PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR 1 Message of Cordiality A Scientific - Promotional Quarterly VOL. 2, N0. 6 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2011 (MEHR – ABAN 1390) PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E 22 Editor in Chief: Hossein Divsalar Payam-e Mehr Book Title: March 2012 Assistant Editor: Zainab Javier Date of Publication:Cultural Section Embassy Content Editor: Publisher: Jafar Tolabi of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Manila, Philippines2094-2508 Contributors: ISSN: Al-Tawhid Editors Dr. M. Ayoub Martyr Ayatollah Murtada Mutahhari Mulla Bashir Rahim Islamic Wisdom Editors Interested parties may contact the Cultural Section at: No. 16 Sta. Potenciana St., Urdaneta Village, Makati City Tel. nos. 812 5696 / 812 5697 Fax no. 812 2796 Email: [email protected] [email protected] PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E A Scientific – Promotional Quarterly 3 VOL. 2, N0. 6 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2011 3 (MEHR – ABAN 1390) PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E 4 4 PAYAM-E-MEHR A Scientific – Promotional Quarterly VOL. 2, N0. 6 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2011 (MEHR – ABAN 1390) Payam-e-Mehr: is a scientific- promotional quarterly aimed to create links, dialogues and exchanges between academicians and readers of varied persuasions through comparative and in- depth studies from different perspectives covering a broad spectrum of subjects like religion, literature, culture and art, philosophy, women issues, Islamic sciences, history, and international relations. The views expressed in this journal reflect the opinions of the authors and may not be regarded as espousing the official stance of the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran here in Manila, Philippines. Compensation for the authors of articles appearing herein will be based on the evaluation of the Council of Writers. PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E 5 PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E MEHR 66 EDITORIAL Note: Imam Hussain: Views of Non-Muslim Love Manifest Scholars By: Hossein Divsalar By: The Islamic Wisdom MESSAGES: BOOK REVIEW: Muharram Imam Ali’s Letter of Policy By: Al-Tawhid Editors The Spread of Islam The Excellences of Imam Husayn in Sunni Hadith Tradition By: Dr. M. Ayoub Ashura: Misrepresentations and Distortions By: Martyr Ayatollah Murtada Mutahhari The History and Philosophy of Aza of Imam Husayn (a.s.) By: Mulla Bashir Rahim PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E Love Manifest 7 Actions speak louder than words… so goes the popular adage that is accepted by all regardless of religious, political or racial background. Though words may far outweigh actions in terms of quantity expended, the annals of history bear witness to the fact that the dynamic landscape of human saga is supreme manifestation of his love for the made meaningful by the actions men have Truth. With his blood, and the blood of his taken so as to uphold the convictions they family and friends, he made a signature hold dear. attesting his love for the Lord Who created man and the entire cosmos. The deeper the belief in the ideal, the greater the sacrifices man is willing to We have dedicated this issue of undergo to pursue and safeguard that belief. Payam-e Mehr to present the reality about With the energies expended more focused, Imam Hussain (P.B.U.H.) and his heroic act sacrifices in the name and for the sake of culminating in the desert sands of Karbala lofty ideals stand the test of time, with effects on the fateful day of Ashura, so as to acquaint lasting longer than actions done without our Filipino readers with an ideal dearly held much deep rooting. not just in our country, Iran, but also by Muslims from other parts of the world. Foremost in the catalog of sacrifices in human history are the sacrifices done by We are optimistic that this would the grandson of the Holy Prophet pave the way for better understanding, closer Muhammad (S.A.W.), Imam Hussain relations and cooperation amongst peoples (P.B.U.H.), in his ultimate bid to safeguard of diverse orientation. the true message of Islam. HOSSEIN DIVSALAR His action, and those of his family and followers who were with him, is the Editor in Chief PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E 8 Muharram by Al-Tawhid Editors Published by: Al-Tawhid, A Quarterly Journal of Islamic Thought & Culture Vol. II, No. 1, Muharram 1405 PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E 9 Significance of the Months of Muharram & Safar in Islam The months of Muharram and Safar offer the yearly opportunity to commemorate the martyrdom of al Husayn ibn ‘Ali (A), the grandson of the Prophet (S) and the third Imam of the Shiite Muslims, at Karbala’ on the tenth of Muharram in the year 61. The tragedy and heroism of the event, the resistance and self sacrifice of the martyrs, are remembered during these days by the Shi‘ah and the Ahl al Sunnah alike, and by the Shi‘ah with a special ardour, fervour and enthusiasm. It would not be an exaggeration Significance of the Month for to say that the ardour and enthusiasm Shi’ah Muslims inspired by the martyrs of Karbala’ is something unsurpassed in the history of religions. No individual or group in Mourning ceremonies are held by the history of the world has attracted Muslims throughout Muharram and Safar, such sustained admiration and love in and in gatherings which are called ‘majalis’ the hearts of their followers as the (sing. majlis) elegies are recited and sermons martyrs of Karbala’ and in particular the are delivered from the minbar, the Islamic figure of al Husayn ibn ‘Ali (A), an pulpit, in which the sufferings undergone by admiration which has not dwindled in al Imam al Husayn, the members of his the course of more than thirteen and a household and his companions are narrated. half centuries that have elapsed since For the Shi’ah sect, the majlis and the that event. PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E 1010 sermons delivered therein are the primary devoted obedience to the wajib al source of religious education for the ‘ita’ah (i.e. those whose obedience is children, the illiterate and even educated obligatory) Imams of the Household of the adults. However, with the general decline Prophet (A). But its meaning has gradually and deterioration in the Muslim Ummah, of degenerated into a mere emotional which the Shi’ah community is a part, the attachment for the Ahl al Bayt (A), devoid great educative potential of the majlis has of any sense of ethical or social responsibility slowly eroded to the extent that not only has for the present day condition of Islam and the great educative purpose that lies behind Muslims. We, the self declared Shi’ah of al mourning for al--Imam al Husayn been Husayn ibn ‘Ali (A), should pause and forgotten, but it has also become a platform meditate on the answer given by him to a for intensification of sectarian animosities man who proclaimed to the Imam, “O son and propagation of misconceived beliefs that of the Prophet, I am one of your Shi’ah.” conflict with the spirit of Islam. With the Al Husayn ibn ‘Ali (A) said to him: general decline of the Islamic culture there has been a parallel deterioration in the educative level of the sermons that are Fear God, and do not make such a delivered from the minbar. The spreading claim that God, the Almighty, should say ignorance and inertia of the majlis audience to you, “You lied insolently by making this has diminished demands on the learning and claim.” Indeed our Shi’ah is one whose capacity of the religious speaker, called heart is free from every kind of deception, ‘dhakir’ in India and Pakistan and rawdeh adulteration, hatred, malice, and khan in Iran and Iraq. The lamentable corruption. If you are not such then say, ignorance of the masses and the deplorable “I am one of your admirers and negligence or absence of the sense of duty supporters.” on the part of many dhakirs have converted most majalis into mere sources of nourish-ment of sectarian conceits and delusions. Shi’ism implies a voluntary and aware choice to shoulder greater responsibility as member of the Ummah and PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E PAYAM-E MEHR PAYAM-E 11 The Responsibility of the Dhakir opaque to human understand-ing, a book so holy that it is impertinent even to try to The Qur’an repeatedly calls its understand it. audience to meditate about its verses and to draw instruction from them: What, do they not meditate in the The Duty of Enjoining Good and Quran? .... (4:82) Forbidding Evil What do they not meditate in the Quran? Or is it that there are locks upon The Qur’an and hadith lay great their hearts? (47:24) emphasis on the duty of al ‘amr bil ma’ruf A Book We have sent down to thee, wa al nahy `an al munkar, and it is blessed, that men of understanding may recognized as one of the most important ponder its verses and so remember.(38:29) duties of Muslims in general and the `ulama’ in particular. Unfortunately this duty is discreetly Whereas the Holy Book calls the shunned by the dhakir who is averse to believers to emulate the Prophet (S) as the disturb the complacence of his audience and sublimest model of humanhood: to venture to guide them at the cost of his You have a good example in God’s own popularity. The strategy of con-nivance, Messenger for whosoever hopes for God though full of perils in the Hereafter, yields and the Last Day, and remembers God immediate returns.