me they didn't attempt

Die of thirst they will, it meant."

Abbas returned to his brother Hussain to advise him how the enemy were adamant not to give them water. In the meantime, he heard the children crying of thirst. He could not take it any more; his Hashimite ardour left him no room for manoeuver nor more forbearance, He took the skin water container with the intention of bringing water. He was surrounded by some 4,000 troops who shot at him with their arrows. He did not fear their multitudes. The standard hoisted over his head, He started attacking them causing them to flee in front of him. His gallantry used to remind them of his father, Imam Ali who used to annihilate brave and formidable foes in the battlefield. Thus, they did not stand their ground in the face of his determined and ferocious attacks. He managed to reach the waterline of the River Euphrates with fortitude.

He took a handful of water to drink whereupon he remembered the thirst of Imam Hussain and those who were with him. He threw the water away choosing not to drink out of empathy with his kinship.

[Ali]

Part 14 - Abbas - the Lion Roars

Abbas, his brother; fearless, grand,

Thundered, with rage, took a bold stand:

Proximity of water, deny you can't

your witting Caliph's obnoxious flaunt

!n sheer buffoonery, arrant nonsense

Convey to him scorn, intense.

Pompous pride I abhor, detest,

Like the prismatic glass 'tis just a jest.

His faith is dimmed by the lure of gold,

And conscience, to rapacity he has sold.

Drained off is his fount of sense,

And creed abandoned to vain aberrance.

Padlocked his brains, and mind is packed,

Deposed his prudence, judgement sacked.

An egregious scamp, pretentious fool,

Egoism's caricature, asininity's toot

The River recaptured (by Abbas)

The river he saw at paces few

(The horizon scanned - had none in view)

With the flag held high, he forward pressed,

The dauntless cham his command stressed.

Advanced; across the terrain he swept,

Enlarged the territorial gain (and kept)

The capture of the rill was underway,

(A feat stupendous - least to say)

The rill capture he did, with ease,

(The "squatters" aberrant "lease" did cease)

The stream, repossessed, he firmly held,

(Thus showed how right at might excelled)

His "post-repossession" earnest stance,

His eminence (further) did enhance.

(The priorities, apt, his balanced move

His sound judgement amply prove)

The rill captured (and the sway restored)

With a firm resolve own drought ignored

Serenely he waded in the water - at will

A leathern container, with water did fill

Leisurely emerged in a triumphant way

His mighty sword kept the foe at bay.

Exult did not at the blessed gain,

Zealously adhered to his purpose - main.

"Water must reach the camp inmates"

(Elevated sense such resolve dictates)

Enshrined in mind was "a camp inmate"

He knew, his return his niece did wait.

Shunned he did even a glimpse of peace,

Unless the water did reach his niece.

His mettle the apostates could not match

The container, from him couldn't snatch.

The fortunate ones who death escaped,

Froze with terror, transfixed - gaped.

Petrified, ventured not impede him,

(Cocksure, their prospects were slim)

As the abject terror played its role,

The dragon of scare swallowed them - whole:"

He filled in the skin container with water, mounted his horse, and aimed towards the camp. Enemy soldiers cut him off, upon which he engaged them; he managed to fend them off and gained a leeway.

Zaid bin ar-Raqqad al-Juhui was laying in wait for him behind a tree. Helped by Hakim bin at-Tufail as-Sanbasi, he hit him on the arm and severed it. He was indifferent about his right arm, forging ahead to deliver the water to Hussain's children and household. Hakim in the meantime was still laying in wait for him behind a tree. When Abbas got passed him, Hakim dealt him a sword blow on his left arm and severed it. Taking advantage of his weakened state, the rest of the troops took heart and swooped down upon him. They rained him with arrows from every direction; one arrow hit the water container and punctured it, spilling its contents; another hit him in the chest. A man hit him with a pole on the head, crushing his skull. Thereupon he fell to the ground calling, "0 Aba Abdillah! Farewell". Hussain rushed to him only to find him aimless, his forehead ruptured, an arrow embedded into the eye, the brain strewn on the shoulders, the colours and water container beside him. Hussain face showed signs of despondency Throwing himself down upon him, sobbing and saying, "Now is the time my backbone broke; I can see no way out, and my enemy is rejoicing at my misfortune".

Stealthily, a furtive foe appeared

The arms of the valiant, brave, severed.

The renegades' treacherous act did work

They this cowardice, did not shirk

The angel's saintly wings were clipped,

The flag, he held high, lurched and dipped.

The standard with his blood was red

Its bearer brave lay cold and dead

Stifled my waves, was shocked, alas!

With grief I froze - it was Abbas."

Despondent, sorrowful, weeping, wiping his tears with hit shin sleeves, Imam Hussain returned to his camp only to see that the enemy soldiers had already invaded it. He appealed to the crowd, "Is there not one from amongst you who can respond to our cry for help? Who can grant us a safe haven?.. Is there not a seeker of right who can lend support to us? Is there not one, who is wary of hell fire, who can protect us?" Sukaina approached and asked him about her uncle.

He told her that he had been killed! Zainab overheard him and screamed, "0 Our Abbas! What a loss!". The women started crying and Hussain joined them saying, "We are at a loss after your demise!".

[Ali]

Part 15 - The Infant Martyr

When Abbas was killed, Imam Hussain searched around only to find out that there was no one who could bail him out; he looked to his family and companions to find them slain like sacrificial lambs; in the meantime he used to hear the incessant crying and wailing of his children and women, whereupon he repeated his plea, "Is there not a protector who can defend the sanctity of the Prophet? Is there not a believer who may fear God of that which is befalling us? Is there not a deliverer who may aspire to God's reward in alleviating our distress?" The crescendo of women and children crying and waiting reached a new peak.

As-Sajjad, Ali son of Hussain got up leaning on a stick and dragging his sword for he was ill and could hardly move. Hussain shouted at Umm Kulthoom, "Do not let him lest the earth should be devoid of the stock of the posterity of Mohammad". She returned him to his bed.

He ordered his family to stop crying and bade them farewell. He was wearing a dark jubba (a long outer garment, open in front, with wide sleeves), a flowered turban with its two ends loosened, covered with the Prophet's garment, and wearing his sword,

He asked for a dilapidated piece of cloth to use it as an underwear, and put on torn pair of trousers so that nobody would wish to strip him off and, particularly, leave his private parts exposed!.

Imam Hussain asked for his son to kiss him farewell. Zainab brought him Abdullah son of ar-Rabbab; he put him in his lap kissing and cuddling him murmuring, "Away with those people! for your grandfather, the chosen Apostle, will be their opponent on the Day of Judgement". Clutching him in his arms, he approached the enemy and asked for water for the baby. Harmalah bin Kahil al-Azdi shot him with an arrow and slew him. Hussain scooped the blood into his hands and threw it to the sky. Abu Ja'far al-Baqir was reported as saying, "Not a drop [of Abdullah's blood] descended to the ground". The Awaited Imam (May Allah hasten his reappearance) was also reported as saying, "May peace be with Abdullah, the infant who was slain by an arrow, drenched with blood, and whose blood ascended to the heavens. May Allah curse his killer Harmalah bin Kahil al-Azdi".

"Holding a babe was he in arms,

of water deprived, 'gainst humane norms

Like fading stars, his eyes did show

His wavy hair by the wind did blow.

The babe hovered between life and death,

Breathing he was an erratic breath.

Hussain did gently hold his hand,

This tender touch was a magic wand.

A smile flickered, at the baby's face,

Appeared a sweetness, lovely grace.

An innocent gesture, to quietly tell:

"Worry not father, all is well."

(A died-down candle just flickered

Briefly, a sinking ship anchored.)

True love played its mystic part,

A conscious heart knew a conscious heart

Hussain caressed the babe, with care

With fingers combed his wavy hair.

(A babe subjected to pangs of thirst,

By the despicable, Caliphs, heartless, worst)

His drought was "slaked" by the wild mob,

An archers arrow, did its job.

Appalled was nature, did providence weep,

The babe in his father's arms, did "sleep ".

With his firm, unshaking hand,

The father dug the glowing sand,

An emotions' tempest, though did blow,

No solitary tear, his grief did show.

His visage reflected a desolate grace,

A muffled anguish engulfed his face

The babe he put in the gloomy grave

This charming gift to Islam he gave

Imam Hussain said, "I find solace in the fact that what has befallen me is in the way of Allah, the Exalted. 0 Lord! Let his position with you not be less than the station of the young (weaned) camel of Salih's she-camel. 0 Lord! if you have withheld victory from us, substitute it with that which will be better than victory; exact your revenge on the oppressors, make the afflictions that befell us in this world a treasure for us in the hereafter."

[Ali]

Part 16 - Imam Hussain in the Battlefield

After he had buried the baby, he met in duel with many a man who never stood a chance of emerging alive. He then charged the enemy troops who did not stand their ground in the face of his attacks.

Thereupon Omar bin Sa'ad yelled at the crowd, "Mind! He is the son of the exterminator of the Arabs. Set upon him from every direction." They rained him with 4,000 arrows. The soldiers cut him off his camp. He shouted, "0 followers of Abi Sufian! If you arc godless and you do not dread the Day of Judgement be free in his world and recall your ancestry if you c]aim to be Arab".

Shimr exclaimed, "What are you saying, son of Fatimah?" Hussain replied, "I am the one who is fighting you, and the women are not at fault. So long as I am alive, forbid your insolent thugs from harassing my inviolable".

Shimr acceded to his request, whereupon the enemy soldiers targeted him. A fierce fighting raged. Since he was very thirsty, he attacked the flank of the army which was sealing off the River Euphrates. He managed to disperse them and make his way to the river. Once he was in the water, he extended his hand to drink. A caller shouted, "Do you enjoy drinking water whilst the integrity of your family is being violated?" He let the water spill from his hands without drinking, and returned to the tents.

Imam Hussain bade his family farewell for the second time and ordered them to show forbearance saying, "Get ready for affliction, and be reassured that Allah is your protector; He will guard you against the evil of the enemy, turn your mishap into good, chastise your enemy with all sorts of torment, and compensate you for this tragedy with a plethora of bounties and dignity. So do not complain, and do not utter that which may degrade your lofty prestige".

Hussain turned to his daughter Sukaina who was standing aloof, crying and lamenting. He stood by her showing sympathy and solace.

"To lay down life, he forward surged,

Upon the foe, a lion converged.

Bedecked was he by an aureole crown,

Immortal fashioned from entrenched renown.

A conundrum he was indeed,

Signified glory, though heart did bleed

Splendid, dignified, distinguished,

Tormented, distraught, hurt, anguished.

Though with chivalry, to the end, he fought,

The renegades got the prize, sought"

"The job concluded, the camp ransacked,

For final departure, the hoodlums packed.

They called my guests by the 'prisoners' name,

(As prisoners left, as guests who came!)

With 'watery eyes'; and heaving swell,

(Shattered my being) I said, farewell".

A soul searing, sad finale

Woeful 'tis, but a glorious tale.

[Ali]

Part 17 - Surrounded by the enemies of Islam

Omar bin Sa'ad yelled, "Woe unto you! Attack him while he is busy with himself and his family. By the Almighty! Once he is free neither your right nor your left flanks would be more lucky." They swooped on him, raining him with arrows which were so abundant that they lodged in to the tent ropes; some found their way to the women's mantles, startling and causing them to cry and enter the tent; they looked at Hussain in the expectation that he might do something. Imam Hussain attacked the enemy like a roaring lion, No sooner he could engage anyone he left him dead. He received many wounds all over his body mainly as a result of arrows.

He returned to his position, repeating the saying, "There is neither power nor strength save in God Almighty". He asked for water, Shimr answered, "You are not going to taste it until you enter hell fire!" Another one called him, "0 Hussain! can you not see the waters of the River Euphrates flow, glittering like the belly of a snake? You are not going to drink from it till you die of thirst". Imam Hussain invoked God, "0 Lord! Let him die of thirst". It was then reported that the man used to ask for water, once he drank, the water gushed out of his mouth. He continued thus until he perished of thirst.

Abul Hutoof al-Ju'fai shot Hussain with an arrow which lodged into his forehead, Hussain took it off causing the blood to stream down his face, whereupon he said, "0 Lord! You are witnessing the transgression against me by Your sinful creatures. 0 Lord! Do not let anyone of them get away with it. Kill them all and do not let anyone of them live on the face of the earth. Never forgive them their trespasses."

He shouted, "0 Bunch of evil! Shame on you. What bad guardians of the household of the Prophet you turned out to be. Since there is no man of my band left, you are not going to be deterred from killing anyone after me, for killing me would make it a forgone conclusion. By God! I hope that Allah bestow on me martyrdom, and avenge my death whence you do not expect."

Al-Hosein said, "How is he going to exact revenge on us?" Imam Hussain said, "He will sow enmity amongst you, shed your blood, and pour down punishment upon you, pouring it in abundance".

As he was weakened, he paused to rest. A man hurled him with a stone hitting him on the head causing the blood to stream down his face. He took out a piece of cloth to wipe the blood from his face, whereupon another archer aimed at him with a three-pronged arrow; it lodged into his chest in the area of the heart. He said, "In the name of Allah, by Allah, and following the path of the Apostle of Allah". He then raised his head towards the sky and said, "0 Lord! You know full well that they are killing a man there is not on the face of the earth, a son of the daughter of the Prophet, save him!!".

He pulled out the arrow causing the blood to gush out. He put his band underneath the gaping wound. When it was filled with blood he threw it towards the sky and said, "My only solace is that what has befallen me is in the way of Allah". It was reported that not a single drop of that blood fell down. He filled it again. This time be stained his head, face, and beard with it saying, "I want to meet Allah and my grandfather in this state - splattered with blood".

Since losing blood weakened his body, he sat on the ground hardly lifting his head, whereupon Malik bin an-Nisr approached him, called him names, and hit him with his sword on his head which was covered with a burnoose. The burnoose was drenched with blood. He took of the burnoose, wrapped his turban on the cap and said, "May Allah deprive you of eating with your right hand, and gather you [on the Day of Judgement] with the oppressors".

Hani bin Thubait al-Hadhrami was quoted as saying, "I was one of a group of ten people when Hussain was killed. I was looking to a boy from the household of Hussain, who was wearing a shirt and loin cloth; two rings dangling from his ears, clutching to a shaft; he was distraught turning left and right. A horsemen headed towards him, leaning over the boy and hitting him on the head causing his death". The boy was Mohammed bin Abi Sa'eed bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib. His mother was overwrought by the spectacle of witnessing the killing of her son.

After a short while the enemy troops came back to Hussain who was still in a sitting position for he was overcome by the severity of his wounds. Abdullah bin al-Hassan, an eleven-year-old boy looked towards his uncle only to see him surrounded by the enemy. He rushed towards his uncle after he managed to break free from his aunt, Zainab, When he arrived at the scene near his uncle, Bahr bin Ka'b descended his sword to hit Hussain. The boy yelled at him, "0 son of the bad woman! Are you dealing a blow to my uncle?" He hit the boy who lift his arm to protect his head causing it to be severed. The boy shouted, "0 uncle!" and fell into his uncle's lap. Hussain embraced him and said, "0 nephew! Be patient at what has befallen you and consider it as a blessing for Allah, the Exalted will reunite you with your noble ancestors". He then raised his hands in supplication and said, "0 Lord! If You had granted them enjoyment for a while, cause them to divide among themselves, disperse them into sects following different ways, do not let the rulers be pleased with them for they called on us so that they may be among our partisans, instead they transgressed against and killed us". Harmalah released an arrow towards the boy, whilst he was in his uncle's lap, and slew him.

Imam Hussain, fatally wounded, was left lying for a considerable time. What prevented them from finishing him off sooner was the fact that every tribe was relying on the other to do the job i.e. each tribe hated to be seen as the one which killed Hussain.

Shimr yelled, "Why are you standing idly by? The man is critically wounded. Attack and finish him off".

Zar'a bin Shariek hit him on the shoulder blade; al-Hosein shot him in the mouth; another hit him on the shoulder, Sinan bin Anas lodged his spear in the area of the collarbone, then in his chest; he also shot him with an arrow in the throat, Saleh bin Wahab stabbed him in the loin.

Hilal bin Nafi' was reported as saying, "I was standing near Hussain as he was on the brink of dying. By God, I never saw a person getting killed with own blood all over his body in a better state than Hussain. His face was exuding with light and awe! I was so overwhelmed by the radiance of his face that I refrained from contemplating killing him! He asked for water; they did not give him any to drink".

The torrent stem, keep him at bay

Hold your own, and win the day.

Hussain observed him, did not move

Beckoning the renegade; to act and prove.

Face to face when Hussain he saw

The foe was overwhelmed, with awe.

Ravished he was by the dazzling scene

Such angelic face had never seen

With celestial sheen his visage bestowed

In propitious lustre glistened, glowed

So intense was the divine hue

His sight could not endure to view.

By the glorious sight he was dazed

But looked on still; gaped and gazed.

[Ali]

Part 18 - Hussain is killed on the Plains of Kerbala

One from amongst the crowd said to him, "You are not going to drink water until you enter hell fire, whereupon you can drink from its boiling water". Imam Hussain replied, "I do not enter hell fire, but enter unto my grandfather, the Apostle of God and stay with him in his own house (in the seat of honour with a most powerful King) and complain to him of that which you have done to me and your transgression against me". All were very furious at his remarks as if Allah did not instil a grain of mercy in their hearts.

When his condition deteriorated, he raised his eyes towards the sky in supplication and said, "0 Lord! You are mighty in Prowess, the Supreme, the Possessor of every greatness and glory, not in need of the creation, having mastery over everything; Your mercy is high, Truthful in your promise, Giver of bounty and favour; You are close to those who invoke You; encompassing all Your creation; You accept repentance from those who repent, capable of exacting Your will, Having full knowledge of what You are after, Thankful when thanked, remembering when remembered. I invoke You as I am in dire need, ask You as I am poor! I seek refuge in You for I am fearful, weep for I am grieved; I rely on Your succour for I am weak; I put my trust in You alone. 0 Lord! You are the Arbiter between our folk and ourselves for they trespassed against us, let us down, betrayed us, and killed us not with-standing our kinship to Your Prophet whom You chose for delivering the Message and made the repository of revelation. Alleviate our predicament and relieve our suffering for You are the Most Merciful".

"Forbearance with what You have destined is our solace, 0 Lord! There is no god but You. You are the Deliverer of the distressed. I have no God save You. Surely, You are the only Refuge for those who are without one."

"There is no other one to worship apart from You. Forbearance with that which you have resolved is our consolation. 0 Lord! You are the Everlasting. 0 Lord! You are the Resurrector of the dead. 0 Lord! You are Watching over every soul and what it did. Adjudge between me and them for You are the best of judges".

Hussain's horse started roaming around Imam Hussain and staining its forehead with his blood, whereupon Ibn Sa'ad yelled saying, "Stop the horse as it is a thoroughbred of the horses of the Apostle of Allah." A company of horsemen surrounded him. He started galloping and kicking with his forelegs killing some men and horses. Ibn Sa'ad ordered the soldiers to leave the horse and to see what it was going to do. When the horse calmed down and felt secure enough, it went back to Hussain's blessed body staining its forehead with his blood, smelling him, and neighing loudly. Imam Abu Ja'far al-Baqir was quoted as saying, "The horse was saying: What an injustice was done to the grandson of the Prophet by his own umma (community)."

His horse, in ecstasy, danced and pranced

by his equestrian, was entranced

A perfect horse, sans any defect

With his head high, and neck erect.

Had tiger's courage, and panther's zeal

His sinews were akin to pure steel

A thoroughbred's, all traits sustained

His sire's blood, in the veins maintained.

By innate courage, he was led

In the thick of battle, had no dread

His prancing steps, and goodly shape

The admiring eyes, with awe, did gape,

His amble faultless, a rhythmic flow,

His steps measured, neither fast nor slow.

His gait, the art of music graced

Was on rhythm, and tempo based.

The aggressor's will, to act, ruptured

He was charmed, dazzled, captured.

A feeble blow, the dastard tired

Hussain parried, with contempt defied

repeated strokes, the renegade rained

Hussain remained placid, calm, restrained

He hurled defiance, and braved it out

Thus paved the way ft)r the dastard's rout.

To keep his ground, stood firm

His superior hold he did confirm.

With lofty demeanour, at a serene pace

Hussain advanced, with chivalrous grace.

Moved ahead, with careless ease

Less to liquidate him, more to tease

The youth, in panic, turned his pack.

The horse, still neighing, then headed towards camp. Once it was there, the women saw the horse stained with blood and its saddle twisted, they came out from their tents spreading their hair! unveiling their faces, beating their cheeks, screaming, seeing their glory vanish, and spontaneously taking to the place where Imam Hussain fell and died, headed by Zainab who was wailing On arriving at the scene, she put her hand under his body raising it to the level of her breast where she left the body to rest. She said, "0 Lord! Accept this sacrifice from US".

In the meantime Omar bin Sa'ad with a group of soldiers were approaching the scene as Imam Hussain was at the point of death. Zainab shouted at him, "Yes Omar! Abu Abdillah is being killed and you are standing watching him perish?!" He turned his face away from her with his tears streaming down his beard.

She said, "Woe unto you! Is there not amongst you a Muslim?" Nobody replied! Thereupon Ibn Sa'ad ordered the crowd, "Descend upon him and administer the mercy shots to him". Shimr initiated the attack; he kicked him, sat on his chest, got hold of his blessed beard, dealt 12 sword blows to his body, and finally beheaded him.

[Ali]

Part 19 - Epilogue

Eternity will, his name preserve,

A place of honour reserve (conserve)

In radiance, divine, glows his name,

Kindles the universe, the eternal flame.

Devilry tide, vehemently, surged.

To Hussain we owe, our piety do

Adore and love his chivalry too

perpetual, endless, boundless, same,

Glorious, for ever, prevail his fame.

Tempests, storms and gales, did blow,

This taper retained its divine glow,

Howled tornadoes, did hurricanes rush,

This eternal bloom they could not crush,

Forward, forward, on and on,

Kept on the move Hussain's caravan.

Hussain did achieve his basic aim,

(an eternal triumph, he could claim)

For the faith's (tomorrow), his (today) he gave,

Laid down his life, Islam did save.

With pride and love, his name we quote

Who, with his own blood, history wrote.

His deeds will (neglect) never meet.

Oblivion, his name will not greet.

This tale of endurance, hardihood

has the test of time well stood

TRUTH

(An Eternal Message From Kerbala)

No brutal force 'gainst truth can work

Truth will conquer, will not shirk.

'Tis the greatest dike, to hold back sin

The silencer, of the mundane din.

The spiritual health, it will restore

For moral wounds; 'tis a surest sure.

Truth will strengthen sickly souls

Plug, in the conscience, gaping holes.

Truth, is not an elusive ghost

'Tis, to the righteous, a constant host.

Truth, in its exalted mood

Is clearest mind's amplitude.

"Infinite" is there in every man

Immortalise "finite" it can.

Truth, doesn't perish at death

It does outlive the human breath.

Redeemed, through truth, all can be

XYZ and you and me.

Truth, being infinitely great

Both kings and beggars, upon it wait.

Truth, individuals and Nations, makes

An infinite joy in the task it takes

Glows the universe, with its beams

Sun and moon, are truth it seems.

if the human perception's doors are clean

In every beauty truth is seen

Truth is proud, to know so much

Its every move has wisdom's touch.

[Ali]

Tale of Hussain's Martyrdom

References

Absarul Ain Fi Ashabil Hussain - Mohammad bin at-Tahir as-Samawi, Haydari Press, Najaf.

Irshadul Quloob Illas Sawab - Al-Hassan bin Mohammad ad-Dailami (d. 448 H.), Iran Print.

A'yan ash-Shia - Muhsin al-Amin al-Amili, Darut Ta'aruf, Beirut. 2nd edition.

Al-Irshad - Mohammad bin Mohammad bin an-Nu'man al-Baghdadi, known as ash-Sheikh al-Mufid.

Al-Amaali - Mohammad bin Ali bin Babaweih al-Qomi (d. 381 H.), Al-Haydari. Press, Najaf.

Ansarul Hussain - Mohammad Mahdi Shamsuddin - ad-Darul Islamiyah Press, Beirut.

Bihrul Anwar - Mohammad Baqir bin Mohammad Taqi al-Majlisi - Tehran 2nd edition.

Batal al-A'lqami - Abdul Wahid al-Mudhaffar - An-Najaf edition.

Tarikh Ibn Asakir - Ali bin al-Hassan bin Hibatillah ad-Dimashqi (d. 571 H.), Egypt edition.

Tarikh al-Umam wal-Mulook - Abu Ja'far Mohammad bin Jareer at-Tabari, Al-A'lami Press, Beirut.

Tarikh al-Bidayah Wan-Nihaya - Ismail bin Omar bin Kathir ash-Shafie (d. 774 H.), Egypt edition.

Tarikh al-Ya'qoubi - Ahmed bin Abi Ya'qoub, known as al-Ya'qoubi, Dar Sabir Press, Beirut.

Tathkirat Khawwashil Umma - Yousuf bin Qaz'ali al-Baghdadi, known as Sibt bin al-Jawzi (d. 654 H.), Al-Haydari Press, Najaf.

Al-Khasaa'is al-Hussainiyah - Ja'far bin Hussain ash-Shoushtari, Tabriz edition.

Rawdhatul Wa'idheen - Mohammad bin al-Hassan bin Ali, known as al-Fattal, Iran edition.

Zahr al-Aadaab Wathamar al-Albaab - Ibrahim bin Ali al-Ausari al-Husari al-Qairawani, Cairo edition.

Sharh Nahjil Balaagha - Ibn Abil Hadeed, Egypt first edition.

Al-Fusool al-Muhimmah fi Ma'rifat Umoor al-A'imah -Ali bin Mohammad al-Maliki, known as Ibn Sabbagh, Al-Adl Press, Najaf.

Kashfil Ghumma Fil M'arifatil A'imah - Ali bin Issa bin Abil Fath Arbilli, Najaf edition.

Alluhoof Ala Qatlat et-Tuffoof - Radhiyiddin Ali bin Mousa bin Tawoos, Najaf edition.

Al-Majalis al-Fakhirah - Abdul Hussain Sharafuddin al-Mousawi, Najaf edition.

Muthirul Ahzan - Shareef bin Muhsin - Sahibul Jawahir, Najaf edition.

Maqtalul Hussain - Abdul Razzaq al-Muqqarram, Darul Kital al-Islami, Beirut.

Maqtalul Hussain - Mohammad Taqi Bahrul Uloom, Darul Zahra', Beirut.

Manaqib Aal Abi Talib - Mohammad bin Ali bin Shahrashob, Qom edition.

Al-Muntakhab Fi Jam'il Marathi WM Khutab - Fakhruddin bin Mohammad bin Tarech an-Najafi, Al-Haydari Press, Najaf.

Compliments of: www.Ashura.com

[Ali Mahdi]

Some famous sayings about Imam Husayn (as)

By Husayn Ali Kadiwala

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens had said the following about Imam Husayn (as):

"If Husayn fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam."

Thomas Carlyle

Thomas Carlyle has relayed this about the Tragedy of Karbala:

"The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Husayn and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood.The victory of Husayn despite his minority marvels me!"

Dr. K. Sheldrake

The famous, Dr. K. Sheldrake on Imam Husayn (as) said this:

"Husayn marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not only ready

to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching."

Brown

Brown in his `A Literary History of Persia' writes:

As a reminder, the blood-stained field of Karbala' where the grandson of the Apostle of God fell at length, tortured by thirst and surrounded by the bodies of his murdered kinsmen, has been at any time since then sufficient to evoke, even in the most lukewarm and heedless, the deepest emotion, the most frantic grief and the exaltation of spirit before which pain, danger, and death shrink to unconsidered trifles. Yearly, on the tenth day of Muharram, the tragedy is rehearsed in Persia, in India, in Turkey, in Egypt, wherever a Shiite community or colony exists; ... As I write it all comes back; the wailing chant, the sobbing multitudes, the white raiment red with blood from self-inflicted wounds, the intoxication of grief and sympathy.

al-Fakhri

World famous Arab historian al-Fakhri has said this about Imam Husayn's sacrifice:

"This is a catastrophe whereof I care not to speak at length, deeming it alike too grievous and too horrible. For verily, it was a catastrophe than that which naught more shameful has happened in Islam...There happened therein such a foul slaughter as to cause man's flesh to creep with horror. And again I have dispersed with my long description because of

it's notoriety, for it is the most lamented of catastrophes."

Sir Mohammad Iqbal says:

Imam Husayn uprooted despotism forever till the Day of Resurrection. He watered the dry garden of freedom with the surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husayn had aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have traveled the way he did (from Medina to Karbala). Husayn weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became the bed-rock (foundation) of the Muslim creed; la ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah).

Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Karbala key gham men main,

Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujhey

I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of Karbala

Won't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser Allama Iqbal in his Baqiyat (in Urdu)

KHWAJA MOINUDDIN CHISTI (RA)says:

He gave his head, but did not put his hand into the hands of Yazid. Verily, Husayn is the foundation of la ilaha illa Allah. Husayn is lord and the lord of lords. Husayn himself is Islam and the shield of Islam. Though he gave his head (for Islam) but never pledged Yazid. Truly Husayn is the founder of "There is no Deity except Allah."

Shah ast Husayn, Badshah ast Husayn,

Deen ast Husayn, Deen e Panah ast Husayn,

Sar dad, na dad dast, dar dast-e-yazeed,

Haqaa key binaey La ila ast Husayn

It's Husayn the Prince, it's Husayn the king,

He is Faith, and Faith's Defender most daring,

He preferred death to Yazid's allegiance,

With his blood, Islam has verily been living.

[Ali Mahdi]

IMAM HUSAYN’S CONCEPTS OF RELIGION AND LEADERSHIP

By S. H. M. Jafri; reprinted from Al-Serat.

Only now and again does there arise above the common level some rare spirit, who, having looked upon God face to face, reflects more clearly the di­vine purpose, and puts into practice more courageously the divine guidance. The light of such a man shines like a strong beacon on a dark and disordered world. Our concepts of human values, human dignity and human freedom are better understood today because there has come into its life, among others, a personality that is a flame of God. His suffering embodies the pride of man­kind, and in his sacrifice is reflected the eternal patience of man’s greatness. An intrepid spirit, an impregnable will power, and a superhuman passion for truth and justice are his main characteristics. And that man is Husayn b. ‘Ali, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam. He presents to us the purest, the most elevating and the most inspiring ideal known to man. He is the one who taught man that death is not worse than a dishonorable life. He showed the world the real meaning of religion and the function of the leaders of mankind.

Religion as such is as old as man himself and is an inseparable part of his history, and therefore it has always been an object of deliberation, specula­tion, interpretation and also of rejection and criticism. From its earliest form of animism, nature-worship or totemism to that of its purest form of mono­theism, religion in its broadest sense symbolizes and articulates society’s most basic values and commitments. Moreover, there is the elemental urge in man not only to live, but to live nobly. When our passion for noble living receives cosmic backing, we have the peculiar ardor of religion. There is no one who does not raise at some time or other these fundamental questions: What am I? What is my origin? What is my destiny?

Religion is based on the discovery of the essential worth and dignity of the individual and his relation to a higher world of reality. When the human being perceives that he belongs to an order of reality higher than brute na­ture, he cannot be satisfied by worldly success or materialistic achievements. That he is capable of martyrdom for ideals shows that he lives in and for a world of eternal realities. Worship is man’s reach out to the divine. Religion is the disciplined which touches the conscience and helps us to struggle with evil and sordidness, saves us from greed, lust and hatred, releases moral power, and imparts courage in the enterprise of saving man from his inordinate de­sires. As a discipline of the mind, it contains the key and the essential means of coping with evil which threatens not only the dignity of man but his very existence. It implies the submission of our thinking and conduct to eternal truth. In its essence, religion is a summons to spiritual adventure. It is not the­ology, but practice and discipline. It is the only remedy for a pride of spirit which has divorced itself from the eternal; when the human spirit defies its sources and conditions and claims absolute self-sufficiency, it becomes insane and suicidal. To restore the lost relationship between the individual and the eternal is the purpose of religion. It is this basic and fundamental relationship which alone can bring ease and harmony in man’s relationship with God, with himself, with his fellow man or with the society in which he lives, and with nature. If the relationship between the individual and the sole Creator is broken, the entire fabric of peaceful and meaningful human life will be broken. It is this harmony which religions serve to establish, Islam being the last of them.

Islam means peace as well as submission to the will of God and this is the essence of the Islamic concept of religion. The submission to God in Islam im­plies, in attitude and action, a regulation of our lives. God, according to Islam, is not a dogma but an idea’ and a regulative force in life, and a guarantee of our highest values. Thus the submission to God, the ‘Ideal’, with a firm belief in its reality, is a life both of virtue and inner happiness. A man who submits himself to God is true to his real self and, therefore, attains inner peace, which is real happiness, and quite different from worldly pleasures. This hap piness more than compensates for any lack of material gain, or for physical pain and suffering.

It is with this concept of religion in general and Islam in particular that we should try to understand how the grandson of the Prophet of Islam, the Imain Husayn b. ‘Mi, explains the meaning of religion and the function of re­ligious leadership. The question of the leadership of mankind is the oft-repeated topic of the Qur’an. Whenever the Qur’an talks about divine guid­ance it also points out those who are entitled to guide. The Qur’anic terms for leaders of mankind are rasul, nabi and imam. The first two are specific terms, whereas the word itnam is used in a rather general sense for those who are endowed with the special qualities with which he can lead others to right­eousness and good deeds. Thus, for example, we read in the Qur’an that when Abraham, the patriarch of the prophets was told by God “Behold, I make you an imam (leader) of the people,” he asked: “And what about my off­spring’?” God replied: “My covenant will not go to evildoers.” Thus an imam, or leader, of the people is one who leads the people in all cases of conscience, keeps the covenant of God remembered and the teaching of the Prophets alive and effective. He is to protect the religio-ethieal message delivered by the messenger of God from being corrupted and changed, and to save it from the reactionary forces which emerge from time to time.

The Message of the Prophet of Islam passed into the hands of the worldly Umayyads within thirty years of his death. After the death of ‘Ali in 40/661, Muwawiya b. Abi Sufyan appropriated the office of the leadership of the com­munity for himself through the use of force and deceit and ruled the Muslims for twenty years. On Muwawiya’s death, his son Yazid assumed the role of the leadership of the Muslims as the caliph in accordance with the former’s unpre­cedented testament. Yazid’s anti-Islamic behavior and openly irreligious prac­tices were well known throughout the Muslim world and earned for him con­tempt and disfavor, especially among those who cared for Islamic religio­ethical values. An embodiment of all sorts of vice, tyranny, injustice, oppres­sion and despotic rule, Yazid wanted Husayn to pay him homage as the leader of the Muslim community and submit h~mse]f to his authority. That was the crucial point in Islamic history when the meaning of religion had to be reas­serted and the function of leadership redefined. This was done by Husayn b. Ali with the most effective method of sacrifice, suffering and martyrdom. In reply to the letters written by the people of Iraq inviting him to come to Kufa and take up their leadership. as they had no imam other than him, Htmsayn wrote to themii:

“From Husaymi h. ‘Mi to the believers and Muslims (01 Iraq): You have invited me to come to you because you have no imani to guide you, and that \OU hope tmiy arrival there will unite you in the right path and in the truth.

‘ioU must he clear about the fact that the imnam can only be one who follows tIme Book of God. makes justice and honesty his conduct and behavior, judges with truth, and devotes himself to the service of God.”

In response to the invitation of the people of Basra. Husayn replied:

I have sent ny mflessemlger to you and I call you to the Book of (,od. mid the sunnah of his Prophet, the sunnah which has become ohlitera ted:

innovations have become active and energetic. If you listen to me and obey my orders, I will guide you to the right path. May the peace and mercy of God be upon you.

There is space here only to give these two quotations from numerous such statements which Husayn made from the time he left Medina till his martyrdom about six months later. These quotations are by themselves a complete explanation of Husayns’s approach to the question of leadership as well as of the function of religion in society. They also explain the duties of an imam and the nature of the Imarnate which was so distorted at this point in Islamic history.

The main points which emerge from them are: (i) that an imam is one who unites the people; (ii) that he should lead them to the right path and to truth; (iii) that the Qur’an, as the Book of God, is an eternal truth, and the duty of the irnam is to follow its model, and conduct his life according to the will of God; (iv) that the imam must make justice and honesty the corner­stones of his life; (v) that truth in its most universal and absolute form must be his only criterion; (vi) and that he must devote himself to the service of God.

The functions of the imam enumerated here are both particular and uni­versal, descriptive and normative, and primary and evaluative; they can be ap­plied in every society, time and epoch. They are particular, descriptive and normative when read strictly in the context of Islam, and are universal, pri­mary and evaluative if read in their general meaning which embraces all reli­gions and the whole of humanity. The key terms in Husayn’s declarations are: the unity of people (which is basically a unity of purpose), the right path, truth, justice and honesty, and devotion to the service of God. These are in the essence of all religions as well as of Islam. Here religion is not separated from the well-being of society, and society is based on the eternal reality which creates consciousness in society.

An inseparably implied meaning of Husayn’s declarations is that the leader of men need not take an active part in politics or in governmental af­fairs. His primary function is to serve humanity with ethical and normative in­tegrity. He must create moral consciousness and a sense of responsibility which transcends the limits of the political community. He must serve social and spiritual values, but unfortunately totalitarian and despotic regimes sub­ordinate spiritual and moral activities to their ends. It is at this point that Husayn rises up to set a new standard of leadership for challenging totalitar­ianism, despotism and the forces of evil. There were two ways open to him, one to mass his forces, gather strength, power weapons and the military might to combat the despotic rule of Yazid. This would not have been difficult for the prestigious grandson of the Prophet if he had wanted to resort to such action. But the actions of Husayn show that from the beginning to the end his strategy aimed at a much higher goal than simply accession to the cali­phate, the term given to temporal authority in Islam. There is no evidence that he tried, while at Mecca, to enlist active supporters from among the peo­ple who gathercd around him, or to propagate his cause among the great num­ber of people who were coming to Mecca for the Hajj; there is also no evi­dence that he attempted to send his emissaries to stir up any rebellion in the provinces such as the Yemen or Persia, which were sympathetic to his house­hold, even though he was advised by some of his family members to do so. Above all, had he acted promptly on the invitation of the Kufans, while Umayyad control over the city was weak, he might have had a fair chance of success in grasping temporal power. In the six-month period before the battle of Karbala, Husayn did nothing to consolidate his strength and military power. Instead, throughout this period he was preparing himself for a differ­ent strategy of revolution.

Some of the writers on Karbala, looking at it from the common stand­ards of war and victory, describe Husayn’s action as an ambitious attempt to wrest political power and as an error of judgement. Husayn’s numerous speeches, addresses, letters and statements bear testimony to the fact that he was fully aware of the situation and the consequences. Suffice it to point out that on the road from Medina to Mecca, then at the time when he was being the ‘House of God’ for Kufa, and finally throughout the journey from Mecca to Kufa he was informed and warned by dozens of people about the danger and that “the hearts of the Iraqis were for him but their swords were for the Umayyads.” But Husayn’s replies to all of those who attempted to deflect him from his purpose were always more or less in the same vein: “I leave it to God to choose what is best. . - . God is not hostile to him who proposes the~just cause.

From these replies it is clear that Husayn was fully aware of the dangers he would encounter and that he had a certain strategy and plan in mind to bring about a revolution in the consciousness of the Muslim community. Fur­thermore, it is also very clear from the sources, as has been pointed out above, that Husayn did not try to organize or mobilize military support, which he easily could have done in the Hijaz, nor did he even try to exploit whatever physical strength was available to him. On the contrary, from the moment he left Mecca for Kufa, time and again he gathered those accompanying him and asked them to leave him alone and go to safety, the last of these requests be­ing on the night of ‘Ashura’. Is it conceivable that anyone striving for political ascendancy would ask his supporters to abandon him? No one can answer this question in the affirmative. What then did Husayn have in mind? Why was he still heading for Kufa?

A careful study and analysis of the events of Karbala reveals that from the very beginning Husayn was planning for a complete revolution in the reli­gious consciousness of Muslims. All of his actions show that he was aware of the fact that a victory achieved through military strength and might is always temporary, because another stronger power can, in the course of time, bring it down in ruins. But a victory achieved through suffering and sacrifice is everlasting and leaves permanent imprints on man’s consciousness. Husayn was brought up in the lap of the founder of Islam and had inherited the love and devotion to the Islamic way of life from his father. As time went on, he noticed the great changes which were rapidly taking place in the community in regard to religious feelings and morality. The natural process of conflict and struggle between action and reaction was now at work. That is, Muham­mad’s progressive Islamic action had succeeded in suppressing Arab conserva­tism, embodied in heathen pre-Islamic practices and ways of thinking. But in less than thirty years’ time this Arab conservatism had revitalized itself

as a forceful reaction to challenge Muhammad’s action once again. The forces of this reaction had already moved into motion with the rise of Muwawiya. but the succession of Yazid was a clear sign that the reactionary forces had mobilized themselves and now re-emerged with full vigor. The strength of this reaction embodied in Yazid’s character, was now powerful enough to sup­press, or at least efface, the Prophet’s action. His conduct amounted to open ridicule of Muhammad’s sunnah and the norms of the Qur’an. He openly defied the Prophethood of Muhammad and the revelation received by him. Now this same Yazid had become the head of the Muslim community and was asking Husayn to accept his authority. Husayn’s acceptance of Yazid, with the latter’s reactionary attitude against Islamic norms, would not have meant merely a political arrangment but an endorsement of Yazid’s character and way of life as well. Thus the entire ethical and religious system of Islam, in the thinking of Husayn, was now in dire need of the reactivation of Muhammad’s action against the old Arabian reaction and required a complete shaking up.

He realized that mere force of arms would not save Islamic action and consciousness. To him it needed a shaking and jolting of hearts and feelings. This, he decided, could only be achieved through sacrifice and suffering, and therefore, in order to save Islam and its values, and the freedom of man and his dignity, Husayn made one of the greatest sacrifices in human history. Eighteen male members of his family including a six-month-old son and 44 of his companions were killed in front of him and then he himself laid down his life at the altar of truth and human rights. Husayn’s body, already torn by numerous wounds, was trampled under the hooves of the horses, his tents were burnt and looted; the helpless women and children were shamelessly paraded through the streets of Iraq and Syria as captives, and were treated with humiliation at the crowded courts of Ibn Ziyad in Kufa, and Yazid in Damascus.

Husayn was fully aware of the extent of the brutal nature of the reac­tionary forces. He knew that after killing him the Umayyads would make his wife and children captives, and take them all the way from Kufa to Damas­cus. This caravan of the captives of the Prophet’s immediate family would publicize Husayn’s message and would force the Muslims’ hearts to ponder on the tragedy. It would make the Muslims think over the whole affair and would awaken their consciousness. This is exactly what happened; Husayn succeeded in his purpose. It is difficult today to evaluate exactly the impact of Husayn’s actions on Islamic morality and way of thinking because it pre­vailed. Had Husayn not shaken and awakened Muslim consciousness by this method, can it be said that Yazid’s way of life would not have become stand­ard behavior in the Muslim community, endorsed and accepted by the grand­son of the Prophet. Even after Yazid, despotic rulers have held power iii Islam, and the character and personal behavior of these despotic rulers has not been very different from that of Yazid. but the change in thinking which prevailed after the sacrifice of Husayn always seived as a criterion of distinc­tion between the Islamic concept of leadership and the behavior of totali­tarian and despotic rulers. Husayn tells the world that it is no use destrovitig man; we must destroy man’s an ti-human actions and conduct. If rulers are overthrown but the system remains unaltered, nothing is gainceeded in his purpose. It is difficult today to evaluate exactly the impact of Husayn’s actions on Islamic morality and way of thinking because it pre­vailed. Had Husayn not shaken and awakened Muslim consciousness by this method, can it be said that Yazid’s way of life would not have become stand­ard behavior in the Muslim community, endorsed and accepted by the grand­son of the Prophet. Even after Yazid, despotic rulers have held power iii Islam, and the character and personal behavior of these despotic rulers has not been very different from that of Yazid. but the change in thinking which prevailed after the sacrifice of Husayn always seived as a criterion of distinc­tion between the Islamic concept of leadership and the behavior of totali­tarian and despotic rulers. Husayn tells the world that it is no use destrovitig man; we must destroy man’s an ti-human actions and conduct. If rulers are overthrown but the system remains unaltered, nothing is gained.

[Ali Mahdi]

THE WAY OF IMAM HUSAYN

By Shaykh Fattaah

In understanding the events of the life of Imam Husayn, upon him be peace, it is necessary to understand his position in relationship to the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, which necessitates an understanding of his view of the Qur’an and how this view manifested itself in his actions.

It is reported by al-Kulayni in his book al-Kafi that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, upon him be peace, was heard saying: “Whoever opposes the Book of Allah and the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, has rejected Allah.”

To follow the Imams of the House of the Prophet, who are the heirs of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings be upon them all, is to follow the Prophet. The Imams did not bring anything new, but rather followed the way of the Prophet with the knowledge they received one after the other in direct succession from the Messenger of Allah.

It is related in a tradition from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, upon him be peace, that he said: “The Prophetic heritage (that is the wasiyah) descended from the heavens to Muhammad as a covenant. There were no sealed covenants which had been sent down to Muhammad except this covenant of the wasiyah. (At the time that Jibril brought it to Muhammad) he said: ‘0 Muhammad, this is your heritage and testament for your ‘ummah which is to be entrusted to the members of your household’ (the Ahl ul-Bayt). The Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, replied: ‘Which ones of the people of my house, 0 Jibril?’ He answered: ‘The most excellent among them with Allah as well as their offspring, so that they might inherit from you the knowledge of the prophets in the way that Ibrahim left it as his heritage and testament (to his offspring). This wasiyah should go to ‘Ali and his descendants who come forth from him.’”

(The Imam continues his narration) saying: “There were seals placed upon this wasiyah. The first seal was opened by ‘Au, upon him be peace, and he carried out whatever instructions were contained therein. Then Hasan, upon him be peace, opened up the second seal and carried out whatever he was commanded to do. When Hasan died and passed on, Husayn, peace be upon him, opened the third seal and he found the command, ‘. . . fight, kill and be killed, go out with a group of your people to your own martyrdom for they will have no martyrdom without you.’ So he did that. Before he passed on, he handed it over to ‘Ali ibn Husayn, upon him be peace, who opened the fourth seal and found the instruction, ‘ emain quiet and keep your head bowed, for the knowledge has passed behind a veil.’ When he died he handed it over to Muhammad ibn ‘Ali. upon him be peace, who opened its fifth seal and found the command: ‘. . . explain the Book of Allah, confirm your fore­fathers, pass this wasiyah on to your son, establish the ‘ummah, stand up with the Truth of Allah, speak the Truth in conditions of fear or security, and do not fear anything but Allah. So he did that and passed the wasiyah on to the one who followed him . . .“ (that is, to Imam Ja’far, upon him be peace, who related this hadith.)

In Surat un-Nisa’, ayah 59, Allah has said:

Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and the possessors of author­ity among you.

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, upon him be peace, was asked about the meaning of this ayah and he replied: “This ayah was sent down regarding ‘Mi ibn Abi Talib. Hasan and Husayn, upon them be peace.” The person who was address-sing the Imam asked him: “The people ask why is it that the Messenger did not name ‘Mi and the members of his household in the Book of Allah?” He answered: “Reply to them that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, had the command concerning salat sent down to him and Allah did not say whether the salat would contain three or four rak’ats until the Messenger of Allah himself explained it to them. The instruction concern­ing zakat was sent down and it was not stated that one dirham should be given for every forty dirhams until the Messenger of Allah explained it. The instruction to perform the Hajj was sent down and Allah did not say: ‘Per­form seven tawafs,’ but it was the Messenger of Allah who explained the ayah.”

The Imam continues concerning the ayah above: “This ayah was sent down in regard to ‘Mi, Hasan and Husayn. The Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, said (on several notable occasions) about ‘Mi: ‘For whomever I have been his master and leader so ‘Mi is his master.’

“He also said: ‘I admonish you to adhere to the Book of Allah and my All ul.Bayt for I have asked Allah to not separate them until He brings them to me at the pooi (of Kawthar), and He granted this to me.’

“The Prophet said also: ‘Do not teach them for they are more knowledge­able than you.’ He also said: ‘You will never expel them from the door of guidance nor will you ever cause them to enter into the door of misguidance.’

“If the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, had re­mained silent and did not make clear who his Aid ul-Bayt were, the family of so-and-so or some one else would have made the claim. But Allah sent down a confirmation for his Prophet in the ayah:

Indeed Allah Wants to remove impurity from you AhI ul-Bayt and

to purify you a thorough purification.

(Surat ul.’Ahzab:33)

“And the Messenger of Allah called ‘Mi, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn, upon them be peace, and placed them under his cloak while he was in the house of ‘Umm Salamah, then he said: ‘0 Allah, every prophet has a people and an anchor and these are my people and my anchor.’ ‘Umm Salamah asked him, ‘Am I not one of your people?’ He replied: ‘You are in goodness but these are my people and my anchor.’

“When the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, died, ‘Mi, upon him be peace, was the most deserv­ing of the people because of all that he had received from the Messenger of Allah and by virtue of the Prophet having stood with him before the people and taking him by the hand (declaring him to be his successor). When ‘Mi passed on he could and did not include his sons Muhammad ibn ‘Ali nor ‘Abbas ibn ‘Mi nor any of his other children in the Imamate. (If he had)

Hasan and Husayn would have said to ‘Au: ‘Allah sent down the command­ment concerning us and concerning obedience to us in the same way that He sent it down concerning you and concerning the obedience to you. We have received (knowledge) from the Messenger of Allah in the same way that you received it from him and Allah has removed impurity from us in the same way that He removed it from you.’

“When ‘All passed away, Hasan, upon him be peace, was the most deserv­ing of the Imamate because of his being older. When he died he did not ap­point any of his own sons to that position, although Allah had stated (in the Qu r ‘an):

And the closest relatives are nearer to one another in the ordi­nance of Allah.

(Surat ul-Anfal:75)

“Had he placed (the Imamate) with his son, Husayn, upon him be peace, would have said (to him): ‘Allah has commanded that I be obeyed in the same way that He has ordered that you be obeyed and that your father be obeyed. The Messenger of Allah gave me knowledge as well as he gave it to you and your father. Allah has removed impurity from me like He has re­moved it from you and your father

The ones then who possessed the authority from Allah were the Imams from the household of the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all, and Allah with this ayah, Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and the Possessors of authority among you, has made obedience to them obligatory. Likewise, the Messenger of Allah made it absolutely clear on many occasions tht ~Ali ibn Abi Talib was his successor.

In a tradition related by al-Kulayni who reports it with its chain of authorities relating that Sulaym ibn Qais said: “I witnessed the will and test­ament of ~Amir ul-Mu’minin (‘Ali bin ‘Abi Talib, upon him be peace) when he appointed his son Hasan as his heir. Husayn and Muhammad (ibn ‘Mi) wit­nessed it as well as all of his other children and the leaders of his followers and family members. At that time he gave him (Hasan) a book and his weap­on and said to his son Hasan: ‘0 my son, the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, has commanded me to make you my heir, and to hand my covenant (of the wasiyah) and my weapon over to you. When he appointed me his heir and gave me his covenant and his weapon, he also commanded me to order you to appoint your brother Husayn as your heir at the time of your death.’ He then turned to his son Husayn and said: ‘The Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon hun and his family, has likewise ordered you to turn this over to your son.’ He then took the hand of ‘Mi ibn Husayn, and said to him: ‘The Messenger of Allah has commanded you to turn this over to your son Muham­mad ibn ‘Ali and to give his salams from the Messenger of Allah and from me.

Those who oppose Husayn, upon him be peace, oppose both the Book of Allah and the explicit instructions of the Messenger of Allah. The Iinams from the house of the Prophet are the signs of the grace and favor of Allah to

His creation. They are the ones that the Messenger of Allah described as being like the ship of Nuh: whoever board it shall be saved and whoever miss it will perish. They are the Grace of Allah of which He spoke when He described the fate of those who exchange His Grace for worldly wealth and power, saying:

Have you not seen those that exchange the Grace of Allah in re­iection (of Him) and place themselves in the abode of destructi~n, Jahan nam.

(Surat Ibrahim:28-29)

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, upon him be peace, recited the following ayah from the Qur’an:

And remember the favors ofAllah, perhaps you will be successful.

(Surat ul-A’raf:69)

He then said: “Do you know what the favors of Allah are?” (The man he spoke to) replied: “No.” The Imarn then replied: “They are the most sublime blessings of Allah upon His creation, which is our wilayah” (guardianship).

This world is but an inn on the highway to the Yawm ul-Qiyamah. It is through the example of absolute trust in Allah’s wisdom and fathomless knowledge. exhibited by lmam Husayn, that we will find success both in this world and the next. If we transgress the boundaries Allah has clearly estab­lished for us in the Qur’an, and which the Prophet and the Irnanis have further detailed for us, we will have left the protection of Allah and brought about our own destruction.

It is related by al-Kulayni that a man named Khaythaniah related that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, upon him be peace, said to him, “0 Khaythamah, we are the tree of the Prophethood, the abode of mercy, the keys of wisdom, the treasure-house of knowledge, the storehouse of the prophetic message, the ones who are frequented by the Angels and the storage place for the secrets of Allah. We are that which has been entrusted by Allah to His servants. We are the greatest sanctuary of Allah. We are the protection of Allah. We are the Covenant of Allah. Whoever should break this covenant has broken the cov­enant of protection with Allah.”

Imam Husyan, like his brother and father, upon them be peace, was raised in the house of the Prophet. The Prophet actually took charge of his upbringing until his death, then Imam ‘Ali, upon him be peace, took it on. His knowledge was what he received from the Prophet himself, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, while he was in the Proph­et’s house. On the journey to Karbala, at a stopping place called Tha’labiyyah, the Imam was replying to someone who came to him, and during their conver­sation the Iniain asked which city he had come from and the man replied that he had come from Kufa. The Imain, upon him be peace, said the fol­lowing to him:

“By Allah, if I had met with you in Medinah I would have shown you the footprints of Jibril in our house and the place where he descended with the revelation to my grandfather. 0 Brother of the people of Kufa, we are the spring of knowledge (of Allah). Can it be that they (our enemies) should know and we be ignorant? This cannot be so.”

The closeness of lmam Husayn to the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah grant them both peace and blessings, is spoken of clearly in a tradition re­lated by lmam Ja’far as-Sadiq, upon him be peace, who said:

“Jibril, upon him be peace, came down to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him and his family peace, saying: ‘0 Muhammad, I bring you the news of a child who will be born to Fatimah and whom your ‘ummah will kill after you.’ The Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, replied: ‘0 Jibril, I send my salams to my Lord, but I am not in need of a child who will be born to Fatimah and killed by my ‘ummah after me.’ So Jibril ascended to the heavens then descended once again saying: ‘0 Muhammad, your Lord sends you His salams and the news that He will place the Imamate, the wilayah, and the wasiyah within your offspring.’ The Prophet replied: ‘I am contented.’ Then he sent (the message) to Fatimah, upon her be peace, (saying): ‘Allah has informed me of a child who will be born to you and who will be killed by my ‘ummah after me.’ She replied: ‘I have no need of a child from me whom your ‘ummah will kill after you.’ (The Prophet) sent her (the message) that Allah would place the Imamate, the wilayah and the prophetic heritage (that is, the wasiyah) within her offspring to which she then replied: ‘I am contented.’”

Then the Imam as-Sadiq quoted the ayah:

And his mother carried him in difficulty and bore him in diffi­culty.

(Surat ul-Ahqaf: 15)

“Imam Husayn was not nursed by Fatimah, peace be upon them both, nor by any other woman. The Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, used to come to him and put his own thumb into Husayn’s mouth who would suck and receive enough nourishment to suffice him for two or three days

Imam Husayn, upon him be peace, will stand as the example of self-sacrifice and trust in Allah for the people of iman until the Yawm ul-Qiy­amah. He knew with absolute certainty, the nature of this world and its de­fects.

It is related in a tradition from Iniam as-Sadiq, upon him be peace, who said: “At the time when help (from the angels) descended upon Husayn ibn ‘Ak at Karbala to the point that it extended from the heavens to the earth, he was given a choice between this help and meeting Allah. He chose the meeting with Allah.”

The goal of those who fought against Imam Husayn was limited to the pursuit and acquiring of mere worldly power and authority. For this they were willing to kill the grandson of the Prophet of Allah. They were willing to ignore the Qur’an, the Book of Allah. Their immediate goal of worldly power and domination over others was attained but where are they now? Few peo­ple even know their names anymore. Where are the graves of those who

fought against Imam ‘Mi and his sons, upon them be peace? Where is the grave of Muwawiyah? Where is the grave of Yazid? Where is the grave of Abu Sufyan? Where are the fruits of their victory? Where are the kingdoms? Where are the Bani Umayyah? Those who ruled for one thousand months. The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Where are the ‘Abbasi’s? Their victories were but hollow victories and their motives were so transparent. Those who appeared to be the losers were in reality the winners and will re­main so until the Yawm ul.Qiyamah. The blood of Imam Husayn will always stand as a testimony against tyranny and oppression. The message that the Imam taught was the message of the Holy Qur~an:

The love of the desires for women and children, for amassed wealth of gold and silver, for steeds arrayed in ranks, for cattle and lands are made to appear beautiful to men. That is the pro vi­sion of the worldly life, and with Allah is the beautiful return.

(Surat Mi Imran:14)

The one that understands the nature of the world understands that it is constantly passing away. Ultimately all that remains is al-Baqi:

Everything upon it (the earth) is perishing and the Face of your

Lord will remain, the Possessor of Glory and Generosity.

(Su rat ar-Rahman: 26-27)

In a tradition related from Imam Zayn ul-Abidin, upon him be peace, he relates that on the night of Ashura Imam Husayn was seated in his tent with a number of his companions when he spoke the following words of poetry:

يا دهـر أفًّ لـك من خليـل كم لك بالإشراق و الأصيل

من صاحب أو طالب قتيل و الدهـر لا يـقـنع بالـبديـل

و إنـما الأمر إلى الجـليـل و كـل حـيًّ سـالـك سـبـيـل

Oh time, fie upon you as a friend,

For how many of your companions and seekers have fallen in the mornings and nights;

And you will not be satisfied with any change (to your nature). Yet the affair is to the Exalted, the Sublime, And every living thing is a traveller of the path (toward death).

Iinam Zayn ul-Abidin, upon him be peace, said: “When I heard this poem, I understood from it that he was speaking of his own death and an-flouncing his martyrdom. My eyes filled with tears but I refrained from weep. ing. On hearing these words my Aunt Zaynab, upon her be peace, after his companions had departed, began to cry out: ‘0 I wish I was dead so that I would not be forced to witness such a day. 0 you (she said, speaking to Imam

Husayn) who are the memory of those loved ones who have departed from me, 0 you who are a refuge for my loved ones who remain. It is as if I will lose all those whom I hold dear to me today. That which is about to take place is the same thing which happened to my father ‘Au. my mother Zahra and my brother Hasan.’

“The Imam consoled Zaynab and told her to be patient saying: ‘0 my sister, take up the path of patience, and know that all of the people of the world will die and none of the inhabitants of the heavens will remain. Every­thing shall perish but the Face of Allah who created the earth with His power, Who sent the creation forth and to Whom all shall return. He is absolutely unique, alone. My father was better than I and my mother was better than I. My brother was also better than 1. And the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, is an example for me and for all of them.’”

There was indeed a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah for those who want Allah and the last day and who rem em­ber Allah much.

(Surat ul-Ahzab:21)

And seeking help by way of patience and salat, this is indeed a mighty task except for those who are fearful, those that know they will meet their Lord and that they shall return to Him.

(Surat ul-Baqarah:45-46)

According to the narrations of Ibn Quluyah and Mas’udi, lmam Husayn, upon him be peace, turned around after he had prayed the salat of Fajr on the day of his martyrdom and said the following:

“Surely Allah has given the permission for you and I to be killed on this day. You must now be patient and continue to struggle.

“Patience, 0 noble ones, for death is nothing else but a bridge which you must pass over from the difficulties and suffering (of this world) to the ex­pansive gardens and eternal joy. Which one of you would dislike going from a prison to a palace? Death for your enemies is (the opposite), it is like going from a palace to a prison and torment. My father related to me from the Mes­senger of Allah, may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him: ‘The world is the prison of the person of iman and the garden for the one who rejects Allah. Death is a bridge for the first group to their gardens and a bridge for the other ones to the Fire.’ I have not been lied to (by the Messenger of Allah) and I have not lied to you.”

Imam Husayn, upon him be peace, was himself a walking Qur’an, his way was the way of the Qur’an. He lived and died carrying out the commandments of Allah. In his wasiyah which he left for Muhammad ibn ul-Hanafiyyah, he speaks about the obligation to forbid disobedience and to command goodness which is enjoined upon all Muslims by Allah in the Holy Qur’an:

And let there be among you a people who call to goodness and

enjoin to the good and who forbid disobedLence. . .

(Surat Ali lmran:l04)

His wasiyah is as follows:

‘ln the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate. This is the ad­vice and wasiyah from Husayn ibn ‘Mi bin Abi Talib, to his brother, Muham­mad, who is known as ibn ul-Hanifiyyah, stating that Husayn testifies that there is no god but Allah, He is unique, He has no partner and that Muham­mad is his slave and His Messenger who caine with the Truth from the Truth. (I testify) that the Garden and the Fire are true and that the Final Hour is coming without any doubt. 1 testify that Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves and that I have not (undertaken this journey) with evil (intent) nor in pride, nor in corruption nor as a tyrant. but rather I have embarked (upon this journey) to seek goodness and improvement for the ‘ummah of my grand­father, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family. I wish to enjoin goodness and forbid disobedience and to follow in the way of my grandfather and my father, ~Ali ibn Abi Talib. Whoever accepts me with a truthful acceptance should know that Allah is the most deserving of Truth. Whoever rejects me in this matter, I will be patient until Allah’s decree be­tweeii me and these people is carried out in Truth. He is the best Judge. This then is my counsel and my wasiyah to you, 0 my brother, and my success is only with Allah, I trust in Hun and I turn often to Him.”

Obviously, the life of Imam Husayn and the traditions which have been passed down to us through many sources concerning the events leading up to the massacre at Karbala, the massacre itself and the occurences which took place after it are not merely stories from ancient history with which we are to entertain ourselves. Nor are they stories which have been left to us to yearly reenact, merely as some kind of outlet or attonement for wrong actions per­formed throughout the year which we have no intention of discontinuing. The person who repents from wrong actions must make the intention to never perform those actions again, It is only then that the repentance will be sincere and therefore accepted by Allah.

The history of Karbala is an example of both the highest aspirations of man and the lowest depths to which he may sink in order to attain something which is absolutely fleeting. That man could sink to murdering the grandson and heir of the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, who was the seal of the Prophets and a Messenger of Allah sent as a mercy to all the worlds, for the attainment of worldly wealth and power, is a lesson to us about ourselves. If it were not for the grace of Allah any one of us could be in the same position. Where is the wealth which they attained? The end of those who sell their souls for such an insignificant price can be nothing but the prison of fire and torment. Their intentions and actions violate the laws which Allah has established for this creation — they have violated the sunnah of Allah:

... And you will never find a change in the Sunnah of Allah.

(Su rat ul-Ahzab:62)

The laws of Allah are constant. Greed, avarice, miserliness, envy, will all lead to the same place; it is the decree of Allah, it is destiny. Each one of us has the potential to go the way of Yazid, may Allah curse him. Each one of

us has the potential to follow our lowest desires and cravings, forsaking the light of Allah for the darkness of this world. This history is told on one level to protect the lovers of Allah and the followers of His Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, from ever submitting to in­justice and wrongdoing. That includes wrongdoing and injustice on any level, whether it be on the level of social injustice, or whether it be within ourselves. The example set by the Imam, upon him be peace, was an example set by the Prophet Muhammad himself. In a tradition related by at-Tabarsi, in the book, Mishkat uI-Anwar it is related the Imam Baqir, upon him be peace, tells a man called Jabir who was one of the people with him:

“it is not enough for a person to embrace the beliefs of our followers by simply saying that he loves us, the Ahl ul-Bayt. By Allah, our followers are none other than those who fear Allah and obey Him. They are known by their humility and their excessive remembrance of Allah, by their fasting and their prayers, by their taking on responsibility for the poor among their neighbors, the destttute and the orphans, and by their truthfulness of speech, their reading of the Qur’an and their holding their tongues with the people. They are the most trusted of the people, they are our followers.

Then he continues: “Do not be taken in by the various modes of behav­ior. What is the use of a man saying he loves ‘Mi and he tollows ‘Mi and yet he does not act accordingly? Likewise, what is the use if a man says ‘I love the Prophet of Allah and the Prophet of Allah is better than ‘Ali,’ and yet he does not act according to the Prophet’s injunctions and does not follow his sunnah? His love for him is of no use. Fear Allah and act in order to attain that which is with Allah. There is no blood relationship between Allah and any one of you. The most beloved and the noblest before Allah is he who fears Allah most and is most active in obedience. By Allah, no one can ap­proach Allah except by way of obedience. Allah will hold nothing against anyone who is in true obedience, and that man is really our follower and our beloved. He who disobeys Allah is our enemy.

We who are living in this country have a unique responsibility which Allah has placed upon our shoulders. We must spread the Truth of Islam and the Qur’an to a people who are at a complete loss. We must by our own ex­amples exhibit those Husayni qualities of justice and truth which will stand out clearly in a land where injustice and falsehood are the rule. We must act as one jama’ah, united by the Book of Allah, and lift the banners of Truth in a land where men of falsehood are honored and men of Truth are disdained. We must actually strive to live in the way that the Imam lived, and not com­promise in the face of wrongdoing. This, however, will not be possible until we begin to realize that the Return to Allah is more important than any of the other goals which we may have set for ourselves in this world. If we rea­lize this, then we are freed from the self-imposed bondage of hypocrisy, from performing actions for others to see. If one realizes that the Akhirah is more important than this dunya, he no longer will toil to attain what is here but will begin to toil to attain what is with Allah, knowing that this is what will endure, It is then that we will busy ourselves with the business of the Akhirah. It is then that we can begin to purify our intentions, it is then that our ac­lions will become pure and in tune with our intentions. We will then begin to

organize our days around our salat and cease fitting our salats in between other actions which we consider to be more important. We will then begin to actually follow the teachings of the Qur’an on a full time basis making it cen­tral to our lives. We will then begin to seek purely the contentment of Allah. In a hadith Qudsi, Allah states that He is astonished at the one who hastens through his salat to hurry back to the business of his earning, as if his daily sustenance came from any place but from Allah.

We have a special duty here to lift up the banner of Truth for a people wandering in the desert of the grossest materialism. The time is right. Every lifestyle has been tried and experimented with and all have ended in despair. L1festyles are constantly being resurrected for lack of anything new to try. We must not cause these people to distrust Islam by our wrong actions. We must not cause them to lose hope in the only way which can save them. Our responsibility is great and the punishment will be great if we do not fulfill this responsibility. We are not here to earn our living. We are here to call peo­pie who are lost and sinking daily into deeper despair, to the beautiful and everpresent path of Truth. Each one of us must fulfill that responsibility in the best way he can. In order to do this we must examine all of our actions carefully in the light of knowledge and ensure that our intentions are pure. We must perform actions with the knowledge that Allah is closer to us than our jugular vein. That is, He is closer to us than we are to ourselves. We must want to please Allah alone and long to meet Him.

This, in no way, indicates that we should give up our efforts to earn hon­est livings, and support our families. On the contrary, we must strive harder in whatever we undertake, knowing that Allah is with us wherever we are.

All of our actions must be a form of worship, performed in the way of Allah. We are constantly seen by people here who judge Islam by our actions. The best way to make da’wah to a people lost in despair and ignorance is to live according to the example set by the Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family. We must make our true intention to be the meeting with Allah.

من طلب نصيبه في الآخرة مرَّ على نصيبه في الدنيا فانتظم انتظاما

Whoever seeks his portion in the Akhirah will pass by his portion

in the world and it will naturally fall into place for him.

If you make the Hajj, make your destination the Ka’bah and you will also see Mecca as part of the journey. Make your destination and intention the unspeakable Treasure that is with Allah and this matter of worldly profit and loss will come naturally to you. Everyone who plants wheat will naturally harvest the straw too. The Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, had the intention of witnessing his Be­loved on the Mi’raj and it followed naturally that he witnessed the Throne and the angels too.

If you have the world as your goal you will be turned over to it. In a tradition reported from the Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, he said: “Whoever turns to Allah will be given suffi­cient security and sustenance by Allah from where he did not reckon. Who­ever turns to the world, Allah will turn him over to it.”

This is the message of the Qur’an and this is the way of Imam Husayn. It was because of this knowledge that he was without any desire for worldly gain. It was for this that he stood up against thousands fearlessly. It is because of this that he could say:

فإن تكن الدنيا تعد نفـيسـةَ فدار ثـواب الله أعلى و أنـبـل

إن تكن الأموال للترك جمعـها فما بال مـتروكٍ به المرء يبـخـل

و إن تكن الأرزاق قسماً مقسَّما فقلة حرصي المرء في الكسب أجمل

و إن تكن الأبدان للموت أنشأت فقتل امرءٍ بالسيف و الله أفضل

If this world is counted as precious,

know that the reward with Allah is more exalted and noble. And if wealth and possessions are gathered together only to leave

behind, then why should a man be miserly with that which he

will leave.

And if the provision is already apportioned,

then lack of greed of a man in its attainment is more pleasing. And if these bodies were made for death,

then death by the sword in the Way of Allah is the be5pt;line-height:11.05pt;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:14.15pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none">will leave.

And if the provision is already apportioned,

then lack of greed of a man in its attainment is more pleasing. And if these bodies were made for death,

then death by the sword in the Way of Allah is the best

[Ali Mahdi]

His Birth

~~~~~~~~~

One year after the birth of Imam Hassan (as), Allah(swt) bestowed the house of Bibi Fatimah (SA) and Imam Ali (as) with the birth of Imam Husayn (as) on 3rd Shabaan in the 4th Hijri. On hearing the news of his birth, the Prophet (pbuh) rushed to the house of Bibi Fatimah (SA) and asked Asma binte Amees “O Asma, bring me my son”. Bibi Asma brought Imam Husayn (as) in a white piece of cloth and the Prophet (pbuh) took him in his arms and recited Azan in his right ear and Aqama in his left ear and then returned the baby to Asma. Spontaneously he started weeping. Bibi Asma inquired the reason for his grief. The Prophet (pbuh) replied “O Asma this baby will be killed by a renegade group after me. Allah(swt) will not allow them to seek my shifaat. And Asma, do not give this news to my daughter Fatimah since she has recently given birth to this baby.”

He (pbuh) then turned to Imam Ali (as) and asked “How have you named my son”. Imam Ali (as) replied “How could I give a name to the baby when you are present.” In the meantime, the Prophet (pbuh) received wahi in which Allah(swt) suggested the name Husayn for the child and so it happened. This was the first time that a child was named Husayn. The Prophet (pbuh) gave his tongue and then his finger in the mouth of the child to feed him and this practice continued in the future as well to feed the baby.

Greetings by Angels

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the birth of Imam Husayn (as), archangel Jibril (as) came down with a large group of angels to present his greetings to the household of Propet Mohammad (pbuh). He was accompanied by a couple of angels who were castigated by Allah(swt) due to some tark-e-oola and they were forgiven by Allah(swt) due to the sanctity of the baby Imam (as). Their names as mentioned by the historians are Fitrus and Dardayeel.

Aqeeqa and other rites

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the seventh day of the birth of Imam Husayn (as), Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) went to the house of Bibi Fatimah (SA) and a lamb was slaughtered to mark the aqeeqa. On the order of Prophet (pbuh), the head of the baby was shoven and silver in the equivalent weight was given as sadqa.

Some Quranic verses in praise of Imam Husayn (as)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. "Innama yureedallahu le-yuzhiba ankamur rijsa ahlal baiti wa utah-harukum tat-heera" (Sura Ahzab 33:33 Part)

Translation: And Allah only wishes to keep away all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless.

Almost all schools of thought in Islam believe that this ayat was revealed in praise of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), Imam Ali (as), Bibi Fatimah (SA), Imam Hassan (as) and Imam Hissain (as).

2. "Innallaha wa malaikatahu yu sal-loona alan nabi ya ayyuhal lathina aamano sallu alaihi wa sallamu tasleemat" (Sura Ahzab 33:56)

Translation: Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was asked by his companions “How should be send salawat on you?” and the Prophet (pbuh) replied “Say – Allahumma Salle ala Mohammadin wa aale Mohammad”.

3. "Kulla as-alokum alehe ajran il-al mawad-data fil qurba" (Ash-Shura 42:23 Part)

Translation: Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin."

When Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was asked as to who are your QURBA with whom love has been made obligatory for all believers, Prophet (pbuh) replied they are Ali(AS), Fatimah (SA), Hassan (as) and Husayn (as).

4. "Faman haajaka feehe min baada ma jaa-oka minal ilme faqul ta-aalu nad-o abna-ana wa abnaokum wa nisa-ana wa nisaokum wa anfusana wa anfusakum summa nabtahal fanajal lanatullahe alal kazibeen" (Aal-e-Imran 3:61)

Translation: If any one disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge Hath come to thee, say: "Come! let us gather together,- our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves: Then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!"

When this ayat was revealed, Prophet Mohammad took Imam Ali (as) in accordance with “anfusana”, Bibi Fatimah (SA) in accordance with “nisa-ana” and Imam Hassan (as) and Imam Husayn (as) in accordance with “abna-ana” as per will of Allah(swt) in the mubahila against the Jews.

This is only a small sample of ayats which were revelaed in praise of Ahle Bait (as) in which Imam Husayn (as) glitters as a bright shining star.

Note: 3rd of Shabaan is the 18th of September in North, Central, South America and Europe whereas it is the 19th of September in Pakistan and its neighboring countries. For other places please consult your local Islamic Calendars.

[Ali Mahdi]

(salam)

(bismillah)

A miracle under Imam Husayn (as) dome happened on 28 November, 2004.

To watch miracle online visit:

http://www.tnfj.org/miracle-hussain(as).htm

Share this with all Momenin!

Khoda Hafez va Eltemas-e Dua Barayeh Faraj!

Ali

[Ali Mahdi]

Two Windows, One Departure

An established tent, a grounded spear, a hanging sword, and a horse could be seen from a distance. Moments later, a messenger spawned off from the caravan to deliver Imam Husayn’s (as) message to the head of the people within the tent. The messenger delivered the message and returned to the caravan. Obaydollah ibn Hurr Jo’fi however, who knew of the people’s love for money and leisure had rejected Imam Husayn’s (as) invitation and said that he had not left the city of Kufah except for the fact that he feared the arrival of Imam Husayn (as) and his plead for help.

Nonetheless, Imam Husayn (as) is the Ark of guidance. This time, Imam Husayn (as) himself along with some of his companion’s went toward the tent of Obaydollah. When Obaydollah saw Imam Husayn (as) in front of his tent, he felt ashamed. He stood up and respected the Imam greatly. He invited the Imam in and told the Imam of the news and events, which had recently occurred in Kufah. Imam Husayn (as) listened to all of them and then began to speak about all the invitations that were sent to him from the people of Kufah. Imam Husayn (as) asked Obaydollah to accompany and support him, so that the Prophet’s progeny (as) would intercede for him and Allah (SWT) would accept his repentance.

The request of Imam Husayn (as) had again put Obaydollah in doubt. He did not know which way to choose. The love towards worldly aspects would not leave him and his mind alone. He began to create excuses to reject Imam’s request.

Obaydollah thought for some time and said: “You will not find a supporter and helper in Kufah. Fear has caused everyone remain and hide in their homes. For the sake of Allah, please do not ask for my help. I will give you whatever I have, anything from swords to good horses, just please do not ask for me to risk my life.”

Obaydollah said that, in order to relieve the guilt that had built inside of him. When Imam Husayn (as) heard his reply, he said,

“I did not come here to receive a sword and a horse. I came to ask for your companionship. Now that you are not willing to devote your life, then I have no need for your sword and horse. And I am not one who accompanies those who have gone astray. But I recommend you not to stay here, because the Prophet said: Whoever ignores the voice of my progeny asking for help and does not support them, Allah will throw him with face in the Hellfire.”

Obaydollah heard Imam Husayn’s (as) last words; slowly and embarrassed began wrapping up his stuff and left.

Another one was a follower of Othman and hence, was not very fond of the Prophet’s progeny (S). While moving his caravan from Mecca to Kufah, he had tried to keep as much distance as he could from the caravan Imam Husayn (as), so that he does not come face to face with Imam Husayn (as). Indeed, just as everyone is under examination in this world, Zohayr too was not an exception.

Despite Zohayr’s efforts, the two caravans, one of Zohayr and the other of Imam Husayn (as), came to rest in the same area. While Zohayr was in his tent having his meal with his friends and family, a messenger entered and said: “Husayn ibn Ali has sent me to tell you that he wants to see you.”

Everyone paused eating for a moment, and Zohayr got very upset of the news. Silence ruled the tent, and everyone was waiting for Zohayr’s reaction. Zohayr lost in his thoughts, was taking too long to respond to the messenger. His wife broke the silence and shouted from the other side of the curtain, “Zohayr! Why are you rejecting the invitation of Prophet’s Son? Why do you not go and listen to what he has to say?”

This was a moment of realization for Zohayr. He rose and went to see Imam Husayn (as). Though Zohayr was very sad and confused at the time of leaving the tent, when he returned from the tent of Imam Husayn (as), his eye had a new brightness and his soul felt a certain joy. Indeed, a conversation with Imam Husayn (as) had changed a rock into a diamond.

Zohayr ordered to wrap up his tents and establish them near Imam Husayn’s (as) tents. He told his friends that he is going to accompany Imam Husayn (as) in his trip. Therefore, whosoever wanted to support him may come; otherwise this will be the last meeting. Further, Zohayr gave some money and food to his wife and sent her to her family. His wife cried during the farewell and asked Zohayr not to forget her in the day of resurrection. Zohayr left while he was confident in supporting the truth and fighting for the right cause. It has been narrated that Zohayr was one of the few who stood in front of Imam Husayn (as) and other companions while they were praying the noon prayer on the day of Ashura. Zohayr’s face and body had become armor for Imam Husayn (as) against the arrows thrown by the enemies.

Please accept our condolences to all on the tenth of Muharram, the Martyrdom anniversary of the great revival of religion, the Master of Martyrs:Imam Husayn (as) ibn Ali, and that of his great companions in the desert of Karbala.

Source: WWW.ROSHD.ORG

[Ali Mahdi]

Islamic Traditions

Imam Ali (as) says: No right is lost as long as there are those who demand it.

Islamic Concepts:

al-Husayn's (as) teachings a model for Islamic unity

When we live with the Imam (as). we live with Islam in its doctrine, laws, methods and goals, just as we live with the Message and the Messenger (S) who said that he was a part of Husayn and Husayn (as) was a part of him.

And when we talk about Islam, the Messenger (S) and the Message, we are talking about all Muslims, whom Allah wanted to unite as one coherent nation despite its sectarian and jurisprudence differences.

Islam is but one, it is the understanding of Islam that wary.

In the light of this, we believe that if Ali (as) was the champion of Muslim unity, Imam Husayn (as) is the role model of that unity.

He is the Imam whom all Muslims -- those who adhere to his beliefs and those who do not-love and glorify. They all believe that he and his brother Al-Hassan are” the Masters of the youth in Heaven”, and they all agree that Mohammad has said: “I love Husayn, May Allah love those who love him”. Thus, they all agree on his love, respect and appreciation, although they might differ in their view of Karbala, but even those who opposed him had their hearts with him while their swords were fighting against him.

Thus, dear loved ones, when we remember… our Imam (as). We should not remember him only as a revolutionary or as the victim of a tragedy. He was certainly a revolutionary and he undoubtedly lived one of the most saddening and heart-breaking events, but he was also a Muslim Imam whom we have to study his teachings in all aspects of the call especially in the field of changing the minds of Muslims and making them closer to God. The real followers of Husayn (as) are, therefore, those who unify Allah, the most Exalted, and obey Him. They are the ones who obey the Messenger (S) and seek to be Islamic in everything they say think or do.

The Mind and the Right

Thus, we would like here to remember some of Husayn's (as) advice to learn more about our relation with Allah and Islam. He said that one is not rational in full unless he follows the right meaning that man has to develop his mind. And try to perfect it, for the mind is what Allah, the most Exalted, has given you to make you distinguish between right and wrong good and evil.

Allah would not have decided to judge our actions had He not given you the mind.

It is the mind that leads you to the right, since it leads man to know what happiness is, as well as the basis of all life and this come to the conclusion that the Right is an eternal constant that does not change.

It is the mind that tells you that the Right is your belief in God, the Message and all the values that Allah, the most Exalted, and His Messenger (S) loves. It is the Right that controls your relations with others, whether with your parents, your wife and children or with the people in all fields.

On this basis, we say that it is the mind that tells you to follow the right. If you do, then your practical mind becomes in harmony with your theoretical one, and the theory turns into practice.

But if you follow falsehood then both of your minds are deficient. That is why Imam Husayn (as) says that those who do not follow the right are not of a sound mind.

The most honourable

In another saying the Imam (as) says that the most honourable is he who is does not need the advise of others. It is the one who studies the results of his actions and learns from every past experience, knowing all the time that he will die as the others did and he will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.

In this respect the Imam also said: “He who does not advise himself will not benefit of any advice”. One should always be able to learn from his own experience and “wake up before he is awakened”. He should always keep his eyes open on everything that harms or benefits him. Remorse will do no good on the Day of Judgment.

This is why the Imam says: I have awakened with a God above me and hellfire in front of me, and death awaiting me, and my judgment is imminent. I am totally dependent e on my deeds…

Things are in the hands of someone other than me who could punish me if so wishes or forgive me if he wants. So, who is poorer than me?

Therefore, when you attend Ashura sermons. remember that the Imam he does not want you to cry only. He also wants you to cry on yourselves.

The Quran mirrors facts

In another saying, the Imam says: The believer inspires his virtues from God and takes God’s sayings as his mirror” meaning that the Qur’an is the mirror that makes the believer sees all the facts.

This is very important because it asserts that one should make the Qur’an his guide in his actions in life. He added that the Qur’an described the manners and traits of both the believers and the tyrants, thus enabling man to know himself and be sure of his judgments towards others.

In anther saying, when the Imam was told that Abu Zar said: “poorness is more to my liking than richness. I also prefer sickness to health”, he said: May Allah have mercy on him. As for me I say that he who depends on Allah’s good choice would not wish anything but what Allah has chosen for him.

In another saying, the Imam talks about the worldly life and the Hereafter by noting that he who seeks God’s pleasure by angering people, Allah will preserve him from their anger. While he who seeks the people’s satisfaction in what angers Allah, Allah will leave him to those people. He also said when asked about how great his fear from God is: “No one will be safe in the Day of Judgment, except those who are afraid of Allah in this life.

Salutation ties between the hearts

As for the necessity of saluting others, the Imam says: “Saluting has seventy rewards, 69 of them for the one who salutes and one for the one who responds”. Imam Ali (as) refuted the behaviour of those who do not salute sinful Muslims by saying: Allah sees him worthy of believing in His oneness and you do not think he is worthy of being saluted.

Therefore, we should salute all people, and we should always salute before we start talking with any one.

For our salute is a call for peace, which extends compassion and links between the hearts.

The Religious Authority Sayyed Mohammad Husayn Fadhlullah

Jurisprudence:

In accordance with the fatwahs of the Religious Authority, Sayyed Mohammad Husayn Fadhlullah:

Q: We live in Sweden, and as it is supposed that our spiritual leaders understand the country's social and political conditions, we would like a clear fatwahh regarding stabbing oneself with a sword or the like in Ashura. Some say it is permissible if it does not cause any harm, or if it does not undermine Islam, while others say it is permissible in all cases?

A: We believe that is unlawful because it harms the body, and consequently it is not permissible under any situation, As such it could not be considered lawful. especially if it tarnishes the image of Islam.

Widening the wall

Q: What do you think about building a wall for people to throw stones at in Hajj?

A: We said that it is permissible as the post that was removed was not erected at the time of the Prophet, but it was put there as a marker. Yet the wall should not extend beyond the place that should be thrown at.

Unlawful money

Q: Could we deal with those whose money is suspected to be earned in unlawful ways.

A: If some of it is earned in a lawful way we can deal with them.

Listening to religious songs:

Q: Is it allowed to listen to religious songs if they are accompanied with music?

A: Yes since it is the content that matters.

Infertility

Q: are Men allowed to undergo operations that will make them sterile, knowing that there is a big chance that they can have children later.

A: We have a problem with such operations. It is not permissible due to obligatory precautions. If not to unlawfulness in the first place, but if the doctors believe that it can be undone than there is no problem.

--

Our stand this week

Islamic unity and the future of the nation

Sayyed Fadhlullah: The coming generations are calling on us to unite, for he who works for division and fragmentation is a traitor both to his nation and to his religious beliefs.

[Umm Zaynalabidin]

(bismillah)

(salam)

There are many hadith about the station and position of Imam Husayn alayhis-salam. Rasulollah salla-llahu-alayhi-wa-aalih is reported as saying, “he who want to see the one inhabitant of the Earth who is most beloved by the inhabitants of the skies, he should look at Husayn”.

Rasulollah salla-llahu-alayhi-wa-aalih is also reported as saying, “Truly Husayn is one of the gates to Paradise; he who opposes him, Allah would deny him even the scent of Paradise”.

Perhaps only this hadith is sufficient so as not to mention any more hadith about the station of Imam Husayn alayhis-salam.

There are many hadith narrated from the Ahl-ul-Bayt alayhum-as-salam with regards to establishing the Husayni Sha’a’er. Imam Sadiq alayhis-salam is quoted as saying, “He whose eyes fill with tears when we are mentioned to him, Allah would bar his face from fire (of Hell)”. And can you imagine what would be the reward for he who weeps for Imam Husayn alayhis-salam, who is Sayyid-ul-Shuhada (Master of the Martyrs) and Qateel-al-‘Abarah (the murder victim who brings tears to the eyes).

Imam Mahdi may Allah hasten his return in his salute – known as Zeyart Nahiyah – to Imam Husayn alayhis-salam declares,

“Peace be to he in whose torbah (the soil of the burial site) Allah has made the cure (for every disease),

Peace be upon he under whose dome prayers are answered,

Peace be upon he whose descendents are the Imams, . . . ”

From the above alone, only the first statement is sufficient (his torbah being cure for every disease) to show the divine miracle in the matter, and if this proves anything it points towards the position and station of Imam Husayn alayhis-salam.

source

[YaHujja]

40 HADITHS ON IMAM HUSSAYN (as)

1)The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: Surely, there exists in the hearts of the Mu'mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Husain (A.S.), a heat that never subsides.

Mustadrak al Wasail vol 10 pg. 318

2) Imam Redha (A.S.) said: The one for whom the day of A'ashura is a day of tragedy, grief and weeping, Allah The Mighty, The Glorious, shall make the Day of Judgment, a day of joy and happiness for him.

Bihar al Anwar, vol. 44, pg. 284

3) Imam Redha (A.S.) said: With the advent of the month of Muharram, my father Imam Kadhim (A.S.) would never be seen laughing; gloom and sadness would overcome him for (the first) ten days of the month; and when the tenth day of the month would dawn, it would be a day of tragedy, grief and weeping for him.

Amaali Saduq, pg. 111

4) The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: O' Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husain (A.S.) for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise.

Bihar al Anwar, vol. 44 pg. 193.

5) Imam Redha (A.S.) said (to one of his companions):

If you desire that for you be the reward equivalent to that of those martyred along with Husain (A.S.), then whenever you remember him say: ' Oh! Would that I had been with them! A great achievement would I have achieved'.

Wasaail al Shia'h, vol. 14, pg. 501.

6) Abu Haroon al Makfoof said: I presented myself before Imam Sadiq (A.S.) whereupon he said to me: "Recite for me a poetry" and so I recited for him. He said "Not in this manner. Recite for me as you recite poems and elegies over the grave of Husain (A.S.)" and so I recited for him (again).

Bihar al Anwar vol 44, pg. 287.

7) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: There is none who recites poetry about Husain (A.S.) and weeps and makes others weep by means of it, except that Allah makes Paradise incumbent upon him and forgives his sins.

Rijal al Shaikh al Tusi pg. 189.

8) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: All praise is for Allah, who has placed amongst the people, those who arrive in our presence, eulogizing us and reciting elegies about us.

Wasail al Shiah vol. 10, pg. 469.

9) Imam Redha (A.S.) said (to De'bil, a poet sincerely devoted to the Ahlul Bayt):

I desire that you recite for me poetry, for surely, these days (of the month of Muharram) are the days of grief and sorrow, which have passed over us, Ahlul Bayt.

Mustadrak al Wasail, vol 10, pg. 386.

10) Imam 'Ali (A.S.) said: Surely, Allah has chosen for us followers (Shiites), who assist us and are happy at our happiness and are sad in our sadness.

Ghuraral Hikam vol. 1, pg. 135.

11) Imam 'Ali Ibn al Husain (A.S.) used to say: Every Mu'min, whose eyes shed tears upon the killing of Husain Ibn 'Ali (A.S.) and his companions, such that the tears roll down his cheeks, Allah shall accommodate him in the elevated rooms of Paradise.

Yanaabe'al Mawaddah, pg. 419.

12) Imam Sajjad (A.S.) said: Surely, I have never brought to mind the martyrdom of the children of Fatimah (A.S.) except that I have been choked with tears due to it.

Bihar al Anwar vol. 46, pg. 109.

13) For those unable to go for the ziarat of Imam Husain (A.S.) on the day of A'ashura, Imam Baqir (A.S.) mentions the manner of performing A'zadari as follows: He should mourn over Husain (A.S.), weep for him and instruct the members of the house to weep for him. He should establish the mourning ceremony in the house by exhibiting lamentations and grief over him; the people should meet one another in their homes and offer condolences and consolation to each other over the calamities which befell him.

Kaamil al Ziyaraat pg. 175

14) Imam Baqir (A.S.) said: Amirul Mu'mineen (A.S.), along with two of his companions, happened to pass by Kerbala and as he did so, tears filled his eyes. He said (to them), "This is the resting place of their animals; and this is where their luggage shall be laid down; and it is here that their blood shall be shed. Blessed are you O' Earth, that the blood of the beloved shall be spilled upon you."

Bihar al Anwar, vol: 98 pg. 258.

15) Imam Baqir (A.S.) said: He who remembers us, or in whose presence, we are remembered, and (as a result) tears flow from his eyes, even though they may be in the measure of a wing of a mosquito, Allah shall construct for him a house in paradise and make the tears a barrier between him and the fire (of hell).

Al Ghadeer vol. 2, pg. 202.

16) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: `As for A'li Ibn al Husain (A.S.), he cried over Husain (A.S.) for twenty years (after the tragedy of Kerbala); never would any food be placed before him except that he would begin to weep.

Bihar al Anwar, vol 46, pg. 108

17) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: When Ibrahim, the son of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) died, tears filled the eyes of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), whereupon he said, " The eyes are tearful and the heart is anguished (but) we shall not say anything which shall anger the Lord. Surely we, O' Ibrahim, are grief stricken for you"

Bihar al Anwar vol: 22 , pg. : 157.

18) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: He in whose presence we (and our miseries) are mentioned and, as a result, his eyes pour out tears, Allah shall make his face forbidden upon the fire of hell.

Bihar al Anwar vol. 44, pg. 185.

19) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said to Fudhail: Do you sit together, talk and discuss amongst yourselves? Fudhail replied: Yes. The Imam then said: I approve of these sittings. So keep our `issue' (Imamate) alive. May Allah exhibit mercy on those who revive our issue and mission!

Wasail al Shiah , vol. 10, pg. 391.

20) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said (to Masma', one of those who mourned over Imam Husain (A.S.)): May Allah have mercy upon your tears! Do know that you are regarded as being of those who are deeply concerned about us and of those who are happy at our happiness and aggrieved at our sorrow. Do know that you shall witness the presence of my fathers near you at the time of your death.

Wasail al Shia, vol., 10, pg. 397

21) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) (while sitting on the prayer mat prayed for the mourners and those going for the ziarat of the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) as follows):

O' Lord, have mercy upon those eyes, which have shed tears in compassion for us; and upon those hearts, which have been restless and blistered for us; and upon those wailings, which have been for us.

Bihar al Anwar vol 98 , pg. 8.

22) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: He whose eyes shed tears for our blood which has been shed, or for our rights which have been usurped, or for the humiliation meted out to us or to one of our Shiites, Allah shall accommodate him in paradise for a long time.

Amali Sheikh al Mufid, pg. 175.

23) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: O' Zurarah! The sky had cried for forty days over (the martyrdom of) Husain (A.S.)

Mustadrakal Wasail, vol 1 pg. 391

24) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: After the news of the martyrdom of Ja'far Ibn Abi Talib (A.S.) and Zaid Ibn Harithah reached the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), whenever he entered his house, he would weep profusely for them and say: " They used to converse with me and were intimate with me and (now) both of them have departed together".

25) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: The breath of one who is aggrieved upon the injustice and oppression subjected to us, is tasbeeh (glorification of Allah), and his grief for us, is i'baadat (worship of Allah) and his concealing our secrets, is jihad in the path of Allah.

The Imam (A.S.) then added: This tradition ought to be written in gold.

Amaali al Shaikh al Mufid, pg. 338.

26) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: Allah has appointed to the grave of Imam Husain (A.S.), four thousand anguished and grief stricken angels, who weep over him (and shall continue to do so) up to the Day of Judgment.

Kamil al ziyaraat, pg. 119.

27) Imam Redha (A.S.) said (to Rayyan Ibn Shabib): O' Son of Shabib! If you have to cry over something, then do so over Husain Ibn 'Ali (A.S.) for surely, he was slaughtered in the manner in which a ram is slaughtered.

Bihar al Anwar, vol. 94, pg. 286.

28) Imam Redha (A.S.) said: He who sits in a gathering in which our affairs (and our path and aims) are discussed and revived, his heart shall not die on the day (Day of Judgment) when hearts shall die (of fear).

Bihar alAnwar vol 4 pg. 178.

29) Imam Redha (A.S.) said: Those who weep should weep over the likes of Husain (A.S.) for surely, weeping over him does away with one's great sins.

Bihar al Anwar vol: 94, pg. 184.

30) Imam Redha (A.S.) said: O' Son of Shabib! Should you weep for Husain (A.S.) in the measure that tears roll down your cheeks, Allah would forgive all the sins committed by you, whether they be the great sins or the small sins and whether they be meagre or immense.

Amali Saduq, pg. 111.

31) Imam Redha (A.S.) said (to Ibn Shabib): O' Son of Shabib! If it makes you happy (and you desire) to be with us in the elevated ranks of paradise, then be sad in our grief and happy at our happiness.

Wasaail al Shiah, vol. 14 pg. 502.

32) Imam Redha (A.S.) said: One who refrains from seeking his (worldly) desires on the day of A'ashura, Allah shall grant him his desires of this world and the hereafter.

Wasaail al Shiah, 14, pg. 504,

33) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: The zaair (pilgrim) of Imam Husain (A.S.) turns back (from his pilgrimage) such that not a single sin remains upon him.

Wasaail al Shia'h, vol 14, pg. 412.

34) (Regarding someone who goes for pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Husain (A.S.)), Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: One who weeps for Imam Husain (A.S.), surely, the Imam (A.S.) observes him and seeks forgiveness for him and requests his holy fathers to (also) seek forgiveness for him.

Bihar al Anwar vol. 44, pg. 181

35) The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) (said to H. Fatimah (A.S.)): On the Day of Judgment, you shall intercede for the ladies and I shall intercede for the men; every person who has wept over the tragedy of Husain (A.S.), we shall take him by the hand and lead him into Paradise.

Bihar al Anwar vol. 94 pg. 192,

37) The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: (On the Day of Judgment, a group would be seen in the most excellent and honourable of states. They would be asked if they were of the Angels or of the Prophets. In reply they would state): "We are neither Angels nor Prophets but of the indigent ones from the ummah of Muhammad (S.A.W.)". They would then be asked: "How then did you achieve this lofty and honourable status?" They would reply: "We did not perform very many good deeds nor did we pass all the days in a state of fasting or all the nights in a state of worship but yes, we used to offer our (daily) prayers (regularly) and whenever we used to hear the mention of Muhammad (S.A.W.), tears would roll down our cheeks".

Mustadrak al Wasail, vol 10, pg. 318.

38) Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: He (Imam Husain) sees those, who come to his shrine and he knows them by their names, their father's names and their ranks in the eyes of Allah, The Mighty, The Glorious, better than you know your own children!

Wasaail al Shiah vol 14, pg. 411.

39) Imam A'li (A.S.) said to Ibn A'bbas: (Once when he happened to pass by Kerbala), Isa (A.S.) sat down and began to weep. His disciples who were observing him, followed suit and began weeping too, but not comprehending the reason for this behaviour, they asked him: "O' Spirit of God! What is it that makes you weep?" Isa (A.S.) said: "Do you know what land this is?" The disciples replied: "No." He then said: "This is the land on, which the son of the Prophet Ahmad (S.A.W.) shall be killed.

Bihar al Anwar vol 44 pg. 252.

40) Abu Baseer narrates that Imam Baqir (A.S.) said: The humans, the jinn, the birds and the wild beasts (all) mourned and wept over (the tragedy which befell) Husain Ibn A'li (A.S.)

Kaamil al Ziyaaraat, pg. 79.

Edited March 3, 2005 by YaHujja

[Ali Mahdi]

Mourning Imam Husayn (AS)

ibn Abbas reports from Imam Amir al-Momenin, Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) who said:

Once Prophet Isa (AS) was passing by Karbala when he sat down and began to weep. His disciples (hawariyoun) who were observing him, followed suit and began weeping too. But not understanding the reason for this behaviour, they asked him:

Oh Spirit of God! What is that which makes you weep?

Isa (AS) said:

Do you know what land this is?

The disciples replied: No

He then said:

This is the land on which the son of Prophet Ahmad (PBUH) shall be killed.

Every year, in the months of Moharram and Safar, we mourn Karbala. We mourn the tragedy which befell the household of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the year 61 AH in Karbala, Iraq. Muslims and particularly the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) wear black clothes (as a sign of grief), hold Majales (gatherings) where the tragic event of Karbala is narrated, Marathiyah and Nohahs (Eulogies and Elegies) are recited and people weep.

Mourning Abu Abdillah al-Husayn (AS) is infact, the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Imams from his progeny which is by itself a highly rewardable act. Historians write:

On the 3rd Sha’ban, in the year 4 AH, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was in Madinah when he was given the news of the birth of a child in Fatimah (AS)’s house. He (PBUH) rushed to his daughter’s house and told Asma bint Omays: “Oh Asma! Bring me my son”. The infant was wrapped in a piece of cloth. The face of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) lit up upon seeing his grandson. He recited Adhan in the right ear and Iqamah in the left ear of the child and then placing the child on his lap, he cried.

Asma asked, “May my father and mother be your sacrifice. Why are you crying?” The Holy prophet (PBUH) said, “Oh Asma! After me, the transgressing party will kill him. May Allah (SWT) never grant them my intercession.” Then he added, “Asma! Do not tell Fatimah about this for she has just given birth to him”

This child was Husayn (AS).

It is also reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) once told his beloved daughter Fatimah (AS):

Oh Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgement except the eye which shed tears over the tragedy of Husayn (AS) for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise.

Imam Mohammad al-Baqer (AS), talking about the manner of performing Azadari said:

He should mourn over Husayn (AS), weep for him and instruct the members of the house to weep for him. He should establish the mourning ceremony in the house by exhibiting lamentations and grief over him; the people should meet one another in their homes and offer condolences and consolation to each other over the calamities which befell him.

Imam Ali ibn Mousa ar-Reza (AS) has been reported saying:

With the advent of the month of Muharram, my father (Imam al-Kazem) would never be seen laughing; gloom and sadness would overcome him for the (first) ten days of the month; and when the tenth day of the month would dawn, it would be a day of tragedy, grief and weeping for him.

Imam Jaafar as-Sadiq (AS) said:

There is none who recites poetry about Husayn (AS) and weeps and makes others weep by means of it, except that Allah makes Jannah (paradise) compulsory for him and pardons his sins.

Mourning Imam Husayn (AS)

ibn Abbas reports from Imam Amir al-Momenin, Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) who said:

Once Prophet Isa (AS) was passing by Karbala when he sat down and began to weep. His disciples (hawariyoun) who were observing him, followed suit and began weeping too. But not understanding the reason for this behaviour, they asked him:

Oh Spirit of God! What is that which makes you weep?

Isa (AS) said:

Do you know what land this is?

The disciples replied: No

He then said:

This is the land on which the son of Prophet Ahmad (PBUH) shall be killed.

Every year, in the months of Moharram and Safar, we mourn Karbala. We mourn the tragedy which befell the household of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the year 61 AH in Karbala, Iraq. Muslims and particularly the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) wear black clothes (as a sign of grief), hold Majales (gatherings) where the tragic event of Karbala is narrated, Marathiyah and Nohahs (Eulogies and Elegies) are recited and people weep.

Mourning Abu Abdillah al-Husayn (AS) is infact, the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Imams from his progeny which is by itself a highly rewardable act. Historians write:

On the 3rd Sha’ban, in the year 4 AH, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was in Madinah when he was given the news of the birth of a child in Fatimah (AS)’s house. He (PBUH) rushed to his daughter’s house and told Asma bint Omays: “Oh Asma! Bring me my son”. The infant was wrapped in a piece of cloth. The face of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) lit up upon seeing his grandson. He recited Adhan in the right ear and Iqamah in the left ear of the child and then placing the child on his lap, he cried.

Asma asked, “May my father and mother be your sacrifice. Why are you crying?” The Holy prophet (PBUH) said, “Oh Asma! After me, the transgressing party will kill him. May Allah (SWT) never grant them my intercession.” Then he added, “Asma! Do not tell Fatimah about this for she has just given birth to him”

This child was Husayn (AS).

It is also reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) once told his beloved daughter Fatimah (AS):

Oh Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgement except the eye which shed tears over the tragedy of Husayn (AS) for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise.

Imam Mohammad al-Baqer (AS), talking about the manner of performing Azadari said:

He should mourn over Husayn (AS), weep for him and instruct the members of the house to weep for him. He should establish the mourning ceremony in the house by exhibiting lamentations and grief over him; the people should meet one another in their homes and offer condolences and consolation to each other over the calamities which befell him.

Imam Ali ibn Mousa ar-Reza (AS) has been reported saying:

With the advent of the month of Muharram, my father (Imam al-Kazem) would never be seen laughing; gloom and sadness would overcome him for the (first) ten days of the month; and when the tenth day of the month would dawn, it would be a day of tragedy, grief and weeping for him.

Imam Jaafar as-Sadiq (AS) said:

There is none who recites poetry about Husayn (AS) and weeps and makes others weep by means of it, except that Allah makes Jannah (paradise) compulsory for him and pardons his sins.

[Ali Mahdi]

Muslims mourn for Imam Husayn (as)

http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_en.asp?news_id=189543&n=31

Tehran, March 31 - On the occasion of Arbaeen' (20th of the lunar Hijira month of Safar) that marks the 40th day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (as), the third Imam and rightful successor of the Prophet's (pbuh) household on the 10th of Moharram of the lunar Hijira year 61, Muslims in Iran and abroad participated in commemorative mourning ceremonies.

The mourners in black joined processions in streets, main squares and religious centers, beating chests and singing songs in agony. The Imam and his companions were massacred by one of the most wicked rulers, Yazid Ibn Muaviyah, at a heart-breaking historical event in Karbala (Iraq) in the year 61 A.H. (680 A.D.).

Imam Husayn (as) refused to give allegiance to the evil ruler who was trying to obliterate the sublime values of Islam, and with his blood, succeeded in saving Islam in the form it was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) by the Almighty as the final message for mankind.

There are also free food services for the mourners, some of whom observing night vigil and citing special prayers for the infallible Imam.

In Iran, the mausoleum of the father of the Islamic Revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic the late Imam Khomeini at Tehran's Behesht-e Zahra cemetery has reportedly been packed by visitors and mourners.

Dispatches indicate glorious ceremonies, were held on the occasion in the Persian Gulf littoral states, Pakistan, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, India, Italy, Kuala Lumpur, Turkmenistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Jordan.

Participants in the ceremonies, held in religious centers, were briefed by a group of speakers and eulogists on philosophy of Imam Husayn's (as) movement and impact of his resistance and bravery on the true believers in the world of Islam.

The eulogists offered an account of the event in Karbala which led to the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (as), the fallen hero, champion of true Islamic institution and ord of Martyrs.'

At these ceremonies elegies were recited for Imam Husayn (as) and the blessed members of the household of the Prophet (SAWA), instructing the audience to follow the ideals of the Imam and his historical sacred movement of Karbala.

Having witnessed the widespread corruption in the ruler's court, and as a result of that in the Islamic society, Imam Husayn (as) felt duty-bound to launch his reforms in order to revive genuine Islamic values.

It was equal for Imam Husayn (as) either to defeat the corrupt ruler or to achieve martyrdom while fighting the Yazid army.

If the Imam had won over the Yazid army, he would have established a genuine Islamic system. Imam's martyrdom, however, delineated the right path for the coming generations to follow true Islam.

It is left to the Muslims today to realize the right path in the crosscurrent of mischievous waves of change.

[Ali Mahdi]

(salam)

(bismillah)

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Performing a Divine Duty

With the situation taking place during the reign of Yazid ibn Mu’awiah and that of the corrupt Ummayad dynasty, there remained no choice for an ordinary Muslim, let alone the divine leader of Muslims, to pursue except for that way that Imam Husayn (as) chose. The regime of Yazid could not be considered authentic according to any law or custom.

Thus, for these reasons, Imam Husayn (as) felt responsible to stand against the corruption of Yazid. In a letter he sent to the prominent people of Basrah, he explained the reasons for his uprising as follows: “…I call you to the Book of Allah and to the tradition of the Prophet of Allah. Verily, the false and heretic tradition has come back to life…”

Or in the letter he sent with Muslim ibn Aqil to the people of Kufah, Imam Husayn (as) condemned Yazid and further explained his mission: “I swear by my life, the Imam and Leader is no other, than him who acts according to the book of Allah, rises with justice, remains faithful to the religion, and puts his life at stake in the way of Allah.”

Or when Walid, the governor of Madinah, asks him to pay allegiance to Yazid, the Imam replies:” O! Governor, verily we are the household of the Prophet, the mine of divine prophethood, the place where angels come and leave, and the centre for the arrival of Allah’s blessings; and Yazid is a man who is corrupt, wine-bibber, and murderer, who publicly commits debauchery.”

In his will, Imam Husayn (as) addresses his brother, Mohammad ibn Hanifiyah, he says: “Indeed I did not rise willfully out of desire, nor (did I rise) to do corruption or oppression; I did not rise, except to amend the community of my grandfather. I aim to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and act according to the tradition of my grandfather and my father Ali. Thus, whoever rejects me; I will remain patient until Allah judges between me and this community. Verily, Allah is the best of judges.”2

Then the time came when the Imam was face to face with the army of Hurr ibn Yazid al-Riahi. To them he said: “O! People, verily the Messenger of Allah has said: If anyone witnesses an oppressive ruler, who forbids what Allah has made permissible, violates his covenant with Allah, opposes the tradition of the Messenger of Allah, and acts upon sins and enmity amongst people, yet does not oppose (the oppressive ruler) through his behaviors and sayings, it is just on Allah to place him the place of that oppressor.

O! people, be cautious that they are following Satan; they have turned away from obeying Allah; they have manifested corruption; they have suspended the regulations of Allah; they have divided the rights of the people amongst themselves; they have forbidden what Allah has made permissible and permitted what He has forbidden…”3

Therefore, in that critical situation, the rising of Imam Husayn (as) was a divine duty and a religious responsibility, which he performed in the best manner, just as his father Imam Ali (as) and the rest of Imams (as) did in the same situation.

(Selection taken from:” Summary of the History of Islam”, by Sayyid Hashim Rasouli Mahallati)

The Roshd website offers its condolences to all the Muslims, especially to you dear friend, upon the Arba’een (40th day after the Martyrdom) of the 5th person of the Ahl al-Kisa, the master of the martyrs: Imam Husayn ibn Ali (as), and his loyal companions.

http://www.roshd.org

1-Irshad Mofid, vol. 2, P. 36

2-Maqtal Kharazmi, vol. 1, p. 185; Al-Fotouh, vol. 5, p.24

3-Tarikh Tabari, vol. 4, p. 376; Ihqaq al-Haq, vol. 11, p. 609

Edited April 3, 2005 by Ali al-Mahdi

[Mubahala]

(bismillah)

(salam)

The swedish relgious historian Torsten Hylén have written an essay about Imam Husayn(A) and Karbala, and he is trying to explain how his struggle and Martydom until ours days affects the view on martyrdom of Shiite Muslims.

It is interesting reading:

http://publications.uu.se/abstract.xsql?la...n&dbid=7457

Please press "Fulltext" to read the essay!