Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Shi’a vs. Iran

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Some people have fallen victims of confusing Iran with Shi’a. They try to imply that Shi’a were persians who hated Arabs and that is why they oppose Umar and some other companions.

Iran is a country and Shi’a is a belief, they are two different entities!

Many people are Shi’a but they are NOT Iranian. There are Shi’a in Iraq, Hijaz (Arabian Peninsula), Syria, Lebanon, and all of them are Arabs. In addition to that, there are Shi’a in Pakistan, India, Africa, America, and all of them are neither Arabs nor Persians.

More over all of the 12 Imams of Shi’a are Arabs, from Quraish and from Bani Hashim. If Persians were prejudice and hated Arabs, as some people claim, they would have chosen Salman al-Farsi as their Imam since he was a great companion of the Prophet, and respected by both Shi’its and Sunnits.

On the other hand, most of the leading Sunni Imams were Persian, such as Abu Hanifa, al-Nisa’i, al-Tirmithi, al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, al- Ghazzali, Ibn Sina, al-Farabi, and many others.

If Shi’a were all Persians who rejected Umar because he destroyed their power, then how can we explain the rejection of Arabs who were not Persians? Thus, this is an illogical claim. These people refused Umar because of his role in excluding ‘Ali from leadership after the departure of prophet and because of the tragic disputes.

It is true that Shi’a whether they were Arabs or Persians or any other nationalities, followed closely Qur’an, and the tradition of the Prophet transmitted by his family, and refused to accept the alternatives, despite the repressive/oppressive policies of the Umayad and later the Abbasid for seven centuries. During that period, they chased Shi’a every where. They killed them, displaced them, denied their rightful grants, tried to destroy their cultural and intellectual heritage, and spread all sorts of rumors about them in order to keep people away from them. The legacy of such policies is still felt up to now.

Another Wahhabi (Umayad reborn) mentioned:

All the historical records show that truely Iran was the hotbed for most of the turbulence in the Islamic history, be it the Khurramiah, the Khawarij, the Hashshasheen, the Qaramitah, and all kind of corrupted groups including the worshippers of the 12.

Pure non-sense. Khawarij appeared in Iraq. Hamdan Qarmat (the head of Qaramitah) was living in Kufah. Most of Qaramitah were from Yemen. FYI, there is no group who worship 12. This is what you have been granted by your mother’s milk.

Although I do not want to favor any nationality, but the authentic Sunnicollections contain many traditions which is in favor of the Persians. I just quote some of them here:

Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 6.420

Narrated Abu Huraira:

While we were sitting with the Prophet Surat al-Jumu’a was revealed to him, and when the Verse, "And He (Allah) has sent him (Muhammad) also to other (Muslims).....’ (62:3) was recited by the Prophet, I said, "Who are they, O Allah’s Apostle?”The Prophet did not reply till I repeated my question thrice. At that time, Salman al-Farisi was with us. So Allah’s Apostle put his hand on Salman, saying, "Even if Faith were at (the place of) Ath-Thuraiya (pleiades, the highest star), then some men or man from these people (i.e. Salman’s folk) would attain it."

The next tradition right after the previous one:

Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 6.421

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said "Then some men from these people would attain it."

I have to also mention that Salman was from a province inside of Iran named "Fars". It is now in the middle of present Iran. Sahih Muslim has also many traditions in this regard:

Abu Hurairah reported: We were sitting in the company of Allah’s Apostle(may peace be upon him) that Sura al-Jumua was revealed to him and when he recited (these words):

"Others from amongst them who have not yet joined them (62:3)”

a person amongst them (those who were sitting there) said: Allah’s messenger! But Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) made no reply, until he questioned him once, twice, or thrice. And there was amongst us Salman the Persian. The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) placed his hand on Salman and then said: Even if faith were near the Pleiades, a man from amongst these would surely find it.

Sunni reference: Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter MLI, titled as: The merit of the people of Persia, Tradition #6178

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If the din (religion) were at the pleiades, even then a person from Persia would have taken hold of it, or one amongst the Persian descent would have surely found it.

Sunni reference: Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter MLI, titled as: The merit of the people of Persia, Tradition #6177

Again, I do not intend to favor any nationality, but I merely quoted these traditions to show the absurdity of the false aqusations against the Muslims from Iran.

The Wahhabi contributor further mentioned:

Actually most of Iran have accepted the SUnnah of the prophet and joined the Jamaah before they were forcefuly converted to Rafidhism by the Safwiyyeen, to show the extent of the strength of the fitnah in there.

Most people of Persia followed Ahlul-Bayt from the beginning of the appearance of Islam in that place, eventhough the Umayad and Abbasid oppressive governments continued to prosecute the followers of Ahlul-Bayt in Persia, Iraq, Hijaz, and other places.

No body can force a person to convert into another religion, since religion is in the heart of People and not in ID. Your logic slips away from me when I see many Arabs inside the Arabian Peninsula (what is now know as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia) are the Shi’a of Imam ‘Ali (as) despite the oppressive regimes in Hijaz since the early history of Islam. Perhaps you give me an excuse that Hijaz was a part of Iran at the time!

Imam Husayn (as): A brief Description and Analysis

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Since we are approaching to the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram), the anniversary of the martyrdom of al-Husayn (as), the grandson of Prophet (S), we use this opportunity to give a short biography of Imam Husayn.

Al-Husayn (as), the second child of ‘Ali and Fatimah, was born in the year 4 AH, and after the martyrdom of his elder brother, al-Hasan, became his successor. Husayn was Imam for 10 years which was mostly during the reign of Muawiyah, except the last 6 month which coincided with the reign of Yazid. Imam Husayn lived under the most difficult conditions of suppression and persecution. This was due to the fact that, first of all, religious laws and regulations had lost much of their weight and credit, and the edicts of the Umayyah government had gained complete authority and power.

Secondly, Muawiyah and his fans made use of every possible means to put aside the Household of prophet and to move them out of the way. Above all, Muawiyah wanted to strengthen the basis of future kingdom of his son, Yazid, who because of his lack of principles and scruples was opposed with a large group of Muslims. Therefore, in order to quell all opposition, Muawiyah had undertaken more severe means until he died in 60 AH and his son Yazid took his place.

Giving the oath of allegiance, was an old Arab practice which was carried out in important matters like governorship. Well-known people would give the oath of allegiance as a sign of agreement and obedience to their king and showing their support for his future actions. Braking the agreement after the oath of allegiance, was considered as a definite crime. Muawiyah during his life time, had asked well-known people to give the oath of allegiance to Yazid, but did not impose this request upon Imam Husayn.

He particularly told Yazid in his last will that if Imam Husayn refused to give the oath of allegiance, he should take it easy because Muawiyah knew the bad consequences of such enforcement. However because of his egoism and recklessness, Yazid neglected his father’s advice, and immediately after taking over the power, ordered the governor of Medina to either take the pledge of allegiance from Imam Husayn, or send his head to Damascus. After the governor of Medina informed this demand to him, Imam Husayn asked for a delay to think about the matter, and moved with his family toward Mecca overnight. He sought refuge in the sanctuary of God in Mecca which is official place of refuge in Islam. This happened at the beginning of Shaban 60 AH. Imam Husayn stayed in Mecca for nearly four month.

This news spread throughout the Islamic world, and many people who were tired of inequalities during Muawiyah reign and were even more disturbed when Yazid took over, corresponded with Imam Husayn and expressed their sympathy for him. On the other hand, a flood of letters began to flow, specially from Iraq and particularly from the city of Kufah, inviting the Imam to go there and to build up a government. Naturally such situation was dangerous for Yazid.

The stay of Imam Husayn in Mecca continued until the season of pilgrimage when Muslims from all over the Islamic world came to Mecca to perform Hajj. The Imam realized that some of the followers of Yazid had entered Mecca as pilgrims with the mission of killing Imam during the ceremonies of Hajj with the arms they carried under the special pilgrimage dress.

In order to safeguard the great sanctuary of Mecca, Imam Husayn decided to leave for Iraq before completing the ceremony of Hajj. When he was asked the reason for the mysterious departure, Imam Husayn said that he would perform this year’s pilgrimage in the desert of Karbala, offering the sacrifice of not any animals, but himself and his family and friends. Giving a short speech in the vast crowd of people, he announced that he was setting for Iraq, and said he would be martyred. He asked people to join him in attaining the goal of offering their lives in the path of God.

Imam Husayn was determined not to give his allegiance to Yazid and fully knew that he would be killed. But it was not the time to save the life. That moment was the right time to water the faded lawn of Islam by his blood. Some of outstanding people of Mecca stood in the way of Imam Husayn and warned him the danger of the move he was making.

But he answered that he refused to pay allegiance and to give his approval to a government of injustice and tyranny. He added that wherever he would go, he would be killed, so he would leave Mecca in order to preserve the respect for the House of God, and not to allow this respect be destroyed by letting his blood spilled there.

While on the way of Kufah, he received the striking news that under the pressure of Yazid’s agents, people of Kufa did not support his representatives and turned back, and some of them joined the Yazid’s army to kill Imam’s representatives in Kufah. The feet of those martyrs were tied and they were dragged through the streets of Kufah. The city and its surroundings were under very strict marshal law by countless soldiers of enemy who where waiting to face Imam. There was no way for Imam to turn into unless to march ahead and face the death.

Approximately 44 miles from Kufah, in a desert called Karbala, Imam and his followers were surrounded by the army of Yazid. They cut off the water supply of the Household of Prophet and their companions and their families among them were many women and children. For eight days they stayed in that place under the heat of the sun, and the circle among them narrowed and the number of enemy’s army increased by a number of 30,000 fully equipped soldiers of Yazid.

In the following night, Imam gathered his companions and gave the a short speech saying that there was nothing ahead but martyrdom. He added that since the enemy was concerned only with his person, he would free them from all obligations so that any one who wished could escape in the darkness of the night and save his life. Then he ordered the lights to be turned off, and most of his companions who had joint him for their own advantages, dispersed. Only those whose hearts were tested by Allah remained who were about 40 companions and some from Bani Hashim (his relatives).

Once again, Imam gathered those who remained to put them on the test. He addressed his companions and Hashimite relatives, repeating that enemy was only concerned with him and they could escape the danger in the darkness of night. But this time the faithful companions answered each in own way that they would not deviate from the right path and would never leave him alone. They said that they would defend the Household of Prophet to the last drop of their blood as long as they could carry a sword.

The enemy intended to start the war in the eve of the ninth day of the month, but Imam asked for a delay till next morning to worship all over the night for the last time. During the night, some 30 soldiers of enemy joint Imam, among them was Hurr who was one of the Generals of the army of enemy. They finally chose their way to be with Imam, and Imam accepted their repentance. In this way the number of his followers became close to 90 people consisting of 72 companions and 18 male members of his family and relatives, while enemy was more than 45,000 by then.

On the tenth of Muharram of the year 61 (680) That inequitable war began. That day, they fought from morning till their final breath, and all the companions and the relatives were martyred. Among those who were killed were two children of Imam Hasan, only thirteen and eleven years old, and a five years old child of Imam Husayn.

When Imam himself was ready to fight, he saw his six-month-old baby is dying from thirst. Imam brought his infant near to enemy demanded some water for baby, saying: You want me but not this baby so take him and give him some water. The words of Imam has not been finished that the thirst of the baby was quenched by a deadly poisoned arrow from enemy which pinned the baby’s neck to the arm of his father. Imam threw some of his blood toward sky saing: "O’ Lord! Your Husayn has offered whatever You have given him. Bless me by acceptance of this sacrifice.”Finally Imam came to the field and fought for a long time and was finally martyred. The army of Yazid having killed Imam Husayn, cut his head and raised it on a lance.

The army of enemy, after ending the war, burned the tents of women and children accompanying Imam and his companions, and plundered those helpless women. They decapitated the bodies of the martyrs, denuded them and threw them to the ground without burial. Then they moved women and children along with the heads of the martyrs to Kufah. The bodies of the martyrs were under the sunshine for three days till a tribe passing that place found them and performed the burial.

The event of Karbala, the capture of women and children of the Household of Prophet, their being taken as prisoners from town to town, and the speeches made by Zaynab, the daughter of ‘Ali, who was one of the prisons, became a scandal for Umayyah Kingdom. Such abuse of the Household of Prophet nullified the propaganda which Muawiyah had built up for years. The scandal reached to the extent that Yazid denounced the action of his agents in public. That was what excactly Imam Husayn wanted to do, otherwise he would not bring women and children with him and sacrifice some, and let the rest to become captives. That was the only way to make a wave in order to awaken the Muslim nation.

The event of Karbala was a major factor in the overthrow of Umayyah kingdom though its effect was delayed. Among its immediate results were the revolts and rebellions combined with bloody wars which continued for twelve years.

During those riots non of the important elements in Karbala could escape revenge and punishment, including Yazid.

Muhammad Iqbal (from Lahore, Pakistan) said:

"Imam Husayn uprooted despotism forever till the day of Judgment. He watered the dry garden of freedom with surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husayn had aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have traveled he did. Husayn weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became bed-rock (foundation) of the Muslim creed; There is no God but Allah."

Charles Dickens had said the following about Imam Husayn (as):

"If Husayn fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam."

Thomas Carlyle has relayed this about the Tragedy of Karbala:

"The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Husayn and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Husayn despite his minority marvels me!"

The famous, Dr. K. Sheldrake on Imam Husayn (as) said this:

"Husayn marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not only ready to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching."

World famous Arab historian al-Fakhri has said this about Imam Husayn’s sacrifice:

"This is a catastrophe whereof I care not to speak at length, deeming it alike too grievous and too horrible. For verily, it was a catastrophe than that which naught more shameful has happened in Islam...There happened therein such a foul slaughter as to cause man’s flesh to creep with horror. And again I have dispersed with my long description because of it’s notoriety, for it is the most lamented of catastrophes."

The previous four quotes have been taken from "The Martyrdom of Imam Husayn (as)”- Yousuf Lalljee

Some Traditions on Imam al-Husayn (as)

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In this article, I would like to present some of the traditions recorderded in the Sunni collections of the traditions Regarding him:

The Messenger of Allah said: "Al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise and Fatimah is the chief of their women."

Sunni References:

(1) Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p660, on the authority of Abu Sa’id and Hudhayfa

(2) Sunan Ibn Majah, Introduction 8

(3) al-Tabarani, on the authorities of: Umar, ‘Ali, Jabir, Abu Hurayrah, Usamah Ibn Zaid, al-Baraa, Ibn ‘Adi, and Ibn Masud.

(4) al-Kubra, by al-Nisa’i

(5) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, pp 62,82, v3, pp 3,64, v5, p391

(6) Fada’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, p771, Tradition #1360

(7) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, pp 166,167

(8) Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu’aym, v5, p71

(9) Majma’ al-Zawa’id, by al-Haythami, v9, p187

(10) Tuhfatul Ashraf, by Lumzi, v3, p31

(11) Ibn Habban, as mentioned in al-Mawarid, pp 551,553

(12) al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p290

(13) Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #6154

Also it is narrated that:

The Messenger of Allah said: "Husayn is from me and I am from Husayn."

Sunni References:

(1) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v4, p172

(2) Fadha’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, p772, Tradition #1361

(3) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p 177

(4) Amali, by Abu Nu’aym al-Isbahani, p 64

(5) al-Kuna wal Asmaa, by al-Dulabi, v1, p88

(6) al-Tabarani, v3, p21

(7) Adab by al-Bukhari, also al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, as quoted in:

(8) al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p291

(9) Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #6160

The last part of the above tradition probably means that Imam Husayn (as), by sacrificing himself and his family, preserved the religion of Prophet Muhammad (S) from full annihilation.

Abu Huraira narrated:

The Prophet (S) looked toward ‘Ali, Hasan, Husayn, and Fatimah (sa), and then said: "I am in war with those who will fight you, and in peace with those who are peaceful to you."

Sunni References:

(1) Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p699

(2) Sunan Ibn Majah, v1, p52

(3) Fadha’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p767, Tradition #1350

(4) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p149

(5) Majma’ al-Zawa’id, by al-Haythami, v9, p169

(6) al-Kabir, by al-Tabarani, v3, p30, also in al-Awsat

(7) Jami’ al-Saghir, by al-Ibani, v2, p17

(8) Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v7, p137

(9) Sawaiq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, p144

(10) Talkhis, by al-Dhahabi, v3, p149

(11) Dhakha’ir al-Uqba, by al-Muhib al-Tabari, p25

(12) Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #6145

Also:

The Messenger of Allah said: "He who loves al-Hasan and al-Husayn, loved me, and he who makes them angry has made me angry."

Sunni reference:

- Sunan Ibn Majah,

- al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, from Abu Hurairah

- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quited in:

- al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p292

It has been narrated in two wordings that:

The Messenger of Allah said: "I named Hasan and Husayn and Muhsin the names of the sons of Aaron (Haroon) who were: Shubbar, Shubair, and Mushbir."

Sunni References:

(1) Sunan Abu Dawud al-Tilyasi, v1, p232 (without mentioning Muhsin)

(2) Fadha’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p774, Tradition #1365

(3) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, pp 165,168

(4) Kashf al-Astar, by al-Bazzar, v2, p416

(5) Ibn Habban, as quoted in al-Mawarid, p551

(6) al-Tabarani, v3, p100

(7) Idhaah, Abdul Ghani, from Salman al-Farsi

(8) al-Mu’jam, by al-Baghawi, as quoted in:

(9) al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p292

The third son of Lady Fatimah (sa) who was pre-named by the Prophet as Muhsin, was miscarried shortly after the demise of Prophet.

Usamah ibn Zayd narrated:

I went to the Prophet (S) one night about something I required and he came out with something (I did not know what) under his cloak. When I had finished telling him my business I asked him what he had under his cloak, and when he opened it I saw al-Hasan and al-Husayn on his hips. He then said, "These are my sons and my daughter’s sons. O Allah, I love them, so I beseech Thee to love them and those who love them.”

Sunni References:

- Sahih Tirmidhi, per:

- Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #6156

Anas ibn Malik Narrated:

When Allah’s Messenger (S) was asked which member of his family was dearest to him, he replied, "Al-Hasan and al-Husayn.”He used to say to Fatimah, "Call my two sons to me,”and then would sniff and cuddle them.

Sunni References:

- Sahih Tirmidhi, per:

- Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #6158

Imam Husayn (as) said: "Don’t you see that the truth is not followed and the falsehood is not discouraged? (The situation is so severe) so that a Believer wishes to meet Allah (i.e., to die). And today I don’t see death but prosperity, and living with tyrants is nothing but disgust and disgrace."

Sunni Reference: Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu’aym, v2, p39

إني لا أرى الموت إلا السعادة و الحياة مع الظالمين إلا برما .

Imam Husayn (as) said in the day of Ashura: "If you do not have any religion, then at least be free (open-minded) in your present life."

إن لم يكن لكم دين فكونوا أحراراً في دنياكم .

Imam Husayn (as) said: "By Allah, I shall not give my oath to you like a humiliated one, and nor shall I flee like the captive."

و الله لا أعطيكم بيدي إعطاء الذليل و لا أفِرُ فرار العبيد .

al-Bukhari Narrated from Ibn Abi Na’m:

I have heard Prophet saying: "They (Hasan and Husayn) are my two sweet- smelling flowers in this world."

Sunni Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic-English, v8, Tradition #23

Again al-Bukhari narrated from Ibn Abi Nu’m:

A person asked Abdullah Ibn Umar whether a Muslim could kill flies. I heard him saying (in reply): "The people of Iraq are asking about the killing of flies while they themselves murdered the son of the daughter of Allah’s Apostle The Prophet said, They (i.e. Hasan and Husayn) are my two sweet basils in this world.”

Sunni Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic-English, v5, Tradition #96

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik said:

"The head of al-Husayn was brought to Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad and was put in a tray, and then Ibn Ziyad started playing with a stick at the nose and mouth of al-Husayn’s head, and saying something about his handsome features.”Anas then said (to him): "Al-Husayn resembled the Prophet more than any other people."

Sunni Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic-English, v5, Tradition #91

Imam Husayn said: "I revolted not for wickedness nor for fame. Verily I rose only to seek for rectification in the nation of my grandfather, The Messenger of Allah."

إني لم أخرج اشراً و لا بطراً و إنما خرجت لطلب الإصلاح في أمة جدي رسول الله .

Imam Husayn said: "The true life is all having a strong idea and striving (for that idea)."

إن الحياة عقيدة و جهاد .

Imam Husayn said: "People are the slaves of this world, and religion is just in their tong. They keep it as long as it meets their comfortable life. But when the test comes, religion holders become very few."

إن الناس عبيد الدنيا و الدين لَعِقٌ على ألسِنَتهم يحوطونه ما درَّت معائشهم. فإذا مُحِّصوا بالبلاء قل الديَّانون .

Peace, with sception and hope, I seek, (congruity’s scope I know is bleak)

To mend I crave (rather than kill)

To spill blood, abhor I will.

Intend I do, no force to use (If sense in you I can infuse)

But the rules, supreme, of the divine faith

Resolved I am, to defend till death.

Face your hostile moves I will.

Thought accord I covet, seek peace still.

A holy war it means indeed

If waged to crush the devil’s creed.

No rancor, `against you,’ I hold

But faith do cherish - as I told.

Islam I will resolutely shield

Burnt will stand and never yield.

Would welcome death (and make it tame)

Would rather die than live in shame.

Your Prophet’s scion I’m - you know

At least some regard to his name show.

His singular dictum is my creed:

"Universal good”I adore, indeed.

‘Ali, the paragon, the seraphic Imam

Cham of the faith, the shield of Islam

Inimitable, impeccable: I am his son

His peerless attributes I have won.

My heart is virtues’ abode and nest

Blessedness harbors in my breast.

The Prophet Crying For Imam Al-Husayn

Narrated Salma:

"I went to visit Umm Salamah and found her weeping. I asked her what was making her weep and she replied that she had seen Allah’s Messenger (S) (meaning in a dream) with dust on his head and beard. She asked him what was the matter and he replied, `I have just been present at the slaying of al-Husayn.’"

- Sahih Tirmidhi, per:

- Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #6157

Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas:

One day at midday he saw in a dream the Prophet (S) disheveled and dusty with a bottle containing blood in his hand and said, "You for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom, what is this?”

He replied, "This is the blood of al-Husayn and his companions which I have been collecting today.”He told that he was reckoning that time and found that he had been killed at that time.

- Musnad Ahmad Hanbal;

- Dala’il an-Nubuwwah, by al-Bayhaqi; per:

- Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #6172

Aisha narrated:

The Prophet (S) said: "Gabriel informed me that my grandson al- Husayn (as) will be killed after me in the land of al-Taff and brought me this Turbah (mudd/soil) and informed me that this is the soil of the place he will be martyred."

Sunni reference:

- Tabaqat, by Ibn Sa’d,

- al-Tabarani, as quoted in:

- al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p292

Not only human beings, but also the Jinns mourn for Imam al-Husayn. It has been narrated that after his (as) martyrdom:

Um Salama (the wife of Prophet (S)) said: I heard the Jinns (the unseen creatures) mourning for al-Husayn."

Sunni References:

(1) Tarikh al-Kabir, by al-Bukhari (the author of Sahih), v4, part 1, p26

(2) Fada’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p776, Tradition #1373

(3) Tabarani, v3, pp 130-131

(4) Tahdhib, v7, p404 As for the Shi’ite references, there is a traditions from the Prophet

(S) that: "When al-Khidr (as) met Moses (as), he explained and forecast the catastrophe of Karbala (the place where this tragedy took place) in the day of Ashura for Moses, and the calamities that will happen on that day, and then both al-Khidr and Moses cried and screamed severely.”

Also Ibn Abbas (ra) narrated that he met Imam ‘Ali (as) in Ziqar, and Imam ‘Ali pulled out a book that was written of the words of Prophet (S) in which the Prophet had explained the tragedy of Ashura and the slaughtering of his grandson al-Husayn and how he will be killed and who kills him and who assist them and who will be martyred with him. Then Imam ‘Ali (as) screamed severely and caused Ibn Abbas (ra) to cry.

Umayad Sanctifying Ashura

Bani Umayyah (Umayad) forced people to celebrate the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) as a blessed day, and encouraged people to buy and store their annual food on that day and to fast that day as Sunnah, by fabricating traditions in this regard which were solely designed to overshadow and to cover up the great catastrophe of the slaughtering the household of Prophet (S).

To make people believe that Ashura is a blessed day, day fabricated that it was in that day when Allah saved Bani Israel from Pharaoh. this is while Moses (as) and his companions were saved and passed the Nile river in the month of Rabiul-Awwal.

They also invented that the repentance of Adam was accepted on that day, while it was accepted in the month of Zil-Hajjah. They say that it was the day that Jonah (Yunos) was saved from the body of fish and the ark of Noah was settled on earth while it was on the 18th of Zil-Hajjah. All those traditions were fabricated By Bani Umayyah to cover their crimes. Imran ibn Husayn narrated that:

The Prophet (S) at the time of his death disliked three tribes:

Thaqif, the Banu Hanifah and the Banu Umayyah.

- Sahih Tirmidhi, per:

- Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition #5983

"The Children of Umayad shall ascend to my pulpit. I have seen them in my dreams jumping on my pulpit like monkeys."

Then the Prophet said that the following verse was revealed about the Umayad:

And We made that dream, which We have shown you, only as a test to the people and the cursed tree in the Qur’an. And We warn them but it only increases their extreme transgression! (17:60)

Sunni References:

- Sharh Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Volume 3 page 81

Printed by Muhammad ‘Ali Subaih in Egypt

- Fakhr al-Din al-Razi in his commentary of the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 17 Volume 5 Pages 413 - 414

Second Printing by al-Matbaah al-Sarafeyah 1304 H

Ashura is the day of mourning and lamentation. In a tradition from Ahlul- Bayt, it is said that "whoever celebrates this day as a blessed day, he will be resurrected in the day of judgment with Yazid.”The reason is clear, and it is because there are traditions from Prophet (S), every body who is pleased with an action, he will be resurrected in the day of judgment with the one who did that action. Performing a non-obligatory Fasting is a sign of being pleased and a sign of happiness.

I know you say such traditions are narrated in Sahih xxxx. But remember that there are many contradictory reports are within these xxxx which disprove your hypothesis as being Sahih books.

Bismillah-hirehman-nirraheem

Muhammad came in the kingdom of God,

as a messenger of peace as the master of creed.

He influenced the world with ‘Ali’s help,

and all the sons from his daughter’s breed.

Fatimah the lady of God’s paradise,

‘Ali the warrior, the leader, the wise.

Hassan, the heir of eternal lore,

Hussain, the martyr, the heaven’s door.

Call ‘Ali in the trouble, Almighty says,

because in his presence the evil decays.

He’s the lion of God, he’s the sword of God,

and all his believers are one righteous squad.

Islam’s prosperity is the gift of Hussain,

in the way of God, he sacrificed his clan.

He gave his head but not his grace,

His martyrdom is a slap on the devils face.

The grandson of prophet decided to fight,

to unveil the Satan, and bring him in light.

The food was banned, the water was stopped,

but on his mind the triumph had topped.

Zainab was with her brother all the time,

and participated as much to demolish the crime.

Her surety was Abbas, the holder of the flag,

whose hand on the emblem is the victory’s tag.

The thirst was a menace, the hunger a threat,

an example for all the mankind was set.

But the righteuos fought, and died on the faith,

and the right won, against the evils wraith.

More Sayings From The Holy Prophet About Imam Husayn:

1. Whosoever wishes to such a person who lives on earth but whose dignity is honoured by the Heaven-Dwellers, should see my grandson Husayn.

2. O my son! Thy flesh is my flesh and thy blood is my blood; thou art a leader, the son of a leader and the brother of a leader; thou art a spiritual guide, the son of a spiritual guide and the brother of a spiritual guide; thou art an Imam the son of an Imam and the brother of an Imam; thou art the father of nine Imams, the ninth of whom would be the Qaim (the last infallible spiritual guide)

3. The punishment inflicted on the murderer of Husayn in hell would be equal to half of the total punishment to be imposed on the entire sinners of the world.

4. When the Holy Prophet informed Lady Fatimah of the Martyrdom in store for his grandson, she burst into tears as asked "O my father! when would my son be martyred?”"In such a critical moment,”replied the Holy Prophet, "when neither I nor you, nor ‘Ali would be alive.”

This accentuated her grief and she inquired again, "Who then, O my father, would commemorate Husayn’s Martyrdom?”The Holy Prophet said, "The men and the women of a particular group of my followers, who will befriend my Ahlul Bayt, will mourn for Husayn and commemorate his martyrdom each year in every century."