THE MESSAGE Editor: Hujjat-ul-Islam Wal Muslimeen Sheikh Shabbir H. Lakhani (Maisami) Editorial Board: Mr. Mazher Ali Jumani, Molana Sajjad Qaimi, Dr. Hussain Kanani, Mr. Hasnain Nanjiani. Annual Subscription: Pak. Rs. 500/=

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Disclaimer: The Editor does not necessarily agree with the views expressed in the matter published herein. The views and opinions presented in the Journal reflect the views of the authors and not of the Journal or its Editorial Board or the Publisher. TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Food for Thought: - Sayings of Imam Ali (A.S.) 02 2 From The Editor’s Desk 03 3 Your Daily-Life Questions Answered 05 4 Islamic Faith and Human Perfection 06 5 The Journey of Ahlulbait (A.S.) to Damascus 13

6 Historical and Jurisprudential Issues Pertinent to the Ziyarat 23 Ashura 7 Miracles of Ziyarat-e-Ashura 37 The Great Legacy of Islam Preserved by the Lord of the 8 45 Martyrs (A.S.) 9 The Despicable Status of the Killers of Imam Husain (A.S.) 48 10 The Five Signs of a Believer 54

Kids’ Corner 11 Shahadat of Bibi Sakina Bint Al-Hussain (A.S.) 59 12 Hazrat Zainab (S.A.): The Honorable Daughter of Imam Ali (A.S.) 61 13 Arba'een Aamal & Ziyarat 62

14 28th Safar - Martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad (S) & Imam 63 Hasan Mujtaba (A.S.)

Published by Zahra (S.A.) Academy 1 Institute of Islamic Education, Development & Relief The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH FOOD FOR THOUGHT Sayings of Imam Ali (A.S.)

1. Covering the woman is cheerfulness and joy; thus more prosperous to her when you part company all state and more enduring your sins will have gone. for her beauty. 9. Vision is not dependent on 2. Faith is patience during the eyes, for the eyes may calamity and thankfulness often belie their owners, during ease. yet the mind never de- 3. Self-sacrifice is the best ceives a man seeking its kindness and the highest counsel. rank of belief. 10. Do not rejoice at wealth and luxury, nor dread pov- 4. Everything needs the mind, erty and ordeal; for verily and the mind needs good gold is tested by the fire manners. and the believer is tested 5. Be cautious of every deed by an ordeal. which is performed in se- 11. Poverty is part of the trial, cret but is embarrassing to and worse than that is the perform in public. sickness of the body, and 6. He who does not observe worse than that is the sick- his promises and his guar- ness of the heart. antee does not have con- 12. Repentance purifies the viction in Allah. hearts and washes away 7. When trustworthiness is the sins. fortified, truthfulness in- 13. There are two things the creases. reward for which is beyond 8. When you meet your measure: pardon and jus- brothers, shake hand with tice. them and show them

2 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message From The Editor’s Desk

In the name of Allah, the situation it will be clear that all mercy, the ever mercy. the Muslim communities in Pakistan live in harmony and Brothers and Sisters, peace and hardly fight on any Salam Alaikum. matters. It is just a group of people who are trying to Months of Muharram and portray that there is a big Safar are months of sacrifice divide in the society. and strengthening our faith and polishing our character The TV programs during and learning how to be Ashura give a very clear patient. picture of our society. Almost all people mourn the Sha- Muharram of 1437 A.H. hadat of Imam Hussain (a.s.) brought for us a new wave of and participate in this annual Shahadat in the whole Muslim event in different ways. world. Starting from Yemen and extending to Kashmir, The million dollar question is passing through Pakistan. when Zarb-e-Azb, National Action Plan and such things This time the target of terror- are going on in our country ism was different. Two major and specially after ever big attacks were on ladies majlis incident it is said to be applied and a few Momineen present and carried on more strongly there were also martyred. and extensively, then who are Immediately after that a few these people who have so other people were also killed much confidence in their in Karachi, thus presenting it actions that in day time, in as if Shia Sunni target killing front of hundreds of people, has started. with law enforcing agency Actually that is not the case. offices very near, are able to If one tries to study the carry out such terrorist acts 3 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH and get away so easily. Who may live peacefully and be is answerable for this? able to follow their faith firmly. Where are the loop holes? Why till now the killers of the Allah bless us all. Shia communities have not Long live Islam, been apprehended….!? Long live Pakistan. And then comes the Donald Editor, Trump, who is he and how is he going to deal with Muslims Shabbir H. Maisami (Lakhani) all over the world and what




will be the effect of his presidency? Nothing can be Golden Sayings of Imam said except one thing that the Ali Reza (A.S.) world is going to take a big turn, positive or negative not "Accompany with caution the clear. But, in my opinion person who has authority over better than the way Bush had you; be humble when in the company of a friend; stay alert dealt the world through is when facing an enemy, and neocons and killed/displaced mingle with the public with a millions of Muslims in this part smile on your face." of the world. "We have a right against you Anyhow! We need to stick by through Allah's Messenger, our faith and have stronger may Allah bless him and his contacts with Allah (s.w.t.) as family, and you have a right He is the only one who can against us. He who knows our save us from all such difficul- right (against him), his right ties, during the days of is incumbent (upon us). He GHAYBAT of Imam Zamana who does not know our right (a.t.f.). (against him) has no right (against us)." I pray our country and Muslims all around the world




4 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message Your Daily -Life Questions Answered

Q.1: At the time of birth Ans.: In fact, as a precaution, there was no one who it cannot be given to a poor could recite the azan & who commit sins openly. iqama in the ears of the Q.4: Is it allowed playing new born except for the chess when no betting is mother. Can she recite the involved? azan & iqama? Ans.: It is haram to play chess, Ans.: Yes, she can. regardless of whether or not Q.2: Does a wife inherit the play is with betting. It is anything from the building also haram to play chess standing on a land owned through computerized instru- by her husband or from a ment, if there are two players flat built on any floor of a involved in it. Based on obliga- building? tory precaution, one must Ans.: She does not also refrain from it, even if just the inherit from that which stands computer is the other player. on that land, like the house Q.5: I have bought a piece and the trees, but she inherits of land on installment and from their proceeds. The I have to pay its install- same rule applies to the trees ments for five years and and crops and buildings until then I cannot use the standing on the land of a land. I want to know my garden, and on agricultural duty regarding its Khums? land, or on any other lands. Ans.: If you bought the land Q.3: Is it allowed to give for selling it in the future and fidya/kaffara of fast to a make profit, you should pay shia momin who shaves khums on any amount of its his beard or a momina installments you settled from who is careless in observ- your income. ing hijab?




5 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH Islamic Faith and Human Perfection

Edited excerpts from the book, “Goal of Life” By: Ayatollah Murtaza Mutahhari

What is that faith which is blessing is in itself a perfection spoken of in Islam and re- desired for itself, not for ferred to throughout the something else. But anything Qur'an, as an axis around useful is good because of its which all questions revolve? It beneficial effect. It is a pro- refers to faith in God in the logue to a blessing, but not a first place. In the second blessing in itself. place, it connotes faith in In discussing Islam as a school angels, holy books, prophets, of thought, it must be clarified Resurrection, etc. In Islam, is whether faith is a goal and a faith a goal for mankind or a blessing, irrespective of its means for other goals? effect. We speak of effects of All these are goals for man, for faith and say it gives tranquili- no divine goals or means are ty and fortitude against involved. These goals are calamities, and in a society the meant as human accomplish- people can trust one another, ments towards perfection. and show benevolence and avoid malevolence. Is faith itself a human perfec- tion which has been recom- But is faith good because of its mended to him? Or has man effects, or because it seeks been called upon to have faith perfection in itself? Here because of its good effects? comes the question: Philosophers put this question What does human perfec- like this: tion consist of? "Is faith a blessing for man, or This is more difficult to answer something useful?" than the perfection of other There is a difference between matters. In the world we can a blessing and being useful. A often distinguish perfection of 6 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message things. We can say how a assets. We do not think a perfect apple should be; it horse perfect because of refers to its flavor, color, eating a large quantity of delicacy and shape, and if an fodder. Nor do we call an apple has these qualities we apple perfect because of its call it perfect. getting more air, water and light. Secondly , it is hard to A perfect house can easily be conscientiously agree that the defined, so can a horse. But it most perfect man is one who is most difficult to define a benefits most from nature. For perfect human being. There- it implies that a defective man fore various views concerning is he who benefits less or him must be studied to see least! which is right, or if we cannot do so scientifically, at least we Let us compare two human should see how and to what beings: Muawiyah enjoyed extent such views are con- maximum benefits in his eighty firmed by the Qur'an. years of life. He was ruler of Syria for forty years (Twenty Different Views Regarding years as a powerful governor, Human Perfection? and another twenty as a Can it be said that a perfect powerful Caliph). being is he who gets Then there was Ali (a) who maximum benefit from lived an ascetic life, with a nature which is external to philosophy for it, whether this him? But this is wrong for two philosophy was to be free, or reasons: generous or humane, or not to Firstly we do not define other be taken in by the world, but things in this way. We do not to give his heart to spiritual say a horse is perfect merely things, Whatever it was, his because it gets the highest share of this world's gifts was benefit. We should consider its a few loaves of bread, Should own particular qualities and we then call him imperfect on 7 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH account of his benefiting least wage, there would be no from the world? willingness to work." If we say this, we are making From the viewpoint of Islamic out man to be less than an logic, such a belief would animal, for, we do not evalu- mean a deficient kind of ate any animal by the standard worship, to show devotion and of its benefiting from the worship only in order to be world, even though some rewarded in heaven. There are people have no other thought many references to this by the but this in evaluating human Imams (a) such as this: beings. But there is no one "Those who worship for fear, who believes this to the extent act like slaves fearing their of negating every spirituality. master." Here another point comes up, Similar are the words of Ali that is, if such benefiting is not [The Nahj ul Balaghah, human perfection in this world, Wisdom 229: what about the next one? This would mean the perfection of "Some worship God for the man is to deserve and benefit sake of their desires, and that from God's gifts. However, this is merchants' worship; some is not possible in its utmost worship for fear, and that is measure in this world, so slaves' worship; and some people pray for securing worship out of gratitude and maximum benefit in the next that is the worship of the world. In speaking of such noble,"] worship, Ibn Sina (Avicenna) Again, in another saying, Ali says; (a) is even more explicit: "For such men worship is like "O Allah, I do not worship you working for which a wage is for fear of your Fire or for expected so that, without that cupidity in desiring heaven; I

8 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message worship you because you are In the Islamic world this topic worthy of it." has been presented by the Sufis, and especially by Therefore, it is not right to Mohuyuddin Arabi. There are think of human perfection as similar books by Abdo-Karim the ability to secure maximum Deylami, Aziz-el-Din Nasafi, material benefits, even by and a Sufi poet called Sayed negating every virtue in this Muhammad Borgheti. The world, or to postpone such gnostics have a clear view benefits to future life. There about man's perfection and a are various materialistic views perfect man, which may not all of which end with the idea be wholly acceptable to others, of benefit. Spiritual views are but they offer it with a decisive of the following types: finality. 1) The first and perhaps the They believe that there is one most important is the view of truth and that is God. They the gnostics concerning consider other things shadows "Perfect Man." Their view is of the truth. In their opinion derived from various religions. everything is an attribute of They are inspired by ideas, God. If we die without recog- such as 'Adam', 'Prophets', nizing the truth we would have 'Saints' and the 'Perfect Man' died in infidelity, ignorance, like the "awaited Mahdi". darkness and absolute una- Mackinion has written a book wareness. entitled "Perfect Man in Islam" which has been translated A man is perfect when he into Arabic by Abdur Rahman understands the truth and Badawi, In it he says: attains it. They think it impossible for God to appear "The theory of perfect man is in man or be allied to him. For not a Hellenic bequest, for, them incarnation is dualism, Greek philosophy has said so attaining the truth or God nothing of it." means losing one's identity in 9 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

Him, and that is when man 2) Divine philosophers have a understands the whole truth, view different from that of the and then he will know himself. gnostics. They think human God is the only truth and perfection depends on two everything else is its manifes- things: recognition of facts, tation. This is similar to the or wisdom . Gnostics empha- phrase of 'approaching God, size truth, but the philosophers except that they believe in attach importance to wisdom, phases of proximity, subject which for them is understand- to a definite order. So, there ing the reality of things and are stages of gnosticism existence as they are, general- before truth is attained, One ly but not to wisdom. For who does not attain it is example, the properties of an imperfect, and man's humani- apple are related to science, ty consists of knowing and not to wisdom. Similarly attaining truth. knowing a city or a house as a whole unit, is different from What helps this advance knowing parts of it. towards God and truth are love, affection and familiarity. A sage considers human The way to Him is through the perfection is the general heart, not the mind or philos- context of proper and scientific ophy. Every other perfection recognition of the universe. His is derived from this perfection, subjective world is a scientific and for that reason alone it and intellectual one which may be considered perfection. corresponds with the objective Is asceticism perfection? They world. For example, in an will say, yes, because it is a objective world there is God, condition for following this and His Universal Order, path. So are humility and material, and immaterial. In other qualities like assistance, the scientific and intellectual and guidance which are moral world, too, these things must goodness. exist.

10 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

For them, then, a perfect The question that was about human being must recognize 'faith' may be repeated in wisdom. We may discuss the connection with wisdom. Does proof and evidence of wisdom, wisdom represent to a man an but we cannot discuss its end or means? And is origin and principle. The knowledge an end in itself or Qur'an, too; says (1:269): means, or both? "The blessing of wisdom may Is knowledge human perfec- be granted to anyone who He tion? If it is, then it involves wishes, and he who received benefits, and without benefits it, found much goodness." it is useless, and the more it benefits, the better it is. Beside wisdom, as a requisite of perfection, a sage also 3) A third view is that human considers justice as a requi- perfection lies in senti- site, that is, moral justice on ments, that is, love. This is which social justice depends. an ethical viewpoint that This means that there should claims that a man who has be an equilibrium between more affection for others is human powers and instincts perfect, and if he shows little ruled over by his intellectual affection to others he is power. In other words, the imperfect. The basis of moral intellect must dominate all depravity is selfishness; the appetites, passions and more one abandons selfish- imagination, so that each of ness and shows love for these powers should be given others, the more perfect he is. the moderate share it de- This is a point emphasised also serves. In the terminology of a by Hindus. Gandhi insists sage what is related to wisdom thoroughly on this point in his is called speculative intellect, book "This is my Faith." and what is related to justice is Hindus emphasize both truth a named practical intellect. and love, and criticize western

11 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH civilization which has negated prevails over nature. Thus they these two things. promoted empirical science, to be used as an instrument of 4) Another view is that hu- developing civilization and man perfection is beauty. technology. This, of course, does not refer only to physical beauty, but This idea had its uses, but mainly to spiritual beauty. they went to such excess that Artistic things show an artistic it caused more damage than spirit which creates beautiful benefit. They ignored the things. sacredness of wisdom, truth, love and faith in which men 5) Another view which may be had believed before. To them, called a prevalent western one everything became subordi- is materialistic, and holds that nate to power, and so they human perfection lies in tried to change the course of power. The more powerful a human advancement. Since man is and the more dominat- then, mankind tends to be ing over his environment and devoid of faith in any spirituali- other beings, the more perfect ty, and if they claim spirituality he is. Darwin's Theory of they act in a contrary manner. Evolution reflects this idea. According to Darwin's criteria, Nietsche's philosophy, has a more perfect being must be been criticized for being too powerful enough to preserve extravagant. In any case he himself and remove his rival in has been frank and outspoken. the struggle for survival. The logical conclusion of his Darwin is criticized for having (and of the intellectual path annihilated morality by his Bacon and others have fol- survival principle. Some lowed) is to place science in Westerners claim to have the service of power, and to discovered that knowledge is recognize human perfection what benefits mankind, makes only in power. him more powerful, and




12 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

The Journey of Ahlulbait (AS) to Damascus

Source: www.almujtaba.com

Ibn Ziyad sent a messenger to pass through. On their way Yazid telling him of the events they saw some writing paint- and waiting for his orders. ed on a wall, saying, Then he wrote a letter, tied it "Is it possible for a nation to a rock, and threw it into that killed Husayn to have the place where the people of the intercession of his the House of the Prophet grandfather on the Day of were imprisoned. It said, "A Judgment?" messenger has been sent to Yazid and he will be back on On their way, they stopped such and such a day. When and a drop of blood fell from he comes back and you hear the head of the Imam onto a 'Allahu Akbar, write your will. rock and that place is known If you do not hear it, you as Mashhad al-Nuqtah (Place have your life." The messen- of the drop of blood) near ger came back with Yazid's Hamah (Syria). reply that Ibn Ziyad should Also near Aleppo, there is immediately send the prison- another place called Mashhad ers and the heads to Damas- al-Siqt, because Imam Husay- cus. n's wife was pregnant and Ibn Ziyad sent the heads with when they reached that spot, some of his troops, ordering the baby miscarried. He was them to put the heads on named Mohsin. spears and parade them in When they came near Damas- front of the caravan, and he cus, Shimr was leading the ordered them to pass through caravan. Umm Kulsum asked the cities on the way, and him not to go from the main humiliate the family of the road, so people do not look at Prophet in every city they them with evil eyes. Shimr did 13 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH exactly the opposite, ordering Because of this poem and the caravan to march through other displays of hatred to the the city from the main road, Prophet, some Sunni scholars and for all of the heads to be believe that Yazid was kafir in the middle of the caravan. (unbeliever) and deserves to be cursed. Arrival in Damascus Sahl Ibn Sa'id came to Syeda They arrived in Damascus on Sukayna, daughter of Imam the first day of the month of Husayn, and asked, "Is there Safar. The prisoners were anything I can do for you?" kept in Bab al-Sa'at and people went to see them, She asked him, "Can you tell dancing and using the drums. the one who carries the head to go farther from the women, Somebody asked Syeda so people do not look at the Sukayna, "What prisoners are women?" you?" She answered, "We are prisoners of the family of Sahl honored his word and Muhammad (s.a.w.w.)." granted her request. Yazid was sitting on his throne An old man came to Imam in his castle at Jiran when he Sajjad and said, "Praise to saw the heads on spears and God that He perished you and the prisoners. He recited a made the leader overcome poem: you!" • "When I saw the caravan Imam Sajjad replied, "Have and the heads near Jiran you ever read the Qur'an, O, old man?" • The crow crowed, and I said, The old man answered, "Yes." • Whether you crow or not, Imam Sajjad asked, "Have you read the verse: Say: I do • I have gotten even with the not ask you any reward but Messenger of God."

14 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message love for the near in kin?" The old man's eyes opened (Holy Qur'an 42:23). wide as he asked, "Are you them?" Imam Sajjad said, He said, "Yes." "Yes, (I swear it) by our Imam Sajjad asked, "Have grandfather Prophet Muham- you read the verse: So, give mad (s.a.w.w.). We are them the near in kin their rights?" without any doubt." (Holy Qur'an 30:38). The man fell to the ground, He said, "Yes, of course." kissed Imam Sajjad's feet, Imam Sajjad asked, "Have and said, "I repent to God and you read the verse: And know reject those who killed you." that whatever you gain, a fifth When Yazid found out about of it is for God, and for the this, he ordered the man to Messenger, the near of kin, be killed. orphans, the poor, and The Prisoners Meet Yazid wayfarers?"(Holy Qur'an7:59). The prisoners were ordered to The old man answered, "Yes, go to Yazid's main hall, and I have read all of these." they were all tied together Imam Sajjad said, "Indeed, by with one long rope. While God, we are them." they were marched towards Then he asked, "Have you the castle, they were beaten if read the verse: Indeed, God they did not go fast. wants to take away pollution When they entered the castle from you, O, People of the and were in Yazid's presence, House?"(Holy Qur'an 33:33). Imam Sajjad asked Yazid The old man answered, "Yes." "What do you think the Prophet of God would say if Imam Sajjad said to him, "We he sees us in this situation?" are the People of the House whom God has purified." The people started to cry and Yazid ordered the rope to be

15 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH cut. The head of Imam Aaron, because the children of Husayn was in front of him. Prophets should not be He looked at Nu'man Ibn killed."' Bashir and said, "Praise to Yazid thought and pondered, God that He killed him." then Imam Sajjad asked him Nu'man replied, "Mu'awiyah, for permission to speak. Yazid your father, did not want to said, "You may speak, but do have Husayn killed." not talk any nonsense." Yazid answered, "That was Imam Sajjad said, "I am in a before Husayn's movement. If position in which I cannot talk Husayn had started his nonsense. What would you movement before, my father think if the Prophet sees us in Mu'awiyah would have killed this position?" him." Yazid ordered Imam Sajjad's Then Yazid faced Imam Sajjad chains to be removed, then and said, "What do you think faced his royal announcers, of what God has done to your and told them to praise father, Husayn?'' Mu'awiyah and humiliate Husayn. When they continued Imam Sajjad replied, "I saw cursing 'Ali and Husayn, Imam what God has written." Sajjad interrupted them and Yazid consulted with his yelled, "You are trying to advisors about killing Imam please humans against God. Sajjad and most of them You are going to end up in agreed to having him killed. Hell!" Imam Sajjad said, "O, Yazid! Then Imam Sajjad said These people are deceiving calmly, "O, Yazid! Let me go you. Unlike the people of stand in the same place as Pharaoh did when he asked this man (the announcer) and them about Moses and Aaron. say what would please God They said, 'Leave Moses and

16 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message and what would benefit these O, people! I am the son of people." Mecca and Medina. I am the son of Zamzam and Safa. I Yazid refused, but the people am the son of the one who insisted on allowing him. The carried the Black Stone with people persisted, and Yazid his robe. I am the son of the did not want to anger the best of those who wear people, so he allowed it. clothes [are civilized]. I am Imam Sajjad said, "Praise to the son of the best of those God Who has no beginning, who made Tawaf [circumam- Who is eternal. No one was bulating the Ka'bah] and Sa'y before Him and no one will be [walking between Mount Safa after Him. He will remain after and Mount Marwa, as one of the destruction of the whole the Hajj pilgrimage rite]. I am world. the son of the man who rode O, people! We are given six the Burraq [winged horse] to characteristics and we were the end of the horizon, and honored by seven. We are reached his Lord, and was given knowledge, patience, two bow's shots away from generosity, eloquence, Him. I am the son of the one bravery, and love in the who prayed with the angels. I hearts of believers; and we am the son of the one who are honored that the Prophet received the revelation. I am the Lion of God and the lion the son of the one who fought of the Messenger and the two with the Prophet of God at the grandsons of this nation are battles of Badr and Hunayn from us. and he ['Ali] did not disbelieve in God even for the blink of an O, people! Who knows me eye. I am the son of the best knows me, and who does not of believers and the heir of know me, I will tell him who I the Prophets and the leader of am in genealogy and charac- Muslims, the knight of fight- ter. 17 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH ers, the father of Hasan and witnesses that there is no god Husayn, 'Ali son of Abi Talib. I but Him!" am the son of Fatima Zahra', When the Muezzin said, the leader of women, and the "Ashhadu anna Muhammad-ar great Khadijah. I am the son Rasulullah [I bear witness that of the one who was killed and MuHammad is the Messenger covered with blood. I am the of God]", Imam Sajjad said to son of the one who was killed the Muezzin, "I ask you by the in Karbala'. I am the son of right of Muhammad to be the one for whom the Jinn silent for one minute!" cried, and even the birds on the wind." He faced Yazid and said, "This Messenger of God, is he your When Imam Sajjad said this, grandfather or my grandfa- people yelled and wailed in an ther? If you say he is your uproar of grief. grandfather, people who are Yazid began to fear that the present and all people will situation would escalate, so know you are a liar, and if you he ordered the Muezzin to say he is my grandfather, recite the azan even though it then why did you kill my was not prayer time. father unjustly? The Muezzin yelled, "Allahu Why did you loot his wealth? Akbar! (God is great)" and Why did you capture his Imam Sajjad said, "God is women? On the Day of greater and more honored Judgment my grandfather will than anything I fear!" be against you." Then the Muezzin said, Yazid interrupted Imam Sajjad "Ashhadu anla ilaha ilallah [I and yelled at the Muezzin to bear witness that there is no start the prayer, even though god besides Allah]" and Imam it was not time. Some left to Sajjad said, "Yes, I bear pray and others simply left witness with everyone who the scene. 18 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

Then, Yazid asked for the Yazid replied, "If I want it, I head of Imam Husayn to be can... brought to him in a golden Hazrat Zaynab said to him, "If washbasin. The women of the you do not believe in our family of the Prophet wanted religion, you can." to see what is in the basin, but Yazid did not want them Yazid barked at her, "Your to. When he uncovered it and father and your brother were they saw the head, everyone not of our religion!" cried. Yazid ordered others to Hazrat Zaynab said, "It was enter the room. He took his by the religion of God, my stick, hit the lips of Imam grandfather, and my father, Husayn, and said, "Now I am that you and your father getting even for the battle of became Muslims!" Badr!" And then recited some Yazid screamed, "You are a poetry. One of his people liar and an enemy of God!" yelled that 'Aale Mustafa' (the family of Selected-Prophet Hazrat Zaynab said, "You are Muhammad) are cut into governor. You curse us pieces. Yazid hit him in his unjustly and you govern by chest, told him to shut up, and force." cursed him, saying, "You have The man repeated his request no mother!" for the daughter of Husayn as Another stood up and asked a gift. Yazid yelled at him, Yazid to give him Fatima, cursed him, and then said to daughter of Husayn, as a gift. everyone: Fatima became very scared "I wish my ancestors were and clung tightly to her aunt here to see Zaynab. How their enemies are in Hazrat Zaynab raised her fear. voice and said, "Impossible! You cannot have this!" They would be happy 19 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

And they would tell me: against us, and you have Yazid, you did a good job! driven us like slaves. You think that you have honor, We have taken their heads, and you are important. You and gotten even are holding your nose high, For the battle of Badr. and you are happy, for the The Hashim (family of the world is easy for you, and Prophet Muhammad] your kingdom is secure. But, played with politics. you just wait and see! There is no revelation and Have you forgotten the saying no Messenger. of God: They lied just to get the 'And let not those who leadership. disbelieve think that what- ever we increase for them I am not from my tribe is the best for them. In- If I do not take revenge on deed, We increase for the descendants of Ahmad." them so they increase in sin, and they have a humil- When Hazrat Zaynab heard iating punishment?' (Holy Yazid, she said, "Praises to Qur'an 3: 178) God and the Messenger of God," and quoted: Is it just, O, son of Tolaqa, to honor your slaves and drive "Then, the end result of the children of the Prophet as those who have done evil slaves? You exposed their was evil, because they privacy and exposed their denied the signs of God, faces. You paraded them from and mocked them."(Holy city to city. They had no one Qur'an 30:10) to protect them and everyone, Then she continued, "O, near or far, examining their Yazid! You think you have faces! What can we expect turned the whole world from a descendant of those

20 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message who tried to eat the livers of thing but your own flesh. the righteous people whose Indeed, you will face Prophet flesh grows from the blood of Muhammad by what you have martyrs. What can we expect shed, the blood of his de- from someone who grew up scendants and humiliated his with hatred of the Prophet's honor!" family?" Then she quoted: Then, she quoted his poem "Do not think of those who and said, "While hitting the have been killed in the way lips of the son of the Messen- of God as dead. No. They ger of God, how could you say are alive, with their Lord, such a thing? Someone like and bestowed blessings." you has to say such things, (Holy Qur'an 3: 169 ) while you shed the blood of the descendants of Muham- "And God is the best Judge mad and the stars of the and Muhammad is the plaintiff family of 'Abdul Muttalib. You and (Archangel) Gabriel is the call your ancestors. Indeed, supporter. And those who you will soon go the same made you come to power over way as them. Indeed, you will Muslims will know what a wish you were mute and did worse alternative they have not say what you said and did chosen and what a weak army not do what you did. they have. O, God! Secure our rights and Though it is hard for me to take revenge on those who speak to you, I belittle you. It treated us unjustly who shed is hard for me to look in your our blood and killed our face, but the eyes are weep- protectors. ing and the chests are tight. O, Yazid, you have not cut O! The wonder of wonders is anything but your own skin. that the party of God, the You have not chopped any- honored are killed by the

21 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH party of Satan, those who reward for them, and increase were given freedom by the for them, and make us the Prophet. Their hands are successful ones. Indeed, He is dripping with our blood, their merciful and kind, and God is mouths are filled with our sufficient, and the Best flesh, and the bodies of the Protector. righteous are scattered on the Later... ground. You took us as prisoners as gains of the war, The historian al-Bayruni says: but soon you will be the loser, "These actions taken against when you enter the Judgment the Imam were not done to of God. We have only Him as any nation in the world. Using our protector. Do whatever all cheap means possible, you want and plan and such as killing by sword, scheme whatever you want. spearing, catapults, and But, by God you cannot running the horses on the eradicate our memory, and bodies of the victims." you cannot eradicate the After the massacre at Karba- revelation (of God) and the la', 'Umar Ibn Sa'd, the leader shame of this will not leave of the army, asked the you. Your view is in vain, and governor, Ibn Ziyad, for the your days are numbered, and written promise to make him your groups will be scattered, governor of the city of Ray. on a day in which a caller will Ibn Ziyad said he lost it. call and announce the curse One year after the death of of God on those who are Yazid, Mukhtar revolted unjust. against Ibn Ziyad and killed all Praised be the Lord, the One those who participated in who gave the first of us killing Imam Husayn (a.s.)." forgiveness and the last of us martyrdom. And we ask




Almighty God to complete the 22 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message Historical and Jurisprudential Issues

Pertinent to the Ziyarat Ashura

By: Ayatollah Shaykh Ja'far Subhani

As a prelude to the study of they transmitted on the the chains of transmission of authority of their teachers in Ziyarat 'Ashura' and in order an unbroken continuous to clarify the subject, several chain, which linked them to themes surrounding it will be the infallible Imams (as). discussed. 2) The recurrence of a Reliability of the Tradi- tradition in one or more tions primary works of traditions by means of multiple reliable Early Shi'ite scholars classified chains. Alternatively, the traditions into two: the existence of a tradition in a reliable and the unreliable. primary work attributed to a Those traditions that were disciple of any of the Imams corroborated by circumstantial whose reliability and truthful- evidence were considered ness was unanimously attest- reliable and authoritative. ed by the scholars. Examples Those that were not, were of such disciples are Zurara considered unreliable. bin A'yan, Muhammad bin So, what is circumstantial Muslim and Fudhayl bin Yasar. evidence? 3) The existence of a tradition Circumstantial evidence can in one of the primary works be defined as any of the that was presented to one of following: the Imams who commended it 1) The presence of a tradition and praised its compiler. in many of the four hundred Examples are the book of primary works of traditions traditions of 'Ubaydullah al- that were circulating among Halabi (presented to Imam al- the early scholars and which Sadiq), or the books of Yunus 23 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH bin 'Abd al-Rahman and Fadhl Muhammad bin Riyah.[1] bin Shazan (presented to These are some of the Imam al-'Askari). examples of circumstantial evidence used to determine 4) The citation of a tradition the authenticity of traditions. from the books in circulation There are many other types of among the predecessors of evidence too, but for the the early scholars, provided purposes of this discussion, the books were reliable, the above-mentioned evi- trustworthy and credible, dence will suffice. irrespective of whether the compiler was an Imami or a With regards to the later non-Imami. Examples of such Shi'ite scholars, they had to works from Imamis are the relinquish the two-fold classi- book on the ritual prayers of fication in favour of a four- Hurayz bin 'Abdullah al- fold classification of traditions: Sijistani or the books of the authentic (sahih), dependable two sons of Said bin al- (muwathaq), good (hasan) Husayn al-Ahwazi and 'Ali bin and weak (dha'if). The reason Mahzayar. for the adoption of a four-fold classification was the lack of From the non-Imamis these circumstantial evidence, due include the book of Hafs bin to the passage of time and Ghiyath al-Qadhi and Husayn the loss of reliable primary bin 'Ubaydullah al-Sa'di as compilations of traditions. well as the book on the prayer direction (al-Qibla) of 'Ali bin Thus, the evidence rendering al-Hasan al-Tatari. The early a tradition authentic due to scholars therefore judged the the knowledge that it origi- transmitted traditions of some nated from the infallible of the narrators as authentic Imams, was also lost. The and correct even when those four-fold classification of the narrators were not from the traditions was now based on Imamiyya, such as 'Ali bin an analysis of the chains of 24 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message transmission of the traditions nated from an infallible. It is and an investigation into the for this reason that, in the circumstances, conditions and instance where the reliability positions of the narrators who and truthfulness of the featured in these chains. narrator is not established, but circumstantial evidence Hence, for the early Shi'ite proves the report to have scholars, if the origin of a originated from an infallible, tradition was from the infalli- the report assumes probative ble Imams, it was confirmed authority. As a consequence, by circumstantial evidence it is adopted in law, which and was considered to be completes and lends credence authentic. However, as a to the practice of the intelli- consequence of a loss of this gent people in this field. evidence over time, the same was not the case for the later Rational jurists (al-Usuliyyun) Shi'ite scholars. focussed on discussing the probative authority of a The Probative Authority reliable person's reported (hujjiyyat) of a Tradition speech in their studies in a The ultimate question is: Can way that suggested that the a tradition be proven as divine Legislator intended to reliable based on the fact that establish this as a principle it is transmitted by a reliable above all else. However, an narrator or can it only be investigation into the matter authoritative if it is rendered shows that there is no evi- certain that the text originated dence in the law that this is from an infallible? There are the case. Even the evidence two perspectives on this. from Qur'anic verses in favour The most correct position is of the principle, is not defini- the latter one; the reliability of tive, as is apparent to anyone a tradition based on the who refers to the works of certainty that the text origi- jurisprudence. 25 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

With regards to the transmit- reliable and authentic report ted traditions pertaining to originating from an Infallible. this issue, all of them are The reliability of the reporter concerned with the latter of such a report must also be position. This is because the one of the circumstantial query contained in the rele- pieces of evidence that vant traditions is associated renders the report certain as with concerns in favour of the originating from an Infallible. second position and there is It is for this reason that in the nothing in the traditions that instance where the reliability legitimately points to the and truthfulness of a narrator establishment of the first is established and circumstan- position. Hence for example, tial evidence does not prove it is sometimes the case that a the origins of a tradition to be narrator would ask the Imam from an Infallible, the tradi- “Is Yunus bin 'Abd al-Rahman tion is abandoned. reliable and should I take In conclusion, for the early from him what I need of the scholars the criterion for the religious directives?”[2] probative authority of a Or the Imam is reported to tradition lay in the testimony have said, “Al-'Umari and his of internal and/or external son are both reliable, there- circumstantial evidence for fore whatever they claim to the provenance of a tradition's convey from me then that is origins to be from an Infalli- from me”.[3] ble. The sole evidence for the Widespread Practice of a probative authority of a singly Tradition Mitigates the transmitted report is therefore Weakness of its Chain the practice of intelligent The widespread practice of people, implemented in their the contents of a tradition daily lives. This practice compensates for the weak- transpires into a reliance on a 26 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message ness of its chain. A tradition Shi'ite books of traditions, may be divided into three have been applied in the types in terms of its fame and juridical exercises of jurists. renown. Therefore, widespread 1) Fame and renown due to reliance on and use of the widespread transmission: contents of traditions by jurists indicates the existence A tradition may be renowned of circumstantial evidence and famous due to its wide related to those traditions, transmission among narrators which makes it certain that and transmitters of hadith as the origins of those traditions well as its transmission in are from an Infallible. books, irrespective of its utilisation by the jurists and It is known that the wide- scholars. spread transmission of a tradition produces benefit if 2) Fame and renown due to the transmission is coupled widespread reliance and use with practice. However, if the by jurists: hadith is merely transmitted A tradition may be renowned widely without being practiced and famous due to jurists' then this negates its authority widespread reliance on it and and instead engenders their use of it in issuing suspicion about the tradition's verdicts. An example is the authenticity. Prophetic tradition “every 3) Fame and renown of a person is responsible for what juridical verdict: he undertakes till he dis- charges that responsibility,” or Sometimes, there is a famous the Prophetic report “people and renowned juridical verdict have authority over their regarding a particular issue, possessions”. Both these irrespective of a relevant traditions, even though they tradition existing in its favour are not transmitted in the or the verdict being contrary 27 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH to a tradition. In such a case ting from us regarding the the question is: matter under consideration and the tradition which is Does such renown possess unanimously agreed upon probative authority or not? among your colleagues is the The matter is a lengthy and tradition and judgement to be detailed one, however, in accepted as originating from general, a tradition that is us and the contrary report widely utilised in juridical (i.e., the one which is rare deduction (indicating wide and unknown among your reliance on it by jurists) colleagues) is to be set aside. compensates the weakness of This is because the matter its chain, if a chain exists, and that is unanimously agreed engenders certainty regarding upon is beyond doubt (fa inn its authentic provenance. al-mujma' 'alayhi, la rayba The evidence for such a fihi). Indeed matters are of stance is the 'accepted' report three types. A matter, whose (maqbula) of 'Umar bin correctness is established, has Hanzala.[4] Here the Imam to be obeyed. A matter whose was asked about two contra- error is manifest has to be dictory traditions which were avoided and finally a matter transmitted by two reliable which is doubtful and ambig- persons. uous has to be returned to Allah and His prophet.”[5] Ibn Hanzala reports that he said to the Imam, “Both the Evidence in Favour of this narrators are veracious and Perspective acceptable to our companions The meaning and intent of the such that it is not possible to phrase 'that which is unani- prefer one over the other.” mously agreed upon,' does The Imam responded, “Look not mean a tradition that is into what they are transmit- unanimously transmitted by all but rather that the tradition 28 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message is transmitted widely among meaning 'doubt', in the the Shi'ite. This understanding indefinite form. The use of the is supported by the following indefinite form denotes statement from the Imam, generality (the definite form ”…and the rare tradition is to would have been 'al-rayb'). be set aside; that which is Therefore, if a renowned and rare and unknown among practiced tradition is one that your colleagues.” has no doubt in it, then a rare tradition would have the A tradition that is renowned in opposite connotation: there its transmission among the would be no doubt about its Shi'ite means that it is one invalidity from a logical that is renowned in transmis- perspective. sion as well as practice according to its contents and When the validity and cor- its utilisation in issuing rectness of one part of a juridical verdicts. As men- proposition is certain and tioned earlier, a tradition that beyond doubt then the other is simply transmitted but not part is obviously invalid and practiced inspires doubt about incorrect. Otherwise it would its authenticity. require the combination of certainty and doubt regarding Furthermore, the meaning of a single matter, which is the statement 'a unanimously logically unacceptable. For agreed upon tradition is example, if the veracity of beyond doubt' is the absolute Zayd is beyond doubt then its negation of doubt. The contrary, his dishonesty, is vocabulary used is similar to negated beyond doubt too. the Qur'anic verse (2:2) 'This Book, there is no doubt in it From the above discussion, it (dhalik al-kitabu la rayba can be concluded that a fihi…)' where the negative renowned tradition belongs to phrase 'there is no doubt in it' the first part of the tripartite contains the word 'rayb', division mentioned by the 29 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

Imam, that is, a matter whose neither one can be preferred correctness is established and over the other, for if the is therefore required to be converse were true, and only obeyed, while the rare tradi- one of the traditions was tion belongs to the second unanimously known to part of the tripartite division, originate from the Imam then that is, a matter whose error there would have been no is manifest and therefore crisis of ambiguity. needs to be avoided. The rare The significance of a re- tradition cannot be said to nowned tradition having its belong to the third part of the meaning elucidated as above tripartite division, that is, a lies in its ability to stimulate matter which is dubious and certainty with respect to its which requires its knowledge origins (being from an Infalli- to be returned to God and His ble). It is this that makes it Prophet. the subject of the principle of Therefore the meaning of the the probative authority of a Imam's statement 'that which tradition. is unanimously agreed upon is Therefore, in light of the beyond doubt' is the tradition above discussion, it should be that is renowned and prac- known that when the five ticed among the Shi'ite and chains of transmission of not a tradition regarding Ziyarat 'Ashura', each of which there is mere unanimity which varies in its reliability that it originates from the and concomitant authority, infallible. This is because the are collectively considered narrator in the tradition above along with the circumstantial assumes that both the con- evidence that accompanies tradictory traditions, which them, then this bequeaths two veracious and acceptable certainty and conviction narrators report, ensue from regarding its divine origins. As the Imam and that is why a result, the faith and devout- 30 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message ness professed in it has come piled. The collection is entitled about in light of its probative 'Kitab al-Du'afa',[6] which, as authority and the recitor will its title makes apparent is a be awarded according to the book that purports to contain rewards specified in the information on hadith trans- tradition. mitters deemed weak and unreliable. However, the The analysis of the chains of authenticity of this attribution Ziyarat 'Ashura', according to has not been verified. the criteria of the science of biographies, is a significant This is because this book was and substantial affair. Howev- lost for a couple of centuries er, to restrict oneself to its between the time of al- conclusions and to disregard Ghadha'iri (d 411 AH ) and his the large amount of circum- son, till its discovery two stantial evidence proving its centuries later by Seyyid authenticity and correctness Jamal al-Din Abu al-Fadha'il would be to make a mistake. Ahmad bin Tawus al-Husayni The circumstantial evidence al-Hilli (d 673 AH). In light of presented in this study will these facts, how is it possible perhaps bestow a level of to rely on this work? reliability to the narrators or In addition to the above, to the tradition itself. circumstantial evidence The Book of Biographies of related to this book proves Al-Ghadha’iri and its that it does not belong to the Scholarly Significance aforementioned individuals. Seyyid al-Khu'i has elaborated The scholar, al-Husayn bin on this matter in his book 'Ubaydullah al-Ghadha'iri or Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith [7] and his son Ahmad bin al-Husayn we have done the same in our are attributed to have had a book Kuliyyatu fi 'Ilm al- book of biographies of the Rijal.[8] Those who wish to be narrators of traditions com-

31 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH apprised of the details should amount to doctrinal exaggera- refer to these books. tion to the extent that they considered the negation of Furthermore, the early forgetfulness for the Imams to scholars of Qum have dispar- be akin to such exaggeration. aged a huge number of the It is possible that they even narrators but their disparage- considered any concept of the ment was not based on the delegation of divine powers, report of a veracious person any sort of elevation, miracles from a veracious person, but and extraordinary acts, rather on the basis of their negation of defects, and theological differences with knowledge of the secrets of those narrators. Therefore if the heavens and the earth they noticed anything in a attributed to the Imams as tradition that seemed like an doctrinal exaggeration and exaggeration (al-ghuluww) in worthy of censure. This is doctrinal issues, they would especially in light of the fact criticise the tradition as being that people professing deviant exaggerated or fabricated. religious ideas and beliefs had Al-Muhaqqiq al-Bihbahani concealed themselves among writes, 'It is clear that many the Shi'ite, mixing with them of the early scholars and and deceiving them. especially the scholars of In short, it is clear that the Qum, of which al-Ghadha'iri early scholars disagreed on was one, used to profess theological issues such that distinctly special beliefs there would be a matter regarding the Imams on the considered by some of them basis of their personal re- to amount to disbelief or search and they would not doctrinal exaggeration while tolerate any infringement of the same matter would be those beliefs. They used to considered a requirement of consider any infringement of the faith by others, or it could their theological stance to 32 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message be that the matter was A sahih tradition is one that neither this nor that. Or has been transmitted from an perhaps the source of their infallible by a continuous disparagement would be their chain consisting of veracious feeling that a tradition was a Imamis. A hasan tradition is fabrication by those deceitful one that has been transmitted exaggerators or that the claim from an infallible by a contin- of the leading scholars of the uous chain consisting of sect that a certain tradition commendable Imamis but was a fabrication of those where there is no explicit or extremists'. clear statement of their veracity. Al-Muhaqqiq al-Bihbahani writes, 'It should be known A muwathaq tradition is one that (Ahmad bin Muhammad that has been transmitted bin 'Isa and) al-Ghadha'iri from an infallible by a contin- used to accuse a narrator of uous chain consisting of lies or fabrications after veracious individuals, some of having accused him of doctri- whom may espouse unortho- nal exaggeration as if his dox beliefs and ideas. Given transmission indicated these definitions, a dha'if that'.[9] tradition is contrary to all three categories, though it The Utility of a Weak may be in accord with reality Report and perhaps more so than the Previously, it was pointed out other three categories. that the later Shi'ite scholars However, due to the criteria classified the traditions into a established in the science of fourfold division: hadith, verification of such a 1) Sahih (authentic), tradition will not have proba- 2) Hasan (good), tive authority. 3) Muwathaq (reliable) and Hence, in light of this explana- 4) dha'if (weak). tion, if there is a tradition 33 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH regarding a specific matter Principle of Leniency in that is judged weak, it is not Deducing Proofs for possible to abandon it simply Recommended Acts (al- on the basis of its weakness. tasamuh fi adillati al- This is because every tradition sunan) has an effect and a bearing The principle of leniency in on the soul of an individual deducing proofs for recom- with respect to its reliability. mended acts is one that is Therefore, if reasons for its widely known among scholars. reliability increase then the The significance of this degree of its reliability also principle is that a researcher increases in the estimation of does not insist on the fulfil- a person. ment of those stringent In light of the above, if it is conditions that are necessary assumed that the chains of in establishing obligatory acts Ziyarat 'Ashura' are weak and duties, when attempting (although such an assumption to ascertain recommended is incorrect as will be proven acts. later), then these five chains, For example, one of these especially in light of the stringent conditions is that the individuals who feature in narrators in a chain must be them who are peerless and absolutely reliable and trust- who cared to transmit this worthy. This condition is salutation, still inspires however, not mandatory in confidence in its truthfulness ascertaining recommended when the separate chains are acts. It is sufficient even if a considered together and in recommended act is transmit- their totality. One should ted by means of an inferior therefore not be hasty in chain in terms of the reliability rejecting this salutation on the and trustworthiness of the basis of the weakness of its narrators who appear in it. chain.

34 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

This principle is addressed Salim who heard from Abu and discussed by both Sunni 'Abdullah al-Sadiq (as) that: and Shi'ite scholars. The “One, who learns of the Sunni scholars refer to it as merits and virtues of an act 'an act based on a weak and as a result carries it out, tradition, (which is neverthe- will be eligible for that reward, less encouraged) because of even if later that report the merits of virtuous acts'- proves to be inauthentic”.[10] al-'amal bi al-khabar al-dha'if fi fadha'il al-a'mal. The Scholars have elaborated at following scholars have length on this and other alluded to this principle in traditions similar to it, as well their respective works: as discussing whether or not such reports accord the act a 1) Al-Shahid al-Awwal in his position of being meritorious work, Al-Dhikra. and recommended. However, 2) Ibn Fahd al-Hilli (d 8541 AH) further discussion on this in his work, 'Uddat al-Da'i. subject is not necessary here. 3) Al-Shahid al-Thani (d 966 It should be noted that there AH) in his work, Al-Diraya. is no aim to encourage the 4) Baha al-Din al-'Amili (d transmission and propagation 1030 AH) in his work, Al- of weak reports by means of Arba'ina. these traditions, rather the 5) Shaykh al-Ansari (d 1282 aim is to preserve the teach- AH) in a special treatise de- ings and traditions of the voted to discussing this Prophet and the Imams so principle. that they may not be aban- Shaykh al-Kulayni transmits doned simply because the the following authentic report chain is deemed weak. from Ibn Abi 'Umayr who in Therefore, if it is assumed turn reports from Hisham bin that the chains of this Ziyarat are weak, (an incorrect 35 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH assumption), a Shi'ite Muslim 3) Ibid, hadith number 4. will still obtain the rewards 4) A similar report is ascribed mentioned for this Ziyarat if to Zurara bin A'yan and is he recites it with a heart identified as marfu'. A marfu' brimming with grief and report is defined as one sadness due to the oppression whose chain has some narra- and injustices to which Imam tors omitted. A marfu' tradi- al-Husayn (as) was subjected. tion can also be termed as mursal. A mursal tradition is Some pertinent points have defined as one which has been mentioned briefly here. either all or some of the in- A reader who gives due termediary narrators omit- consideration to these points ted. and those to follow in the 5) Wasa'il al-Shi'a, vol. 18, ch. study of the chains of Ziyarat 11, hadith number 1. 'Ashura' will come to realize 6) This title would be translated that the Ziyarat is a reliable as: 'the book of weak narra- one, which has its origins with tors'. the Imams of the Ahlulbayt 7) Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, pages (as). It ensued from a pained 113-114 of the introduction, and sorrowful heart, denounc- in the Najaf edition and pag- ing the politics of tyranny and es 101-103 of the Lebanon oppression perpetrated by the edition. Banu Umayya against the 8) Kuliyyatu fi 'Ilm al-Rijal, page Ahlulbayt and that it was and 81-106. continues to remain radiant 9) Al-Fawa'id al-Rijaliyya of throughout the centuries. Wahid al-Bihbahani, pages Notes: 38-39, printed at the end of 1) Al-Wafi, vol. 1, p. 11-12, in the work Rijal al-Khaqani. the second introduction. 10) Wasa'il al-Shi'a, vol. 1, ch. 2) Wasa'il al-Shi'a, vol. 18, ch. 18, hadith number 6. 11, hadith number 33.




36 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message Miracles of Ziyarat-e-Ashura

Edited excerpts from the book, “Amazing Stories of Ziyarat-e-Ashura By: Haider Qambari

It is a firmly established fact Importance of Ziyarat-e- that just as it is impossible to Ashura comprehend and grasp the The great and pious jurist, greatness, excellence, position Marhum Shaikh Jawad b. and status of Ahle Bait (a.s.), Shaikh Mashkoor, was a it is impossible for us to leading jurist of Najaf who comprehend the connotations, died at the age of 90 years in implications and significance 1337 A.H. He is buried next to of their words and statements his father in a room in the in their entirety. Of course, blessed courtyard of the grave we can have some basic of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). understanding of their words, This great scholar dreamt in which makes us realize their the night of 26 Safar 1336 high stature and distinction. A.H in which he saw Hazrat Ziyarat-e-Ashura too falls in a Izraeel - the angel of death similar category. Its great- (a.s.). He greeted the angel of ness, benefits and rewards death and asked him from cannot be entirely compre- where he was coming. The hended or enumerated. Hence angel of death replied 'I am whatever is being written in coming from Shiraz after this article concerning Ziyarat- having seized the soul of e-Ashura is like taking a few Mirza Ibrahim Mahallati.' drops from a vast ocean. As Shaikh asked him 'In what the old Arabic cliché goes, 'If condition is his soul in Bar- the entire ocean cannot be zakh?' The angel of death encircled and seized, then at replied 'He is residing in the least take from it to the most beautiful garden and is extent of your thirst.' in the best of the conditions.

37 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

Allah has appointed 1,000 narrated his dream. On angels at his beck and call.' hearing this, Ayatollah Mirza Shaikh asked him 'For which Mohammed Taqi began action has he received such a weeping. When people asked great reward - for his high him the reason of his grief, he level of knowledge? Or for the replied 'Mirza Ibrahim Ma- large number of students he hallati was a pillar of jurispru- had trained?' The angel of dence and he has departed death replied, 'For none of from the world.' People said these reasons'. Shaikh asked, 'But this news was only a 'Then for leading the congre- dream, while we don't know gational prayers and explain- the fact as yet.' Ayatollah ing the religious laws to the Mirza Taqi replied, 'This was people?' The angel of death not the dream of an ordinary replied in the negative. So individual, it was the dream of Shaikh asked, 'Then on what Shaikh Jawad.' The very next basis did he receive such a day there was letter informing great position?' The angel of the residents of Najaf about death said 'For reciting Mirza Ibrahim Mahallati’s Ziyarat-e-Ashura.' Mirza demise. In this way, the Mahallati recited Ziyarat-e- veracity of Shaikh Jawad's Ashura regularly in the last 30 dream proved to be true. years of his life. And if due to Subsequently many scholars an illness or any other reason, learnt of this incident from the he was unable to recite the late Ayatollah Syed Abdul Hadi Ziyarat, then he would Shirazi who in turn had appoint a representative to personally heard about it from recite the Ziyarat on his Shaikh Jawad. behalf.' Respite from Plague The next morning, Shaikh Ayatollah Shaikh Abdul Jawad went to Ayatollah Mirza Kareem Yazdi Hayeri (r.a.) Mohammed Taqi Shirazi and narrates, 'I was residing in 38 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

Samarrah to pursue religious present in that gathering studies. Once, the city was passed this information to the struck by a deadly plague. Shias of Samarrah, who all Scores of people were dying began reciting Ziyarat-e- every day. During those days, Ashura. From the very next a group of religious scholars day, there was no news of had gathered at the house of any Shia death. Only the news our teacher late Syed Mo- of the death of the Ahle hammed Fesharki (r.a.). At Sunnat was being reported. that time, Mirza Mohammed Gradually the Ahle Sunnat Taqi (r.a.) too came in that realized this and asked some meeting. The talk turned of their Shia friends as to the towards the topic of plague reason that why none from and the devastation it was the Shias were dying of causing in terms of loss of plague. The Shias said that lives. Marhum Mirza Taqi they were reciting Ziyarat-e- (r.a.) said, "If I command you Ashura. On hearing this, the to perform an action will all of Ahle Sunnat too began you obey me?" Everyone reciting the Ziyarat. Conse- replied "Yes, of course, we quently, they too were will obey whatever you say." secured from the perilous Marhum Mirza (r.a.) then effects of the plague.' ordered "Tell every Shia of Emphasis of Imam-e- Samarrah to recite Ziyarat-e- Zamana (ATF) on Reciting Ashura for the next ten days Ziyarat-e-Ashura and to gift the reward of the Ziyarat to the soul of the Sayed Ahmed Rashti (a mother of Imam-e-Zamana businessman living in the city (a.t.f.), Janabe Nargis Kha- of Rasht in Iran) says, "I toon (s.a) so that the people decided to perform Hajj in the remain safe from this dis- year 1280 A.H. With this ease." All those who were intention I traveled from Rasht to Tabriz. There I was 39 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH very worried and anxious and soon they had gone because at that time there ahead and I was left alone. was no caravan, which was to I got down from my horse depart to Makkah for Hajj. I and sat down on one side of did not know what to do. I the road. I was in a state of became ready to depart from helplessness and dejection. I Tabriz with Haji Jabbar was carrying only about 600 Isfahani. We agreed on the Tumans, which I had kept fare for journey and departed with me for the journey. from Tabriz. Three other men Finally I decided to spend the joined us in this journey as night there and continue my well. We departed together. journey in the morning. During the journey, Haji As we had not traveled very Jabbar came close to me and far from the city, there was a said, “The road that we are possibility for me to turn back about to cross is a dangerous and select a few strong men one. It is better if we cross it as my companions and renew quickly so that we can join the my effort to catch up with the caravan that is ahead.” So we caravan. I was deliberating all began traveling faster with over this option when sudden- the intention of catching up ly I saw a garden on the with the caravan ahead of us. opposite side of the road and We had hardly walked some its gardener. It seemed that distance that it began snow- there was a shovel in his hand ing heavily. It was dark and with which he was clearing visibility was poor. My com- the snow form the branches panions covered their heads of the trees in the garden. and continued to move quickly. I tried my best to This person came closer to keep up with them, but in this me and stood at a distance weather it was difficult for me and asked me in Persian, “Who are you?” I told him

40 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message that my companions had gone way or else I would have left.” ahead and that I was new in He said, “Recite Ziyarat this area and did not know Ashura”. I got up and began the way. He said to me, “Pray reciting it. I did not know the Nafilah (recommended) Ziyarat Ashura by heart and prayers so that you may find even at that time I knew that the road.” I readied myself for I would not be able to com- prayers and recited the night plete it. Yet I began reciting it prayers (Namaz e Shab). and soon I found that I had recited it completely with the After I completed my prayers, 100 salaams and 100 curses he came to me again and without any mistake. I even said, “You are still here? Why recited dua Alqamah which is haven’t you left yet?” I said, to be recited after Ziyarat “By Allah, I promise that I do Ashura. not know the way.” He said, “Recite Ziyarat-e-Jamia”. After I completed the recita- tion, he came to me again I did not know Ziyarat-e- and said, “You are still here? Jamia by heart and even at Why haven’t you left yet?” I that time I knew that I would said, “I will be here at least till not be able to complete it. Yet morning.” He said, “Wait, I I began reciting it and soon I will escort you to your desti- found that I had recited it nation.” He mounted a horse, completely without any hauled the shovel on his mistake. shoulder and asked me to As I completed the Ziyarat, climb behind on the horse’s the gardener came to me back. I complied with his again and said, “You are still request. At this time, I tugged here? Why are you sitting at the reins of the horse, but here?” I began crying uncon- it did not move from its place. trollably and said, “Yes, I am The gardener said, “Give me still here. I do not know the the reins of the horse.” I gave

41 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH them to him. He shifted the the gardener. He had got shovel to his left shoulder and down from his horse and was began walking. Surprisingly, waiting to help me mount my the horse began to move horse. along with him. At this point a few thought While walking, he placed his began racing through my hand on my thigh and said, mind. Who was this person? “Why don’t you pray Nafilah Firstly, he had been speaking (Namaz e Shab). Then he to me in Persian in an area repeated thrice, “Nafilah, where this language was not Nafilah, Nafilah!” Then he spoken. The people in the said, “Why don’t you recite area were Turkish and fol- Ziyarat-e-Ashura?” Then he lowed the Christian religion, repeated thrice for emphasis, and apart from them there “Ashura, Ashura, Ashura!” was no other person in this Then he said, “Why don’t you area. Secondly, he had asked recite Ziyarat-e-Jamia?” Then me to recite Nafilah, Ziyarat- he repeated thrice for empha- e-Jamia and Ziyarat-e- sis, “Jamia, Jamia, Jamia!” Ashura. Thirdly, despite the Thus in this way, he reminded fact that I had waited for so me about these three actions. long at that place, he was able to reach me to my Suddenly he turned to me and companions in a very short said, “Look there are your time! friends”. I saw my compan- ions in the distance. They had Finally I reached the conclu- stopped at the river and were sion that this gardener was performing Wuzu for their none other than Imam-e- morning Namaz. I got down Zamana (ATF). However when from the horse and moved I turned behind to address towards my horse so that I him, I could not see anyone. may reach them. I had hardly In fact there was no sign at all reached my horse that I saw 42 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message of any person having been friend died and was buried in there. this very 'Mazaar' where Haaj Mohammed Ali used to spend Ziyarat-e-Ashura – Re- his nights in worship. One pealing of Chastisement month after his friend's Marhum Mohaddis Noori (r.a.) demise, Haaj Mohammed Ali narrates an incident from Haaj saw him in a dream. His Mulla Hasan, who was a pious friend was looking very and virtuous individual and handsome and smart. Haaj was the caretaker of the Mohammed Ali asked him, 'I shrine of Amirul Momineen very well know the kind of (a.s.). He was very religious business in which you were and was always preoccupied involved. There was nothing in worship and Ziyarat. Mulla in that business that would Hasan, in turn narrates about merit this great reward that Haaj Mohammed Ali Yazdi you have received. In fact who too was a very respecta- nothing except punishment ble, devout and virtuous could be expected from the person. He too would always kind of work you used to do. spend his time in acts of Then how did you receive this worship and in matters great position and reward?' related to the Hereafter. Haaj The friend replied 'You are Mohammed Ali used to spend absolutely right. In fact, from his nights in worship in a the time I died, till yesterday I particular place in Yazd known was involved in a painful as "Mazaar" where many chastisement. But yesterday, prominent and pious scholars the wife of Ustad Ashraf are buried. He had a neighbor Haddad (blacksmith) died and who was his good friend. Both was buried a few meters away of them had grown up and from here. Last night Imam studied together. His friend Husain (a.s.) came to visit her started doing the work of tax thrice. On the third visit, he collection. Few years later this 43 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

(a.s.) ordered that the pun- miraculous nature. And when ishment from the entire one considers the fact that graveyard be removed. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) has Hence, now you see me living narrated this Ziyarat to a life of easy and comfort.' Safwan, then its significance increases manifold. Imam Haaj Mohammed Ali got up Sadiq (a.s.) told Safwan, I from his sleep. He did not guarantee a few things to the know who Ashraf Haddad was one who recites this Ziyarat: nor did he know where he (i) his Ziarat will be accepted, lived. He went to the iron (ii) his action will be consid- market, inquired about him ered virtuous, (iii) his salam and reached his house. Haaj will reach the Imam demands Mohammed Ali asked him, 'Did will be, Allah will not turn him you have a wife?' He replied back dejected and disheart- 'Yes. She died last night and I ened.” buried her at so and so place'. Haaj Mohammed Ali asked “And O’ Safwan! I have heard him, 'Had she gone for the this guarantee from my father Ziyarat of Imam Husain (a.s.)?' and him from his father. And The man replied 'No. But why this chain goes until Amir-ul- are you asking me all this?' Momineen (a.s.). The latter Haaj Mohammed Ali narrated heard it from the Messenger of to him the dream that he had Allah (S), who narrated it from seen. After hearing the entire Jibraeel, and the latter from incident, the blacksmith said Allah Himself. Allah swears by 'My wife was very particular His Holy & Pure Self that one and regular in reciting Ziyarat- who recites the Ziarat with the e-Ashura' Dua (Alqamah), from near or far, his Ziyarat will be accept- Ayatollah Behjat Says: ed, and his demands will be “The existence of Ziyarat-e- fulfilled.” Ashura in itself is a proof of its




44 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message The Great Legacy of Islam Preserved by the Lord of the Martyrs (A.S.)

By: The Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei

The concept of guardianship conscience of prominent was embodied by Imam figures of his time during a Hussein (a.s.) with all its sermon in Mina. All these dimensions and with all the things are tangible in the necessary and possible lifestyle of the Lord of the means. This is not to say that Martyrs (a.s.). Later on he others did not do such a thing stood up against a great or did not want to do such a deviation and laid down his thing, rather it means that life. Imam Hussein (a.s.) was this movement was fully aware of the consequences of realized in the behavior of the his movement. He was an Lord of the Martyrs (a.s.) infallible Imam. Infallible during his ten-year imamate. Imams' extensive knowledge One can clearly notice in his and insight are beyond our lifestyle all the methods that heads. Imam Hussein (a.s.) could have been used by a revolted to set a role model descendant of the Holy and he refused to surrender. Prophet (s.w.a.) to preserve He asked people to help him the great legacy of Islam and when a group of people which has been passed down from Kufa expressed their by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) willingness to accompany him and his father as well as their on this path, Imam Hussein genuine followers. We can (a.s.) accepted their offer and clearly see everything in the moved towards Kufa and he lifestyle of the Lord of the did not give up in the middle Martyrs (a.s.) - everything of the way. Imam Hussein ranging from clarification, to (a.s.) stood up against the forewarning, to promotion of deviated current of his time, Islam, to provoking the which was extremely danger- 45 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH ous. And this became a lesson not have gone down in and Imam Hussein (a.s.) history. The event that could himself makes the same point. have prevented that great That is to say, he backed up deviation had to shock people his action with the order of and history as much as the Islam. He said that his duty deviation did. This shows was what he was doing. He Imam Hussein's (a.s.) self- said that he had to express sacrifice. his opposition, no matter what Of course this is easier said the consequences were. He than done. What Imam said, "It is good if my destiny Hussein (a.s.) did was an is a victory and if my destiny extraordinary feat. That is to is martyrdom, so much the say, the dimensions of his better." This was how Imam action are far more than what Hussein (a.s.) acted. we estimate. We usually This was a perfect instance of ignore aspects and details. self-sacrifice and it safeguard- Once I spoke about Imam ed Islam. This move pre- Hussein's (a.s.) patience. His served Islam. This move patience was not limited to institutionalized values in enduring thirst or seeing his society. If Imam Hussein companions being killed. (a.s.) had not accepted this These things are relatively danger, if he had not made a easy to tolerate. The kind of move, if he had not taken patience that is difficult to action, if his blood had not practice is to listen to influen- been shed, if those great tial, aware and respectable tragedies had not happened people who keep creating to the shrine of the Holy doubts and telling you that Prophet (s.w.a.), to Imam what you are doing is danger- Ali's (a.s.) daughter and to ous and wrong. Who did those the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) things? People like Abdullah descendents, this event would Ja'far, Abdullah Zubair and

46 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

Abdullah Abbas. These promi- I would like to discuss a point nent figures of that time were regarding the efforts to constantly telling Imam promote Islam in the month Hussein (a.s.) not to do what of Muharram (& Safar). Some he was doing. If it were people may question the somebody else, somebody value of the ceremonies for who did not have that deter- mourning Imam Hussein's mination and stable character, (a.s.) martyrdom. They may he would have thought, "Well, say, "If you want to speak I did my duty. These people about Imam Hussein's (a.s.) are talking like this and the movement, just go ahead and world is acting like that, so I speak about his movement. should just say what I am Why all the crying?" This is a supposed to say and do wrong assumption. It will be nothing else." A person who extremely hard to move decides to stand up against ahead on this path in the such statements, such tempta- absence of this emotional tions, such doubts and such connection to the infallible efforts to bend sharia and is Imams. These ceremonies are not dissuaded from continuing necessary, and they will his path - such a person is the always be necessary. Of one who can give rise to such course some forms of mourn- a great transformation. In this ing are unacceptable. But the regard our magnanimous common mourning rituals can Imam (r.a.) was similar to the increasingly strengthen one's Lord of the Martyrs. I ex- emotional connection to the plained this in another meeting infallible Imams. These rituals and I do not want to go into are very good. the details now. This was how (Statement of the Supreme Imam Hussein (a.s.) acted as Leader made during a meeting a guardian. with the seminarians and clergy December 13, 2009)









47 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Despicable Status of the Killers of

Imam Husain (A.S.)

By: Jerrmein Abu Shahba

Question: Which group is If we pose this question to the more despised and con- majority of the Muslim nation demned in the eyes of Allah who follow the School of (SWT)? Those among the Companions, they will answer people of Bani Israel who without hesitation that those worshipped the calf in the who worshipped the calf are absence of Prophet Musa much worse because they (AS), or those who killed have committed Shirk (poly- Imam Husain (AS) – the theism). Shirk is associating a grandson of the Holy Prophet partner with Allah or giving a (SA)? share (of that which belongs to Allah alone) to others. The If we pose this question to the proponents of this position general Muslim population, we will argue that the greatest will find those who support sin by Allah (SWT) as He each side adamantly. One may states in the Qur’an is Shirk, rush to confidently answer this question, but let us use the “Most surely polytheism is Holy Quran, the facts in a tremendous wrong- history, and logical reasoning doing.” [31:14]. to reach a satisfying answer The Almighty also says that which no one else can refute. He will forgive all other sins if To do so, one must first define he wishes, except Shirk. the wrong that was committed in each case, its level of Surely, worshipping a calf intensity, its negative effect especially after being guided and influence on others, and to the truth is a devastating its long term effects in this life sin which demonstrates the and the Hereafter. weak level of faith which the 48 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message people of Bani Israel have and In fact, they were punished by their lack of certainty in the Allah (SWT) on the spot as a Oneness of God! There is way of atonement for their sin nothing more unforgiving than as described in Surat Al a person committing a sin Baqarah, intentionally while bear “And when Musa said to his knowledge of the falsehood people: O my people! You being committed and the have surely been unjust to extent of transgression in the yourselves by taking the eyes of God. calf (for a god), therefore On the other hand, those who turn to your Creator (peni- realize the great status of the tently), so kill your people, holy personality of Husain ibn that is best for you with Ali (AS) assert that definitely, your Creator: so He turned the killing of Husain is the to you (mercifully), for worst sin which has no like or surely He is the Oft- similarity and will not be returning (to mercy), the forgiven by Allah (SWT). But Merciful.” [2:51] what supports this argument? In their case, the divinely- Let us consider the following: appointed guide of their time If we analyze the history of who is Prophet Musa, was the both incidents, we will find person who conveyed the that the Quran clearly states order of punishment as well as that Allah (SWT) eventually the glad tidings of forgiveness pardoned the people who after acting as the intercessor worshipped the calf, for them. But in the case of the killers of Imam Husain, it “Yet they worshipped the is narrated by Umm Salamah calf even after clear signs that when the Prophet (SA) had come to them; even so foretold her about the events we forgave them.” [4:153] of Karbala, he asserted that the enemies and killers of his 49 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH grandson Husain will not the killers of Imam Husain attain his intercession. (AS) or those who participated remotely were forgiven by The Quran acknowledges the Allah (SWT). On the contrary, great extent of transgression we find multiple narrations committed by the people of where the Holy Prophet (SA) Bani Israel since they deviated was envisioned in dreams even after they witnessed the where he was observed to be clear signs. By their actions, in a disheveled state filled they have attained the wrath with grief over the killing of of their Lord as well as his son Husain and disap- indignity in the life of this pointment over His nation world only as mentioned in who dared to commit that evil verse 7:152. However, Allah’s act of transgression. We do infinite Mercy encompassed not hear any indication that them and they were given the the Imam of that time, Ali ibn opportunity to be punished in Al Husain Al Sajjad (AS) this life to atone for their sins conveyed any glad tidings of which was altogether good for forgiveness or an opportunity them. Even though Allah for atonement to any of the (SWT) states elsewhere in perpetrators of the Karbala verse 4:49 that He forgives tragedy. Instead, we hear the anything except Shirk, this story of one of the men who example of divine mercy were assigned to guard the demonstrated in the case of severed head of Imam Husain Bani Israel comes to show the who was seen circumambulat- unlimited level of compassion ing the Holy Kaaba while and forgiveness that the weeping in regret and Almighty Creator enjoys. Glory acknowledged his certainty and praise be to Him! that Allah (SWT) will never On the other hand, there is forgive him for what he absolutely nothing in history committed. When asked why which indicates that any of 50 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message he was so certain, he an- “O my Allah condemn and swered that after he and his damn the first tyrant who companions fell asleep while unjustly and wrongfully guarding the holy head, he usurped that which rightly saw the Holy Prophet (SA) in belonged to Muhammad his dream in deep grief over and the children of Mu- the killing of Husain. The man hammad, and bring curse asked the Prophet to seek upon those who, after him, forgiveness for his great sin, followed in his footsteps. but the Prophet (SA) an- O my Allah condemn and swered him, “Allah will not damn those conspirators forgive you!” who vexed and harassed Furthermore, we observe the Husain, showed eagerness, deep grief and sorrow which agreed mutually, and Imam Al Sajjad underwent as joined hands to kill him. he spent the rest of his life O my Allah bring curse mourning the tragedy of his upon all of them.” father. We find that his grandson, Imam Jafar Al From these divinely inspired Sadiq (AS) teaches us Ziyarat words, it is crystal clear that in Ashura which is an authentic addition to praying that Allah’s narration relayed to us by an mercy be taken away from infallible personality. Without those who participated in the a doubt, the words of this killing of Husain, we are also Ziyarah is not based on praying that all those who personal vendetta or desire, tread the path of these killers rather it is the divine verdict and all those who showed lack announced in the form of a of enthusiasm or hesitated to supplication and stamped in support Imam Husain (AS) be history for all Muslims to included in this condemnation. absorb. In the last portion of How grave is that sin of killing this Ziyarat, we call out, of Imam Husain such that

51 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

Allah (SWT) condemns all oppression of another be- those who are associated with ing(s), in addition to being that event by far and in the unjust to oneself. The injustice future?! So despicable it is committed in this case is such that even the great sin of directed to the holy grandson committing Shirk by worship- of the Seal of Prophets whom ping the calf is not anywhere he said about his grandson, near its extent of horrendous- “Husain is from me and I ness, and so there is no am from Husain.” supplication propagated to us which prays against the Hence, any offense directed to worshippers of the calf. Husain is equal to an offense committed to Prophet Mu- In addition, if we compare the hammad! After all, Imam two acts of transgression – Husain (AS) represents the worshipping the calf and beautiful manifestation of killing Imam Husain – we will truth, justice, and divine realize that worshipping the perfection; by killing him, all calf constituted an act of these manifestations are also oppression to one’s own self, challenged and destroyed. as Prophet Musa addressed This direct offense to Allah his people, (SWT) by attacking His “O my people! You have divinely appointed representa- surely been unjust to your- tive is worse than those who selves...” killed the camel of Prophet Saleh, which was also a divine By worshipping other than symbol and the consequences God, they have hurt none but were destruction to the people themselves because creation of Thamood within three days is in need of God, and not vice only, without being given a versa. chance for atonement or But the slaughter of Imam repentance! Husain (AS) is tantamount to 52 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

Moreover, the killing of Husain ping other than Allah (SWT), meant the obstruction of the killers of Imam Husain divine light and radiance to (AS) committed a greater type the people of this world. of Shirk by rejecting the Imam Hence, it is oppression com- of their time and more so, mitted not only against the slaughtering him in the most victim himself, but also to brutal and merciless manner! every person who is deprived So great and intense is the of that torch of guidance. If injustice committed in the we analyze the Quranic Karbala tragedy that this is the verses, we will find that only case of transgression indeed Allah (SWT) promised which Imam Al Mahdi (AS) a great punishment for those vowed that he will take who dare to kill His divine vengeance from the killers of guides, whether they are Husain, even after the pas- prophets or Imams. He states sage of time, and he will in Surat Aal Imran, V 21-22: continue to shed tears of “As to those who deny the blood in mourning of his Signs of Allah and in defi- grandfather. Certainly, there is ance of right, slay the no narration that expresses prophets, and slay those with great passion the amount who enjoin justice among of grief over any event as was people, announce to them expresses by Imam As-Sadiq a painful chastisement. when he stated, They are those whose “Surely, there is a burning works will bear no fruit in heat in the hearts of the this world and in the Here- believers with respect to after nor will they have the killing of Husain (AS) anyone to help.” that will never ever cool It is important to note that down!” even though Bani Israel




committed Shirk by worship- 53 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Five Signs of a Believer

Source: www.islamicinsights.com

Every existence is coupled At first glance, one can easily with signs. These signs are a infer that some of the reasons reflection of its essence. Often behind these acts being times, we follow the signs to considered signs of a believer reach the existence; other include that in some cases times we start with the they are considered from the existence and seek the signs. Mustahabbaat, and in others The faith of a Muslim is no cases pay tribute to a repre- different and is accompanied sentative of Allah. by specific signs. However, we shall examine The Qur’an and the narrations these signs from a different of the Infallibles (a.s.) point perspective and hopefully out a variety of signs that we reach a common intersecting Muslims should not only learn, point. but also incorporate into our Praying 51 Rak’at everyday lives. This article will focus on the following narra- The person who is in love with tion that lists five signs of the Allah and wants to reach Allah believer: Imam Hasan al- will seek the path to Him, and Askari (a.s.) says, “The signs prayer is that path. Prayers of the believer are five: include speaking to Allah. praying 51 Rak’at [including Prayers include supplications. mandatory and optional Prayers include deepening our prayers], Ziyarat al-Arba’een, beliefs. When prayer is all that wearing a ring in the right and more, the believers will hand, prostration on dirt, and surely want to fulfill their saying ‘Bismillah hir Rahman obligatory duties – but they nir Raheem‘ in a raised voice.” will not stop there as they will (Wasa’il ush-Shi’a). want to take advantage of 54 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message every opportunity to com- him in her night prayers. His municate with Allah, and the emphasis on the night prayers optional prayer is exactly that: is worth analyzing. opportunity. This alone shows the im- It is the optional prayer that portance of these optional should be the main focus of prayers and a true believer our examination, as it is will not let this opportunity already obvious that praying slip by. But optional prayers the five mandatory prayers is go further than that. Imam Ali part of the circle of Islam. For (a.s.) was struck by Ibn the sake of completeness, the Muljim (l.a.) on the 19th of 34 optional Rak’ats are: 2 Ramadan while the Imam was Rak’ats before Fajr, 8 Rak’ats praying the Nafila of Fajr. before Zuhr, 8 Rak’ats before When one considers that our Asr, 4 Rak’ats after Maghrib, beloved Imam was martyred and 2 Rak’ats from a seated while he was praying the position (thus considered as optional prayers, those who one) after Isha, and 11 love Imam Ali would find it Rak’ats (8 Nafila, 2 Shafa’, 1 only logical to be like him and Witr) for Salat al-Layl. Along follow his ways. It is truly a with the 17 Rak’ats of the five sign of faith when the person mandatory prayers, the total wants to love Allah the way becomes 51 – the count the Imam does, and the referred to by Imam Hasan al- optional prayers help reinforce Askari (a.s.). his/her love for the Imam and ultimately for Allah. The optional prayers have been emphasized by our Ahlul Ziyarat al-Arba’een Bayt (a.s.) on numerous According to history, the 20th occasions, and for the sake of of Safar is the day Jabir ibn example, consider that Imam Abdullah al-Ansari (may Allah Hussain (a.s.) asked Lady be pleased with him) visited Zainab (s.a.) to remember 55 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

Imam Hussain – the first emphasizes that. It is im- Ziyarat (Misbah al- portant to realize that the Mutahajjid). It is also the day term “visiting” is not limited to that the caravan of the Ahlul being physically there (alt- Bayt returned to Karbala from hough it is the best realization Damascus. The person who of visitation); rather, narra- follows the path of Imam tions from the Ahlul Bayt Hussain will want to be part of allow the believers to do that caravan. The 20th of Ziyarat from a distance. Also, Safar was emphasized by the one should not limit the Ahlul Bayt due to the tragedy Ziyarat to only one day of the of “returning to Karbala” after year. In fact, Ziyarat al- the massacre. Visiting Imam Arba’een is to be recited on Hussain on Arba’een follows in the 20th of Safar and on other the footsteps of Lady Zainab days of the year, independent and Imam Sajjad (a.s.). It is a of whether the believer is commemoration of the physically at Karbala or not. tragedy. Who else will want to When done regularly, the bother with the Ziyarat other connection with Imam than those who understand Hussain and the Ahlul Bayt the status of Imam Hussain deepens as the sign of belief and the meanings of his shines. revolution – who else other Ring on Right Hand than those who love Imam Hussain, the Prophet, and the Symbols are common in Ahlul Bayt? And those who today’s world and can be seen love the Prophet and his holy in many different political, household are those who love academic, cultural, profes- Allah. And whoever loves sional and other kinds of them follows them. That is organizations. During the the path of every true believer Battle of Siffin, Amr ibn al-Aas and Imam Hasan al-Askari set a trend by putting his ring on his left hand and falsely 56 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message claimed that Imam Ali not be from clay and we will end up the Imam and the Caliph. The buried in dirt. True believers followers of the Umayyid always remember their dynasty made it a symbol of genesis and their destination. remembering that incident by The prostration on dirt is a wearing rings on their left reminder of that. But the hands. Thus, wearing the ring significance of prostration in the right hand goes beyond goes even further: when this blessings and rewards. It has dirt comes from the holy city become a symbol of following of Karbala, then the prostra- Imam Ali. It is a revolution tion on dirt takes the believer against those who hate our to a much higher level. It Imam. And clearly, those who becomes a form of remember- hate and do not follow the ing the tragedy of Karbala. It Imam have gone astray. On serves as a reminder of how numerous occasions, the Imam Hussain (a.s.) was left Prophet said, “Oh Ali! Only on the blazing desert sands of believers will love you and Karbala for three days. It only hypocrites will hate you.” reminds us of how Shimr (l.a.) (Sahih al-Tirmidhi). slaughtered Imam Hussain from the back of his neck Prostration on Dirt while his was on the ground. The true believer understands Indeed, prostration on dirt is that they are nothing without a connection between us and Allah and their pride and ego Imam Hussain, the Ahlul Bayt is to be put aside when and ultimately Allah. connecting with Allah. When The Basmala the person puts their head on dirt, they are in a position of Finally, the topic of saying humility before Allah. Prostra- “Bismillah hir Rahman nir tion on dirt goes even further Raheem” (the Basmala) has as it represents the beginning been addressed in more detail and end of this life. We began in the article “In the Name of 57 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

Allah“. It is enough to quote into our lives. Wear a ring in the following narration by the right hand – it is such a Imam Ali that ties the Basma- simple task to make a habit la to him: “Know that all the of. Start to pray the optional secrets in the divine books are prayers – the Ghufayla prayer in the Qur’an. All that is in the and Salat al-Layl is a great Qur’an is in al-Fatiha. All that place to begin. Prostrate on a is in al-Fatiha is in the Basma- Turba from Karbala, as it is la. All that is in the Basmala is widely practiced by the in the ‘Baa’ [of ‘Bism’]. All that followers of the Ahlul Bayt, is in the ‘Baa’ is in the dot and so is the loud recitation of under the ‘Baa’. And I am the the Basmala. dot under the ‘Baa’.” (Yana- On the day of Arba’een, the bee al-Mawadda) number of visitors to Karbala The Intersection Point has exceeded 10 million people and Insh’Allah will The completion of the religion continue to increase. We of Islam was the Wilaya of should be putting in the effort Imam Ali (a.s.) and his not to miss out on these great successors. From the above blessings. Along the way, we discussion, it is clear that should always remember our these signs listed by Imam Imams, especially Imam Ali Hasan al-Askari, in one way or (a.s.) and Imam Hussain another, lead us back to our (a.s.), both of whom these infallible Imams. These signs five signs seem to remind us are a source of blessings and of the most. Let us hold tight they are signs of followers of onto these signs and let us do Prophet Mohammad and his our best to be among the true holy family. believers, in this world and In order to be included among the Hereafter. those followers, we should start incorporating these signs

58 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

Throughout the event of Karbala, Sakina's personality Kids shines like a star. On the 10th of Muharram, the kids spoke nothing but Al-Atash Corner Al-Atash. Then came the time when the earth shook and Bibi Sakina (SA) became Shahadat Bibi Sakina an orphan! She was crying Bint Al-Hussain (AS) for her father. Instead of comforting words, Shimr Syeda Sakina Bint al-Husayn (L.A), the most evil of (AS) was the daughter of Yazid's men, slapped Sa- Imam Hussain ibn Ali (AS). kina's face and pulled off She was the most beloved earrings from her ears. daughter of Imam Hussain Little Sakina's ears were (AS). Being the daughter of bleeding. All Sakina wanted the third Imam, she was was her dear father. She different from other ran to the battlefield children of her age in many screaming: "Father, where ways. She was very religious are you? Father, father, and enjoyed reading the speak to me father." Holy Quran and never missed her prayers. From a When she was running very early age, she took aimlessly in the desert she great care to make sure heard her father's voice that her head and body were telling her where he was. properly covered when in She followed the voice and public. Imam Hussain (AS) found her father lying in the was often heard saying, "A desert. house without Sakina (SA) The hardships for Sakina would not be worth living in". never ceased even after 59 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH

Karbala. From Karbala to Sakina was silent for a long Kufa and from Kufa to Syria, time lying with the head. she went through continuous Imam Sajjad (AS) noticed torture and misery. and went to her to feel her forehead. It was cold. It When Yazid heard the news was one of the toughest of the caravan reaching the times for our Imam to outskirts of Damascus, he declare that her 4 year old ordered them to stop, while sister had passed away in he and the people of Damas- the dungeons of Syria. cus prepared for celebra- tions and jubilations. This Bibi Zaynab (SA) held the caravan of holy prisoners still child as Imam Sajjad was made to wait outside (AS) dug a grave for her Damascus for four days. sister. Syeda Sakina's They were treated like clothes were burnt in animals, with their hands Karbala, and due to injuries, tied; and no food or water had intermingled with her was given. flesh. Therefore, she was buried in the same burnt, While the Ahlulbait were in ripped clothes right there in prison, Yazeed ordered the Dungeon of Syria. As Imam Hussain [AS]'s head the grave was being filled up to be sent to the dungeons after the burial the mother so that the continuous let out a scream. All the wailing may stop for some ladies huddled around her, time. Janabe Sakina after and the prison walls began to receiving the head of her shake with the cry, “Ya father sees him in a dream, Sakina, Ya Mazloomah (O in her dream He tells that Sakina! O Oppressed one!)”. he will be here soon. She wakes up searching for him




but, realizes he is gone. 60 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

Hazrat Zainab (S.A.): er, failed to realize that the The Honorable Daugh- Lady he was addressing ter of Imam Ali (A.S.) happened to be the one who would disgrace Yazid and all After the tragedy of Karba- other oppressors through la, Lady Zainab (S.A.) and her firm logic. Ibn Ziyad the other captives were rudely said: “Praise be to brought to the palace of Ibn Allah who disgraced you, and Ziyad. There, Lady Zainab revealed your sayings as (S.A.) disguised herself false.” among the other women. Perhaps Ibn Ziyad thought Once Ibn Ziyad noticed her, that one who is martyred in he asked: “Who is that the way of fighting falsity is disguised woman?” No one in fact disgraced, and his or answered him; so he repeat- her sayings are proven as ed his question. Then, one of false. Or maybe he knew the his servants replied: “She is truth, but spoke as such in Zainab, the daughter of order to deviate the mind of Fatimah, daughter of the people and invert the reali- Messenger of Allah”. ties, knowing that he at- Ibn Ziyad recognized this tributed his sayings to Allah honored Lady, and decided (SWT). In spite of that, to express his joy of victory Lady Zainab (S.A.) immedi- in front of the honorable ately frustrated his conspir- daughter of Imam Ali (A.S.). acy by replying: “Praise be to Through addressing Lady Allah who has honored us Zainab (S.A.) he planned to with His Messenger, and take advantage of the purified us from impurity. opportunity and advertise The one who is disgraced is the cruel and disgraced certainly the libertine, and tyranny of Yazid. He howev- the one who lies is the lewd;

61 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH and we are not such people. Zainab (S.A.). He however Praise be to Allah.” ceased to do such as one of his army generals, who was Ibn Zyad, who never ex- present there, calmed him pected to be talking to such a down and prevented him knowledgeable and coura- from doing so. geous woman, changed the subject and said: “How did




you find the way Allah treat- Arba'een ed your brother and your Aamal & Ziyarat family?” Lady Zainab (S.A.), with a tone full of pride and 20th Safar is the day of power, indicating her faith Arba'een, the 40th day and submission towards Allah after the martyrdom of (SWT), answered: Imam Hussain (a.s.), his friends and relatives in “I saw nothing but beauty. Karbala on 10th Muharram. …They rushed towards their graves (with honor). But According to Imam Hassan know that Allah will judge al-Askari (a.s.) the signs of a between you and them, and believer are five things: He will call you to account; so 1. Performing 51 rakats of be worried about the winner salat daily (17 rakat wajib & at that day (either it will be 34 rakat nafilah) you or them). O son of 2. Reciting Ziyarat (of Imam Marjanah! May your mother Hussain [a.s.]) on Arba’een. be mournful for you.” 3. Wearing a ring in the right These few statements were hand. so powerful that as the 4. Placing the forehead on dust. historians mention, they 5. Saying "Bismillah Hir made Ibn Ziyad so angry Rahman Nir Raheem" aloud that he decided to kill Lady in Namaz.




62 Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH The Message

28th Safar - Martyr- possessed the highest dom of Prophet Mu- status of all men, he was hammad (S) & Imam humble and as simple as a Hasan Mujtaba (A.S.) common man. 28th Safar is the grim date In his last moments, Prophet on the Islamic calendar that Muhammad (S) was in the represents the passing away company of Hazrat Fatima of Prophet Muhammad (S) (S.A). She heard a knock on and his grandson Imam Hasan the door and someone sought ibn Ali (A.S). No words can permission to enter. Bibi ever do justice to the life Fatima (S.A) said, "I am busy and character of Prophet talking to my father. Don`t Muhammad (S). Through him, disturb us". The visitor Allah showered his kindness knocked again, and got the and blessings on the people same answer. The third time of this world. There is no when this happened, the way to sum up the life of Prophet (S) said to Bibi Muhammad (S) except Fatima (S.A) "O my dear perhaps by a Hadith narrat- daughter, the angel of death ed by himself when a group is on the door and it is a of companions asked him to great privilege of your house curse the infidels, and his and of you that he is seeking response was: "I am not sent your permission to do what for this; nor was I sent but he has been ordered by Allah as mercy to mankind." to do. He does not seek permission from anyone else. Prophet Muhammad (S) O my daughter, my time to spent his entire life for the leave this earth has come cause of Islam. His exempla- and I must answer the call of ry character throughout his Allah and submit to His will. life inspired people in the Please allow the angel of hundreds. Even though he 63 The Message Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1438 AH death to enter and carry out (A.S) was drinking it, his his task." Bibi Fatima (S.A) liver tore its pieces fell into started weeping and the the milk pot. Prophet (S) departed leaving After his martyrdom, he was her in tears. not allowed to be buried What was more troublesome close to the Prophet Mu- was that after the Prophet hammad (S) despite that (S) passed away, only a being his will. His janaza was handful of followers were stopped by a group of Bani present at his Namaz e Umayyah. The followers of Janaza, and the rest were Imam Ali (A.S) tried to take busy deciding succession of his janaza several times to the caliphate of Islam. Such the Hujra of Prophet Mo- is the story of Islam after hammad (S) for burial but Prophet Muhammad (S), they could not. In the final where his Ahl e Bait (A.S) effort, the janaza was were constantly denied their attacked by arrows and rights and oppressed. according to a tradition, 70 arrows pierced in the body Several years later on 28th of Imam Hasan (A.S). Safar 50 Hijri, Imam Hasan Finally, he had to be buried (A.S) embraced martyrdom. in the darkness of the night Imam Hasan (A.S) had a in Jannat-ul-Baqi. wife named Jada binte Ash’as bin Qais. She was May Allah (S.W.T.) curse bribed to poison the Imam the enemies of Ahl e Bait on promise of a handsome (A.S), and give us the amount of cash and marriage courage to honor the life of with Yazid (L.A). She poi- Prophet Muhammad (S) by soned Imam Hasan (A.S) in shaping our lives according milk with a poison called to his Sunnah. Ameen. "Hilahil" and while Imam




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