Archive for category: muharram

Today is the 5th night of Muharram.

Our majaalis continue. We will recite more nawhas to mourn the great loss in Karbala’. Our eyes will shed more tears and our matam will increase.

Day-by-day, the scene in Karbala’ is changing. More and more soldiers join the enemy’s camp. Thousands have gathered to kill Husayn – the grandson of the Holy Prophet.

Bibi Zainab said to her brother:

“Brother Husayn! Thousands of soldiers are gathering to fight you. We have hardly 72 men with us. Do you not have anyone to come to your help?”

“My sister Zainab, many wanted to join me during the journey from Medina to Karbala’. I politely discouraged them because their intention was not truthful. Many joined and have run away during the journey because they were scared of dying.”

He continued:

“Zainab! My sister! Falsehood can buy many supporters, but truth has only a few friends. The soldiers on the other side have been bought. They prefer happiness in this world than in the world hereafter. My 72 truthful men prefer happiness in the world hereafter and that is why they are with me.”

That night, Imam Husayn wrote a letter to his childhood friend, Habib Ibn Mazaahir, who was in Kufa.

Kufa was blocked off and nobody was allowed to leave.

Habib Ibn Mazaahir did not know the whereabouts of Imam Husayn until the letter from Husayn arrived at his house. At the time he was having breakfast with his wife and a young son.

Habib read the letter from Husayn. He kissed it and tears began to flow from his eyes.

His wife asked him what was wrong. Habib said:

“I have received a letter from my master, Husayn. He has asked me to join him in Karbala’. Yazid’s soldiers have surrounded him and are after his life.”

Habib’s wife said:

“Habib! Your childhood friend has called you. Your master needs your help. What are you waiting for? Go Habib, before it is too late!”

Habib’s worry was how to escape from Kufa without being seen.

He instructed his slave to take his horse to a farm outside the city and to wait for him there. The slave did as he was told.

The slave took Habib’s horse to a farm outside the city. He waited for his master. His master was delayed.

The slave started talking to the horse:

“O horse! Master Husayn is in trouble. He needs help. He has asked my master Habib to join him. Master Habib is late. Horse If he does not manage to escape from Kufa, I will ride on you and go to Husayn’s help.”

At Asr time, most of the men were in mosque. Habib managed to reach the farm where his horse was waiting.

He quickly mounted his horse and said to his slave:

“Go, my friend, Go! I am freeing you from my services”

“Master! You are not being fair. I have served you faithfully for years. Now, I have a chance to serve the son of Bibi Fatimah, and you are asking me to go. Why are you denying me a place in Heaven’?”

Habib was taken aback by the words of his slave. He was pleased to hear that he had recognised the difference between the truth and the wrongful. He wanted to sacrifice his life for truth.

Habib asked his slave to mount his horse. Together they galloped towards Karbala’.

Habib reached Karbala’ late in the evening. Imam Husayn greeted him with great affection.

Bibi Zainab heard that Habib had come. She asked her maid, Fizza, to convey her greetings to Habib.

When Habib heard that Bibi Zainab had sent greetings to him, he screamed out in grief and anger. He threw his turban down on to the ground. He slapped his face. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke:

“What a sad day! What has happened to the household of Bibi Fatimah? The princess! Grand-daughter of the Holy prophet, the daughter of ‘Ali and Fatimah is sending her greetings to an ordinary person like me! Yazid! You beast, you tyrant! What have you done to the household of Bibi Fatimah?”

Days and nights of Muharram passed by, and ‘Ashura’ came.

At dawn, ‘Ali Akbar gave Adhan for the last time.

Yazid’s soldiers blew the trumpets to start the battle.

One-by-one, Husayn’s companions went to the battlefield and gave their lives for Islam.

Husayn, ‘Abbas and ‘Ali Akbar were busy from dawn to mid-day, collecting bodies from the battlefield,

Between Dhuhr and Asr time, Habib Ibn Mazaahir came to Husayn. He said:

“My Master, Husayn, allow me to go to the battlefield. Let me sacrifice my life for Islam.”

“Habib, my childhood friend. Stay with me. You give comfort to me, my friend.”

Habib persisted with his request. Eventually Husayn gave his permission.

Husayn mounted his friend, Habib, on the horse. Habib Ibn Mazaahir rode into the battlefield.

He fought bravely but was finally over-powered. He fell to the ground.

As Habib Ibn Mazaahir fell to the ground, an enemy soldier came over and cut off his head.

All the marytrs of Karbala’ had their heads cut off, but Habib’s was the first to be cut off by the enemy.

Habib’s head was not hung on the spearhead like that of the other martyr’s. Habib’s head was tied to a horse and pulled along the land of Karbala’.

Later on, in Shaam, Habib’s head was tied to a horse’s neck. A young boy, called Qasim, followed the horse wherever it went.

One day, the man riding the horse asked the young boy Qasim:

“Why are you following me around? What do you want?”

Qasim just looked at the head hanging from the horse’s neck. The man asked again:

“Why are you staring at the head”.

“This head is the head of my father, Habib Ibn Mazaahir. please give it to me so that I can bury my father’s head.

Habib’s head seemed to look at his son and say:

“My son Qasim, you are thinking of burying my head. What about the head of Husayn on that spearhead?”

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaih Raja’oon!
We are from Allah and to Him we will return!

Matam al-Husayn!

Today is the 3rd night of Muharram.

Majaalis al-Husayn continues. As the nights of Muharram go by, our hearts are weighed down with more and more grief. We continue to hear the majaalis about the tragedy of Karbala’.

‘Ashura’ day is not far away We will recite more marshias and nawhas. Our matam will increase. Our eyes will continue to shed tears for the Martyrs of Karbala’.

“Husayn! Muharram! Karbala’! ‘Ashura’! Marshias! Nawhas! Taboot! Alam! Mashk! Matam!”

When Bibi Fatimah hears these words, she joins us. She cries with us. She cries for ‘Aun and Muhammad, Qasim, ‘Abbas, ‘Ali Akbar, ‘Ali Asgar and Husayn, who are her family. She also cries for, and is thankful to those martyrs of Karbala’ who were not related to Husayn. She especially cries for them because they died in Karbala’ helping her son Husayn save Islam.

Among those not related to Husayn were sixteen slaves. Most of them were from Ethiopia. Some belonged to Imam Husayn’s family and others to the companions of the Imam.

On the night before ‘Ashura’, Imam and his companions had freed these slaves and urged them to go away to seek their safety. But none of the sixteen slaves left Imam Husayn. They understood Imam’s mission and preferred to die in Karbala’ with Husayn. They knew they would be rewarded with a place in Heaven.

Amongst them was a slave called John.

Today let us remember Janabe John and cry with Bibi Fatimah for his sacrifice in Karbala’.

Janabe John was sent as a gift from Abu Dharr Ghiffari, to the household of Hazrat ‘Ali and Bib Fatimah. In the company of Hazrat ‘Ali he learnt the tafseer of the Quran and traditions of the Holy Prophet. He also knew the Holy Qur’an by heart. When Hazrat ‘Ali was martyred, John stayed with Imam Hassan and after Imam Hassan’s death he stayed on with Imam Husayn.

Janabe John was blessed to be with the three Imams. What a lucky man!

When Imam Husayn left Medina John insisted on joining him.

On the night before ‘Ashura’, John spent the whole night sharpening his sword whilst reciting the Holy Qur’an.

The next day was the tragic day of ‘Ashura’. At dawn ‘Ali Akbar gave the Adhan.

“Allahu Akber! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akberl”

This was the last Adhan by ‘Ali Akbar. It was recited with great emotion. Tears flowed from ‘Ali Akbar’s eyes.

The sun rose from the east. By 10 am, the desert was like a furnace. The friends and family of Husayn were suffering great hardship. They have been without water for three days now.

Yazid’s soldiers blew the trumpets to start the battle.

The battle of Karbala’ started.

One-by-one, Imam’s friends took permission to go for Jihad.

One-by-one Husayn’s companions were martyred. All of them fought bravely and died a hero’s death.

Husayn, with his brother ‘Abbas and son ‘Ali Akbar, went to the battlefield and carried their bodies to the tent.

At midday, after Dhuhr prayers, Janabe John came to Imam Husayn. He stood silently with arms folded.

Imam Husayn looked at John and said:

“John! My friend John! What is the matter?”

“My master! Enough is enough I cannot bear to see any more suffering. I cannot bear to see the children of Bibi Fatimah killed in front of me. Please Master! Allow me to go to the battlefield.”

“John, you are an old man! Jihad is not wajib for an old man like you. No, John, no! I cannot allow you to die.”

John was determined to get permission.

“Master, I know why you are not letting me go to the battlefield. Is it because I am a black slave and you do not want the blood of a black slave to mix with the blood of the Holy family?”

Husayn was deeply shocked to hear this.

“John! My friend John! Do not say that! You know we do not keep such differences.”

“Go, John, go! Allah be with you!”

Husayn himself then helped dress John for the baffle. He mounted John on the horse and said:

“Fi aman Allah, John!”

John was very pleased with himself as he headed for the battlefield.

On his way to the battlefield he remembered his time with the Holy Prophet. He remembered how dearly the Prophet loved his grandson, Husayn.

John remembered how the Prophet himself used to nurse Husayn’s injuries, sustained whilst playing.

John remembered the day when Husayn climbed on the Prophet’s back while he was praying Salat (Prayer). The Holy Prophet stayed in sajda till Husayn came off his back. The Holy Prophet did not want to hurt his beloved grandson.

John’s eyes were full of tears as he reached the battlefield.

He spoke to the soldiers on the other side:

“Look at me! You have seen me with the Holy Prophet. Remember the Holy Prophet by looking at me. You say the Holy Prophet is the messenger of Allah. You call yourselves Muslims. Do you think the Holy Prophet will be pleased with you for killing his beloved grandson?”

He continued:

“What has Husayn done to you? He is innocent. Leave him alone. Save yourselves from the Fire of Hell.”

Yazid’s soldiers were evil. They were not Muslims. They were not prepared to listen to the truth.

Janabe John was attacked. Arrows were fired from all directions. John fought the Jihad bravely. He sent many to the Fire of Hell.

Alas, how much can an eighty year old man take, thirsty and hungry for three days?

As he fell from his horse, he cried out:

“My Master! Come to see me! Let me see you for the last time.”

Imam Husayn heard John calling him and he rushed to the battlefield. ‘Abbas and ‘Ali Akbar accompanied him.

Husayn, ‘Abbas and ‘Ali Akbar reached the battlefield where John was lying wounded and taking his last breaths.

Imam Husayn placed John’s head on his lap. Tears poured from Husayn’s eyes.

“John! I am very sorry! You are leaving my home without food or water for three days. John! Please forgive me!”

“Master! Why are you sorry? You have done me a big favour by letting me fight and sacrifice my life for Islam.”

Janabe John continued:

“Look, Master, look! Who has come to receive me? The Holy Prophet himself is here. Bibi Fatimah is here. Master ‘Ali and Master Hassan are here!”

Janabe John’s soul was taken away to Heaven.

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaih Raja’oon!
We are from Allah and to Him we will return!

Matam al-Husayn!

To thank Imam Husayn, his family and companions for the great sacrifice in Karbala’ for saving us and Islam. We hold these Majaalis because we love our Imam and feel sad to hear about his hardship and suffering in Karbala’, and also to comfort and please Bibi Fatimah – Imam Husayn’s mother.

Bibi Fatimah comes to Majaalis al-Husayn. Though we cannot see her, she prays for us and our families’ safety. She collects our tears when we cry for Imam Husayn and his family. On the Day of Judgement she will return all those tears we have shed for her family. These tears will protect us from the Fire of Hell.

I would like you to think about what I have just said.

Examine your deeds and see if they are good enough for you to face Bibi Fatimah on the Day of Judgement. If you are not praying your wajib Salat (Prayer) regularly, how would you be able to face Bibi Fatimah on the Day of Judgement?

You have come to the Majaalis al-Husayn because you are thankful for what Husayn did to save your religion. You cry and do matam for Husayn because you love him. If you really love someone then you surely want to please him.

How can you please Husayn if you are not praying Salaat regularly?

Majaalis al-Husayn will continue till the Day of Judgement.

It is not because of us. We are the only means through which Allah (S.W.T.) keeps Husayn’s great sacrifice alive. Husayn died saving Allah’s religion and Allah (S.W.T.) has promised to keep alive Husayn’s name and his great sacrifice, till the Day of Judgement.

Majaalis al-Husayn! Matam al-Husayn!

Enemies of Islam can never stop majaalis and matam, even if they try thousands of times to do so.

On the 1st of Muharram, Imam Husayn’s caravan had reached just outside Karbala’. They pitched their tents for the night.

Husayn and his sister, Zainab, were standing talking outside Husayn’s tent.

Together they both sighted the moon of 1st of Muharram.

Tears flowed from Husayn’s eyes.

Zainab grew worried and asked her brother:

“My dearest brother Husayn, why are there tears in your eyes?”

“Zainab! My sister Zainab! Please pray for me that I keep my promise to Allah (S.W.T.). Pray, my sister, that I succeed in completing my mission to save Islam. Zainab! Pray for me that I do not hesitate in giving up my life for Islam.”

Husayn was not crying because he was worried about dying. Husayn did not ask his sister to pray to Allah (S.W.T.) to save his life. All he was concerned about was saving us and Islam.

Bibi Zainab’s eyes were filled with tears when she heard what Husayn asked her to do.

“My beloved sister Zainab! Don’t cry! You will have to perform a greater duty after my death. Be brave and patient!”

Bibi Zainab went to her tent. ‘Ali Akbar joined his father, Husayn.

“My son, ‘Ali Akbar! I saw a dream last night. I saw a group of people heading for a place where death was waiting for them. I saw them all killed, one-by-one.”

“Father! I know these people. Those people are us. But, tell me father, are we on the right path?”

“Yes, my son Akbar, yes We are on the right path.”

“Then let us not worry? Father, if we are on the right path, then let us die happily. We should continue our journey and greet our death with a smile.”

“I am proud of you, my son Akbar!”

Matam Al-Husayn!

Those folks now took to maurauding the Imam: Ishaq ibn Hawayh took his shirt. Al-Akhnas ibn Murthid ibn Alqamah al-Hadrami took his turban. Al-Aswad ibn Khalid took his sandals. Jamee ibn al-Khalq al-Awdi, and some say a man from Tameem named al-Aswad ibn Hanzalah, took his sword.

Bajdal came. He saw the Imam (ﻉ) wearing a ring covered with his blood. He cut his finger off and took the ring… Qays ibn al-Ash’ath took his velvet on which he since then used to sit, so he came to be called “Qays Qateefa.” Qateefa is Arabic for velvet. His worn out garment was taken by Jaoonah ibn Hawiyyah al-Hadrami. His bow and outer garments were taken by ar-Raheel ibn Khaythamah al-Jufi and Hani ibn Shabeeb al-Hadrami and Jarar Ibn Mas’ud al-Hadrami.

A man among them wanted to take his underpants after all his other clothes had been taken away by others. This man said, “I wanted to take it off, but he had put his right hand on it which I could not lift; therefore, I severed his right hand… He then put his left hand on it which I also could not lift, so I severed it, too, and I was about to bare him and take it off when I heard a rumbling like that of an earthquake, so I became frightened. I left him and fell into a swoon, a slumber. While I was unconscious, I saw the Prophet, Ali, Fatima, and al-Hassan, in a vision. Fatima was saying, O son! They killed you! May Allah kill them!’

He said to her, O mother! This sleeping man has severed my hands!’ She then invoked Allah’s curse on me saying, May Allah cut your hands and legs, and may He blind you and hurl you into the fire!’ Indeed, I am now blind. My hands and legs have already been amputated, and nothing remains from her curse except the fire.”

KARBALA AND BEYOND

The Imam was also very courageous, so much so that he had already been called “the lion of Banu Hashim.” He had participated in the wars waged by his father, the Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abu Talib (ﻉ), in defense of the creed against the hypocrites led by the Umayyads and against the Kharijites, proving his military ability and mastership of the art of war. Had the Muslims of today mastered this art, and had they been able to make their own weapons rather than import them from others, they would not have been forced to sell their God-given natural resources, especially oil, dirt cheap to those who do not wish them any good.

Had the rulers of the Muslim world learned how to get along with each other, they would have cooperated with each other for their own common good. Had the Muslims of the world implemented the commandments of their creed as strictly as they are supposed to, no unjust or tyrannical ruler would have ever ruled them… I think that such rulers, the likes of Yazid, are the main cause of the pathetic situation wherein the Muslims of the world find themselves at the present time, yet these rulers derive their strength from the weakness of their subjects; so, one problem is connected to the other…

Narrators of this incident record saying that there was hardly any place in al-Husayn’s body that escaped a sword stroke or an arrow, and the same can be said about his horse as-Sahab which used to belong to Prophet Muhammad (ﺹ) who, shortly before breathing his last, gave it to his right hand, cousin, and son-in-law Ali ibn Abu Talib (ﻉ). Al-Husayn’s older brother, Imam al-Hassan (ﻉ), inherited it; after his martyrdom, it became the property of Imam al-Husayn (ﻉ).

Having become too feeble to fight, he stood to rest. It was then that a man threw a stone at him, hitting his forehead and causing his blood to run down his face. He took his shirt to wipe his blood from his eyes just as another man shot him with a three-pronged arrow which pierced his chest and settled in his heart. He instantly said, “In the Name of Allah, through Allah, and on the creed of the Messenger of Allah [do I die].” Raising his head to the heavens, he said, “Lord! You know that they are killing a man besides whom there is no other son of Your Prophet’s daughter.” As soon as he took the arrow out of his back, blood gushed forth like a drain pipe. He placed his hand on his wound and once his hand was filled with blood, he threw it above saying, “Make what has happened to me easy for me; it is being witnessed by Allah.”

Not a single drop of that blood fell on the ground. Then he put it back a second time, and it was again filled with blood. This time he rubbed it on his face and beard as he said, “Thus shall I appear when I meet my Lord and my grandfather the Messenger of Allah (ﻉ), drenched in my blood. It is then that I shall say: O grandfather! So-and-so killed me.’”

Bleeding soon sapped his strength, so he sat down on the ground, feeling his head being too heavy. Malik ibn an-Nisr noticed his condition, so he taunted him then dealt him a stroke with his sword on the head. Al-Husayn (ﻉ) was wearing a burnoose which soon became full of blood. Al-Husayn (ﻉ) said, “May you never be able to eat or drink with your right hand, and may Allah gather you among the oppressors.” Having said so, the dying Imam threw his burnoose away and put on a turban on top of his capuche cap.

Hani ibn Thabeet al-Hadrami has said, “I was standing with nine other men when al-Husayn (ﻉ) was killed. It was then that I looked and saw one of the children from al-Husayn’s family wearing a robe and a shirt, and he was wearing two ear-rings. He held a post from those buildings and stood startled looking right and left. A man came running. Having come close to that child, the man leaned from his horse and killed that child with his horse. When he was shamed for thus killing a helpless child, he revealed his last name…”

That child was Muhammad ibn Abu Sa’d ibn Aqeel ibn Abu Talib. His mother, dazed, stunned, and speechless, kept looking at him as the incident unfolded before her very eyes…

The enemies of Allah waited for a short while then returned to al-Husayn (ﻉ) whom they surrounded as he sat on the ground unable to stand. Abdullah son of Imam al-Hassan (ﻉ), grandson of the Prophet (ﺹ), who was eleven years old, looked and saw how his uncle was being surrounded by those people, so he came running towards him. Zainab, al-Husayn’s revered sister, wanted to restrain him but he managed to evade her and to reach his uncle.

Bahr ibn Kab lowered his head to strike al-Husayn (ﻉ), so the child shouted, “O son of the corrupt woman, are you going to strike my uncle?” The man dealt a blow from his sword which the child received with his hand, cutting it off. The child cried in agony, “O uncle!” Then he fell in the lap of al-Husayn (ﻉ) who hugged him and said, “O son of my brother! Be patient with regard to what has befallen us, and consider it as goodness, for Allah, the most Exalted, will make you join your righteous ancestors.” Then he raised his hands and supplicated saying, “O Allah! Let them enjoy themselves for some time then divide them and make them into parties, and do not let their rulers ever be pleased with them, for they invited us to support us, then they turned their backs to us and fought us.”

Harmalah ibn Kahil shot the child with an arrow, killing him as he sat in his uncle’s lap.

Al-Husayn (ﻉ) remained lying on the ground for some time. Had those rogues wished to kill him, they could have done so, but each tribe relied on the other to do what it hated to do itself. Ash-Shimr shouted, “What are you standing like that for?! What do you expect the man to do since your arrows and spears have wounded him so heavily? Attack him!”

Zarah ibn Shareek struck him on his left shoulder with his sword while al-Haseen shot him with an arrow which penetrated his mouth; another man struck him on the shoulder. Sinan ibn Anas stabbed him in his collar bone area of the chest then shot him with an arrow in the neck. Salih ibn Wahab stabbed him in the side…

قال هلال بن نافع: كنت واقفاً نحو الحسين وهو يجود بنفسه ، فوالله ما رأيت قتيلاً قطّ مضمّخاً بدمه أحسن منه وجهاً ولا أنور ، ولقد شغلني نور وجهه عن الفكرة في قتله . فاستقى في هذه الحال ماء فأبوا ان يسقوه . وقال له رجل : لا تذوق الماء حتّى ترد الحامية فتشرب من حميمها . فقال عليه السّلام : ((أنا أرد الحامية ؟! وإنّما أرد على جدّي رسول الله وأسكن معه في داره في مقعد صدق عند مليك مقتدر وأشكو إليه ما ارتكبتم منّي وفعلتم بي). فغضبوا بأجمعهم حتّى كأنّ الله لَم يجعل في قلب أحدهم من الرحمة شيئاً.

Hilal ibn Nafi` has said, “I was standing in front of al-Husayn (ﻉ) as he was drawing his last breath. Never did I ever see anyone whose face looked better or more glowing as he was stained with his own blood! In fact, the light emanating from his face distracted me altogether from the thought of killing him! As he was in such a condition, he asked for some water to drink, but they refused to give him any.”

A man said to him, “You shall not taste of water till you reach hell from whose hot boiling water shall you drink.” He, peace be with him said, “Am I the one who will reach it? Rather, I will reach my grandfather the Messenger of Allah (ﻉ) and reside with him in his abode of truth near an Omnipotent King, and I shall complain to him about what crimes you committed against me and what you have done to me.” They all became very angry. It is as if Allah did not leave an iota of compassion in their hearts. When his condition worsened, al-Husayn (ﻉ) raised his eyes to the heavens and said,

“O Allah! Sublime You are, Great of Might, Omnipotent, Independent of all creation, greatly Proud, Capable of doing whatever You please, Forthcoming in mercy, True of Promise, Inclusive of Blessings, Clement, Near to those who invoke Him, Subduing His creation, Receptive to Repentance, Able, Overpowering, Appreciative when thanked, Remembering those who remember Him! Thee do I call upon out of my want, and Thee do I seek out of need! From Thee do I seek help when in fear and cry when depressed! Thine help do I seek in my weakness, and upon Thee do I rely! O Allah! Judge between us and our people, for they deceived and betrayed us. They were treacherous to us, and they killed us although we are the Itrat of Your Prophet and the offspring of the one You love: Muhammad (ﺹ) whom You chose for Your Message and entrusted with the revelation. Do find an ease for our affair and an exit, O most Merciful of all merciful ones! Grant me patience to bear Your destiny, O Lord! There is no Allah but You! O Helper of those who seek help! I have no Allah besides You, nor do I adore anyone but You! Grant me to persevere as I face Your decree, O Helper of the helpless, O Eternal One Who knows no end, O One Who brings the dead back to life, O One Who rewards every soul as it earned, do judge between me and them; surely You are the best of judges.”

KARBALA AND BEYOND