November 4

Sermon of Imam Hussain (AS) to the army of Yazid

imageThe Imam mounted his camel and addressed the people with a very loud voice, which could be heard by most of them:

“O people of Iraq! Listen to me and do not make haste to kill me so that I may tell you what I must, and appraise you of the reason for my coming to Iraq. If you accept my excuse, believe in what I say, and behave towards me fairly, you will level for yourselves the path of prosperity, and then you will have no reason to kill me. And even if you do not accept my excuse and deviate from the path of justice, you must ponder over the pros and cons of the matter before you kill me, and should not undertake such a delicate task rashly and without deliberation. My supporter is the Almighty Allah Who has revealed the Qur’an. Allah guards His deserving slaves.

O people! Identify me and see who I am. Then you will come to your senses and reproach yourselves. You should reflect carefully whether it is permissible for you to kill me and to disregard the reverence due to me.

Am I not the son of your Prophet’s daughter? Is the wasi (vicegerent) of your Prophet and his cousin and the first person, who expressed belief in Allah and confirmed what was brought by His Prophet, not my father? Is the Doyen of Martyrs Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib not the uncle of my father? Is the martyr Ja’far bin Abu Talib who has two wings and flies with Allah’s angels not my uncle? Have you not heard that the Holy Prophet has said about me and my brother: “These two sons of mine are the chiefs of the young men of Paradise”. If you think that whatever I am saying is true so much the better. I swear by Allah tht I know Allah hates the liars, and I have never told a lie. And even if you do not believe in my words and refute me, there are still some companions of the Holy Prophet amongst you who, when asked, will apprise you of the facts. Ask Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari, Abu Sa’id Khudari, Nahl bin Sadi, Zayd bin Arqam or Anas bin Malik, so that they may tell you that they have heard these words from the Holy Prophet about me and my brother. Is this tradition itself not sufficient to restrain you from killing me? If you are doubtful about this tradition can you doubt even this that I am the son of your Prophet’s daughter? I swear by Allah that between East and West there is no son of the daughter of a Prophet except me either amongst you or amongst others.

16011523614322617821414313691225202251571052“You should tell honestly whether I have killed anyone from amongst you so that you may take revenge! Is it that I have appropriated your wealth and you are claiming it? Have I injured you for which you have risen to compensate?” None of them, however, came forward to give a reply to what the Imam said. He was, therefore, obliged to call some of them by their names and addressed them in these words: “O Shabath bin Rabie, Hajjār bin Abjar, Qays bin Ashath and Yazid bin Harith! Did you yourselves not write letters to me saying: “The fruits have become ripe and the lands are green and fresh and the soldiers of Iraq are ready to sacrifice their lives for you and you should, therefore, proceed to Iraq as early as possible?”

Tabari writes that in reply to the Imam they said: “We did not write any letter and are not aware of what you are saying.” Truly speaking it is the height of meanness and foul play that the same persons who invited their Imam by means of a large number of letters and had signed those letters, were replying to him with utmost impudence that they had neither written any letters to him nor invited him!

Here we introduce to the readers one of those mean persons so that they may come to know to what extent one can go on account of worldliness and lack of will-power. They appear before the people in one guise today and in another guise tomorrow. One day they draw their swords for the sake of Allah and on another day against Him. If they are friends of Ali on one day they become his enemies on the following day. One day they kill Imam Hussein and on another day they claim to be the avengers of his murder. Shabath bin Rabie i.e. the very person who was the Commander of the Iraqi army on the day of Āshura and one of the killers of the Imam was at one time the mu’azzin of Sajāh and he accepted this office when she claimed to be a prophetess in the tribe of Bani Tamim. However, when Sajāh was disgraced he embraced Islam. He had also a hand in the murder of Uthman. Then he became one of the followers of Ali. Later he revolted against Ali, became one of his opponents and joined the Khawārij. After some time he left the Khawārij also and went in seclusion. In 61 A.H. he participated in killing Imam Hussein and his companions with great savagery. Afterwards when Mukhtār bin Abi Ubayd Thaqafi rose to avenge the murder of Imam Hussein, he (Shabath) who himself was one of the murderers of the Imam joined Mukhtār as an avenger of the Imam’s murder. Later he became the chief of Kufa police. He had a hand also in the murder of Mukhtār bin Abi Ubayd. He died in about 80 A.H.

How can those persons who do not have the least moral sense benefit from the celestial spirit of Hussein bin Ali and how can their untalented and corrupt souls receive any reflection of the sublime soul of the infallible Imam.

The Imam continued his address till he said: “By Allah I will not swear allegiance to these people like weak and mean persons and will not flee the battlefield like slaves while fighting against the rascals. I seek refuge in Allah from the mischief of you people and of every arrogant person who does not believe in the Day of Judgment”.

Reference: Probe into the history of Ashura

Category: Ahlul Bayt, Muharram | 1 Comment on Sermon of Imam Hussain (AS) to the army of Yazid
October 31

The Day of ‘Ashura (10th of Muharram)

Aser_Ashora_by_karbala_styleAt dawn the Imam glanced over the army of Yazid and saw ‘Umar ibn Sa’d ordering his forces to march towards him. He gathered his followers and addressed them thus: “Allah has, this day, permitted us to be engaged in a Holy War and He shall reward us for our martyrdom. So prepare yourselves to fight against the enemies of Islam with patience and resistance. O sons of the noble and self-respecting persons, be patient! Death is nothing but a bridge which you must cross after facing trials and tribulations so as to reach Heaven and its joys. Which of you do not like to go from this prison (world) to the lofty palaces (Paradise)?

Having heard the Imam’s address, all his companions were overwhelmed and cried out, “O our Master! we are all ready to defend you and your Ahlul-Bayt, and to sacrifice our lives for the cause of Islam.”

Imam Husayn sent out from his camp one after another to fight and sacrifice their lives in the way of the Lord. Lastly, when all his men and children had laid down their lives, Imam Husayn brought his six-month old baby son ‘Ali al-Asghar, and offering him on his own hands, demanded some water for the baby, dying of thirst. The thirst of the baby was quenched by a deadly poisoned arrow from the brute’s forces, which pinned the baby’s neck to the arm of the helpless father. At last when the six-month old baby also was killed, Imam Husayn addressed Allah: “O Lord! Thy Husayn has offered in Thy way whatever Thou hath blessed him with. Bless Thy Husayn, O Lord! with the acceptance of this sacrifice.

Everything Husayn could do till now was through Thy help and by Thy Grace.” Lastly, Imam Husayn came into the field and was killed, the details of which merciless slaughter are heart rending. The forces of Yazid having killed Imam Husayn, cut and severed his head from his body and raised it on a lance. The severed head of the Holy Imam began glorifying Allah from the point of the lance saying, ‘Allahu Akbar’. All glory be to Allah Who is the Greatest!”

After the wholesale, merciless and most brutal slaughter of the Holy Imam with his faithful band, the helpless ladies and children along with the ailing son of Imam Husayn, Imam ‘Ali Zaynul- ‘Abidin, were taken captives.

 

Reference: The Fourteen Infallibles

Category: Ahlul Bayt, Muharram | 1 Comment on The Day of ‘Ashura (10th of Muharram)
October 30

Imam Al-Husayn Ibn Ali (AS)

imam-husayn-image01Name: al-Husayn

Title: Sayyidush-Shuhada’

Agnomen: Abu ‘Abdillah.

Father’s name: Ali Amir al-Mu’minin

Mother’s name: Fatimah (daughter of the Holy Prophet).

Birth: In Medina on Thursday, 3rd Sha’ban 4 AH

Death: Martyred in Karbala’ (Iraq) at the age of 57, on Friday, 10th Muharram 61 AH and buried there.

In the house of the Holy Prophet, which presented the best image of both the worlds – the heaven and the earth – a child who benefited humanity as if he was a Divine Impression reflecting the earth, was born on one of the nights of the month of Sha’ban. His father was Imam Ali, the best model of kindness towards his friends and the bravest against the enemies of Islam, and his mother was Hadhrat Fatimah, the only daughter and child of the Holy Prophet, who had as universally acknowledged, inherited the qualities of her father. Imam Husayn, is the third Apostolic Imam. When the good news of his birth reached the Holy Prophet, he came to his daughter’s house, took the newly-born child in his arms, recited Adhan and Iqamah in his right and left ears respectively, and on the 7th day of his birth, after performing the rites of aqiqah, named him al-Husayn, in compliance with Allah’s command.

‘Abdullah ibn Abbas relates: “On the very day when Imam Husayn was born, Allah ordered angel Gabriel to descend and congratulate the Holy Prophet on His Behalf and on his own. While descending, Gabriel passed over and island where the angel Futrus had been banished due to his delay in executing a commission assigned by Allah. He was deprived of his wings and expelled to the island where he remained for several years praying and worshipping Allah and asking for His forgiveness.

“When the angel Futrus saw Gabriel, he called out, ‘Where are you going, O Gabriel?’ To this he replied, ‘Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad is born, and for this very reason Allah has commanded me to convey His congratulations to His Apostle.’ Thereupon, the angel said, ‘Can you carry me also along with you? May Muhammad recommend my case to Allah. ‘Gabriel took the angel along with him, came to the Holy Prophet, offered congratulations to him on behalf of Allah and himself and referred the case of the angel to him. The Holy Prophet said to Gabriel, ‘Ask the angel to touch the body of the newly-born child and return to his place in Heaven.’ On doing this, the angel re-obtained his wings instantly and praising the Holy Prophet and his newly born grandson, ascended towards the Heaven.”

Hasan and Husayn, the two sons of the Holy Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib and Hadhrat Fatimah, our Lady of Light, were respected and revered as the ‘Leaders if the Youths of Paradise’ as stated by the Holy Prophet.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him and his progeny, had openly prophesied tht the faith of Islam would be rescued by his second grandson Husayn, when Yazid, son of Mu’awiyah, would endeavour to destroy it.

Yazid was known for his devilish character and brutish conduct. He was known as the most licentious of men. The people having known and understood the character of Yazid, formed a covenant by which Mu’awiyah could not appoint Yazid as his successor. This undertaking was given by Mu’awiyah to Imam Hasan from whom Mu’awiyah had snatched power. Mu’awiyah violated this undertaking and nominated Yazid who succeeded his father.

Immediately as he came to power, Yazid began acting in full accordance with his known character. He started interfering in the fundamentals of the faith and, practised every vice and wickedness freely with the highest degree of impunity and yet held himself out as the successor of the Holy Prophet, demanding allegiance to himself as the leading guide of the faith. Paying allegiance to Yazid was nothing short of acknowledging the devil as God. if a divine personality like the Holy Imam Husayn had agreed to his authority, it would be actually recommending the devil to humanity in place of God. Yazid demanded allegiance from the Holy Imam Husayn, who could have never agreed to it at any cost. The people fearing death and destruction at the hands of the tyrant had yielded to him out of fear. Imam Husayn said tht come whatever may, he would never yield to the devil in place of God and undo what his grandfather, the Holy Prophet had established.

The refusal of the Holy Imam to pay allegiance to this fiend, marked the start of the persecution of the Holy Imam. As a result he had retired to Medina where he led a secluded life. Even here he was not allowed to live in peace, and was forced to seek refuge in Mecca where also he was badly harassed, and Yazid plotted to murder him in the very precincts of the great sanctuary of Ka’bah.

In order to safeguard the great sanctuary, Imam Husayn decided to leave Mecca for Kufa just a day before the Hajj Pilgrimage. When asked the reason for the mysterious departure from Mecca foregoing the pilgrimage which was only the next day, Imam Husayn said tht he would perform his year’s pilgrimage at Karbala’, offering the sacrifice not of any animals, but of his kith and kin and some faithful friends. He enumerated the names of his kith and kin who would lay down their lives with him in the great sacrifice at Karbala’.

The people of Kufa getting tired of the tyrannical and satanic rule of Yazid, had written innumerable letters and sent emissaries to Imam Husayn to come over and give them guidance in faith. Although Imam Husayn knew the ultimate end of the invitations, he as the divinely chosen Imam could not refuse to give the guidance sought for. When the Holy Imam with his entourage had reached Karbala’, his horse mysteriously stopped and would not move any further. Upon this the Holy Imam declared: “This is the land, the land of sufferings and tortures.” He alighted from his horse, and ordered his followers to encamp there saying: “Here shall we be martyred and our children be killed. Here shall our tents be burned and our family arrested. This is the land about which my grandfather the Holy Prophet had foretold, and his prophecy will certainly be fulfilled.”

On the 7th of Muharram water supply to the Imam’s camp was cut and the torture of thirst and hunger started. The Holy Imam’s camp consisted of ladies, innocent children including babies and some male members of the Holy Prophet’s family; along with a small band of some faithful friends of Imam Husayn who had chosen to die with the Holy Imam, fighting against the devil for the cause of Allah.

 

Reference: The Fourteen Infallibles

Category: Ahlul Bayt, Muharram, Sha'baan | 1 Comment on Imam Al-Husayn Ibn Ali (AS)
November 26

Worldly Affairs on the Day of Ashura – 10th Muharram

Imām Alī ibn Mūsā al-Rezā (A.S.) said:



“Whoever avoids attending to his worldly affairs on the tenth of Muharram, Allāh will fulfill all the wishes and desires of this world as well as the hereafter. Whoever considers this day to be a day of mourning, sorrow and weeping for himself, Allāh the Glorified will make the day of Qiyāmah to be a day of rejoicing for him and his eyes will be cooled in Paradise on account of us. And whoever considers the tenth of Muharram to be a day of prosperity and buys something for his house (considering it a good omen), then Allāh will not give him affluence in that thing. And on the day of Qiyāmah he will be made to arise along with Yazid, Ubaydullāh bin Ziyād and Umar ibn Sa’ad (may Allāh’s curse be on all of them) and will be thrown into the lowest abyss of hell..”



[Reference: Nafasul Mahmum, Section 2, Hadith 16]

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June 22

Salaat Ruyati Hilal – Salaat Upon Seeing New Moon

It is desirable to pray a 2 rakat Salat after seeing the moon of the first night of every lunar month, within 3 days & earlier the better. Also give sadqa /charity & Inshallah you will be safe throughout the month.

 

This salaat is to be prayed exactly like the morning prayer, except make full adjustments.

 

Make Niyat of Ruyatil Hilal

In first Rakat recite after Sura Fatiaah recite Sooratul Ikhlass 30 times

In the second rakat after Sura Fatiaah recite Sooratul Qadr 30 times

 

After Salaam Recite the following :-

Transliteration

salaatul_hilal

There is not a "moving creature" in the earth but the sustenance thereof depends on Allah. He knows its habitation and its repository. All is in a manifest Book.

If Allah touch you with affliction, there is none that can relieve there from save He; and if He desires good for you, there is none who can repel His bounty. He makes it available to whom He wills of his bondmen. He is the Oft-forgiving, the Merciful.

 

Allah will vouchsafe, after hardship, ease.

 

That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no strength save in Allah.

 

Allah is sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in whom we trust!
I confide my cause unto Allah. Verily, Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen,
There is no god save Thou. Be Thou glorified! Verily, I have been a wrongdoer, My Lord! I am needy of whatever good Thou sends down for me.

 

My Lord! Leave me not alone (childless), though Thou art the best of inheritors

 

Transliteration

WA MAA MIN DAAABBTIN FIL ARZ“I ILLAA A‘LALLAAHI RIZQUHAA WA YA‘–LAMU MUSTAQARRHAA WA MUSTAWDA’A HAA KULLUN FEE KITAABIM MUBEEN WA IY YAMSASKALLAAHU BI – Z “URRIN FALAA KAASHIFA LAHOO ILLAA HOO WA IY YURIDKA BI – KHAY RIN FALAA RAAADDA LI – FAZ “ LIH YUS ‘ EEBU BIHEE MAY YASHAAA – U MIN I‘BAADIH WA HUWAL GHAFOORUR RAH ‘ EEM
SAYAJ – A’ LULLAAHU BA ‘ – DA US ‘ RIY YUSRAA
MAA SHAAA – ALLAAHU LAA QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAAH
H‘ASBUNALLAAHU WA ALLAH NI ‘ – MAL WAKEEL
WA UFAWWIZ’U AMREEE ILALLAAH INNALLAAHA BAS ‘ EERUM BIL – I‘BAAD LAAA ILAAHA ILLAAA ANTA SUBH‘AANAKA INNEE KUNTU MINAZ‘ Z‘AALIMEEN RABBI INNEE LIMAAA ANZALTA ILAYYA MIN KHAYRIN FAQEER RABBI LAA TAD ‘ ARNEE FARADAW WA ANTA KHAYRUL WAARITHEEN

Category: Muharram, Prayers, Rabbiul Awwal, Safar, Sha'baan | 2 Comments on Salaat Ruyati Hilal – Salaat Upon Seeing New Moon
January 19

A Poem To Explain What Moharram Is All About..

Mazlum_Ya_Karbala_by_Sarab1400The Day the Skies Wept Blood
The tenth dawn of Islam’s new year, Seventy-two of the bravest who had nothing to fear,

Came out to battle for our pride,
Knowing that the journey to Heaven would be their very next ride.

On the blistering sands, under the scorching sun,
Stood the mighty Hussein, a soldier second to none,

With the fragrance of musk, it had to be said,
The skies of Karbala were already turning red.

Every ally wanted the honour of being first,
To drink the honey of paradise and quench their
thirst,

As each one’s body fell on the sand and mud,
It was Ashura, the day the skies wept blood.

A marriage in the tent during this grieving hour,
Abdullah knew that the time was not far,

In the attire of a groom, He set out to fight,
Realizing the loss, Sakina cried throughout that
night.

Abbas did not even drink a sip from the river,
But was hit by arrows from the trees’ rear,

Hussein’s final support ascended to the heavens,
It was now only Hussein and those inhumane devils.

But, Ali Akbar, the very valiant youngster the world has seen,
Was hit in the heart during the pinnacle of His teens,

The face of the Prophet (SA) with blood was smeared,
Hussein’s tears completely drenched His beard.

Asgar, the courageous six month old prince,
Fought for Islam’s pride without hesitance,

Until that heartless satan let his arrow fly,
Young Ali Asgar’s blood was taken by the sky.

Hussein ibn Ali, the Noble Son, and The Greatest Martyr,
Stood ready to fight with absolutely no fear,

Until a teary eyed Jibrael descended from the Heavens,
Allah’s wish is Your sacrifice Oh Highborn Eminence.

Hussein happily welcomed Allah’s Missive,
Bowed down to Sajdah for the future billions,

Zainab, cried aloud at the sight of Her mind’s eye,
Upon witnessing Her imperial brother peacefully die.

Category: Muharram, Poems | 1 Comment on A Poem To Explain What Moharram Is All About..
January 15

14 Lessons From Karbala

DO NOT ACCEPT HUMILIATION

In one of his speeches, Imam Hussein (AS) said that the authorities in Kufa had given  him only two options – humiliation or death. He carried on to say  ‘And we do not  accept humiliation’.  A tradition reported by Imam Sadiq (AS) records that, other than not accepting humiliation, Allah Almighty has given to believers a choice in all matters.

 
A WIDER UNDERSTANDING OF DEATH
Few people desire death. The Holy Quran challenges the Jews for not welcoming death in view of their alleged special relationship with Allah (SWT) Imam Hussein(AS) extended our comprehension of death by drawing attention to the three points below:

  • Death is written for everyone and no soul may escape it. He said: Death is an adornment of life as a necklace is an adornment of a beautiful woman.

  • Death with dignity is preferable to a life lived in humiliation.

  • Dying for the cause of Islam is martyrdom and a great honour. In his farewell to relatives in Madina, Imam Hussein (AS) said: "Whoever joins us will be martyred, those who remain behind will miss the victory."

    •  
    SUPPORT THE TRUTH
    Imam Hussein(AS) announced: ‘Don’t you see that Truth has been replaced by falsehood. We must be prepared to sacrifice everything that is precious in support of Truth!’ Truth is the essence of Islam and fortifies the values emphasized in the Holy Quran. Hazrat Ali Akbar asked his father Imam Hussein (AS). "Are we not supporting the Truth?" Imam (AS) replied in the affirmative Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) said: "Then, it makes no difference if death comes to us or if we approach death."

     
    FIDELITY AND LOYALTY
    Fidelity is a characteristic admired by all. If friends meet in times of comfort and wealth but leave when hardship and difficulty strike, it is clear that their friendship is not true. On the day of Ashura, Imam Hussein (AS) told John, a servant of the renowned companion Hazrat Abu Dhar (AS) You have accompanied us all the way but now you may go. John replied: It is not fair that I benefit from your company and hospitality but abandon you in your hardship? His attitude exemplifies fidelity, loyalty and true friendship.

     
    TO PLEASE ALLAH
    The objective of all believers should be the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Imam Hussein (AS) said in one of his speeches that the only objective of the Prophet’s household is to please Allah.

     
    PATIENCE IN ADVERSITY
    Allah tells us in the Holy Quran that only those who remain patient will receive reward without measure. Imam Hussein(AS) brought up to understand the Quran that is why he was happy to remain patience in hardship and endurance and to await his Lords reward. His patience wasn’t out of weakness or helplessness but a demonstration of his steadfastness and bravery. Those who saw Imam Hussein(AS) on the Day of Ashura reported: We have never seen a man remaining as composed as Imam Hussein a.s. whereas his relatives and children were slaughtered before his eyes.

     
    THE USE OF LAWFUL MEANS
    Imam Hussein(AS) tried to stop Umar ibn Saâd from pursuing his evil objectives. He said to him: You are promised government of Ray (Tehran today) yet you will never eat the wheat of that area. Ibn Saad responded: Its barley will suffice!! Realizing that he couldn’t change Ibn Saâds mind, Imam Hussein (AS) said: Those who use unlawful means to achieve their objectives never attain them.

    Category: Muharram | 1 Comment on 14 Lessons From Karbala