War and Peace in Islam
We are here in this spiritual gathering today to commemorate two great
occasions; the passing away of the most noble creature of God, the Holy
Prophet of Islam (saww), and the martyrdom of the second infallible
Imam, the first grandson of the Prophet; Imam Hasan (a.s.).
The topic I am going to deal with today is Peace and War in Islam a very controversial issue nowadays. The reason I have chosen this topic is that unfortunately there is a misunderstanding among some Shiites who dont have enough Islamic education. They assume that Imam Hasan was a man of peace whereas Imam Husain was a man of war. As a result, conservatives praise Imam Hasan and claim to be his followers, while the extremists blame Imam Hasan and accuse him of seeking a comfortable life. Imam Husain, on the other hand, is an extremist for the first group and a role model for the second. According to the second group, armed struggle is the only duty upon every Muslim, he is Yazidian otherwise.
This argument in fact goes back to the question of whether Islam is the religion of peace or does it advocate for war? In other words, was Islam in its early days spread by sword or were there other factors involved? Is Islam the religion of violence or it is the religion of peaceful coexistence? Are Muslims allowed to sign any peace treaty with a non Islamic state that they are in conflict with, or they are bound to fight, whatever the circumstances are?
These and many such questions have occupied the minds and the time of many contemporary intellectuals.
It may not be an exaggerated claim that many people in the West hold that Islam is a terrorist religion and hence the term Islam sounds obnoxious to them. Such a false belief, to the best of my knowledge, is one of the main barriers between Westerners and real Islam. Should they become familiar with the true image of Islam regarding war and peace, I can assert many of them who are already perplexed and seeking asylum would embrace Islam. Such an illusion has not of course come to their mind out of the blue. Millions of dollars have, and are still being allocated by the enemies of Islam, especially in the last decades to inject this illusion into the minds of people, to introduce Islam, as a frightful evil which no one would be daring enough to get close to.
To cut a long story short, we believe Islam in its nature is a peaceful religion advocating a wise coexistence. The following are some of the proofs that wars have never been the cause for the spread of Islam:
1. Indonesia is the most populated Islamic state with more than 100 million Muslims. Yet, there has never been any Islamic military attack to that country.
2. Millions of Muslims in China are worshipping Allah and yet, Islam has never entered China by military force.
3. Many African countries as well as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, have all embraced Islam without being forced by any Islamic groups.
4. In the contemporary world, many people in the West, from black Americans, including their inmates, as well as Europeans including their migrants, to Australians, New Zealanders to Aborigines are coming towards and embracing Islam without any military force.
5. The Mongol leader Genghis Khan was one of the great conquerors in the history of the world, born C.1167. In his series of destructive, savagely and bloody invasions of much of the Asian mainland, he invaded Iran which was an Islamic state by then. Yet, after one or two generations instead of Iranian Muslims being converted to the Mongolian religion, they themselves embraced Islam.
6. Many Ayat as well as Ahadith in different ways and means condemn all types of corruption on earth. Needless to say, human wars and the shedding of blood are one of the best examples of corruption.
Q. With all respect to the previous proofs, still we do have some examples of Islam being spread by the sword. Iran is one of the vivid examples which was conquered by Muslim Arabs in early Islam. As a result, Iranians had to become Muslims and give up their previous religion, i.e. Zoroastrianism.
A. Hundreds of wars have taken place in the history of mankind, yet the conquerors have never been able to force their religion upon the conquered peoples, as the Mongolians failed to do so. Hence, Iranians did not embrace Islam because of the sword of Muslims. As a matter of fact, it is impossible to penetrate into the hearts of people by sword. The power of the sword is not more than for cutting the flesh. The sword is not capable of influencing the conscience and the belief of human beings. In short, the main reason for people like Iranians accepting Islam rests on other issues. Iranians were impressed by the justice found in Islam, after being sick of the vicious discrimination from the Sasanian dynasty.
Types of War
Although Islam is the religion of peace, and unlike some of the Western thinkers, such as Freud and Nitche, who did not acknowledge war as a natural phenomenon in human life, Islam prescribes war under a few circumstances.
In general, there are two types of war.
1. War in the sense of blood shedding, murdering, massacres and plundering for the sake of power, as a struggle for survival.
2. War in the sense of protecting the life of the innocent by destroying the evil people who try to destroy human life and wisdom. Such a war is like a surgical operation for the sake of saving the rest of the body by amputating the decayed organ or limb. The sword of Islam is nothing more than a surgical knife in the hands of a wise surgeon. It is like a small shovel to uproot the weeds from the gardens of humanity.
To this end, war in Islam is not only a form of worship, but holy worshipping.
The Islamic Jihad (holy war) has never been mentioned in the Quran without having the preliminary statement for the sake of God. That, then, is what makes Islamic wars different from other types of human war which are fought for the sake of power, sovereignty and profit.
Peace in Islam
Since the man of Islam has surrendered to Allah, he is a warrior when war is required, based on the above explanation, and he is the most peaceful person when it is time for peace.
The Holy Quran in Sura 8 Aya 61 states: And if the enemy incline towards peace, you should also incline towards peace, and trust in Allah..
The history of Islam has presented many examples in which the Holy Prophet (saww), as well as his infallible successors have welcomed peace when it would be of benefit to the Ummah. Islamic victory does not necessarily mean fighting and conquering. If the victory can be gained in a peaceful way, then war is not prescribed in Islam. Therefore, to be a warrior or a peaceful man in Islam depends upon the circumstances in which a man of Islam finds himself.
The topic I am going to deal with today is Peace and War in Islam a very controversial issue nowadays. The reason I have chosen this topic is that unfortunately there is a misunderstanding among some Shiites who dont have enough Islamic education. They assume that Imam Hasan was a man of peace whereas Imam Husain was a man of war. As a result, conservatives praise Imam Hasan and claim to be his followers, while the extremists blame Imam Hasan and accuse him of seeking a comfortable life. Imam Husain, on the other hand, is an extremist for the first group and a role model for the second. According to the second group, armed struggle is the only duty upon every Muslim, he is Yazidian otherwise.
This argument in fact goes back to the question of whether Islam is the religion of peace or does it advocate for war? In other words, was Islam in its early days spread by sword or were there other factors involved? Is Islam the religion of violence or it is the religion of peaceful coexistence? Are Muslims allowed to sign any peace treaty with a non Islamic state that they are in conflict with, or they are bound to fight, whatever the circumstances are?
These and many such questions have occupied the minds and the time of many contemporary intellectuals.
It may not be an exaggerated claim that many people in the West hold that Islam is a terrorist religion and hence the term Islam sounds obnoxious to them. Such a false belief, to the best of my knowledge, is one of the main barriers between Westerners and real Islam. Should they become familiar with the true image of Islam regarding war and peace, I can assert many of them who are already perplexed and seeking asylum would embrace Islam. Such an illusion has not of course come to their mind out of the blue. Millions of dollars have, and are still being allocated by the enemies of Islam, especially in the last decades to inject this illusion into the minds of people, to introduce Islam, as a frightful evil which no one would be daring enough to get close to.
To cut a long story short, we believe Islam in its nature is a peaceful religion advocating a wise coexistence. The following are some of the proofs that wars have never been the cause for the spread of Islam:
1. Indonesia is the most populated Islamic state with more than 100 million Muslims. Yet, there has never been any Islamic military attack to that country.
2. Millions of Muslims in China are worshipping Allah and yet, Islam has never entered China by military force.
3. Many African countries as well as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, have all embraced Islam without being forced by any Islamic groups.
4. In the contemporary world, many people in the West, from black Americans, including their inmates, as well as Europeans including their migrants, to Australians, New Zealanders to Aborigines are coming towards and embracing Islam without any military force.
5. The Mongol leader Genghis Khan was one of the great conquerors in the history of the world, born C.1167. In his series of destructive, savagely and bloody invasions of much of the Asian mainland, he invaded Iran which was an Islamic state by then. Yet, after one or two generations instead of Iranian Muslims being converted to the Mongolian religion, they themselves embraced Islam.
6. Many Ayat as well as Ahadith in different ways and means condemn all types of corruption on earth. Needless to say, human wars and the shedding of blood are one of the best examples of corruption.
Q. With all respect to the previous proofs, still we do have some examples of Islam being spread by the sword. Iran is one of the vivid examples which was conquered by Muslim Arabs in early Islam. As a result, Iranians had to become Muslims and give up their previous religion, i.e. Zoroastrianism.
A. Hundreds of wars have taken place in the history of mankind, yet the conquerors have never been able to force their religion upon the conquered peoples, as the Mongolians failed to do so. Hence, Iranians did not embrace Islam because of the sword of Muslims. As a matter of fact, it is impossible to penetrate into the hearts of people by sword. The power of the sword is not more than for cutting the flesh. The sword is not capable of influencing the conscience and the belief of human beings. In short, the main reason for people like Iranians accepting Islam rests on other issues. Iranians were impressed by the justice found in Islam, after being sick of the vicious discrimination from the Sasanian dynasty.
Types of War
Although Islam is the religion of peace, and unlike some of the Western thinkers, such as Freud and Nitche, who did not acknowledge war as a natural phenomenon in human life, Islam prescribes war under a few circumstances.
In general, there are two types of war.
1. War in the sense of blood shedding, murdering, massacres and plundering for the sake of power, as a struggle for survival.
2. War in the sense of protecting the life of the innocent by destroying the evil people who try to destroy human life and wisdom. Such a war is like a surgical operation for the sake of saving the rest of the body by amputating the decayed organ or limb. The sword of Islam is nothing more than a surgical knife in the hands of a wise surgeon. It is like a small shovel to uproot the weeds from the gardens of humanity.
To this end, war in Islam is not only a form of worship, but holy worshipping.
The Islamic Jihad (holy war) has never been mentioned in the Quran without having the preliminary statement for the sake of God. That, then, is what makes Islamic wars different from other types of human war which are fought for the sake of power, sovereignty and profit.
Peace in Islam
Since the man of Islam has surrendered to Allah, he is a warrior when war is required, based on the above explanation, and he is the most peaceful person when it is time for peace.
The Holy Quran in Sura 8 Aya 61 states: And if the enemy incline towards peace, you should also incline towards peace, and trust in Allah..
The history of Islam has presented many examples in which the Holy Prophet (saww), as well as his infallible successors have welcomed peace when it would be of benefit to the Ummah. Islamic victory does not necessarily mean fighting and conquering. If the victory can be gained in a peaceful way, then war is not prescribed in Islam. Therefore, to be a warrior or a peaceful man in Islam depends upon the circumstances in which a man of Islam finds himself.
Some Interesting Incidents ( Miracles of Imam Hussain (AS))
Allamah Majlisi quotes in his Tohfatuz Zaereen from Irshadul Quloob and
Farhatul Uzza that a virtuous man from Kufa relates that,
Once on a rainy night I was seated in the Masjid of Kufa when some people entered the Mosque from the door near the shrine of Muslim bin Aqeel carrying a bier with them. They kept the bier on a mound. One of the persons accompanying the funeral felt asleep. He dreamt that two persons came near the bier, and one said to the other that I will settle his account fast before he is taken to Najaf, because then I will not be able to go near him. The person got up from his dream and narrated it to others who understood the whole situation (that the two men were Munkar and Nakeer who had come to question the dead man), and lifted the bier and proceeded towards Najaf to save the dead man from chastisement and the questioning.
Incident - 2
Allamah Behbahani says that once I saw Imam Husain (a.s.) in a dream and asked him, O my Master! Will the one buried near your grave also be questioned? Imam Husain (a.s.) replied,
Which one of the Angels have got the nerve to question him who is buried near my grave.
Incident - 3
It is written in Hablul Mateen that Meer Muinuddin Ashraf who was one of the virtuous attendants of the shrine of Imam Ali-ar-Reza (a.s.) says that, Once I dreamt that I was in the shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.) and was coming out to perform ablution (wuzu). When I came near the mound of Ameer Ali Sher, I saw a group of people entering the shrine. An eminent personality was leading them, and they all carried spades in their hands. As soon as they entered the shrine, the eminent personality pointed towards a particular grave and said, Dig out the wretched fellow from his grave. Hearing his command they started digging the grave. I asked one of those men as to who that man was. He replied that He was the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (a.s.). Suddenly I saw that Imam Ali-ar-Reza (a.s.) came out of his shrine and greeted Imam Ali (a.s.). Hazrat Ali (a.s.) answered his greeting. Imam Reza (a.s.) said, O my Respected Grandfather! I request you, and have faith that you will forgive this person on my behalf who lies buried here under the shelter of my shrine.
Amirul Momeneen (a.s.) answered, O my dear son! Do you know that he was a mischief-creator, an adulterer, and a drunkard? Imam (a.s.) replied, I do know, but when his last moment neared he willed to be buried under the shelter of my shrine, so I request you to forgive him on my behalf.
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) forgave him and left. I awoke from my sleep in awe and woke up the other attendants and related to them my dream. We all went to the place that I had seen in my dream, and found a newly constructed grave, whose mud was scattered. After inquiry we learnt that a Turkish man who had died was buried there the day before.
Incident - 4
Haji Ali Baghdadi had the honour of meeting Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and ask him some questions. One of the questions put forward by him was that Is it true that a person who goes for the pilgrimage (Ziarat) to the shrine of Imam Husain (a.s.) on Friday night receives salvation?
Imam (a.s.) replied, Yes, by Allah. Haji Ali Baghdadi says that I saw tears in the eyes of Imam (a.s.). Then I asked him another question, In the year 1269 A.H. when we went for the pilgrimage (Ziarat) to the shrine of Imam Ali-ar-Reza (a.s.), we met a nomadic Arab who was a native of Najaf. We invited him for a meal and asked him his views regarding the reward of the love of Imam Reza (a.s.). He replied, Paradise, and said, Since the past fifteen days I have been feeding from the wealth of Imam Reza (a.s.), do Munkar and Nakeer have the nerve to come near me. The food which I consumed from the table of Imam Reza (a.s.) has turned into flesh and blood. I asked Imam Mahdi (a.s.) whether his claim was true. Imam (a.s.) replied,Yes it is true. Imam Reza (a.s.) himself will come and save him from the questioning in the grave. For verily by Allah! My Grandfather is a Zamin (surety) Imam.
Once on a rainy night I was seated in the Masjid of Kufa when some people entered the Mosque from the door near the shrine of Muslim bin Aqeel carrying a bier with them. They kept the bier on a mound. One of the persons accompanying the funeral felt asleep. He dreamt that two persons came near the bier, and one said to the other that I will settle his account fast before he is taken to Najaf, because then I will not be able to go near him. The person got up from his dream and narrated it to others who understood the whole situation (that the two men were Munkar and Nakeer who had come to question the dead man), and lifted the bier and proceeded towards Najaf to save the dead man from chastisement and the questioning.
Incident - 2
Allamah Behbahani says that once I saw Imam Husain (a.s.) in a dream and asked him, O my Master! Will the one buried near your grave also be questioned? Imam Husain (a.s.) replied,
Which one of the Angels have got the nerve to question him who is buried near my grave.
Incident - 3
It is written in Hablul Mateen that Meer Muinuddin Ashraf who was one of the virtuous attendants of the shrine of Imam Ali-ar-Reza (a.s.) says that, Once I dreamt that I was in the shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.) and was coming out to perform ablution (wuzu). When I came near the mound of Ameer Ali Sher, I saw a group of people entering the shrine. An eminent personality was leading them, and they all carried spades in their hands. As soon as they entered the shrine, the eminent personality pointed towards a particular grave and said, Dig out the wretched fellow from his grave. Hearing his command they started digging the grave. I asked one of those men as to who that man was. He replied that He was the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (a.s.). Suddenly I saw that Imam Ali-ar-Reza (a.s.) came out of his shrine and greeted Imam Ali (a.s.). Hazrat Ali (a.s.) answered his greeting. Imam Reza (a.s.) said, O my Respected Grandfather! I request you, and have faith that you will forgive this person on my behalf who lies buried here under the shelter of my shrine.
Amirul Momeneen (a.s.) answered, O my dear son! Do you know that he was a mischief-creator, an adulterer, and a drunkard? Imam (a.s.) replied, I do know, but when his last moment neared he willed to be buried under the shelter of my shrine, so I request you to forgive him on my behalf.
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) forgave him and left. I awoke from my sleep in awe and woke up the other attendants and related to them my dream. We all went to the place that I had seen in my dream, and found a newly constructed grave, whose mud was scattered. After inquiry we learnt that a Turkish man who had died was buried there the day before.
Incident - 4
Haji Ali Baghdadi had the honour of meeting Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and ask him some questions. One of the questions put forward by him was that Is it true that a person who goes for the pilgrimage (Ziarat) to the shrine of Imam Husain (a.s.) on Friday night receives salvation?
Imam (a.s.) replied, Yes, by Allah. Haji Ali Baghdadi says that I saw tears in the eyes of Imam (a.s.). Then I asked him another question, In the year 1269 A.H. when we went for the pilgrimage (Ziarat) to the shrine of Imam Ali-ar-Reza (a.s.), we met a nomadic Arab who was a native of Najaf. We invited him for a meal and asked him his views regarding the reward of the love of Imam Reza (a.s.). He replied, Paradise, and said, Since the past fifteen days I have been feeding from the wealth of Imam Reza (a.s.), do Munkar and Nakeer have the nerve to come near me. The food which I consumed from the table of Imam Reza (a.s.) has turned into flesh and blood. I asked Imam Mahdi (a.s.) whether his claim was true. Imam (a.s.) replied,Yes it is true. Imam Reza (a.s.) himself will come and save him from the questioning in the grave. For verily by Allah! My Grandfather is a Zamin (surety) Imam.
Incident -5
Allamah Husain Noori narrates in ‘Darus Salaam’, that Allamah Sayyed Ali b. Hasan al Husainee Isfahani told him that: When my father died in Isfahan, I was studying in the Theological School (Hawza) in Najaf. The pending works of my father that were to be fulfilled, were assigned to the care of my brothers, regarding which I was not aware. Seven months after my father’s death my mother too died. She was brought to Najaf and buried there. One day I dreamt that I was seated in a room. Suddenly my father entered therein. I got up as a sign of respect and saluted him. He sat with me and listened carefully to my conversation. I was aware that he had died, and so I asked him as to how did he reach there when he had died in Isfahan. He replied, “After people buried me, I was shifted here in Najaf, and now this has become the place of my dwelling.” Then I asked him whether my deceased mother was with him. He replied in the negative, which made me shiver. He then replied that she too was in Najaf, but at a different place. I then concluded that my father was a Scholar (Aalim), and that a Scholar’s status was more than an ordinary man. Then I asked him about himself and he said that, “Formerly I was in deep trouble and faced many difficulties. But praise be to Allah, the trouble is now eased, and I am in peace.” I was surprised and asked him the reason for it. He replied, “I owed some amount to Haji Reza, the son of Aqa Baba, but I died and hence was punished because of it.” I woke up from my dream and thought over. I then wrote a letter to my brother who looked after the property of my father. I wrote to him the whole incident, and requested him to find in the records of the book of loans (of my father) if any amount was due to Haji Reza. After some days my brother wrote back that he had searched in the creditor’s register, but could not find any outstanding amount due to Haji Reza. I wrote back to him to go personally to the said person and ask him. After some days my brother wrote back that he visited Haji Reza. He said that he owed 18 tumans to our father, but had no witness for it except Allah. He said that after the demise of our father, he had asked my brother if his name was written in the creditor’s register but he said no. He thought to himself that if he claimed the amount he had no witness for it. He relied on our father that he would surely have written it in his register, but when his name was not found he thought that he must have forgotten to record it. When my brother tried to repay him the amount, he refused to accept the money and said that he had forgiven our father, and freed him from the loan that he had owed him.
Allamah Husain Noori narrates in ‘Darus Salaam’, that Allamah Sayyed Ali b. Hasan al Husainee Isfahani told him that: When my father died in Isfahan, I was studying in the Theological School (Hawza) in Najaf. The pending works of my father that were to be fulfilled, were assigned to the care of my brothers, regarding which I was not aware. Seven months after my father’s death my mother too died. She was brought to Najaf and buried there. One day I dreamt that I was seated in a room. Suddenly my father entered therein. I got up as a sign of respect and saluted him. He sat with me and listened carefully to my conversation. I was aware that he had died, and so I asked him as to how did he reach there when he had died in Isfahan. He replied, “After people buried me, I was shifted here in Najaf, and now this has become the place of my dwelling.” Then I asked him whether my deceased mother was with him. He replied in the negative, which made me shiver. He then replied that she too was in Najaf, but at a different place. I then concluded that my father was a Scholar (Aalim), and that a Scholar’s status was more than an ordinary man. Then I asked him about himself and he said that, “Formerly I was in deep trouble and faced many difficulties. But praise be to Allah, the trouble is now eased, and I am in peace.” I was surprised and asked him the reason for it. He replied, “I owed some amount to Haji Reza, the son of Aqa Baba, but I died and hence was punished because of it.” I woke up from my dream and thought over. I then wrote a letter to my brother who looked after the property of my father. I wrote to him the whole incident, and requested him to find in the records of the book of loans (of my father) if any amount was due to Haji Reza. After some days my brother wrote back that he had searched in the creditor’s register, but could not find any outstanding amount due to Haji Reza. I wrote back to him to go personally to the said person and ask him. After some days my brother wrote back that he visited Haji Reza. He said that he owed 18 tumans to our father, but had no witness for it except Allah. He said that after the demise of our father, he had asked my brother if his name was written in the creditor’s register but he said no. He thought to himself that if he claimed the amount he had no witness for it. He relied on our father that he would surely have written it in his register, but when his name was not found he thought that he must have forgotten to record it. When my brother tried to repay him the amount, he refused to accept the money and said that he had forgiven our father, and freed him from the loan that he had owed him.
Merits of Ziyarat Ashurah Traditions
There are several merits for reciting the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain
especially this celebrated Ziyarat of Ashurah. Some of these are given
below.
Tradition 1
Alqamah bin Mohammed ibn Hazrami (r.a.) narrates I requested Imam Baqir (a.s.) to teach me a dua that I should recite on the day of Aashoora after the reciting the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) from near his (a.s.) grave or from a distance.
Imam (a.s.) replied O Alqamah, whenever you wish to recite the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.), you first perform two units of prayers. Then turn towards the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) and while pointing towards it, you first say Salam and then Takbir. Thereafter, you recite this Ziyaarat (Ziyaarate Aashoora). If you do so, then as if you have recited the supplication read by the angels while visiting the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.). Moreover, when you recite this Ziyaarat, then,
(a) Allah will increase your grade ten lakh times
(b) You will be included among those people who were martyred along with Imam Husain (a.s.)
(c) On the day of Judgment, you will be included among the martyrs
(d) You will get the reward of all the Prophets (a.s.) who have visited the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) from the day that he (a.s.) was martyred till date. And the way of reciting the Ziyaarat is like this (Then Imam (a.s.) recited the entire Ziyaarate Aashoora for Alqamah (r.a.)
(Ref: Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Ibn Qoolwayh, Ch. 71, p.194) At the end of this tradition, Imam Baqir (a.s.) says O Alqamah, if you can, then recite this Ziyaarat every day send salutations to Imam Husain (a.s.). You will get all the rewards (of the one who recites it on the day of Aashoora).
Tradition 1
Alqamah bin Mohammed ibn Hazrami (r.a.) narrates I requested Imam Baqir (a.s.) to teach me a dua that I should recite on the day of Aashoora after the reciting the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) from near his (a.s.) grave or from a distance.
Imam (a.s.) replied O Alqamah, whenever you wish to recite the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.), you first perform two units of prayers. Then turn towards the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) and while pointing towards it, you first say Salam and then Takbir. Thereafter, you recite this Ziyaarat (Ziyaarate Aashoora). If you do so, then as if you have recited the supplication read by the angels while visiting the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.). Moreover, when you recite this Ziyaarat, then,
(a) Allah will increase your grade ten lakh times
(b) You will be included among those people who were martyred along with Imam Husain (a.s.)
(c) On the day of Judgment, you will be included among the martyrs
(d) You will get the reward of all the Prophets (a.s.) who have visited the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) from the day that he (a.s.) was martyred till date. And the way of reciting the Ziyaarat is like this (Then Imam (a.s.) recited the entire Ziyaarate Aashoora for Alqamah (r.a.)
(Ref: Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Ibn Qoolwayh, Ch. 71, p.194) At the end of this tradition, Imam Baqir (a.s.) says O Alqamah, if you can, then recite this Ziyaarat every day send salutations to Imam Husain (a.s.). You will get all the rewards (of the one who recites it on the day of Aashoora).
Tradition 2
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: The one who visits the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora or spends the night near his (a.s.) grave, then it is as if he attained martyrdom along with him (a.s.).
(Ref: Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Chapter 71, p. 191) (Many Ziyaaraat have been mentioned that can be recited on the day of Aashoora. But the Ziyaarat mentioned by Janab Safwan (r.a.) is more common and it is Hadith-e-Qudsi).
Tradition 3
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) informs, The one who does the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora, then paradise is obligatory upon him.
(Ref: Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p.104)
Tradition 4
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) mentions, The one who visits the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) knowing his right (of Imamate) then it is as if he has done the Ziyaarat of Allah on the Arsh.
(Ref: Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Chapter 71, p. 192)
Tradition 5
Abdullah bin Fazl narrates, Once I was in the presence of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) when a person from the city of Toos came to visit him (a.s.). He asked. O son of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.)! What do you have to say for the one who visits the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora? Imam (a.s.) replied O Toosi! The one who visits the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) while he acknowledges that his (a.s.) obedience is obligatory from the side of Allah, then all his past and future sins shall be forgiven. He will be granted the right of intercession for seventy sinners. There will be no supplication that he shall ask from Allah near the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) except that it shall be accepted.
(Ref: Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p. 23) As we are discussing about the fifth personality of the five holy personas (a.s.), we will suffice with the narration of five traditions. Those who would like to go deeper in this topic can refer to Kamil al-Ziyaarat, Behaar al-Anwaar vol. 101, Thawaab al-Amaal and Shifa al-Sudur.
When we ponder over the above traditions, we realize the miraculous nature and effects of Ziyaarate Aashoora. These traditions also bear testimony to the veracity of the earlier incidents. Door of Imam Husain (a.s.) Universal Door of Mercy In the sermon of Shabaniyyah, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) while explaining the greatness of the month of Ramdhaan says In it the doors of paradise are open Elucidating this statement of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Shaikh Jafar Shushtry (r.a) brings forth a very subtle point. About the doors of paradise he says If you are unable to reach the doors of paradise (i.e. you are unable to enter paradise due to your bad actions) then there is yet another door that leads to paradise. No one is deprived of it and it is very easy to reach that gate. Anyone, wherever he is or in whatever condition he is in, can reach to the infinite mercy of Allah through this door. Do you want to know the name of this door so that you can enter paradise? It is door of Imam Husain (a.s.). And the way to reach it is through humility and mourning for Aba Abdillah (a.s.) Shaikh continues, If you cannot find the path to paradise through repentance (as there are conditions for repentance and our bad actions act as hurdles) then the love of Imam Husain (a.s.) is an enormous grace. Regardless of the extent of a persons sins and his non-repentance (in the true sense), yet no one is turned away from paradise because of this bounty (of the love of Imam Husain (a.s.)) he will not be deprived of Allahs compassion.
(Ref: Ziyaarate Aashoora by Nasir Rashty, p. 35)
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: The one who visits the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora or spends the night near his (a.s.) grave, then it is as if he attained martyrdom along with him (a.s.).
(Ref: Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Chapter 71, p. 191) (Many Ziyaaraat have been mentioned that can be recited on the day of Aashoora. But the Ziyaarat mentioned by Janab Safwan (r.a.) is more common and it is Hadith-e-Qudsi).
Tradition 3
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) informs, The one who does the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora, then paradise is obligatory upon him.
(Ref: Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p.104)
Tradition 4
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) mentions, The one who visits the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) knowing his right (of Imamate) then it is as if he has done the Ziyaarat of Allah on the Arsh.
(Ref: Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Chapter 71, p. 192)
Tradition 5
Abdullah bin Fazl narrates, Once I was in the presence of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) when a person from the city of Toos came to visit him (a.s.). He asked. O son of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.)! What do you have to say for the one who visits the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) on the day of Aashoora? Imam (a.s.) replied O Toosi! The one who visits the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) while he acknowledges that his (a.s.) obedience is obligatory from the side of Allah, then all his past and future sins shall be forgiven. He will be granted the right of intercession for seventy sinners. There will be no supplication that he shall ask from Allah near the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) except that it shall be accepted.
(Ref: Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p. 23) As we are discussing about the fifth personality of the five holy personas (a.s.), we will suffice with the narration of five traditions. Those who would like to go deeper in this topic can refer to Kamil al-Ziyaarat, Behaar al-Anwaar vol. 101, Thawaab al-Amaal and Shifa al-Sudur.
When we ponder over the above traditions, we realize the miraculous nature and effects of Ziyaarate Aashoora. These traditions also bear testimony to the veracity of the earlier incidents. Door of Imam Husain (a.s.) Universal Door of Mercy In the sermon of Shabaniyyah, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) while explaining the greatness of the month of Ramdhaan says In it the doors of paradise are open Elucidating this statement of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Shaikh Jafar Shushtry (r.a) brings forth a very subtle point. About the doors of paradise he says If you are unable to reach the doors of paradise (i.e. you are unable to enter paradise due to your bad actions) then there is yet another door that leads to paradise. No one is deprived of it and it is very easy to reach that gate. Anyone, wherever he is or in whatever condition he is in, can reach to the infinite mercy of Allah through this door. Do you want to know the name of this door so that you can enter paradise? It is door of Imam Husain (a.s.). And the way to reach it is through humility and mourning for Aba Abdillah (a.s.) Shaikh continues, If you cannot find the path to paradise through repentance (as there are conditions for repentance and our bad actions act as hurdles) then the love of Imam Husain (a.s.) is an enormous grace. Regardless of the extent of a persons sins and his non-repentance (in the true sense), yet no one is turned away from paradise because of this bounty (of the love of Imam Husain (a.s.)) he will not be deprived of Allahs compassion.
(Ref: Ziyaarate Aashoora by Nasir Rashty, p. 35)
O Allah! For the sake of Imam Husain (a.s.), you grant me honor and nobility near You in this world and the Hereafter!
Baby is Slaughtered
The Slaughter of a Baby Most Revered Ali Asghar (a)
("Banu ke sheerquar ko haftum se pyaas hai")
Banu's son has had no water for days
His pulse is weak and his mother prays
No hope in sight of getting water or milk
Helpless, she lingers by his cradle in a daze
"Pray tell me, what shall I do now Ya Husain?
The baby's eyes now roll back in pain"
"Oh Ya Ali, Ya Ali where can I go?
I cannot watch my baby suffer so
How do I find a way to make him lives
Ya Ali he needs water, that I cannot give"
" Last night I saw him open his eyes
But today he lays still, doesn't move, doesn't cry"
Then everyone said, "Lets call the Imam
For God's sake somebody, go get the Imam
The baby is dying, go tell the Imam
His face is blue, his body calm"
"Taking Alder's body to lay it to rest
The Imam is on his way, with grief beset"
His face stained with the blood of His 18 year old
The Imam entered, His head bowed
And everyone led Him to the baby's crib
And showed Him the baby's still fingers and toes
"He barely breathes Oh Noble Prince" they cried
"Sometimes you would think he had already died"
At the head of the crib, the Prince knelt down
in the baby's ear He whispered, head bowed
Hearing the Prince's voice, the baby smiled
Toward Husain he extended his arms and glowed
"It's a miracle my father," Sakina cried
"Oh mother, my brother has opened his eyes"
The baby in His arms, the Prince left the camp
And Death followed, eyeing them askance
To shelter her baby from the midday sun
The mother draped a sheet over the Imam's arms
Holding Asghar close, Husain walked, head bowed
in the arms of the heavens, a snow white cloud
As He neared the lowly enemy, Husain paused
Couldn't ask for water, couldn't utter the words
with embarrassment He paled and His body tensed
So He removed the sheet from the baby's face
Head bowed, he said, "I've brought my son to you
Seeking water Asghar now has come to you"
Then He kissed His baby's parched lips and looked
And whispered "My son I've said what I could
There is nothing else to say now Oh my son
maybe you can show them your dry, parched tongue"
And the baby obeyed, licked his lips dry
And Husain shuddered and looked up to the skies
And as Husain looked to the heavens so
The cursed Hurmula strung an arrow in his bow
And aimed the arrow at Asghar's throat
Pulling taut the bow, let the arrow go
As the tiny neck the arrow gashed
Asghar lurched and clung to his dad
A six month baby and an arrows force
Blood poured from the tiny, thirsty throat
Once more he lurched and then went still
His cap fell to the ground and he breathed his last
The tiny fists curled over his chest, body numb
A minute ago he was sucking his thumbs
And the desolate Father, watched His son
saw the devastation the enemy's arrow had done
And watched the baby in the throes of death
The tiny hands groping at the injured neck
The lifeless eyes rolling back in the head
Blood gushing forth from the battered neck
Gently pulling out the arrow from the neck
Husain lifted His son toward the heaven and said
"My God please accept my last sacrifice
For your cause, in your path, my son is now dead"
"Little in age but magnanimous in deeds
Thus are the children of Allah's creed"
("Banu ke sheerquar ko haftum se pyaas hai")
Banu's son has had no water for days
His pulse is weak and his mother prays
No hope in sight of getting water or milk
Helpless, she lingers by his cradle in a daze
"Pray tell me, what shall I do now Ya Husain?
The baby's eyes now roll back in pain"
"Oh Ya Ali, Ya Ali where can I go?
I cannot watch my baby suffer so
How do I find a way to make him lives
Ya Ali he needs water, that I cannot give"
" Last night I saw him open his eyes
But today he lays still, doesn't move, doesn't cry"
Then everyone said, "Lets call the Imam
For God's sake somebody, go get the Imam
The baby is dying, go tell the Imam
His face is blue, his body calm"
"Taking Alder's body to lay it to rest
The Imam is on his way, with grief beset"
His face stained with the blood of His 18 year old
The Imam entered, His head bowed
And everyone led Him to the baby's crib
And showed Him the baby's still fingers and toes
"He barely breathes Oh Noble Prince" they cried
"Sometimes you would think he had already died"
At the head of the crib, the Prince knelt down
in the baby's ear He whispered, head bowed
Hearing the Prince's voice, the baby smiled
Toward Husain he extended his arms and glowed
"It's a miracle my father," Sakina cried
"Oh mother, my brother has opened his eyes"
The baby in His arms, the Prince left the camp
And Death followed, eyeing them askance
To shelter her baby from the midday sun
The mother draped a sheet over the Imam's arms
Holding Asghar close, Husain walked, head bowed
in the arms of the heavens, a snow white cloud
As He neared the lowly enemy, Husain paused
Couldn't ask for water, couldn't utter the words
with embarrassment He paled and His body tensed
So He removed the sheet from the baby's face
Head bowed, he said, "I've brought my son to you
Seeking water Asghar now has come to you"
Then He kissed His baby's parched lips and looked
And whispered "My son I've said what I could
There is nothing else to say now Oh my son
maybe you can show them your dry, parched tongue"
And the baby obeyed, licked his lips dry
And Husain shuddered and looked up to the skies
And as Husain looked to the heavens so
The cursed Hurmula strung an arrow in his bow
And aimed the arrow at Asghar's throat
Pulling taut the bow, let the arrow go
As the tiny neck the arrow gashed
Asghar lurched and clung to his dad
A six month baby and an arrows force
Blood poured from the tiny, thirsty throat
Once more he lurched and then went still
His cap fell to the ground and he breathed his last
The tiny fists curled over his chest, body numb
A minute ago he was sucking his thumbs
And the desolate Father, watched His son
saw the devastation the enemy's arrow had done
And watched the baby in the throes of death
The tiny hands groping at the injured neck
The lifeless eyes rolling back in the head
Blood gushing forth from the battered neck
Gently pulling out the arrow from the neck
Husain lifted His son toward the heaven and said
"My God please accept my last sacrifice
For your cause, in your path, my son is now dead"
"Little in age but magnanimous in deeds
Thus are the children of Allah's creed"
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