Ali Ibn Hussain A.S in the Court of Yazeed

"Those who know me, know me. Those who do not, then know that I am the son of Mecca and Mina. I am the son of Zamzam and Safa. I am the son of he who gave Zakat to the poor. I am the son of the best of those who have ever put on Ihram and performed ceremonies of Hajj. I am the son of he who was taken on the night journey from house of Allah to the Mosque of Aqsa and then to Miraj. I am the son of he who was taken around by Gibrael to the Lote-tree of the boundary (Sidratul Muntaha).
"I am the son of Muhammad Mustafa(pbuh&hf). I am the son of Ali Al-Murtaza(a.s.) who fought the polytheists in the battle till they submitted to Islam and fought in the presence of the Prophet until his sword was broken and to whom Zulfeqar was given. I am the son of he who had the honour to migrate twice in Islam. I am the son of Fatima the best women of the world...".
The effect of the speech was so powerful that everybody in the Mosque began to weep and to blame Yazid. Yazid was afraid that if the Imam continued his speech, there would be a revolution and revolt. At the same time Yazid could not stop the Imam and get him down from the Mimber. He therefore ordered a "Muazzin" to give Azan, knowing that this would automatically cut the Imam's speech. But he underestimated the Imam's bravery and intelligence. The Imam stopped his speech but did not get down from the Mimber. When the Muazzin said " Allahu Akber" the Imam testified Allah's greatness. When the Muazzin said, "Ash hadu anna Muhammaddan Rasulullah", the Imam stopped the Muazzin from going any further. He then turned to Yezid and asked him:
"Tell me o Yazid, was Muhammad(pbuh&hf) your grandfather or mine? If you say he was your grandfather it will be an open lie and if you say he was my grandfather then why have you killed his son and imprisoned his family? Why have you killed my father and brought his women and children to this city as prisoners??"

Defending Hussainiat: Hazrat Zainab in the court of yazeed

When they reached the outskirts of Damascus they were made to halt. Yazid was informed of their arrival and he fixed a date for their entry into the city. On the morning of the appointed day, the members of the family of the Holy Prophet [s.a.w.] were led into Damascus. They were tied with ropes and herded together like goats. If anyone stumbled she was whipped. The city streets had been decorated and the sound of music filled the air. People came out in throngs wearing festive clothes and rejoiced when they saw the procession, preceded as always by the heads of the martyrs.

Bearing themselves with dignity and self-respect, the prisoners were paraded through Damascus. Zaynab [a.s.] even cast aside the offerings of food that some of them out of compassion offered them. The son of an enemy of the Prophet [s.a.w.] who had waged war with Imam Ali [a.s.] was among the crowds.

When he saw Imam Zayn ul-Abidin [a.s.] he jeeringly asked him who was now victorious. In reply the Imam said: "If you wish to find out who has been victorious, do so when it is time for prayer and the Adhan and Iqamat are recited." In this manner the captives were paraded until the afternoon when they reached the palace of Yazid. There he was seated on his throne and was much pleased when he saw the forty-four bound captives arrive. The head of Husayn was then brought to him on a golden tray. He struck the Imam's teeth with his stick and said:

"O Husayn! You have paid the price of your revolt." When Zaynab [a.s.] and her companions saw this show of arrogance they burst into tears and there were many present who were ashamed. But Yazid carried on gloating over his victory.

He said to his subjects:

"My ancestors who were killed at Badr have been avenged today. Now it is clear that the Bani Hashim had just staged a play to gain power and there was never any divine revelation."

Zaynab [a.s.] however was not afraid. She drew herself up and boldly said for all to hear:

"Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and blessings on my grandfather, the Chief of divine prophets."

"O Yazid, Allah says, and his word is true, that: 'Then evil was the end of those who did evil because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them' [30:10]." "O Yazid, do you believe that you have succeeded in closing the sky and the earth for us and that we have become your captives just because we have been brought before you in a row and that you have secured control over us? Do you believe that we have been afflicted with insult and dishonour by Allah and that you have been given honour and respect by Him? You have become boastful of this apparent victory that you have secured and you have started feeling jubilant and proud over this prestige and honour. You think that you have achieved worldly good, that your affairs have become stabilised and our rule has fallen into your hands. Wait for a while. Do not be so joyful. Have you forgotten Allah's saying: 'The unbelievers should not carry the impression that the time allowed to them by us is good for them. Surely we give them time so that they may increase their evil deeds, and eventually they will be given insulting chastisement' [3:178]."

"O son of freed slaves, is this your justice that you keep your own daughters and slave maids veiled while the daughters of the Prophet of Allah are being paraded from place to place exposed."

"You have dishonoured us by unveiling our faces. Your men take us from town to town where all sorts of people, whether they be residents of the hills or of riversides have been looking at us."

"The near as well as the remote ones, the poor as well as the rich, the low as well as the high - all casting their glances at us while our position is such that there is no male relative of ours to render us help or support."

"O Yazid, whatever you have done proves your revolt against Allah and your denial of His Prophet [s.a.w.] and of the Book and Sunnah that the Holy Prophet [s.a.w.] brought from Allah. Your deeds should not cause amazement because one whose ancestors chewed the livers of the martyrs, whose flesh grew up on virtuous people, who fought against the Chief of divine prophets, who mobilised parties for fighting against him and drew swords against him, should conspicuously excel all Arabs in unbelief, sinfulness, excesses, and enmity against Allah and His Prophet [s.a.w.]."

"Remember that the evil deeds and sinful actions that you have committed are the result of unbelief and old rancour you bear because of your ancestors who were killed in Badr."

"One who cast his glance of enmity, malice and rancour upon us does not lag behind in practising enmity against us. He proves his unbelief, declares it with his tongue and jubilantly proclaims: 'I have killed the sons of the Prophet [s.a.w.] of Allah and made his progeny captive,' and wishes that his ancestors had lived to see his achievement and to have exclaimed, 'O Yazid, may your hands not lose their strength, you have wreaked good vengeance on our behalf.'"

"O Yazid, you are striking the lips of Imam Husayn with your stick in front of this crowd while these very lips used to be kissed by the Prophet [s.a.w.] of Allah, and yet your face reflects pleasure and happiness." "By my life, by killing the chief of youths of Paradise, the son of the chief of Arabs (Ali [a.s.]) and the shining sun of the progeny of Abd ul-Muttalib, you have deepened our wound and uprooted us completely."

"By killing Hussain ibn Ali [a.s.] you have gained nearness to the state of your unbelieving ancestors. You proclaim your deed with pride and if they were to see you they would approve of your action and pray that Allah may not paralyse your arms."

"O Yazid! If you had heart enough to take account of your nefarious deeds, you yourself would surely wish your arms to be paralysed and severed from your elbow and you would wish that your parents had not given birth to you because you would know that Allah has become displeased with you. Allah, Grant us our rights. Avenge those who have oppressed us."

"O Yazid! you did what you wished, but remember that you have cut your own skin and your own flesh to pieces. Soon you will be brought before the Holy Prophet. You will be overburdened with the weight of your sins committed by shedding the blood of his progeny and by dishonouring his family. The place to which you will be taken will be before all the members of his family. The oppressed will be avenged and the enemies will be punished."

"O Yazid ! It is not seeming for you to swell with joy after slaying the Prophet's progeny. 'Reckon not those who are killed in Allah's way as dead; nay, they are alive and are provided sustenance from their Lord; rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace' [3:169-170]."

"Allah is sufficient to deal with you. The Messenger of Allah is your antagonist and Hadrat Jibra'il is our support and help against you."

"Those who have made you the head of state and burdened the Muslims with your leadership will soon find out what awaits them. The end of all tyrants is agony."

"O Yazid. I speak not to you thus to warn you of the severe chastisement in store for you so that you should be regretful for you are one of those whose hearts are hardened, souls are rebellious and whose bodies are busy in Allah's disobedience while they are under the curse of the Prophet of Allah. You are from among those in whose heart Shaytan has made his abode and has been breeding young ones."

"How amazing it is that the virtuous people, sons of the divine prophets and vicegerents are killed at the hands of liberated slaves, evil-doers and sinners. Our blood is shed by their hands and our flesh serves as food for them. We feel grieved for those whose bodies are lying unshrouded and unburied in the battlefield, wounded with arrows."

"O Yazid, if you consider our defeat as your achievement then you will have to pay its price."

"Allah commits not injustice to His servants. Our reliance is on Allah. He alone is our Relief and place of Protection, and in Him alone do we repose our hope."

"You may contrive and try however much you can. By Him who honoured us with revelation, the Book and Prophethood, you cannot achieve our status, nor reach our position, nor can you effect our mention, nor remove from yourself that shame and dishonour that is now your lot because of perpetrating excess and oppression on us. Your word now is weak and your days are counted. Beware of the day when the announcer would announce the curse of Allah on the oppressors and the unjust."

"Praise be to Allah who gave good end to His friends and granted them success in their aims, and thereafter called them back to His Mercy, Pleasure and Bliss, while you hurled yourself into evil and mischief by committing injustice against them. We pray to Allah to favour us with full recompense through them and grant us the good of Khilafat and Imamat. Surely Allah is Kind and the Most Merciful over His creatures." Among the gathering was a red haired Syrian who saw Fatima Kubra, daughter of Imam Husayn and asked Yazid to give her to him. When the girl heard this she clung to Zaynab [a.s.] and started to weep.

She feared that now after the loss of her father she was to be made a slave girl. Zaynab [a.s.] was not afraid. She turned to Yazid and told him that he had neither right nor authority to give the young girl away like that, at which he bristled, retorting that he could do so. Zaynab [a.s.] riposted,

"You are abusing me because of your authority and power." At this Yazid was shamed into silence.

To the Syrian she said: "My the curse of Allah be upon you. May hell be your eternal abode. May your eyes be blinded and your limbs paralysed." Immediately paralysis gripped the man and he fell to the ground dead.

Yazid was so enraged with Zaynab bold defiance of his authority that he might have ordered her killed had not Abdullah ibn Umar ibn Aas intervened and begged that no notice be taken of her harsh words since she had suffered much grief and hardship and was broken-hearted.

Imam Zayn ul-Abidin [a.s.] would also have suffered death at the hands of Yazid on account of his fearless speech, had not Zaynab [a.s.] saved his life by begging Yazid to slay her also along with the boy. Yazid was moved by her love for the boy and spared his life. But death nevertheless took its toll. Sakina, daughter of Imam Husayn, died in captivity in Damascus at the age of four and was buried there.

Through Zaynab's bold and fearless speeches and from the word that spread as a result of their journey, people came to know of the events of Karbala and their hearts were stirred. The continued captivity and humiliation of the family of the Prophet of Allah was bringing their cause to the attention of an ever increasing number of people. Word came to Yazid that there was turmoil and unrest in the realm and he decided to release the captives. When it seemed to him that the Ahl ul-Bayt had been adequately humiliated, and upon the urgings of certain people who were alert to the public's growing dissension upon learning the truth, Yazid sent for Imam Zayn ul-Abidin [a.s.].

He informed him of his impending release and asked if he wished for anything. The youth said he would have to consult his aunt Zaynab [a.s.]. Arrangements were made and she arrived, properly veiled. She asked,

"O Yazid, since the day our leader and our chief Husayn was butchered we have not had any opportunity to mourn for him."

A large house was therefore provided for them in the residential sector of Damascus and here Zaynab [a.s.] held her first gathering for the mourning and remembrance (majlis-e-aza) of Imam Husayn. The women of the Quraysh and Bani Hashim arrived clad in black, with their heads uncovered, weeping wretchedly. Imam Zayn ul-Abidin [a.s.] sat on the carpet of Imam Husayn and then Zaynab [a.s.] told the women of Syria what had befallen them. They shed tears and mourned. They had not known about the events of Karbala and Kufa, but when they went home they told their menfolk.

Gradually illusions of Yazid's good intentions were dispelled. It was fear of revolt that caused Yazid to release the members of the family of the Holy Prophet [s.a.w.].

abstracts from the book:" The Victory of Truth: The Life of Zaynab bint 'Ali ".

with thanks from http://www.al-islam.org/victory/

entirely for easy reading and no commercial purpose.

What is Ashoura

In the month of Muharram 61 AH (approx. 20 October 680 AD), an event took place in Iraq at a place known as Kerbala on the bank of the river Euphrates. It seemed in those days insignificant from the historical point of view. A large army which had been mobilised by the Umayyad regime besieged a group of persons numbering less than a hundred and put them under pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph of the time and submit to his authority. The small group resisted and a severe battle took place in which they were all killed.It appeared at that time that like hundreds of similar events, this battle would be recorded in history and forgotten in time. However, the events that occurred on the 10th day of Muharram in Kerbala were to become a beacon and an inspiration for future generations. In this article, we shall examine briefly the principal adversaries.

Who is Hussain?

The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Kerbala was none other than Husain (A), son of Ali bin Abi Talib (A) and grandson of the Holy Prophet (S). Who was Husain? He was the son of Fatima (A) for whom the Holy Prophet (S) said, "Husain is from me and I am from Husain. May God love whoever loves Husain." [1]With the passing away of his brother Hasan(A) in 50 AH, Husain (A) became the leader of the household of the Holy Prophet (S). He respected the agreement of peace signed by Hasan (A) and Muawiya, and, despite the urging of his followers, he did not undertake any activity that threatened the political status quo. Rather he continued with the responsibility of looking after the religious needs of the people and was recognised for his knowledge, piety and generosity. An example of the depth of his perception can be seen in his beautiful du'a on the day of Arafat, wherein he begins by explaining the qualities of Allah, saying:" (Oh Allah) How could an argument be given about Your Existence by a being whose total and complete existence is in need of you? When did you ever disappear so that you might need an evidence and logic to lead (the people) towards You? And when did You ever become away and distant so that your signs and effects made the people get in touch with you? Blind be the eye which does not see You (whereas) You are observing him. What did the one who missed You find? And what does the one who finds You lack? Certainly, the one who got pleased and inclined toward other than You, came to nothingness (failed)."On the other hand, we have Yazid, whose father (Muawiya) and grandfather (Abu Sufyan - the arch-enemy of the Prophet) had always tried to sabotage the mission of the Holy Prophet, and who showed his true colour by stating in a poem, "Bani Hashim had staged a play to obtain kingdom, there was neither any news from God nor any revelation." [2]Mas'udi writes that Yazid was a pleasure-seeking person, given to wine drinking and playing with pets. It is no wonder that Husain's response to Yazid's governor, when asked to pay allegiance to Yazid was, "We are the household of the prophethood, the source of messengership, the descending-place of the angels, through us Allah had began (showering His favours) and with us He has perfected (His favours), whereas Yazid is a sinful person, a drunkard, the killer of innocent people and one who openly indulges in sinful acts. A person like me can never pledge allegiance to a person like him ..." [3]The revolution of Husain (A) was an Islamic movement spearheaded by one of the great leaders of Islam. The principles and laws of Islam demanded that Husain (A) act to warn the Ummah of the evil situation which it was in, and to stand in the way of the deviating ruler. As Husain (A) himself remarked when he left Madina for the last time, "I am not rising (against Yazid) as an insolent or an arrogant person, or a mischief-monger or tyrant. I have risen (against Yazid) as I seek to reform the Ummah of my grandfather. I wish to bid the good and forbid the evil." [4]Hussain (A) was killed on the battlefield as he did Sajdah. His head was removed from his body on the plains of Kerbala, mounted on a spear, and paraded through villages and towns as it was taken to Damascus and presented at the feet of Yazid.

Why remember Ashura?

Why is Husain (A) regarded as the "leader of the martyrs" ? It is because he was not just the victim of an ambitious ruler. There is no doubt that the tragedy of Kerbala, when ascribed to the killers, is a criminal and terrible act. However when ascribed to Husain (A) himself, it represents a conscious confrontation and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The whole nation had failed to stand up to Yazid. They had succumbed to his will, and deviation and regression towards the pre-Islamic ways were increasing.Passiveness by Husain (A) in this situation would have meant the end of Islam as we know it. Thus Husain (A) took upon himself the responsibility of the whole nation. The greatest tragedy was that one who stood up for the noblest of causes, the defence of Islam, was cut down in so cruel a manner.It is for this reason that the sacrifice of Husain (A) is commemorated annually throughout the Muslim world. Our sorrow never abates as we relive the tragedy. As Allama Iqbal says in his Baqiyat (in Urdu):Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main,Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujheyI am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of KerbalaWon't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser (Imam Ali (A))The commemoration of Ashura on the 10th of Muharram every year serves to remind us of the sacrifices of the family of the Prophet (S). It also makes us aware of the people, then and now, who tried to destroy Islam and the family of the Prophet (S) and all that they stood for - as well as those who watched, listened and did nothing.

References:

[1] Ibn Majah: Sunan, Hadith 144.[2] Ibn Jarir: Tarikhu'l Umam wa'l Muluk, vol.13, p.2174.[3] Sayyid ibn Ta'us: Maqtalu'l Husain, pp.10-11[4] Al-Khatid al-Khuwarazmi: Maqtalu'l Husain ,vol.1, p.88.

with thanks from:

http://www.shiachat.com/

Marsia: Mir Anis

Jab qata ki masafat e shab aaftaab ne

Jalwa kiya sahar ke rukhe behijaab ne

Dekha suwe falaq Shahe gardoon raqaab ne

Mudh kar sada rafeeqo ko di us janaab ne

Aakhir hai raat hamd o sanaye Khuda karo

Utho fareezaye sahri ko ada karo

Haan ghaaziyon ye din hai jidaal o qitaal ka

Yaan khoon bahega aaj Mohammad ki aal ka

Chehra khushi se surkh hai Zahra ke laal ka

Guzri shabe firaaq din aaya visaal ka

Hum wo hain gham karenge malak jin ke waastey

Raatein tadap ke kaati hai is din ke waastey

Ye sunke bistaron se uthe wo Khuda shinaas

Ek ek ne zebe jism kiya fakhira libaas

Shane muhasino mein kiye sab ne be hiraas

Baandhe amame aaye imame zaman ke paas

Rangeen abaayein dosh pe kamre kasey huwe

Muskh o zibaad o itr mein kapde basey huwe

Khaime se nikle Shah ke azizaane khush khisaal

Jin mein kayi thyy Hazrate Khairun nisa ke laal

Qasim sa gul badan Ali Akbar sa khush jamaal

Ek jaa Aqeel o Muslim o Jafar ke nau nihaal

Sab ke rukhon ka noor sipahre bareen pa tha

Athara aaftaabon ka ghuncha zameen pa tha

Nagaah charkh par khate abyaz huwa ayaan

Tashreef jaanemaaz pe laaye Shahe zamaan

Sajjade bich gaye aqabe Shahe ins o jaan

Saute Hasan se Akbar e Mahrooh ne di azaan

Har ek ki chashm aansuon se dab daba gayi

Goya sada Rasool ki kaano mein aagayi

Namoose Shaah rotey thay khaime mein zaar zaar

Chupke khadi thi sahn mein bano e naamdaar

Zainab balayein leke ye kahti thi baar baar

Sadqe namazion ke muazzin ke main nisaar

Karte hain yun sana o sifat Zul Jalaal ki

Logon azaan suno meri yousuf jamaal ki

Ye husn e saut aur ye qirat ye shad o madd

Haqqa ke afsahul fusuha thay inhi ke jadd

Goya hai lahn e Hazrat e Dawoode ba khirad

Ya Rab rakh is sada ko zamane mein taa abad

Shu’be sada mein pankhdiyan jaise phool mein

Bul bul chahak raha hai riyaaz e Rasool mein

Saf mein huwa jo naraye qad qaamatis salaat

Qaim huwi namaaz uthey Shahe qainaat

Wo noor ki safein wo musalli falak sifaat

Sardaar ke qadam ke taley thi rahe nijaat

Jalwa tha ta ba arshe mu’alla Hussain ka

Mus haf ki lauh thi ke musalla Hussain ka

Quran khula hua ke jama’at ki thi namaaz

Bismillah aagey jaise ho yun thay Shahe hijaaz

Satrein thi ya safein aqab e Shahe sarfaraaz

Karti thi khud namaaz bhi inki adaa pe naaz

Sadqe sahar bayaaz pe bainas sutoor ki

Sab aayatein thi mus hafe naatikh ki noor ki

Dunya se uth gaya wo qayaam aur wo qaood

Inke liye thi bandagi wajibul wujood

Wo ajz wo taweel ruku aur wo sujood

Ta’at mein neest jaantey thay apni hast o bood

Taqat na chalne phirne ki thi haath paon mein

Gir gir ke sajde karte thay taghoon ki chaon mein

Farigh huwe namaaz se jab qibla o anaam

Aaye musafahe ko jawaanan e tashnakaam

Chume kise ne dast e Shahinshaah e khaas o aam

Aakhein miley kisi ne qadam par ba ehteraam

Kya dil they kya sipaah e rasheed o sayeed thi

Ba ham mu’anaqe they ke marne ki eid thi

Zaari thi ilteja thi munajaat thi

idhar Waan sar kashi o zulm o ta’addi o shor o shar

Kahta tha ibne saad ye jaa jaa ke nahr par

Ghatoon se hoshiyaar tarayi se ba khabar

Do roz se hai tashna dahani Hussain ko

Haan martey dam bhi deejiyo na pani Hussain ko

Baithey thay jaanemaaz pe Shahe falak sareer

Nagaah qareeb aake girey teen chaar teer

Dekha har ek ne mudhke suwe lashkar e kaseer

Abbas uthey tol ke shamsheer be nazeer

Parwane they siraaj e imamat ke noor par

Rokey sipar huzoor karamat zahoor par

Akbar se mudhke kahne lage Sarware zamaan

Baandhe hai sarkashi pa kamar lashkare giraan

Tum jaake kahdo khaime mein ye ay pidar ki jaan

Bachon ko leke sahn se hat jaaye bibiyaan

Ghaflat mein teer se koi bacha talaf na ho

Dar hai mujhe ke gardane Asghar hadaf na ho

Kahte they ye pisar se Shahe aasmaan sareer

Fizza pukari deodhi se ay khalq ke ameer

Hai hai Ali ki betiyaan kis jaa ho goshgeer

Asghar ke gahware tak aakar girey hain teer

Garmi se saari raat ye ghut ghut ke roye hain

Bachey abhi tou sard hawa paake soye hain

Baqir kahin pada hai Sakina kahin hai ghash

Garmi ki fasl ye tab o taab aur ye atash

Ro ro ke sogaye hain sagheerane maahwash

Bachon ko leke yaan se kahan jaaye faqa kash

Ye kis khata pe teer piya pe barastey hain

Thandi hawa ke waastey bachhey taraste hain

Uthey ye shor sunke Imame falaq viqaar

Deodhi tak aaye dhalon ko roke rafiq o yaar

Farmaya mudhke chaltey hain ab bahre kaarzaar

Kamre kasoo jihaad pe mangwao raahwaar

Dekhein fizaa behisht ki dil baagh baagh ho

Ummat ke kaam se kahin jaldi firaagh ho

Khaime mein jaake Shay ne ye dekha haram ka haal

Chahre tou faqq hai aur…

Zainab ki ye dua thi ke ay Rabbe Zuljalaal

Bach jaaye is fasaad se khairun nisa ka laal

Bano e naik naam ki kheti hari rahey

Sandal se maang bachon se godhi bhari rahey

Boley qareeb jaake Shahe aasmaan janaab

Muztar na ho dua’en hain tum sab ki mustajaab

Maghroor hain khata pe ye sab khanuma kharaab

Khud jaake mein dikhata hoon inko rahe sawaab

Mauqa nahi bahan abhi faryaad o aah ka

Laao tabarrukaat Risaalat panaah ka

Meraaj mei Rasool ne pahna tha jo libaas

Kashti mein laayi Zainab usey Shahe deen ke paas

Sar par rakha amamae Sardare haq shinaas

Pahni qaba e paak Rasoole falaq asaas

Bar mei durust o chust tha jama Rasool ka

Rumaal Fatima ka amama Rasool ka

Kapdoon se aa rahi thi Rasoole zaman ki bu

Dulha ne sunghi hogi na aisi dulhan ki bu

Hyder ki Fatima ki Hussain o Hasan ki bu

Phaili hui thi chaar taraf Panjetan ki bu

Lut ta tha itr waadi ambar sarisht mein

Gul jhumtey thay baagh mein Rizwaan behisht mein

Poshaak sab pahan chukey jis dam Shahe zaman

Lekar balaein bhai ki ronay lagi bahan

Kehti thi hai aaj nahi Hyder o Hasan

Amma kahan se laye tumhe ab ye be watan

Rukhsat hai ab Rasool ke yusuf jamaal ki

Sadqe gayi balein lo apne laal ki

Hathyaar idhar laga chuke Moula e khaas o aam

Tayyar udhar huwa alam e Sayyide anaam

Duaein maangti gird thi saidanian tamaam

Roti thi thaame chobe alam khwahare imaam

Teghein kamar mei dosh pe shamley padey huwe

Zainab ke laal zere alam aa khade huwe

Gah maa ko dekhte thay kabhi jaanibe alam

Na’ra kabhi ye tha ke nisaar e Shahe umam

Karte thay dono bhai kabhi mashware baham

Aahista poochtey kabhi ma se wo zee hasham

Kya qasd hai Ali e wali ke nishaan ka

Amma kise milega alam nana jaan ka

In nanhe nanhe haathon se uthega ye alam

Chotey qadoon mein sabse sinoo mein sabho se kam

Nikle tanoo se sibte Nabi ke qadam pe dam

Ohda yahi hai bas yahi mansab yahi hasham

Rukhsat talab agar ho to ye mera kaam hai

Maa sadqe jaaye aaj tou marne mein naam hai

Phir tum ko kya buzurg they jo fakhre roz gaar

Zeba nahi hai wasf e izafi pe iftekhaar

Johar wo hai jo taegh karey aap aashkaar

Dikhlado aaj Hyder o Jafar ki kaarzaar

Tum kyon kaho ke laal Khuda ke wali ke hain

Faujein pukare khud ke nawase Ali ke hain

Ab jisko tum kaho usey dein fouj ka alam

Ki arz jo salaah Shahe aasmaan hasham

Farmaya jabse uth gayi Zahra e ba karam

Us din se tumko maa ki jagah jaantey hain hum

Malik ho tum buzurg koi ho ke khurd ho

Jisko kaho usi ko ye ohda sipard ho

Boli bahan ke aap bhi tou lein kisi ka naam

Hai kis taraf tawajjo e Sardar o khaas o aam

Gar mujhse poochtay hain Shahe aasmaan

maqaam Quran ke baad hai tou Ali hi ka kuch kalaam

Shaukat mein qad mein shaan mein humsar nahi koi

Abbas e naamdaar se behtar nahi koi

Aashiq ghulaam khadim e dereena jaan nisaar

Farzand bhai zeenate pehlu wafa shi’aar

Jarrar yaadgaar e pidar fakhre rozgaar

Rahat rasaa mutee o namudaar o naamdaar

Safdar hai sher dil hai bahadur hai naik hai

Bemisl saekdon mein hazaroon mein aik hai

Aakhon mein ashk bhar ke ye boley Shahe zaman

Haan thi yahi Ali ki wasiat bhi ay bahan

Acha bulayein aap kidhar hai wo saff shikan

Akbar chacha ke paas gaye sunke ye sukhan

Ki arz intezaar hai Shahe ghayoor ko

phuphi ne yaad kiya hai huzoor ko

Abbas aaye haathon ko jodhe huzoor e Shaah

Jao bahan ke paas ye bola wo deen panaah

Zainab wahin alam liye aayi ba izzo jaah

Boley nishaan ko leke Shahe arsh baargaah

Inki khushi wo hai jo riza Panjetan ki hai

Lo bhai lo alam ye inayat bahan ki hai

Munh karke soo e qabre Ali phir kiya khitaab

Zarre ko aaj kardiya Moula ne aaftaab

Ye arz khaaksaar ki hai Ya Abu Turaab

Aaqa ke aagey hoon mein shadath se bahre yaab

Sar tan se ibne Fatima ke ru baru girey

Shabbir ke paseene pe mera lahu girey

Ye sunke aai zauja e Abbas e naamwar

Shohar ki simt pehle kinkhiyoon se ki nazar

Lee sibte Mustafa ki balayein ba chashme tar

Zainab ke gird phirke ye boli wo nauhagar

Faiz aap ka hai aur tasadduq Imaam ka

Izzat badi kaneez ki rutba ghulaam ka

Sar ko laga ke chathi se Zainab ne ye kaha

Tu apni maang kookh se thandi rakhe sada

Ki arz mujhse laakh kaneezein hon to fida

Bano e naamwar ko suhaagan rakhe Khuda

Bachhe jiye taraqqiy e iqbal o jaah ho

Saaye mein aap ke Ali Akbar ka byaah ho

Naagaah aakey bali Sakina ne ye kaha

Kaisa hai ye hujoom kidhar hai mere chacha

Ohda alam ka unko mubarak karey Khuda

Logon mujhe balaein to lene do ek zara

Shaukat Khuda badhaye mere ammu jaan ki

Mein bhi tou dekhoon shaan Ali ke nishaan ki

Abbas muskura ke pukarey ka aao aao

Ammu nisaar pyaas se kya haal hai batao

Boli lipat ke wo ke meri mashq lete jaao

Ab tou alam mila tumhein pani mujhe pilaao

Tohfa na koi deejiye na in’aam deejiye

Qurbaan jaaon pani ka ek jaam deejiye

Nagaah badhey alam liye Abbas e ba wafa

Daude sab ahle bait khule sar barehna pa

Hazrat ne haath utha ke ye ek eik se kaha

Lo Alwida ay haram e paak e Mustafa

Subhe shab e firaaq hai pyaaron ko dekh lo

Sab mil ki doobte huwe taaron ko dekh lo

Shah ke qadam pe Zainab e zaar o hazeen giri

Bano pachaad kha ke pisar ke kareen giri

Kulsoom thar thara ke baruhe zameen giri

Baqir kahin gira tou Sakina kaheen giri

Ujda chaman har ek gul taza nikal gaya

Nikla alam ke ghar se janaza nikal gaya

Nagaah udhar se teer chale janibe Imaam

Ghoda bada ke aap ne hujjat bhi ki tamaam

Nikle idhar se Shay ke rafiqaan e tashnakaam

Be sar huwe paroon mein saraan e sipaah e shaam

Bhala kabhi thi taegh kabhi zer e tang thi

Ek ek ki jang maalik e ashtar ki jang thi

Allah re Ali ke nawasoon ki kaarzaar

Dono ke nichey thay ke chalti thi zulfiqaar

Shana kata kisi ne jo roka sipar pe waar

Ginti thi zakhmiyoon ki na kishtoon ka tha shumaar

Utney sawaar qatl kiye thodi daer mein

Dono ke ghodey chup gaye laasho ke dhaer mein

Kis husn se Hasan ka jawane haseen lada

Ghir ghir ke surate asad e khushmgeen

din ki bhook pyaas mein wo mahjabeen lada

Sahra ulat ke yoon koi dulha nahi lada

Hamle dikha diye asad e kirdgaar ke

Maqtal mein sooye arzak e shaami ko maar ke

Chamki jo tegh Hazrate Abbas e arsh jaah

Roohul ameen pukarey ke Allah ki panaah

Dhaalon mein chup gaya pisar e saad ru siyaah

Kushtoon se band ho gayi aman o amaan ki raah

Jhapta jo sher shoakh mein darya ki saer ke

Le li tarayi taeghon ki moujoon ko phaer ke

Be sar huwe muwakkil e sar chashma e furaat

Hal chal mein misl e mouj safon ko na tha sabaat

Darya mein girke fout huwe kitne bad sifaat

Goya habaab hogaye thay nuqta e hayaat

Abbas bhar ke mashk ko yoon tashnalab laday

Jis tarah naharwaan mein ameer e arab laday

Aafat thi harb o zarb e Ali Akbar e diler

Ghusse mein jhapte ser pe jaise garsina sher

Sab sar buland past zabardast sab thay zer

Jangal mein chaar simpt huwe zakhmiyoon ke dher

Siraan ke utre tan se jo thay rann chadhey huwe

Abbas se bhi jang mein kuch thay badhey huwe

Talwarein barsi subh se nusfun nihaar tak

Hilti rahi zameen laraztey rahey falak

Kaampa kiye paroon ko simte huwe malak

Na’rey na phir wo thay na wo taeghon ki thi chamak

Dhaalon ka daur barchiyoon ka auj ho gaya

Hangaam e zuhr khatema e fauj ho gaya

Lashe sabho ke sibte Nabi khud uthake laye

Qatil kisi shaheed ka sar kaatne na paye

Dushman ko bhi na dost ki furqat Khuda dikhaye

Farmatey thay bichad gaye sab hum se hai

pahaad gir padey jis par wo kham na ho

Gar sou baras jiyoon tou ye majma baham na ho

Kham ho gaye ye daagh uthake Imame deen

kar bana hilaal e Nabi ka mahe jabeen

Yoon dard mein tadap ke kiya nalaye hazeen

Hilne lage pahaad larazne lagi zameen

Aayi jigar ko taab na is waaredaat ki

Khushki mein lagi doobne kashti hayaat ki

Jab saff kashi ki dhoom huwi qatl gaah mein

Tasweer e marg phir gayi sab ki nigaah mein

Doobe rafiq e yusuf e deen haq ki chaah mein

Daftar khula ajal ka Hussaini sipaah mein

Jaanbaaziyaan dikhake jari naam kar gaye

Khaake shifa pa noor ke daane bikhar gaye

Be the Soldiers of God

It has been a long time since we are together on Hussainiat. Sorry, but due to some uncertain reasons the blog hadn't been updated. Leave it and let us make new start.

For more then a month Hussainis all around the word have been mourning over the beloved leader of humanity and his faithful followers. People often ask us, Why we people cry for an incident that took place many year back? There are some solid reasons except of the blind faith. The Holy Imam Zainul Abidin (A.S) mourned for his loved ones till his last breath. This doesn't means that he turned the community into the band of mourners who have left their fate to be decided by destiny. It is because he was watering the Revolution that may take birth from these tears. A tears makes us rebellious. We are the soldiers in making waiting for our turn to come. If we have not been into a war it is because we are waiting for a right and favorable time to come. We are waiting for a leader. Insha Allah these tears will burn enough fire into our hearts that on the day of judgment time will find us most courageous and gallant.
We need tears but not only tears. We need a character that was found among the soldiers of God at the Battlefield of Karbela. We need their attitude among our youth. So be ready and prepare yourself to be eligible for the recruitment of Holy Army of our Leader in Waiting ( A.S).
Best of luck for your bright future.

The Virtues of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم اللهم صل على محمد وآل محمد وعجل فرجهم

Jaarullah Zamakshari in his exegesis (tafseer), ‘Al-Kashshaaf‘, vol. 4, p. 197 narrates from Ibn Abbas that once Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) along with his companions went to visit Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.) when they (a.s.) were ill. At that time, Ameerul Momineen Ali (a.s.) was present over there. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) told him,

“O Abal Hasan! Why don’t you make a nazr (avowal) for the quick recovery of your children?” Thus, Ali (a.s.), Janab-e-Zahra (s.a.) and Janab-e- Fizzah took a nazr of fasting for three days if the children recovered from the illness. When they fasted for the first day after the recovery of Hasnain (a.s.), there was nothing in the house that they could have for breaking the fast (iftaar).

Imam Ali (a.s.) took a loan of three kg barley from Shamoan – a Jew from Khyber. He (a.s.) gave that barley to Janab-e-Zahra (s.a.) who made a few bread loaves from it.

However, when they sat down for iftaar, a beggar called out at their door, “O family of the Prophet! I convey my salaams upon you. I’m poor and needy. Please give me something to eat. Surely, Allah will confer you with the provisions of Paradise.’ On hearing this plea, all of them gave their share of iftaar and opened their fast only with water.

The next day they fasted again. A similar thing happened. Once again, at the time of iftaar, an orphan came at that time and pleaded for some help. This time too, all three of them offered their share of iftaar to that orphan.

When they fasted on the third day, again at iftaar, a destitute came at their door and implored for food. For the third time, all of them parted with their share of iftaar and gave it to that poor person.

The next morning, Imam Ali (a.s.), along with Imam Hasan and Imam Husain (a.s.) went to meet the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), who saw them quivering due to hunger and thirst. He (s.a.w.a.) said. “I’m pained to see you in this condition.”

Then Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) got up and went to the house of Janab-e-Zahra (s.a.). He found her sitting in the ‘mehrab‘ and praying. She had become so frail due to hunger that her stomach was touching her back while her eyes had sunk inside the sockets. Seeing his beloved daughter in this condition, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was aggrieved. At that time Janabe Jibraeel-e-Amin (r.a.) descended from the heavens and said to Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), “O Muhammad (s.a.w.a.)! Allah has presented this Surah (a chapter from the Holy Quran) to you and your Ahle Bayt (a.s.) as a greeting and congratulation.”

Thus Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) recited the Surah Dahr at that instance.

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Imam Hussain's letter to Muawia

To avoid the dangers and risks to his Caliphate, Muawiya wrote a letter to Imam Husain (a.s.) in which he issued various threats. Imam Husain (a.s.) replied him in the following manner:

“After praise to Allah and blessings upon the Prophet of Allah, I wish to inform you that I have received your letter, in which you have mentioned that you have heard some reports about me which you detested. And in your opinion, this was not expected of me. You have also mentioned that it is only Allah Who guides the people towards righteousness. And only He is the Helper and Support of one and all.

You should know that reports concerning me have reached you through a sycophant and a back-biter. I do not intend any war or rebellion against you. But, by Allah I am proceeding on a way which is not against your rule. It is not that I consider not confronting you likeable in the eyes of Allah. Neither do I fear divine retribution if I confront you. I fear Allah that He may not accept my excuse of keeping silent against you and your evil friends who are cohorts of the devil.

Are you not the murderer of Hujr Ibne Adi and his chaste companions, who opposed injustice and considered innovations to be evil? They did not pay heed to any accusations in the way of Allah. Had you not made promises and oaths to them? Had you not assured them that you will not arrest them? And that you will not trouble them? Despite such oaths and promises, have you not put them to death?

Are you not the killer of the righteous companions of the Prophet of Allah (s.a. w.a.), Amr Ibne Humq Khuzaee? One who had become physically frail and pale in complexion due to incessant worship? Had you not promised them safety? Had such an assurance been given to a bird, it would have come down from the mountain peak. But you did not even care to respect his oath of peace. You trampled upon your oath and did not fear Allah. You had him killed as well.

Are you not the one who certified Ziyad the son of Sumayya to be the off-spring of Abu Sufyan although he was born on the bed of a slave from Bani Thaqif? You attributed him to your father and opposed the explicit order of Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.a.), “A son is related to a father and the adulterer is to be stoned.” Have you not obeyed your evil desires? After this you imposed him upon the people of Iraq and Khorasan. You amputated their hands and feet, gouged out their eyes and crucified them on date palms. You behaved as if you are not from the Islamic Ummah and have nothing to do with it.

Are you not the one to whom the son of Sumayya (Ziyad Ibne Abih) wrote that the tribe of Hazrami were upon the religion of Ali Ibne Abi Taalib (a.s.)? And you replied that anyone who was on the religion of Ali (a.s.) should be put to death. Thereafter, Ziyad had them killed and mutilated their bodies as per your order. By Allah, Ali (a.s.) had fought against you and your father for the sake of Allah. And you are upon this throne due to this very religion. Had it not been for the loftiness of this faith, you, your father and ancestors would still have wandered in the lanes during summer and winter (that is, you people would still be vagabonds).

You have written that I must sit quiet for the sake of my life and the safety of Muhammad’s (s.a.w.a.) Ummah. And that I must not sow the seeds of dissension and corruption in the society. But 1 do not consider anything more corrupt for this Ummah than your tyrannical rule. I consider Jihad against you to be the best and most meritorious thing for me and for uhammad (s.a.w.a.)’s Ummah. If I wage a holy war against you, it shall be the best means of seeking nearness to Allah. If not, then I seek forgiveness from Allah. And I shall pray to Allah for guidance in my affairs.

You have also mentioned that ‘if I oppose you, you would oppose me and if I proceed against you, you will proceed against me.’ You may take whatever steps you can against me. I am sure that your planning will cause me no harm. The greatest harm shall be to you. For, you are riding the vehicle of ignorance and are apt at breaking oaths and treaties. By my life, you have never considered any point of agreement. You have killed those with whom you had made treaties, promises and oaths. And you killed them when they had neither any intention of waging a war against you nor had they committed any murder. You shed their blood only because they related our merits and were cognizant of the greatness of our rights. Although it was possible that natural death would have occurred to them or to you even before their uprising to reach to a conclusion.

O Muawiya! Be prepared for divine retribution and be sure of the accounting before Allah. And know that the scroll of deeds has a record of every small and big sin. Nothing is omitted from it. Allah will never excuse your act of arresting people on mere suspicion. You accused wrongly the saintly people with baseless allegations and slaughtered them. You made them abandon their houses to be homeless in strange lands. You forcibly extracted allegiance from the people for your drunkard and dog-loving son.

I see that you are sinking in loss and destroying your faith. You are oppressing your subjects and are degrading the divine trusts. You accept the advice of foolish and ignorant people and for their sake, you are threatening the pious and religious people. Was Salaam”

Let us make the World a Better Place

In the civil society we live it is our duty to work for the overall development and welfare of humanity. Hussainiat teaches us the benevolence like that of a torrential rain of which the beneficiaries gain irrespective of their color, caste, creed or religion.
Imam Ali (as) in one of his sayings is reported to have said that “Muslims and non-Muslims should be treated alike. Muslims are your brothers and non-Muslims are human beings”. Some people may object that they treat us as their worst enemy so why should we treat them alike? Hussainiat itself answers here. Imam Hussein (as) used to say that we should raise our conduct and morality above the normal standards. The life of our Holy Imams is the best example along with that of our Holy prophet (swa) in this regard. We should not behave like them. Instead we should try to set the higher standards in order to be recognized as a true Hussaini. People can be won over by might by not their hearts. We should come forward to help all the downtrodden and oppressed. This will not only dilute their opposition towards Muslims but also strengthen our stand. Imam Ali (as) says that a wicked can’t be faced with wickedness as he has the specialization his skills. The best way to encounter him is with the morality as he isn’t even aware of it’s a, b, c, d. It is our higher standards of morality, ethics, social behavior that place us far ahead of general Muslims. Usually people all around the world believe that the Shiite are better educated and well behaved. But during the recent times many of us have noticed the degradation in our standards. This is simply ridiculous because this is not our natural way to live. So better the people among us should come forward and try to make some awareness campaigns. This may not make the gradual change but at least we should start from somewhere. Hopefully many of us will take some initiative as we are the leader in our self and Hussainis doesn’t rely on numbers but the quality of efforts.

Imam Hussain and Election in India

No matters who wins the general elections in India but it seems that Hussainiat and Imam Hussein has emerged the sure winners. Who may have expected that Imam Hussein will become an issue in the elections that are being fought issueless for the first time?Although started as a controversy, Imam Hussein became the centre of attraction for many, even those who were unaware of his mission and allies. Naseemuddin Siddiqui, heavyweight in Bahujan Samaj Party started a row when he compared his group to that of Imam Hussein (a.s). Imam Hussein fought the real battle of downtrodden and the deprived. Now Mayawati the BSP leader is doing the same, said Naseemuddin.Soon after he was forced to apologize for his comments, saying that he was misinterpreted. The cries settled but it was enough to bring Imam Hussein to the centre stage of elections.The dust was not settled yet when another politician was caught in the same controversy. This time it was Amar Singh, the leader of Samajwadi Party known for his witty and off beat comments. He compared Kalyan Singh with Hazrat Hurr. “Imam Hussein granted amnesty to one of his worst enemy. Hurr was the man who had brought him to Karbala in his siege. But once he felt guilty and joined the flanks of Hussein he was not only forgiven but granted the unmatched status by Imam Hussein. Why not same be repeated with Kalyan Singh who is with secular forces to ruin BJP, the real culprit behind Babri Masjid demolition”, said Amar Singh in a political rally.BSP candidate from reputed Sambhal constituency in UP, Shafiqur Rehman Barq claimed that he is the follower of Imam Hussein (a.s) and he know well how to lit a lamp against high flowing winds. His opponent and SP candidate Iqbal Mahmood also made the similar claims. Although these two have the reputation of opposing the Shiite thought and mourns for Imam Hussein but it was a delight to see them propagating Hussainiat.In adjoining Moradabad constituency Congress candidate Mohammed Azharuddin also expressed similar sentiments for Imam Hussein, claiming his sure victory. In Amroha too politicians visited Hussainiyas and try to show their allegiance for Imam Hussein.May be raising controversy but it seems that Hussainiat is being revived in these general elections. Surely people will try to know more and more about Imam Hussein and his companions. Who may ever win the battle at election pitch but real victory will be registered in the name of Hussainiat.

A fight for the Cause: Zaigham Murtaza

Karbala is not just a battle of swords but the conflict of human values. On and off the battlefield it is the saga of valor, personal devotion and commitment to the cause.
The majestic Ali ibn Abi Talib(a.s) during his life time he stressed upon the quality of means and not just the end. Imam Hussein (a.s) followed his footsteps. Even he took a step ahead of his father. He took the way of self immolation to propagate his thought. It wasn’t an easy task and for the purpose he was in grave need for moral and personal support from his allies. Imam Hussein was lucky to find many who not only opted for his way but submitted their will and life for the success of the cause.
A famous story related with Karbala is of blowing off the lamp by Holy Imam. He summoned all his companions on the night of Ashura to his camp. Informing the gravity of the outcome of their march, he asked them to leave him alone. “They need my head and should take it away, why you all endanger your life. All are free to move from this place and if you have some hesitation I may lit off the lamp”, said the Imam. Historians unanimously say that none of them move. One of them says that I couldn’t even trace a single scar of worry or fear on their face. The companions were the coolest man on the earth on the day of Martyrdom. The only sound that could be traced from the camps of the faithful band was of thanks to Almighty for providing them such a great opportunity. It was their great devotion towards the Holy Imam and his cause. Even on the battle field the men of Imam were the most disciplined people, even if the commands were the grave threat to their life. They not only sacrificed their life but also put to risk their personal dignity, their family, property and status. They all were aware that the battle will not end here but the consequences will surely travel their homes. This couldn’t stop them to made the grand sacrifice.

Our Mission as a Hussaini :Zaigham Murtaza

As a proud Hussaini we often ask ourselves about our mission in this world. It is natural phenomenon, as we are more known for our religious identity that separates us from other people. We bear a dual duty on our shoulders. Primary one to be a good Human and a good Muslim and second but the important one is to raise our moral conduct above the average.
As Hussaini we constitute an ideal state. Our spirits should reflect in our deeds and moral conduct not in a false ego that ruins our character. Superiority complex born of the feeling of being Hussaini isn’t bad but it should not take us to the arrogant behavior. Rather we should be remembered for personal piety, high morality, extra-ordinary character and unique set of ethics. I am not asking my men to be coward; rather there shall be a clear demarcation line between gentleman feeling and cowardice. We should learn to live for others. Humanity should be our primary concern but we should also keep in mind that living without dignity is also an evil. Bowing to the suppression is a greater evil as it encourages the tyrant to go ahead with the same behavior for all. Submission of one’s will except for Allah isn’t allowed in the world of Hussainiat.
The rule is applicable for all. If you find anyone suppressing even your enemy, rise in the favor of the victim. Remember that no one is mightier than Almighty God. If you are afraid of his power, remember, Allah help those who fight for good. Even if you are killed in the process, you will find sustenance in the presence of your Lord. So rise a Hussaini against all the evils and try to make this world a better place to live, where all live in peace and work for the overall development of Humanity.

zaigham murtaza

Learn, Remember and Propagate Hussainiat: Zaigham Murtaza

Almost every Muslim has the same problem regarding Karbala. He may be well aware about the events of the great Day of Ashura. Many of them commemorate the death of Holy Imam in high spirits but don’t follow the Hussainiat.
Actually the problem lies in those high spirits itself. None can be blame for it but our leadership i.e. clergy. Our orators have dumped the original message and it their highly spoken words about the Holy Imam have killed the Karbala. Imam Hussein was martyred some fourteen hundred years back but these traders of the Holy Blood are trying to kill the thought itself.
Imam Hussein (a.s) had once said, “I will get killed but not message. The world will see some day that from every drop of my blood a new revolution will take birth and take the world into its stride.” His words came true as the history witnessed the fall of the most organized and mightiest empire in the history of mankind i.e. the Umayyads. Who may have thought that day the fall of Umayyads, but they not only fell but their mighty empire turned to rumbles and ruins.
We have made the remembrance of the great sacrifice just a formality to b followed every year. Not many of us remember the great thought of which the Holy Imam was confident of, to kill the tyranny forever. Just gathering in Hussainias or Imam Bargahs, beating our chest isn’t enough. We need something more to claim ourselves the followers of the great Martyrs of Karbala.
I won’t oppose the traditional Azadari, because it is the primary school of Hussainiat. It is the place where learn our basics. But surely we should go ahead of it. It is our duty to teach our people the goals and objectives of Hussainiat. At least we should rise above the levels of elementary knowledge about Karbala that even the deadliest enemy of Hussainiat is aware of. We should teach our people the characters of our Great Martyrs individually. People must know their social, economic and political background. Unless they are aware of their status, they won’t feel the gravity of their sacrifice. So, dear followers of Hussainiat leave the clergy behind. They are the people who are often the discarded people of society or homes. The failures in academic and social life are often forced to pursue their education in Theology or religion, so we should not expect more from them. Although we have highly qualified Marijjah at higher level but at middle and lower level mostly are failures. Every Hussaini should educate himself to the highest possible level in his field of specialization along with the thought of Hussainiat. In the last I may only request my brethrens to live Hussainiat, to die for Hussainiat so that we may face our Holy Imam without any hesitation on the Day of Judgment.

Imam Ali bin Hussein ( Al Sajjad, Al Zain ul Abidin)

Imam Zaynul-Aabidin's (A.S) mother was captured as prisoners of war when Muslims had a war with the Persians. When she was brought into Medina, Imam Ali (A.S) spoke to her and she embraced Islam. She then married Imam Ali's 2nd Son, Imam-e-Husayn (A.S). She died months after giving birth to Imam (A.S). Imam (A.S) was only two years old when his grand father Ali (A.S)was martyred in the Mosque of Kufa. After that the whole family of the Prophet returned to live in Medina.For the next 10 years under Imam Hasan (A.S) and after the martyrdom of Imam Hasan(A.S) in 50 A.H., his father Imam Husayn (A.S) as the Imam, the young Ali was growing under their shadow and watching the working of Imamah without the worldly authority. People knew they were Al-e-Muhammad (S.A.W.) and followed them by their hearts but outwardly because of the fear of the Ummayyad ruler in Damascus, there was very little following of the Ahlul-Bayt (A.S) of the Prophet. In 60 A.H., Imam Hussein (A.S) left Medina for Makkah and then for Karbala, he was with him all the time.In Karbala all male children of Ali and Hussein (A.S) were killed except Ali ibnul-Hussein (A.S) who with providence became so ill that he was unable to participate in the jihad with his father and survived the massacre. His Imamah began on the time of Asr on 10th Muharram-al-Haram 61 A.H. He was taken captive by the armies of Yazid bin Mu'awiyah andYazid insulted him by saying that his father had wasted his life by not giving allegiance to him (Yazid). Imam (A.S) said that it was to save Islam that his father gave away his life.During the period of Imamah of Imam (A.S) in Madinah, one man asked the Imam where he had suffered the most hardships. Imam (A.S) replied, "Ash-Sham, Ash-Sham, Ash-Sham!" (In Sham).Imam Zaynul'Aabidin (A.S) lived 40 years after the tragedy of Karbala. He was the person who mourned for Imam Hussein (A.S) the longest. Imam Zaynul Aabidin (A.S) finally, was martyred by Walid-bin-Abdul-Malik, the grandson of Marwan-bin-Hakam. He was poisoned on 25th Muharram-al-Haram 95 A.H. His body was laid to rest in Jannatul-baqi' cemetery, Madinah, next to his uncle, Imam Hasan (A.S)

Source: Syed Raza Shabber "The story of Holy Kaaba and its' people".

ImamHussein : Brown

As a reminder, the blood-stained field of Karbala' where the grandson of the Apostle of God fell at length, tortured by thirst and surrounded by the bodies of his murdered kinsmen, has been at any time since then sufficient to evoke, even in the most lukewarm and heedless, the deepest emotion, the most frantic grief and the exaltation of spirit before which pain, danger, and death shrink to unconsidered trifles. Yearly, on the tenth day of Muharram, the tragedy is rehearsed in Persia, in India, in Turkey, in Egypt, wherever a Shiite community or colony exists; ... As I write it all comes back; the wailing chant, the sobbing multitudes, the white raiment red with blood from self-inflicted wounds, the intoxication of grief and sympathy.

Brown in his `A Literary History of Persia'

Imam Hussein's Prayer

* “O Allah! It is You in Whom I trust amid all grief. You are my hope amid all violence. you are my refuge and provision in everything that happens to me. How many grievances that weaken the heart, leaving me with no means to handle them, during which friend deserts me, and the enemy rejoices in it. I lay it before you and complain of it to You, because of my desire in You. You alone. You relieve me of it and remove it from me. You are the Master of all grace, the Possessor of all goodness, and Ultimate Resort of all desire.”

Imam Hussein

Defending Yazeed!!! Why?

I cannot understand why some people come forward to the rescue of a man like Yazeed. Recently I heard a story from one of my friend which cleared some of my thought in this regard.
A king was passing through a river mounted on a camel; suddenly camel turned to her kneels and sat down in the running waters. King was saved some how but he could found the reason behind the unusual behavior of his camel. When he made further enquiries he came to know that the mother to whom camel was born was an orphan. Soon after her birth she lost her mother and was brought up on the buffalo’s milk. Buffaloes have the tendency to sit in the water during summer and so did the camel. He was doing nothing wrong because in his veins run the blood of a camel with some imported genes of of a buffalo.
Yazeed and his descendants ruled over the Islamic kingdom for almost one hundred fifty years. Many of the people were employed under their tyrannical rule. It is said that the diet often transforms the human behavior. I can only say that the defenders of Yazeed are such people who are either infected with his blood or his bloody food.
Recently one of my friends defended Yazeed and said that he too was disturbed when he heard about the brutal murder of Imam Hussein (a.s). When I asked him; so why did he kept the Ahlul Baiit captive in his jails, he opposed me and denied the historical fact. Moreover he said that it may be a lie born among the Shiites. He had no answer when he was informed that the Daughter of Imam Hussein (a.s) still sleeps in one of such cell.
A whole stream is flowing around the world which comes everyday with new excuses to defend the tyrannical Satan.
Moreover these are the people who have nothing to do with Umayyads or Hashmiites. Many of these are neo-converts to Islam. Only one reason I could found is the camel-buffalo tale. Surely these people are brought up on the diet that is either illegal or belong to some tyrant. Otherwise these people have some blood of Yazeed in their body. Possibility cannot be denied because Yazeed and his family members were infamous for adultery and illegal sex relations with the women of their subjects.

There can be no excuse for a ruler. None of his employees should have dared to go an inch ahead of his order. Ibn Ziad was ordered to kill Imam Hussein. Shimr often claimed such to Ibn Ziad, Umar bin Saad etc. Moreover the atrocities met by the Ahlul Baiit on the way to Damascus and In the court of Yazeed require no further clarifications.

by: zaigham murtaza

Imam Hussein:The Sermon of Mina

O people, take lesson from the counsel God gave to His friends when He rebuked the rabbis by saying: "Why do the scholars and rabbis not forbid their sinful talk and consumption of what is unlawful ? Truly what they have done is evil." (5:63)
And God says: "Cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus, son of Mary are those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved on account of their rebellion and transgression. They did not prevent each other from committing vile and corrupt acts; surely what they did was abominable" (5:78-79).
God reproached them because they saw with their own eyes the oppressors committing vile and corrupt acts, but did not stop them, out of love for the favours they received from them as well as fear of persecution and injury. However, God says: "Fear not men, but fear Me." (5:44) And He says: "The believing men and women are friends and protectors to each other; they enjoin the good and forbid the evil; they perform the prayer, and pay the alms, and obey God and His messenger. Upon them God shall have mercy; God is Almighty, All-wise." (9:71)
God mentions the duty of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil (al- 'amr bi al-ma'ruf wa al-nahy 'an al-munkar) before all other duties, because He knows that if it is performed and is established in the society all other duties, the easy and the difficult, will also become established. The reason for this is that al-'amr bi al ma'ruf wa al-nahy 'an al-munkar means summoning people to Islam, as well as resistance against injustice, opposing and struggling against oppressors, and endeavoring to ensure that public wealth and income derived from war are distributed in accordance with the just laws of Islam, and that taxes are collected, levied and expended in due and proper form.
O scholars, who are celebrated and enjoy good repute on account of your learning! You have achieved a good name in society because of your good will. It is on account of God that men venerate you and stand in awe of you, so that even powerful fear you and the weak honour you, and those who are not subject to you and over whom you hold no authority grant you favours they deny themselves . When the people do not receive their due. they seek your intercession, and you walk in the street with the majesty of kings and princes.
Have you not earned all this respect and prestige because of the people's hopes that you will implement God's laws, even though in most instances you have failed to do so?
You have taken lightly your duties as leaders. You have neglected the rights of the oppressed and the lowly, but have assiduously pursued what you regard as your personal rights. You have not spent your money or risked your life for the sake of the One Who gave you life, nor have you fought against any group or tribe for the sake of God. Nevertheless, you desire - and regard it as your due - that He should grant you paradise, the company of the prophet, and security from chastisement in the hereafter. You have such expectations of God, I fear that the full weight of His wrath descend upon you, for although it is by His might and glory that you have achieved high rank, you show no respect to those who truly know god, while you yourselves enjoy respect among God's creatures on His account.
(I am also afraid for you for another reason:) you see the covenant enacted with God being violated and trampled under foot, yet you show no anxiety, when it comes to the covenants enacted with your fathers, you become greatly disturbed and anxious if they are only violated in part, but the pledges you have given to the most noble Messenger are a matter of complete indifference to you.
The blind, the dumb, and chronically ill everywhere lack protection in towns and no mercy is shown them. But you neither behave in accordance with your function and rank, nor you support or pay any regard to those who do. You purchase your safety from the oppressive ruling powers with flattery cajolery, and compromise.
All these activities have been forbidden you by God, and He has, more over, command you to forbid each other to engage in them, but you pay no attention.
The calamity that has befallen you is greater than what has befallen others, for true rank and degree of "Ulama" has been taken away from you. The administration of the country and the issuing of decrees and ordinances should actually be trusted to religious scholars who are guardians of God's ordinances concerning what is permitted and what is forbidden. But your position has been usurped from you, for no other reason than that you have abandoned the truth (al-haqq), and have disagreed about the nature of the sunnah, despite the existence of clear proofs.
Had you the forbearance to endure adversities and hardships for the sake of God, then all proposed regulations (God's affairs) would be brought to you for your approval and for you to issue; authority would lie in your hands. But you allowed the oppressors to take away your functions and God's affairs (i.e. government) to fall into their hands, so that they administer them by resorting to ambiguities and make arbitrariness and the satisfaction of lust their consistent practice. What enabled them to gain control of government was your fleeing in panic from (inevitable) death and your love of life, which shall in all certainty depart from you. As a consequence of that mentality, you have delivered the powerless masses into the clutches of the oppressors. While some cringe like slaves under the yoke of oppressors, and others have been reduced to destitution in regard to their livelihood, the rulers run the affairs of the government in accordance with their whims, earning ignominy and disgrace for themselves with their licentiousness, following evil counselors, and showing impudence toward God. One of their appointed spokesmen mounts the pulpit (minbar) in each city. The country is defenseless before them, and their hands grab freely whatever they want of it. The people are their slaves and are powerless to defend themselves. One of the governors is a dictator by nature, malevolent and rancorous; another represses to recognize either God or the Day of Resurrection! It is not strange - how can one think it strange, that society is the clutches of a cunning oppressor whose tax collectors are oppressors and whose governers feel no compassion or mercy towards the believers under rule.
It is God who will judge concerning what is dispute among us and deliver a decisive verdict concerning all that occurs among us.
O God! You know that everything we did was not prompted by rivalry for political power, nor for a search for wealth and abundance; rather it was done to demonstrate to men the shining principles and values of Your religion, to reform the affairs of Your land, to protect and secure the indisputable rights of Your oppressed servants, and to act in accordance with the duties You have established and the norms, laws, and ordinances You have decreed.
So (O scholars of religion!) You are to help us reach this goal, win back our rights from those powers who have considered it acceptable to wrong you and who have attempted to put out the light kindled by your Prophet. God suffices us, upon Him do we rely, to Him do we return, and to Him shall we return.

"Reforming Thought"

reforming_thoughts@yahoo.co.uk

The Cause Behind Karbala

The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) said: "He who does amr-bil-ma'roof and nahya 'anil munkar is the vicegerent on the earth of Allah, His Prophet and His Book."
The sole cause for which Imam Hussain set out from Madinah was to perform his duty to do amr bil ma'ruf and nahya anil munkar to the ummah which had not only apathetically accepted the evil that had been flowing from the court in Damascus but, sadly, begun to emulate it. The inevitable consequence of this would have been a total destruction of all Islamic values.
In a letter which he addressed to the people of Kufa Imam wrote: "An Imam is one who judges by the Holy Qur'an, upholds justice, professes the religion of truth and dedicates himself to obeying Allah and His Prophet."
When Hur and his army stopped Imam caravan from going to Kufa, and Hur told Imam that his order from ibne Ziyad was to ask Imam for Bai'at to Yezid, Imam refused to declare Bai'at to someone who was only serving his own ends and not of Islam. Hur said that such an attitude might cost Imam his life. Imam replied: "Are you threatening me with death? Death is many thousands of times better than the dishonour of Bai'at to an enemy of Islam. Do you not see that truth is not being practised and falsehood is not being prevented? I see death as a blessing and life with tyrants as the most disgusting state one can be in."
At Kerbala, facing the army of Yezid, Imam Hussain addressed them as follows:"Remember that when you see a ruler who does what has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, who indulges in sins, who oppresses the people he rules, and you do nothing to stop such a ruler, before Allah you are as guilty as he is." He went on to add:"My parents did not raise me to submit myself to an evil tyrant. I am your Imam and it is my duty to tell you that you have surrendered the freedom of your mind to the evil ways of Yezid. If you do not care for Islam, and do not fear the day of judgement, at least do care for that precious gift from Allah, the freedom of your spirit!!"
When Amr Sa'ad called upon the army to attack and kill
Imam Hussain he said:
"Death is better that disgrace and disgrace is better than the fire of hell."

Mulla Bashir Rahim,

bashirrahim@ interalpha. co.uk

IMAM HUSSEIN(AS) TREATMENT TO HIS ENEMIES

Our 3rd Imam, Imam Hussein (as) was very kind and always thought about others before himself.
When Imam Hussein (as) was traveling to Karbala knowing what was going to happen to him and his family, he met Hurr - the commander of Yazid army and his soldiers. Imam Hussein (as) knew that this was the army sent by Yazid to fight Imam Hussein (as) and his followers.
This was the army that was going to stop Imam Hussein (as) and his followers from getting water. This was the army who was going to kill Imam Hussein (as) and his family and friends.
Although Imam Hussein (as) knew all this, when Imam Hussein (as) saw how thirst the army looked and that they had no water, Imam Hussein (as) immediately told his men to give their water to the army of Hurr.
Not only did Imam Hussein (as) and his men give water to the army but also to their horses.

Moral: No matter how horrible someone is to you, you should always be nice to them because that is what Allah has taught us

SYED AELIA RIZVI

aeliarizvi1@yahoo.com

Utterly Grieved : Imam Shafei

The memory of Karbala grieves me most and when I recall the fact that Imam Hussein was mercilessly slaughtered despite his indisputable innocence, I sleep not a wink. Again the memory has turned mu beard hoary, and time and again. i have a sigh with tears coursing down my lean cheeks. My salutations to Hazrat Imam Hussein (A.S)


posted by: zaigham murtaza