Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Table of Contents

Foreword 18

Imam al-Husayn’s Personality 20

Imam al-Husayn (as) in Sunni Books 20

Imam al-Husayn’s (as) birth 20

Imam al-Husayn’s (as) acts of worship 20

Imam al-Husayn’s (as) forbearance 21

Imam al-Husayn’s (as) virtues in the words of the Prophet (S) 21

Al-Husayn (as) as described by the Prophet’s (S) companions 23

Imam al-Husayn (as) in the words of the tabi‘in 24

Imam al-Husayn (as) from the viewpoint of Sunni scholars 24

1. Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani 24

2. Zarandi Hanafi 25

3. Yafi‘i 25

4. Ibn Sirin 25

5. ‘Abbas Mahmud ‘Aqqad 25

6. Doctor Muhammad ‘Abduh Yamani 25

7. ‘Umar Rida Kahalah 25

References 25

The martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn 27

Imam al-Husayn (as), the Leader of the Youths of Paradise 27

Hadith 27

A) The Prophet’s companions 27

B) The Sunni ‘Ulama’ 28

Stipulation of the correctness and authenticity of this hadith 29

Alterations and Distortions 30

The First Alteration: The exception of Jesus Christ (as) and John the Baptist (as) 30

Response 30

The Second alteration: distortion of the hadiths in favor of the Shaykhayn (Abu Bakr and ‘Umar) 31

1. The hadiths recounted by al-Tirmidhi 31

The first chain of transmission 31

The second chain of transmission 33

The third chain of transmission 33

2. The hadith recounted by Ibn Majah 34

The first chain of transmission 34

The second chain of transmission 35

3. The hadith narrated by Haythami 35

4. The hadith recounted by Dulabi 35

5. The hadith recounted by ‘Abd Allah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal 36

6. The hadiths recounted by Khatib Baghdadi 36

The first chain of transmission 36

The second chain of transmission 36

The third chain of transmission 36

The fourth chain of transmission 37

The hadith recounted by Ibn Hajar 37

The hadith recounted by Ibn al-Najjar 37

The hadith recounted by Ibn ‘Asakir 38

The hadith recounted by Ibn Abi Shaybah 38

The hadith recounted by Tahawi 38

The first chain of transmission 38

The second chain of transmission 38

The third chain of transmission 39

The fourth chain of transmission 39

The hadith recounted by Ibn Abi Hatam 39

The hadith narrated by Tabarani 39

The first chain of transmission 39

The second chain of transmission 39

The hadith narrated by Ibn Qutaybah 39

Conclusion 40

The problem with the text of this hadith 40

References 40

Yazid and His Household 43

Abu Sufiyan, Yazid’s Grandfather 44

Abu Sufiyan’s beliefs 44

Abu Sufiyan’s enmity towards the Holy Prophet (S) 44

Abu Sufiyan’s conversion to Islam 45

Abu Sufiyan’s conspiracies against Islam 45

Denial of the existence of resurrection and hereafter 46

The curse of the Holy Prophet (S) upon Abu Sufiyan 46

Hadrat ‘Ali’s (as) viewpoint of Abu Sufiyan 47

References 48

Mu‘awiyah, Yazid’s Father 49

Mu‘awiyah before accepting Islam 49

Mu‘awiyah’s antagonism against Islam 49

Mu‘awiyah and his great [kabirah] sins 50

Mu‘awiyah dranked alcoholic beverages 50

Mu‘awiyah engaged in usury 50

Mu‘awiyah altered the practice of obligatory rituals 50

Failure to recite the traveler’s prayer on journeys 51

Friday Congregational Prayers done on Wednesday 51

Mu‘awiyah provides verdict opposed to the Qur’an 52

Innovations due to enmity with Imam ‘Ali (as) 52

Mu‘awiyah and abandonment of divine limits 52

Mu‘awiyah wore clothing that was prohibited 53

Ziyad attributed to Abu Sufiyan 53

Coercion used to get allegiance for Yazid 54

Mu‘awiyah’s rebellion against the righteous leader 55

Mu‘awiyah’s heinous crimes against the Shi‘ahs 55

Mu‘awiyah’s crimes after the peace settlement 56

Mu‘awiyah himself cursed Imam ‘Ali (as) 58

Mu‘awiyah’s purpose for annihilating Bani Hashim 58

a. Obstruction of knowledge of the virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 58

b. Initiating enmity and cursing of Imam ‘Ali (as) 59

The Holy Prophet (S) forbade the cursing ‘Ali (as) 62

The judgment for anyone who curses Imam ‘Ali (as) 62

References 63

The Illegitimacy of Yazid’s Caliphate 65

Evidence regarding the illegitimacy of Yazid’s caliphate 65

1. The Imamate of Husayn ibn ‘Ali (as) 66

2. Imam al-Husayn’s (as) infallibility 67

3. Allah’s Prophet (S) is pleased with al-Husayn (as) 67

4. al-Husayn (as), the master of the youths of Paradise 68

5. The continuity and stability of the Prophet’s (S) mission depended heavily on al-Husayn’s (as) uprising 68

6. Peace treaty with Imam al-Hasan and the caliphate 69

7. Mu‘awiyah himself was not the legitimate caliph 69

8. The absence of allegiance for Yazid 70

The supporters of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) uprising 70

Yazid, Instigator of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) Death 72

References 72

Ibn Taymiyyah’s defence of Yazid 74

1. Yazid appointed Ibn Ziyad governor of Kufah 74

2. Yazid and Ibn Ziyad were in constant contact 74

3. Yazid’s order: allegiance or death 75

Question 75

Response 75

4. Yazid’s second letter to Walid ibn ‘Aqabah 77

5. Exposing Imam al-Husayn (as) to death 77

6. While in Mecca, Imam al-Husayn (as) foretold that the enemies of Allah were planning to kill him 77

7. Yazid issued the order to put Imam al-Husayn (as) to death 78

8. Ibn Ziyad’s letter to Imam al-Husayn (as) 78

9. Ibn ‘Abbas’s letter to Yazid 78

10. Yazid publicly boasted about killing Imam al-Husayn (as) 79

11. Ibn Ziyad, highly regarded after killing al-Husayn (as) 79

12. Declaration of one present in Yazid’s court 79

13. Yazid was informed about everything 80

14. Yazid’s son admitted his father’s guilt 80

15. Ibn Ziyad was not censured for killing Imam al-Husayn (as) 80

16. Ibn Ziyad retained his high governmental post 81

17. Yazid sent rewards for ‘Ubayd Allah in Ziyad 81

18. Yazid protected ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad from criticism 81

19. ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad was Yazid’s courtier and advisor 82

20. Choosing one of two options 82

21. Imam al-Sajjad (as) made the truth clear 82

22. Yazid expressed pleasure at killing Imam al-Husayn (as) 83

23. Yazid’s actions correspond with his personality 84

24. Yazid in the viewpoint of Sunni scholars [‘ulama’] 84

Responses to doubts 85

1. Mu‘awiyah’s last will and testament to Yazid 85

Response 85

2. Yazid exonerated himself of the killing of al-Husayn (as) 86

Response 86

3. The long distance between Sham and Kufah 86

Response 86

References 86

Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah and the Massacre of the People of Medina 89

The event of Harrah 89

Origins of the uprising of the people of Medina 89

Religious sentiments 90

Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (as) 91

Political chaos and disorganization 91

Direct confrontation 92

Dispatching the army to Medina 92

Confrontation between Sham army and forces of Medina 93

Massacre and looting of property in Medina 94

Some well-known people who were executed 95

Jabir and the event of Harrah 96

References 96

Mourning and Lamentation 98

Mourning and Paying Homage to Allah’s Awliya’ 99

Different types of religious rites and ceremonies 99

Reasons for the preference for holding ceremonies 100

A. Verses of the Holy Qur’an that permit ceremonies 100

B. Analogous verses permit celebrating signs of Allah 101

The meaning of sha‘a’ir 102

Implementation according to common sense and wisdom 103

Responses to doubts 104

1. Only the Divine Legislator can originate laws 104

Response 104

2. The necessity of delegation of auhtority by Allah 105

Response 105

3. The halal (lawful) will be mistaken to be haram (unlawful) and vice versa 105

Response 106

4. This amounts to playing with basic doctrines of shari‘ah 106

Response 106

5. Extension of the concept to all instances 106

Response 107

6. Desecration of fundamentals of Islam and pillars of the shari‘ah 107

Response 107

7. Some rites and rituals are harmful 108

Response 108

8. Ridiculing the shari‘ah 108

Response 108

1. Derision which is not right and so null and void 108

2. Customary derision 108

3. Derision in a true sense 108

References 109

Mourning from the Viewpoint of Reason 110

1. Mourning and the revival of the culture of ‘Ashura 110

Some of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) messages 110

2. The affectionate relationship between the Islamic community and Allah’s awliya’ (as) 111

3. Spiritual benefits derived from the atmosphere at gatherings where mourning for Allah’s awliya’ takes place 111

4. Reform and guidance of the community 112

References 112

Mourning as a Manifestation of Love and Hatred 113

The love of some is incumbent upon man 113

1. Allah 113

2. Allah’s Prophet (S) 113

3. The Prophet’s Household [Ahl al-Bayt] 113

Who are the Ahl al-Bayt (as)? 114

a) The term Ahl al-Bayt in etymology and common parlance 114

b) The term Ahl al-Bayt in the Qur’an and the Sunnah 114

The Holy Qur’an and love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 115

Love of Ahl al-Bayt (as) in hadiths 115

1. Obligation for loving the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 115

2. Love of Allah’s Ahl al-Bayt and His Prophet (S) are one 116

3. Love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) is a foundation of faith 116

4. Love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) is worship 116

5. Love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) is a sign of faith 116

6. Love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) is a sign of purity of birth 117

7. Love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) inquired on the Day of Judgement 117

Special or particular proofs 117

1. Love of Imam Ali (as) 118

2. Love of Fatimah al-Zahra (as) 118

3. Love of Imam al-Hussan(as) and Imam al-Husayn (as) 118

The manifestations of love in man’s life 118

Referencs 119

The Psychology of Mourning 121

The stages of mourning 121

1. Crying as a result of relationship and affection 121

2. Crying as a result of belief 121

3. Crying to seek perfection and excellence 122

4. Crying for the persecuted and oppressed 122

Mourning ceremonies and depression 122

The Religious Verdict Concerning Attending Mourning Ceremonies for the Awliya’ of Allah 124

Holding Mourning Ceremonies in the Interest of Unity 125

Response 125

Beating the Chest to Mourn Imam al-Husayn (as) 125

A. The Shi‘ah traditions 125

B. Sunni traditions 126

Examination of the reasoning of opponents 128

Hadith recounted by Sunni Muslims 128

Response 128

B. The traditions of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 129

Response 129

Wearing Black Clothes 130

Shi‘ah traditions 131

Sunni traditions 131

References 131

Reciting Elegies 133

Reciting Elegies in the Form of Prose 134

A. Reciting mournful songs for the awliya’ of Allah 134

1. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose 134

2. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) recited elegies in the form of prose 134

3. A’ishah recited elegies in the form of prose 134

4. Imam al-Hasan (as) recited elegies in the form of prose 134

5. Women recited elegies mourning for Imam al-Hasan (as) 135

B. Reciting elegies when mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as) 135

1. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose for Imam al-Husayn (as) even before the birth of Imam al-Husayn (as) 135

2. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose for Imam al-Husayn (as) in the Mosque after the birth of Imam al-Husayn (as) 135

3. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose for Imam al-Husayn (as) in the house of Umm Salamah 136

4. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose in the house of ‘A’ishah 137

5. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose after the death of Imam al-Husayn (as) 137

6. Imam ‘Ali (as) recited elegies for Imam al-Husayn (as) 137

7. Imam al-Sadiq (as) recited elegies in the form of prose 138

8. Umm al-Banin recited elegies in the form of prose 138

9. Zaynab (as) recited elegies in the form of prose 138

10. Ibn ‘Abbas recited elegies in the form of prose 139

11. Zayd ibn Arqam recited elegies in the form of prose 139

12. Hasan Basri recited elegies in the form of prose 139

References 140

Reciting elegies in the form of poetry 141

Reasoning regarding the recitation of poetic elegies 141

1. The precept of permissibility [ibahah] 141

2. Exalting and venerating the mottos [sha‘a’ir] of religion 141

3. The poetic elegies of Prophet Adam (as) 141

4. Poetic elegies recited for the Holy Prophet (S) 141

A. Poetic elegies of Fatimah al-Zahra (as) 142

B. Poetic elegies of the daughter of ‘Abd al-Muttalib 142

C. Poetic elegies of Hassan ibn Thabit 142

D. Poetic elegies of Abu Sufiyan ibn Harith 142

E. Poetic elegies of Abi Dhu’ayb ibn Hadhali 142

F. Poetic elegies of Abi al-Haytham ibn Tayyahan 142

G. Poetic elegies of Umm Ra‘lah Qushayriyyah 142

H. Poetic elegies of ‘Amir ibn Tufayl 142

I. Poetic elegies of Suad ibn Qarib 142

5. Recitation of poetic elegies before the Holy Prophet (S) 143

A. Poetic elegies for Hamzah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib 143

B. Poetic elegies for ‘Ubaydah ibn Harith ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, one of the martyrs of the Battle of Badr 143

C. Elegies for Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib and those Martyred with him 143

E. Poetic elegies of Na‘am when grieving over her husband who was one of the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud 144

F. Elegies for Sa‘d ibn Ma‘adh, wounded at Khandaq 144

G. Elegies for the martyrs of the Well of Ma‘unah 144

H. Poetic elegies for ‘Uthman ibn Maz‘un 145

I. Poetic elegies for Walid ibn Walid ibn Mughayrah 145

J. Elegies for Zayd ibn ‘Umar ibn Khattab 145

K. Poetic elegies of Imam ‘Ali (as) grieving Fatimah (as) 145

Poetic elegies recited for Imam al-Husayn (as) 145

1. Sulayman ibn Quttah 145

2. Abu al-Rajah Khaza‘i 145

3. Zaynab, the daughter of Imam ‘Ali (as) 146

4. Ja‘far ibn ‘Affan 146

5. Muhammad ibn Idris Shafi‘i 146

6. Amir Adid al-Din 147

7. The grandfather of Sibt ibn Jawzi 147

8. Rubab, the wife of Imam al-Husayn (as) 147

9. ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Hurr Ju‘fi 147

Reference 148

Crying 149

Crying from the Viewpoint of the Holy Qur’an and Traditions 150

A. Qur’anic verses 150

1. Crying as a sign of perceiving realities 150

2. Crying for repentance 150

3. Shedding tears of belief is a sign of wisdom 150

4. Prophets shed tears for Allah 150

5. Tears of regret are a remedy for those who have gone astray 150

B. Islamic traditions [hadiths] regarding crying 151

1. Tears are a sign of Allah’s mercy 151

2. Tears: Allah’s gift to mankind 151

3. Tears illuminate the heart 151

4. Tears soften the heart and bring prosperity 151

5. Tears bring deliverance from Allah’s punishment 151

6. Tears bring about a great reward from Allah 151

7. Tears have the value of the blood of martyrs 152

References 152

The Effects of Crying 153

1. Inner purification and refinement 153

2. Tears are a means of self-building 153

3. Tears are a means of attaining love 154

4. The effects of crying on man’s health 154

References 154

The Reasoning behind Crying about the Sufferings of the awliya’ of Allah 156

A Historical View of Crying for the Sufferings of Allah’s Awliya’ 158

1. Prophet Adam (as) cried for Abel 158

2. Jacob (as) cried due to separation from Joseph 158

3. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for Hamzah 158

4. The Noble Prophet (S) cried for his progeny 158

5. The Prophet (S) cried for his grandfather, ‘Abd al-Muttalib 159

6. The Prophet (S) cried for martyrs of the War of Mu’tah 159

7. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for Ja‘far 159

8. The Noble Prophet (S) cried for his mother 159

9. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for Fatimah bint Asad 159

10. The Noble Prophet (S) cried for ‘Uthman ibn Maz‘un 159

11. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for his child Ibrahim (as) 159

12. The Noble Prophet (S) gave permission to cry 160

13. Amir al-Mu’minin ‘Ali (as) cried mourning Fatimah 160

14. Amir al-Mu’minin (as) cried mourning over ‘Ammar 160

15. Imam ‘Ali (as) cried mourning for Hashim ibn ‘Utbah 160

16. Imam ‘Ali (as) cried for Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr 160

17. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for her father (as) 161

18. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for her mother 161

19. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for Ruqayyah 161

20. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for Ja‘far 161

21. Al-Hasan (as) and people of Kufah cried for Imam ‘Ali (as) 161

22. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for his brother ‘Abbas (as) 161

23. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for Muslim ibn ‘Aqil 162

24. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for his breastfeeding newborn 162

25. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for Qays ibn Musahhar 162

26. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for Hurr ibn Yazid Riyahi 163

27. The people of Medina cried mourning the Prophet (S) 163

28. The people of Medina cried for Imam al-Hasan (as) 163

29. Abu Hurayrah cried for Imam al-Hasan (as) 163

30. Sa‘id ibn ‘As cried while mourning Imam al-Hasan (as) 163

31. Muhammad ibn Hanafiyyah cried for Imam al-Hasan (as) 163

32. People of Medina cried remembering the Prophet (S) 163

References 164

Crying while Mourning for Imam al-Husayn 166

1. The Prophet (S) cried mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as) 166

2. Imam ‘Ali (as) cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 166

3. Imam al-Sajjad (as) cried in mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as) 166

4. Imam al-Sadiq (as) cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 167

5. Ibn ‘Abbas cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 167

6. Anas ibn Malik cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 167

7. Zayd ibn Arqam cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 167

8. Umm Salamah cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 167

9. Hasan ibn Abi al-Hasan Basri cried for al-Husayn (as) 167

10. Rabi‘ ibn Khuthaym cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 168

11. The people of Kufah cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 168

12. The generation that came after the Prophet’s companions cried for Imam al-Husayn (as) 168

References 168

Examining Opposing Claims 169

1. Hadiths which prohibit crying for the dead 169

Response 169

2. ‘Umar made a prohibition against crying for the dead 170

Response 170

The Torah forbade crying for the dead 170

References 170

Pretending to Cry while Mourning for the Awliya’ of Allah 171

The verdict regarding making pretence of crying [tabaki] 171

References 171

The Effects of Ashura 173

‘Ashura from the Viewpoint of Great Thinkers of the World 174

The English author and explorer, Freya Stark 174

Proffessor Edward Granville Browne (1862-1926) 174

Charles Dickens 175

Thomas Masaryk 175

Justice A. Russell 175

Captain H. Niblet 175

Gibbon, the English historian (1737-1794) 176

Morris Duxbury 176

Borris Salama 176

Gabriel Dankiri 176

George Jordaq 177

Doctor Joseph 177

Claudine Rulu 177

Mahatma Gandhi 177

Sawir Jiny Naid 177

Irunick 178

Al-Jamili 178

The German researcher Martin 178

Jurji Zaydan 179

Nicholson 179

‘Ashura and Religious Transformation 179

1. The Egyptian instructor, Abu Sharif, known as ‘Abd al-Majid 179

2. Professor Sa’ib ‘Abd al-Hamid 180

3. Professor Idris Husayni Maghribi 181

4. Dr. Muhammad Tijani of Tunisia 183

5. Ahmad Husayn Ya‘qub of Jordan 184

6. ‘Allamah Dr. Muhammad Hasan Shahhatah 185

References 185

Prostration on the Soil of Karbala (The Land of Imam al-Husayn’s Martyrdom) 187

The Philosophy behind Prostrating on the Soil of Karbala 187

The Shi‘ahs prostrate on any kind of soil 187

The superiority of some lands over other lands in the Qur’an 187

The superiority of some lands over others in hadiths 188

The excellence and superiority of the clay of Karbala 188

The grave of al-Husayn (as) is likened to the Holy Prophet’s (S) 190

The virtues of clay from Karbala 190

References 191

Responses to Doubts 192

Who Killed Imam al-Husayn (as)? 193

The different aspects of the Shi‘ah Islam 193

1. Political Shi‘ism 193

2. Ideological Shi‘ism based on religious conviction 193

3. The Shi‘ism of love and affection for the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 194

4. Religious Shi‘ism 194

Who is a real Shi‘ah? 195

The Shi‘ism of the people of Kufah 196

The exile of religious and pious Shi‘ahs from Kufah 197

The Shi‘ahs from Kufah joined Imam al-Husayn (as) 197

Martyrs who carried messages 204

1. ‘Abd Allah ibn Yaqtar Humayri, Imam al-Husayn’s foster brother 204

2. Qays ibn Mashar al-Saydawi 204

The forerunners of martyrdom 205

1. ‘Ammarah ibn Salkhab Azdi 205

2. ‘Abd al-A‘la ibn Yazid al-Kalbi 205

The presence of Khawarij in Kufah 205

The presence of followers of Abu Sufiyan in Sa‘d’s army 206

References 206

Did Imam al-Husayn (as) have Prior Information about his Martyrdom? 208

Evidence that the Imams knew of their martyrdoms 208

Examination of the Qur’anic verse regarding self-destruction 210

Response 210

The judgement of reason 211

Measures taken by the Imams regarding the means of their martyrdoms 211

Response 211

References 213

Did Allah Leave Imam al-Husayn (as) Unaided? 214

The concept of help in Islamic thought 214

A. The means of Allah’s help 214

1. Eradicating the unjust 214

2. Invisible soldiers 214

3. Intimidation and fear 215

B. The conditions for help 215

1. Patience and steadfastness 215

2. Preserving and safeguarding help 215

C. Testing a believer by withholding help 216

Responses to two questions 216

The triangle of prosperity, trial and free will 217

The event of Karbala was a trial for the Muslim ummah 217

References 217

Why Did Imam al-Husayn (as) Bring his Family to Karbala? 219

First response 219

Objection 219

Second response 219

Objection 220

Third response 220

Fourth response 220

Fifth response 221

References 221

Why did Imam al-Husayn (as) give his Companions Permission to Leave? 222

Two types of permission from Imam al-Husayn (as) 222

A. General permission 222

B. Special or personal permission 222

The reality of permission and consent 223

Opposing positions 224

Response 225

References 225

Why did Muslim ibn ‘Aqil not kill ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad in Hani’s House? 226

Response 227

Reference 228

Why Didn’t Abu al-Fadl Drink Water? 229

Response 229

Reference 230

Is Obeying a Tyranical Ruler Incumbent upon Muslims? 231

Religious edicts [fatwas] issued by the Sunnis about obeying a corrupt and oppressive ruler 231

Edicts regarding illegality of rising up against a tyrant 232

Reasons put forward by the Sunnis 232

A. Traditions [hadiths] 232

B. Political and social structures of Muslim affairs 233

Incongruities in this argument 233

A. Response regarding traditions 233

1. Opposition with the explicit wording of the Holy Qur’an 234

2. These hadiths are opposed to Qur’anic verses which prove that it is forbidden to follow and obey sinners 234

3. These hadiths are opposed to the Qur’anic verses which prove that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is incumbent upon Muslims 235

4. These hadiths are opposed to other hadiths narrated by the Sunnis themselves 236

5. These hadiths are opposed to hadiths of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 237

Who is Imam al-Husayn (as)? 237

The reality behind hadiths that permit obeying a corrupt ruler 238

B. Response to the false claim that it is binding upon all Muslims to preserve the system 238

References 239

Why did Imam al-Hasan (as) Make Peace while Imam al-Husayn (as) Rose up in Arms? 241

Imam ‘Ali’s (as) reproach of the people of Kufah 241

Imam al-Hasan’s (as) army 243

1. The Khawarij 243

2. Those inclined to the government of Bani Umayyah 243

3. The bigoted and prejudiced 243

4. Those that lacked any objective or purpose 243

5. The sincere and faithful 244

Awareness about the circumstances which prevailed 244

Conditions of the peace treaty 245

Two opposing circumstances 246

References 247

What is the Ruling Regarding the Fast of ‘Ashura? 249

Enacting and enforcing the fast of ‘Ashura before the fast of the holy month of Ramadan 249

Opinions put forth by Shi‘ah scholars 249

The opinions of Sunni jurisprudents 250

A critique of ‘Asqalani’s statements 250

Problem 250

Jews and fasting on the day of ‘Ashura 251

The verdict of fasting on the day of ‘Ashura 251

Hadiths which prevent fasting on the day of ‘Ashura 252

Preference for traditions which prevent fasting on ‘Ashura 254

The aversion of fasting on the day of ‘Ashura 254

‘Ashura, a festival for Bani Umayyah 255

Accounting for hadiths which oppose each other 256

References 257