Islam Guidance

Humbleness is an outstanding feature in the lives of Ahlul Bayt.
Ibn Masud reports: A person came to the presence of Allah’s Messenger and when he started to speak, he was trembling. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said, “Calm down; I am not a king.” [Makarim al-Akhlaq: 16]
Another person reports: A group of people and I went to the presence of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and said, “You are our master.” The Holy Prophet said, “Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is the Master.” [Sunan Abi-Dawud, 254/4]
Abu-Basir reports: Imam Sadiq (A.S) went to the public bath whose owner said, “Let me evacuate the public bath for you!” Imam Sadiq (A.S) said, “No, it is not necessary. The pious believer does not bother for those things.” [Al-Kafi: 503/6, H. 37]
It is also reported that Imam Reza (A.S) went to a public bath. A person who had not recognized him said, “O gentleman! Rub me with this flannel!” Imam Reza (A.S) did so. At this time people who were in the bath introduced Imam Reza to him, the man became ashamed; he made an apology and an attempted to draw himself aside. However the Imam calmed him with his words and kept on rubbing him with the flannel! [Al-Manaqib: 362/4]
Humility is like a seed, which when sown in the earth will bear abundant fruits. With their humility, the Ahlul Bayt made the realm of obedience come to fruition. Some of these fruits are knowledge, awareness and vision. They have been chosen as leaders of guidance until the Judgment Day because of their in-depth insight into the truth of universe. Hence, all should be aware that to take lead ahead of them will cause perdition and to ignore them will cause bewilderment. The Holy Prophet has said: Do not take lead ahead of my Ahlul Bayt, for you will come to perdition nor do you teach them, for they are more knowledgeable than you. [Al-Kafi: 294/1, H. 3]
He has also said: Be aware that Ahlul Bayt are the wisest in childhood and the most knowledgeable in their maturity. They will never misguide you nor will they take you out of true guidance. [Bihar al-Anwar 23:144]
Imam Baqir (A.S) said to Salamah ibn Kuhayl and Hakam ibn Utaybah: You will never attain sound knowledge neither in the east nor in the west but with us, Ahlul Bayt.  [Al-Kafi: 399/1, H. 3]
The Imam (A.S) has also said: We, the Ahl al-Bayt, are treasures of Divine knowledge. [Al-Kafi: 192/1, H. 3]
Imam Hussain (A.S) has said: We do not know why people harbor enmity against us while we are from the House of mercy, the tree of Prophet Hood and the source of knowledge. [Nuzhat al-Nadhir: 85]
Imam Sadiq (A.S) reports: When it was noontime, Ali ibn Hussain performed his prayer and then was engaged in invocations and greeted the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and Ahlul Bayt (A.S) as follows: O Allah; Send greetings on Muhammad and on the descendants of Muhammad, the evergreen tree of Prophet Hood, the destination of the Divine messages, the academy where angels came to learn and know, the depository of wisdom, and the household of Divine Revelation.

Derived from: Imam Reza.Network

Jabir, the son of Abdullah Ansari has been narrated as saying: The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) saw a man with badly disheveled hair. He asked him: Did he not find anything to comb his hair with? He saw another person with filthy clothes. He shouted: Did he not find any water to wash his clothes? [Mizan al-Hikmat, v.10, p.92]
Imam Baqir (A.S) said: Sweeping your houses will eliminate poverty. [Mizan al-Hikmat, v.10, p.93]
The sixth Imam (A.S) said: Washing the dishes and sweeping your courtyards will increase your daily bread. [Mizan al-Hikmat, v.10, p.93]
The Commander of the Faithful (A.S) said: Do not collect the trash outside your house since it is a source of evil. [Mizan al-Hikmat, v.10, p.93]
It is wonderful that the divine viewpoint of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and the Imams informed the people about microbes’ centuries before their discovery.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: Do not leave the unusable food leftovers at home overnight, and take them out of the house in broad daylight. In fact, these unusable leftovers are a source of evil. [Mizan al-Hikmat, v.10, p.95]
He also said: Attend to cleaning with all your strength, since God the Almighty has established Islam on cleanliness. No one shall enter Heaven, but the clean. [Mizan al-Hikmat, v.10, p.95]
Imam Reza (A.S) said: Cleanliness is one of the attributes of divine Prophets. [Mizan al-Hikmat, v.10, p.95]
Considering the verses of the Quran regarding cleanliness and cleansing agents, and God's love of cleanliness and purity, and many traditions in this regard, it is the duty of the members of the family to clean their body and clothes, the furniture and the house as much as they can. As the Quran has recommended mutual cooperation based on kindness and piety, the man should help his wife in cleaning. Women are morally bound to clean the house, the furniture and clothes to please their husbands and God. This will also guarantee the family's health and will defeat pain, illness, distress and suffering. Housewives should remember that working at home to provide for the family's comfort is a form of worship and it certainly has divine reward.

Ref: Aldhiaa.com

Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: “When anyone of you drinks water and say Bismillah (In the name of Gad), then he interrupts drinking and says, Alhamdo lillah (Praise be to Allah), and repeats the process three time, water will praise the Lord on his behalf (as long as it stays in his stomach) until it leaves his body.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of foods and drinks)
According to abu-Dawood al-Raqy. “I was in Imam Sadiq’s (A.S) place when he asked for a drink. When he started drinking, he began shedding tears and his eyes were bathed with it. He then said to me: ‘O, Dawood! May Allah’s curse be upon the one who murdered Hussain (A.S); I have never drank cold water but remembered Hussain (A.S); no man drinks water and remembers Hussain (A.S) and his household and curses his murderers but a hundred thousand righteous deeds are reckoned to his credit and a hundred thousand bad deeds are dropped from his credit; and his rank will be raised by a hundred thousand and he is given the credit of freeing a hundred thousand men, and Allah will gather him delighted with Hussain (A.S).” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
According to Solayman Bin Khalid: “I asked for abu-Abdullah’s (Imam Sadiq (A.S)) opinion on the uninterrupted gulping of beverages, he replied: ‘It is reprehensible (not commendable) and that is (what the Koran calls) al-Heem’s (thirsty camels’) way of drinking. I said: ‘What are they?’ He replied: ‘Camels’. (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
According to Jarrah al-Madainy: “Imam Sadiq (A.S) did not like it when a man eats with his left hand, drinks with it or receives with it.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: “If you want to drink water at night, stir the vessel and say: O, water (twice), ZamZam (the well in Holy Mecca, close to Kaaba) and the Euphrates (river) extend their greetings to you.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
Imam Ali (A.S) said: “Water is the superior beverage in this world and in the hereafter.” (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: “Offering water is the best kind of donations.” (Tib al-Nabiy)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: “Sip water and do not gulp it down.” (Tib al-Nabiy)
Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: “Had they drank less water, their bodies would have been sounder. When the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) ate fatty food, he used to drink less water. When he was asked about it, he said: ‘It makes food more palatable.”
Imam Baqir (A.S): “It is tastier and healthier to drink water from the standing position.”
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: “The water of (the well of) ZamZam is a remedy.” {Drinking Zamzam’s water remedies the illness}. (Al-Wasa`il, from the book of permissible beverages)

Adopted from: Al Seraj

Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid Caliph, once arranged for an old man in Yemen who had seen the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) personally to come to Baghdad and visit him. As the old man was very weak, he was brought on a stretcher. On entering his court, Haroon welcomed and made the Old man sit beside his throne. He then asked him whether he had seen the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) personally. The Old man in his weak and lowly voice replied:
“Yes, I used to sit near the pulpit and hear his hadiths (sayings)”.
Harun asked him to describe the main features and appearance of the Prophet and he said:
“The Prophet looked handsome and of sound physique. He had black and curly hair. His face was luminescent. He was fond of perfume and made use of it so much so that his fragrance would remain behind for quite some time wherever he passed”.
Harun then asked whether he remembered any saying of the Prophet. The Old man said that he could still remember one in which he said:
“Man grows old but two qualities in him remain young; greed and far-flung hopes”.
Harun was very happy to meet the Old man and hear from him about the Prophet. He then instructed to his people to present him with a handsome gift of money and return him home to Yemen comfortably. As he was being carried away, the Old man asked to be returned to the Caliph as he had an important matter to discuss with him. On arrival in the court, the Old man said:
“O’ Caliph! Tell me whether this gift of money you gave me was only the first and the last or whether I should come every year to receive a similar gift from you?”
On hearing this, Haroon laughed and said:
“You had rightly quoted the Prophet as saying that the two qualities of greed and long hopes remain young and active even in old age”.
Harun then promised the Old man that he could expect repeated gifts as long as he lived but alas! The greedy Old man was not even destined to enjoy the first gift he had received and died on his way to Yemen.
In order to free oneself from the evil of greed, one should think of the harmful consequences. One should realize that it is the characteristic of animals that are restricted in satisfying their desires. He should train himself to exercise self-control and have the virtue of contentment which enables one to satisfy himself with little and devote more time in the service of his Creator.  The instinct of greed should instead be applied for acquiring more knowledge and awareness and for earning more and more of the pleasure of Allah (S.W.T) in obedience to Him.
Imam Baqir (A.S) has compared the greedy with a silk-worm saying:
“The greedy man in his love of the world is like a silk-worm; the more it wraps itself in its cocoon, the less chance it has of escaping from it, until finally it dies of grief”.

Derived from: Almujtaba Islamic Articles Page

Imam Baqir (A.S) narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H&H.P):
Gabriel came to me and said:
Allah has ordered you to give a speech about Ali bin Abi Taleb's virtues in front of your companions so that they can narrate it to others. Allah has ordered all of the angels to listen to your speech. Allah says that those who disobey you by not following Ali will go to Hell, and those who obey you will be rewarded with Paradise.
So the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) called for prayer and when people gathered, the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) went on the pulpit and he started by saying:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

O people! I am the bearer of glad tidings and I am the Warner. I am the Prophet from Mecca.
Allah has ordered me to tell you about a man whose flesh is from my flesh and whose blood is from my blood. He is the keeper of knowledge. He is the one whom Allah chose from this nation and appointed as the Wali.
Allah has created the two of us together. Allah elevated me above all people by honoring me with prophet hood and Allah elevated him above all people by appointing him as my successor.
Allah made me the city of knowledge and made him the door. Allah chose him as the keeper of knowledge with which he defines the rules.
Allah has chosen him as my successor and Allah has revealed his status to everyone.
Allah has warned his enemies and Allah has brought his followers closer to Himself.
Allah has forgiven his Shia and Allah has ordered all of the people to obey him.
Allah says that those who are against Ali are against Allah and those who disobey Ali disobey Allah. Those who hurt Ali hurt Allah and those who hate Ali hate Allah. Those who love Ali love Allah and those who desire Ali desire Allah. Those who conspire against Ali conspire against Allah and those who support Ali support Allah.
O people! Listen to my orders and obey me. I am warning you of Allah's punishment:
[(Remember) the day when every soul shall find present whatever it has done of good and whatever it has done of evil; it will wish there might be a wide interval between it and that (evil), Allah warns you to beware of Him; and Allah is affectionate to His faithful servants] (3:30).
Then the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) took the hand of the Commander of the Believers, Ali ibn Abi Taleb (A.S), and said:
O People! He is the Master of the Believers and he is Allah's decisive argument on His entire creation. Ali is the fighter of the as.
O Allah! I have announced it! And these are your slaves and you have the power to reform them, so reform them with your mercy, for You are the most merciful.
I seek forgiveness for myself and for you, O people.
Then the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) descended the pulpit.
Gabriel came to the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and said to him:
Allah conveys His Salaam to you and says, "I will reward you for what you have announced. You have fulfilled your duty of prophet hood. You have advised your nation. You have pleased the believers and you have constrained the pagans. O Mohammad! Your cousin will be made to suffer and people will suffer with him. O Mohammad! Say at all times, [Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. And soon those who deal unjustly shall know as to what an evil turning they shall be turned] (26:227).
[Source: Basharat ul Mustafa Le Shiyyat e Murtuza, Chapter 2, Hadees 52 / Amaali of Sheikh Mufeed 76,346]

Taken from: Marefate AhleBait (A.S).com

وبهذا الاسناد عن أبي عبد الله جعفر بن محمد، قال: حدثنا محمد ابن حمران المدائني عن علي بن أسباط، عن الحسن بن بشير، عن أبي الجارود، عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام)
ثم يدخل المسجد فينقض الحائط حتى يضعه إلى الأرض، ثم يخرج الأزرق وزريق غضين طريين، يكلمهما فيجيبانه، فيرتاب عند ذلك المبطلون، فيقولون: يكلم الموتى؟! فيقتل منهم خمسمائة مرتاب في جوف المسجد، ثم يحرقهما بالحطب الذي جمعاه ليحرقا به عليا وفاطمة والحسن والحسين (عليهم السلام)، وذلك الحطب عندنا نتوارثه، ويهدم قصر المدينة

.And with the same chain from Abi Abdillah Jafar bin Muhammad, from Muhammad bin Hamran al-Madaini, from Ali bin Isbaat, from al-Hassan bin Basheer, from Abi Jarood, from Abi Jafar al-Baqir (A.S):
(Part of a lengthy narration, quoting only the required portion here)
"Then He [al-Qaim (A.S)], will enter the Mosque (in Medina), then He will destroy the wall until it comes down to the ground. Then he will bring out al-Azraq and Zareeq (referring to Abu Bakr & Umar) while they are fresh. He [al-Qaim (A.S)] will speak to them and they will answer Him. Then the people of falsehood will doubt this and say, “He speaks with the dead!!!” Then He will kill 500 of those who doubted in the middle of the Mosque. Then He will burn those two with the firewood that was collected to burn (the house of) Ali, Fatima, Hassan & Hussein (A.S). And that firewood is with us, we inherited it and He will bring down the palace of Medina …"
[Source: Dalail al-Imamah by Muhammad bin Jareer al-Tabari, Pg. 455]

Derived from: Marefate AhleBait (A.S).com

His horse came circling around him, rubbing his head on his blood. It was then that Ibn Saad shouted, “The horse! Get the horse, for it is one of the horses of the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P)! ”Horsemen surrounded that horse which kept kicking with its front legs, killing forty riders and ten horses. Ibn Saad then said, “Leave him and let us see what he does. “Once he felt secure, the horse went back to Hussain (A.S) to rub his head on the Imam's blood as he sniffed him. He was neighing very loudly. Imam Baqir (A.S) used to say that that horse was repeating these words: “Retribution! Retribution against a nation that killed the son of its Prophet's daughter!” The horse then went to the camp neighing likewise. When the women saw the horse without its rider and its saddle twisted, they went out, their hair spread out, beating their cheeks, their faces uncovered, screaming and wailing, feeling the humiliation after enjoying prestige, going in the direction of the place where Hussain (A.S) had been killed.
Umme Kulthum, namely Zainab the wise, cried out, “O Muhammad! O father! O Ali! O Jafar! O Hamzah! Here is Hussain in the open slain in Karbala!” Then Zainab said, “I wish the heavens had fallen upon the earth! I wish the mountains had crushed the valley!” She was near Hussain (A.S) when Umer ibn Saad came close to her, flanked by some of his men. Hussain (A.S) was drawing his last breath. She cried out, “O Umar! Should Abu Abdullah be killed as you look on?!” He turned his face away. His tears were flooding his beard. She said, “Woe unto you! Is there any Muslim man among you?” None answered her. Then [Umar] Ibn Saad shouted at people, “Alight and put him to rest!” Al-Shimr was the first to do so. He kicked the Imam (A.S) with his foot then sat on his chest and took hold of his holy beard. He dealt him twelve sword strokes. He then severed his sacred head...

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

Imam Baqir (A.S) once related:
Once, when my father was seated in the company of his companions, addressing them, he (A.S) said: Which of you is willing to hold flaming fire in his hand till the flames die out?
All those present, as if to express their inability, lowered their heads and remained silent!
I said: Dear father! Do you permit me to do it? He said: No, dear son! You are from me and I am from you. It is these people whom I was addressing.
After this he repeated his request three times but when no one spoke up, he (A.S) said: How numerous are those who talk and how few are those who act. I only wanted to have you tested.
Imam Baqir (A.S) said: By God! At that moment I observed that they were overcome with such embarrassment that it appeared as if the earth was pulling them towards itself. Perspiration flowed from the foreheads of some, but they did not raise their lowered eyes.
When my father observed their embarrassment, he said to them: May God forgive you! I did not intend anything except goodness. Paradise has many ranks, one of which pertains to none but those who practice and act.
Imam Baqir (A.S) said: After these words (from my father) when I looked at them, they seemed to have calmed down and appeared as if they have been relieved of a heavy and weighty burden.
[Daastaan-ha Wa Pand-ha, v. 2, p. 140, Kashkool of Bahrani, v. 2, p. 93.]

Ref: Al-Islam.org

A reliable tradition states that in this world and the world-to-come, there is nothing better than water. Anyone who takes pleasure in drinking water will take pleasure when God gives him the wine of Heaven.
According to a tradition from Imam Ali (A.S), "Zam Zam water is the best water among all the waters of the earth and Burhoot water (which is in Yemen) is the worst for it is haunted by the spirits of the nonbelievers, and day and night it is in a state of curse."
According to Imam Sadiq (A.S): "Zam Zam water is a cure for all diseases."
Imam Ali (A.S) said: "one should drink rain water as it purifies the body and cures all pains and diseases."
According to Imam Sadiq (A.S): "cold water lessens temperature, cures vomiting, digests food, and is an antidote for heat and also stated that boiled water is good for all types of pains and is not harmful in any way."
According to Imam Reza (A.S): "the water which is boiled seven times in seven different vessels cures fever and cough."
Ibn Abi Tahir Tayfur, a doctor, states that when he visited Imam Kazim (A.S), he saw him drinking a lot of water. When he stopped, the Imam (A.S) replied: "drinking water even in excess is not harmful in any way as it digests food in the stomach, lessens excitement (anger), increases intellect and cures vomiting."

Manners of Drinking Water
According to Imam Sadiq (A.S), "whosoever, while drinking water, remembers Imam Hussein (A.S) and his Ahlul Bait and curses his murderers and tormenters, one lakh good deeds will be written in his record, one lakh sins will be forgiven, he will be elevated one lakh times and he will be rewarded to the extent as though he has freed one lakh slaves in the name of God and on the Day of Judgement God will look towards his welfare. If he recites the following while drinking water, it is better:
‘May Allah shower his blessings on Hussein (A.S) and his Ahlul bait and his companions. May He increase His curses on the murderers of Hussein (A.S) and his enemies.’
Another reliable tradition from the same Imam (A.S) asserts that if a person does not drink water when he is feeling thirsty and appeases his thirst late, then God makes him an inhabitant of Heaven.
Actually, before appeasing his thirst, he should wait for a while praising Almighty and then drink and at that time God makes Heaven compulsory for him.
In another tradition from the same Imam (A.S), it is stated that if a person, before drinking water at night recites three times:
‘Salutation to the water of Zam Zam and water of Furat.’
Then the water will not harm him.
According to a tradition from Imam Sadiq (A.S), "one should not have water while standing, one should not walk around a grave and should not urinate in standing water. If a person does these things, he will be affected by troubles and then he will have to cure himself alone from these."
According to Imam Baqir (A.S), "one should say ‘In the Name of God (Bismillah)’ before drinking water and ‘Alhamdulillah’ after drinking. If the clay container has a handle, then one should take the water from the front and if it is broken from somewhere or has a hole, then one should have water from the other side as both the situations are related to the devil."
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) has prohibited blowing with mouth in the water.
It is stated that the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) used to drink water in glass utensils which had come as a present from Syria and at times in wooden and leather containers and if none were available, in his hand.

Taken from: Al Maaref Islamic Net

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

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