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Imam Hussain (A.S) - Islam Guidance

  • The Standard Bearer of Karbala

    Abbas (A.S) could no longer bear life after having seen how his companions and the members of his family killed and how the Hujjah of his time was suffering from the great number of the enemies surrounding him after his supply route had been cut off and after hearing the women wailing and the children crying of thirst. He, therefore, sought permission from his brother. Since Abbas (A.S) was the most precious asset to the grandson of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P), who is soon to be martyred, especially since the foes always dreaded having to fight him and feared his advance, and how the ladies felt a sense of security upon seeing the standard raised high, the sacred soul of the Father of the Oppressed did not accept to part with him. The Imam (A.S) said to him, “O brother! You are my standard-bearer!” Abbas (A.S) said, “I am fed-up with these hypocrites, and I want to seek revenge against them.” Hussain (A.S) ordered him to bring water for the children, so Abbas went to those people and admonished them, warning them of the Wrath of the Omnipotent, but all of that fell on deaf ears.
    He then shouted: “O Umar ibn Sa'ad! Here is Hussain son of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah! You have killed his companions and family, and here are his children suffering from thirst! Give them some water, for thirst has burnt their hearts!” As he kept repeating his pleas, he also kept saying to them, “Let me go to Rome or to India, and I shall leave Hijaz and Iraq for you all.” There were some people among the enemy ranks who were genuinely moved by those pleas, so they wept, but Shimr shouted as loudly as he could, “O son of Abu Turab! Had the face of earth been entirely covered with water, and had it been in our hands, we would still have not given you a drop of it to drink unless you swear the oath of allegiance to Yazid!”
    Abbas went back to his brother to tell him of the outcome of his negotiations with those ruffians. Abbas heard the children crying of thirst, so he could not tolerate the situation any longer. He was fired up with his Hashemite zeal.
    Then he rode his horse and took the water bag. As many as four thousand archers soon surrounded him and shot him with their arrows, yet their large number did not impede his attempt. He kept chasing those throngs alone as his standard kept fluttering above. Those people could not tell whether that was Abbas who was thus slaughtering their heroes. Their men could not maintain their grounds before him, and he succeeded in getting into the Euphrates River heedless of the huge crowd around him.
    The moment he took one handful of water to drink he remembered how thirsty Hussain (A.S) and those with him were, so he spilled it then said:
    O soul! After Hussain nobody does count!
    After him, you should to nothing amount,
    Here is Hussain nearing his end
    While you drink of cool water?!
    By Allah! Such is not a deed
    At all enjoined by my creed!

    Then he filled the water bag, rode his horse, and went in the direction of the camp. His path was blocked, so he kept killing those who blocked it till he was able to make his way through them as he was saying:
    I do not fear dead when it calls upon me,
    Till among the swords you bury me.
    My soul protects the one
    Who is the Prophet's grandson?
    Abbas am I, the water bag do I bear
    When I meet evil, I know no fear!

    Zayd ibn Arqam ambushed him from behind a palm tree assisted by Ibn Tufail, dealing a sword blow to his right arm, completely severing it. He (A.S), said:
    By Allah! If you cut off my right hand,
    I shall not cease defending my creed,
    And an Imam true to his conviction do I defend,
    A son of the trustworthy Prophet whom Allah did send.

    He did not pay attention to the fact that his right hand had been cut off because he was only concerned about getting the water to the children and the family of Hussain (A.S), but Ibn Tufail was still hiding another palm tree when he passed by. Hakim struck him with his sword on his left hand, amputating it, too, and soon a large number of men were surrounding him. Arrows fell on him like rain, piercing the water bag and boring a hole in it through which its water was completely spilled. An arrow pierced his chest. A man hit him with a pole on his head, severely injuring him.
    He fell on the ground shouting, “Peace unto you from me, O father of Abdullah!” Hussain (A.S) rushed to him.
    How I wish to know in what condition he went to him, with a soul imperiled by this great loss, or by the brotherhood that pulls a brother to his beloved brother....
    Yes; Hussain (A.S) reached him and witnessed how sacrifice is being offered to the Holy One on a plain covered with blood and crowned with arrows. Abbas had no might nor speech nor anything whereby he could keep his foes away. He could not even see anything; his head was on the ground bleeding.
    Is it accurate to say that Hussain (A.S) saw all of these calamities and still had any strength whereby he could stand on his feet? Only Hussain remained after the martyrdom of Abbas. He remained a figure staring in the sky, stripped of all the necessities of life. He (A.S) described his condition best when he said, “Now my spine has been split and my endeavor is further weakened.”
    He left him where he had fell and did not move him anywhere due to a hidden reason which time later unveiled:
    He was to be buried where he had fallen separately from the other martyrs so that he would have a mausoleum of his own visited by those who seek his intercession with the Almighty to grant them the fulfillment of their wishes, and so that his grave-site would be a place for the people who seek nearness to the Almighty, Praise to Him, under its dome that stands lofty in the sky, glowing. It is there that dazzling miracles manifest themselves and the nation thereby comes to know his lofty status and station with Allah Almighty. It then carries out its obligation of loving him which is renewed by continuous visits. Greeting him will establish a link between them and Allah, the most Exalted.
    Hussain (A.S) went back to the camp feeling extremely depressed, tearful. He kept wiping his tears with his cuffs as men raced with one another to assault his camp. He called out: “Is there anyone who helps us?! Is there anyone who grants us security?! Is there anyone who seeks justice, so he supports us?! Is there anyone who fears the Fire, so he defends us?!” Roghayya, his daughter, came to him and asked him about her uncle Abbas.
    He told her of his being killed. Zainab heard him revealing this sad news, so she cried out, “O brother! O Abbas! O our loss after you!” Women wept, and Hussain (A.S) wept, too, and said, “O our loss after you!”

    Maqtal al-Hussain- Martyrdom Epic of Imam al-Hussain (A.S)
    By: Abd al-Razzaq al-Muqarram

  • The story of the six month old baby

    Ashura came to the land of Karbala.
    One-by-one, Hussain (A.S)'s friends and companions were martyred.
    Aun & Muhammed, Qasim, Abbas and Ali Akbar went to the battlefield and were martyred.
    By noon time Hussain (A.S) was left alone.
    The time had come for Hussain (A.S) to go to the battlefield. Hussain (A.S) said good bye to everyone.
    Hussain (A.S), with his sword Zulfiqar on his waist, mounted Zuljanah, his horse.
    Hussain (A.S) rode his horse to a small mount, he then called out loudly:
    “Is there anyone to help me? Is there anyone to help the grandson of the holy prophet?”
    With this call, the grandson of the Holy Prophet was giving one last chance to Yazid's men, the men who called themselves Muslims - the followers of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).
    Hypocrites! That's what Yazid's men were.
    No one answered Hussain (A.S)'s last call. But Hussain (A.S) heard the sound of crying coming from his camp.
    Hussain (A.S) turned around and returned to his tents.
    "Zainab (S.A), your brother is still alive. Why are you crying?"
    "My brother Hussain (A.S), when you called out,” Is there anyone to help me?” Ali Asghar fell from his cradle."
    Hussain (A.S) knew what Ali Asghar was trying to say.
    Hussain (A.S) went to Umme Rubab. Ali Asghar was on her lap.
    He was crying and Umme Rubab was trying to comfort him.
    Hussain (A.S) picked up baby Ali Asghar and whispered in his ear. Ali Asghar stopped crying. He looked up at his father and smiled.
    "Umme Rubab, I am taking Ali Asghar to the battlefield with me so that I can get some water for him."
    What did Hussain (A.S) whisper in Ali Asghar's ear? What made Ali Asghar stop crying, and to smile? Hussain (A.S) had whispered:
    "My son, Ali Asghar, do you want to come to the battlefield with me? Asghar, do you want to show your strength on the battlefield? Come, let us go, my little soldier, Asghar."
    Umme Rubab changed Ali Asghar's clothes.
    Imam Hussain (A.S) carried Ali Asghar to the battlefield. It was very hot. Ali Asghar was thirsty. Hussain (A.S) covered baby Ali Asghar with his Cloak, to protect him from the scorching sun.
    Yazid's men saw Hussain (A.S) approaching with something in his hand.
    "Look, Hussain (A.S) is coming with the Quran. He has no one left to help him. With the help of the Quran he is hoping to win."
    Hussain (A.S) walked to Yazid's soldiers. By moving his Cloak he uncovered Ali Asghar.
    He held Ali Asghar high with both his hands and said:
    "O soldiers of Yazid, you feel I have offended you, but what has this little child done to you? His mother's milk has dried up. He has not had a drop of water for three days. He is dying of thirst. I beg you to give water to this innocent little child."
    Not one of Yazid's soldiers brought any water for Ali Asghar.
    Once more Imam Hussain (A.S) said:
    Maybe you think that when you bring water for this child, I will drink it too. I will put this little child on the ground. You can come and give him water yourself."
    Hussain (A.S) placed Ali Asghar on the burning sand of Karbala.
    Ali Asghar lay quietly on the hot sand of Karbala. His turned his head and stared at Yazid's men.
    No water came for Ali Asghar.
    Hussain (A.S) picked up Ali Asghar and said:
    "My son Ali Asghar, my darling, you are too young to fight with a sword or a spear. My little soldier, you are a grandson of Ali (A.S). Ali Asghar, fight with your tongue."
    Little Asghar stuck his dry tongue out and moved it over his dry lips looking towards Yazid's men. He fought with his tongue.
    The little soldier shot a strange arrow - his dry tongue.
    It hit the hearts of Yazid's soldiers who had children of their own. They became restless. Some started crying.
    They spoke amongst themselves:
    "Hussain (A.S) is saying the truth. What has this child done to us? Why is he punished like this? Let us give him some water."
    Umar ibn Sa'ad got worried that his soldiers will turn against him.
    The little soldier's fight was very effective.
    Umar ibn Sa'ad ordered his best archer:
    “Harmalah! What are you waiting for? Silence the little child! Don't you know he is a grandson of Ali (A.S)? Hurry, shoot your arrow, before it is too late."
    Harmalah aimed an arrow at Ali Asghar. A small arrow for a little child? No! An arrow not with one head, not with two heads, but with three sharp heads.
    Why? Why an arrow with three heads for such a small child?
    My fellow Hussain (A.S)! You will not be able to stop crying when you hear what happened next.
    An arrow with three sharp heads flew across the desert of Karbala. It was heading for Ali Asghar. Hussain (A.S) saw the arrow coming. He covered Ali Asghar with his arms.
    The arrow reached Hussain (A.S).
    The arrow went through Hussain (A.S)'s arm and lodged in the tiny neck of Ali Asghar.
    Ali Asghar died instantly.
    Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!
    Poor Hussain (A.S), the poor father, who came to get water for his little child.
    Instead of water, Ali Asghar got an arrow in his neck.
    What shall Hussain (A.S) do now? What shall Hussain (A.S) do now?
    Hussain (A.S) gently pulled the arrow from Ali Asghar's tiny neck.
    My fellow Hussain (A.S), put your hand on your heart and imagine the scene a father removing an arrow from his child's neck. What a tragic scene!
    Blood gushed out from Ali Asghar's neck.
    A voice came from the ground:
    "No, Hussain (A.S), do not let Ali Asghar's blood fall to the ground, otherwise no crops will ever grow from this earth." Hussain (A.S) looked up at the sky.
    A voice came from the sky:
    "No Hussain (A.S), do not let the blood gush towards the sky, otherwise, no drop of rain will ever fall from this sky."
    What shall Hussain (A.S) do now? What shall Hussain (A.S) do now?
    The sky is refusing, the earth is not happy to accept Asghar's blood.
    Poor Hussain (A.S) wiped Ali Asghar's blood on his face.
    Hussain (A.S) started walking towards his tents.
    He saw Ali Asghar's mother - Umme Rubab - standing by his tent. A mother anxiously waiting for her baby.
    Hussain (A.S) thought:
    "How can I face Umme Rubab? What shall I tell her? How can I tell her that her baby has been martyred without water? How? How?"
    Seven times, Hussain (A.S) went forward and then turned back, Saying:
    "INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHE RAJEOON."
    He finally reached the tent where Umme Rubab was standing. "Rubab, come and take your Ali Asghar. Rubab, your little soldier has died for the sake of Allah."
    Umme Rubab took her little child, Ali Asghar. She hugged him and cried.
    "Come with me Rubab. Enough, Rubab, enough. Let us bury our baby Asghar"
    Hussain (A.S) and Umme Rubab walked to the back of the tents.
    Hussain (A.S) dug a small grave with his sword, the Zulfiqar.
    Umme Rubab placed Ali Asghar in the small grave.
    My fellow Hussain (A.S) why should we not cry tonight?
    Have we ever heard of any other father and mother digging a grave and burying their own child?
    Where can Hussain (A.S) get water to sprinkle on Ali Asghar's grave? There is no water to sprinkle on Ali Asghar's grave.
    Hussain (A.S) sat by the grave crying.
    Tears poured on the grave. Ali Asghar's grave was sprinkled with Hussain (A.S)'s tears.

    Derived from Almujtaba Islamic articles page.

  • The tragedy of Imam Hussain (A.S)

    The tragedy of Imam Hussain (A.S)

  • Umm ul-Banin - first Husseini elegy chanter

    After the martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S.A), Imam Ali (A.S) called his brother Aqeel who was known for his knowledge about the tribal genealogies and told him to find out a respectable lady of a noble family, known for its bravery, for him to wed for he wanted to have a brave son from her to be his own representative there at Karbala to serve Hussain (A.S) the son of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and help him in the calamitous situation against his enemies and lay his life defending Hussain (A.S) on his own behalf, for Hassan (A.S) and Hussain (A.S) were hailed as the sons of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and each one was addressed as Ibn-Rasoolullah' (son of the Holy Prophet).
    Aqeel said: "Marry thou, Umm ul-Banin Kalabi, the daughter of Hazm bin Khalid-e-Kalabi, for braver than her father, there was none in the tribes.
    Hadrat Umm ul-Banin bore Hazrat Ali's four sons, Abbas, Abdulla, Ja'far and Usman. The meaning of 'Umm ul-Banin' is 'Mother of Sons'. All of her sons were martyred along with Imam Hussein. After their martyrdom, she requested people not to call her 'Umm ul-Banin' ever again.
    The day she entered the household of Imam Ali (A.S), she made it very plain to Imam Hassan (A.S) and Imam Hussain (A.S) that she considered herself their slave, and she hoped and prayed that they would accept her as one. Her respect and affection for them was reciprocated by the two brothers, who occupied a foremost place in her heart.
    When Imam Hussain (A.S) was leaving Madinah for Iraq Hazrat Umm ul-Banin asked her four sons, Hazrat Abbas (A.S), Abdulla, Ja'far and Usman to sacrifice their lives in the sacred cause of Imam Hussain (A.S).
    Umm ul-Banin had such sincerity toward the Holy Prophet's progeny that she loved Imam Hussain (A.S) more than her own children.
    She was the first who received Bashar bin Hazam, the man who proclaimed to the people of Medina “Qotelal Hussain…” (Hussein has been killed...). It was to the extent that when she received the news stating the martyrdom of her four sons, she said: "Tell me about Hussain (A.S)” and when she received the news of Imam Hussain (A.S)'s martyrdom she said: "All of the arteries of my heart are torn. May all of my children and whatever that exist under this azure heaven be sacrificed for the sake of Imam Hussain (A.S).”
    After the arrival of Imam Sajjad (A.S) and Hazrat Zainab (S.A) in Medina Hazrat Umm ul-Banin used to gather women in her house and used to narrate them how Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions were martyred by Yazidi forces.
    Hazrat Umm ul-Baneen is considered as the first Noheh Reciter (dirge reciter) for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S). She used to visit regularly the famous Jannat al-Baqi cemetery in Medina and recite her Noheh in a very sad and pathetic voice that everybody present there used to weep bitterly.
    She transformed the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery as "the Centre of mourning of Imam Hussain (A.S)". The Noheh recited by Hazrat Umm ul-Banin for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) are recorded in history and are considered as masterpiece in Arabic literature.

    Derived from: Alhassanain.com

  • Unite For Hussain

    Unite For Hussain - The 2016 Ashura Day Procession in London

  • Unvirtuous Elites, Umar ibn Saad

    Unvirtuous Elites | Umar ibn Saad
    This is the story of Umar ibn Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, the man who sold his hereafter for a piece of land. The man who knew the consequences of killing Imam Hussain (A.S), but decided to kill him anyway. This is the story of a man who went down in history as one of the biggest fools who ever set foot on this earth.

  • Virtues of Ahlul Bayt (A.S)

    Abi Abdullah Jaafar bin Mohammad (A.S) said:
    One day my father (Imam Mohammad bin Ali Al-Baqir (A.S)) said to Jabir bin Abdullah, "I need to see you privately."
    So when my father was alone with Jabir he said. "Tell me about the tablet that my mother, Fatima (S.A), had."
    Jabir said:
    Allah is my witness that I went to Fatima (S.A), daughter of the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P) to congratulate her on the birth of Hussain (A.S). I saw a green tablet in her hand made of green aquamarine. There was some writing on it with a light that was brighter than the sun and (the tablet) smelled better than musk.
    I asked Fatima (S.A), "What is this tablet, O daughter of the Messenger of Allah?"
    She replied, "This tablet is a gift from Allah to my father. It contains the names of my father, my husband, and the names of his successors from my sons after him."
    I asked her to give it to me so I could write a copy of its contents, and she accepted.
    Then my father (Mohammad bin Ali (A.S)) asked Jabir, "Can you show me the copy you made?"
    Jabir replied, "Yes."
    Then Jabir went to his house and brought back a piece of paper with him.
    My father said to him:
    Look at your copy to see (if) what I say (matches your copy). This is what was written on that tablet:
    In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful. This is a letter from Allah, the most Honorable, the most Knowledgeable, which was sent with the guardian spirit to Mohammad, the last of the messengers.
    O Mohammad! Glorify my names, be thankful for my grace, and do not deny my blessings.
    Do not desire anyone but me and do not fear anyone but me, because those who desire anyone but me or fear anyone but me will be punished in a way that I have never punished anyone else from all of the worlds.
    O Mohammad! I have chosen you from amongst all of the prophets and I have given preference to your successor above all of the successors.
    I have made Hassan the container of My Knowledge after the time of his father, and (I have made) Hussain the best of the sons from the first to the last, and through Hussain the Imamate will continue.
    Ali, the beauty of the worshippers, will remain from Hussain, and then (it will be) Mohammad, the one who rips open My Knowledge, the one who will invite (people) to my path through the right methods.
    Then (it will be) Jaafar, the truthful in his speech and his actions, after whom there will be a deafening conspiracy.
    Woe and more woe unto those who deny my slave and the best of my creation, Moses!
    Then Ali, the pleasant, will be killed by a pagan daemon, and he will be buried in the city that was built by the righteous slave, next to the worst of Allah's creation.
    Then Mohammad (will come), the guide to my path, the one who safeguards my sanctity, and the one who will leave Ali behind.
    Ali will be the one with two names (Ali and Naqi).
    After him, Hasan, the honorable, will lead his people.
    And after him his son. Mohammad, will rise at the end of time. There will be a white cloud over him to offer him shade from the sun. He will speak with an eloquent language and his voice will reach everyone and everywhere. He is the Mahdi of the family of Mohammad and he will fill the earth with justice, just as it is will be filled with injustice.
    [Source: Basharat ul Mustafa Le Shiyyat e Murtuza, Chapter 5, Hadees 1 / Amaali of Sheikh Tousi, Vol 1, Pg. 298/O’youn-e-Akhbaral-Redha, Pg 25]

    Derived from: Marefate Ahlebayt.com

  • What is the importance and philosophy of mourning for Imam Hussein (A.S)?

    In order for us to understand the significance and philosophy of mourning for Imam Hussein (A.S), it is necessary to take notice of the following points:
    1. The Holy Quran has emphasized through many different verses on maintaining and reviving lofty virtues and traits of great men and noble religious leaders.
    2. The great Shia Imams, peace be upon them, have encouraged us to keep the memory of the event of Karbala alive through different ways namely, holding mourning ceremonies, weeping and making others weep, reciting elegies and visiting the grave of the Chief of the Martyrs, Imam Hussein (A.S).
    3. Muharram is the month of the victory of blood over sword. The event of Ashura has been and is inspiring nations and people all over the world to fight tyrant and unjust rulers. Therefore, remembering the event of Ashura and the suffering of Imam Hussein (A.S) and his family plays a key role in spreading his message across the world.
    4. Mourning is a key element of unity and different nations' secret of success over the history. Most of the revolutions of the world have been inspired or in fact originated from the lessons learned from the epic of Ashura. An example of it is the liberation of the Indian Sub-continent from the English colonial rule. Hence, therefore, it can be said that mourning for Imam Hussein (A.S) has profuse benefits for Muslim Ummah including dignity, pride, maintenance of Islamic and religious culture and many more which on the whole indicate the importance of this great event.

    The Shia Imams (A.S) and Different Ways of Mourning for Imam Hussein (A.S):
    A) Holding Mourning Ceremonies:
    One of the methods that the Imams used to keep the memory of the rise of Ashura alive was arranging gatherings for crying and mourning and making others cry for the tragic incidents that took place in Karbala and reminding people of those incidents on appropriate occasions.
    Imam Sajjad would constantly cry and mourn for what had taken place on the day of Ashura during the years he was the Imam of the Ummah. He cried so much to the extent that he was known as and called one of the "Bakka’een" (those who cried very much). [Wasa’elul-Shia, vol. 2, pg. 922.]
    Alqame Hadrami relates that Imam Baqir (A.S) would gather people in his house on the day of Ashura to cry and mourn, and the Imam himself would cry for his grandfather. There was no Taqiyyah involved and he would tell those in the house to cry for Imam Hossein and to express their condolences to each other on the day of his martyrdom. [Wasa’elul-Shia, vol. 2, pg. 398.]
    On one occasion Imam Sadiq (A.S) told Dawood Ruqi: "I have never drunk cold water without remembering Imam Hossein." [Amali (Saduq), pg. 142.]
    It is narrated in a hadith that Imam Reza (A.S) said: "When the month of Muharram would arrive no one would see my father (Imam Kazim) smile and sadness and sorrow would take over him until the day of Ashura. The tenth day of Muharram was the day of sorrow and sadness and tragedy and he would say: Today is the day in which Imam Hossein was martyred." [Mafatihul-Jinan, Sheikh Abbas Qummi, the section on the rituals and supplications of Muharram.]

    B) Visitation of Imam Hussein's Grave Encouraged:
    Commemorating the nobles and religious leaders and visiting the graves of the heroes have been a good custom, one that has been practiced by various nations. Among them, the chief of the martyrs and leader of freemen, Imam Hussein (A.S) is like a glamorous sun whose name and memory should be revived and remembered befittingly. There are so many sayings from the infallible leaders about the significance of visiting the grave of Imam Hussein (A.S) in Karbala. In fact, it can be said that those noble and divine leaders took advantage of every opportunity to encourage people to visit the luminous grave of the Chief of Martyrs (A.S). It was as though the Imams were committed to persuade people to visit the tomb of Imam Hussein (A.S) in Karbala. Not only did this create spiritual and intellectual union with the Imam but it was also a kind of campaign against the tyrant and the unjust rulers as it has always been and is the same even today. There are different narrations from the Infallibles of which we shall mention only one:
    Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: "One who visits his shrine (of Imam Hussein) with eagerness and out of affection for the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P), Zahra (S.A) and the commander of the faithful (A.S), will be seated by Allah on the tablecloth of Paradise. He will dine with these holy personalities (Ahlulbayt (A.S)), while the others will be absorbed in the accounting of deeds." [Biharul-Anwar, vol. 24, pg. 284.]

    Source: Islam quest.net

  • Whats Happened In Karbala?

    What Happened In Karbala? The Cartoon

  • Who was Yazid?

    In order to learn more clearly as to how far the views expressed by Imam Hussain (A.S) about Yazid are indisputable according to the history of Islam, one should refer to the following remarks of Mas'udi in respect of Yazid.
    "Yazid was a pleasure-seeking person. He was a man, who kept beasts of prey. He had dogs, monkeys and panthers. He always arranged wine-drinking parties. One day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) while he was sitting in such a party, Ibn Ziyad was seated on his right side; Yazid turned to the cupbearer and recited two couplets which are translated below:
    "Give me a cup of wine which should satiate my bones. Then give another such cup to Ibn Ziyad, the man who is my confidant and who has strengthened my position and the foundation of my caliphate".
    Yazid meant to say that Ibn Ziyad by killing Imam Hussain (A.S) had strengthened the foundation of his caliphate.
    Thereafter Mas'udi writes about the injustice and oppressions committed by Yazid and then say: "In the Muslim community Yazid was like Pharaoh amongst his subjects" and then writes: "It is not so, because Pharaoh was more just to his subjects".
    He adds: "The injustice, intrepidity and impiety of Yazid also penetrated into the Muslim community". The sins committed by Yazid were also committed by his favorites and they adopted his ways and manners.
    During the period of his caliphate music became current in Makkah and Medina, and all sorts of amusements and funs began to be used. The people began to drink wine openly. It is also the more surprising that the man, who claimed to be the successor to the Holy Prophet and occupied the seat of the caliphate, had a pet monkey, which was named Abu Qays. Yazid used to bring it in his drinking parties and he spread a mattress for it. He also mounted it on the back of a horse, and made it participate in the horse-race. One day Abu Qays won the race. The monkey was then dressed in red and yellow silken clothes and cloak, and an embroidered cap was placed on its head".
    This was the import of the sentence that Imam Hussain (A.S) wrote to Muawiyah about Yazid.
    However, this person attained to the Islamic Caliphate and pressed Imam Hussain (A.S) to take the oath of allegiance i.e. to acknowledge him to be the lawful successor of his (i.e. Imam Hussain’s (A.S)) grandfather, the Prophet of Allah.

    Taken from: A Probe into the History of Ashura
    By: Dr. Ibrahim Ayati

  • Why Do We Mourn?

    It is asked that if Imam Hussain (A.S) was victorious why do we cry? Why don’t we hold a celebration? Is it suitable to cry so much over a victory?
    Those who make this criticism do not understand the philosophy behind mourning. They mistake the tears that the mourners of Imam Hussain shed with the weeps of weak individuals.
    There are four types of crying or tears:
    1. Tears of Joy: For example, the tears of a mother who has just found her child years after he went missing, or the tears of a lover who has just gained the satisfaction of the loved after years of struggle.
    2. Tears of Compassion: Tears which stem from a healthy heart, not a heart that is as hard as a rock. These tears show the levels of compassion that a human has; for example, they are the tears that flow when one sees an orphan freezing in the cold and crying because he was separated from his father, or the tears that are seen when one witnesses the murder of an infant, such as the murder of the infant at Karbala.
    3. Tears of Success: Sometimes one cries when he reaches his goals. In regards to Karbala, these tears are the tears that announce one’s loyalty to Imam Hussain and his companions that announce one’s loyalty to the struggle against oppression. Are such tears possible without knowing what the goals of Imam Hussain were?
    4. Tears of Defeat: These are the tears of weak individuals who did not reach their goals and who do not have the motivation to continue. Never shed such tears for Imam Hussain, because he despises such tears. If you cry, make sure the tears you are shedding are happy tears, compassion tears, or tears of success.
    However, knowing what Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions stood for is more important than mourning. Practically aligning oneself with those goals is also more important than mourning.

    Ref: Islamic Insight

  • Yazid Ibn Muawiyah

    How on earth can these traditions apply for a beast like Yazid Ibn Muawiyah, who Fought against and mercilessly martyred Imam Husain (A.S), his family and friends Was a transgressor who committed sins publicly and announced his disbelief freely becoming a part of the renowned poems of Ibn al-Zabari, which he (Yazid) recited in joy when the severed head of Imam Husain (A.S) was brought to him.
    He was the one who ordered Muslim Ibn Aqabah to kill and plunder the people of Madinah on three occasions. During these attacks, he killed a number of companions and the city of Madinah was totally ransacked. It was during these attacks that more than 1000 Muslim virgins were raped and whenever a Muslim from Madinah offered his daughter in marriage, he did not guarantee her virginity saying, perhaps, she has lost her virginity during the Tragedy of Haraa. It is said that four thousand illegitimate children were born after this incident. Muslim, in his Saheeh, reports that the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P) warned, whoever frightens the people of Madinah, Allah will frighten him and upon him is the curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind. [Murooj al-Zahab, vol. 3, pg. 69.]
    Waaqedi narrates on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Hanzalah, By Allah! We did not visit Yazid but that we feared a stone falling on our heads from the sky (as a divine punishment) because he was a man who married his mothers, daughters and sisters, drank wine, did not pray [Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 209] and he is the one who had ordered the attack on the Holy Kaaba.
    Suyuti and others report on the authority of Nawfil Ibn Abi al-Furaat, I was with Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz, when a person while mentioning Yazid, said, the chief of the faithful, Yazid Ibn Muawiyyah. On hearing this, Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz (became angry) and asked, you call Yazid as Ameerul Momineen? And ordered that he be whipped 20 lashes. [Al-Sawaaeq al-Mohreqah, pg. 219, printed at Cairo; Taarikh al-Khulafaa, pg. 209, printed at Egypt.]
    It is mentioned in Al-Sawaaeq that it was said to Saad Ibn Hassan, The Bani Umayyad claim that the caliphate is among them. He retorted, the sons of the blue-eyed (referring to Hind the wife of Abu Sufiyan) are lying. They are mere kings; nay, the worst of kings.

    Taken From: Serat Online

  • You Cannot Die - Sayed Ali Radhawi

    You Cannot Die | Sayed Ali Radhawi | Muharram 1437 / 2015

  • Ziyarat al-Warith at the shrine of Imam Hussain (A.S)

    Ziyarat al-Warith at the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) in karbala - voice of Abadhar al-Halwaji

  • Zuhair’s tryst with Imam Hussain (A.S)

    This meeting which proved to be the turning point in Zuhair’s life has been covered by Shaykh Abbas Qummi in ‘Nafasul Mahmoom’ page 180 as also by Tabari in his ‘Tarikh’ vol.  3 page 224.
    Abu Mikhnaf narrates from Sades b. Faraarah that an `Usmaani’ recounted to him thus:
    ‘In one of our journeys with Zuhair b. Qain al-Bajali, we happened to coincide with Hussain b. Ali (A.S). Now, nothing was more repugnant for us than to assemble with the latter at the same place. And Zuhair given his resentment tried to avoid Husain (A.S) in every possible way. However, despite our best efforts and much to our consternation, we ended up with Hussain (A.S) at the same spot. Hussain (A.S) pitched his tents at one side of the road and we on the other side. We had just got started with our food when a messenger from Hussain’s (A.S) side interrupted us. He saluted us and addressed Zuhair:
    Zuhair!  I have been sent by Hussain (A.S) to persuade you to meet him.
    These words of the messenger took us completely by surprise, so much so that we dropped what food we were eating in our astonishment. All of us were loath to go. Dillaam binte Amr, wife of Zuhair, who was a witness to the entire scene exclaimed `Glory be to Allah! Son of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) wishes to see you and you refuse to go. At least see what Hussain (A.S) has to say.’ Zuhair, heeding this counsel, reluctantly crossed over to Imam Hussain (A.S) side. Before long, he returned looking very grim and solemn. He ordered his tent be relocated next to Imam Hussain (A.S). He turned towards his wife and said “I release you from matrimony. Return to your family. I do not want to be responsible for any distress or misfortune that may befall you”. Then Zuhair declared “I have decided to accompany Hussain (A.S). I will sacrifice my life in order to save him”. He then left his wife in the custody of a relative who would escort her back to her family. Dilham b. Amr stood up, sobbed bitterly and bidding farewell to Zuhair said, “May Allah (the Glorified) help you in your affair and attract only goodness  and  virtues  towards you. My only plea is that you remember me on the Day of Resurrection in front of Hussain’s (A.S) grandfather Muhammad (P.B.U.H&H.P).” Zuhair then turned towards his companions and declared, “Those of you who still hold me dear may accompany me. The rest may take this as our last meeting.” Subsequently his friends also joined Zuhair in Imam Hussain’s army.

    Ref: Al-Muntazar

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