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.


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,

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

Tragedy of Muharram : Ethel M. Pope

To save Islam's great laws
All the memory of martyrdom
A new the passion rise;
A bitter, sobbing, wailing cry,
Goes up into the skies;
With each new year the latent grief,
Pent up, breaks out again,
And heaven returns the impassioned cry
Hussein, Hussein, Hussein

as quoted in book "Imam Hussain" The leader of entire Humanity

posted by: zaigham murtaza

Marsia : Faiz Ahmed Faiz


Raat aaee hai Shabbir pey yalgaar-e-bala hai
Sathi na koi Yar na gamkhwar raha hai
Monis hai to Ek dard kee Ghanghore Ghata hai
Mushfaq hai to Ek Dil key Dharakney kee sada hai
Tanhai kee, ghurbat kee, pareshani kee shab hai
Yeh Khana-e-Shabbir kee Wirani kee shab hai


Night has set in, manifold miseries have Shabbir chained,
No friend, no companion and no well-wisher has remained,
The dark clouds of pain and suffering, are but his soother,
And the throb of his wounded heart, is the only comforter,
It’s the night of a lonely being, stranger, stranded and molested,
It’s the night of Shabbir’s house, which is desolate and devastated.

Dushman kee sipah khwaab mein madhosh pari thee
Pal bhar ko kisi kee na idhar Ankh lagi thee
Har ek ghari Aaj qayamat kee ghari thee
Yeh Raat bahut Aal-e-Mohammad pey kadi thee
Reh reh key bukaa Ahl-e-Haram kartey they Aisay
Tham tham key Diya Aakri shab jalta hai jaisay

Fast Asleep, the enemy soldiers were senselessly lying,
But this side, non could even wink in a situation trying,
This day, each and every moment was mortifying,
To the progeny of the Holy Prophet, this night was most terrifying,
The house-folks bewailed so, at times but helplessly,
As if the snuffed-out candle, flickers at the night-end slowly.

Ek ghoshay mein Un Sokhta Samanon key Salaar,
Un Khak basar, Khaknuma Weeron key Sardaar,
Tasna lab-o-Darmanada- o-Majboor- o-Dil-Figaar,
Is shaan sey bhaithay they Shah-e-Lashkar- e-Ahraar,
Masnad thi, na khilaat thi, na khuddam kharey they,,
Haa tan pey jidhar dekhyee, So Zakham Sajay they

In a nook there was, the Commander of the deprived creatures,
The Chief of those uprooted and molested creatures,
Broken-hearted, exhausted, helpless and thirsty,
The Leader was sitting but with great dignity,
Neither was royal cushion, nor robe, nor were the attendants standing,
Multiple wounds were on his body, blood from each was oozing.

Vale of Sorrow : T.D. Chattani


Through the Vale of Sorrow does history trace
Two matchless martyrs our Prophet’s pets
Who left their hearths with Islamic grace
In hunger and thirst their duty to face.

Severed from home, exhausted on the field
Opposed by enemies who had Satan’s shield
They gave their lives that others be freed
From falsehood, tyranny & a kafir’s creed.

Most precious blood flowed from their veins
Battlefield of Karbala has still those stains
From our hearts should rush rivers of blood
Renewing our faith with this vital flood.



posted by : zaigham murtaza

The Night of Martyrdom: Mrs. Sarojini Naido. (M.R.)


Black robed, bare-footed, with dim eyes that rain
Wild tears in memory of thy woeful plight.
And hands that in blind, rhythmic anguish smite
Their blood-stained bosoms, to a sad refrain
From the old haunting Legend of thy pain,
Thy votaries mourn thee thro’ the tragic night
With mystic dirge and melancholy rite
Crying to thee Husain! Ya Husain!
Why do thy myriad lovers so lament?
Sweet saint, is not thy matchless martyr hood
The living banner and brave covenant
Of the high creed thy Prophet did proclaim
Bequeathing for the world’s beatitude
Th’ enduring loveliness of Allah’s name!
Mrs. Sarojini Naido. (M.R.)
(Indian Freedom Fighter)
(The Nightingale of India)
posted by: zaigham murtaza

Tribute to Imam Hussein by Rabindra Nath Tagore


The world of things in which we live misses its equilibrium when its communication with the world of love is lost. Then we have to pay with our soul for objects which are immensely cheap. And this can only happen when the prison walls of things threaten us with being final in themselves. Then it gives rise to terrible fights, jealousies and coercions, to a scramble for space and opportunities, for these are limited. We become painfully aware of the evil of this and try all measures of adjustment within the narrow bonds of a mutilated truth. This leads to failure.

Only he helps us who proves by his life that we have a soul whose dwelling in the kingdom of love, and things lose the tyranny of fictitious price when we come to our spiritual freedom.
posted by : zaigham murtaza

Tribute to Imam Hussein : H G Wells

Pitched upon the scorching desert,
The tent of Hussain lay,
Encompassed round with Satan’s hounds
Upon that black sad day.

They numbered less that eighty strong,
Women and children too,
While Yazid’s thousands stood around,
Awaiting the Fiend’s lure.

Driven away from the cooling steam
His children wailing for water,
Awaiting with patience extremely sublime
Like sheep for the butchers slaughter.

Oh! How valiantly fought that pitiful few,
Against Yazid’s wild murderers,
Fought with a courage unequalled in time,
Fought with fierceness that was surely Divine.

The earth quaked and trembled as noon drew near,
But still the survivors knew no fear,
But fever grew that pitiful band,
For Islam, God & Hussain they stand.

At last, all were dead, the Devil had won,
Blood-red sank down the merciless sun,
Trampled and torn lay the gallant Hussain,
For Islam, and God, the Faithful were slain.
posted by: zaigham murtaza

Sermon of the Holy Imam on the day of Ashura

O!Citizens of Kufa,
Remember my image and look who I am, then awaken yourselves. Ask if it is fair for you to kill me and to violate the honor of my women? Am I not the son of your Prophet's daughter, the son of his successor, his cousin and the first one who believed in what he attains from God? Isn't Hamzah, Master of martyrs, my father's uncle? Haven't you heard the words that God's Messenger said to me and my brother that we are the masters of the Heaven's youths.Are you asking me for a dead person I killed, or money I usurped, or by punishment for wounds?When no one answered, he shouted loud and said: I beseech you by God; do you know me?


Yes, you are the Grandson of God's Messenger (pbuh), they replied.


I beseech you by God; do you know that Muhammad is my Grandfather? And do you know that Ali son of Abu Talib is my father? I beseech you by God; do you know that Fatima the daughter of God's Messenger is my mother? I beseech you by God; do you know that Khadija daughter of Khuwayled the first women in Islam is my Grandmother? I beseech you by God; do you know that Hamzah master of martyrs is my father's uncle? I beseech you by God; do you know that this is the prophet's sword? I beseech you by God; isn't the Turban I am wearing Prophet's Turban? I beseech you by God; wasn't Ali the most all-knowing the bravest man in Islam, and the master (Maula) of every faithful Muslim? Yet you are shedding my blood and he is my father.


Yes, we know all that and we will not leave you until you taste death from thirst.


posted by: zaigham murtaza

A wider understanding of Death: Imam Hussein (A.S)

Few people desire death. The Holy Qur’an challenges the Jews for not welcoming death in view of their alleged special relationship with Allah s.w.t.
Imam Hussein a.s. extended our comprehension of death by drawing attention to the three points below:

a) Death is written for everyone and no soul may escape it. He said: “Death is an adornment of life as a necklace is an adornment of a beautiful woman.”
b) Death with dignity is preferable to a life lived in humiliation.
c) Dying for the cause of Islam is martyrdom and a great honour. In his farewell to relatives in Madina, Imam Hussein a.s. said: “Whoever joins us will be martyred, those who remain behind will miss the victory.”
posted by: zaigham murtaza

Qur'an aur Hussein : Allama Maujiz Sambhali


Quran aur Hussain dil o Jaa.n hai.n dosto
Dono.n atae khaliq e Yazda.n hai.n dosto
Dono hi deen e haq ke nigahba.n hai.n dosto
Dono hi ye muhafiz eima.n hai.n dosto

Quran aaya deen batane ke wastey
Aaya Hussein deen bachane ke wastey

Quran ne bati Musalma.n kii zindagi
Shabbeer ne bachai Musalma.n kii zindagi
Quran ne padhai Musalma.n ki zindagi
Shabbier ne sikhai Musalma.n kii zindagi

Israr lafz lafz zaba.n kholte mile
Quran aur Hussein jaha.n bolye mile

Quran kya haii Aal e Payaber se poochhye
Nazil jaha.n hua haii ye is ghar se poochhye
Ya iilm ke bane hue ek dar se poochhye
Manzil kitab e paak ki Haider se poochhye

Aijaz jis ne iilm ka apne dikhaa diya
Wo jis ne be ke nuqte ko Quran bana diya

Quran me kya haii iska namoona Hussein hai
Baaikiyo.n ka is ki shanasaa Hussein hai
Quran hai imtehan natija Hussein hai
Quran to khamosh hai goya Hussein hai

Qamber ki baat baat pe lab kholne laga
Fizza ki bhi zuban me ye bolne laga

Paigham bar Hussein ye haq ka payam hai
Ye hai.n Imam e iilm wo ilmul kalam hai
Ye dee.n ke badshah wo dee.n ka salam hai
Ye faiz na tamam wo faiz e tamam hai

Shahid wo is ke or wo in ka gawah hai
Dono ka naam ajr e Risalat panah hai

Quran ki ayato.n ki nishani Hussein hai
Tasweer me Ali ki jawani Hussein hai
Taqreer me Rasool ka saani Hussein hai
Quran hai husn, husn bayani Hussein hai

Quran ke haraf haraf se agaah hai Hussein
Quran ki mamlukat ka shahanshah hai Hussein

Qran ki ki jo baat wo hi inki hu bahu
Lafzo.n me koi farq na fiqro.n me do ba do
Aaina jaise ek hai dono ke rubaroo
Hai guftagu Hussein ki Qura.n ki guftagu

Aal e nabi ke tarz e takleem ki shaan hai
Quran to Hussein ke ghar ki zaban hai

Quran tujhe kahan na uthaya Hussein ne
Kab tera martaba na badhaya Hussein ne
Tujh ko hazar baar sunaya Hussein ne
Neze pe bhi tujhe na bhulaya Hussein ne

Ye aur oj bakhsha Fatema ke noor e ain ne
Nezo.n buland kar dia tujh ko Hussein ne

Har dam that era kaun nighehba.n na bhoolna
Kis ne kiya tha dard ka darma na bhoolna
Quran apni zeest ka sam.n ne bhoolna
Quran ye Hussein ka ahsa.n na bhoolna

Tere waraq liye raha apni panah me
Apne waraq bikher diye qatl gah me

Apne charagh deke bachaye tere charagh
Baatil kii andhiyo.n me jalaye tere charagh
Tasham rasto.n me sajaye tere charagh
Himmat hai ab kisi me bujhaye tere charagh

Zulmat na gher payegi ba koii naam ko
Raushan kuch itna kar diya hai shahar e Shaam ko

Akbar kiya nisar teri zeest ke liye
Asghar kiya nisar teri zeest ke liye
Sab ghar kiya nisar teri zeest ke liye
Phir sir kiya nisar teri zeest ke liye

Ahsan tujh pe ta had ahsan kar diya
Jo kuchh the tere naam pe qurban kar diya

Quran kah raha hai inhe manta hu.n mai.n
Al e Rasool e paak ko pahchanta hu.n mai.n
Jo martaba Hussein ka hai janta hu.n mai.n
Jo mujh pe fauq hai ise gardanta hu.n mai.n

Jo fauq hai aya.n hai wo sab ahl e hosh par
Mai rahal par Hussein Muhammad ke dosh par

Quran o Ahl e baiit me kuchh faasla nahi
Ye aur baat in me se ek bolta nahi
Quran o ahl e baiit se gar wasta nahi
Dozaq baghair or koi rasta nahi

Dono se jis ko ishq hai wo kamyab hai
Ghar bughz ek se bhi hai khana kharab hai

Quran o Ahl e baiit se ulfat Rasool ne
Islam ko ye di thii amanat Rasool ne
Kuchh maal o zar na daulat o hashmat Rasool ne
Manga na aur ajr e Risalat Rasool ne

Dono se rasm o rah ko rakhna zaroor hai
Jo ek se bhi phir gaya dono se door hai

Dar dar pe apne sir ko kabhi phodna nahi
Rishta kisi se aur kahi.n jodna nahi
Jo ahad kar liya hai ise todna nahi
Quran or Hussein ko tun chhodna nahi

Dono se mil ke rehna hi rah e nijat hai
Maujiz adaye ajr e Risalat ki baat hai


posted by: zaigham murtaza

The Final Call: Letter to the people of Basra by Imam Hussain (a.s)

“Allah certainly, chose Mohammad (saw) from among His creatures, honored Him with his prophet hood, and chose him for His message. Then He took his life, raising him to His nearness, after he had advised His servants and preached what he was entrusted. We were his family, his pious men, his trustees, his inheritors and the most entitled among people to inherit his status. The people monopolized that to themselves and we assented, disagreeing to discussion, and chose patience. We know that we are more entitled to that legitimate right than those who seized it. I am calling you to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet. For certainly, the Sunnah was weakened and innovation was revived. Should you listen to what I tell you, you will be guided to the righteous path?”

posted by: zaigham murtaza

A tribute by Hindu Poet

Hind me kaash Hussain ibn Ali aa jaate
Choomte un ke qadam palke bichhate Hindu
Anch Ahmad ke nawase pe naa aane dete
Waqt padta jo koii sir bhii katate Hindu

Bhuvnesh Chandra Sharma “Bhuvan” Amrohi

posted by: zaigham murtaza

Karbala Ki Kahani Suraj Ki Zabani :Allama Naseem Amrohi


Zarra hun aftab se garm sukhan hun mai.n
Khaakii nashaad aur falaq anjuman hu.n mai.n
khursheed-e-asmaan-e-vila ki kiran hu.n mai.n
Aii charkh dekh khak-e-dar-e-Panjetan hu.n mai.n

Sad shukr basta-e-kashish-e-Bootura’ab hu.n
Jo rad na ho kisi se mai.n wo Aftaab hu.n

Maddah-e-doodmaan-e Siraj-e-muneer hu.n
Khama hai muddai ki ataaro nazeer hu.n
Aii aftaab tujhse mai kya zaii pazeer hu.n
Darbar-e-aftab-e-Najaf ka faqeer hu.n

Raushan haii tabaa mahar-e-Risalat ke noor se
Irfan-e-kaiinat haii mere sha’oor se

Sun kar ye meri nazm darkhshan-o-lajawab
Bola ye aftab kea ii abd-e-Booturab
Shab ke bayan me bhii sahar ki haii aab-o-taab

Haii kainaat-e-ghaiib me subha-e-zahoor too
Tarikia.n nigal ke ugalta haii noor too

Maii aur too hai.n ek hii darbaar ke ghulaam
Too ashiq-e-Imam haii maii ashiq-e-Imam
Tujh ko Nabi se kaam haii mujh ko nabi se kaam
Dono talaash-e-haq me hai.n sargarm-e-subha shaam

Too waqeya nigar-e-Imam-e-shaheed haii
Teri shuneed mere liye chasmdeed haii

Maii dahar me zamaan-o-maka.n se hu.n mawara
Mujh se hi roz-e-shab haii mujhe roz-o-shab se kya
Har ibteda mujh hi se mujh hi par haii inteha
Lekin mere nufus se bahar haii Karbala

Wo Karbala Hussain ki jo khwab gaah haii
Dar-omadar-e-Ash’huadan la Ilah haii

Is khak par jo haii lahad-e shah-e-naamsaar
Deen-e-Muhammad me haii is ka bada waqar
Hukm-e-tulu jab mujhe deta haii Kirdigar
Pahli shuja choomti haii shamma-e-mazar

Har roz farz haii ki muqarrar karu.n salam
Dubu.n salam karke nikal kar karu.n salam

Tasleem-e-Karbala ka haii adna silaa nejat
Aa aii gunahgar yahan leke ja nejat
Jannat ke ishq ki nahii hargiz jaza nejat
Is khwab ka haii ishq shifayat wila nejat

Aisii koii gunah ke maraz kii dawa nahii
Jannat ke khak khak haii khak-e-shifaa nahii

Is khak me mila haii chaman Buturab ka
Is khak me lahu haii Risalat mu’ab ka
Is khak me khazana haii ilm-ul-kitab ka
Haii daur daura Fatima ke aftab ka

Mahboob-e-Mustafa haii mashi’at pasand haii
Jab to nizam-e-shams kii had se buland haii

Baa-e-huma nazar me haii jo waqeyat sun
Asbab Karbala ke basad iltefat sun
Phir se hal-e-ibtela-e-kanare furat sun
Pyaso.n ka zikr –o-wahdat-e-zaat-o-saf’at sun

Darban-e-bargahe Risalat panah hu.n
Maii jazba-e-Hussain ka aini gawah hu.n

Jab tak rahe jahan me Rasool-e-malak khisal
Tode usul-e-haq ko kisi ki thi kya majaal
Manhoos raat jis me Nabi ka hua wisaal
Goya ke kahti aii kea ii Fatima ke laal

Tamheed-e-dastan-e-shahadat shuru haii
Asur ki sahar isii shab se tulu haii

Taii kar ke hadsaat kii rahei.n qadam qadam
Mitti jaha.n kii thii wahi.n aaye maii haram
Thahare kanare nahar-e-rawa.n ke Qibla-e-umam
Ye kah ke uth gay eke shar uthne na de.nge hum

Rahat kii ek ghadii bhii mayassar kahan huii
Ya.n tak ke subha-e-wada-e tifli aya.n huii

Wo subha–e-qatl-e Hazrat-e-Shabbir haq asaas
Larze me kaiinaat, faza me hajume yaas
Bechain jinn-o-ins Malaik bhii bad hawaas
Dil bhii, nazar bhii, rooh bhii, mahaul bhii udaas

Kis ne kaha shaheedo.n ke qabil wo din na thaa
Is roz koii inke siwa mutma’in na thaa

Baam-e-ufuq pe subha hua jab ye zaufisha.n
Phaili thi.n ghazio.n ke rukho kii tajallia.n
Das bees tifl-o-peer to das paanch nau jawa.n
Aiise jawa.n ke naaz-e-jahaa.n fakhr-e-khandaa.n


Jab tak zameen zer-e-falaq barqaraar haii
Sabr-e-Hussain, unkii wafa yadgar haii

Saf basta sar baqaf the jawanan-e-sher dil
Himmat thii jinkii khalt, shuja’at thii aab-o-ghil
Qayad ke tewaro.n se nazar jinkii muttasil
Tufa.n bhii nazm-o-zabt me jinke na ho mukhil

Fitrat se panja kash ho.n jo haq ka mafaad ho
Aiise diler ho.n na phir aiisa jehad ho

Ek ek wo diler jo yakta-e-rozgar
Didaar-o-pur khuloos mateen-o-wafa she’ar
Ghazi, diler, Yusuf, bazaar-e-karzar
Kausar kii abroo, chaman-e-khuld kii bahar

Ye gul kahan the gulshan-e-mabar sarisht me
Dunia hi se bahaar gaii haii bahisht me

Peeran-e-kham kamar kii wo surat wo ahetsham
Chalne me teer, shakl me shamsheer-e-be neyam
Gah halat-e-ruqu gahe surat-e-qayaam
Wo Eid kii namaz thii ya nusrat-e-Imam


Ye zor-e-ulfat-e-pisar-e-Buturaab thaa
Peeri kii samt tan ke jo dekhaa shabab thaa

Khoon-e-adoo se ran ka ajab rang kar gaye
Faujo.n pe zindagii kii qaba tang kar gaye
Chaaro taraf sipah ko chaurang kar gaye
Aiisa lade khatma-e-jung kar gaye

Pahu.nchegii unkii tegho.n kii jhankaar door tak
Yani Imam-e-Mehdi-e-dee.n ke zahoor tak

Maula kii anjuman ko mile the ajab charagh
Zakhmo pa zakhm khaa ke bhii wo gul the baagh baagh
Ta zauhar unkii bu se mu’attar rahe dimagh
Phir Fatima ka chand thaa aur in gulo.n kaa daagh

Jungle me Ahl-e-Baiit kii bastii ujad gaii
Alam ke peshwa se jama’at bichhad gaii

Baad is ke imtehaan ka wo aa gaya maqaam
Rota hu.n khoon yaad me jiski maii subh-o-shaam
Tanha thaa qatlgaah me Zehra ka lal’a fam
Ab merii inteha se tamazat thii aur Imam

Garmii thii apne nukta-e-auje kamala par
Maii chart-e-zar lagaye thaa Zehra ke laal par


Nagah maine chha.nw sii dekhii zameen par
Pinha huye nigaho.n se sultan-e-bahr-o-bar
Jhuk kar baghaur janib-e-maqtal jo kii nazar
Dekha ajeeb manzar-e-pur dard-o-pur asar

Fauj-e-malaika ko jilau me liye huye
Ruh-ul-ami.n paro.n se hai.n saya kiye huye

Kahte suna ye jan-e-Rasool-e-Hussain ko
Jibr’iil khoiye na mere dil ke chain ko
Lutf aa raha haii Fatima ke noor-e-aiin ko
Is mehar mu’af hii rakhiye Hussain ko

Is waqt merii samt haii rukh mashra qaiin ka
Allah sabr dekh raha haii Hussain ka

Hukm-e-Imam waqt ka wajib thaa ahatraam
Rote huye chale gaye Jibr’ii-e-nek naam
Thaa qawt-e-asr kar ke tayammum Shah-e-anaam
Padhne lage namaaz badhaa shimr-e-talkh kaam

Maula jhuke sujud me haqqul yaqi.n ke saath
Dono jahaan ho gaye kham ek jabi.n ke saarh

Andhii uthii siyah mujhe lag gaya gahan
Daude haram sara kii taraf azlam-e-zaman
Jalne lage khayam-e-ghariiban-e- be-watan
Dyodhii pe haath maltii thii mazloom kii bahan

Kahtii thii roke haye muqaddar ye kya huaa
Andar mera mareez haii ghash me pada huaa


Posted by: zaigham Murtaza

Imam Hussain's at Karbala: Words of a Gallant

“…O people! The Prophet of Allah (saw) had said: ‘whoever witness an unjust ruler considering the prohibitions of Allah as permissible, breaking the covenant of Allah, opposing the practices of the prophet of Allah (saw), treating His servant sinfully and cruelly, and had seen all these misdeeds but did not oppose him by words and action, Allah surely will punish him as He wills.’‘Certainly these people have come to staunchly obey Satan, and given up obeying the Compassionate. They showed mischief, stop acting in accordance with Islamic laws, took Muslims’ property to themselves, made the haram (prohibited) designated by Allah, halal (lawful), and turned His halal to haram. I am more entitled then anyone else (to make change). Your letters arrived, and your envoys came to me. Carrying your pledge of allegiance that you will not hand me over to my enemy, nor will you fail me. Should you stick to your pledge of allegiance, you have surely made the right decision. I am Hussain bin Ali, and the son of Fatima, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (saw). I am, myself, with you and my family is with yours. You find a good example in me. But, however, if you will not hold onto your pledge of allegiance, break your covenant, and throw off my pledge of allegiance, then, by Allah, it is not the first time you do it. You did it with my father, and you have done it with my brother, and my cousin Muslim bin Aqeel. He is certainly gullible who is deceived by you. You are missing your luck and losing your lot. He who breaks his oath, breaks it at his own peril. Allah will certainly compensate me if you leave me
*His address before the battalion of al-Hur bin Yazid al-Riyahi, Al-Watha'iq al-Rasmiyyah li-Thawrat al-Imam al-Hussein (a.s) (The official Documents of Imam Hussein's Revolution) Abdul Karim al-Qazvini, vol 1

Reason behind Uprising: Communiqué to Mohammad bin al-Hanafiyyah

‘… and I am not taking up arms in order to make merry, or be ecstatic over what I possess. I am ready to fight for the sole goal of seeking reform of the ummah of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah (saw). I want to enjoin good and forbid evil and guide the affairs of the people as my grandfather, and my father, Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s) , were doing. Whoever justly accepts my call, Allah is the Source and Sustainer of justice, but whoever turns my offer down, I will opt for patience, till Allah judges between me and these people, and He is the best of judges.”

Imam Hussein (a.s)

*Al-Watha’iq al-Rasmiyyah li-Thawrat al-Hussain, Abdul-Karim al-Qazwini, p.36. Quoted from Maqtal al-Khawarizimi

posted by: zaigham murtaza

Be Virtuous before it is too late: Imam Ali (a.s)

Be virtuous when there is still time for you to realize and adopt virtues, when repentance can do you good, when prayers are heard: when you are enjoying peace and comfort and when the angels are still writing your good and bad actions (when you still have power and opportunities to do good or to be wicked). Do good before old age or illness renders you exhausted and unfit for any work and before death takes you away from this sphere of activities (life). Because death, sooner or later, will put an end to all your pleasures and all your enjoyments, it will send you far away from your cherished surroundings

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (a.s)


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Recruitment of Officials, as per Islamic Law


While selecting the officers take care that you don not select such persons as have served tyrannical and oppressive rulers and have been responsible for atrocities and savage cruelties


Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (a.s)

posted by: zaigham murtaza

The Quality of Worship

Some people worship Allah desiring (His rewards). It is the worship of merchants. Some people serve Allah out of fear. It is the worship of slaves. And some people serve Allah out of gratitude. It is the worship of free. It is the best kind of worship.


Imam Hussain (a.s)
Tulaf-al-Usool Ibn Shu'bah Al Harrani 5th edition pg 175

I Love Hussain: Gopinath “Aman"


Qurbanio ki shaan banam-e-Hussain haii,
Yani bahut buland maqaam-e-Hussain haii,
Kafir koii kahe to kahe Aman ko magar,
Is ke dil-o-jigar me qayam-e-Hussain haii


A tribute to Imam Hussain:Thomas Carlyle



Hussein and his companions were rigid believers in God. They illustrated that the numerical superiority does not count when it comes to the truth and falsehood. The victory of Hussein, despite his minority, marvels me!”

Tribute to Imam Hussain: Washington Irving


‘It was possible for Hussein to save his life by submitting himself to the will of yazid. But his responsibility as a reformer did not allow him to accept yazid’s Caliphate. He therefore prepared to embrace all sorts discomfort and inconvenience in order to deliver Islam from the hands of the Omayyads. Under the blazing sun, on the parched land and against the stiffing heat of Arabia, stood the immortal Hussein.”

Tribute to Imam Hussain:Muhammad Ali Jinnah


“The world is unable to present an example finer and brighter than the personality of Imam Hussein (a.s). He was the embodiment of love, valor and personification of sacrifice and devotion. Every Muslim, in particular, must learn a lesson from his life and should seek guidance from him.”



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Tribute to Imam Hussain : Edward Gibbon


“In the history of Islam, the life of Imam Hussein (a.s) stands unique, un-approached and unapproachable by anyone. Without the martyrdom, Islam would have been extinguished long ago. He was the savior of Islam and it was due to his martyrdom that Islam took such a deep root, which it is neither possible nor even imaginable to destroy now. In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hussein will waken the sympathy of the coldest reader.”

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Tribute to Imam Hussain: Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru

There is a universal appeal in his martyrdom. Hazrat Imam Hussein (a.s) sacrificed his all, but he refused to submit to a tyrannical government. He never gave any weight to the fact that his material force was far less in comparison with that of an enemy; the power of faith to his greatest force, which regards all material force as nothing. This sacrifice is a beacon light of guidance for every community and every nation”

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Tribute to Imam Husain: M.K Gandhi


“My admiration for the noble sacrifice of Imam Hussein (a.s) as a martyr abounds, because he accepted death and the torture of thrust for himself, for his sons, and for his whole family, but did not submit to unjust authorities.”
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Tribute to Imam Hussain: Allama Iqbal


Imam Hussein uprooted despotism forever, till the day of Resurrection. He watered the dry gardens of freedom with a surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Hussein (a.s) had aimed at acquiring the worldly empire, he would not have traveled the way he did. Hussein weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily, therefore he becomes the foundation of Muslim creed. ‘La Ilaha Illallah’, meaning there is no deity but Allah (God).”

Sir Mohammed Iqbal

A tribute to Imam Hussain : A.A Mohan

Many many years ago,
On the bloody field of Karbala,
A noble Hero faced his foe
As champion of God’s faith and law.

With sacrifices of life he saved,
The honor of divine laws.

And far more glorious was defeat,
Upheld the faith of God,
And ever bowed his noble head,
Before the tyrants iron rod.

His memory belongs to every age,
To every creed and clime.
And, shall forever brightly shine,
Undimmed by cruel hands of time.
Let lovers if peace and righteousness,
His life study and read,
And follow, with true earnestness,
The examples of his noble deed.

Of virtue from his sacred dust,
A harvest has sprung.
To tell the truth no man ever was,
Thus honored, wept and sung.

Whatever his faith, whatever his creed;
To every honest man,
Symbol of every virtue is,
The sacred word, Husain.


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The Last public Address of Imam Hussein ( A.S)


Listen,
The Prophet of God (peace be upon Him) has said that he who sees a ruler perpetrate acts of tyranny, and transgress the boundaries prescribed by God, and establish the rule of sin and oppression, and yet does nothing to thwart him, either by word or by deed, shall not be blessed by God. Behold these people have become the disciples of Satan and victims of diabolism; they have rebelled against the beneficent God; and evil is dominating. Divine laws are fragrantly held “legitimate” and vice versa. My prime duty now is to restore the truth and justice. You are a witness to the conditions as they prevail. The society has deviated from the rightful path and drifted away from virtue. What remains is no more that more semblance of good. it is a disgraceful and dishonorable life. Terror has engulfed the society. But alas, you are oblivious to it, Don’t you see that truth has been oblitered? –and falsehood flagrantly allowed to dominate collective as well as individual actions. Yet, there is none who will check and subdue the tide of falsehood, oppression and tyranny. The moment has come for the believers and the faithful to take the road of martyrdom, with the banner of truth raised high. I seek martyrdom- since living in tyranny is in itself a sin and a crime.

*with special thanks
An extract from Imam Hussein’s address to the people of Iraq
The Dawn-Sunday Feb 11 1973