Fasting on the Day of Ashura

By all standards, the day Imam Hussain, the grandson of the beloved Prophet Muhammad, was killed was a great tragedy. Indeed, it was the greatest tragedy. He was martyred, along with his family members, simply because he stood against injustice. The family of Yazeed (the Banu Umayyah) and the family of Ziyad rejoiced the day he was killed. Not only did they celebrate the day of Ashura, but they turned it into a tradition for subsequent years. They would gather their family and friends and rejoice at the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.

While fasting is a great form of worship, we the Shia have valid reservations regarding the fast of Ashura. It is always recommended to fast, anytime throughout the year (except Eid), but the problem is that there is a history of politics behind the fast of Ashura.

Killing the very grandson of the Prophet was a major crime, so Banu Umayya attempted to shift the focus of the people for the day of Ashura. Possessing power and money, they spread to the Muslims that Ashura is a blessed day. They did so by indoctrinating their people that on Ashura God saved Prophet Musa and his people from the pharaoh. He saved Prophet Ibrahim from the fire of Namrud, and so on. To thank God for that blessed day, they encouraged the people to fast on Ashura.

Here are several points that demonstrate how the hadeeths which speak of the fast of Ashura are fabricated. The Prophet probably never said them, but they were forged after him.

First: There are several hadeeths in Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Tirmidhi which tell us when the Prophet arrived Medina, he saw the Jews fasting, Upon knowing the reason why they were fasting, he said we the Muslims are closer to Musa, so we should also fast. If you analyze these hadeeths, you will realize that they all go back to these four narrators who supposedly narrated them directly from the Prophet:

1- Ibn Abbas

2- Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari

3- Abu Huraira

4- Mu’awiya

The Prophet came to Medina the first year of the Hijra. As for Ibn Abbas, he was born three years before Hijra, which makes him four years old when the Prophet supposedly said this Hadith. In the Science of Hadith, the narration of a four-year-old boy is generally not accepted.

As for Abu Musa, he came from the tribe of Banu Ash’ar in Yemen. He became Muslim before the Hijra, but he was not seen in Medina till the battle of Khaybar in the seventh year after Hijra. The Prophet had sent him to Yemen to preach to his tribe. Hence, Abu Musa was not in Medina in the first year of Hijra, so how could he possibly narrate this hadith?

As for Abu Huraira, he also was not seen in Medina until after the battle of Khaybar in the seventh year of Hijra. He also came from Yemen.

As for Muawiya, the son of Abu Sufyan, he became Muslim in the eighth year of Hijra, so how could he narrate a hadith from the Prophet seven or eight years before he became Muslim?

Some of the hadeeth go back to Ibn Zubayr, who was also a young boy when the Prophet entered Medina.

Therefore, it is quite clear that all the narrators of this hadith were either not in Medina at the time, or they were young boys, so how can we possibly accept such a hadith? It is pretty convincing that the hadith was forged later on by Bani Umayya.

Second: Let’s look at the word “Ashura” which is mentioned in the hadith. According to Ibn Al-Atheer, there are two meanings to Ashura: an old meaning and a new meaning. The old meaning, which was during the Arab’s time and the Prophet’s time, meant the tenth day of any month. The new meaning surfaced after Imam Hussain was killed on the tenth of Muharram. After that, Ashura came to be known as the tenth of Muharram, but before that it was simply the tenth day of any month. So when the Prophet supposedly said this hadith, he just said Ashura, and he didn’t say the tenth day of which month. This demonstrates that the hadith was forged after the day of Ashura, and it slipped from the mind of the ones who forged it that before Ashura, the word had a different, more general meaning.

Third: Today, go to any Jew, even their scholars, and ask them: Do you have a fast on the day which God saved Moses, or a day which corresponds to the tenth of Muharram? They don’t, and they will tell you that even in the past they didn’t have such a fast. They fast on Yum Kippur, the day when Moses returned from Mt. Sinai and realized that his people were worshipping the calf. To expiate for their sin, they fasted, but they have no fast they day God saved them from the pharaoh. But the hadith in the books of Saheeh tells us that it was a tradition of the Jews, and they would all fast that day.

If you even look at the day the Jews fast, it never corresponded with the tenth of Muharram when the Prophet came to Medina. It corresponded with Muharram on the 28th year after Hijra.

Fourth: It seems the one who forged the hadith was not aware of how the Islamic Calendar originated. During the time of Umar, since Muslims wanted a set date to refer to, he created the Hijri calendar by seeking the advice of Imam Ali. So they decided to make the starting point the migration of the Prophet, and they made the first month Muharram. However, the Prophet entered Medina in Rabi-ul-Awwal, not in Muharram, and so the one who probably forged the hadith assumed that the Prophet entered Medina in Muharram because that is when the calendar starts. So the hadith tells us the Prophet when he first entered Medina he saw the Jews fasting on Ashura, but the Prophet didn’t enter Medina in Muharram, he did so in Rabu-ul-Awwal, ten months before Muharram! There’s a clear discrepancy here.

Fifth: The prophet knows more about the Shariah of previous Prophets such as Prophet Musa, and he doesn’t need the Jews to teach him that. The Prophet is also higher than copying what the Jews would do.

Sixth: How come there is so much emphasis on the fast of Ashura around the world? Thousands of speeches are dedicated to it, millions of pamphlets are distributed encouraging people to fast on Ashura, and so on. There are many other days throughout the year which are highly recommended to fast, such as the 27th of Rajab, but how come you don’t see a single pamphlet or speech encouraging it? This shows that this is a political thing, originally designed to focus the attention away from the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain, and to consider it a blessed day. I don’t know how anyone can stand on the Day of Judgment before Prophet Muhammad and consider the very day his grandson was slaughtered a blessed day.

Thus, based on these reasons we Shia have our reservations on the fast of Ashura. Banu Umayya were behind it, and considering it a blessed day is not an offence to us the Shia, but an offence to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family.

-Syed Baqir Al Qazwini

Do Shias exaggerate the reward for Ziyarah of Imam Husain (a.s.)?

Some Muslims accuse the Shias of fabricating traditions regarding the ziyaarah of Imam Husain (a.s.), the Chief of Martyrs. They claim traditions that consider ziyaarah of Imam Husain (a.s.) equal to visiting Allah on His Throne (Arsh) and equal to hundreds of Hajj and Umrah are an exaggeration and are not supported by the Holy Quran or the intellect.

Reply

Such objections only show the dissenting party’s poor knowledge of Allah’s Book and the correct Sunnah. Let alone Imam Husain’s (a.s.) ziyarah, even simple acts of goodness can earn the reward of meeting Allah.

In Surah Kahf (18): Verse 110, Allah the Almighty declares:

فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاء رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

“…therefore whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.”

Performing good deeds is rewarded with meeting the Lord (لِقَاء رَبِّهِ). The good deed can be any one of the hundreds of good deeds defined by the Holy Quran and the correct Sunnah. It can be as basic as spending a dirham in the way of Allah the High.

Then why is it surprising if the ziyarah of Imam Husain (a.s.) is rewarded with meeting Allah on the Arsh? It must be noted over here that mention of Arsh in the tradition does not restrict Allah to a position; it underlines His magnificence and splendor and the importance of Imam Husain’s (a.s.) visitor.

Moreover, there are traditions which give so much importance to a believer (momin) that it boggles the mind. For instance:

‘The heart of a believer is Allah’s (Rahmaan) Arsh. When a believer’s heart is disturbed, it shakes the foundation of the Arsh.’

• Behaar al-Anwaar vol.. 55 p. 39
• Mer’aat al-Uqool fi Sharh-e-Akhbaar-e-Aal al-Rasool (a.s.), vol.. 12 p. 230

In a Hadis Qudsi, Allah the Almighty says, ‘The believer is from Me and I am from the believer.’

• Al-Jawaaher al-Saneeyyah of Shaikh Hurr al-Aamili (r.a.)

These traditions conclude that respecting a believer is a cause for divine proximity and is like revering Allah on His Arsh.

Then why is it surprising if Allah on His Arsh is pleased with the one visiting Imam Husain b. Ali (a.s.) who along with his brother Imam Hasan (a.s.) is the Chief of the Youths of Paradise?

The second argument that the reward for ziyarah is inconceivable and unacceptable to the intellect is just as ridiculous. How can the intellect perceive why and how Allah rewards a Muslim for a particular action?

Prophet Zakariyyah (a.s.) was puzzled to see the food near Janab Maryam (s.a.) especially since her chamber was not frequented by any mortal.

كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقاً قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّى لَكِ هَـذَا قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ إنَّ اللّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاء بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

 “…whenever Zakariya entered the sanctuary to (see) her, he found with her food. He said: O Marium! whence comes this to you? She said: It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives to whom He pleases without measure.”

(Surah Aale Imran (3): Verse 37)

Janab Maryam’s (s.a.) response clearly states that Allah rewards those He pleases to the extent He pleases even to the amazement of His Prophet (s.a.w.a.).

There are many verses of the Noble Quran which state this fact:

أَن يُنَزِّلُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ عَلَى مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ

 “…Allah should send down of His grace on whomsoever of His servants He pleases…”

(Surah Baqarah (2): Verse 90)

وَاللّهُ يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاء وَاللّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

 “…and Allah chooses especially whom He pleases for His mercy, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.”

(Surah Baqarah (2): Verse 105)

Jo Hussain se Ladenga - By Tahir ul Qadri

Was Imam Husain (a.s.) killed by Yazid or his Shias?

Doubt

A section of the Muslims who find themselves in a spot while defending Yazid’s role in killing Imam Husain (a.s.) make lame excuses and indulge in Shia-bashing as if maligning Shias is the answer to all their woes. Among their most ludicrous claims is that the Shias themselves killed Imam Husain (a.s.) and are now repenting for the same.

Reply

1. Who killed Hamzah?

2. Role of companions

3. Yazid’s role

4. Who are the Shias?

5. Yazid’s forces were not Shias

Who killed Hamzah (a.s.)?

Who killed Ammar?

This lame excuse reminds one of the argument advanced by Yazid’s father nearly 1,400 years ago when he found himself similarly cornered in Siffeen on the count of being responsible for Ammar’s (r.a.) death, a fact prophesied by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).

To deflect blame for killing Ammar b. Yasir (r.a.), one of the greatest companions for whom Paradise was assured, Muawiyah conveniently shifted the blame for the crime of murdering Ammar to Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) by suggesting that since Ali (a.s.) had got Ammar to the Battle of Siffeen, he was the one responsible for killing Ammaar and not Muawiyah.

Going by Muawiyah’s rationale the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is likewise responsible for killing his own uncle Hamzah who came to the Battlefield of Ohad on his (s.a.w.a.) instruction!

Apparently, shifting the blame from the perpetrator of the crime to those who are the farthest in committing it is the most favored response of these Muslims.

Let us see how we can identify the perpetrators of other crimes using the rationale of these Muslims.

Who killed Hamzah (a.s.)?

1. Of course, conventional wisdom suggests as backed by history that the responsibility for killing Hamzah (a.s.) lies with the infidels of Mecca who waged war against the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Muslims.

2. And we have also seen that according to Muawiyah’s rationale, the responsibility for killing Hamzah (a.s.) was with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).

3. According to the rationale of these Muslims, the responsibility for Hamzah’s death lies with another group altogether. Let’s refer to the 153rd verse of Surah Aale Imran (3) to find the answer:

‘When you ran off precipitately and did not wait for anyone, the Apostle was calling you from your rear…’

Since according to these Muslims, the treachery of the Shias killed Imam Husain (a.s.), it follows that the treachery of the companions in the Battle of Ohad killed Hamzah (a.s.).

However, for obvious reasons these Muslims won’t admit this fact and will apply their rationale selectively against the Shias.

Who killed Usman?

1. Conventional wisdom suggests that Usman was killed by the Muslims who laid siege to his house and ultimately killed him for his misguided policies.

2. But according to the rationale of these Muslims who put the blame squarely on those who act treacherously, the blame for killing Usman lies with his cousin – Muawiyah b. Abu Sufyan.

It is not a secret that the siege on Usman’s house lasted for over a month during which time he sent SOS to, among others, his cousin Muawiyah. However, for the period Usman was under siege which was considerable, Muawiyah did not send in his army to bail out Usman. This despite the fact that Muawiyah had a huge army at his disposal which only two years later took on the might of the entire Muslim army in Siffeen.

If Muawiyah had shown the same alacrity and enthusiasm in sending help to Medina to rescue Usman, that his son Yazid showed after ascending the throne to demand allegiance from Imam Husain (a.s.) in Medina, Usman’s life could well have been saved. Regardless, does this mean that Usman was a victim of Muawiyah’s treachery rather than the Muslims who actually killed him?

Going by the argument of these Muslims, the answer is yes – Muawiyah killed Usman.

Role of companions

Who killed Imam Husain (a.s.)?

According to this group of Muslims, Imam Husain (a.s.) was a victim of treachery by the Shias.

First and foremost if blame must be placed based on treachery, the companions and taabe’een displayed it in ample measure by not supporting Imam Husain (a.s.) against Yazid.

Treachery of the companions and taabe’een

In order to show Yazid in a positive light, these Muslims themselves claim that:

‘Several hundreds of companions despite being alive at the time kept aloof from the battle at Karbala to save the nation from entanglement and bloodshed. Had it been an encounter between good and evil, the companions who throughout their lives had not shirked jihad would have definitely thrown all their weight behind Imam Husain (a.s.).’

So the companions stayed away from Karbala citing confusion between truth and falsehood and not wanting to create bloodshed.

If the companions and taabe’een were indeed confused, then it is despite the fact that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had often declared that Imam Husain (a.s.) is the Lamp of Guidance and the Ark of Salvation. And that Imam Husain (a.s.) and his brother Imam Hasan (a.s.) were the Chiefs of the Youths of Paradise. And that both of them were his sons according to the Verse of Mubahelah in Surah Aale Imran (3): 61 when they along with the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and their parents Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (s.a.) confronted the Christians of Najraan for malediction and drove them into submission.

Moreover, the Quran, which was a sufficient recourse for the Muslims after the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) demise, has prescribed a solution for confusion:

‘…so ask the People of the Reminder if you do not know.’ (Surah Nahl (16): Verse 43)

It is a common fact recorded by Sunni commentators of the Noble Quran that Imam Husain (a.s.) was among the People of the Reminder (Ahle Zikr).

Scores of Sunni scholars over the years have recorded these and other virtues of Imam Husain (a.s.) in their books.

Why did the companions and taabe’een, who were present in the time of Imam Husain (a.s.) and were witness to many of these narrations and incidents, lack the judgment to distinguish between Imam Husain (a.s.) and Yazid?

More so when we find clear instructions from the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) urging the Muslims to support Imam Husain (a.s.) as evident from the following narration:

The Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) companion Anas b. Haaris relates –

I heard Allah’s Prophet (s.a.w.a.) say: ‘Verily my son, (Husain), will be killed in a land called Karbala; whoever amongst you is alive at that time must go and help him.’

Tarikh-o-Damishq vol 14 p 223

Are these Muslims suggesting that Umar b. Saad b. Abi Waqqas, who led Yazid’s army in Karbala and was among the leading taabe’een, and the son of a leading companion, had never heard of Imam Husain’s (a.s.) virtues? This despite the fact that Imam Husain (a.s.) was also his cousin? Then why did he fight Imam Husain (a.s.)? If this is not an example of treachery by the companions and taabe’een then what is?

It follows that the confusion between truth and falsehood was not the reason for the companions abandoning support to Imam Husain (a.s.) in Karbala. It was plain treachery which we saw in ample measure in Ohod and Hunain despite the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) presence in their midst. Obviously when the companions did not support the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in his life time, it is too much to expect them to support his grandson (a.s.) 50 years after his (s.a.w.a.) demise.

Therefore we hold the companions responsible for abandoning their duty in supporting Imam Husain (a.s.) in Karbala and in this way being responsible for killing him.

Yazid’s role

Yazid’s role in killing Imam Husain (a.s.)

Of course, notwithstanding everyone else who contributed to the turn of events in Karbala, Yazid’s role is unmistakable. He is the one who sought to subjugate Imam Husain (a.s.) into giving him allegiance as various historical records testify.

We read in Maqtal al-Husain of Khaarazmi:

Yazid wrote: ‘Force Husain, Abdullah b. Umar and Abdullah b. Zubair to give allegiance and don’t spare them.’

We also find in the same source:

When he (Waleed) read Yazid’s letter for him (Marwan) and consulted him in the matter and said: ‘What do you think we shall do?’ He (Marwan) replied: ‘Send for them now and ask them to give allegiance and obey us. If they accept, we will let them go but if they reject you should arrest them and strike off their heads.

This is clearly Yazid demanding allegiance and triggering the chain of events culminating in Imam Husain’s (a.s.) martyrdom. All other excuses like Shias killing Imam Husain (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.) revolting against Yazid etc. have no merit and are only advanced to hide the real culprit – Yazid b. Muawiyah.

Yazid’s letter to Ubaidullah b. Ziyad (l.a.)

We read in Mataalib al-So’l:

Ibn Ziyad wrote to Husain – I have received information that you have arrived in Karbala, and Yazid has told me not to kill you, provided you accept his authority and mine.

Jalaluddin Suyuti records in Taarikh al-Khulafaa:

Yazid wrote to his governor in Iraq, Ubaidullah b. Ziyad, ordering him to fight him (Husain). Therefore, he (Ibn Ziyad) sent an army consisting of four thousand people led by Umar b. Saad b. Abi Waqaas.

Zahabi records in Siyar Aalam al-Nobala, vol.3 p. 305:

Muhammad Ibn al-Dahak narrated from his father: When Husain marched, Yazid wrote to his governor Ibn Ziyad: Husain is marching to Kufa and he is a problem of your time not of other times, your state not of other states and you not for the other governors. At that time you might be free or be slaved.’ Therefore Ibn Ziyad killed him (on Yazid’s beckoning) and sent his head to him (Yazid).

Ibn Ziyad’s own admission that he killed Imam Husain (a.s.) on Yazid’s orders

In Taarikh al-Kaamil, vol.4 p. 112, we find:

He (Yazid) wrote to Ubaidullah b. Ziyad ordering him to march towards Medina and surround (Abdullah) Ibn Zubair in Mecca.

He (Ibn Ziyad) replied: I can’t give both these things to this transgressor (Yazid), after killing the grandson of Allah’s Prophet (s.a.w.a.), I am not now going to assault the Ka’bah.

Testimony of Ibn Abbas that Yazid killed Imam Husain (a.s.)

We read in Tareekh al-Kaamil:

Ibn Abbas replied to Yazid’s letter stating: ‘… you killed Husain as well as the youths from Bani Abdul Muttalib who were beacons of guidance and famed stars; your troops marched towards them on your orders.’

Testimony of Abdullah b. Umar that Yazid killed Imam Husain (a.s.)

We read in Maqtal al-Husain:

Ibn Umar wrote to Yazid: Hasn’t your heart gone black yet? You murdered thefamily of the Prophet?

Muawiyah b. Yazid’s testimony that his father Yazid killed Imam Husain (a.s.)

Facts and figures about Imam Hussain revolution

The folder will state events connected with the Holy Revolution of Imam Hussain AS chronologically, whether these events and figures happened in Medina, before the exodus of Imam Hussain AS, in Mecca, on the way to Holy Karbala, in Karbala, or in Kufa after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain AS, his sons, householders, and companions AS. 1. In the 15th of Rajab, 60H: Moaweiah has died in Damascus, and his son the lecher Yazid may Allah curse him inherited his father caliphate throne. 2. In the 28th of Rajab 60H: a letter from Yazid arrived to the governor of Medina, ordering him to take the pledges of allegiance from Imam Hussain AS. 3. In the 29th of Rajab, 60H: Alwaleed, the governor of Medina sent a man to Imam Hussain AS. The man invited Imam Hussain to come and give pledges. In the same day, Imam Hussain AS went to visit the grave of Messenger of Allah SAWA to the last time and farewell him. After that Imam Hussain AS left Medina with his family, and a number of his companions. 4. In the 3rd of Sha’ban, 60H: Imam Hussain has arrived Mecca, and met people. 5. In the 10th of Ramadan, 60H: a letter has arrived from people of Kufa, which was handed by two men from Kufa. 6. In the 15th of Ramadan, 60H: thousands of letters have arrived to Imam Hussain AS from people of Kufa, then he sent them Muslim b. ‘Aqeel AS to check the situation there. 7. In the 5th of Shawal, 60H: Muslim b. ‘Aqeel has arrived to Kufa, Kufans welcomed him and pledged their allegiance to him. 8. In the 1st of Thi Alqu’da, 60H: a letter from Muslim b. ‘Aqeel AS, has arrived to Imam Hussain AS inviting him to come to Kufa. 9. In the 8th of Thu Alhujja, 60H: the day of the revolution of Muslim b. ‘Aqeel leading 4000 man, then they were spread and left him alone. After that he was disappeared in the house of Taw’a. In the same day, Imam Hussain in Mecca has switched hajj with Umra. Then he declaimed people, and left Mecca with 82 man of His family, and supporters, heading towards Kufa. Also, in the same day in Kufa, Hane’a b. Urwa was arrested. 10. In the 9th of Thu Alhujja, 60H: Muslim b. ‘Aqeel fought against people of Kufa, then he was captured, killed, then was thrown from the roof of Castle of Emarah. In the same day, outside Mecca, Imam Hussain met with Alfarazdaq (famous Shiite poet). 11. In the month of Thu Alhujja, 60h: Imam Hussain AS met AlHur and his army, in Manzel Shraf, or Altha’labia, or Alrohaimeia, depends on varied narrations. 12. In the month of Thu Alhujja, 60H: the news of killing Muslim b. ‘Aqeel and Qais b. Mosher has arrived Imam Hussain AS in Manzel ‘Othaib Alhajanat. 13. In the 2nd of Muharram, 61H: the arrival of Imam Hussain AS to Karbala, and erected the tents there. 14. In the 3rd of Muharram, 61H: the arrival of ‘Omar b, Sa’d to Karbala on the head of 400 man of the army of Kufa. Then he began parleys with Imam Hussain AS to force him to Surrender and pledges his allegiance. 15. In the 5th of of Muharram, 61H: the arrival of Shibth b. Reb’i to Karbala on the head of 4000 man. 16. In the 7th of Muharram, 61H: orders from Kufa have arrived to prevent water from arriving the encampment of Imam Hussain AS. Therefore he delegated 500 knight from the army of enemies, led by Amro b. Alhajjaj who controlled the water banks. 17. In the 9th of Muharram, 61H: the arrival of Shimr to Karbala on the head of 5000 man, accompanied with a letter from ‘Amr b. Sa’d ordering him to fight and kill Imam Hussain AS. In that Night Sa’d came to the camp of the Imam AS, and Imam AS asked him to ceasefire that night to allow them to supplicate and pray. 18. In the 10th of Muharram, 61 H: the battle took place between the supporters of the Imam and the army of Yazid. Later, Imam Hussain AS and his companions were martyred, the camps were looted, the holy head of the imam AS was sent to Kufa with Kholi. 19. In the 19th of Muharram, 61H: the trajectory of the army of ‘Omar b. Sa’d with the captives of AhlulBayt AS, from Karbala to Kufa, after Omar, b. Sa’d has prayed on the dead of his army and buried them, then he putted AhlulBayt AS on camels. Figures about the revolution of Karbala The importance of figures is obvious when it comes to state clearer facts about topic or event. However because of variety of historic narrators and sources about Karbala, and the events which happened before and after, we cannot depend to accurate and unanimous figures. Sometimes significant variation can be found about what being narrated about it. Despite that, showing some of the figures makes the revolution of Karbala more embodiment and clearer. Therefore the folder will present some forms and figures. 1. The raising of Imam Hussain AS lasted for 175 days, from the day he refused to pledge allegiance until the day of Ashora: - 12 days in Medina - 4 months and 10 days in Mecca - 23 days on the way from Mecca to Karbala - 8 days in Karbala from the 2nd to the 10th of Muharram 2. The areas between Mecca and Kufa which he passed by until he arrived Karbala were 18 area. 3. The distances between one area to another one was 3 leagues, and sometimes it was 5 leagues. 4. The number of area from Kufa to Damascus which AhlulBayt AS passed by as captives of war was 14 areas. 5. The number of letter which arrived from Kufa to Imam Hussain AS in Mecca, which were inviting him to come was 12000 letter. 6. The number of people who pledged their allegiance to Muslim b. ‘Aqeel in Kufa was 18000 man, or 2500, some said 40000. 7. The number of the martyrs of Abu Taleb progeny, whose names were stated in Ziyarat Alnaheia, was 17 men. Also, the number of the martyrs of Abu Taleb progeny in Karbala whose were not stated in Ziyarat Alnaheia was 13 men. As there were 3 children of Bani Hashim (Imam’s clan), therefore the total number will be 32 person. They are as following: A. Imam Hussain AS: 1 B. The sons of Imam Hussain: 2 person C. The sons of Imam Ali AS: 9 persons D. The sons of Imam Hassan AS: 4 persons E. The sons of ‘Aqeel b. Abu Taelb: 12 persons F. The sons of Ja’far b. Abu Taleb: 4 persons 8. The number of martyrs whose names were stated in Ziyarat Alnaheia Almoqadasa and other references-except Imam Hussain AS and the martyrs of Bani Hashim- was 82 person. The names of other 29 persons were narrated in the late references. 9. There were 14 slave among those martyrs. 10. The number of the heads which were divided between tribes and token from Karbala to Kufa, 78 heads divided as following: A. Qais b. Alash’ath May Allah curse him, the leader of bani Kendah: 13 heads B. Shimr b. Thi-Aljawshan, the leader of Hawazen: 12 heads C. The Clan of Bani Tameem: 17 heads D. The Clan of bani Asad: 17 heads E. The Clan of Methhej: 6 heads F. Persons from other clans: 13 heads 11. The age of Chief of Martyrs when he was martyred was 57 years. 12. The number of the wounds of Imam Hussain AS after his martyrdom: 33 stab of shafts, 34 stab of swords, and other wounds of arrows. 13. The number of participants who bruised Imam Hussains’ body with horses: 10 men 14. The number of the army of Yazid who went to fight Imam Hussain AS: 33000 man, the number was at start 22000 men as following: A. ‘Omar b. Sa’d may Allah curse him, with 6000 fighter B. Senan May Allah curse him, with 400 fighter C. ‘Orwa b. Qais May Allah, curse him with 4000 fighter D. Shimr bin Thi-Aljawshan May Allah curse him, with 4000 fighter E. Shibth b. Reb’I May Allah curse hi, with 4000 fighter F. then yazid b. Rekab May Allah curse him followed them, with 2000 fighter G. Alhusaien b. Numair May Allah curse him, with 4000 fighter H. Almazeni May Allah curse him, with 300 fighter I. Nasr Almazeni May Allah curse him, with 2000 fighter 15. In the 10th of Muharram, the Chief of Martyrs mourned 10 of his companions, declaimed in their martyrdoms, supplicated to them, and cursed their enemies. Those martyrs were: Ali Al-Akbar, Al’Abbas, AlQasim, Abdullah b. AlHassan, Abdullah the infant, Muslim b. ‘Awsajah, Habib b. Mothaher, AlHur b. yazid Alreiahi, Zohair b. Alqain, and John. Also he supplicated for Allah’s mercy up on Muslim and Hani May Allah be pleased with them. 16. Imam Hussain AS went and set next to the bodies of 7 martyers, they were: Muslim b. ‘Awsaja, Alhur, watheh Alromi, John, Al’Abbas, Ali AlAkbar, and AlQasim AS. 17. On the 10th of Muharram 3 heads of the martyrs were thrown next to Ima Hussai9n AS, they were: Abdullah b. Omair Alkalbi, ‘Amro b. Jonadah, and ‘Abis b. Abu shabib Alshakeri. 18. The bodies of 3 martyrs has been shredded to pieces, they were: Ali AlAkbar, Al’Abbas, and Abdul-Rahman b. ‘Omair. 19. The mothers of 9 martyrs were present in Karbala, and witnessed their Sons martyrdom, they were: Abdullah b. AlHussain AS -his mother Rabab, ‘Awn b. Abdullah b. Abdullah b. Ja’far- his mother Zainab AS, AlQasim b. AlHassan AS-his mother Ramlah, Abdullah b. AlHassan AS-his mother the daughter of Shalil Aljaleleiah, Abdullah b. Muslim- His mother Roqaia the daughter of Imam Ali AS, Mohamed b. Abu Sa’eed b. ‘Aqeel, ‘Amro b. Jonadah, Abdullah b. Wahab Alkalbi-his mother Om Wahab, and ‘Ali Al Akbar- his mother Lila as narrated in some narrations. 20. In Karbala 5 boys were martyred who were not adults yet, they were: Abdullah the infant, Abdullah b. Alhassan, Mohamed b. Abu Sa’eed b. ‘Aqeel, AlQasim b. AlHassan, and ‘Amro b. Junadah Alansari. 21. There were 5 of the companions of Messenger of Allah were martyred in Karbala among the companions of Imam Hussain AS, they were: Anas b. Harth AlKaheli, Habib b. Mothaher, Muslim b. ‘Awsajah, Hane’ b. ‘Orwa, and Abdullah b. Baqtar (Yaqtor) Al’omairi. 22. The number of slaves (servants) who were martyred for the sake of Imam Hussain was 15, and they are: Nasr and Sa’d the slaves of Imam Ali AS, Monjeh the slave of Imam Hussain AS, Aslam and Qareb once of the slaves of Imam Hussain too, Alharth the slave of Hamza, John the slave of Abu-thar, Rafe’ the slave of Muslim AlAzdi, Sa’d the slave of ‘Omar Alsedawi, Salim the slave of Bani Almadenah, Salim the slave of Al’abdi, Shothab the slave of Shaker, Shaib the slave of Alharth Aljaberi, and Watheh the slave of Alharth Alsalmani. Those fourteen were martyred in Karbala, except Salman the slave of Imam Hussain AS, he was sent to Basra where he was martyred. 23. Two of the companions of Imam Hussain AS were captured then were killed-martyred- they were: Sewar b. Mon’em, and Mon’em b. Thomamah Alsedawi. 24. Four companions were martyred after the martyredom of Imam Hussain AS, they were: Sa’d b. Alharth, and his brother Abu alhotof, Sowaid b. Abu Motawe’ who was injured, and Mohamed b. Abu Sa’ed b. ‘Aqeel. 25. The fathers of seven men witnessed their martyrdoms, they were: Ali AlAkbar, Abdullah b. Alhussain the infant, ‘Amro b. Junadah, Abdullah b. Yazeed , Majma’ b. ‘Aeth, and abdul rahman b. Mas’od. 26. Five women went out the camps to fight enemies or to protest against them, they were: the bondmaid of Musli b. ‘Awsajah, the mother of Wahab -the wife of Abdullah Alkalbi, the mother of Abdullah Alkalbi, the mother of ‘Amro b. Junadah, and the greatest Zainab AS. 27. The women who was martyred in Karbala was, om Wahab- the mother of wahab, the wife of Abdullah Alkalbi. 28. The women who were in Karbala are, Zainab AS, Um-Kulthom AS, Fatima AS, safeiah AS, Roqaiah AS, Um-Hane’ AS; Those six were the daughter of the commander of the faithful Imam Ali AS. Also, Fatima and Sokaina; the daughters of Imam Hussain AS. Rabab, ‘Atah, the mother of Mohsen b. Alhassan, the daughter of Muslim b. ‘Aqeel, Feza Alnobeia, the bondmaid of Imam Hussain AS, and the mother of Wahab b. Abdullah.

The Martyrdom of Imam-Husayn (A.S.)

There is no evidence at all that Ibn az-Zubayr left any sectarian following behind him; the name of Al-Mukhtar was kept alive for a very short time and was followed by a small group, but it soon afterwards lost its identity and was merged in a wider group.[494]

The reason is both obvious and vital. Neither Al-Mukhtar, nor Ibn az-Zubayr, nor their supporters had any specific ideal or any particular view which could keep their memory alive in the annals of religious thought in Islam. Husayn and his cause, on the other hand, though militarily a complete failure, were so conspicuously upheld by a sizable part of the Muslim community that his name became an emblem of the identity or entity of the second largest group in Islam. This was due to the fact that his movement was based on a particular view of the leadership of the community, which has been elaborated in the first two chapters above and which has also been pointed out in the letters written by I;1asan to Mu'awiya and by Husayn to the Shi'is of Kufa. The memory of Al-Mukhtar and Ibn az-Zubayr died with the lapse of time and could only find place in the annals of history. The memory of Husayn remained alive in the hearts and minds of the Muslims and has become a recurrent theme for certain values. The section of the Muslim community which upheld the cause and memory of Husayn at the expense of and in disregard for political realities, but still remaining an integral part of the religious entity of Islam, was thrust into a sectarian role by that majority which, though unwillingly, compromised with the political realities at the religious level. Some Muslim historians writing directly under the influence of the ruling authorities of the time, and those theologians who by necessity tried to find a compromise position between the ruling authorities on the one hand and the Islamic community on the other, described Husayn's action as an ambitious attempt to wrest political power and as a mistake of judgement. Western scholars of Islam, in their rather superficial attempts to study Husayn's action, have subjected themselves to a certain mechanical methodology which they term a “scientific historical approach”. The German school of orientalists, the first to enter the field of modern orientalism, though it indeed made valuable and solid contributions in certain branches of Arab-Islamic studies with admirable thoroughness and depth, was so committed to a particular historical methodology that it could never grasp the “feelings” and “necessary aptitude” so vitally important in understanding religious history and its development. The impact of the German school has been so strong that this trend has persisted, and the subsequent schools of the French and British scholars, with very few exceptions, have followed the same trend. It is thus rather regrettable that the tragedy of Karbala has been regarded by these scholars with the same mechanical historicism: none of them has ever tried to study Husayn's action in its meaning and purpose. It was therefore natural for these scholars to describe Husayn as an ill-fated adventurer attempting to seize political power, his movement as a rebellion against the established order, and his action as a fatal miscalculation of Kufan promises.[495] We have already hinted in passing that Husayn had been fully aware of the situation and the consequences. On the road from Medina to Mecca, then at the time when he was leaving the “House of God” for Ku fa, and finally throughout the journey from Mecca to Ku fa, he was warned by dozens of people about the danger and that “the hearts of the Iraqis were for him but that their swords were for the Umayyads.” But Husayn's replies to all of those who attempted to deflect him from his purpose were always more or less in the same vein: “God does as He wishes…, I leave it to God to choose what is best…, God is not hostile to him who proposes the just cause.”[496]
From these replies it is clear that Husayn was fully aware of the dangers he would encounter and that he had a certain strategy and plan in mind to bring about a revolution in the consciousness of the Muslim community. Furthermore, it is also very clear from the sources, as has been stated before, that Husayn did not try to organize or mobilize military support, which he easily could have done in the Hijaz, nor did he even try to exploit whatever physical strength was available to him. Among many instances in this respect we will restrict ourselves to citing only one. At a place called 'Uzayb al- Hujaynat, after having already learned about the Kufan abandonment of his envoy Muslim b. 'Aqil and his subsequent death, it was clear to Husayn that he had no hope of support or even survival in Kufa. Nevertheless, he totally refused an offer of safety, if not success, extended to him. Abu Mikhnaf and other sources relate that at this place four of the leading Shi'is of Kufa managed to reach Husayn with the help of Tirimmah. b. 'Adi at-Ta'i, who acted as a guide (dalil). Tirimmah made a strong appeal to Husayn, saying: “By God I have left Kufa in such a condition that when you reach there you will not find a single person who could help you against your enemies. By God, if you go there, you and those who are travelling with you will be instantly butchered. For God's sake, abandon your plan and come with me to the safety of our mountains here. By God, these mountains have been beyond the reach of the kings of Ghassan and Himyar, from Nu'man b. al-Mundhir, and from any black and red [i.e., from any formidable power]. By God, if you decide to come with me no one can humiliate you or stop you from doing so [reference to Hurr].
Once you reach my villages on the mountains, we will send for men of [the tribes of] Ba'ja and Salma of the Tayy'. Then, even ten days will not pass before the horsemen and the foot soldiers of Tayy' arrive to help you. You can stay with us as long as you wish, and if then you want to make an uprising from there, or if you are disturbed, I would lead a force -of twenty thousand men of the Tayy' with you, who would strike [at your enemies] with their swords in front of you. By God, no one will ever be able to reach you, and the eyes of the people of Tayy' would remain guarding you.' [497] Husayn's only reply to this extremely valuable and timely offer, when all hopes of support in Kufa had already vanished, was: “God bless you and your people, but I am committed to some people, and I cannot go back from my word, though I did not know what would happen between us and them. However, things are destined.”[498] One cannot help asking how it would be possible for a man making a bid for power to refuse to accept such a promising offer of support.

Can anyone think that after knowing all of the latest developments in Kufa Husayn was still hoping to find any support or even the slightest chance of survival in Kufa? Moreover, we have detailed descriptions of the fact that when at Zubala I;1usayn learned of the brutal execution of his envoy Qays b. Mushir, he gathered those accompanying him and asked them to leave him alone and go to safety. After Zubala, Husayn made this proclamation to his companions time and again, the last of these being on the night of 'Ashura. Is it conceivable that anyone striving for power would ask his supporters to abandon him, no matter how insignificant their number might have been? No one can answer these questions in the affirmative. What then did Husayn have in mind? Why was he still heading for Kufa? It is rather disappointing to note that Western scholarship on Islam, given too much to historicism, has placed all its attention on the discrete external aspects of the event of Karbala and has never tried to analyse the inner history and agonizing conflict in Husayn's mind. Anatomy of the human body can give knowledge of the various parts and their composition, but cannot give us an understanding of man himself. In the case of Husayn, a careful study and analysis of the events of Karbala as a whole reveals the fact that from the very beginning Husayn was planning for a complete revolution in the religious consciousness of the Muslims. All of his actions show that he was aware of the fact that a victory achieved through military strength and might is always temporal, because another stronger power can in course of time bring it down in ruins. But a victory achieved through suffering and sacrifice is everlasting and leaves permanent imprints on man S consciousness. Husayn was brought up in the lap of the Founder of Islam and had inherited the love and devotion to the Islamic way of life from his father.

ЖИТИЕ ИМАМА ХУСЕЙНА

ЖИТИЕ ИМАМА ХУСЕЙНА

असत्य के आगे नहीं झुके ईमाम हुसैन

कर्बला की कहानी मनुष्य की संवेदना को झकझोर देती है। सत्य के पथिक पर जालिमों ने जो कहर ढाया उसकी याद हर मुहर्रम दे जाता है और आंखें आसुओं से नम हो जाती हैं। तपते रेगिस्तान में जालिमों ने सत्य के पथिकों को दो बूंद पानी भी नहीं पीने दिया, यहां तक कि छह माह के बच्चे पर भी जुल्म ढाया। फिर भी सत्य के पथिक इमाम हुसैन इस्लामी कानून के खिलाफ नहीं गए, जालिमों के मंसूबों के आगे झुके नहीं और सत्य पर अडिग रहे। इंसानियत के इतिहास में जुल्मी यजीद का यह कारनामा एक काला अध्याय माना जाता है।

लगभग चौदह सौ वर्ष पहले हजरत मुहम्मद साहब के नवासे हजरत ईमाम हुसैन जो मदीने में रह रहे थे उनको माबिया के बेटे यजीद ने अपने मदीना के गर्वनर वलीद को खत के द्वारा आदेश दिया कि ईमाम हुसैन से यजीद के नाम पर बैयत (हाथ पर हाथ देना अथवा धार्मिक अगुआ कबूल करना) ले लें। यजीद जबरदस्ती मुसलमानों का खलीफा बन गया था और अपनी दौलत व फौज की ताकत के आधार पर आम आवाम को पैसा देकर, डरा कर व दबाव बना कर बैयत ले रहा था। अर्थात सबसे मनवा रहा था कि यजीद तमाम मुस्लमानों का खलीफा है और मुस्लमानों के नबी हजरत मुहम्मद साहब का उत्तराधिकारी है। खलीफा मान लिये जाने से मुस्लमानों में यह मान लिया जाता था कि खलीफा अल्लाह का नुमाइंदा (प्रतिनिधि)है। वह जो भी कहता और करता है वह अल्लाह के हुक्म से कहता व करता है और उसकी करनी व कथनी पर सभी मुस्लमानों को जन्नत पाने के लिए चलना पड़ेगा।

यजीद के बारे में सभी इतिहासकार व मुसलमान यह मानते हैं कि यजीद लोगों पर काफी जुल्म ढ़ाता था उसके राज्य में औरतें भी महफूज नहीं थी और लोग उसके खिलाफ सर नहीं उठा सकते थे। यजीद ने ही मदीना के अपने गर्वनर वलीद को आदेश दिया था कि ईमाम हुसैन उसके नाम की बैयत ले और नहीं मानने पर उनका कत्ल कर दिया जाय।

सन 60 हिजरी में वलीद ने ईमाम हुसैन को अपने दारूल अमारा (खलीफा का महल) बुलाया। जिस पर ईमाम हुसैन अपने 18 बनी हाशिम जवानों के साथ रात ही के समय दारूल अमारा पहुंचे मगर ईमाम हुसैन अपने जवान भाई अब्बास, बेटे अली अकबर व अन्य को अमारा के बाहर रह कर अपनी तेज आवाज आने तक का इंतजार करने को कह दिये। अमारा के अन्दर वलीद अपने साथ मरवान और अन्य साथियों के साथ बैठा। ईमाम हुसैन को देख कर वलीद ने यजीद का खत दिखाया। जिसपर ईमाम हुसैन ने कहा कि यह बहुत ही अहम मामला है, एक रात दोनों लोग विचार कर लें । कल सुबह हम दरबार-ए-आम में अपना जबाब दे देंगे। वलीद इस बात के लिए तैयार हो गया लेकिन बगल में बैठे मरवान ने वलीद से कहा कि ईमाम हुसैन बैयत ले लें अथवा उनका कत्ल कर दिया जाय क्योंकि इससे बेहतर अवसर नहीं मिलेगा। जिसे सुन ईमाम हुसैन के साथ वाले भी आ गये मगर ईमाम हुसैन ने मना कर दिया। ईमाम हुसैन वापस मदीना आ गये और अपनी बहन को सारी बातें बताई और 28 रजब सन 60 हिजरी को नाना की मजार व मां की कब्र को सलाम करके मदीने की ओर चल दिये।

ईमाम हुसैन का छोटा काफिला मक्के की पाक जमीन पर ठहर गया लेकिन यजीद ने वहां काबा पर हाजियों के वेश में अपने लोगों को ईमाम हुसैन का कत्ल करने को कहा था। इसकी जानकारी मिलने पर ईमाम हुसैन अपने काफिले के साथ काबा से बाहर चले गये और हज की जगह उमरा ही किया।

कूफे के लोगों ने ईमाम हुसैन को खत भेजा कि वह हम लोगों को बचाने के लिए चले। उन्होंने खुद न आकर मुस्लिम को भेज दिया। कूफे के गर्वनर इब्नेज्याद ने मुस्लिम का कत्ल कर दिया। उधर ईमाम हुसैन कूफे की ओर कूच कर रहे थे मगर घटना की जानकारी मिलने के बाद वह कूफे नहीं जाकर कर्बला (इराक) रवाना हो गये। रास्ते में यजीद की फौज उन्हें रोक कर शाम (सीरिया) ले जाना चाही।

इतिहासकार मानते हैं कि रास्ता रोकने वाली फौज के सिपाही और उनके जानवर प्यासे थे जिस पर ईमाम हुसैन ने अपने साथियों को प्यासे को सैराब (इच्छा भर) पानी पिलाने को कह दिया। इसके बाद वह अपने 72 साथियों के साथ दो मुहर्रम सन 61 हिजरी के दिन कर्बला पहुंच गये और वहां अपनी खैमों (शिविर) को नहरेंफुरात के किनारे नसब (लगा) कर दिया। जिसकी जानकारी मिलने पर यजीद ने पीसरेसाद की अगुआई में बड़ी सेना चार मुहर्रम को भेज दिया। ईमाम हुसैन के खेमे में 4 मुहर्रम को ही अंतिम बार पानी आया था। पानी की कमी और फिर न मिलने की आंशका के चलते बड़ों को थोड़ा-थोड़ा और बच्चों को भरपूर पानी दिया जाता था। सातवीं मुहर्रम तक पानी पूरी तरह खत्म हो गया। इसके बाद प्यास से व्याकुल बच्चों की सदाएं खेमों से बाहर आती थीं जो किसी को भी रुला सकती थीं, आज भी उस घटना को सुनकर लोगों की आंखें भर जाती है। लेकिन यजीद की फौजों का दिल नहीं पसीजा। 9 मुहर्रम का दिन गुजर जाने के बाद रात को ईमाम हुसैन पर हमला बोल दिया गया।

10 मुहर्रम को नमाज-ए-सुबह के बाद यजीद की फौज ने तीरों की बौछार करनी शुरू कर दी। सुबह से दोपहर तक पहले हुसैन के दोस्तों ने फिर भाई अब्बास ने अपनी कुर्बानी दी। इसके बाद ईमाम हुसैन ने यजीद की सेनाओं को अपना सजरा बता दिया। जिस पर वह लोग उनका भी कत्ल कर दिये। ईमाम हुसैन के बीमार बेटे जनाब आबिद को बन्दी बना कर शमा ले गये। यह बात आम लोगों को पता चलने में लगभग एक साल 40 दिन लग गए। बात जब अवाम को पता चली तो यहतेजाज और विद्रोह होने लगा तो डरकर यजीद ने आबिद व उनके साथियों को रिहा कर दिया। इस तरह से इमामी फौज का लुटा हुआ काफिला रिहाई के बाद चंद दिन सीरिया में रहने के बाद कर्बला होते हुए मदीना पहुंचा।

लेखक- संतोष गुप्ता

گریہ و ماتم کا تحقیقی جائزہ

Girya-o-Matam ka tehqeeqa jaeza
گریہ و ماتم کا تحقیقی جائزہ 
Author : Dr. Mubarak Ali Jafri - ڈاکٹر مبارک علی جعفری
Translator : 
Language : Urdu -  اردو 

گریہ و ماتم کا تحقیقی جائزہ

معرفت ماتم و فدک

Marifat-e-Matam-o-Fidak معرفت ماتم و فدک Author : Molana Abdul Hafeez Haidri Kanpuri - مولانا عبدالحفیظ حیدری کانپوری Translator : Language : Urdu - اردو

معرفت ماتم و فدک

Matam ( Self - beating ) of Prophet (SAWA) and his Companions

Hazrat Mohammad(SAWA) ka Matam

 

Hazrat Hamza's Matam

 

 

 

Hazrat Ayesha's Matam

Narrated Abudullah Narrated My father Narrated Yaqoob Narrated My Father From Ibn Ishaq He Said Narrated To Me Yahya Ibn Abbad Ibn Abdilleh Ibn Al-zubair From His Father Abbad He Said I Heard Ayesha Saying: Rasool Allah Died Between My Chest And ThroAt ... So Due To My Young Age And "sufhi" That Rasool Allah Died In My Lap So I Put His Head On A Pillow And Stood Up With Women And Started Doing Iltidam( an arabic word meaning hitting the face and chest ) And Hitting My Face(Musnad Ahmad Bin Hanbal)

 Hazrat Usman Ke Liye Shaamiyon ni Girya Kiya

 

 

Khalid Bin Waleed ke Liye Matam Hua !!

 

Hazrat Owaise Qarni Ka Matam

Reference Book : Tazkeratul Auliya bu Shaikh Fariddudin Ataar

 

Sahaba wore Black cloths on the Martrydom of Usman( Sahaba ne Hazrat Usmaan ke Inteqaal per Kaala( Black) Kapda Pehna)

 

Would Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) really want us to punish ourselves for him?!

We do not punish ourselves in any shape or form when we mourn and commemorate the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him). This is an incorrect interpretation of the essence of al-Sha’aer al-Hussainiyah (The mourning rituals of Imam Hussain peace be upon him). When we practice the mourning rituals of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) such as beating the chest (known as, al-Latm or Seeneh-Zani) or wounding the top of the head with a sword (known as, al-Tatbir, Qameh-Zani or Teegh-Zani), we try to recognise and feel some of the pain our master Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) had felt.

We were in fact recommended by the pure Infallibles to practice such rituals, as they ordered us to perform ‘Muwasat’ for Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), which means imitating and sharing some of his pain. Similarly, we find that Allah the Most Exalted has made the Muwasat for Lady Hajar (peace be upon her) among the rituals of Hajj and Umra; as all Muslims are ordered to perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwa to commemorate and share some of the pain and difficulties Lady Hajar went through when she ran back and forth between the two hills (Safa and Marwa) seven times in search of water for her infant Isma’il (peace be upon him). So do we really punish ourselves when we perform Sa’i?!

Therefore, when we mourn, beat our chests and wound the top of our heads upon the loss of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), we try to imitate and share some of his pain, and this is among the core teachings of our pure Imams (peace be upon them). As it has been narrated that imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “The family of Fatima (peace be upon her) tore off their collars and slapped their cheeks upon the loss of Hussain son of Ali (peace be upon them), upon the likes of Hussain, cheeks must [certainly] be slapped and collars must be torn” (Wasa’il al-Shia by Al-Hurr al-`Amili, Vol. 15, p. 583).

It is ironic to see the opponents of Ahlulbayt attacking and ridiculing the mourning rituals of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) and falsely claiming that these practices are nothing but Bid’ah; when it has not only been reported in their own books that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure family) performed Latm but also threw dust on his head and beard upon the martyrdom of his grandson!

Narrated Salma: "I went to visit Umm Salamah and found her weeping. I asked her what was making her weep and she replied that she had seen Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) (in a dream) with dust on his head and beard. She asked him what was the matter and he replied, `I have just been present at the slaying of al-Hussain.'”  

 (al-Tarikh al-Kabir by al-Bukhari vol. 3 p. 324, Sunan al-Tirmidhi vol. 5 p. 323, al-Mu’jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani vol. 23 p. 373, Mustadrak al-Hakim vol. 4 p. 19)

Furthermore, the opponents of Ahlulbayt might be unaware that their mother Aisha herself claimed that she slapped her face and beat her chest upon the loss of the holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure family). Al-Thahabi reported that she said: “I got up weeping, beating my chest and slapping my face along with the women". (Tarikh al-Islam by al-Thahabi vol. 1, p.154) So why do the opponents of Ahlulbayt not attack their mother Aisha for indulging in such a Bid’ah?!

Clarification of the Misconceptions About Azadari (Mourning)

A contemporary scholar Mr Abdul Ghaffar in the daily 'Hindustan' dated 21 June 1993 has raised certain objections about the 'Welcome to Mourning' (Istiqbale Aza). Perhaps his one-sided study might have plunged him into misunderstandings. Hence it became imperative for us to clarify his misgivings.

The summary of his objections, based on five premises, which are as follows:

1. Certainly the assassination of Hussain will kindle fire in the hearts of the believers until eternity, which will never extinguish. It is a tradition from the Holy Prophet (S) ? What is the proof of its authenticity ?
2. The mourning of Prophets (A) before Imam Hussain (A) is a meaningless thing.
3. The survival and resilience of Islam is based on its cardinal principles of Namaz, Roza, Hajj etc. Islam thrives on it and not on mourning of Imam Hussain (A).
4. Mourning and self-flagellation for Imam Hussain (A) is forbidden.
5. Mourning and establishing such gatherings does not have any relevance to the religion. Man should follow Qur'an and Traditions and not the practice of scholars.

Now we shall reply to the above-mentioned objections so that the foundation and base of Azadari may become evident to one and all. And none shall remain unaware of the existence found in reliable and authentic traditions.

Refutation to the First Objection

"Martyrdom of Hussain kindles such a fire in the hearts of the believers which will never extinguish."

This tradition is but a part of a lengthy narration which Imam Sadiq (A) had related from Holy Prophet (S). Complete tradition is quoted below:

Imam Sadiq (A) said:

"When Imam Husain (A) came to the Holy Prophet (S), he looked at him, hugged him and said: 'Martyrdom of Husain will generate such a fire in the hearts of believers which will never be extinguished.' Then he said' My parents be sacrificed for him who is the fountain-head of all mourning'. When the companions asked 'What does it mean?' He replied 'That no believer will remember him but mourning and weeping.'

The tradition was recorded by a great scholar of 8th Century AH. Shamsuddin Mohammed Aalim (died in 786AH.), who was given the title of' Collection of merits and excellences and total knowledge of the world and hereafter' by Shaikh Mohammed Yusuf Quraishi Shafei in his book 'Majmua' quoted from the book 'Al-Anwaar' written by Shaikh Abu Ali Mohammed bin Abi Bakr Hammam bin Sohail Katib Iskafi (died in 336 AH.), who was student of the renowned Sunni scholar of 3rd century AH. Abdur Razzaq. The narrator of this tradition was Ahmed bin Abi Hiraasa Bahuli, who related from Ibrahim bin Ishaque, who related from Hemad bin Ishaue Ansari, who quoted from Ibn Sinan and who narrated from Imam Sadiq (A).

This tradition has surprised our respected brethren Abdur Ghaffar but its authenticity was supported by Bukhari in 'Al Adab Al Mufrad', Ibn Majah in his 'Sunan' in the chapter of Merits of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (A). Hakim has written about it in his 'Mustadrak' pg 77 and Ahmad Bin Hambal in his 'Musnad' vol 4, pg 172. Apart from these stalwarts, other traditionalists have also narrated it in their books on the authority of Yali Bin Murrah and Jafar Bin Abdullah Ansari that 'Once the Holy Prophet (S) alongwith his companions was going to attend a feast. He saw Imam Husain (A) playing with his friends. The Holy Prophet (S) moved with agility and wanted to hug him. But when Imam Hussain (A) dodged him smilingly. This made the Holy Prophet (S) to laugh with him and be pleased. Finally he caught Imam Hussain (A) and took him in his arms, kissed him and said:

"Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain, Allah likes him who loves Hussain. He is one of my grandsons."

 

Refutation to the Second Objection

He objects that how come past Prophets (A) mourned and wept for Imam Husain (A) before his martyrdom ?

The cause of this question is that Abdul Gaffar considers Prophets to be like ordinary mortals and thinks that they are unaware of the future happenings. While they are gifted with Divine Knowledge due to which they are aware of future happenings. They used to rejoice at joyous occasions and became sorrowful and uncomfortable at the sad incidents. It has been mentioned in reliable traditions that often Holy Prophet (S) mourned for Imam Hussain (A), which was obviously before his martyrdom.