Shah ast Hussain (as)

Shia Strength of Faith

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Shia Strength of Faith

Allah through Ahle Bayt

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

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Eid e Ghadeer

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www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/ghadir.asp

01. Location of Ghadir-e-Khumm
02. What happened at Ghadir-e-Khumm?
03. When & in front of how many Muslims?
04. Contexts
05. Authenticity
06. Narrators
07. A’maals for Ghadir-e-Khumm
Test your knowledge by taking a Quiz on Ghadir-e-Khumm

01. LOCATION OF GHADIR-E-KHUMM

The map shown is the map of Arabia. Ghadir is on the way from Mecca to Madina. While returning from Mecca to Madina, after the last hajj, alongwith his companions, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) broke the journey at a lake, 3 miles away from Al-Johfa. He (S.A.W) halted at midday in a wayside tract of barren land with no shade other than that provided by a few acacia trees. A small lake is called as Ghadir in Arabic, so this place is known as Ghadir-e-Khumm. The name Ghadir is no longer in use.

02. WHAT HAPPENED AT GHADIR-E-KHUMM?

Tabarani and others have recorded the following tradition as related by Zayd ibn ‘Arqam and transmitted through sources unanimously acknowledged to be reliable. Zayd says that the Messenger of Allah, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his posterity, delivered a sermon at Ghadir-e-Khumm under a cloth spread as a canopy on two large trees. He said:

“O my people! I am going to be recalled shortly and I must comply. I shall be interrogated and you also shall be interrogated. What will you say then?” The entire audience answered: “We shall bear witness that you did convey to us the message of Allah, and tried your best to guide us on the right path and always gave us good console. May Allah bless you with a good reward.” The Prophet proceeded: “Why do you not bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and that Paradise is true, Hell is true, Death is true, Resurrection after death is true, that the Day of Judgment will doubtlessly come and that Allah will raise to life the dead from their graves?.” They said: “O Yes! We bear witness to all this.” Then he said: “O Allah! You also may witness.” Then he said: ‘O my people! Allah is my Mawla and I am mawla of the faithful and I have superior right on and control over their lives. And this Ali is the mawla of all those of whom I am mawla. O Allah! Love him who loves him and hate him who hates him.” He further said: “O my people! I will precede you and you also shall arrive at the pool of Kawthar, the pool wider than the distance between Basrah and San’a', and there are on the pool as many goblets of silver as stars. When you shall reach me I shall interrogate you about your behavior towards the two in-valuable assets after my death. The major asset is the Book of Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, one end of which is in the hand of Allah, the Exalted, and the other end of which in your hands. Grasp it tightly and do not go astray and do not change or amend it. The other asset is my Progeny, who are my Ahl al-Bayt. Allah the Gracious and Omniscient has informed me that the two will not part from each other before they reach me at the pool.

03. WHEN & IN FRONT OF HOW MANY MUSLIMS?

This Ghadir-e-Khumm event happened on the 18th of Dhil-Hijjah (1410 AH), in 10 Hijra in front of nearly one hundred thousand (100,000) Muslims. While returning from the last hajj (Hajjatul-wida / farewell pilgrimage) of our Holy Prophet (S.A.W.).

04. CONTEXTS

A). QURANIC EXEGESIS (Tafsir):

O Messenger! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; (AL-MAEDA/5:67)

This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; (AL-MAEDA/5:3)

One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall, The unbelievers there is none to avert it, From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent.(AL-MAARIJ/70:1-3)

B). PROPHETIC TRADITION (Hadith):

Imam Ahmad has recorded the tradition related by Bara’ ibn ‘Azib in his Musnad, vol.4, p. 281, transmitted through two different sources. Bara’ says: “We were with the Messenger of Allah. We alighted at Ghadir-e-Khumm. Congregational prayer was in order. An area under two trees was swept and cleaned for the Messenger of Allah, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his posterity. He offered midday prayers and he grasped the hand of ‘Ali and said: ‘Do you not know that I have superior authority over the lives of the faithful than the faithful themselves?’ ‘Yes you have,’ they replied. He again inquired: ‘Do you not know that I have superior right to the life of every believer than the believer himself?’ ‘Surely, you have,’ they answered. Then he grasped the hand of ‘Ali and said: ‘Ali is the mawla of all those of whom I am mawla. O Allah! Love him who loves him and hate him who hates him.’” Bara’ ibn ‘Azib says: “Then ‘Umar came to ‘Ali and said: ‘Congratulations to you the son of Abu Talib. You have become the mawla (master) of all the faithful men and women.’”

C). HISTORICAL REPORTS (Tarikh):

Here we will just mention one instance which took place in Kufa during the khilafah of Imam Ali (A.S.), 25 years after the Prophet’s death.

When at Ali’s insistence a large number of people gathered in the plain of Rahbah in Kufah, he addressed them saying: “I administer an oath in the name of Allah to all such Muslims as heard the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) making a proclamation on the day of Ghadir-e-Khumm, to stand up and testify what they heard him say. Only those who saw the Holy Prophet that day with their own eyes and heard the proclamation with their own ears should stand up.” Thereupon, thirty companions of the Holy Prophet(S.A.W), including twelve of those who had participated in the battle of Badr, stood up and witnessed that the Holy Prophet(S.A.W) grasped his (Ali’s) hand and said to the audience: “Do you know that I have a prior right to and superior authority over the souls (i.e., lives) of the faithful than the faithful themselves?” “O yes!” they said. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) then said: “He (Ali) is the mawla (i.e., has prior right to and superior authority over the lives) of all those of whom I am mawla. O Allah, love him who loves him (Ali) and hate him who hates him.” It is logically impossible that thirty companions might have secretly agreed to speak a unanimous lie. In addition to the thirty witnesses there were other male companions whom enmity with Ali prevented from standing up and giving their evidence as eye-witnesses, like Anas ibn Malik.

When Ali (A.S.) said to Anas: “Why do you not stand up and testify what you heard from the messenger of Allah on the day of Ghadir?” he answered, “O Amir al-Momineen! I have grown old and do not remember.” Thereupon Ali said: “May Allah mark you with a white spot (of leprosy) unconcealable with your turban, if you are intentionally withholding the truth.” And before Anas got up from his place he bore a large white spot on his face. Thereafter, Anas used to say: “I am under the curse of a righteous slave of Allah.

Also bear in mind that this incident took place 25 years after the event of Ghadir Khum, and during this period hundreds of eyewitnesses had died naturally or in the battles fought during the first two khulafah’s rule. Add to this the fact that this incident took place in Kufa which was far from the centre of the sahabas, Medina. This incident which took place in Kufa in the year 35 A.H. has itself been narrated by four sahaba and 14 tabi’un and has been recorded in most books of history and tradition.

05. AUTHENTICITY

A). Consecutively naratted (Mutawatir)
B). Numerous Sahih versions
C). Dedicated treatisis by 26 authors (Most of them are sunnies)

06. NARRATORS

A). 110 companions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
B). 84 Successors (Tabiun)
C). Over 360 scholars to the present day (Most of them are sunnies)

1: Abaqat al-Anwar a book written in Persian by Allama Mir Hamid Husayn al-Musawi (d. 1304 AH) of India. Allama Mir Hamid Husayn has devoted two bulky volumes (consisting of about 1,080 pages) on the isnad, tawatur and meaning of the hadith of Ghadir.

2: Al-Ghadir in 11 volumes in Arabic by Allama Abdul Husayn al-Amini where he gives with full references the names of 110 sahaba of the Prophet and also 84 tabi’un (disciples of the sahaba) who have narrated the hadith of Ghadir. He has also chronologically given the names of the historians, traditionists, exegesis’s and poets who have mentioned the hadith of Ghadir from the first until the fourteenth Islamic century.

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

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Imam Hassan

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www.ezsoftech.com/stories/infallible4.asp

Birth and Childhood of Imam Hassan (a.s.):

In the mid of the month of Ramadan, the 3rd year of Hijrah, a son was born in the small mud house of Hazrat Ali (a.s.). The Prophet Muhammad (saw), on behalf of Almighty God, named him Hassan. Imam Hassan (a.s.) was brought up in the lap of his father Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and mother Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and learnt lessons from the school of his grandfather Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Imam Hassan (a.s.) had a great worth and status in the eyes of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Such as, one day he Prophet Muhammad (saw) was on the tribune, delivering a speech to the people, he heard the voice of his weeping. He came down from the tribune, went to calm him down, and then returned to his place. When the people asked him the reason for this act. He (saw) said, “Whenever I hear the voice of his weeping I get restless”. The Prophet Muhammad (saw), having offered his prayer along with the people, would lift Imam Hassan (a.s.) into his lap and would say, “Whosoever loves me, must love this child as well”. Sometimes, he (saw) lifted this child upon his shoulder and said, “It is hoped that God will purify this Ummah through him”. Or he would say, “Whosoever loves Hassan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) he loves me and whosoever nurses grudge and has enmity against them has enmity with me”. “Hassan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) are the two chiefs of the youths of the paradise”. Then Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, Hassan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) are the two earrings of the Empyrean, paradise of God takes pride and potentates due to them.

Awareness and Courtesy of Imam Hassan (a.s.):

One day, an old man was performing ablution. His ablution was futile and invalid. Imam Hassan (a.s.) ought to make him aware of his fault but how? If he said to him you are wrong possibly his heart might break and he got annoyed and did not accept it. He along with Imam Hussain (a.s.) decided to create a scene and ask the old man to make the judgment. Imam Hassan (a.s.) addressed Imam Hussain (a.s.) and said, “I perform a better ablution as compared to yours.” Imam Hussain (a.s.) said “I perform it better than you do.” Both of them approached the old man and said, “You come and see our ablution and decide who performs a better ablution.” Both of them got busy with performing ablution and ended it in a correct and nice way. The old man understood what was the secret of their act and became aware that they meant him to find out his fault, in this way. So he said to them “The ablution performed by both of you is correct, I am an old man, who did not know how to perform the ablution correctly. You made me aware about my fault. I am much thankful to you.”

Piety and Purity of Imam Hassan (a.s.):

Imam Hassan (a.s.) was the most pious, devout and ascetic worshiper and adorer of God. Whenever he went to Mecca for pilgrimage, he would go walking on foot. Whenever he performed ablution or stood for his prayers he saw himself in the court of God and his body started trembling he said, “The time has come for me to submit the deposit of God to Him.”

When he came to mosque, he would raise his head, in the prayer place, towards the sky and say, “Oh God this is your guest standing in your court. Your defaulter servant has come towards you. And he hopes that you will forgive his bad deeds, by virtue of your kindness and forgiveness.”

The Fortitude and Forbearance of Imam Hassan (a.s.):

One day he was crossing a street riding a horse. On the way he came across a man who was one of the friends of “Muawiyah”. When that man knew he was Imam Hassan (a.s.) he started using an un-respectful language. Imam Hassan (a.s.) stopped and listened to him and then facing him said, “I think you are a traveler and stranger and not a local person. You have been provoked by the enemies about us and their false words about us have made you cynical and pessimistic about us. If you have a need I may fulfill that need. If you are hungry, I will order to feed you. If you require a dress and clothes, I will order to dress you up. If you don’t have residence to live in I will take you along with me to my house and extend hospitality and give you treatment. When that disrespectful person heard those words from the Imam (a.s.), he got very much ashamed and repented. He was so upset and uneasy about what he had done that he started weeping and apologized and said, “The words of your enemies had affected me. Before this (event) you and your father were the greatest enemies of mine among all the people. But now that I have witnessed this courtesy of yours, you are the most respectful and gracious to me among all the people.

I became aware that you are a family who has the capability of becoming the heirs of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Till the time I am living I will be a friend and devotee of you and would defend your right. So he did what he had said.

The Charity and mercifulness of Imam Hassan (a.s.):

1. A person came to Imam Hassan (a.s.) and said “poverty and bad luck is torturing me. You are a family of chastity, purity and infallibility. Get me saved from this cruel enemy?” Hazrat Imam Hassan (a.s.) called his servant and said, “How much money do you have available?” He replied “five thousand Dinnars” He said, “Give all of this money to this man so that it may become the capital of his business and life and he may relieve himself off and get rid of poverty and resource less ness.

2. One day, Imam Hassan (a.s.) went to the house of God. In the very condition when he was busy praying he heard a man addressing his God and saying, “Oh God, I need ten thousand Dirhams to get it shaped as the capital of my life and you the merciful one give me this boon and blessing”. The moment Imam Hassan (a.s.) returned back, he sent the said amount for him.

3. A poor and distressed man came to Imam Hassan (a.s.) and recited a rhyme meaning thereby, “I am left over with nothing, not even a single dirham. You can perceive my condition fully well and know it. I have nothing left with me to sell except my honor. I know you are the purchaser and buyer of it.” The Imam Hassan (a.s.) at once called his servant and said, “Whatever money you have got with you, give it to this man.”

The servant gave ten thousand Dirhams to him. Hazrat Imam Hassan (a.s.) asked the servant to make excuse as well, because, he did not possess more than that amount to be given out to him. He advised him to take that money and use it for his life and running the wheels of it and possibly getting rid of poverty and distress.

These few stories exhibit this fact that in the same way Imam Hassan (a.s.) was thoughtful and consider ant about the dooms day of the people, he was careful and considering about their Worldly affairs, for, the World is connected and patched up with the justice day. And the hunger and poverty stricken man cannot think about his dooms day. We must fully know that the Imam’s helps and aids to the people as were not of the sort to encourage people about begging. Instead, these were extended in a manner to extend job and activity chances for them.

Imam Hassan’s (a.s.) Caliphate:

On the 21st night of the Ramadan of 40th Hijra his father Hazrat Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (a.s.) passed away making all the people sorrowful and grieved. Imam Hassan (a.s.) who was 27 years of age came along with the people to the mosque and climbed the tribune and said, “Last night, a man, who was unique in knowledge piety, conduct and character among the previous ages people as well those to come in future, has gone out of you. He participated the battles along with the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and strived hard to guard Islam. A person who was the thorn of the eyes of the enemies and the fruit of the heart of friends. And he did not spare and accumulate anything from the wealth of the world for himself, except for seven hundred Dirhams by which he wanted to provide a servant for his family.”

At this moment, the Imam (a.s.) wept bitterly and the people too wept. Then he spoke about himself. So that the people may know that the Imamate has been handed over to him and that people might not go astray and did not get misled. He said, “I am the son of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (s.a.). I am the flame of the lighted lamp of Prophet hood. The families from which God has driven the dirt, contamination and pollution away.

Then Abdullah Ibn-e-Abbas stood up and said “Oh people this is the son of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and your Imam, beware, that he is the right heir and successor of Hazrat Ali (a.s.). So take the oath of allegiance and loyalty for him”.

People moved in shape of groups towards Imam Hassan (a.s.) and took the oath of allegiance for him. Imam Hassan (a.s.) made it a condition that they would fight anyone against whom he fought and whenever he deemed it fit to make peace, they would also accept it. All of them accepted it, and willingly agreed and submitted to his Imamate.

The Conspiracies of Muawiyah:

Muawiyah had established a government and dominion in Syria and for years he had played tricks with cunning ways and means against Hazrat Ali (a.s.). He killed the friends of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and brought into existence the perverted group and sect of Khwaraj Now, when he heard that people, after the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (a.s.), took oath of allegiance to elect Imam Hassan (a.s.) for the caliphate post as the successor of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). This thing was very hard for him to tolerate. He sent spies to Kufa and Basra to find out and get him informed about what was going on. And thereafter, they may plot and hatch conspiracies against Imam (a.s.) if they deem fit and suitable they might start subversion and sabotage and create chaos, and disorder.

Imam Hassan (a.s.) gave the order that the spies should be arrested and killed. Then he wrote a letter to Muawiyah: “Oh Muawiyah! You send spies and set your hands upon subversion? I presume that you intend to fight a war and you like war. If it is so, then I am also ready for it and the war is at hand. Do wait “Insha Allah”.

Muawiyah! I am surprised over you that you are the candidate for a job, which you don’t deserve and are not worthy for it. Neither you have any superiority in the religion nor you have left any good effect, mark or impression from yourself as a monument and memorial. Muslims have taken oath of allegiance for me (caliphate). It would be to the interest and benefit of Islam that you too accept this act (caliphate) like the rest of the Muslims. Oh Muawiyah! Do not move the untrue and illusive (Batil) ahead, and you also take the oath and allegiance of faithfulness to me like the others, and do consider the blood of the Muslims respect worthy. If you do not accept my advice and wish to create disorder and chaos and spill the blood of Muslim I will quickly attack you along with the other Muslims, and will put you on trial.

Muawiyah in reply to the Imam Hassan (a.s.) wrote:

In the same way as Abu Bakr, due to his experience and expertise took the caliphate from Hazrat Ali (a.s.), I am more deserving than you and have more experience and it is better that you be my follower so that you get the caliphate after myself, and I will give you, whatever is the income of Iraq.

Muawiyah not only denied and turned his face from taking the oath of allegiance, he also sent spies to kufa to martyr the Imam Hassan (a.s.). Thus the Imam Hassan (a.s.) was forced to wear armored Jacket under his clothes and then stand for offering the prayers. Once when one of the agents of Muawiyah threw an arrow towards him the arrow got ineffective due to the armored Jacket and so the Imam Hassan (a.s.) remained safe.

War Begins:

It did not take long that Muawiyah, on the pretext of bringing into effect Islamic unity, gathered a huge army and mobilized it to fight the Imam in Iraq. When the news of the movement of Muawiyah’s army reached the Imam Hassan (a.s.), he invited the people to the mosque. He climbed the tribune and after the praise of God and the salutation to the holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “Muawiyah has moved towards Iraq along with his army. It is your turn to get ready for the war and defend your honor and religion.” But those despicable, vanquished and comfort loving people did not give a response to Imam (a.s.). Adi Ibn-e-Hatim stood up from among the people and very sadly addressed them saying, “What kind of people are you. What does this dead silence mean? Why do you not reply to the Imam Hassan (a.s.) and the son of your Prophet Muhammad (saw)? Are you not afraid of subject and suffering? Be afraid of God’s anger and torment and chastise and obey the order of your Imam Hassan (a.s.). Get up and manly press your weapon in your hands and defend your honor, respect and religion. So that the God and Imam (a.s.) are pleased with you.

These words alerted a group so they announced their readiness to take part in the battle. Adi Ibn-e-Hatim told the Imam (a.s.), “We are ready and waiting for your order.” Imam Hassan (a.s.) said, “I am proceeding towards the Nakheela Camp and whosoever is prepared and willing may go to that place, although I know that you will not practice upon your promise and Muawiyah will deceive you.

Disobeying the Imam Hassan (a.s.):

When Imam Hassan (a.s.) reached most of those who were shouting the slogans of “war”, “war” were not present there and had gone back and turned their back upon the promise they had made with him. Because those who had participated were comprised of:

1. Khawarij who had come to fight against Muawiyah and not for the sake of obeying the command of Imam Hassan (a.s.).

2. Those materialist and world adorers and greedy ones who were after the war booty.

3. Those who had participated for the sake of accompanying and following their tribal chiefs and not due to any religious inspiration.

This is the reason Imam Hassan (a.s.) addressed them saying, “You betrayed me, like you had betrayed my father, who was your Imam before me. I don’t know whether you will fight siding with Imam or someone who absolutely does not believe in God and His Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Then he selected a man named Hakam as the army commander and put four thousand men under his command so that he moves to the city of Ambaar and stays there and applies restraint to the forces of Muawiyah till getting further orders. But Muawiyah deceived him by giving him money and making false promises. And he joined his army along with his two hundred men.

Imam (a.s.) selected another man from the tribe of Bani Murad as his successor and said, “Although I do not have trust upon you. But this is a trial, you may also proceed.”

When Muawiyah came to know about his arrival, he sent his delegates with five thousand Dirhams for him and promised to give him a governorship. He was too deceived by Muawiyah and joined him.

Imam Hassan’s (a.s.) Grief:

When the news of the joining of tribal chiefs with Muawiyah reached the Imam Hassan (a.s.). He was much affected and shocked and said, “Did I not say several times that you do not have any faithfulness and trustworthiness, and your conduct with me is that of artifice, and cunningness? He then decided to gather an army himself and move. By the efforts of his friends nearly four thousand men gathered. Imam (a.s.) along with “Sabaat” went to Madayan and sent twelve thousand men under the command of Obaidullah bin Abbas and his helper Qais bin Saad, as a file leader and fore runner to meet and resist Muawiyah, so as to test their spirit and strength of devotedness. Muawiyah sent his agents along with one million Dirhams among the forces of Imam Hassan (a.s.) to get Qais deceived but Qais did not yield to his desire and answered them, “tell Muawiyah you cannot take my faith from me and I will not desert and leave Imam by any of your artifices and frauds.”

The agents who got disappointed by Qais and went towards the real Commander Obaidullah bin Abbas and lured and deceived him and he along with a group of his followers joined Muawiyah at the nighttime. When the army men of Imam Hassan (a.s.) became commander less, Qais took over the Command and lead the Jamaat prayers. Qais was fighting fiercely and ferociously and had made Muawiyah harassed and fearful. As a result, he sent a few spies among the army men of Qais, so that they may make this propaganda that Imam Hassan (a.s.) has entered into peace treaty with Muawiyah and you are fighting for no reason. By this way Muawiyah succeeded in separating and detaching the group of Khawarij from the Imam’s forces and in deceiving them to attack the Imam Hassan (a.s.) and what he desired did materialize.

The Rioter Khawarij:

This stupid and silly group did believe in what spies of Muawiyah told them and disobeyed the orders of Imam Hassan (a.s.) and they raised a hew and cry that Imam Hassan (a.s.) had also become an infidel like his father (Maaz-Allah) and had joined hand with Muawiyah. Suddenly, a platoon attacked the tent of Imam Hassan (a.s.) and looted whatever they found, to the extent that they even pulled out the carpet of Imam Hassan (a.s.) from beneath him.

Imam Hassan (a.s.) was forced to leave that place and he rode upon horse and a group of his friends were all around him. One of them (the attackers) rushed out of his hiding place and injured the Imam Hassan (a.s.). Imam Hassan (a.s.) was carried to one of his friend’s house and provided medical care and treatment. It came to that, most of his governors, secretly and confidentially, wrote letters to Muawiyah saying we are at your command and disposal as soon as possible come to Iraq, we will arrest the Imam Hassan (a.s.) and hand him over to you. Muawiyah sent all those letters to Imam Hassan (a.s.) along with a covering letter saying, “These people did not remain faithful to your father and they will not remain on your side either. I am ready to sign a pact with you and overlook the war.

Why Imam Hassan (a.s.) accepted the Truce?

The adventurer Khawarij and the dishonest friends of Imam Hassan (a.s.) made it inevitable for the Imam Hassan (a.s.) to accept truce with Muawiyah. But truce did not mean that Imam Hassan (a.s.) colluded and put up with Muawiyah and agreed to his cruel and brutal activities. But it meant to make a no war pact with Muawiyah for a certain period. Because, if Muawiyah became victorious he would had smashed and destroyed all the hopes of Islam and would have destroyed the foundation of Islam and killed all the true Muslims. Besides, the Roman Empire was seeking a chance to attack the Islamic lands, and this mutual difference of Muslims was the best opportunity for it. Thus Imam Hassan (a.s.) who was smoldering with pain spoke to his untrue and unfaithful friends, “I know that you would practice craftiness and artifice, a group who do not have neither shame nor religion have unconditionally handed themselves over to Muawiyah, woe to you, By God, Muawiyah will not fulfill his commitments. I wanted to establish for you the religion of the right but you did not help me. You started moving on the path of opposition and confrontation and committed dishonesty with me, which forced and obliged me to sign the treaty. By God, if I had friends and helpers I would not have surrendered the work to Muawiyah because, I consider the caliphate to be prohibited for Bani Ommayide. You will soon taste the bitterness of the conduct of Muawiyah, day and night. After the Imam Hassan (a.s.) was forced to make truce with Muawiyah, he wrote a letter to him saying, “I wanted to revive the right and put an end to rescinded and vanity and establish the ruler ship of God and the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) but people did not agree and accompany me. Now, I am making a truce with you upon the conditions, which I know that you will not fulfill and comply with. But soon you would repent, but that will be a time when it will not be of benefit to you.

Then, he sent his cousin Abdullah Bin Harris to see Muawiyah so that he should get him committed upon the conditions, which he had presented after a negotiation with him, and write down the agreement, and treaty of truce.

A part of the truce treaty is as under: -

1. The blood of the Shias must remain respect worthy and their rights must not be confiscated and crushed.

2. Filthy language must not be used against Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and his Shias.

3. Muawiyah should practice upon the Book of God (The Quran) and the Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

4. The friends and companions of Imam Hassan (a.s.) must remain safe and secure from his mischief’s and brutalities wherever they live and no one has the right to resist them.

5. Imam Hassan (a.s.) does not call Muawiyah, Ameerul Momineen and will not take his name in the Khutbas (sermons).

6. Muawiyah must not hand over the caliphate to anybody after himself.

The Breaking of the Pact:

After the peace pact was conducted, Muawiyah focused his attention upon Kufa and held the Juma prayer congregation at Nakheela. He evidently and clearly said in his Jumma speach “Oh people I did not fight against you so that you should offer your prayers and keep fast, instead, it was for the reason that I rule over you although you do not like it. I will crush all the conditions of truce pact conducted with Hassan bin Ali (a.s.) under my feet. But the conduct of Muawiyah in certain matters showed that he was strongly embarrassed and harassed due to the influence of Imam Hassan (a.s.) so that sometimes he was obliged to put into practice few of the points of the peace pact.

So that once when Ibn-e-Ziad the governor of Kufa followed and chased (to punish) one of the friends of Imam (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.) wrote about the incident to Muawiyah, who at once reprimanded Ibn-e-Ziad about this event.

Finally Muawiyah Decided to make Yazeed his successor:

But the pact, which he had signed with Imam Hassan (a.s.), stopped him from this act. He decided to poison the Imam Hassan (a.s.) so that the way to the succession of his son Yazeed should become open and clear. And then make the people forcibly take oath of allegiance (for Yazeed’s). Therefore, he contacted “Jodah bint Asash” the wife of Imam Hassan (a.s.) and deceived by luring her and sent a poison for her, with the message that if you make your husband take this poison you will get a prize of one hundred thousand Dirhams from me. Besides, I will select you as the wife of Yazeed and you will become the wife of the caliph of Muslims.

The dishonest hand poisoned the Imam’s Utensil (food):

The womanly scruples regarding the money and fame blinded the eyes of the wife of Imam Hassan (a.s.) and made her accept the suggestion of the cunning fox and commit such a dishonesty which history will never forget. Although Imam Hassan (a.s.) had said several times that I will get martyred by my wife. And people had requested him that if it is so then divorce her and turn her out of your house. But Imam Hassan (a.s.) replied, “She has not yet committed any crime and if I turn her out of the house, I would not have done a right thing. Because, she will make this step an excuse and will say, Imam has turned me out of his house without any fault. So that by this means she may cover her crime up and show her work as correct. Beware; Muawiyah will not let me go. If I leave my wife, even then she will not abandon her dishonesty except this that she will carry her program forward under the cover of her being oppressed.

Finally on the 28th day of Safar, 50th Hijrah when the weather was extremely hot and the Imam Hassan (a.s.) was fasting, Jodah bint Asash, poisoned his milk pot and presented to him for breaking the fast.

Imam Hassan (a.s.) drank a portion of the poisonous milk and then addressed her, “Oh the enemy of God and Prophet Muhammad (saw) you have killed me. God kill you. By God, you and Muawiyah both will become abject, despised and helpless.” And the same happened as he had foretold, and predicted. Jodah bint Asash was turned out of Muawiyah’s court with humility and not very long had passed that she died. And Muawiyah too died of a terrible life taking pain.

Imam Hassan (a.s.) passed away having faced pain and discomfort. And was buried in the graveyard of Baqi in Medina. God and Prophet’s blessings be upon his pure soul.

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

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Janabe Fatima

Sourced from

www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/infallible3a.asp

Prophet of Islam had only one daughter named Fatima. Her mother Khadija had two other daughters from her two earlier marriages. When The Prophet married her, both daughters came with her mother to live in the house of the Prophet. Hazrat Fatima (SA) was born five years after Besath (Declaration of Prophet hood) when Muhammad (SAW) was about 45 years old and her mother Khadija was about 55 years old. The Date of her birth was 20th Jumada al-Akhar. She has many following titles.

Al-Siddiqah (The Honest One)
Al-Mubarakah (The Blessed One)
At-Taherah (The Virtuous)
Az-Zakiyah (The Chaste)
Ar-Radhiah (The Satisfied or Gratified One)
Al-Mardhiah (Who well-pleases Allah)
Az-Zahra (The Splendid One/ Lady of Light)
Al-Batoul (The Chaste and Pure One)
Al-Adhra (The Virgin or the Chaste)
Al-Muhaddathah (Who spoken by Angels)
Syedatun Nisa al-Alamin (Leader of the women of the worlds)
After the death of her mother Khadija, she looked after her father the Prophet of Islam so devoutly that Muhammad (SAW) used to call her “Umm-e-Abiha”, i.e. the mother her father. This was the hardest time for the family because in the same year Abu Talib who was the protector of Muhammad (SAW) from the animosity of the Quraish also died in the same year as Khadija. Muhammad (SAW) married Umm-e-Salama, an old widow after the death of Khadija to have someone to look after the household chores. When Umm-e-Salama was requested to tutor the child Fatima (SA), the wise woman replied “How can I tutor one who is the personification of high virtues and purity. It is I who should learn from her.” Her childhood, therefore, was passed in a very chaste and modest environment. It was then that she saw her revered father preaching Islam in the most hostile atmosphere. The hostility of the Quraish after the death of Abu Talib and Khadija was the strongest. Fatima saw and dressed the wounds sustained by her father due to the stones thrown on him by the non-believers. She might have heard and seen that certain wretched women hurled rubbish on her noble father. She might have learnt of the plans made to put an end to her father’s life. But from all these things Fatima was neither frightened nor disheartened. She comforted her father, tended to his wounds even at that tender age. The entire family was blanketed with clouds of sorrowful gas a result of the almost daily humiliation and mockery to which her most revered father was subjected.

Migration

When the migration took place, Fatima was left in Makka with the rest of the family which included her step mother Umm-e-Salama, Ali’s (AS) mother Fatima binte Asad and many others. Ali (AS) was in charge of the family. He stayed in Makka for another 3 days to give back the deposits to the Makkans who entrusted these to the Prophet for safe keeping. After fulfilling this duty Ali (AS) brought the family to Madina.

Marriage

After one years stay in Madina when Fatima(SA) was about 10 years old that proposals for marriage began to be received by the Prophet who politely refused to accept by simply saying that it is in the hands of Allah, that he was awaiting Allah’s decree in this matter.

Fatima (SA) was the model of Prophet’s teaching among women just as Ali (AS) was the best embodiment of his instructions and manly qualities among men. They were the most suitable couple to be married. But Ali (AS) was too modest to speak about it. After some persuasion from friends he finally went to see the Prophet in the mosque and proposed for marriage. Prophet told Fatima about it and asked her whether she would approve. After receiving her consent the marriage of Fatima (SA) and Ali (AS) took place in the simplest possible manner. Ali (AS) sold his shield of amour for 200 Dirhams, brought the money to the Holy Prophet (SAW) who added a similar amount and asked his companions to buy household goods to set up home for the Holy Family. Marriage was solemnized by the Prophet himself and after marriage the couple went to live in a separate house next to the House of the Prophet around the Mosque.

Children

Hassan (AS) was born in the 3rd year of Hijra, Hussain (AS) was born in the 4th year of Hijra, Zainab was born in the 6th year of Hijra, Umm-e-Kulsoom was born in the 7th year of Hijra.

It was in the same house that the famous Verse of Purification (Sura 33.Verse 33) was revealed on the Holy Prophet and its narration by Fatima has become so famous that it is read in every Muslim house as Hadith-e-Kisa. The Reading of this Hadith brings blessings to the household. (Tafseer-e-Kabir by Al-Razi)

It was in the same house where this blessed family fasted for three days continuously without eating any food giving away their Iftari to a beggar, an orphan and a prisoner who arrived at their door and asked for food. The Verse in Sura Dahr revealed in praise of their extremely charitable act in the way of Allah.

It was in the same house where every morning the Holy Prophet stood outside and said loudly “Assalamo Alaikum Ya Ahlebaitin Nubuwwah” Peace and blessings on the people of the Household of the Nabi.

There was so much respect in the heart of the Holy Prophet for Fatima (SA) that whenever Fatima (SA) arrived in the mosque of the Prophet, the Holy Prophet (SAW) stood up to respect her. This gesture was also to show the companions respect for women generally which was lacking in the Arabian society of the day.

These acts of the Prophet (SAW) were to show the companions that this house and its occupants have a special place in the way of Allah and that this status should be maintained after the death of the Prophet (SAW). Unfortunately this was not done as the Holy Prophet (SAW) intended his companions to do. History tells us some very sad moments connected with this house.

After the death of the Prophet when Ali (AS) did not come out to give his oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr, the door of the house was burnt down to get him out and in the process Fatima (SA) was injured. Her 5th unborn child (Mohsin) died because of this harsh action of some of the companions and she herself died within 3 months of the death of her Holy Father.

The following lines of poetry show her ordeal after the death of her holy father very clearly.

“After the death of my father my sufferings were so great that if such hardships fell upon days, the days would turn into nights.”

Fatima (SA) was a symbol of womanhood in Islam. How a daughter, a wife and a mother should behave in their ordinary lives. She was devoted to her father, looked after him when he was in distress by the hands of the non-believers of Makka, she was the exemplary wife, queen of her household yet fair to her maid servant Fizza to divide household chores between herself and the maid servant, she was a devout wife and the most loving mother to her children.

There were occasions when there was no food for the family, but she would never complain. Once Ali (AS) went out to do some work to get food for the family but returned empty handed. Fatima asked Ali (AS) what happened to the food. Ali (AS) said that he did earn some money and bought food, but while on his way home he met some poor hungry persons and gave away all the food to them. When the Prophet heard of this situation he brought some food for the family and told them that Ali’s charitable act was of the greatest value in the eyes of Allah.

The whole family was thankful to Allah and there were no complaints against anyone.

She would go to the mosque of the Prophet to participate in the prayers with all the ladies; she would go out in the battlefield to tend the wounded. In the battle of Ohud, when her father was injured she tended him, cleaned his wounds, put some burnt wool on the wounds to stop blood flowing. When the Holy Prophet (SAW) recovered, he thanked her for her great work in the battlefield.

Death of Hazrat Fatima (SA)

On 3rd of the month of Jumada al-Thani Hazrat Fatima (SA) died. This was about 90 days after the death of her Holy Father. Asma binte Umais in the same house to help her household work tells the story of her death in a very moving manner. When the day arrived she prepared food for her children, then she told Asma that she was going to her prayer room. She would say Takbeer loudly at various intervals. When Asma does not hear the sound of Takbeer she should go out to the mosque and tell Hazrat Ali (AS) about the death of his wife. If in the meantime the children come home give them food before telling them about the death of their mother. Hasan and Hussain arrived and Usma brought some food for them. They said they do not eat without their mother and she had to tell the children of the death of their mother. Both entered the prayer room and stayed with her for a while. Hazrat Ali (AS) arrived and prepared for the last rites. When he was giving her last bath he cried loudly. Asma asked the reason and he said he could not bear to see the wound by her side when the door of the house fell on her due to commotion by some of the companions of the Prophet when they all wanted Ali (AS) to come out of the house for the oath of Allegiance to Abu Bakr. After performing the last rites she was taken to the cemetery of Baqi in the darkness of the night for burial as per her wish. Very few family members were present at the burial of the daughter of the Prophet. Some historians say that she was buried in her own house which became part of the Masjid-e-Nabavi during the reign of Umavi Caliph Umar Ibne Abdul Aziz.

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GLORIOUS QUR’AN
O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority from among you; then if you quarrel about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the last day; this is better and very good in the end. (Glorious Qur’an 4:59)
Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn back, then on him rests that which is imposed on him and on you rests that which is imposed on you; and if you obey him, you are on the right way; and nothing rests on the Messenger but clear delivering (of the message). (Glorious Qur’an 24:54)

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

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Fourth Imam
Zainul Abedin

sourced from
smma59.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/a-true-holocaust-survivor/

The 4th Imam, Imam Ali Zaynul Abideen (A.S), son of Imam Hussain (A.S), was one of the very few survivors of the massacre on Ashura. Throughout the events in Karbala.

Imam ali Zainul-Abideen (A.S.) was born in Medina on Saturday, 11th Jamad al-Awwal, 37 (A.H.). His father was Imam Al-Husain (son of Ali and Fatima Al-Zahraa’, the daughter of the Prophet (PBUH). Zainul-Abideen’s mother was Shar Banu. ur Imam was famous for his prayers to Allah. This earned him the titles of “Al-Sajjad” meaning with Sujood-intensity; “Al-Aabid” meaning the worship-minded, and “Zainul-Abideen” meaning the one who surpasses all in worship.

Like all our other Imams, Imam Zainul-Abideen had a life of immense hardship and suffering. During the early part of his life, he witnessed the martyrdom of his father, brothers, friends and family members in Karbala. His own life was spared, on account of his grave illness during this tragedy. Despite his condition, he still asked for the permission to fight, but was denied it, as he was the next Imam after Imam Al-Husain (A.S.).

The Imam’s survival in the holocaust of Karbala is no less than a miracle in itself. It proves, however, that Allah wanted to save “Imamah” from extinction.

The gruesome ordeal of Karbala was extremely difficult if not profoundly arduous. In the immediate period after Karbala Imam Zainul-Abideen was treated in a harsh and unkind manner by the tyrannical powers of the time. After the grotesque manner his father as well as all male members of his family were killed by Yazid’s forces, Zainul Abideen was made a prisoner of the despotic ruler, Yazid. He was even put in shackles while traveling from Kufa to Damascus, a distance of 700 miles on camel back, for such was the cruelty of the rulers!

In Damascus, as well as in Kufa beforehand, Zainul Abideen faced the tyrannical rulers with enormous courage and fortitude. Singlehandedly he exposed Yazid’s cover up of the butchery that took place in Karabala, and valiantly brought to mind to those attending the court of Yazid (as well as the crowd at Jumu’a Salat) of who the family of the Prophet (Ahlul Bayt) were, and what atrocities took place in Karbala as well.

Hazarat Zainab(A.S), The Sage of Bani Hashim at Karbala

fter the demise of the Holy Prophet (SAW), there came the period of distress and hardship in the life of Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.). She stood by her mother as far as the question of supreme mandate of her father was concerned. When her mother delivered the Fadak sermon, she was only 4 years old, but narrated the sermon so lucidly and expressively that the people from Bani Hashim remembered it by heart. Later the Shiite scholars recorded it that is why she is called Zainab the narrator of traditions.

Zainab (s.a.) is the shining sun in the history of Islam and of humanity. Her brother’s name and Karbala associate the idea of freedom, justice, humanity, virtue, fighting against despotism, with the realization of the sovereignty of Allah. The history of Karbala is based on two pillars: the rising of Imam Hossein (a.s.) and the rising of Zainab (s.a.). She was an outstanding figure in the history of Karbala endowed with divine steadfastness and fortitude. She sacrificed her two sons and one should not say anything if one devoted his life for the cause of Allah. After the martyrdom of her brother and her two sons, she said: “O my Lord! Accept our humble sacrifice to You.”

When Zainab reached Kufa, she addressed people with fury words: “Praise to Allah, and may the blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad and his progeny. O people of Kufa, you are hypocrites and deceitful. You feign to be sorry for the death of my brother and his companions. May you always shed tears. I find nothing in you but flattery, evil acts and thoughts, pride and spite and ill will. By Allah! You deserve lasting sorrow instead of joy. Shames on you, your hands are imbrued with the blood of the son of the Holy Prophet (SAW), the one who was your sole refuge in case of adversity. By your evil act and disloyalty, you incurred the wrath of Allah against you. Woe betides you! No one will intercede with Allah for you.” Her furious words provoked people of Kufa to avenge Hussain’s martyrdom. This frightened Ubaidullah and his cruel agents. She also delivered a furious sermon in the court of the caliph that made his authority and despotic rule feel undermined. She said: “I fear no one but Allah. Make whatever evil plot you can. Blazes are waiting for you in the hereafter. You’ll he accountable to Allah for your atrocities.”

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

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Hazrat Ali

sourced from

www.ezsoftech.com/stories/infallible2.asp

On the 13th of the month of Rajab, twenty-three years before the migration of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) a child was born in the family of Abu Talib, the light of whom kindled the whole World. Kunaab Mecci narrates about his birth: “We and Abbas (Ibne Abdul Mutalib) were sitting together when suddenly we saw Fatima bint-e-Asad moving towards the Kaabah in the condition having delivery pain and saying “Oh God I have faith in you and the Prophet (i.e., Abraham) who by your command laid the foundation of this house. O God! I swear you by the same Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and swear you by the child in my womb make this birth comfortable and easy for me.”

This was the time when all of us saw with our own eyes that the wall of Kaabah broke apart and Fatima bint-e-Asad entered into the Kaabah. Then the wall again united.

We ran terrified and trembling to our houses to send our women into the Kaabah for the help and assistance of Fatima bint-e-Asad. We did our best but the door did not open. This event surprised all the people of Makkah.

The women of Makkah were anxiously counting moments to meet Fatima bint-e-Asad till the time she came out of the Kaabah along with a beautiful baby, saying, “God has chosen me from among the ladies of Makkah and He made me His guest in His house and gave me meals and fruits of the heaven to eat.

The ladies who were surrounding her in the form of a circle and escorting her to her home asked her, “What name have you given to this child?”

Fatima bint-e-Asad said: “When I was in the Kaabah, I heard a hidden voice call,” Name this child “ALI”.

Yes! We are talking about Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) the pious man whose childhood and infancy period lasted in such a pure and chaste way that he himself stated in Nahjul Balagha, “The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) used to pick me in his lap and embrace me and chew the food and put it into my mouth.”

Early youth of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS):

Ali ibn Abu Talib describes this enlightening period of his age as under: The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) used to go to the Cave of Hira but nobody except he (pbuh) and I did know about it. At the time when the religion of Islam had not yet reached the homes, he (pbuh) and his wife Khatijah (SA) were the only Muslims. I was the next person to them who saw the light of revelation and prophet hood and smelled the fragrance of the Prophet hood.

When the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) of Islam was ordered by God to invite his family members to embrace Islam. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) according to the advice of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) invited forty persons of the Prophet’s family at his home. Although the food was quite little but all of them ate fully well. After the meal was over the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) spoke to those present saying, “Oh the sons of Abdul Mutalib, God has ordered me to invite you to embrace Islam and get you introduced to it.”

Whosoever, having believed in my Prophet hood, promises to help and assist me shall be my brother, deputy and successor and my caliph.

He (pbuh) repeated this sentence thrice but no one except “Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS)” gave a positive response. As many times as the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) addressed the persons present, nobody except Imam Ali (AS) answered. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) was rising again and again to his feet and promising help to him and announcing his faith.

This is the very reason why the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: “This Ali, is my brother and successor listen and lend ears to what he says and obey his orders.” When Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) entered from his early youth into the phase of puberty, the part of age when all the human energies and powers are strong and firm, even in this part of the life he remained closely associated to the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) like a flying moth which moves around the Candle. He defended Islam and the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) with his strong, energetic arms.

When the enemy besieged and surrounded the Muslims in the battle of Hunain and they abandoned and left behind the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) running away for their lives, it was only and only Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) who defended and saved the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and made the enemies retreat and take to their heals.

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) killed Marhab the chief of army of Jews in the Khyber battle, whose power and bravery was making everybody tremble but Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) cut him into two and pulled apart the gate of the Khyber fort which used to be opened and closed by twenty men together. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) used it as a bridge over the trench for the Islamic army to cross over to the Khyber fort. Many such events are the specimens and evidences about the faith, and spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS).

Self-Sacrifice and Devotion of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS):

There is no doubt to it that every body loves his soul and very rarely gets ready to sacrifice it for another person but because of the fact that Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) loved the soul of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) even more than his own one, he got prepared to lay his life for him.

The event takes shape like this. When the polytheists saw that they are in danger, they jointly made a firm determination to take the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) by surprise and martyr him. So all of them gathered in “Dar un Nadva” and choose one person from each family so that every tribe gets involved in getting Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) killed and then no one could take the revenge of him.

The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) had come to know about this conspiracy through revelation. God ordered him (pbuh) to migrate from Makkah in the darkness of the night. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) needed someone, prepared to sacrifice his life and must be a trustworthy secret holder.

Hence, there was no one else except Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) in whom he confided, and told him “God has informed me that the infidels will break through the house to kill me so today you sleep on my bed.” Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) smilingly accepted it, because he (as) knew that the life of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) would be saved by his action. In fact, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) used to say later that the best sleep he had ever had was on that night (Shab-e-Hijrat).

Then the time came when the darkness of the night covered everything and Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) was sleeping on the Prophet’s (pbuh) bed calmly and peacefully and the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) came out of his house and started proceeding towards the Cave of Saur with Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). The infidels besieged the house and got prepared with their swords and spears to attack it. The sooner they were instructed to make it, they break through the house rushing with naked swords. But when they found Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) laying on the bed of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) they immediately moved out of the house desperate and astonished, and sent a few horsemen to search the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). But not very long afterwards they too returned defeated and hopeless.

Allah liked this action of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) so much that HE revealed this verse in the Holy Quran: “And among men is he who sells his NAFS (self) in exchange for the pleasure of Allah…” (Surah 2: Baqarah / Verse 207)

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) and Holy War:

Islam is the religion of peace and tranquility and does not like killing, plundering, and bloodshed. But if some one kills another without any reason then Islam has strong punishment to deal with him.

Of course, if an enemy attacks the Muslims then by the standards of wits, common sense, and religious law, self defense which as a form of Jihad/Jehad becomes essential and indispensable.

All the battles of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in which Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) fought armed and truthfully were defensive battles.

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) was such a brave, faithful, holy warrior who never got frustrated and upset and tired of the fighting and battles. He was afraid of no one except God. He used to say “By God if I see that on one side is the truth and on the other side all the rest of the people I, without caring and paying heed to those reproaching me, will fight all alone with my sword, on the way and path of the right, against them.

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib’s (AS) way or Training:

The city of Kufa was the capital of the Islamic Government. People from all over the World used to gather at that point to get the benefit of knowledge and learning from that great Islamic University.

One of those days two men came across each other in the vicinity of the city one of them was Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) and the other was a Christian who did not recognize him. The Christian man was moving towards the suburban area of Kufa, where as, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) was on his way to Kufa.

They mutually agreed to accompany each other for a while, talking to each other, so that they do not get tired.

They reached a point where two ways split out, so that each one wanted to move on one of those two different roads. The Christian bade Farwell and went on his way but he observed that his Muslim companion, whose way was on the opposite side, was moving towards him. So he stopped and questioned him, “Don’t you want to go to Kufa?”

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) said, “Yes”. The Christian man said, “Then why are you coming towards this direction?”

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) replied, “I wish to accompany you to a certain length of distance because the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said, “when two persons are together on a way (journey companions) they get a right over each other.”

“Now that you have got a right upon me, I go along with you up to a certain distance so that I must pay you (discharge) that right of yours in this world. Then I will part off on my own way.” The Christian man was much pleased and moved by this humanly attitude and conduct and he liked his talk and said, “It is befitting that I should also embrace Islam which has such a culture and students.”

His amazement and astonishment was only too enhanced when he discovered that his travel companion is Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS), the ruler of Islam. So he immediately accepted and embraced Islam at his hand. Self-preservation of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS)

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

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Hazrat Imam Hussain

sourced from

www.ezsoftech.com/stories/infallible5.asp

Birth

Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) was born on the 3rd of Shaban 4th Hijrah in Medinah Munawarra. His father was Ali (A.S.) and mother was Fatimah (S.A.). When the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) heard the news of Imam Hussain’s birth he (P.B.U.H.) became very happy and came to the house of Fatimah (S.A.). Asma, the maidservant of Hazrat Zahra covered the child in a white cloth and brought him to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). The Prophet (P.B.U.H.), picked the child up in his lap and recited the Azaan in his right ear and Aqamat in the left one. As if, apparently, he (P.B.U.H.) made the ears of his son familiar and acquainted with the name of God for the first time. On the seventh day of the birth, an angel came from the God and he said, “Just as Haroon was the brother, sympathizer, and helper in each and every difficulty of Moosa (A.S.) similarly Ali (A.S.) is your sympathizer helper and brother in each and every matter of yours. Therefore, keep the name of this child upon the name of Haroon’s son “Shabeer,” which translated into Arabic becomes ‘Hussain’. Thus the name of the second child of Fatimah (S.A.) was also selected by God.

On the 7th day of the birth Hazrat Fatimah (S.A.) got a sheep slaughtered as the Aqeeqa and distributed it’s meat among the needy and poor.

The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) quite often hugged Hussain (A.S.) taking him into his lap and used to weep bitterly, saying, “A very big tragedy will be met by my son Hussain”. The brutals and bloody men of Bani Omyaide will slay my dear son. I will not interces and mediate for them on the dooms day.

The Love of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.)

The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) loved Imam Hussain (A.S.) very much. His companion Salman Farsi describes, “I saw that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) had picked up Imam Hussain (A.S.) upon his knee and was kissing him saying, “Oh son, you are the Imam son of Imams and father of nine Imams, who would be from your generation and the last one of them is Mehdi. “One can estimate and guess the amount of love the Prophet had with Imam Hussain (A.S.) from this sentence of his “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain.” The one who is the friend of Hassan and Hussain is my friend and the one who is their enemy, is my enemy.

Hussain (A.S.) the Best Helper of his Father and Brother

Imam Hussain (A.S.) spent six years of his life with his grandfather the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and thirty years along with his honorable father Ali (A.S.). He shared each and every problem and grief of his father. He always defended his father. Once he went to the mosque and saw Hazrat Omer delivering a speech on the tribune of his grandfather. He immediately said, “get down from the tribune of my grandfather and father. What have you got to do over there?”

During the reign of his father, Imam Hussain (A.S.) playing upon his life used to be busy defending Islam and fighting against the tyrants and brutal.

He fought against the enemies by the side of his father like his brother Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.) in the battles of Jamal, safeen, and Neherwan.

He, after the martyrdom of his father, legally took the oath of allegiance for his brother and accepted him his leader and Imam. And whenever someone asked him a question he used to send him towards Imam Hassan (A.S.). And wherever he deemed suitable he himself would give the answer. Briefly speaking, he considered the defense of his brother something necessary for himself.

The Rule of Muawiyah

When Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.) was martyred due to the conspiracies of Muawiyah, Imam Hussain (A.S.) got the post of Imamate and caliphate at the age of forty-six.

Imam Hussain (A.S.) knew that all the miseries and sorrows of Muslims were due to Muawiyah who wanted to uproot Islam by his frauds, cunningness and craftiness. Therefore, Imam (AS.) did not think it was suitable to fight him openly, as Muawiyah was apparently Muslim and showed himself to be the supporter of Islam and Muslims. Therefore, Imam Hussain (A.S.) knew that if I declare a war upon him I would meet the same fate as my brother did. So he started the movement of awakening the people from the dream and slumbers of ignorance, and unawareness. So that they may turn towards him slowly and gradually, by getting aware and informed. Ultimately. Imam (A.S.) may make them work for the welfare of Islam. Along with the training of the Momins (faithful), with which Imam was busy, he occasionally opposed Muawiyah. And always gave teeth breaking and strong answer to his scurrilous language particularly when he started making people take the oath and allegiance of faithfulness for his ignorant, silly, impure, and bad character, degenerate, and undutiful son Yazeed. The Imam (A.S.) too started openly and publicly opposing him and wrote many such letters to Muawiyah by which he disgraced him very much. One of his letters reads:

i) Oh Muawiyah! You are the claimant of the caliphate and to be the successor of my grandfather? Did you not slay Hajar bin Addi and his companions in the land of Azra. You are a criminal, a killer. Then how do you claim to be the leader and caliph of my Ummah?

ii) Oh Muawiyah! Did you not declare Ziad publicly your brother and the illegitimate son of Abu Sufian about whose father the Muslims are unaware? (That who is his father and who is not?)

As such, by declaring him to be your brother, you have yourself admitted the dirtiness and uncleanness of your family. Then how can the caliphate be your right?

iii) Oh Muawiyah! The most shameful act of yours is that you have made such a silly, stupid unable and unworthy person a ruler of the Muslims whose characterless ness, excesses and aggressions are not hidden and concealed from anyone. As such, you want to destroy the religion of God and make the Muslim ummah a toy by forcibly making them take the oath of allegiance for him (Yazeed).

Hussain (A.S.) and Yazeed

Although Imam Hussain (A.S.) did not leave any stone unturned in disgracing and belittling Muawiyah even then he did not fight or clashed with him.

Nonetheless, after the death of Muawiyah his incapable son Yazeed being a proud and thickheaded person posed himself as the leader of the Muslims. And started making the Islamic personalities takes the oath of allegiance for the sake of establishing and strengthening his government.

He wrote to the governors of the cities and as such wrote a letter to Waleed who was governor of Medinah that “Immediately take the oath of allegiance from Hussain (A.S.) And if he refuses to do that then cut down his head and send it to me”.

Muawiyah had several times insistedly warned him that you might dash against anybody except Hussain (A.S.), in which case you would get destroyed. The ruler of Medinah summoned Imam Hussain (A.S.) and informed him about the letter of Yazeed. He said “I am ready for the martyrdom because only Yazeed’s becoming the caliph of Muslims is the death and disintegration of Islam”.

When Imam (A.S.) observed the worsened condition and atmosphere of Medinah he along with his companions migrated to Makka under the dark cover of the night. His mere act of migration from Medinah was a great objection upon the people’s taking oath of allegiance for Yazeed.

Imam’s (A.S.) migration not only created a hue and cry in Medinah, but it also set up an atmosphere of discussion and objections against Yazeed in Makka. And the hue and cry raised to the climax when Imam (A.S.) addressing a gathering of the pilgrims raised his voice against the obnoxious, dirty, and impure government of Yazeed.

This stand and pledge of Imam Hussain (A.S.) made the people of the whole area completely aware and understand that the caliphate of Yazeed is not correct and taking oath of allegiance for him is dishonesty to Islam and Muslims.

The Invitation of Kufis

When the news of the migration and objection of Imam Hussain (A.S.) upon the Yazeed’s regime reached Kufa. All of them (Kufis) got themselves prepared to invite him to Kufa and elect him for the caliphate and the leadership of Islam. They sent messengers along with letters, rolls and scrolls, and formally invited Imam Hussain (A.S.) to visit Kufa.

But, because of the fact that Imam (A.S.) knew about the unfaithfulness of the Kufis and he himself had witnessed their untruthfulness towards his father and brother so he sent his cousin ‘Muslim bin Aqeel’ to Kufa so that he might observe the whole affair closely and invite Imam (A.S.) if he deemed fit and suitable. Muslim bin Aqeel moved towards Kufa as desired and ordered by Imam (A.S.) and when he reached there he met a warm, noisy, grand welcome. Thousands of people took oath of allegiance and offered prayers behind him.

Muslim bin Aqeel wrote a letter to Imam (A.S.) asking him to immediately move. Imam stayed back at makka uptill the 8th of Zil Hijj and spoke to the people and instigated and provoked them against Yazeed. Then he moved towards Iraq.

Termination of the Imam’s Representative’s Affair

When Yazeed got informed about the movement of Muslim bin Aqeel and oath of allegiance being taken by the Kufis, he at once sent Ibn-e-Ziad, who was the most dirty of his companions, to Kufa with full fledge powers.

Ibn-e-Ziad, who completely knew about the spirit and the character of the people of Kufa, took advantage and made the most of the weakness and debility and feebleness of their faiths and double-faced ness hypocrisy and cowardice. And by terrifying and harassing scattered and dispersed them from around Muslim bin Aqeel. And turned the events to such an extent that even those who had written invitation letters to Imam (A.S.) put on the war dress and got ready to fight the representative of the Imam (A.S.).

“Muslim bin Aqeel” was forced to fight the agents of Ibn-e-Ziad all alone. After showing surprising and astonishing bravery he was arrested and martyred. From the very night Imam Hussain (A.S.) had departed from Madinah he had been giving the news of martyrdom and said, “Whosoever is ready to lay his life on our way and make haste to meet God may join us.”

He again spoke to his friends and companions about Jehad, holy war, and martyrdom at Makka. To the extent that even when the poet Farzdak met him on the way and gave him the news of “Muslim bin Aqeel’s” being martyred. He said, “Muslim bin Aqeel” has met the blessings of God and ended his mission and has laid the burden of the mission upon our shoulders. We hope to be able to carry this burden and weight up to its destination.

Hussain’s (A.S.) Mission

Hussain (A.S.) described his aim about this mission was to disgrace Yazid’s regime and to uphold and put into practice (Amer bil Maroof and Nahi anil munkir), to order the correct and right and to stop and refrain from the evils and to stand up against the brutality and cruelty. This was the mission God had entrusted him. His grandfather the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and his father Ali (A.S.) had several times described their son’s is being martyred.

Imam Hussain (A.S.) himself, by virtue of the knowledge of Imamate, knew that this journey would end with his martyrdom. But Hussain (A.S.) was not the one to be afraid of martyrdom and death, and overlook the command of God. He was the Imam who considered calamity as magnanimity and nobility and martyrdom as bliss and blessedness.

Ultimately, he moved toward “Karbala” and he himself and his companions were all martyred. His family members were taken prisoners. But they gave the message of those martyred to the people in the streets, and bazars of the cities and thus put the agents and paid servants of the Bani Omayaid to disgrace and shame.

The face of Hussain and his Companions on the Ashoora Day

Hussain’s (A.S.) face glittered and shone like light He gave hope and courage to his companions. The same Imam (A.S.) whose grandfather the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, “Hussain (A.S.) is the lamp of guidance and the escape boat of the ummah”. Hussain (A.S.) spoke loudly, “Oh people of the world! You must know that I have not taken steps for the battle and did not draw my sword.

An unclean, dirty character man from the criminal family of Omayde named “Yazeed” made me choose one of the two either I draw my sword and defend my honor and religion or surrender to shame and humility. But do know, beware! That surrendering with shame and humility is far away from our family. I am obliged to choose the first way.

Then he stood by the soldiers of Yazeed forces and said, “It is not expedient and wise both for your world and religion (the justice day) to kill me and fight against me. So, if you have taken the decision to fight me. It is better to compose and form a committee and take views from everyone. Then see who says fight against the son of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) who is the one gone astray and ill fated, miserable that accompanies and sides with you for killing me?

The governor of Iraq, son of Marjana, is an unclean and power seeking person. He wants to make you helpless. I know you will repent after my being martyred and will rebuke each other. Therefore, before taking steps for the battle, think and ponder about the result of your action. Be aware, God is my supporter and I am not harassed and bewildered by any coming event. I have heard from my grandfather that “World is the paradise of the infidel and the prison for the faithful.”

Death is the beginning of our joy but it is the start of your misery. There is only one bridge between this world and the other world and that is death.

If you initiate and take steps towards battle, we would also stand up along with our friends and worthy sons for defense. If we are victorious it will not be anything new for us and if we are killed world knows that we are not defeated.

“Oh helpless people! The informed and knowledge full people try and endeavor to provide themselves with a lamp, so that they do not loose their way, and I am the lamp of this ummah. But you want to put your lamp off. Do you know against whom do you fight? You are not fighting against me but you fight against God! Against your Prophet (P.B.U.H.).”

After the speech of Imam Hussain (A.S.) an enthusiasm, humming, and murmuring movements took place in the army of the enemy. The war provokers saw that if they would not start the battle, Hussain (A.S.) will shatter the army by his speech and will finish all their planning. Therefore, the order for the battle to be started was issued.

Hussain (A.S.) called out, “Oh my worthy and great friends rise up, this is the time for the combat. His friends like Habib and Zuhair were happy that Imam issued the order. Each one of them requested the other to be allowed to go for battle first, hence take the lead.

The family members of Imam (A.S.) such as the Qamer-e-Bani Hashim (Abbas [A.S.]), Ali Akbar, Qasim and all the rest got prepared for the battle. They attacked the flanks of the enemy like tigers. Whosoever came their way would be killed. Imam Hussain (A.S.) himself showed such a bravery, courage and manhood that as Ibn Sheher Ashob wrote; he slew two thousand men of the enemy.

Whenever and whichever of the friends and relatives was martyred, Hussain (A.S.) would become stronger, and more resolved and determined. One of the soldiers of the enemy said about the astonishments and wonders of Ashoora, “on the day of Ashoora instead of becoming broken and sorrowful whenever Hussain (A.S.) lost a person by martyrdom his face would glow and shine more than before and he became more determined and stronger in the battle and combat.

The thirsty and hungry, but selfless and dedicated, holy warriors showed such bravery and ferocious fight that son of Saad the Commander of the enemy shouted, “If you want to fight like this, all of you will be killed by the swords of Hussain (A.S.) and his companions”. Therefore, he ordered all the arrow men, who were nearly four thousand in number, to throw arrows simultaneously and harmoniously. The battle got flared up and reached a climax whosoever out of the Imam’s companions would fall down he would utter these words, “Oh God do accept our sacrifice.”

“The blessings of God be upon thou souls, oh movers and travelers of the way of God and Hussain (A.S.). Oh the venture some defender of the Quran’s path. Hussain (A.S.), wherever blood flew out of his body, he would raise his hands towards the sky and say, Oh God, who is the source and stock of my hope and aspiration, I depend upon you. My hopes are focused upon you. Oh God! Accept these sacrifices from us.”

Finally, as per the tradition of Shiekh Mufid, Hussain (A.S.) and his great honorable companions were martyred on Saturday the 10th of Moharram, of 61 Hijrah, and laid to rest side by side, to each other. They gave the lesson of honor, dignity, manhood and bravery to the future generations.

Why Hussain (A.S.) is not forgotten?

The one whose martyrdom, grief, pain, sorrows and children’s captivity were all only for God will never fade out of the memories. Instead, by the pace of time and age his love, fascination, and charm will grow in the hearts of people. And each year the love and fascination of the people with respect to that “pure and chaste revolutionary” increases. Hussain (A.S.) spent 57 years of his prolific life for the sake of God’s love and God’s search. Many times he traveled, to the God’s house for pilgrimage, on foot.

He was very fond of prayers confessions and supplication talking intimately. So far so, that on the last night of his life, he asked for respite only that he might sit all alone and make confessions and supplications, to his God.

One of his companions said about Arafat prayers and supplications of Imam Hussain (A.S.), On the 10th day of the month of Zil Hijj Imam Hussain stood in the burning and scorching desert of Arafat facing Holy Kaabah and prayed with painful and aching heart, “Oh God! I turn my face towards you (focus my attention) and give evidence about your being God. O God! You created me and continuously remained along with me and provided me with sustenance and livelihood with several kinds of blessings and bounties. Praise is for the God; nothing can change whose desire and stop His munificence and generosity.”

“Oh God adjudge and fix in my soul the independence and freedom from desires and faith and confidence in my heart, and sincerity in my practice and light in my vision and awareness in my religion.”

Hussain (A.S.) in the Hearts of Friends

The respect and regard which people had and still have in their hearts for Hussain (A.S.) is due to this that he lived with the people and did not consider himself aloof and segregated from them. As such, one day, he was passing through a way, a group of poor, oppressed and afflicted people was sitting with a food cloth, spread with a certain quantity of dry bread upon it before them and they were eating it. They invited him to sit along with them and eat that food with them. Imam (A.S.) accepted their invitation and sat down besides the food cloth and took the bread with them. Saying, “God does not like the proud ones.”

Imam Hussain (A.S.) has hundreds of such examples and specimens of character, which keeps his memory and martyrdom alive in the memories of the people. With every passing year, people strengthen and deepen their relations with Hussain (A.S.).

Otherwise Hussain (A.S.) did neither possess magnificent palaces nor had soldiers or many types of servants. He never closed and blocked the ways and roads to stop the movement of people like the tyrants and imperialists, and Shrine of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was never vacated for him.

One of his friends said about him “Hussain (A.S.) had the signs of scars of callosity and hard flesh on his back” When his son Imam Zain ul Abidin was questioned about it he said, “These are the callosities and signs of hardened flesh which is due to my father’s carrying sacks of food at night time, to the houses of widows and orphan children and poor families.”

One of the scholars says about Hussain (A.S.), “In the history of humanity we come across men who were prominent and distinguished in one human quality, a few in bravery, a group in piety and another one in generosity, but Hussain (A.S.) was not distinguished and eminent in one quality and few qualities instead he was distinguished in all the qualities and ethics and possessed all the human perfections and accomplishments included in his personality.

Yes, such is the person who is the heir of Mohammad’s (P.B.U.H.) Prophetic mission. Who is the heir of Ali’s (A.S.) justice and bravery? Who is the heir of his mother Fatima’s (S.A.) modesty and chastity?

He was the reflection of all the merits, accomplishments. Self sacrifices, piety and God’s love.

What day is the Ashoora?

Ashoora was a formal Arab Eid day in the days and era of ignorance. People used to keep fast and make merry, and hold ceremonies of joy in the same manner as Nauroze was considered to be the Eid day in Iran.

In the Arab history, Ashoora day (10th of Moharram) was the historical and customary Eid, when the various tribes of Arab put on new clothes and decorate the cities. Still, a group of Arabs, who is known as the “Yazeedi” group celebrates this day as a joyous festival.

When the incident and anguish of Karbala took place in the year 61 Hijrah, the mode and line of tendencies, and views of Arab and the Muslims was changed. Moharram, which was taken to be as one of the (Haram) prohibited months. War and killing was prohibited in it because the martyrdom day of the best of the sons of Adam i.e. Hussain Ibn-e-Ali (A.S.) and for the Shias it became a day of sorrow and grief, the day of honoring and celebrating the memories of the martyrs.

In the very first year of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.) his friends nearly thousands in number gathered around his grave and recited alleges. From the ushering of the era of Bani Ommayide and Yazeed unto this day, hundreds of thousands of the friends of Ahl al-bayth (A.S.) celebrate the mourning meetings and caravans move towards Karbala.

Those whose cities are away and at long distance from Karbala shape their cities as Karbala and hold mourning gatherings.

The Fatimydes of the Egypt announced the Ashoora as the day of mourning of Imam Hussain (A.S.). As such, men and women gathered around the grave of Ome Kulsum (S.A.) and mourned and recited the alleges. All along the Fatimyde Era in Egypt Ashoora remained the official and formal day of mourning and grief.

Moez ud duala Delmi ordered that Ashoora be celebrated officially in Iran and entire population and government officials must refrain from work and celebrate the mourning rituals.

This is the very reason why the mourning rituals in Iran, Egypt, Iraq and India have brought about a spiritual movement and ideological change among the Muslim masses so that today’s movement of Muslims is the sequence of the same. With every passing year, it is becoming more fruit full. Hoping that a day will come when people will mend their perverse nesses and misbehaviors and make up their deficiencies and faults and enhance their strength and values.

One of the scholars says about it “Mosques are the relics and vestiges of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) but the monasteries of mourning and Hussainias (centers of mourning) are the relics of the Ahl al-bayth (A.S.).

The Shias prattle and tell their secrets to God in the mosques and in the mourning centers they prattle to the lovers of God and those who were martyred for Him and on His way.

All along the passage of history no power could stop the movement of the Caravan of Hussain (A.S.) and history has shown that during the entire length of thirteen centuries this enthusiastic movement could not be hushed up and cooled down. For the same reason, because the martyrdom of Hussain (A.S.) and his friends took place on such a day then Joyous ceremonies and decorative measures, joyous and happy celebrations, and lightings and keeping of fast became prohibited and haram on that day.

Ibn-e-Kaseer writes, “Ashoora was announced as the public and national mourning day in Baghdad in the approximates of 400 Hijrah. People used to keep cold water and cold drinks on the highways and through fares for the thirsty ones to drink and to commemorate the thirst of Hussain (A.S.) and people of Iraq used to become mournful on the Ashoora day just like the death day of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.).

Who was the Winner of the Karbala Movement?

Although a group of simple people think that Yazeed won the Ashoora battle and Hussain (A.S.) was defeated. But by studying the history deeply and thoroughly they would appreciate that the situation was reverse and opposite of it. For, winning and succeeding does not mean that a person must remain unharmed and intact and the enemy be killed. But it means success in achieving one’s objects and goals and aspirations and ideology although one is killed. Defeat does not mean being killed and loosing life in the battlefield. But it means the death and annihilation of objective, aspiration and belief.

Hussain (A.S.) himself and his friends were martyred in the Ashoora’s tragic event, his family was taken prisoner, their properties were plundered and looted but the aim and objective of Hussain (A.S.) remained alive, because, his aim was the spreading and expansion of Islam and stopping the cruelty, tyranny and aggression, which has been carried forward during the entire length of history and millions of men are the holders and carriers of the flag of this belief and aspiration. Hut the aim of Yazeed was annihilated and perished; because his sole aim was not killing Hussain (A.S.) and his friends instead it was finishing Islam and the end and termination of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam. Since Hussain (A.S.) was on that track and way, Yazeed thought by killing Hussain (A.S.) and taking his family as prisoner the story will finish and his ends will be achieved.

Not knowing and unaware of this fact that God himself is the guard and custodian of Islam and Quran and the teachings of the Prophets. The tyrants, arrogant, and powerful of the history who always stood up against the Prophets and fought them, killed them or banished them, had the same obnoxious aim but none of them succeeded neither Nomrod and Pharos nor anyone else of them. What success can be better and clearer than this that many centuries have passed and there is no name and signs of those tyrants of the history among the people. But the Prophets of God and the, religious leaders still have their places in the depth of the hearts of the informed, aware, and human loving people. People praise them regarding their greatness and they do not cherish the memories of the kings. Today we observe that the graves of religious leaders and the real movement makers of history have got devoted lovers who travel long distances after bearing the inconveniences and discomforts, to bow down to their graves and tell their secrets to them. But the graves of the tyrants of history do not have any visitors because they do not have anything to give it to anyone.

After, the catastrophe and calamity of Karbala the signs of the triumph of Hussain (A.S.) and defeat of Yazeed became evident and clear, because where ever the remaining family members of Hussain (A.S.) would set their feet people would exhibit their emotions, of love and attachment with them and curse their enemies, to such extent, that even the family members of Yazeed did not give him any respect. Instead, a few of his near relatives raised objection and rebuked, reproached and blamed him.

Brief Sayings of the Imam Hussain (A.S.)

1. Imam Hussain (A.S.) said on the day of Ashoora: “People are the servants of the World and touch the religion by their tongues. Till such time that they know that religion does not carry any harm for them, they would move and spin around it. But when the test comes then the real religious ones are (to be seen) actually very few in number.”

2. Imam Hussain (A.S.) told his son Imam Zain ul Abidin: “Avoid being cruel to anybody who does not have any helper except God.”

3. During fare well to his son on Ashoora day he said: “Oh my son do not weep, do not shed tears on my leaving, your distress and calamity does not come to an end. But that will be the beginning of your discomforts, agonies and grief’s. Be strong, because God is your supporter. Beware, after I pass away, do not say a word before the enemy so that your worth comes down.”

4. Worst of the people is the one who gives (surrenders) his dooms day for his world (material gains).

5. Do not perform any good work for the sake of people’s praise and do not abandon it for fear of shame.

6. Those who worship and adore God do not worship others.

7. Whatever my brother Hassan (A.S.) did during his life was upon the command and order of God. And that which I do is also upon the order of God.

8. Do not say a word, which may make you repent and force you to make excuse

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SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

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Hazrat Abbas

sourced from

www.shiyat.com/masoom/abbas.htm

HAZRAT ABBAS (a.s)

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Hazrat Ali married Fatimah Binti Huzaam Ibne Khalid in 24 Hijrah. Fatimah gave birth to Hazrat Abbas on the 4th Shabaan, 26th Hijrah. In 27th Hijrah Ja’far was born and in 29th Hijrah Uthmaan was born. Abdullah was born in 32nd Hijrah. Because she had four sons Fatima Binti Huzaam was known as Ummul Baneen.

Ummul Baneen, from the very first day she entered Hazrat Ali’s house, treated the children of Bibi Fatimah with utmost respect. She brought up her own sons to look upon Imaam Hassan, Imaam Hussain, Bibi Zainab and Bibi Kulthoom, not as brothers and sisters but as masters and mistresses.

Imaam Hussain was very attached to Hazrat Abbas. When Hazrat Abbas was born, Hazrat Ali asked Imaam Hussain to recite the adhaan and the iqamah in the ears of the child. When he was on the arms of Imaam Hussain, the infant smiled and raised his arms. There were tears in Imaam Hussain’s eyes. Was it because he knew that the child was trying to say: “O Mawla I have come and will happily give these my arms and my life for you and Islam” ?

In early childhood Hazrat Abbas would follow Imaam Hussain like a shadow. If Imaam Hussain looked thirsty, Abbas would rush to bring him water. If Imaam Hussain seemed hot, Abbas would fan him with the hem of his cloak. At the battle of Siffeen in the 34th Hijrah, Abbas was only eight years old. Imaam Hussain was fighting in the battle field. When Hazrat Abbas saw an enemy soldier approaching Imaam Hussain from behind, he took a sword and rushed into the battle field and killed the enemy, at the same time crying out in a loud voice, “How can any one dare attack my Mawla while I am alive.” He continued to fight maintaining his position behind Imaam Hussain. Muawiya saw this and asked, “Who is that boy?” When he was told he was Abbas ibne Ali, he said, “By God! No one can fight like that at that age except a son of Ali!”

Hazrat Abbas grew up to be a tall and handsome man. He was so tall, that when he sat on a horse his feet touched the ground. He was so handsome that he was known as Qamar-e-Bani Hashim, the Moon of the family of Hashim.

Hazrat Abbas was also a valiant warrior. It was said that Muawiya did not dare invade Madina because of five men who were with Imaam Hussain and could, together with their Imaam, conquer a whole army. These were Muhammad Hanafia, a brother of Imaam Hussain, Hazrat Muslim ibne Aqeel, Abdullah Ibne Jaffer, Hazrat Abbas and Hazrat Ali ibnal Hussain, our fourth Imaam, Zainul ‘Abideen.

When Imaam Hussain decided to leave Madina in the month of Rajab 60 Hijrah, he did not encourage Muhammad Hanafia and Abdullah Ibne Jaffer to accompany him. He wanted to make sure that no one at the time or in the future would suggest that Hussain wanted to fight for the khilafah.

Just before Imaam Hussain left Madina, Ummul Baneen summoned all her four sons and said to them, “My sons you must remember that while I love you, Imaam Hussain is your Master. If Imaam or his sisters or his children get injured or hurt while you are still alive, I will never forgive you.” There were tears in Hazrat Abbas’s eyes as he promised his mother that he and his brothers would lay down their lives for Imaam Hussain and his children.

The caravan reached Kerbala on 2nd Muharram. From the day the sad news of Hazrat Muslim’s murder had reached the caravan of Imaam Hussain, Hazrat Abbas and his brothers increased their vigilance to protect Imaam and the others.

Hazrat Abbas was very popular with the children of Imaam Hussain especially Sakina who was only four years old. Whenever the children wanted anything they would cry out “Ya Abbas!” or “Ya Ammahu!”, and Abbas would go running. But from the seventh of Muharram Abbas was unable to respond to their cries for water.

Then came the day of Ashura, after Zuhr prayers one by one the brave companions of Imaam Hussain fell in the battle field. At last only Imaam Hussain, Ali Akber and Hazrat Abbas were left. Imaam Zainul ‘Abideen lay sick in his tent.

Several times Hazrat Abbas asked Imaam Hussain for permission to go and fight. Each time Imaam Hussain would reply “Abbas, you are the captain of my army, you are my ‘alamdaar - the standard bearer”. Hazrat Abbas would never argue with Imaam Hussain. His three brothers were killed in the battle fought after Zuhr. Imaam Hussain could see the anger in Hazrat Abbas’s eyes, especially when Hazrat Qasim’s body was trampled upon by the enemy. Imaam Hussain knew that if he let Abbas go and fight, there would be a massacre in the enemy rank. Imaam Hussain’s object was to re-awaken Islam and not to score a victory on the battle field.

Just then Bibi Sakina came out holding a dried up mask. She walked up to Hazrat Abbas and said “AL ATASH, YA AMMAHU! I am thirsty O my uncle Abbas !” Abbas went to Imaam Hussain and requested for permission to go and get water for Sakina. Imaam Hussain gave his permission. Abbas put Sakina’s mashk on the ‘alam, mounted his horse and rode up to Imaam Hussain. He said “I have come to say goodbye”. Imaam Hussain said “My brother, come and embrace me”. Hazrat Abbas dismounted his horse. There were tears in Imaam’s eyes. As Hazrat Abbas prepared to mount his horse, Imaam Hussain said, “My brother, I want a gift from you. I want your sword”. Hazrat Abbas, without uttering a word, gave Imaam Hussain his sword and rode into the battlefield, armed only with a spear and holding the ‘alam.

There were 30,000 enemy soldiers in the battlefield. They had all heard of the valour of Hazrat Abbas. A cry arose, “Abbas is coming!” Yazeed’s soldiers started hiding behind one another. A few brave ones dared go near Hazrat Abbas but were soon put to death by the spear or by a kick.

Hazrat Abbas reached the river Furaat. He filled the mashk with water. He himself was very thirsty. He took the water in his palms, looked at it and threw it away saying, “O water of Furaat, my lips can welcome you only after Sakina has quenched her thirst !?” He placed the mashk on his ‘alam and started to ride back.

Umar Sa’ad cried out, “Do not let that water reach Hussain’s camp, otherwise we shall all be doomed!”

A soldier climbed a tree and as Abbas was riding past the tree he struck his sword on the right shoulder The spear and the arm fell on to the ground. Just then someone crept behind Hazrat Abbas and struck him on the left shoulder. The ‘alam fell. Hazrat Abbas gripped the mashk with his teeth. His one object was to get the water to Sakina. Fighting with his feet he urged the horse to get him to Imaam’s camp as quickly as possible.

Alas ! an arrow was shot. It went flying across the desert and hit the mashk. The water began to pour out and with the water all the hopes of Hazrat Abbas poured on to the sands of Kerbala to be buried forever in the thirsty desert. Abbas now did not want to go back and face Sakina. With his feet, he signalled the horse to turn back. The enemy surrounded him from all sides. Abbas fell from the horse!! As he fell, he cried out “My salaams to you Ya Mawla!”

Imaam Hussain seemed to lose all his strength when he heard the voice of his dear brother Abbas.

When Hazrat Abbas left to go to fetch water, Imaam stood at the gate of the camp watching the ‘alam. Sakina was standing next to Imaam Hussain, also with her eyes fixed on the ‘alam. When Abbas reached the river bank and bent down to fill the mashk, the ‘alam disappeared from sight. Sakina was frightened and looked at her father. Imaam said, ‘Sakina, your uncle Abbas is at the river bank’. Sakina smiled and said, ‘Alhamdulillah !’ and called out all the children to welcome Abbas. When Hazrat Abbas lost both arms, the ‘alam fell onto the ground. Sakina could see it no longer! She looked at Imaam Hussain, but he turned his face away. Sakina began to tremble with fear and her eyes filled with tears. She raised her hands and prayed, ‘Ya Allah! Do not let them kill my uncle Abbas! I will never ask for water again!’ and ran inside to her mother.

Imaam Hussain reached where Hazrat Abbas was lying. It was a tragic sight. Hazrat Abbas was lying on the ground. Both arms had been severed! There was an arrow in the right eye and blood blocked the left eye. As soon as Hazrat Abbas sensed the presence of Imaam Hussain he said “Mawla, why did you take the trouble to come over? Please go back and look after Sakina.” Imaam Hussain said, “My dear brother, all your life you have served me and my children. Is there anything I can do for you at this last moment of you life ?” Hazrat Abbas replied, “Aqaa, please, clean the blood from my eye so that I can see your beloved face before I die!” Imaam cleaned the blood. Abbas fixed his gaze on Imaam. Then he said, “Mawla please do not carry my body to the camp. I do not wish Sakina to see me in this state!” Imaam Hussain took Hazrat Abbas in his arms, and kissed his forehead. Just then our Mawla, our Mushkil Kushaa, Abbas ibne Ali breathed his last. Imaam Hussain placed Sakina’s mashk on the ‘alam and carried the ‘alam to the camp. He went to Bibi Zainab’s tent. Imaam Hussain could not say a word. He gave the ‘alam to Bibi Zainab and sat down on the floor! The brother sister performed aza-e-Abbas.

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
Filed Under: shiasm | No Comments »

SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Bibi Zainab

sourced from

www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/zainab1.asp

Sayyeda Zainab(s.a.) life details:

Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.), the daughter of Imam Ali (a.s.) and Sayyeda Fatima (s.a.), was an exemplary woman of great ability, intelligence, knowledge, insight, courage and perseverance; she performed her divine duties to the best of her ability. She was born to a family formed by the Prophet (SAW), the most outstanding figure in history. The Prophet’s wife Sayyeda Khadija (s.a.) a devoted woman, was her maternal grandmother, and her paternal grandmother was Fatima daughter of Assad, who mothered and nursed the Prophet (SAW). The members of the family, in trio hierarchical order, were all great.

Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.) was a brilliant star in the mandate sky that received rays of holiness from the five suns. It was through her holy origins and pious edification that she manifested so great a fortitude in Karbala (Iraq).

The life of the daughter of Sayyeda Al-Zahra (s.a.) was always laden with hardships, but she never feared coping with difficulties, this enhanced her endurance and elevated her soul.

The Birth of Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.)

There is divergence of opinions about the birth date of Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.). Some say it was in Medina 5th of Jamadi Al-Awwal, and others say it was 1st in the month of Shabaan, in the 6th Hijra year.

It was five years after the Muslims had accompanied the Prophet (SAW) and his family in the migration (Hijrah) to Medina, when the Holy Prophet’s daughter, Sayyeda Fatima (s.a.), gave birth to a little girl.

When her father, Imam Ali (AS), saw his daughter for the first time Imam Hussain (a.s.), who was then almost three years old, was with him. The boy exclaimed in delight, “O father, Allah has given me a sister.”

At those words Imam Ali (a.s.) began to weep, and when Hussain (a.s.) asked why he was crying so, his father answered that he would soon come to know.

Sayyeda Fatima (s.a.) and Imam Ali (a.s.) did not name their child until a few days after her birth, for they awaited the Prophet’s return from a journey so that he could propose the name.

When finally the baby girl was brought before him he held her in his lap and kissed her. The Angel Gabriel came to him and conveyed the name that was to be hers, and then he began to weep. The Prophet (SAW) asked why Gabriel wept and he answered, “O Prophet of Allah. From early on in life this girl will remain entangled in tribulations and trials in this world. First she will weep over your separation (from this world); thereafter she will bemoan the loss of her mother, then her father, and then her brother Hassan. After all this she will be confronted with the trials of the land of Karbala and the tribulations of that lonely desert, as a result of which her hair will turn gray and her back will be bent.”

When the members of the family heard this prophecy they all broke down in tears. Imam Hussain (a.s.) now understood why earlier his father had also wept. Then the Prophet (SAW) named her Zainab (s.a.).

One day, when Zainab (s.a.) was about five years old, she had a strange and terrible dream. A violent wind arose in the city and darkened the earth and the sky. The little girl was tossed hither and thither, and suddenly she found herself stuck in the branches of a huge tree. But the wind was so strong that it uprooted the tree. Zainab (s.a.) caught hold of a branch but that broke. In a panic she grabbed two twigs but these top gave way and she was left falling with no support. Then she woke up. When she told her grand father, the Prophet (SAW), about this dream he wept bitterly and said, “O my daughter. That tree is me who is shortly going to leave this world. The branches are your father Ali and your mother Fatima Zahra, and the twigs are your brothers Hassan and Hussain. They will all depart this world before you do, and you will suffer their separation and loss.”

She had barely attained the tender age of seven when her beloved mother passed away. Her mother’s death had closely followed her cherished grand father’s passing away. Some time later Imam Ali (a.s.) married Umm ul-Banin, whose devotion and piety encouraged Zainab (s.a.) in her learning.

Whilst still a young girl she was fully able to care for and be responsible for the running of her father’s household. As much as she cared for the comforts and ease of her brothers and sisters, in her own wants she was frugal and unstintingly generous to the poor, homeless and parentless. After her marriage her husband is reported as having said, “Zainab is the best housewife.”

From very early on she developed an unbreakable bond of attachment to her brother Imam Hussain (a.s.). At times when as a baby in her mother’s arms she could not be pacified and made to stop crying, she would quieter down upon being held by her brother, and there she would sit quietly gazing at his face. Before she would pray she used to first cast a glance at the face of her beloved brother.

One day Fatima (s.a.) mentioned the intensity of her daughter’s love for Imam Hussain (a.s.) to the Prophet (SAW). He breathed a deep sigh and said with moistened eyes, “My dear child, this child of mine Zainab would be confronted with a thousand and one calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala.”

Zainab (s.a.) grew into a fine stature young woman. Of her physical appearance little is known. When the tragedy of Karbala befell her in her mid fifties she was forced to go out uncovered. It was then that some people remarked that she appeared as a ’shining sun’ and a ‘piece of the moon’.

Zainab, the sage of Bani Hashim

In her character she reflected the best attributes of those who raised her. In sobriety and serenity she was likened to Umm ul-Muminin Khadija, her grandmother (s.a.); in chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima Zahra (s.a.); in eloquence to her father Imam Ali (a.s.); in forbearance and patience to her brother Imam Hassan (a.s.); and in bravery and tranquility of the heart to Imam Hussain (a.s.). Her face reflected her father’s awe and her grandfather’s reverence.

Ibn Abbas quoted Sayyeda Zahra (s.a.) as having said that her daughter Zainab, like her father, was unparalleled in literary eloquence and courage. The speech she delivered in the assembly in presence of Yazid was at the zenith of eloquence and impressiveness. (Refer Famous Women, Dr. Ahmed Beheshti, and p.51)

After the demise of the Holy Prophet (SAW), there came the period of distress and hardship in the life of Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.). She stood by her mother as far as the question of supreme mandate of her father was concerned. When her mother delivered the Fadak sermon, she was only 4 years old, but narrated the sermon so lucidly and expressively that the people from Bani Hashim remembered it by heart. Later the Shiite scholars recorded it that is why she is called Zainab the narrator of traditions.

Sayyeda Zainab’s Marriage

When the time came for marriage, she was married in a simple ceremony to her first cousin, Abdullah Ibn Ja’far Tayyar. Her marriage settlement was equal to that of her mother’s. Imam Ali (a.s.) told Ja’far not to prevent Zainab from going on a journey with Imam Hussain (a.s.), her brother.

Abdullah had been brought up under the direct care of the Prophet (SAW). After his death, Imam Ali (a.s.) became his supporter and guardian until he came of age. He grew up to be a handsome youth with pleasing manners and was known for his sincere hospitality to guests and selfless generosity to the poor and needy.

Although Zainab’s husband was a man of means, she lived a modest life, not a life of luxury. She and her husband were charitable to the needy people. The Arab tribes called Abdullah “the sea or the cloud of munificence”.

The marriage of Zainab did not diminish her strong attachment to her family. Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one daughter, Umm Kulthum.

In Medina it was Zainab’s practice to hold regular meetings for women in which she shared her knowledge and taught them the precepts of the Deen of Islam as laid out in the Holy Quran. Her gatherings were well and regularly attended. She was able to impart the teachings with such clarity and eloquence that she became known as Fasihah (skillfully fluent) and Balighah (intensely eloquent).

In the thirty-seventh year A.H. (after Hijrah), Imam Ali (as) moved to Kufa to finally take up his rightful position as khalifah. He was accompanied by his daughter Zainab (s.a.) and her husband. Her reputation as an inspiring teacher among the women had preceded her. There too women would throng to her daily sittings where they all benefited from her erudition, wisdom and scholarship in the exegesis of the Qur’an.

The depth and certainty of her knowledge earned her the name given to her by her nephew, Imam Ali Zayn ul-Abidin (a.s.), of Alimah Ghayr Mu’allamah, ’she who has knowledge without being taught’.

Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.) and Imamate

In her life Zainab (s.a.) always saw the evildoers, oppressors, insurgents and breakers of covenants defy the truth and Imam Ali (a.s.), the supporter of the truth and justice had to quell their revolts. Finally, an evil hand gave Imam Ali (a.s.) a stroke from a poisoned sword on his head in the mosque of Kufa. After Imam Ali (a.s.), his son Imam Hassan (a.s.) became the Caliph. Hassan was also greatly oppressed until at last he signed a peace treaty with the ruler of that time and moved to Kufa in the company of Zainab, her husband, and his own companions. Imam Hassan (a.s.) was poisoned by his treacherous wife Joda, by the order of the Caliph of that time. After Imam Hassan, Imam Hussain (a.s.) became the Imam, but the ruler of Syria Mavia violated the peace treaty and appointed his son Yazid as his successor and insisted that Imam Hussain (a.s.) should pledge allegiance to him. Imam Hussain refused to pledge allegiance and made up his mind to move to Mecca.

Zainab (s.a.) said farewell to her husband and went with her brother accompanied by her sons Muhammad and Aun. They reached Mecca in 61 Hijra year.

Imam Hussain (a.s.) was informed that some agents of the ruler of that time had come to Mecca to assassinate him while circumambulating the Holy Ka’bah. Imam Hussain (a.s.) deemed it advisable to move to Kufa and let people know of his secret mission. They arrived at Karbala on the 2nd Muharram. Zainab had heard from her grandfather and father that Karbala would be the place where Imam Hussain (a.s.) would be martyred.

Sayyeda Zainab (s.a.) in Karbala

Zainab (s.a.) is the shining sun in the history of Islam and of humanity. Her brother’s name and Karbala associate the idea of freedom, justice, humanity, virtue, fighting against despotism, with the realization of the sovereignty of Allah. The history of Karbala is based on two pillars: the rising of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the rising of Zainab (s.a.). She was an outstanding figure in the history of Karbala endowed with divine steadfastness and fortitude. She sacrificed her two sons and one should not say anything if one devoted his life for the cause of Allah. After the martyrdom of her brother and her two sons, she said: “O my Lord! Accept our humble sacrifice to You.”

When Zainab reached Kufa, she addressed people with fury words: “Praise to Allah, and may the blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad and his progeny. O people of Kufa, you are hypocrites and deceitful. You feign to be sorry for the death of my brother and his companions. May you always shed tears. I find nothing in you but flattery, evil acts and thoughts, pride and spite and ill will. By Allah! You deserve lasting sorrow instead of joy. Shames on you, your hands are imbrued with the blood of the son of the Holy Prophet (SAW), the one who was your sole refuge in case of adversity. By your evil act and disloyalty, you incurred the wrath of Allah against you. Woe betides you! No one will intercede with Allah for you.” Her furious words provoked people of Kufa to avenge Hussain’s martyrdom. This frightened Ubaidullah and his cruel agents. She also delivered a furious sermon in the court of the caliph that made his authority and despotic rule feel undermined. She said: “I fear no one but Allah. Make whatever evil plot you can. Blazes are waiting for you in the hereafter. You’ll he accountable to Allah for your atrocities.”

The Foundation of Mourning (Majales A’azaa)

Another unique feature of Zainab’s character was her establishment of mourning ceremonies. This tradition which has lived in the memories and hearts of millions of Muslims to this day, has kept the sacrifices of Imam Hussein alive, and brought dynamism to every movement that aimed at removing injustices on earth.

After every Majlis, the women would offer their condolences to Zainab (s.a.) and the men to Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen. These majales made quite a stir in the cities, and the sound of crying and beating of chests and heads affected the minds of the inhabitants, and made them sadder and wiser to the events of Karbala.

In the end…

As it is said, “the word is mightier than the sword”, this should stay in the minds of all Muslims, particularly the women. They should realize that they could always make a difference. They can always reach for the better. Also, they can make their Ummah look better.

The Muslim women should read more about the hardships which faced the great women of Islam understand and practice the patience that characterized the life of Zainab (s.a.), and teach their children the value of these acts.

The men alone cannot win independence and prosperity, neither can the women. Together, and under the banner of Islam, they can achieve success.

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
Filed Under: shiasm | No Comments »

SHIITES AND SHIAISM, Shi’aism, Shia, Shias, Shî’ah, sheee, shi …

Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

I shoot metaphors that end up as images ,on the cosmic consciousness of the human soul.
A Sunni Mosque on one side of the road and marching Shia Alams on the other side of the road.

And the Sun of Islam overhead .

This is wordless poetry… we call it mutual coexistence…in Shiasm.

And I borrowed this title from my neighbors…

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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Hallauri Nohakars

Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

God was in a very favourable mood , and God likes Shias, and God likes anything in praise to the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain..
God after giving all he had to Mir Anis , Mir Taki Mir, Sachhey , Nadim Sarwar , Nasir Jahan, Irfan Hyder, and other Pakistani heavyweights, felt the need to give an upgrade to the poets of Shia poetry in India.
Yes he chose Hallaur and Hallauris are born poets, I have heard even when a Hallauri child is born, he hardly cries he comes out from his mothers womb recting Shia poetry or Nazm..

Maybe as a pedestrian poet I exggerate , but the fact remains the Hallauris Nohakars are the pride of Hallaur.

Nayab Hallauri, Khurshid Hallauri, Khushtar Hallauri and Betab Hallauri are the few I have heard, there maybe many I am sure in the closet… or the Hallauri wardrobe..
And Hallauris are born carpeners too a trade that Jesus Christ is considered holding the brand equity too..

The Hallauri hand matam, well this is their home made speciality, and honestly I believe watching them do the Matam..even if you are not a Shia you will feel like doing it too..
This is a yogic exercise in reliving Pain that the Shias collectively call Ghame Hussain.

Incidentally my maternal grandfather Daroga Nabban Saab of Pata Nala was from the family of poet Mir Anis

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
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Shiasm and Woes of a Photo Blogger

Originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1

Through my pictures without bombast, without justification or pontification, without glorification I show you Shiasm, events and processions that happen here in Mumbai , shot by me .

I give you a ringside view, and my basic viewer is the westener , someome wjo wont see all this, perhaps in his part of the world.

I am not an evangelist, or a promoter of the religion I was born into, I record events for the unborn Shia chld too, who will be more net savvy than I am hopefully.

And Shia children are adults when it comes to anything pertaining to Ghame Hussain.

I have kept my Haji Malang pictures on hold and even the pictures I shot of Firoze Rafaee and his astounding acts of body mutilation..

And I shall shoot Good Friiday and the 14 Stations of the Cross, I will shoot the burning of Holika and if Jayant Dhulp invites me I shall go to shoot the bullock cart race at Alibagh on Holi day.
An event I have tried never to miss.

Here at Flickr I am happy that I can have the same picture in various sets, I dont have to break my head on categories a feature that at Word Press drove me round the bend srolling over 150 categories with an injured right hand and a single typing finger, , I did away with it, so just one category Firoze Shakir Bollywoods Most Wanted.

Even Buzznet has separate galleries for your pictures and tagging is blogger friendly and mass edit a million times better than Flickr..loading of the interface at Flickr is pure pristine pain in the ass..
And if you uploaded pictures through flickr uploader and if there is a power failure , you have to again put your pictures into sets and organizer of flickr is no help whatsoever.
Or maybe I am yet not that net savvy.
I feel blogging tools should be competently minimal, and blogger friendly.
And a robot that runs Flickr perhaps may not understand the human woes of an incorrigible photo blogger.
And Word Verification at Blogspot is a tombstone on photoblogging that says as your epitaph you are a positive spam..I proved it , I dont post at Bloggerspot ..

A picture is worth a million words but sometimes you have to give it an apt title and some explanation too..and pictures and specially words are prone to get misinterpreted.

I have learnt one basic thing in 9 months at Flickr, I have gone mellow, mature , no more attacking those who leave hate comments on my post with vicious retaliation through poetry, I simply delete the comment..
I dont block anyone - does not help.
And I dont cry and weep tears to Flickr Support … Luckily I am an Indian and not a Scotsman.

He and his friends flagged my post at Flickr, after having driven me insane at Poem Hunter, Flickr deleted that post, fine by me,I learnt a lesson in community guidelines the hard way..but it helped.

The white man is more sensitive than a colored man when his stone washed ass gets kicked..and here at Flickr after being racially illtreated at Poem Hunter, I dont even broach the word Racist or Racism…

All that has gone , I post pictures you like it see it or move along I am still unlearning poetry and photography.

My account at Ipernity exists my Moharam pictures are there undeleted.
But I have quit posting at Ipernity, completely , saying Moharam pictures corrupts minors made me go and see Nice Jewish Girls pictures all over again for their pictorially aesthetic values, and today everyone knows what one has to see.

I am against child porn and child abuse.

But dictang what one must see or not see is an insult to a progressive human brain, and freedom of expression, freedom of expression does not imply hurting religious leaders or human religious sentiments..

If Yazid was indeed a good man , I dont think he would ever be cursed beyond redemption..
These are my personal views take it with a pinch of salt. and some pepper.

Posted by photographerno1 on 20 Mar 2008
Filed Under: shiasm | No Comments »