The rewards for mourning Imam Husain (AS)

Azadari distinguishes between the path of Husayn (as) and that of Yazeed

Had it not been for these mourning rituals, the distinction between the path of Husayn (as) and that of Yazeed would have been destroyed, thanks to the efforts of Nasibis such as Sipah-e-Sahaba who now openly deem the Khilafath of Yazeed to be rightful.

Azadari has ensured that the efforts of Yazeed's modern day lovers will never be achieved, Yazeed will for ever be deemed as a hateable man who symbolises filth, shame, debauchery, decadence, immorality, mental corruption, and all the ingredients existent in the DNA of Iblis (Devil).

We deem our Azadari (mourning) as the means via which we can express our sorrow for the Ahl'ul bayt (as). The words of Imam of Ahl'ul Sunnah Allamah Fakhrudeen Radhi are very important:

"It is our firm belief that one who dies with love for the descendants of Muhammad (s) dies a martyr".

Tafseer al Kabeer volume 7 page No.390 line No 9

Martyrdom in Sunni books

"One who dies on account of overeating will be alleviated from punishment in the grave"

Al-Jami al-Kabir by al Tabrani Page No. 59

We read in Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Number 688, Book of revelation:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said: "Martyrs are those who die because of drowning, plague, an abdominal disease, or of being buried alive by a falling building."

We read in Sunan al Nasai Volume 4 Page 99:

"The Prophet said: "Martyrs are those who die because of plague, an abdominal disease, or a women that dies in child birth"

In sum these references show that in the eyes of the Ahl'ul Sunnah, one who dies on account of:

Overeating
Catching the plague
Stomach pain
Drowning
Being flattened under a wall
Childbirth
and also that poor fellow who is killed in Jihad.

According to Ahl'ul Sunnah martyrdom is so easy and cheap that the above-mentioned seven classes of deaths are martyr's deaths. So when a man dies in love of Ahl'ul bayt (as) why does he not attain the status of "martyr" when love for them is a religious duty in the Qur'an.

Love and Mullah's

If the concept of "Martyrdom" is not yet clear in people's minds, we shall further cite this Hadeeth from Tareekh Baghdad Volume 5 page 116:

عن بن عباس قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم من عشق وكتم وعف فمات فهو شهيد

Ibn Abbas narrated that Allah's messenger said: 'Whoever fells in love, then hides his feelings and guards his chastity and died, surely he is a martyr".

Comment

Look at the trickery of these Nasibi Mullahs who have sought to endorse illegitimate love affairs into Islam. They have not only created a Hadith but also placed the defeated illegitimate lover to the status of a martyr. If a love sick male / female can attain the rank of a martyr than all those seeking justice are invited to give their opinion as why one who dies in the love of descendants of Muhammad (s), (which is considered to be the reward of office of prophet) cannot attain the rank of martyrdom.

How can you attain Paradise through mourning (Azadari)?

Dear Readers, whenever we read the sayings (hadith) regarding the gain of heaven in reward of weeping, lamenting, mourning and religious conferences, Nasibi ask how we can attain this without prayers, fasting, Haj and Zakat. It would have been better, if they had conducted an examination of their own books.

عبد الله بن عمر قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم من قاد أعمى أربعين ذراعا وجبت له

"Paradise is rewarded to he who grasps the stick of a blind man and assists him to reach a place forty hand spans ahead".
Tareekh Baghdad, volume 5 page 105

We invite the lovers of justice to see the cleverness of these Mullahs. One who catches the stick of a blind man can enter Paradise whilst the man who dies in love of descendants of Muhammad (s) has no right to enter Heaven!

The merits of feeding Halwa (sweet dish)

We read in Tareekh Baghdad Volume 4 page 85:

Anyone that feeds his brother some sweet dish (Halwa), Allah on the Day of Judgement shall keep him aloof of seventy difficulties (Balaah).

These Nasibi deny that mourning for Imam Husayn (as) carries any benefit to the participant. They condemn feeding the participants of Azadari but for every parcel of sweet fed to a Mullah seventy problems are cleansed.

The Promise of Paradise by Imam Husayn (as) to his mourners

Imam Ahmed records in Fadhail Sahaba, Volume 2 page 675 Tradition 1154:

"Narrated on the authority of Ahmed bin Isra'el: 'I read in the book of Ahmed bin Muhammed Bin Hanbal written by his own hand writing on the authority of Aswad Bin Amer Abu Abd Arrahman on the authority of Al-Rubay bin Mundher on the authority of his father that Al-Hussain use to say: 'Whomsoever eyes cries a drop of tears on us or sheds a one drop of tears on us, Allah will reward him with paradise'

Fadhail Sahaba, Volume 2 page 675 Tradition 1154

It is now abundantly clear from above that a single drop of tear is a certain guarantee of Paradise.

Imam Sajjad (as) and Baqir (as) said, "Those that mourn Husayn (as) will be protected from Hellfire"

We read in Yanabi al Mawaddah fil Qurba by Sheikh Suleiman Qandozi Balkhi, Page 398

"A narration in the Exegesis of Ali ibn Ibrahim from Imam Mohamed Baqir (as) says that he said, "My father Ali (as) s/o Husayn (as) said, "The person who weeps upon my father and his companions and his tears flow down his cheeks, shall receive from Allah a chamber in Paradise. Whosoever remembers the calamities and heartbreaking incidents which my father and his companions faced in Karbala and weeps for them, for him shall Allah remove the intense pressure and excruciating pain of the Day of Judgment and shall keep him under his care and protection".

Mourning the living carries a reward on par with mourning for a hundred martyrs

We read in Ahl'ul Sunnah's authority work Tafseer Dur al-Manthur, Volume 4 page 569 Surah Yusuf verse 84:

Layth bin Abi Salim narrated that Jebril (as) went to Yusuf (as) in the jail, thus he (Yusuf) recognized him and said to him: 'O you an honored angel by his God, do you have news about Yaqub?' (The angel) said: 'Yes'. (Yusuf) said: 'How is he doing?'. (The angel) said: 'His eyes has turned white on account of grief for you'. (Yusuf) said: 'What was the extent of his sadness?' (The angel) said: 'The grief of seventy women'. (Yusuf) said: 'Is he rewarded for this?' (the angel) said: 'Yes, its on par with one hundred martyrs'.

Tafseer Dur al-Manthur, Volume 4 page 569

We read in Tafseer Khazan, Volume 4 page 46:

قال يوسف فهل لك علم من يعقوب أيها الروح الأمين قال نعم قد ذهب بصره وابتلاه الله بالحزن عليك فهو كظيم ووهب له الصبر الجميل قال فما قدر حزنه قال حزن سبعين ثكلاء قال فما له من الأجر يا جبريل قال أجر مائة شهيد

Yusuf said: 'O true spirit, do you have news about Yaqub?' (The angel) said: 'Yes, he has become blind on account of grief for you and he was suppressing'. (Yusuf) said: 'What was the extent of his sadness?' (The angel) said: 'The grief of seventy women'. (Yusuf) said: 'What is the reward for this?' (The angel) said: 'The reward for this mourning is on par with one hundred martyrs'.

Yaqoob (as) was a Prophet and no one has the audacity to attack him. This Prophet mourned his live son to such an extent that he became blind; Allah held his weeping to be on par with mourning 70 men and women. We have evidenced this from the works of Ahl'ul Sunnah. How can these Nasibi advance verses demanding patience with regard to remembering Imam Husayn (as) when we have this practice of Prophet Yaqoob (as)? Or is Sipah-e-Sahaba going to apply their fatwa to Prophet Yaqoob (as) too?
We see a Prophet mourning the separation of his son, who had not suffered any form of tragedy, yet he mourns his loss and this act cannot be criticised. Likewise if the Shi'a remember the tragedy suffered by the Ahl'ul bayt (as), their mourning is also permissible. The mourners of Husayn (as) can not maintain patience / silence when extreme injustice is perpetuated against their Imam. The victim shall make every effort to make his suffering known to all, whilst the killer shall make every effort to prevent such news from spreading, which is why today's supporters of Mu'awiyah and Yazeed are working tirelessly to put an end to the mourning rituals associated with mourning Imam Husayn (as).

The Status of one that mourns Imam Husayn (as)

In authentic book of Ahl'ul Sunnah "Sawaiq-e-Muhariqqah", page 147, published Egypt, it is written:

"The narrator says that sons of Taymoor told him when Taymoor became ill, in some days he became very restless and face became dark. Then he became little healthy. His sons asked him about this change of his face colour, thereupon he told them that angels of 'Adhab came to him. But later Rasool Allah (saw) also came and told them to leave him, while he loved his progeny. Thus angels went away leaving me alone."

You see these Nasibi Mullahs shout loudly that it was Taymoor who started this Azadari and he was so and he was so.... whatever wrong he did his love for Aal-e-Nabi and their 'Azadari became the Waseela that Nabi (s) himself came to do his Shafa'at (intercession). We Shi'as also love and respect Aal-e-Nabi and we are sure that they will intercede us for the sake of this love and respect.

Exaggeration when narrating the merits of the Ahl'ul bayt (as)

It is claimed that the Shi'a provide undue and unjustified moral excellence to the descendants of the Prophet (s) under the cover of mourning. (Azadari)

So we invite them to examine their own works first:

قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يا على ان الله أمرني ان اتخذ أبا بكر والدا

"The Prophet said: 'O Ali, God has ordered me to take Abu Bakr as my father"

Tareekh Baghdad Volume 9 page 345

Astaghfirullah! We the Shi'a possess faith and love for the Ahl'ul bayt (as) but we do not give them any undue and unjustified moral excellence. We consider Hassan (as) and Husayn (as) to be the sons of Prophet and consider Ali (as) as his cousin and son in law. It is our belief that he (Ali) is the servant of Prophet (s) and his religious status is that of the true Khaleefa of the Prophet (s). Compare this to the Ahl'ul Sunnah depicting Abu Bakr to be the father of Prophet (s). If Nasibi attempt to explain away the tradition by stating that father here refers to father in law, then we will say that this does not elevate his rank in any way since the prophet had eighteen wives and hence 18 such eighteen fathers in law.

Let us see another example of exaggeration. 

Read Quran and become a prophet  :  as recorded by Imam al-Beyhaqi in his book Shu'ab al-Eman, Volume 5 page 4 Tradition 1937 :

قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : « من قرأ ثلث القرآن أعطي ثلث النبوة ، ومن قرأ نصف القرآن أعطي نصف النبوة ، ومن قرأ ثلثي القرآن أعطي ثلثي النبوة ، ومن قرأ القرآن كله أعطي النبوة كلها

Abu Umama narrated that Allah's messenger said: 'Whoever recites the third of Quran, he will be granted the third of prophethood, whoever recites the half of Quran will be granted the half of prophethood, whoever recites two thirds of Quran will be granted two thirds of prophethood, whoever recite the whole Quran will be granted the whole prophethood."

Astaghfirullah .....

Will you believe in such Hadith which has made prophethood accessible for all

The Ahlulbait granted freedom by Yazeed because of his own fear

After the death of Sakina, the people of Syria started to question Yazid about the prisoners. Many felt that they had already spent so long in prison in the worst possible condition. What crime had they committed to deserve such treatment? Yazid realized that if he did not do anything to change the situation, the people would turn against him. He made arrangements for the prisoners to be brought to the palace court to be set free. Many people were invited to see the event. When everybody was seated, an announcement was made that the great Grandson of the Prophet was entering the court. The ladies of his household were seated behind the curtain which was put up especially for the occasion.
When Imam Zainul Abideen walked in everyone stood up. They could not believe what they saw. Even though the chains had been removed, he could hardly walk. His neck, hands and feet were deeply cut and bleeding. His back was bent because of the way he had been chained. But there was dignity in his face, never bowed down to Yazid, at any time. Yazid told Imam Zainul Abideen that they were free to leave, and offered them any amount that they required. Zainab said from behind the curtain “O Yazid, haven’t you done enough to us. Do you still want to insult us, by this offer? Your actions can only be judged by God. You will have to answer to Him and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) for all that you have done. All that we want are the heads of our martyrs and our property which your men looted from us. They took away the veil that was given to me by my mother. They took away the bloodstained clothes of my brother. They took away Sakina’s earrings which were given to her by her father. No Yazid there is nothing that you can give us to replace these things, which mean more to us than anything else.” Yazid was amazed at her answer. He promised to give back everything that was taken from them in Karbala. One part of the royal palace was emptied. The first Majlis for Aza-e-Hussain took place in the palace of Yazid itself. The Syrian women came wearing black dresses. The wailing resounded the walls and doors of the palace due to the renditions of Zainab (pbuh). Imam Zainul Abideen and the rest of the ladies and children stayed in Syria for a few more days and then made preparations to travel to Karbala, to pay their respects to their martyrs, and then go back to Madina. They went back to the prison to say goodbye to Sakina. Sakina’s mother Rubab fell on the grave crying “O my dear Sakina, we are finally free to go home. But my child you are still imprisoned in Syria. My Sakina I am leaving, but my heart and soul will always be here with you. Please O people of Syria look after the grave of my child Sakina.” Finally, the Grandchildren of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) left Syria. Imam Zainul Abideen led the plundered caravan towards Karbala. Everyone was very quiet. They were all thinking about their loved ones. When they arrived in Karbala in 40 days; they sat by the graves, crying and remembering that tragic day on the tenth of Muharram when they lost so many of their loved ones. Finally, after saying goodbye to their martyrs they started the journey back to Madina. How sad this journey must have been. Even though they were free, their hearts were in Karbala and Syria.
When the caravan reached Madina, Zainab (pbuh) visited the grave of her Grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). She sat by his grave and complained, with tears in her eyes. “O my Grandfather look at what Yazid and his men did to your Grandchildren. They killed your most beloved Grandson, Imam Hussain. They killed Abbas, when he went to get water for Sakina. They killed Ali Akbar, who looked like you. They killed my brother’s son Qasim. They killed my sons Aun and Muhammad. They didn’t even leave little Ali Asgher. O my dear Grandfather, your beloved Sakina is also gone. She died in the dark prison of Syria.”
Zainab then went to the grave of her mother Fatima (pbuh) and said “O my dear mother look at what they have done to us? Look at these bloodstained clothes of your son. O my mother they paraded us in the streets of Kufa and Syria without our veils.” A voice came from the grave, “My dear child I saw what they did. I was there when they beheaded my son. I was there when the guards slapped Sakina just for crying for her dead father. I was there when they paraded you on the streets without your veils.” Zainab cried “O my dear mother I have so much to tell you...” One of the tortures of Syria is about the prison in which household of Holy Prophet (pbuh) were imprisoned for approximately a year. And once after release from the imprisonment, when Imam Zainul Abideen (pbuh) saw his aunt praying while sitting, he asked with surprise, “O Aunt you were not performing even optional prayers in sitting position, while today you are performing obligation prayers in this posture.” Tears came in the eyes of Zainab, she said “While in prison, the food and water were supplied in such a meager quantity that I used to pass on my share of food and water to the children. Due to continuous starvation I have become so weak that I could not pray by standing straight.”
A man by the name of Noaman went to Madina three (3) years after the events of Karbala. He saw the Imam Sajjad standing near the grave of the Prophet weeping and complaining to the Prophet about the ill-treatment that Imam and the other members of the Prophet’s family had received. Imam remained in this position until when he fainted and was then taken by his followers to his house. Noaman went to Imam’s house. Then asked the Imam what was the most difficult time he had to face in Karbala and during his imprisonment to Kufa and Damascus. The Imam said, “Syria! Syria! Syria!”and then explained that in Syria (Shaam) the family of the Prophet was treated like animalsand presented to the court of Yazid like slaves. In this way people of Madina were to see him mourning for his father from then till his death some thirty five (35) years later at the age of fifty seven (57). It is reported that whenever Imam Sajjad see water he would weep, remembering the thirst of the martyrs of Karbala. When he saw a goat or sheep being slaughtered, he would ask the slaughter if he had fed the animal and given it water. On being assured that this had, indeed, been done, the Imam would weep, saying that his father & other martyrs were slaughtered hungry and thirsty of three days. He held regular mourning session in his house. Those who attended these sessions would then be served with food in the name of his father, Imam Hussain. One day somebody told him. “O son of God’s Messenger! Up to when would you weep like this?” Imam replied “O servant of God. Prophet Yaqub had twelve sons but only one of them was taken away form him, he wept so much and for such long that his eyes turned white, his head turned gray and his back was bent although his son Yusuf was still alive. Whereas I watched my father, my brother and seventeen (17) members of my family being slaughtered all around me. How could my sorrow come to an end?”

Courtesy : http://thebattleofislamkarbala.blogspot.com

इमाम हुसैन का भारतप्रेम

यह एक सर्वमान्य सत्य है कि इतिहास को दोहराया नहीं जा सकता है और न बदलाया जा सकता है ,क्योंकि इतिहास कि घटनाएँ सदा के लिए अमिट हो जाती है .लेकिन यह भी सत्य है कि विज्ञान कि तरह इतिहास भी एक शोध का विषय होता है .क्योंकि इतिहास के पन्नों में कई ऐसे तथ्य दबे रह जाते हैं ,जिनके बारे में काफी समय के बाद पता चलता है .ऐसी ही एक ऐतिहासिक घटना हजरत इमाम हुसैन के बारे में है वैसे तो सब जानते हैं कि इमाम हुसैन मुहम्मद साहिब के छोटे नवासे ,हहरत अली और फातिमा के पुत्र थे .और किसी परिचय के मुहताज नहीं हैं ,उनकी शहादत के बारे में हजारों किताबें मिल जाएँगी .काफी समय से मेरे एक प्रिय मुस्लिम मित्र हजरत इमाम के बारे में कुछ लिखने का आग्रह कर रहे थे ,तभी मुझे अपने निजी पुस्तक संग्रह में एक उर्दू पुस्तक "हमारे हैं हुसैन " की याद आगई ,जो सन 1960 यानि मुहर्रम 1381 हि० को इमामिया मिशन लखनौउसे प्रकाशित हुई थी .इसकी प्रकाशन संख्या 351 और लेखक "सय्यद इब्न हुसैन नकवी " है .इसी पुस्तक के पेज 11 से 13 तक से कुछ अंश लेकर ,उर्दू से नकवी जी के शब्दों को ज्यों का त्यों दिया जा रहा , जिस से पता चलता है कि इमाम हुसैन ने भारत आने क़ी इच्छा प्रकट क़ी थी (.फिर इसके कारण संक्षिप्त में और सबूत के लिए उपलब्ध साइटों के लिंक भी दिए जा रहे हैं .)

 1-इमाम क़ी भारत आने क़ी इच्छा 
नकवी जी ने लिखा है "हजरत इमाम हुसैन दुनियाए इंसानियत में मुहसिने आजम हैं,उन्होंने तेरह सौ साल पहले अपनी खुश्क जुबान से ,जो तिन रोज से बगैर पानी में तड़प रही थी ,अपने पुर नूर दहन से से इब्ने साद से कहा था "अगर तू मेरे दीगर शरायत को तस्लीम न करे तो , कम अज कम मुझे इस बात की इजाजत दे दे ,कि मैं ईराक छोड़कर हिंदुस्तान चला जाऊं"
नकवी आगे लिखते हैं ,"अब यह बात कहने कि जरुरत नहीं है कि ,जिस वक्त इमाम हुसैन ने हिंदुस्तान तशरीफ लाने की तमन्ना का इजहार किया था ,उस वक्त न तो हिंदुस्तान में कोई मस्जिद थी ,और न हिंदुस्तान में मुसलमान आबाद थे .गौर करने की बात यह है कि,इमाम हुसैन को हिंदुस्तान की हवाओं में मुहब्बत की कौन सी खुशबु महसूस हुई थी ,कि उन्होंने यह नहीं कहा कि मुझे चीन जाने दो ,या मुझे ईरान कि तरफ कूच करने दो ..उन्होंने खुसूसियत से सिर्फ हिंदुस्तान कोही याद किया था 
गालिबन यह माना जाता है कि हजरत इमाम हुसैन के बारे में हिन्दुस्तान में खबर देने वाला शाह तैमुर था .लेकिन तारीख से इंकार करना नामुमकिन है .इसलिए कहना ही पड़ता है कि इस से बहुत पहले ही " हुसैनी ब्राह्मण "इमाम हुसैन के मसायब बयाँ करके रोया करते थे .और आज भी हिंदुस्तान में उनकी कोई कमी नहीं है .यही नहीं जयपुर के कुतुबखाने में वह ख़त भी मौजूद है जो ,जैनुल अबिदीन कि तरफ से हिन्दुतान रवाना किया गया था .
इमाम हुसैन ने जैसा कहा था कि ,मुझे हिंदुस्तान जाने दो ,अगर वह भारत की जमीन पर तशरीफ ले आते तो ,हम कह नहीं सकते कि उस वक्त कि हिन्दू कौम उनकी क्या खिदमत करती"
2-इमाम हुसैन की भारत में रिश्तेदारी 
इस्लाम से काफी पहले से ही भारत ,इरान ,और अरब में व्यापार होता रहता था .इस्लाम के आने से ठीक पहले इरान में सासानी खानदान के 29 वें और अंतिम आर्य सम्राट "यज्देगर्द (590 ई ) की हुकूमत थी .उस समय ईरान के लोग भारत की तरह अग्नि में यज्ञ करते थे .इसी लिए "यज्देगर्द" को संस्कृत में यज्ञ कर्ता भी कहते थे .
प्रसिद्ध इतिहासकार राज कुमार अस्थाना ने अपने शोधग्रंथ "Ancient India " में लिखा है कि सम्राट यज्देगर्द की तीन पुत्रियाँ थी ,जिनके नाम मेहर बानो , शेहर बानो , और किश्वर बानो थे .यज्देगर्द ने अपनी बड़ी पुत्री की शादी भारत के राजा चन्द्रगुप्त द्वितीय से करावा दी थी .जिसकी राजधानी उज्जैन थी ..और राजा के सेनापति का नाम भूरिया दत्त था .जिसका एक भाई रिखब दत्त व्यापर करता था . .यह लोग कृपा चार्य के वंशज कहाए जाते हैं .चन्द्रगुप्त ने मेहर बानो का नाम चंद्रलेखा रख दिया था .क्योंकि मेहर का अर्थ चन्द्रमा होता है ..राजाके मेहर बानो से एक पुत्र समुद्रगुप्त पैदा हुआ .यह सारी घटनाएँ छटवीं शताब्दी की हैं
. यज्देगर्द ने दूसरी पुत्री शेहर बानो की शादी इमाम हुसैन से करवाई थी . और उस से जो पुत्र हुआ था उसका नाम "जैनुल आबिदीन " रखा गया .इस तरह समुद्रगुप्त और जैनुल अबिदीन मौसेरे भाई थे .इस बात की पुष्टि "अब्दुल लतीफ़ बगदादी (1162 -1231 ) ने अपनी किताब "तुहफतुल अलबाब " में भी की है .और जिसका हवाला शिशिर कुमार मित्र ने अपनी किताब "Vision of India " में भी किया है .
3-अत्याचारी यजीद का राज 
इमाम हुसैन के पिता हजरत अली चौथे खलीफा थे . और उस समय वह इराक के शहर कूफा में रहते थे . हजरत prm अली सभी प्रकार के लोगों से प्रेमपूर्वक वर्ताव करते थे . उन के कल में कुछ हिन्दू भी वहां रहते थे .लेकिन किसी पर भी इस्लाम कबूल करने पर दबाव नहीं डाला जाता था .ऐसा एक परिवार रिखब दत्त का था जो इराक के एक छोटे से गाँव में रहता था ,जिसे अल हिंदिया कहा जाता है . जब सन 681 में हजरत अली का निधन हो गया तो , मुआविया बिन अबू सुफ़यान खलीफा बना . वह बहुत कम समय तक रहा .फउसके बाद उसका लड़का यजीद सन 682 में खलीफा बन गया . यजीद एक अय्याश , अत्याचारी . व्यक्ति था .वह सारी सत्ता अपने हाथों में रखना चाहता था .इसलिए उसने सूबों के सभी अधिकारीयों को पत्र भेजा और उनसे अपने समर्थन में बैयत ( oth of allegience ) देने पर दबाव दिया .कुछ लोगों ने डर या लालच के कारण यजीद का समर्थन कर दिया . लेकिन इमाम हुसैन ने बैयत करने से साफ मना कर दिया .यजीद को आशंका थी कि यदि इमाम हुसैन भी बैयत नहीं करेंगे तो उसके लोग भी इमाम के पक्ष में हो जायेंगे .यजीद तो युद्ध कि तय्यारी करके बैठा था .लेकिन इमाम हुसैन युद्ध को टालना चाहते थे ,यह हालत देखकर शहर बानो ने अपने पुत्र जैनुल अबिदीन के नाम से एक पत्र उज्जैन के राजा चन्द्रगुप्त को भिजवा दिया था .जो आज भी जयपुर महाराजा के संग्राहलय में मौजूद है .बरसों तक यह पत्र ऐसे ही दबा रहा ,फिर एक अंगरेज अफसर Sir Thomas Durebrught ने 26 फरवरी 1809 को इसे खोज लिया और पढ़वाया ,और राजा को दिया , जब यह पत्र सन 1813 में प्रकाशित हुआ तो सबको पता चल गया . 
उस समय उज्जैन के राजा ने करीब 5000 सैनिकों के साथ अपने सेनापति भूरिया दत्त को मदीना कि तरफ रवाना कर दिया था .लेकिन इमाम हसन तब तक अपने परिवार के 72 लोगों के साथ कूफा कि तरफ निकल चुके थे ,जैनुल अबिदीन उस समय काफी बीमार था ,इसलिए उसे एक गुलाम के पास देखरेख के लिए छोड़ दिया था .भूरिया दत्त ने सपने भी नहीं सोचा होगा कि इमाम हुसैन अपने साथ ऐसे लोगों को लेकर कुफा जायेंगे जिन में औरतें , बूढ़े और दुधापीते बच्चे भी होंगे .उसने यह भी नहीं सोचा होगा कि मुसलमान जिस रसूल के नाम का कलमा पढ़ते हैं उसी के नवासे को परिवार सहित निर्दयता से क़त्ल कर देंगे .और यजीद इतना नीच काम करेगा . वह तो युद्ध की योजना बनाकर आया था . तभी रस्ते में ही खबर मिली कि इमाम हुसैन का क़त्ल हो गया . यह घटना 10 अक्टूबर 680 यानि 10 मुहर्रम 61 हिजरी की है .यह हृदय विदारक खबर पता चलते ही वहां के सभी हिन्दू( जिनको आजकल हुसैनी ब्राहमण कहते है ) मुख़्तार सकफी के साथ इमाम हुसैन के क़त्ल का बदला लेने को युद्ध में शामिल हो गए थे .इस घटना के बारे में "हकीम महमूद गिलानी" ने अपनी पुस्तक "आलिया " में विस्तार से लिखा है 
4-रिखब दत्त का महान बलिदान 
कर्बला की घटना को युद्ध कहना ठीक नहीं होगा ,एक तरफ तिन दिनों के प्यासे इमाम हुसैन के साथी और दूसरी तरफ हजारों की फ़ौज थी ,जिसने क्रूरता और अत्याचार की सभी सीमाएं पर कर दी थीं ,यहाँ तक इमाम हुसैन का छोटा बच्चा जो प्यास के मारे तड़प रहा था , जब उसको पानी पिलाने इमाम नदी के पास गए तो हुरामुला नामके सैनिक ने उस बच्चे अली असगर के गले पर ऐसा तीर मारा जो गले के पार हो गया . इसी तरह एक एक करके इमाम के साथी शहीद होते गए .
और अंत में शिम्र नामके व्यक्ति ने इमाम हुसैन का सी काट कर उनको शहीद कर दिया , शिम्र बनू उमैय्या का कमांडर था . उसका पूरा नाम "Shimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan Ibn Rabiah Al Kalbi (also called Al Kilabi (Arabic: شمر بن ذي الجوشن بن ربيعة الكلبي) था. यजीद के सैनिक इमाम हुसैन के शरीर को मैदान में छोड़कर चले गए थे .तब रिखब दत्त ने इमाम के शीश को अपने पास छुपा लिया था .यूरोपी इतिहासकार रिखब दत्त के पुत्रों के नाम इसप्रकार बताते हैं ,1सहस राय ,2हर जस राय 3,शेर राय ,4राम सिंह ,5राय पुन ,6गभरा और7 पुन्ना .बाद में जब यजीद को पता चला तो उसके लोग इमाम हुसैन का सर खोजने लगे कि यजीद को दिखा कर इनाम हासिल कर सकें . जब रिखब दत्त ने शीश का पता नहीं दिया तो यजीद के सैनिक एक एक करके रिखब दत्त के पुत्रों से सर काटने लगे ,फिर भी रिखब दत्त ने पता नहीं दिया .सिर्फ एक लड़का बच पाया था . जब बाद में मुख़्तार ने इमाम के क़त्ल का बदला ले लिया था तब विधि पूर्वक इमाम के सर को दफनाया गया था .यह पूरी घटना पहली बार कानपुर में छपी थी .story had first appeared in a journal (Annual Hussein Report, 1989) printed from Kanpur (UP) .The article ''Grandson of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH

रिखब दत्त के इस बलिदान के कारण उसे सुल्तान की उपाधि दी गयी थी .और उसके बारे में "जंग नामा इमाम हुसैन " के पेज 122 में यह लिखा हुआ है ,"वाह दत्त सुल्तान ,हिन्दू का धर्म मुसलमान का इमान,आज भी रिखब दत्त के वंशज भारत के अलावा इराक और कुवैत में भी रहते हैं ,और इराक में जिस जगह यह लोग रहते है उस जगह को आज भी हिंदिया कहते हैं यह विकी पीडिया से साबित है 
Al-Hindiya or Hindiya (Arabic: الهندية‎) is a city in Iraq on the Euphrates River. Nouri al Maliki went to school there in his younger days. Al-Hindiya is located in the Kerbala Governorate. The city used to be known as Tuwairij (Arabic: طويريج‎), which gives name to the "Tuwairij run" (Arabic: ركضة طويريج‎) that takes place here every year as part of the Mourning of Muharram on the Day of Ashura.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindiya

तबसे आजतक यह हुसैनी ब्राह्मण इमाम हुसैन के दुखों को याद करके मातम मनाते हैं .लोग कहते हैं कि इनके गलों में कटने का कुदरती निशान होता है .यही उनकी निशानी है .
5-सारांश और अभिप्राय 
यद्यपि मैं इतिहास का विद्वान् नहीं हूँ ,और इमाम हुसैन और उनकी शहादत के बारे में हजारों किताबे लिखी जा सकती हैं ,चूँकि मुझे इस विषय पर लिखने का आग्रह मेरे एक दोस्त ने किया था ,इसलिए उपलब्ध सामग्री से संक्षिप्त में एक लेख बना दिया था , मेरा उदेश्य उन कट्टर लोगों को समझाने का है ,कि जब इमाम हुसैन कि नजर में भारत एक शांतिप्रिय देश है ,तो यहाँ आतंक फैलाकर इमाम की आत्मा को कष्ट क्यों दे रहे हैं .भारत के लोग सदा से ही अन्याय और हिंसा के विरोधी और सत्य के समर्थक रहे हैं .इसी लिए अजमेर की दरगाह के दरवाजे पार लिखा है ,
"शाहास्त हुसैन बदशाहस्त हुसैन ,दीनस्त हुसैन दीं पनाहस्त हुसैन 
सर दाद नादाद दस्त दर दस्ते यजीद ,हक्का कि बिनाये ला इलाहस्त हुसैन "
इतिहास गवाह है कि अत्याचार से सत्य का मुंह बंद नहीं हो सकता है ,वह दोगुनी ताकत से प्रकट हो जाता है ,जैसे कि ,
" कत्ले हुसैन असल में मर्गे यजीद है "
6-संदर्भित किताबें और साइटें
अपने लेख को प्रमाणित करने के लिए यह सूचि दी जा रही है , ताकि लोग भी विस्तार से जान सकें और सच्चाई को स्वीकार करें
1-Brahmis followers of Imaam  Hussain
http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-31May04-Print-Edition/1605200441.htm

2-Brahmins Fought for Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala

http://smma59.wordpress.com/2007/09/19/brahmins-fought-for-imam-hussain-in-the-battle-of-karbala/


3-The Hindu Devotees of Imam Hussain (A.S.)
http://smma59.wordpress.com/2006/09/05/the-hindu-devotees-of-imam-hussain-as-2/
4-Relation of Imam Hussain with Indiaહજરત ઇમામ હુસેનના ભારત સાથેના સંબંધો
http://hi.shvoong.com/humanities/religion-studies/1909198-relation-imam-hussain-india/
5-The Story of Imam Hussein
http://hammorabi.blogspot.com/Imam%20Hussein/Imam%20Hussein.html
6-Relationship  of Imam Husain  with India 
http://www.balawaristan.net/Documents/relationship-of-different-religions.html
7-Azadaar e Husain

http://alqaim.info/?p=1417


8-Hindus in Iraq

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/12239
9-Mohyal history
http://www.mohyal.com/index.php/general-mohyal-sabha/mohyal-history
10-Hussaini Brahmin 
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-21/patna/27750686_1_muharram-procession-hazrat-imam-hussain-month-of-islamic-calendar
11-JANG NAMA IMAM HUSSAIN
جنگ نامہ امام حسین
Auther Name : Dr.Qureshi Ahmed Hussain Ailadri
First Edition : 2001-Rs.150.00
http://www.punjabiadbiboard.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=26

मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि इतने सबूतों के देखने के बाद लोग हिंसा का रास्ता छोडके मानवता और इमाम हुसैन के प्रिय भारत देश की सेवा जरुर करेंगे 

http://www.shiaforums.com/vb/f25/hindu-followers-muslim-imam-imam-hussain-s-9251/

शहादत इमाम हुसैन मानव इतिहास की बहुत बड़ी त्रासदी

प्रोफेसर अख्तरुल वासे

22 नवंबर, 2012

(उर्दू से अनुवाद- समीउर रहमान, न्यु एज इस्लाम)

मोहर्रम का महीना इस्लामी महीनों में कई मायनों में बहुत अहम है। इतिहास की बहुत सी अहम घटनाएं इसी महीने में हुई हैं। लेकिन दो घटनाएं ऐसी हैं जो इस महीने के विचार से बुनियादी स्तर पर जुड़ी हैं: लोग रसूलुल्लाह सल्लल्लाहू अलैहि वसल्लम के मदीना हिजरत और रसूलुल्लाह के दूसरे नवासे हज़रत हुसैन रज़ियल्लाहू अन्हू की कर्बला में शहादत। हिजरत की घटना भी दुश्मनों से इस्लाम की रक्षा के लिए सामने आयी और कर्बला की घटना भी इस्लाम और इस्लामी व्यवस्था के कमज़ोर होने को जीवंत करने के लिए सच का साथ देने वालों के द्वारा उठाये गये क़दम के नतीजे में सामने आयी, इस प्रकार इन दोनों घटनाएं तर्क संगत पाई जाती हैं।

कर्बला की घटना न केवल इस्लामी बल्कि मानव इतिहास की एक बहुत बड़ी त्रासदी है। यही वजह है कि आज लगभग चौदह सौ साल गुज़रने के बावजूद ये घटना लोगों के मन में इस तरह ताज़ा है जैसे ये बस कल की बात है। मानव इतिहास की बहुत सी ऐसे घटनाएं हैं जो इंसानो के अक़्ल और ज़मीर को झिंझोड़  कर रख दिया। जो उसकी याददाश्त के अनमोल और अमिट हिस्सा बनकर रह गए। हजरत हुसैन बिन अली रज़ियल्लाहू अन्हू की शहादत की ये घटना ऐसा ही है। ऐसी घटनाएं चाहे कितने ही दर्दनाक और दिल को दुखाने वाले ही क्यों न हों लेकिन वास्तविकता ये है कि वो ब्रह्मांड में खुदा की जारी सुन्नत और फितरत (प्रकृति) के तकाज़े के बिल्कुल मुताबिक होते हैं। अल्लाह की बनाई हुई प्राकृतिक व्यवस्था ये है कि जब भी उसके दीन को कोई खतरा होता है, अल्लाह किसी महान और पवित्र बंदे को दीन के मजबूत क़िले की सुरक्षा के लिए भेज देता है और उसके द्वारा उसकी रक्षा का काम अंजाम देता है।

एक हदीस में जो सुनन अबु दाऊद में शामिल है, बताया गया है कि अल्लाह ताला हर सदी के सिरे पर धर्म को अद्यतन करने और उसकी रक्षा के लिए किसी महान व्यक्ति को चुनता है। ये सिलसिला क़यामत तक बाक़ी रहेगा। हज़रत हुसैन रज़ियल्लाहू अन्हू की गिनती इस्लाम धर्म की उन कुछ महान हस्तियों में होता है जिन्होंने अपने खून से इस्लाम के पौधे को सींचा और उसकी रक्षा  करने को अपना पहला कर्तव्य माना और हक़ीकत ये है कि क़यामत तक के लिए इस्लाम के किले की रक्षा के लिए अपनी जान को न्योछावर कर डालने की एक बेनज़ीर परंपरा स्थापित की।

हक़ीकत ये है कि दुनिया की कोई ऐसी क़ौम नहीं है जिसने इस घटना से प्रेरणा और आध्यात्मिक सीख न हासिल की हो और उसके विचारों और दृष्टिकोणों पर इसका कोई असर न पड़ा हो। महात्मा गांधी कहते हैं किः मैंने इस्लाम के शहीदे आज़म इमाम हुसैन के जीवन का अध्ययन किया है और कर्बला की घटनाओं पर मैंने विचार किया है। इन घटनाओं को पढ़कर मुझे ये स्पष्ट हुआ कि अगर हिंदुस्तान अज़ादी चाहता है तो उसे हज़रत हुसैन की शैली और चरित्र का पालन करना पड़ेगा।''

हज़रत इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम का जीवन परिचय

माता पिता

हज़रत इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम के पिता हज़रत इमाम अली अलैहिस्सलाम व आपकी माता हज़रत फ़तिमा ज़हरा सलामुल्लाह अलैहा हैं। आप अपने माता पिता की द्वितीय सन्तान थे।

जन्म तिथि व जन्म स्थान

हज़रत इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम का जन्म सन् चार (4) हिजरी क़मरी में शाबान मास की तीसरी (3) तिथि को पवित्र शहर मदीनेमें हुआ था।

नाम करण

आप के जन्म के बाद हज़रत पैगम्बर(स.) ने आपका नाम हुसैन रखा। तथा आपके माथे पर चुम्बन कर के कहा कि तेरे सम्मुख एक महान् विपत्ति है। अल्लाह तेरी हत्या करने वाले पर लानत करे।

उपाधियां

हज़रत इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम की मुख्य उपाधियां मिस्बाहुल हुदा, सैय्यिदुश शोहदा, अबु अबदुल्लाह व सफ़ीनातुन निजात है।

पालन पोषण

इतिहासकार मसूदी ने उल्लेख किया है कि इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम छः वर्ष की आयु तक हज़रत पैगम्बर(स.) के साथ रहे। तथा इस समय सीमा में  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम को सदाचार सिखाने ज्ञान प्रदान करने तथा भोजन कराने  का उत्तरदायित्व स्वंम पैगम्बर(स.) के ऊपर था।  पैगम्बर(स.)  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम से अत्यधिक प्रेम करते थे। वह उनका छोटा सा दुखः भी सहन नहीं कर पाते थे।  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम से प्रेम के सम्बन्ध में पैगम्बर(स.) के इस प्रसिद्ध कथन का शिया व सुन्नी दोनो सम्प्रदायों के विद्वानो ने उल्लेख किया है। कि पैगम्बर(स.) ने कहा कि हुसैन मुझसे हैऔर मैं हुसैन से हूँ। अल्लाह तू उससे प्रेम कर जो हुसैन से प्रेम करे।

हज़रत पैगम्बर(स.) के स्वर्गवास के बाद हज़रत  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम तीस (30)  वर्षों तक अपने पिता हज़रत इमामइमाम अली अलैहिस्सलाम के साथ रहे। और सम्स्त घटनाओं व विपत्तियों में अपने पिता का हर प्रकार से सहयोग करते रहे।

हज़रत इमाम अली अलैहिस्सलाम की शहादत के बाद दस वर्षों तक अपने बड़े भाई इमाम हसन के साथ रहे। तथा सन् पचास (50) हिजरी में उनकी शहादत के पश्चात दस वर्षों तक घटित होने वाली घटनाओं का अवलोकन करते हुए मुआविया का विरोध करते रहे । जब सन् साठ (60) हिजरी में मुआविया का देहान्त हो गय, व उसके बेटे यज़ीद ने गद्दी पर बैठने के बाद हज़रत   इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम से बैअत (आधीनता स्वीकार करना) करने के लिए कहा, तो आपने बैअत करने से मना कर दिया।और इस्लामकी रक्षा हेतु वीरता पूर्वक लड़ते हुए शहीद हो गये।

इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम का क़ियाम व क़ियाम के उद्देश्य

हज़रत  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम ने सन् (61) हिजरी में यज़ीद के विरूद्ध क़ियाम (किसी के विरूद्ध उठ खड़ा होना) किया। उन्होने अपने क़ियाम के उद्देश्यों को अपने प्रवचनो में इस प्रकार स्पष्ट किया कि----

1—जब शासकीय यातनाओं से तंग आकर हज़रत  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम मदीना छोड़ने पर मजबूर हो गये तो उन्होने अपने क़ियाम के उद्देश्यों को इस प्रकार स्पष्ट किया। कि मैं अपने व्यक्तित्व को चमकाने या सुखमय जीवन यापन करने या उपद्रव फैलाने के लिए क़ियाम नहीं कर रहा हूँ। बल्कि मैं केवल अपने नाना (पैगम्बरे इस्लाम)  की उम्मत (इस्लामी समाज) में सुधार हेतु जारहा हूँ। तथा मेरा निश्चय मनुष्यों को अच्छाई की ओर बुलाना व बुराई से रोकना है। मैं अपने नाना पैगम्बर(स.) व अपने पिता इमाम अली अलैहिस्सलाम की सुन्नत(शैली) पर चलूँगा।

2—एक दूसरे अवसर पर कहा कि ऐ अल्लाह तू जानता है कि हम ने जो कुछ किया वह शासकीय शत्रुत या सांसारिक मोहमाया के कारण नहीं किया। बल्कि हमारा उद्देश्य यह है कि तेरे धर्म की निशानियों को यथा स्थान पर पहुँचाए। तथा तेरी प्रजा के मध्य सुधार करें ताकि तेरी प्रजा अत्याचारियों से सुरक्षित रह कर तेरे धर्म के सुन्नत व वाजिब आदेशों का पालन कर सके।

3— जब आप की भेंट हुर पुत्र यज़ीदे रिहायी की सेना से हुई तो, आपने कहा कि ऐ लोगो अगर तुम अल्लाह से डरते हो और हक़ को  हक़दार के पास देखना चाहते हो तो यह कार्य अल्लसाह को प्रसन्न करने के लिए बहुत अच्छा है। ख़िलाफ़त पद के अन्य अत्याचारी व व्याभीचारी दावेदारों की अपेक्षा हम अहलेबैत सबसे अधिक अधिकारी हैं।

4—एक अन्य स्थान पर कहा कि हम अहलेबैत शासन के उन लोगों से अधिक अधिकारी हैं जो शासन कर रहे है। 

  इन चार कथनों में जिन उद्देश्यों की और संकेत किया गया है वह इस प्रकार हैं-------

1-इस्लामी समाज में सुधार।

2-जनता को अच्छे कार्य करने का उपदेश ।

3-जनता को बुरे कार्यो के करने से रोकना।

4-हज़रत पैगम्बर(स.) और हज़रत इमाम अली अलैहिस्सलाम की सुन्नत(शैली) को किर्यान्वित करना।

5-समाज को शांति व सुरक्षा प्रदान करना।

6-अल्लाह के आदेशो के पालन हेतु भूमिका तैयार करना।

यह समस्त उद्देश्य उसी समय प्राप्त हो सकते हैं जब शासन की बाग़ डोर स्वंय इमाम के हाथो में हो, जो इसके वास्तविक अधिकारी भी हैं। अतः इमाम ने स्वंय कहा भी है कि शासन हम अहलेबैत का अधिकार है न कि शासन कर रहे उन लोगों का जो अत्याचारी व व्याभीचारी हैं।

इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम के क़ियाम के परिणाम

1-बनी उमैया के वह धार्मिक षड़यन्त्र छिन्न भिन्न हो गये जिनके आधार पर उन्होंने अपनी सत्ता को शक्ति प्रदान की थी।

2-बनी उमैया के उन शासकों को लज्जित होना पडा जो सदैव इस बात के लिए तत्पर रहते थे कि इस्लाम से पूर्व के मूर्खतापूर्ण प्रबन्धो को क्रियान्वित किया जाये।

3-कर्बला के मैदान में  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम की शहादत से मुसलमानों के दिलों में यह चेतना जागृत हुई; कि हमने  इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम की सहायता न करके बहुत बड़ा पाप किया है।

इस चेतना से दो चीज़े उभर कर सामने आईं एक तो यह कि इमाम की सहायता न करके जो गुनाह (पाप) किया उसका परायश्चित होना चाहिए। दूसरे यह कि जो लोग इमाम की सहायता में बाधक बने थे उनकी ओर से लोगों के दिलो में घृणा व द्वेष उत्पन्न हो गया।

इस गुनाह के अनुभव की आग लोगों के दिलों में निरन्तर भड़कती चली गयी। तथा बनी उमैया से बदला लेने व अत्याचारी शासन को उखाड़ फेकने की भावना प्रबल होती गयी।

अतः तव्वाबीन समूह ने अपने इसी गुनाह के परायश्चित के लिए क़ियाम किया। ताकि इमाम की हत्या का बदला ले सकें।

4- इमाम हुसैन अलैहिस्सलाम के क़ियाम ने लोगों के अन्दर अत्याचार का विरोध करने के लिए प्राण फूँक दिये। इस प्रकार इमाम के क़ियाम व कर्बला के खून ने हर उस बाँध को तोड़ डाला जो इन्क़लाब (क्रान्ति) के मार्ग में बाधक था।

5-इमाम के क़ियाम ने जनता को यह शिक्षा दी कि कभी भी किसी के सम्मुख अपनी मानवता को न बेंचो । शैतानी ताकतों से लड़ो व इस्लामी सिद्धान्तों को क्रियान्वित करने के लिए प्रत्येक चीज़ को नयौछावर कर दो।

6-समाज के अन्दर यह नया दृष्टिकोण पैदा हुआ कि अपमान जनक जीवन से सम्मान जनक मृत्यु श्रेष्ठ है।
Extracted from : www.shiyat.ewebsite.com/

Reasons Behind the Commemoration of Imam al-Husain (AS)

Let me put it in simple words. If your father (may Allah grant him long life if he is still alive) dies, what will be your reaction to his death? If you loved him a lot, you or other members of your family will cry for him. crying is a sign of missing a highly dear one for a person who has human heart.
Now, suppose he has been killed on the path of Allah with some noble ideas to implement. What will be your reaction to his martyrdom? Do you pass from it as in the case of a simple death? Or you raise your voice and try to keep his noble ideas alive by REMINDING people of his actions and thoughts and give them a LESSON on his bravery and sacrifices, and asking people to join his path and to KEEP ALIVE his noble thoughts?

A Mourning Shia Muslim

[ One side remark here is that, just imagine that you and your brothers and sisters mourn for your father who has been martyred, and meanwhile some body jumps and accuses you of killing your father because you are mourning for him and based on his logic mourning is a sign of feeling guilty of murdering. What will be your reaction to such corrupted logic? I am really interested to hear from you. ]
Now, let us go further and consider a religious leader who has spent his lifetime in learning the religion and teaching others the way one should live and explaining the Islamic duties and thoughts. If such person is martyred by the tyrannical rulers, then our commemoration will include a much wider aspect, since this man is no longer a father of an individual, but rather a father for all those who were benefiting from his knowledge and guidance.
Finally, if we consider the supreme level of the Prophet Muhammad and his Ahlul-Bayt who were the best of mankind, the most knowledgeable, the most illustrious, the most god-fearing, the most pious, the best in personal virtues, and the most honored before Allah and the leaders for all the generations till the day of judgment, then one can comprehend that keeping their path alive is a DUTY upon us as their followers.
By commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS), we learn lessons from his noble thoughts and convictions. Learning about what happened to him and his companions in the history will provide us a light for the future. Learning about his actions has inspiring effects on our actions as well.
  Question : The other more puzzling thing is what happens during the celebration. Again I might be wrong and please correct me in a gentle way if I am. Usually during this celebration, my Shia brothers start hitting themselves on the head (Is it at that time or am I wrong ?) until in some cases they faint or blood starts getting out of their heads. I have even seen (on TV) pictures of small children being hit or being made to hit themselves (I admit that those could be fabrications and out of context pictures but that's what I've seen and I am ready to be corrected). I ask my Shia brothers and sisters, is this the way to celebrate ? Why do you hit yourselves ?
I have never heard of small children being hit, nor have ever seen adults are being hit. What you pictured should be really an amazing ceremony. No my dear friend, there is no such silly actions. These are propagated by those who hate to see the remembrance of Ahlul-Bayt, and they resort to all possible means to mock to Followers of the Members of the House of the Prophet PBUH&HF). And you has become their voice unwittingly, I presume.
Usually the ceremony includes speech by a learned man with regard to the movement of Imam Husain and his aims and his message. Then the speech continues to reminding the heart-breaking events of the catastrophe of Ashura and those who have human heart will cry, and mourn. Of course, there are traditions transmitted by Ahlul-Bayt which state, crying for Imam Husain, or making others to cry for him (through speech and reminding the events) has a lot of rewards. In fact, all the prophets of God without any exception cried for Imam Husain and commemorated Ashura, including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF). Not only that, but also the Jinns (unseen creatures) mourn for Imam Husain. I have mentioned some of traditions affirming this fact in my previous posts quoting from Sunni collections.
Nonetheless, we affirm that hurting own body is forbidden. Some people may get very emotional and do that, yet the rest are not to be blamed. An analogy is the case when a person loses a dear one, where s/he will cry for him. Due to the height of emotion one (specially women) may start beating herself to the extent that it causes harm for her body. This is what is forbidden, while what has no harm to body (including beating chest) is allowed. Thus the commemoration can not be questioned by the innocent overreaction of certain individual(s).
Question :  The explanation that I was given (by Non-Shia's mind you), that Shia hit themselves as a punishment that they left Imam Hussein go from Koufah (?) alone with a few men and did not help him. At the same time it was them who sent for him to come and lead them to fight for his right to be the Khalifah.
It is really amazing that you readily accept such rumor without even giving it a second thought. Even I suppose the Shia killed Imam Husain in year 61 AH, why should I feel guilty about what some people did in the history? Even suppose my father killed Imam Husain, then why should I feel guilty of what my father did? The sin of a sinner will never be inherited to his offspring. (The ancestors may have a share of such sin if they mislead their offspring, but the reverse is never true). Thus such argument that we cry for Imam Husain since our fathers allegedly killed him would be the most stupid interpretation on the reason behind commemoration of Imam Husain (AS). I shouldn't expect any more intelligence from the enemies of Ahlul-Bayt.
 
My dear brother, we cry in the memory of Imam Husain, for:
 
1- all the messengers of God cried for him;

2- all the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt cried for him;

3- we love him more than we love our fathers and our dear ones;

4- he is a Symbol of resistance against tyranny and the leader of the Martyrs for us;

5- we want to swear allegiance to him and his path and keep aloof from their enemies;

6- his aims have not been fully achieved and his blood has not been revenged yet. As such, we keep this event with all its emotion alive until such time that Imam Mahdi (AS) appears who will cleanse the surface of the Earth form all such tyrants;

7- condolence to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) and the members of Ahlul-Bayt;

8- abiding the instruction of Ahlul-Bayt in remembering this event and seeking the reward associated with it.

And there are much more reasons that you will find if you switch the books at your disposal and study some Shi`ite literature regarding to Imam Husain (AS).
As for the stupid claim that the Shia killed Imam Husain (AS), I would like to first ask you what is the definition of Shia. If Shia means all those who claim to love Ahlul-Bayt, then I can tell you that ALL Muslims, with no exception from the time of the Prophet till today are Shia! Even the Wahhabis are Shia by your definition. Shia means "followers", and as such those who forsake their leader can not be considered his followers by any stretch of imagination.
The true followers (Shia) of Ahlul-Bayt have always been in minority. The Shia of Imam Husain were those who stayed with him in Karbala (beside those who did not have ability to join him due to justifiable reasons. Examples include, but are not limited to: Ibn Abbas and Jabir Ibn Abdullah al-Ansari who were both blind at that time.)
Those who fought Imam Husain comprise those you claim to be Tabi'een (disciples of companions) whom you believe you should follow! Those who fought Imam Husain were NEVER the followers of Ahlul-Bayt unless you believe in contradiction. Those who joined the army of Yazid were rather the followers of Satan. Yes, some of those who wrote to Imam Husain to come over Iraq, did not support him later, for the simple reason that they were not his followers but rather the followers of their own whims. They were people who were tired of the oppression of the Umayad, and they were looking for a an easy relief. Some of them thought if Imam Husain takes over the power and they will be able to get rid of oppression and moreimportantly they were thinking of reaching to money, position in his government. But after the pressure of the agent of Yazid in Kufah and the enforcement of marshal law, and when they saw that their lives are in jeopardy and their dreams are unlikely to take place, they forsook Imam Husain's deputy.
They were no better than Talha and Zubair who supported Imam Ali at the beginning for their own worldly interests, but when they found that the Imam will not fulfill such interests for them they went against him and fought him. Do you ever claim that Talha and Zubair were the Shia of Ali? Certainly not. Shia means "followers", and those who forsake their leader can not be considered his followers by any stretch of imagination.
BTW, you, as a Sunni, acknowledge Imam Ali to be a righteous Caliph. Does that make you Shia? Certainly not. Similarly, most of those who were living under the government of Imam Ali were not his followers, and that was why they rebelled against him for their own worldly interest, the list include: Aisha/Talha/Zubair and their supporters, as well as those whom Imam Ali named them al-Khawarij (kharijites) who disobeyed Imam Ali in the battle of Siffin and announced that Ali is a polytheist (Mushrik). No doubt that Imam Ali gave an oath that he will fight and kill all of them except nine individuals who will be able to escape (one of which later murdered Imam Ali (AS)), and this exactly happened in the battle of Nahrawan. Imam Ali never called them Shia, nor the historians claimed them as such, but you do! The Shia of Imam Ali are those for whom the Messenger of Allah as follows:
The Messenger of Allah said to Ali: "Glad tiding O Ali! Verily you and your companions and your Shia (followers) will be in Paradise."
Sunni references:
(1) Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p655
(2) Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu'aym, v4, p329
(3) Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v12, p289
(4) al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani
(5) Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v10, pp 21-22
(6) al-Darqunti, who said this tradition has been transmitted via numerous authorities.
(7) al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami , Ch. 11, section 1, p247
Thus the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) used to say the phrase of "Shia of Ali". This phrase is not something invented later! Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) said that the true followers of imam Ali will go to Paradise, and this is a great felicity. Also Jabir Ibn Abdillah al-Ansari narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said: "The Shia of Ali are the real victorious in the day of resurrection/rising"
Sunni references:
- al-Manaqib Ahmad, as mentioned in:
- Yanabi al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, p62
- Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthoor, by al-Hafidh Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, who quotes the tradition as follows: "We were with the Holy Prophet when Ali came towards us. The Holy Prophet said: He and his Shia will aquire salvation on the day of judgment."
The "day of rising" could also refer to the day of rising of al-Mahdi (AS). But in more general term, it means the day of judgment.
The stupid claim that Shia killed Imam Husain follows that the Prophet states those who will kill Imam Husain will go to Paradise! Perhaps, you believe that's why Yazid did so.
Such claim by Wahhabis has been made solely to cover the nasty face of the tyrannical leaders of that time and to drift the attention from their horrible crime, and to justify their rule. It will not be surprising that they have gone as far as saying it was the legitimate right of Yazid to take all possible action to preserve his dynasty. In contrast with the claim of these individuals, the Sunni history confirms that Imam Husain was killed by the direct order of Yazid (LA):
Ubaydullah Ibn Ziyad (the governor of Yazid in Kufah) was leaving Iraq to Syria after killing the battle of Karbala, with a guard of his followers. Shuraih (the payroll Judge who gave verdict that the blood of Imam Husain is Halaal) noticed that he was silent for a long time, he approached him and said: "O Ubaydullah, I think it bothered you that you killed Husain?! Ubaydullah said: No! Indeed Yazid had ordered me to either kill Husain or he (Yazid) will kill me.
Sunni reference: History of Ibn Athir, v4, p140
The above gives evidence to the fact that he was Yazid who gave the direct order to kill Imam Husain (AS). Later, when the scandal of his horrible crime and the abuse of the household of the Prophet started shaking his regime, he condemned the act of Ibn Ziyad in public and disassociated himself. It has also been reported that:
Yazid ordered the head of Husain brought to Syria, when it was put to him he started abusing it and beating it with his stick and said the following Poetry:
I wish that my elders in Badr witness the fear of Khazraj from the falling of the swords.
Then they would have cherished and savored (my act) and by saying O Yazid may your arm be powerful (for getting revenge by killing Husain).
Sunni refernces:
- Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, end of ch. 11, pp 331-332
- al-Radd Ala al-Muta'assib al-Aneed, by Ibn al-Jawzi, p47-48
- Tarikh Alisalm v5, p18-19
Ibn al-Jawzi comments:
It is not difficult to understand why Ibn Ziyad (the governor of Yazid in Kufah) fought Husain, but the more surprising was the brutality of Yazid in abusing the head of Husain and whipping Husain's mouth with his stick, and ordering to carry the household of the Prophet on camels without saddle, and many other shameful acts such as displaying his head in the city. It is certain that he (Yazid) did not have any intention but to humiliate (the household of the Prophet) by displaying the head. Such action is permissible only for al-Khawarij and transgressors. Had not Yazid have the rancor of the al-Jahiliyyah (the era before Islam) and the malice of (the defeat of his clan in) the battle of Badr, he would have respected the head (of Imam Husain) when he had received it and he would have buried it with shroud.
Sunni references:
- Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, end of ch 11, pp 331, quoted from Ibn al-Jawzi.
- al-Radd Ala al-Muta'assib al-Aneed, by Ibn al-Jawzi, p48
Also Ibn Jawzi in his commentary about Ibn Hanbal's damning of Yazid said:
"would there be a greater crime than killing Husain?!"
It should be noted that many Sunni scholars allow explicit curse of Yazid, among them are Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and Ibn al-Jawzi. Ahmad proves his opinion by Quran. (See al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, by Ibn Kathir, v8, p223; also Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, end of Ch. 11, pp 331-332; also al-Radd Ala al-Muta'assib al-Aneed, by Ibn al-Jawzi, p47-48).
However, as Ibn Hajar wrote, the least thing that is agreed upon by ALL the Sunni scholars (including the pseudo ones) is as follows:
It is unanimously agreed that it is permissible to curse those who killed Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) and those who ordered his killing and those who allowed it and those who were pleased with that action, without explicitly mentioning the name of Yazid.
Sunni reference: Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, end of ch 11, p334
Let us now see the opinion of the son of Yazid about his father and grandfather, who was the witness from within the royal family!
...When (Yazid) offered the kingdom (throne) to his son, Muawiyah the second, in order that the flag of caliphate continues to wave in the house of Abi Sufyan!!
After his death, Muawiyah the second, gathered the people on a well known day, he stood in them preaching, he said:
"My grandfather Muawiyah stripped the command from those who deserved it, and from one who is more justified of it, for his relation to the Messenger of Allah and his being first in Islam, and that is Ali Ibn Abi Talib, he (Muawiyah) took over it by your help as you are fully aware."
"Then following it my father Yazid wore the command after him, and he did not deserve it. He quarreled with the son of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, and by that he shortened his own life... He rode his whim and hope left him behind." Then he cried and continued:
"Surely, the greatest problems of us is our knowledge of his bad behavior and his awful ending, and that he killed the progeny (Itrah) of the Messenger of Allah, and he permitted drinking alcohol, and he fought in the sanctuary of Mecca, and destroyed the Ka'ba."
"And I am not the one who is dressing up for your command, nor the one to be responsible for your followers... You choose for yourselves..!!"
Sunni References:
- Khulafaa al-Rasool, by Khalid Mohammed Khalid, p531 (The above Quote included author's punctuation.)
- Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, end of ch 11, pp 336
Now, please offer these reports to your Wahhabi friend and see if they to know better than the son of Yazid as to who killed Imam Husain.
Also Shabrawi wrote in his book that:
"Would any man of reason doubts that Yazid killed Husain?"
Sunni reference: Alethaf, by Shabrawi, pp 62,66
Moreover, In Ibn Abbas's reply to a letter by Yazid, he said:
Do not think that I will forget your crime of killing Imam Husain (AS)
Sunni reference: Tarikh Ya'qubi, v2, p249
Then can any man of reason think that Yazid did not order killing Imam Husain?!!! The above was just few Sunni documents out of many, to prove this fact. Please refer to the articles of Br. Abbas which were posted in SRI for more.


Dear brother, you have very distorted information for which you have no evidence. I am afraid, you are confusing between the government and people. Most people of Persia were the followers of Ahlul-Bayt from the beginning of their conversion to Islam. One reason for their tendency to Shia was the discrimination that Umar enforced between the rights of Arabs and non-Arabs. Another reason was the injustice of some governors and their misconduct that was being carried on in the name of Islam, and so on. This gave reason to people for searching the truth and they found the shining light of Ahlul-Bayt and their followers such as Salman al-Farsi who was also an important factor. However, later, Umayad and Abbasid oppressive governments continued their injustice to Arabs and non-Arabs alike! They prosecuted the followers of Ahlul-Bayt in Persia, Iraq, Hijaz, and other places. The early Sunni government in Iran did not represent the belief of people as much as the today's governments in Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, United Arab Emirate, Amman, and Bahrain (which are all Shia dominated) do not represent the belief of their people.
As for the Fatimid rule in Egypt, you should better know that they were the offshoot of Ismailis. We do not consider Fatimid to be Shia of Imam Ali at all. They were among the political movements appeared centuries later. Again the difference between the belief of people and the government should be noticed. Your claim concerning the conversion in Egypt is false. Based on "The Encyclopedia of Islam," the majority of people in Egypt were Sunnis during the entire reign of Fatimid, and as such, no conversion occurred when the Fatimid government collapsed. It was politically started and politically ended.
Thus neither in Iran nor in Egypt mass conversion from Sunni to Shia or vice versa occurred. No body can force a person to convert into another religion or school of thought, since belief is in the heart of People and not in ID. Those who convert their religion in their heart due to the pressure of government, did not have religion at all! Recall the existence of many Arabs inside Hijaz in the Arabian Peninsula (what is now known as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia) who have been Shia of Imam Ali (AS) from the time of Imam Ali till now despite the fact that Hijaz has had the most oppressive regimes since the early history of Islam.

Excerpt from http://www.al-islam.org/encyclopedia/

You can download it here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?u8s29wc88gcct3i