Day: 15 October 2020

Our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abideen (as) has taught us how to worship Allah (SWT) and it is for this reason that he (as) is known as: Zainul Abideen meaning ‘the adornment’ or ‘the pride of worshippers’ and Sayyid al-Sajideen (Leader of those who prostrate). He (as) has taught us that whenever we rise to worship Allah (SWT), two things have to be taken into consideration. One is the Greatness of Allah (SWT), which should always be in our minds. And our hearts should be filled with His awe such that our feelings should be Baynal-Khaufi war-Rajaa (between hope and fear). Hope for His mercy and fear of His wrath.

 

“It is said that Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (as) did twenty Hajj and every time he (as) traveled on foot to Makkah. Also it is said that Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (as) had a large farm of date trees. He (as) offered two Raka’at payers besides each date tree.”

 

An Incident of Imam Zainul Abideen’s (as) Worship (Ibadah)

 

Imam Zainul Abideen (as) and Worship (Ibadah)Fatima, the daughter of Imam Ali (as) once called Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) – the old companion of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and said to him, “O Jabir! You are one of the greatest surviving companions of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and we belong to the Ahlul-Bayt (as) whose rights are upon you. Among the Ahlul-Bayt (as), one who has survived is Ali ibn Husayn (as) and he (as) has over-engrossed himself in the worship of Allah (SWT). His forehead and palms have wounds because of extensive prostrations and his body has become thin and weak. Therefore go and speak to him so that he (as) may reduce his worship.”

 

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) came to our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abideen (as) whilst he (as) was sitting in the Mihrab of worship. Seeing Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra), our Imam (as) gave him respect and made him sit near himself; and then he (as) asked him about his health and affairs in a very weak voice. Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said, “O son of the Prophet! Allah (SWT) has created Paradise for you and your followers and HE (SWT) has created Hellfire for your enemies and opponents. Then why do you tire yourself so much in worship?” Imam Zainul Abideen (as) replied, “O companion of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh)! Despite his great status in the sight of Allah (SWT), the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) engrossed himself so much in worship that his feet were swollen. When asked: ‘Why do you burden yourself so much when you have nothing to worry?’ Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said, ‘Shouldn’t I express my gratitude to Allah (SWT) and abandon the gratitude of all His favours?'”

 

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said, “O son of the Prophet! Have mercy upon Muslims. It is because of the blessings of your presence that Allah (SWT) keeps away all the hardships and difficulties of the people; and HE (SWT) does not punish them for their wrongdoings”. Imam Zainul Abideen (as) replied, “O Jabir! I shall remain steadfast on the path of my fathers and forefathers until I meet them.” (Ahsan al-Muqaal)

 

Another Incident of Imam Zainul Abideen’s (as) Worship (Ibadah)

 

Taawus-e-Yemeni once entered Hijr-e-Ismail after midnight and saw Imam Zainul Abideen (as) in prostration (Sajdah). He felt as though Imam Zainul Abideen (as) was repeating something. As he came closer, Taawus heard the Imam Zainul Abideen (as) saying: ILAAHI UBAYDUKA BI-FINAA-IK, MISKEENUKA BI-FINAA-IK, FAQEERUKA BI-FINAA-IK “O my Lord! Your most humble servant is at Your doorstep. A beggar is at Your doorstep. A needy is at Your doorstep.”

 

Taawus says that after this incident, whenever I encountered any hardships and sicknesses, I would go into Sajdah and recite these words of Imam Zainul Abideen (as) and I would experience relief. (Ahsan al-Muqaal)

In his childhood, our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abideen (as) once fell very ill. Like any father, his father Imam Husayn (as) too showed affection towards him and asked, “How are you feeling my son? Is there anything you wish to have so that I can provide you with it?” As a small child, he (as) responded, “O father! My wish is only one that Allah (SWT) should place me amongst those who are ever pleased and satisfied with whatever HE destines for them”.

Thereupon his father embraced him and said, “You have indeed spoken words of knowledge (Ma’rifah). Your answer is similar to that of Prophet Ibrahim (as), when Prophet Ibrahim (as) was thrown into fire (by Nimrood), Angel Jibrael met and asked him if he had any wish to which Prophet Ibrahim (as) replied: ‘Indeed but not from you'”.

Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) and Satan:

The reason for Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) being given the title of Zainul Abideen (the adornment or the pride of worshippers) was that one night, as he stood for prayers in his place of worship, Satan manifested himself in the form of a huge serpent with the intention of distracting Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) from his prayers. But when Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) took no notice of him, the Satan approached him and bit his big toe causing pain to run through him, but despite this act of his, Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) continued to remain oblivious of him and carried on with his prayers.

When, after the completion of his prayers, Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) realized that it was Satan, he cursed him saying: “O’ Accursed! Go away,” and once again engaged himself in worship. It was at this moment that he heard an angel call out three times: “You are the adornment or embellishment of the worshippers.”

The narrator says that one day he saw Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) in such a way that the straps of his sandals were broken, due to which he was walking with a lot of difficulty. The narrator asked him, “O son of the Messenger of Allah! Why don’t you buy a new pair of shoes?” He replied, “Whatever amount I save for it, before I could purchase it some needy person comes with a request and I give it to him.” The narrator said, “Please permit me to buy you a pair of shoes.” Just then a beggar came and requested the Imam for something. Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) said to the narrator, “Give him whatever you had intended to spend for buying me a pair of shoes. This person is more deserving of it. If I had the money, I would myself have fulfilled his need.”

Abdullah Damishqi says, “One day I went to Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) and found him patching his cloak. I had come with 5000 Dirhams as Khums money and I presented it to the Imam and said, ‘Master, it is my desire that you take some money from this amount and buy yourself a new cloak, your cloak has become very old.’ Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) said, Keep the money here and announce in Medina that whoever is in need may come to me in the Prophet’s mosque. I made the announcement according to his directions and very soon people converged in hordes. Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) distributed all the money and I was left astounded.”

Namaz-e-Ghufayla prayerOnce a man after the tragedy of Karbala came into the presence of Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) and Syeda Zainab (sa) and said, Ya Imam, I am one of those who involve in the killing of your father in Karbala and I wished to be forgiven, hence advice, what I suppose to do to be forgiven? Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) thought about it and replied, to pray Namaz-e-Ghufayla prayer.

 

This man was very happy after hearing the advice from Imam and left. Syeda Zainab (sa) observing this, asked Imam Zeynel Abidin (as), how can such a great sin be forgiven? Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) replied, it cannot, and Allah (SWT) will make it such that this man won’t have the ability (Tawfiq) ever to perform this Namaz-e-Ghufayla prayer.

 

When Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) was asked once: How did you wake up this morning he replied: I woke up with eight things I am asked to do: Allah (SWT) wants me to perform the religious duties, Holy Prophet (saw) wants me to adhere to his sayings and traditions (Sunnah), my children want me to provide for them, my psyche wants its desires fulfilled, Satan wants me to follow him, the two angels want me to perform good deeds, the angel of death wants my spirit and the grave wants my body.

Once Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) was in the middle of his prayer when his cloak rolled down from his shoulder but he remained unconscious about it. When he finished his prayer one of his companions asked: ‘Oh son of the Holy Prophet (saw)! While you were offering prayer your clock rolled down but you did not pay attention to it.’

Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) replied: ‘Woe upon you! Do you know in front of whom I was standing? Such awareness prevented me from paying attention towards my cloak. Don’t you understand that a servant’s prayer is accepted only to the extent he pays attention towards Almighty Allah (SWT) during his prayer?’

The companion commented: Oh son of the Holy Prophet (saw), Therefore, on this basis we all are going to be doomed?

Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) replied: No! If you offer recommended (Nawafil) prayers, Almighty Allah (SWT) through them will treat your obligatory (Wajib) prayers as completed

As a reaction people of Madina revolted against Yazid, after hearing the horrifying stories of Karbala from Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) in the year 64 AH. The people of Medina removed Yezid’s governor from his post of governorship in Medina, Fearing for their lives, the Bani Umayyah started running away from Medina. Marwan bin Hakam had a large family of women and children and could not run away for his life unless he could find someone who would agree to house his women and children. Marwan bin Hakam approached several people including Abdullah ibn Umar bin Khattab but all refused to help him. Finally Marwan bin Hakam turned to Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) for help.

Marwan bin Hakam was enemy number one of the Holy Prophet (saw) and his family. As a matter of fact, the Holy Prophet (saw) had ordered Marwan and his father Hakam bin Aas to leave Medina as unwanted persons. It is the same Marwan who had fought against Imam Ali (as) in the battle of the Camel (Jung-e-Jamal). Marwan also was one of those who prevented Imam Al-Hassan (as) to be buried next to his grandfather’s grave. Again, it was Marwan who had told Walid, the Governor of Medina in 60 AH to force “Bayah” from Imam Al-Hussein (as) in the court or to cut-off his head if he refused.

Despite all this, Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) agreed to help Marwan bin Hakam without any hesitation. Marwan’s family stayed with the Imam in Imam’s house for as long as they wished. Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) then arranged for them to go to where Marwan was. In fact, Imam’s house was open for anyone who came seeking for protection at this time.

Allah (SWT) says in His Noble Qur’an: “Allah’s wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O folk of the Household, and cleanse you with a though cleansing” (33:33). One of those Members of the House is Imam Ali bin Al-Hussein (as) known as Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) whose martyrdom anniversary is on the 25th of Muharram.

 

Imam Al-Sajjad (as) or Imam Sayyid al-Sajideen (as), another nickname of his meaning the one who prostrates, dedicated all his life to Allah, Islam and all human beings. He lived as a youth with his father, Imam Al-Hussein (as), and his uncle Imam Al-Hassan (as), and witnessed all the events that preceded Karbala, and became aware of the problems of the Muslim Ummah (community) and its suffering from injustice and tyranny.

 

Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) then lived the tragedy of Karbala, but he was so sick that he could not take part in the actual fighting perhaps due to Allah’s (SWT) wisdom. On the day of Ashura (10th Muharram 61 AH) he lost his father, his relatives and companions in one of the most dramatic tragedies that one can ever encounter.

 

After the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein (as), the survival of Islam depended on Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) and that also at a tender age of around 22 years. He had a very hard job of letting the world know the mission of Imam Al-Hussein (as) and exposing the evil intentions of Yazid and the Bani Umayyah. He had to keep the message of Islam alive and save it from being confused by the evil Bani Umayyah.

 

Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) was extraordinary patient, for he accepted Allah’s (SWT) will, being the faithful believer he was. Then he lived the second tragedy immediately following the tragedy of Karbala when he was taken with his sisters and aunts and the rest of the companions’ wives and daughters as prisoners, in an unprecedented act in the history of internal Muslim fights. We know, for example, that when Imam Ali (as) won the battle of the Camel (Jung-e-Jamal), he sent all the women who were with the Prophet’s wife, Aisha, back to Medina with all due respect. But that was the first time in Islam to take Muslim prisoners, and not any Muslims, but women and men of the noblest origin not only in descent but in their piety and values, as those embodied by Syeda Zainab (sa) and Imam Ali bin Al-Hussien (as).

 

Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) was taken to Al-Sham, where he delivered an important speech in which he exposed Yazid ibn Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan and silenced him. He was able to emphasize the values and reasons for Imam Al-Hussein’s (as) revolution through several methods, for he, like all the Imams who followed him, wanted to let this revolution inspire people in all times and places to revolt against oppression and deviation.

 

To quote one incidence, Yazid ibn Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan asked one of his employed preachers to go on the pulpit (Mimber) of the Mosque and abused Imam Ali (as) and his family. When the preacher finished his lecture, Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) turned to him and said, “Be ashamed of yourself, you evil speaker. With your words you have displeased Allah (SWT) so as to please people”. Then Imam (as) asked Yazid to let him talk to the people. Yazid refused to do so. The people of Syria, however, forced Yazid to allow the Imam to go on the Mimber.

 

Once on the Mimber, Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) first praised Allah (SWT) and His Holy Prophet (saw). After that the Imam gave along and very powerful speech letting the Syrians know the great position of Imam Al-Hussein (as) to Allah (SWT), and how evil Yazid and his family were. Part of the speech is summarized below:

 

“O listeners Allah has given us (Ahlul Bayt) six things which no one else has. He has given us special Wisdom, Patience, Dignity, Power of speech, Courage and Respect. He gave us special benefit of belonging to the family of his Prophet. To us belong Hamza and Jafar. To us belong Asadullah (The lion of Allah, Imam Ali (as)). To us belongs the leader of the youths of paradise (Imam Al-Hassan (as) and Imam Al-Hussein (as)).

 

“Those who know me. Those who do not, then know that I am the son of Makkah 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 Meraj. I am the son of he who was taken around by Gabriel, Jibril to the Lote-tree of the boundary (Sidratul Muntaha).

 

Piety and Generosity of Imam Zeynel Abidin (as)I am the son of Muhammad Mustafa (saw). I am the son of Ali Al-Murtaza (as) 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 Zulfikar 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 Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) 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 Azaan, knowing that this would automatically cut the Imam’s speech. But he underestimated the Imam’s bravery and intelligence. Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) stopped his speech but did not get down from the Mimber. When the Muazzin said “Allahu Akbar” the Imam testified Allah’s greatness. When the Muazzin said, “Ash hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah “, the Imam stopped the Muazzin from going any further. He then turned to Yazid and asked him. “Tell me O Yazid, was Muhammad (saw) is 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?”

 

Yazid ibn Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan (la) had no reply to give.

 

The effect of this was to turn Syrians against Yazid. Everyone of them now found out about Yazid’s crimes that he had committed against the Holy Prophet (saw) and his family. They began to blame him and ask for the release of Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) and the womenfolk of the house of the Holy Prophet (saw).

 

Yazid had to free Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) out of fear of his own rulership, therefore, Imam (as) was still not completely safe from his evil designs even upon reaching back to Madina. Once in Madina, Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) gathered the people and told them the horrifying stories of Karbala and informed them that his father Imam Al-Hassan (as) and his companions were martyred and his family members were made prisoners and were taken from one city to another (Karbala, Kufa, Al-Sham) and branded as traitors.

 

Day in and day out, people used to go to Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) and present condolence and hear the events of Karbala. Once a visitor named Noman came to Imam (as) and asked him which was the most difficult time he had to face and Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) cried for a long time and said three times, “As-Shaam, As-Shaam, As-Shaam”. Another visitor asked him as to how long would he continue mourning and crying? For that he replied that Prophet Yaqoob (as) had 12 sons and only one of them (Prophet Yusuf (as)) got lost and he know that he was still alive but he continued crying until the pupils of his eyes became white and his back got bent – I had seen 18 members of my family being slaughtered around me in a single day and you ask me as to how long I would continue mourning.

 

Imam Zeynel Abidin (as) did not sink in the memory of the tragedy to the extent that he forgot about his responsibilities towards the Islamic world. What is being told by some narrators of Ashura is untrue: Imam did not spent all his life crying for the death of his father. He only cried when he saw that crying would provide a window of opportunity to make people become more adherent to the cause.

 

On the contrary, he was patient as any one could be, for the Members of the House are the role models in patience and in overcoming grief. Historians tell us that most scientists and thinkers of that time were among his students. Thus it could be said that he was the teacher of Islamic culture. He also left us his supplications that represent a moving spiritual social and moral Islamic course. If we read his supplication whether the Sahifa-e-Sajjadia or the others, we find out that those who read them will come out by a general cultural Islamic course that covers all basis Islamic principles and concepts.

All those who are familiar with Imam Hussain’s life do certainly realize that his role in serving Islam had started very early in his life. He has contributed to the rising Islamic movement when he was a boy, and played a significant role, when his father, Imam Ali (as) was the Commander of the faithful, taking part in all three wars (Jung-e-Jamal, Jung-e-Siffin and Jung-e-Nahrwan) that his father fought along with the rest of the faithful companions and followers.

 

When his brother Hassan (as) became Imam, he obeyed and followed him in all what he said or did. Then his role entered a new stage with the passing away of his brother. And since the role of any Imam of Ahlul Bayt (as) is defined in accordance with the nature of the social and political conditions of his age, the Imam drew a new course in determining the direction of the Islamic movement.

 

Winds of Revolution or Islamic Movement:

When Muawiyah died in the middle of Rajab of year 60 (Hijrah), and his son Yazeed took power, and ordered his walis to ask for the people’s pledge of loyalty and especially that of Imam Hussain (as), a wave of rejection and opposition to the policy of betrayal and tyranny mounted, and the Imam decided to rise to his religious responsibilities as the lawful Imam and the leader of the Islamic nation entrusted with the task of preserving its divine message.

 

Imam Hussain (as) went to his grandfather Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) grave, and recited the following prayer:

 

“O God, This is the grave of your Prophet, Muhammad (saw) and I am his daughter’s son, and I have come to know what you undoubtedly know. O God, I like to enjoin the good and reject the evil. I ask you O All-Mighty God by this grave and by who is in it to choose for me what would please You and Your Prophet”.

 

Thus Imam Hussain (as) pledged that he would defend the message whatever the cost, as long as it would lead to Allah’s (SWT) satisfaction.

 

Imam Hussain (as) went on to meet with his relatives and followers and inform them of his intention to leave to Makkah. He was met by a lot of opposition of those who tried to dissuade him, either because they were afraid that he would get killed, or because they were not courageous enough to follow him. But his resolve to uphold the right was not shaken by such objections or threats.

 

He declared his first revolutionary communiqué which took the form of a will he wrote to his brother, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah:

 

“…I did not revolt for the cause of evil tyranny or corruption, but to reform my grandfather’s (Prophet Muhammad (saw)) nation. I want to enjoin the good and denounce the evil, and take the course of my father and grandfather”.

 

This eternal communiqué was the official declaration of his revolution.

 

Imam Hussain (as) traveled to Makkah and there he chose to stay at the house of Al-Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, where the faithful believers of Makkah, as well as those outside it, started to visit him and pledge loyalty to him. News about the political uprising in Kufa reached Makkah, and the leaders of the city wrote a letter in which they declared their opposition to the Umayyad rule, and they would not accept anybody else but Imam Hussain (as) to rule them. This letter was followed by many other letters asking the Imam to come to their city to assume his rule as an Imam of the faithful.

 

On the way to the Greater Martyrdom (Zibhe Azeem):

Yazid son of Muawiyah became so worried that he decided to send an army led by Amr bin Saad bin Al-Aas, to kill the Imam wherever they found him and whatever the costs. When Imam Hussain (as) heard that Yazeed’s army was heading towards Makkah, he was afraid that they would violate the sanctuary of the City, so he decided to leave to Kufa although he knew before hand the ultimate destiny he was to face.

 

Imam Hussain (as) and his companions headed towards Iraq; although he was certain that he was going to be killed. But he believed that the true victory of Allah’s message would be realized through his martyrdom, since there was no one else to stand up for the oppression. He knew that the nation would not wake up except by such a great shock. Therefore, let this shock be his martyrdom, along with Ahlul Bayt (as) who went all the way with him.

 

Reasons of the Revolution or Islamic Movement:

Imam Hussain (as) did not possess the necessary force that would enable him to win; he did not even rely on those who wrote to him from Kufa. For he declared his revolution before he received their letters and delegates. Al-Hijaz too did not give him enough support to be able to stand against the Umayyads. Therefore he decided to leave to Iraq for the sole reason of preventing any blood shedding in the Holy City of Makkah. Moreover, he knew that he was destined to die; yet he went on.

 

Why then did he insist; and why did he declare his revolution?

To answer this question, one should be aware of the following facts:

 

First: Yazeed represented a real danger to the Islamic nation, for he was not a true Muslim. He was not properly educated with the teachings of Islam. And he used to drink alcohol, gamble, and commit all other sins according to historic sources. He said: Banu Hashim staged a play to obtain the Kingdom. Actually, there was neither any news (from Allah) nor any revelation. Such a man could not be entrusted with the affairs of the nation. Nevertheless, the faithful forces, with Imam Hussain (as) as their leader, had benefited a lot from these points of weakness in the personality of such an evil ruler.

 

In these circumstances it might not be strange to see many Muslim dignitaries trying to convince Imam Hussain (as) to avoid the confrontation with Yazid, although they bore witness to the corruption of the Umayyads, and they also realized that it was the Imam’s duty and right to face it. He was thus approached by Abdullah bin Umar bin Khattab and Abdallah bin Al-Zubair, as well as some of his family members. These are some of the manifestations of the absence of the militant spirit among most Muslim leaders.

 

As for the common people, this negative spirit spread among them to a terrifying extent. The people of Kufa, for example, broke all their pledges promises and oaths, once they were subjected to the wave of terror led by Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad, as well as seducing them with promises of wealth and power. These factors were among the main reasons that led to the announcement of the revolution. The Imam wanted to shake the dead consciences because he knew that there was no reason what speeches and talks to galvanize and mobilize the people and solidify their morals.

 

Second: The general level of the nation as a whole was below the required to stand up to the current of sweeping deviation. A tendency to treasure the pleasures of this world began to be visible in all sections of the nation, as a substitute to the spirit of sacrifice for the cause of Allah (SWT). And this enabled the opportunistic current to win and hold the positions of ruling and guidance.

 

Third: It was necessary that the nation should learn about the true Islamic conception of the Imamate; it’s true role and its dimensions. The dangerous effects of undermining the Islamic conceptions which was played by the Umayyad rule was never emerging from the grass root level, but rather from the high levels of leadership that monopolized all means of guidance. Therefore, in accordance with the demands of the Islamic message, and the qualities that have to be available in a Muslim ruler, Imam Hussain (as) had to explain these issues to the Muslim masses in every speech he made or any other opportunity he had: “O people you have to be pious believers, and know the right. That is better for you. We the members of the family of Muhammad (Ahlul Bayt (as)) are more entitled to be the rulers than those who claim what is not rightfully theirs; those oppressors and tyrants”.

 

With such roaring words the Imam Hussain (as) revealed that the Umayyads who have deviated from the right Islamic path are not fit to be rulers, and explained to the nation the foundations of the course an Islamic traits that are embodied in the Imam himself that qualify him to be Imam of the nation. Thus, underlining the Islamic conception of the Imamate and revealing the falsehood of the Umayyad claims were among the fundamental reasons that made the Imam declare his revolution.

 

Fourth: The Islamic message offers no justification for the Muslim to relief him from performing his duties as a man who has obligations towards the message he believes in. Man in the Islamic society is not an independent individual but rather a person who is integrated in his society and who should perform his duties towards the Islamic message. But to fulfill his commitments towards Allah’s Shariah in enjoining the good and forbidding the evil meant that he had to follow the path of the revolution, because it was the only way that provided any hope for reform in his grandfather’s (saw) nation.

 

These are the main reasons that gave Imam Hussain (as) and his companions the right to declare the victorious revolution, which immortalized Islam and inspired the coming generations to defend it and to hold fast in the Holy Wars of Jihad.

 

Imam Hussain (as) the symbol of peace and Justice taught us how important is to seek the truth even thought it’s not good for our own benefits. Imam Hussain, peace be upon him, always wanted to guide people, Muslim or non-Muslim, enemy or friend to the path that ends to Almighty Allah (SWT). He had taught us that we are the ones who had to fallow his way and bring peace to the society and become a Muslim freedom lover. Whoever listens to the Tragedy of Karbala, gets to realize that Imam Hussain (as) had saved the actual Islamic world, and made everyone think that life is not just about thinking about our own good and having time for enjoying and caring more about ourselves. In addition, we all know that Imam Hussain and his family (peace be upon them) had been through a hard journey, however after all these years everyone remembers them and the values that they had stood up for. The day of Ashura represents the victory of blood against sword.

• O Allah what did he finds who lost you, and what did he loose who found you.
• On his way to Karbala, Imam Hussain(A.S.) said: This world has changed, snubbed, and its good has turned tail. Nothing has remained from it except a thing that is as scanty as the leftover of a cup and a mean life that is like a noxious grazing. Have you not noticed that the right is ignored and the evil is not forbidden? This is sufficient for making the believer’s desire for meeting Allah rightfully. I consider death as happiness and life with the wrongdoers as boredom. People are certainly the slaves of this world. The religion is only a slaver on their tongues. They turn it wherever their livelihood demands. If they are examined by misfortunes, the religious will be very little.
• Imam Hussain(A.S.) said to a man who backbit another before him. O you, stop backbiting, for it is the daily meal of the dogs of Hell.
• Before Imam Hussain(A.S.), a man said that favors are worthless if they are done to other than its people. The Imam Hussain(A.S.) commented: No, this is in accurate. Favors should be like the heavy rain that covers the pious and the sinful.
• Whenever Allah seizes the power of somebody, He will surely free him from acts of obedience to Him, and whenever He seizes the ability of somebody, He will surely save his from the burdens.
• Some people worshipped Allah for the purpose of gaining His gifts. This is the worship of the merchants. Some worshipped Him for the purpose of avoiding His punishment. This is the worship of the slaves. Some worshipped Him as showing gratitude to Him. This is the worship of the genuine ones. It is the best worship.
• A man received Imam Hussain(A.S.) saying, “How are you? Allah may grant you good health.” The Imam Hussain(A.S.) instructed him: Salaam-greeting-should precede wording. Allah may grant you good health. Do not permit anybody before he says salaam.
• There are seventy advantages for the greeting. Sixty-nine are given to the one who greets first and one is given to the one who responds to the greeting.
• When Allah wills to lead a servant to destruction gradually, He bestows upon him with graces and does not favor him with showing gratitude for these graces.
• Imam Hussain(A.S.) said to a man who begged him: Asking for financial help is acceptable only in big loss, extreme poverty, or horrible guarantee. The man said: Because of one of these I came. Hence, the Imam Hussain(A.S.) ordered to be given one hundred dinars.
• Imam Hussain(A.S.) said to his son Ali(A.S.): O son, beware of wronging him who does not have a supporter except Allah the Majestic.
• A man from Ansar wanted to ask Imam Hussain(A.S.) for financial help, but the Imam Hussain(A.S.) said: O brother of Ansar, protect your face from the humility of seeking others help. You may write your need in a paper and I will respond to it pleasantly, God willing. The man wrote to the Imam (A.S.) that he owed a certain individual five hundred dinars and that man insisted on receiving his money soon. He also asked the Imam Hussain(A.S.) to speak to persuade that man to grant him a respite until he becomes able to defray the sum. As Imam Hussain(A.S.) read the paper, he entered his house to take out a bale containing one thousand dinars. He handed them to the man and said: You may defray the debt and use the other five hundred dinars for settling your financial problems. “Do not say your need to anybody except three, a religious, a chivalrous, or a highborn individual. The religious will try to keep his religion pure, the chivalrous will be embarrassed by his chivalry, and the highborn will feel that you have not kept your face from asking for your need; therefore, he will protect your face against disappointing you.”
• Sitting with the intelligent is a sign of successfulness. Disputation with other than the disbelievers is a sign of ignorance. A sign of a scholar is his self-criticism of his sayings and his acquaintance with the various hypotheses.
• Beware of things for which you apologize. The true believer should not make mistakes and should not apologize. The hypocrite makes mistakes and apologizes everyday.
• The true stingy is that who refrains from greeting.
• He who tries to achieve something through acting disobediently to Allah will miss what he expects and fall in what he fears.

Our 3rd Imam, Imam Hussain (as) fought with Yazid ibn Muawiya in 61 AH to save Islam. Imam Hussein (as) was forced to fight Yazid’s army because he would not give Bayat (oath of allegiance) to Yazid ibn Muawiya.

When Imam Hussein (as) was told that he had to give Bayat to Yazid otherwise he would be killed, Imam Hussein (as) replied that: a man like him could not give Bayat to a man like Yazid ibn Muawiya.

By saying this Imam Hussein (as) was trying to tell everyone that what Yazid believed in was totally opposite to what Imam Hussein (as) believed in. Yazid was the follower of Shaitan while Imam Hussein (as) was the follower of Allah (SWT).

Imam Hussein (as) knew that himself, his friends and family were to die in Karbala. He also knew that this was the only way that he could show to the other Muslims that Yazid who claimed to be a Muslim and protect Islam was in fact destroying it.

In Imam Hussein (as) army there were not just strong soldiers, that was not what was needed to get into the army of Imam Hussein (as). To get into the army of Imam Hussein (as) you needed to believe and act upon Islam.

Imam Hussein (as) wanted people, when they heard about the events of Karbala to know that it was not for power but for Islam and this is how to get into the army of Imam Hussein (as) you needed to be a believer and not a soldier. Imam Hussein’s (as) army had all kinds of people:

Imam Hussein (as) had rich, noble men. He had freed slaves. He had old and young men. He had men who had done wrong and repented (e.g. Hazrat Hurr – the commander of Yazid ibn Muawiya army). He had pious men.

Whenever other Muslims heard about the events of Karbala, they would ask themselves, why it was that men from different backgrounds, different circumstances, different ways of life, all came together to fight and die with Imam Hussein (as).

Every Muslim regardless of his colour, his race, his background, his financial situation, his age, could identify himself with one martyr in the army of Imam Hussein (as) and through him understand why Imam Hussein (as) did what he did.

Moral of the Story: Imam Hussein (as) could not give Bayat to Yazid ibn Muawiya because it was against what he believed in. You should always stand by what you believe in. Imam Hussein (as) gave up his life for Islam. We as guardians of Islam should make sure that we keep Islam alive the way Imam Hussain (as) would have wanted.