Imam Hussain (AS)

The first celebrative Islamic occasion of the glorious month of Shabaan is the birth-anniversary of our 3rd Infallible Imam and the 3rd descendant of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) The second star of Hazrat Ali (A.S) and Janabe Fatema Zehra (S.A) enlightened Madina-e-Munawwara a year after the birth of Hazrat Hasan (A.S). Imam Husain (A.S) the Imam through 9 more descendants of his holy grandfather was about to be followed, was born already after 6 months of pregnancy and a resembling birth in history is found about Hazrat Eesa (A.S) and also Hazrat Yahya (A.S). No other child has survived a birth after 6 months in its mother’s womb. The holy Prophet (S.A.W) recited Azaan in the right ear and Aqamah in the left and after that He gave His tongue to Imam Husain (A.S) who sucked it.
On this blissful event Allah (S.W.T) sent his felicitation through Hazrat Jibraeel who was ordered by the Lord to convey His greetings to the Noble Messenger (S.A.W) but not only that , Hazrat Jibraeel also brought the sad news of the martyrdom of Imam Husain (A.S) . When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) received the sorrowful news His eyes were filled with tears and the happiness turned into mourning for the fate of His grandson. When Hazrat Ali (A.S) was informed He too started to cry, seeing this touching scene worried Janabe Fatema Zehra (S.A) and she asked her Holy Father for the reason of crying. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) answered when He wiped away His tears:
“Hazrat Jibraeel descended from Heaven and with the message of congratulation on the birth of your holy son He also revealed the painful news of the martyrdom of my precious grandson Husain.”
Janabe Fatema Zehra (S.A) was also deeply affected when she listened to the full story of how her beloved son was about to be martyred in Karbala and that this was going to happen after the demise of His holy grandfather, father, mother and brother. After this detailed information Janabe Fatema Zehra (S.A) was anxious to know then who would weep for Imam Husain (A.S). The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) continued:
“His lovers will weep for Him, the elder will mourn for the elder martyrs, the youths will mourn for the young martyrs, children will mourn for the youngest martyrs and the women will mourn for the female victims till the end of this world.”
Allah (S.W.T) sent His personal greetings to His beloved Prophet (S.A.W) through Jibraeel-e-Ameen and associated to this special event we often recall a beautiful miracle. Among other miracles connected to the birth of Imam Husain (A.S) is the phenomenal and wonderful story of the angel Fitrus which occurred something like this: Allama Mazkoor with his references to Hazrat Sheikh Mufeed (Alaihur-Rehmah) have reported that: Related to the moment of when Allah the Almighty delivered His sacred congratulations, the angel Jibraeel descended from Heaven obeying the command of the Lord accompanied by sundry angels. As they passed by an island suddenly their attention was attracted to an angel who was lying on the ground crying and weeping.
When Hazrat Jibraeel along with his company of the other angels approached this miserable angel they asked him the cause of his distress. In guarded terms he answered them that: “O’ Jibraeel don’t you recognize me, I am the angel who was the Leader of 70.000 angels on Heaven and my name is Fitrus.” Hazrat Jibraeel continued to ask another question due to his curiosity and began: “Tell me the cause behind this accident?” Fitrus opened up his sad story and said: “Somehow I was delayed in understanding the will of Allah which trapped me into this pain and sorrow. My hair and wings are burnt and I have been left on this island on earth to suffer this dreadful grief. Please O’ Jibraeel I beg you to help me and relieve me from this punishment.”
Hazrat Jibraeel wasn’t even given the chance to reply when Fitrus hastily asked him that:”O’ Ruhul-Ameen tell me where you are headed?” Hazrat Jibraeel answered him delightfully: “Today a son of the Final Apostle of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa S.A.W is born whose name is Husain. I have been sent by my Lord to visit the House of the Noble Messenger (S.A.W) to deliver the felicitations of Allah to the Prophet (S.A.W) and His household.” Hearing about this happy and joyful news he requested Jibraeel to take him along as he knew that his visit to the house of the sacred personalities of Allah could be the solution for his repentance. When Jibraeel reached his destination along with Fitrus they saw the newborn Imam Husain (A.S) in the arms of the Noble Messenger (S.A.W) after offering the salutations Hazrat Jibraeel told the story of Fitrus. The holy Prophet (S.A.W) commanded Fitrus to stroke his body gently against the holy body of Husain. The angel Fitrus acted as he was told and soon miraculously his hair and wings were grown out again and everybody witnessed his recovery.

Source: IMAMREZA.NETWORK
Author: Sughra Khatun

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Some Sayings of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) about Imam Hussain(AS)

* “Hussain is of myself and I am of Hussain. O’ Allah be pleased with those who please Hussain and hate those who hate Hussain.”

These holy words were uttered by the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), the one who never speaks of his own desire but only as inspired to him by the one Mighty in power.

* The muslims feeling gratitude towards the Prophet (P.B.U.H) for his efforts in guiding them offered to reward him with gold. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) answered them with a verse that was revealed to him, ” Say, No reward do I ask of you for this except being kind to those of kin” (verse 23/sura 42). Al- Kashaf ( an authoritative interpretation of the Holy Quran) narrates that when this was revealed, people asked the Prophet “O, Prophet of God, who are the ones whose respect is made obligatory upon us in this verse?” The Prophet (P.B.U.H) answered “They are Ali, Fatema and their two sons.”

* “Hassan and Hussain are masters of youth in Paradise.”

* One day, when the Holy Prophet was in prostaration (sajda) during a prayer, Imam Hussain (a.s) then climbed on his back. The Holy Prophet remained in prostration untill Imam Hussain (a.s) came down himself.

*Ibn Saad (an eighth century historian) narrates from Ash-Shabi that Imam Ali (a.s) while on his way to Siffin passed through the desert of Karbala. He stopped and wept bitterly. When asked regarding the cause of his weeping, he commented that one day he visited the Holy Prophet and found him weeping. When he asked the cause, the Apostle of Allah replied, ” O’ Ali, Jibrael has just been with me and informed me that my son Hussain would be martyred in Karbala, a place near the bank of the river Euphrates. This moved me so much that I could not help weeping.”

*Anas bin Harith narrates that : One day the Holy Prophet(P.B.U.H) ascended the pulpit to deliver a sermon to his associates while Imam Hussain and Imam Hasan were sitting before him. When the sermon concluded, he put his left hand on Imam Hussain and raising his head towards Heaven, said: “O my Lord! I am Muhammad Thy slave and Thy Prophet, and these two are the distinguished and pious members of my family who would fortify my cause after me. O my Lord! Gabriel has informed me that my son Hussain will be killed.O my Lord, bless my cause in Hussain’s martyrdom, make him the leader of the martyrs, be Thou his helper and guardian and do not bless assassins.’

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Life of Imam Sajjad

(This is) an account of the Imam after al-Husayn b. Ali, peace be on them, the date of his birth, the evidence for his Imamate, the age he reached, (together with) the period of his succession, the time and cause of his death, the place of his grave, the number of his children and a selection from the reports about him.
The Imam after al-Husayn b. Ali, peace be on them, was his son, Abu Muhammad Ali b. al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin, peace be on them. He also had the kunya Abu al-Hasan.
His mother was Shahzanan daughter of Yazdigard b. Shahriyar b. Choesroe. Her name was also said to be Shahrbanawayh. The Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, had appointed Hurayth b. Jabir al-Hanafi over part of the eastern provinces.

The latter had sent to him two daughters of Yazdigard b. Shahryar b. Choesroe. Of these he had given his son al-Husayn, peace be on him, Shahzanan and she bore him Zayn al-‘Abidin (Ali b. al-Husayn), peace be on him. He had given the other to Muhammad b. Abi Bakr and she bore him al-Qasim b. Muhammad b. Abi Bakr, so that these two (Zayn al-Abidin and al-Qasim) were maternal cousins.

Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, was born in Medina in the year 38 A.H. (658/9). He lived with his grandfather, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, for two years, with his uncle, al- Hasan, peace be on him, for twelve years, and with his father, al- Husayn, peace be on him, for twenty-three years. After his father, he lived a further thirty-four years and he died in Medina in the year 95 A.H. (713/4). At that time he was fifty-seven years of age. His Imamate was for thirty-four years. He was buried in al-Baqi with his uncle, al-Hasan b. Ali, peace be on them.

His Imamate was confirmed in several ways. One of these was that he was the most meritorious (afdal) of the creatures of God, the Most High, after his father in traditional knowledge film) and practice (‘amal). The Imamate belongs to the most meritorious (afdal) to the exclusion of the less meritorious (mafdul) by rational proofs.

Among these there was the fact that he was more appropriate for authority by virtue of his father, al-Husayn, peace be on him, and more entitled to his position after him through his merit and lineage. The one who was entitled through the last Imam has more right to his position than anyone else through the evidence of the verse of next of kin (dhu al- arhaim) and the (Qur’anic) story of Zacharia, peace be on him.

Another of (the facts which confirms his Imamate) is the necessity according to reason of the Imamate existing in every age. The claim of every (other) claimant to the Imamate during the time of Ali b. al- Husayn, peace be on them, was invalid and the impossibility of there being any time without an Imam is confirmed by him (being the Imam).

Another (of the facts which confirms his Imamate) is the fact that the Imamate is established in the offspring (itra) (of the family of Ali exclusively by rational deduction and by a report on the authority of the Prophet, may God bless him and his family.

Invalidity of the arguments of those who claim it for Muhammad b. al-Hanafiyya, may God be pleased with him, through him (also) belonging to the offspring is established by the absence of the designation of it to him. Therefore it is established that it belongs to Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, since there was no claim for it for any other member of the offspring (of the family) except Muhammad, may God be pleased with him; his exclusion from it was on account of what we have already mentioned.

Another (of the facts which confirmed his Imamate) was the designation of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, of him for the Imamate, in the tradition which is related concerning the tablet (lawh) which Jabir reported on the authority of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family.

Muhammad b. Ali al- Baqir, peace be on them, (also) related it on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, on the authority of Fatima, daughter of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family.

His grandfather, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, designated him during the life-time of his father, al-Husayn, peace be on him, according to the reports which include that. The testamentary bequests (wasiyya) (were made) by his father, al- Husayn b. Ali, peace be on him, and they were deposited with Umm Salama for him. He received them when his father died.

His father made the request (for these) from Umm Salama, the sign of the Imamate of the one who should request them among men. This part may be known by the examination of the reports and we do not intend in this book to speak about its significance for we will study it thoroughly separately.

A Brief Survey of the Reports about Ali b. al-Husayn, Peace be on them.

[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad b. Yahya informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told us: Idrss b. Muhammad b. Yahya b. Abd Allah b. Hasan b. Hasan, Ahmad b. Abd Allah b. Musa, and Ismail b. Yaqub, all told me: Abd Allah b. Musa told us on the authority of his father (Musa b. Abd Allah), on the authority of his grandfather (Abd Allah b. al-Hasan), who said:]

My mother, Fatima, daughter of al-Husayn, peace be on him, used to tell me to sit with my maternal uncle, Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them. I never sat with him without rising with some good which I had derived from him, whether it was fear of God which occurred in my heart when I realised (what) fear of God (was) or some traditional knowledge (ilm) which I acquired from him.

[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad al-Alawi informed me on the authority of his grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan), on the authority of Muhammad b. Maymun al-Bazzaz, who said: Sufyan b. Uyayna informed us on the authority of Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri, who said:]
Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, who was the best Hashimi we ever met, said: “Love us, for it is love for Islam. May your love for us never cease even if it becomes a public disgrace.”

[Abu Mu’ammar reported on the authority of Abd al-Aziz Abu Hazim who said:]
I heard my father say: “I have never seen a Hashimi more meritorious (afdal) than Ali b. al-Husayn.”

[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad b. Yahya informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told me Abu Muhammad al- Ansari told me: Muhammad b. Maymun al-Bazzaz told me: al-Hasan b. Alwan told us on the authority of Abu Ali Ziyad b. Rustum, on the authority of Sai’d b. Kulthum who said:]

I was with al-Sadiq Jafar b. Muhammad, peace be on them. He mentioned the Commander of the faithful, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him, and praised and extolled him with (praise) which he was worthy of. Then he said: “O God, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him, never ate anything forbidden in this world until he passed along his (final) road.

Two alternatives were never presented to him, when God would be pleased with both, without him taking the more religious of them. No dispute occurred about the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, without him being summoned as a reliable authority.

No one else of this community was able to do the work of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family; for if he enjoined (such a) man (as Ali) to work, his position would be between Heaven and Hell, hoping for the reward of the former and fearing the punishment of the latter.

He freed a thousand slaves with his own money in his desire to seek the face of God and to escape the fire of Hell, (money) which he had laboured for with his own hands and for which his own brow had sweated, even though it had been to provide his family with oil, vinegar and dates. He did not have (many) clothes except white cotton fabrics since when there was any sleeve left over his arm, he called for scissors and cut it off.

None of Ali’s children or his family was more like him and nearer to him in manner of dress and understanding than Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them. (One day) his son, Abu Jafar (Muhammad al-Baqir), peace be on them, came to him. He had carried out in worship what no one had ever carried out. He saw that his colour had gone yellow from weeping all night; his eyes had used up all their water from being awake all night; his forehead was bruised and his nose squashed from prostrating; and his legs and feet were swollen from standing in prayer.

Abu Jafar, peace be on him, reported:

I could not control myself from weeping when I saw him in that state and I wept, may God have mercy on him. Behold, he was thinking and he turned to me a short time after I had come and said: ‘My son, give me some of those parchments in which there is the (practice of) worship of Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him.”

I gave them to him and he read something from them for a while. Then he let them go from his hand in exasperation and said: ‘Who is strong enough to perform the worship of Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him?’

[Muhammad b. al-Husayn reported: Abd Allah b. Muhammad al- Qurashi told us:]
When Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, used to perform ritual ablutions, his skin would turn yellow.

“What is it that has afflicted you?” his family asked him.
“Don’t you know Whom you are preparing to stand before?” he asked.
[Amr b. Shamir reported on the authority of Jabir al-Jufi on the authority of Abu Jafar, peace be on him:]

Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, used to pray a thousand rakas during the day and the night. The wind would bend (his body) forward like an ear of corn.
[Sufyan al-Thawri reported on the authority of Ubayd Allah b. Abd al-Rahman b. Mawhib:]
The great merit (fadl) of Ali b. Husayn, peace be on them, was mentioned to him but he replied: “It is sufficient for us that I should be one of the righteous members of our people.”

[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed us on the authority of his grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan), on the authority of Salama b. Shabib, on the authority of Ubayd Allah b. Muhammad al-Taymi who said: I heard a shaykh from (the tribe of) Abd al-Qays say: Tawus said:]

I (i.e.Tawus) went into the hijr one night and there was Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them. He had come in and was standing praying. He prayed as God had wished then he prostrated. I asked a righteous man from the family of goodness whether I might listen to his prayer I heard him saying during his prostration:

Your little servant is at Your courtyard; Your miserable one is at Your courtyard: Your poor one is at Your courtyard; Your beggar is at Your courtyard.
(Tawus added:) I have never prayed with these words at any tribulation without me being freed from it.

[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me on the authority of his grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan), on the authority of Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Rafi’i, on the authority of Ibrahim b. Ali on the authority of his father (Ali b. Abi Rafi’i), who said:]

I (i.e. Ali b. Abi Rafi’i) made the pilgrimage with Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them. The camel carrying him was moving slowly. He pointed toward it with his stick and then said: “Woe if there was no retaliation (in the next world) !” And he moved his hand away from it.
[With this chain of authorities:]

Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, made the pilgrimage on foot and he took twenty days to travel from Medina to Mecca.
[Abu- Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told us: Ammar b. Aban told us: Abd Allah b. Bukayr told us on the authority of Zurara b. A’yan who said that:]

He (Zurara b. Ayan) heard a voice calling in the middle of the night: “Where are those who abstain with regard to this world out of desire for the next?” A voice called out in answer from the region (of the cemetery) of al-Baqi – he heard its voice without seeing the person
“Such a man is Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them.”

[Abd al-Razzaq reported on the authority of Mamar on the authority of al-Zuhri, who said:]
I have never seen any of that House, meaning the House of the Prophet, may God bless him and his family, more meritorious (afdal) than Ali b. al- Husayn, peace be on them.
[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told me: Abu Yunus Muhammad b. Ahmad told us: my father and another of our companions told me:]
A young man from Quraysh was sitting in an assembly with Sa’d b. al-Musayyib and saw Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them.

“Who is that, Abu Muhammad?” the Qurash; asked Sa’id b. al- Musayyib.
“That is the lord of worshippers (abidin), Ali b. al-Husayn b. Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on them,” he answered.

[Abu Muhammad al-H. asan b. Muhammad informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told me: Muhammad b. Jafar and others told me:]

A man from his House stood in front of Ali b. al- Husayn, peace be on them, and made him listen to him and cursed him. However, he did not reply. When (the man) had gone away, he said to those who were sitting with him: “You heard what that man said? I want you to come with me so that you may hear from me my reply to him.”
“We will do that,” they replied, “we wanted you to answer him while we were speaking (together).”

He took his shoes and went, while reciting:
Those who refrain from anger and those who forgive the people, God loves those who do good. (III 133)
Then we knew that he would not say anthing to him.

He went along until he came to the house of that man who had screamed at him.
“This is Ali b. al-Husayn,” they told him.

He came rushing out towards us with evil intent. He had no doubt that (Ali b. al-Husayn) had come to him to repay him for some of the evil which he had given him.
“Brother,” said Ali b. al-Husayn, “you were standing proudly over me and you said this and that. If you have said what is (really) in my (character), I seek God’s forgiveness for it. If you have said what is not in my character, may God forgive you”.

The man kissed him between the eyes and replied: “Yes, I said what was not in your character, may I be worthy of it (i.e. God’s forgiveness)”.
[The narrator of the account added:] The man was al-Hasan b. al- Hasan, may God be pleased with him.

[Al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me on the authority of his grandfather, (Yahya b. al-Hasan) who said: A Shaykh from Yemen who was some ninety years old, told me: A man called Ubayd Allah b. Muhammad informed me: I heard Abd al-Razzaq say:]

A maid-servant of Ali b. al-Husayn began to pour water for him so that he might perform the ritual ablutions for prayer. The maid-servant became faint and the jug dropped from her hand and struck him. He raised his head towards her and the maidservant said to him:
“God, the Most High, says: Those who restrain from anger.”
“I have restrained my anger,” he replied.

“And those who forgive the people,” she went on.
“May God forgive you,” he said.
“God loves those who do good,” she said.

“Go, you are a free woman before the face of God, the Mighty and High,” he answered.
[Al-Waqidi reported: Abd Allah b. Muhammad b. Umar b. Ali, peace be on him, told me:]
Hisham b. Isma’il used to harm our neighbourhood. Ali b. al- Husayn, peace be on them, received severe hardship from him. When he was dismissed, al-Walid ordered that he should be made to stand before the people. Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, walked past him and greeted him. Ali b. al-H. usayn, peace be on them, had come especially so that no one should harm him.

It is reported that Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, called his slave twice and the latter did not answer him. At the third time, he answered.
“Didn’t you hear my voice?” asked (Ali b. al-Husayn).
“Yes,” was the reply.

“What was on your mind so that you did not answer me?” he asked.
“I was safe (from any harm) from you,” he answered.

“Praise be to God,” he said, “Who has caused my slave to be safe (from any harm) from me.”
[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad b. Yahya informed me: my grandfather (Yahya al-Hasan) toid me: Yaqub b. Yazid told us: Ibn Abi Umayr told us on the authority of Abd Allah b. al-Mughira, on the authority of Abu Ja’far al-Asha, on the authority of Abu Hamza al-Thumali, on the authority of Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, who said:]

I (i.e. Ali b. al-Husayn) went out until I came to that wall and leaned against it. There was a man wearing two white garments who was looking at me directly in the face. Then he said: “Ali b. al-Husayn, why do I see you sorrowful and sad? Is your sorrow on account of the world, since God provides for both the pious and the profligate?”

“I am not sad on account of that though it is as you say,” I replied.
“Is it on account of the next world, for it is a true promise that there conquering angels will give judgement?” he asked.

“I am not sad on account of that. though it is as you say,” I answered.
“Then why are you sad?” he asked.
“I am fearful of the discord (caused) by Ibn al-Zubayr,” I replied
He laughed and said: “Ali b. al-Husayn, have you ever seen anyone who trusted in God and God was not sufficient for him?”
“No,” I replied.

“Ali b. al-Husayn,” he said, “have you ever seen anyone who feared God without God saving him?”
“No,” I replied.
“Ali b. al-Husayn,” he asked, “have you ever seen anyone ask (for something) of God without God giving it to him?”

“No,” I replied. Then I looked and suddenly there was no one here .
[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told us: Abu Nasr told us: Abd al- Rahman b. Salih. told us: Yunus b. Bukayr told us on the authority of Ibn Ishaq, who said:]

There was in Medina such and such a family. Their provisions used to come to them without them asking for them. They did not know >From where they came to them. However, when Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, died, they stopped (receiving) those.
[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told me: Abu Nasr told us: Muhammad b. Ali b. Abd Allah told us: my father told me: Abd Allah b. Harun told us: Umar b. Dinar told me:]

Death was close to Zayd b. Usama b. Zayd and he began to weep.
“What makes you weep?” asked Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them.
“What makes me weep,” he said, “is the fact that I owe fifteen thousand dlnars and I have not left anything to fulfil the debt for them.”

“Do not weep,” Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, told him, “they are my debt now and you are free of them.” So he paid them for him.
[Harun b. Musa reported: Abd al-Malik b. Abd al-Aziz told us :]

When Abd al-Malik b. Marwan succeeded to the caliphate, he returned the (proportion of) taxes (sadaqat) given to the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, to Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, and also (the proportion of) taxes (sadaqat) given to Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him. They were both written down (in the diwan as going to Ali b. al-Husayn). Umar b. Ali went to Abd al-Malik and complained to him on behalf of himself. Abd al-Malik replied, “I can only use the words of Ibn Abi al-Huqayq:

Indeed when claims of desire are put forward, the listener listens to the speaker.
The people wrestle with their hearts but we are judging with a just and decisive judgement.
We do not make the false true, nor do we deny the true in favour of the false.
We fear that we would make our minds foolish and we would spend (our) time with those without repute.

[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me: my grandfather (Yahya b. al-Hasan) told me: Abu-Jafar Muhammad b. Isma’il told us:]
Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, made the pilgrimage and the people were shouting about his comely disposition and looking at him. They began to question each other: “Who is that? Who is that?”

(They were doing this) in magnification of him and in exaltation of his rank. Al-Farazdaq was there and he composed the following, saying:
This is he whose ability the valley (of Mecca) recognises, and whom the (Sacred) House recognises (as do) the sanctuary and the area outside the sanctuary (al-hill).
This is the son of the best of all God’s servants. This is the pure pious man, the pure eminent man.

When he comes to touch the corner of the wall of the Ka’ba, it almost grasps the palm of his hand.
He takes care to be modest and he is protected from his terror.
He only speaks when he smiles.

None of mankind has within their souls such primacy as he does nor such grace as he does.
Whoever knows God, knows his friend (wali). Religion is from the House of this man.
When Quraysh saw him, their spokesmen told of the outstanding qualities of this man which indicate (his) nobility.

[Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Muhammad informed me on the authority of his grandfather, (Yahya b. al-Hasan) who said: Dawud b. al-Qasim told us: Al-Husayn b. Zayd told us on the authority of his uncle, Umar b. Ali, on the authority of his father Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them:]

(Ali b. al-Husayn) used to say: “I have never seen similar preference (given to) a prayer (than this prayer). The worshipper will never pray without an answer coming to him on every occasion.”
It was one of the prayers learned from him, peace be on him, when it was learned that Musrif b. Uqba was heading towards Medina.

My Lord, however much favour You have bestowed upon me, my thanks to You for it have been little. However much testing You have given me, my endurance in the face of it has been little. O He who receives little thanks from me for His favour, let Him not deprive me. O He Who receives little endurance from me when He tests me, let Him not desert me.

O Possessor of unceasing kindness ! O Possessor of incalculable favours, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad; ward off the evil (of man) from me so that I may find protection through You amid (man’s) slaughter. I seek refuge with You from (man’s) evil.

Musrif b. Uqba came to Medina. It was said that he did not have any hostility towards Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them. He greeted him, honoured him, was generous to him and gave gifts to him.

The account from another source is that when Musrif b. Uqba came to Medina, he sent for Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them. The latter went to him. When he came to him, he honoured him and said:

“The Commander of the faithful (i.e. Yazid) has enjoined me to show goodness and generosity towards you, to distinguish you from the others.”
So he treated him very well. Then he said to those who were around him: “Saddle my mule for him.

Then he said to him: “Go to your family. I see that we have filled them with fear when we made you come to us. If that with which we might increase your gift according to your right, were in our hands, we would give it to you.”
“Do not apologise for the ruler (amir) to me,” said Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them and rode away.

“That is the best of men,” said Musrif to those who were sitting with him. “There is no evil in him because of his position and rank from the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family.

The account has been reported that one day Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them, was in the mosque of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, when he heard some people describing God in terms of His creation. He became fearful and frightened of that. He rose and went to the tomb of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family.

He stood before it and raised his voice to talk to his Lord. He said in his conversation to Him:

My God, Your power has been shown but the form of Your Majesty has not been shown. They are ignorant of You and they try to estimate You on the basis of what You are not, and they make comparisons with You. O my God, I renounce those who seek to discover You through human comparisons. My God, there is nothing like You, and they have not become aware of You.

It is clear that the favour which they have is their evidence for You, if they would (choose to) know You in Your creation, My God, I am free from the fact that they should give You (these characteristics).

Indeed they have pictured You according to Your creation. Thus they do not know You and have adopted some of Your signs as (if they were their) Lord. In that way they have attempted to describe You. May You be exalted, O my God above the pictures of You of those who try to describe You in human terms.

This has been a sample of the accounts which are given about the virtues of Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him.

Taken from Kitab al Irshad, By Sheikh al Mufid

*******

Abbas ibn Ali (AS)

Abbas ibn Ali was the son of Ali ibn Abu Talib and Fatima binte Hizam, commonly known as Ummul Baneen. Abbas is particularly revered by Shi’a Muslims for his loyalty to his half-brother and third Shi’a Imam, Hussain ibn Ali, his respect for the Ahl al-Bayt, and his role in the battle of Karbala. Abbas was married to Lubaba binte Obaidullah ibn Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib.

He had three sons, and their names are Fazal ibn Abbas, Qasim ibn Abbas, and Obaidullah ibn Abbas. Two of them were killed during the Battle of Karbala. The family lineage of Abbas ibn Ali was succeeded by Obaidullah ibn Abbas. Obaidullah then had five sons. The names of Abbas ibn Ali’s grandsons were Abdullah ibn Obaidullah, Abbas ibn Obaidullah, Hamza ibn Obaidullah, Ibrahim ibn Obaidullah, and Fazal ibn Obaidullah.

It has been recorded that that the Angel Gabriel informed Muhammad what would happen to his grandson Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala.[1] Muhammad, Fatima Zahra, and Ali were saddened by this, so Ali wished for a son to help Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala. He asked his brother, Aqeel ibn Abu Talib, to search for a wife from courageous descent. Aqeel pointed out Fatimah Kelabiya better known know as Ummal Baneen, who was descended from the honored lineage of Hezam ibn Khalid ibn Rabi’e ibn Amer Kalbi. [2] Ali ibn Abu Talib did not marry Ummal Baneen (or any other woman) during the lifetime of Fatima Zahra. [3]

Birth & Early Life

Abbas ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib was born on Shaban 4, 26 after Hijra (AH). He was the son of Ali ibn Abu Talib, and Fatimah bint Hizam. Abbas had three brothers, Abdullah ibn Ali, Jafar ibn Ali, and Usman ibn Ali. Abbas lived 34 years. It is said that he did not open his eyes after he was born until his half-brother Husayn ibn Ali took him in his arms. Abbas learned the art of war from his father Ali who was the most dangerous warrior of all times. [4]

Abbas never considered himself equal in rank or stature to his half-brother Husayn. On the contrary, Abbas considered his half-brother Husayn to be his master. Abbas did not like anyone working for Husayn except himself. This devotion can be gauged by the following event: At the Mosque of Kufa, Ali ibn Abu Talib, Husayn, Qanbar (a companion of Ali), and Abbas were sitting. Husayn asked Qanbar to bring water because he was thirsty. Abbas stopped him and said, “I will bring the water for my master myself”. Abbas was young at that time. [4] [5]

Battle of Siffin

Abbas’s debut as a soldier was in the battle of Siffin. In 657 CE, Abbas’s father Ali – defender of Islam (the Caliph of the time) and Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, governor of Syria & enemy of Islam, were locked in a struggle for Islam. One of the main battles of this conflict was at Siffin – a place near the Euphrates river. [6]During the course of the battle, Abbas entered the battlefield wearing the clothes of his father, who was known to be a deadly skilled warrior.

Abbas killed many soldiers on the other side with his lightning swordship. For this reason, Muawiya’s soldiers mistook him for Ali because of his similar deadly art of war. However, Ali himself soon appeared on the battlefield. Muawiya’s soldiers were astonished to see him, and were confused about who the other person was. Ali then introduced Abbas by saying, “He is Abbas, (The Moon of the Hashimi family ]])”. [4][5]

Battle of Karbala

Abbas showed his loyalty to Husayn at the Battle of Karbala. After succeeding his father Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan as Caliph, Yazid ibn Muawiyah required Husayn to pledge allegiance to him. Husayn refused to do so. In 60 AH (680 CE), Husayn left Medina, with a small group of his companions and family, to travel to Kufa. The people of Kufa said that they would support Husayn if he claimed the Caliphate. On the way, Husayn and his group were intercepted. They were forced into a detour and arrived in Karbala on the 2nd of Muharram, 61 AH. Husayn’s camp was surrounded and cut off from the Euphrates river. The camp ran out of water on on the 7th of Muharram. [7]

Abbas promoted as Commander

On the 10th of Muharram, Abbas was ordered by Husayn to bring water from the Euphrates river for the small thirsty children. [8] . Some of the Yazid’s soldiers came against abbas on his way to river but were killed becauses of Abbas’s skill in dangerous swordship. But one of the enemy injured Abbas by hiding in the trees. Abbas lost both his arms in the war. He could not succeed bringing water for small thirsty children and died on his way to river. on the death of Abbas, Husayn was in tears forever. The small chaidren never asked for water after the death of Abbas and remaind thirsty and sileent till they were killed or enslaved by the enemies of Islam. ( yazid and his cruel force ). Husayn declared him “Saqqa” (One who fetches water). [9] [10] [10]

Abbas and digging of well

On the 8th & 9th of Muharram, Husayn refused to send Abbas to fight for water. Abbas was extremely eager to fight. Husayn asked Abbas to dig a well. Abbas and some of the Banu Hashim men began digging. But there was no success. [11][12][13] [11]

Abbas, Qasim ibn Hassan, and Ali Akbar ibn Husayn

On the eve of tenth Muharram Hussain was passing through a camp in which his nephew Qasim ibn Hassan, his son Ali Akbar ibn Husayn and brother Abbas were sitting and were discussing a matter. He stood beside the camp and heard their conversation. Ali Akbar was saying that tomorrow he will be the first person to sacrifice his life on Husayn. Abbas interrogated him and said “You are the son of my Master. How can you fight before me”? Ali Akbar replied “Uncle, you are the strength of my father. If you go first and die my father will be destroyed. And also you are the commander and the commander should not go first”.

Abbas replied to Ali Akbar, “nephew! A son is the light of his father eyes. If you die first, my brother will be visionless. Most of all, I cannot bear to see you dying”. Qasim was listening to the conversation, and replied, “My dear Uncle! And my dear brother! I will proceed first so that the strength & vision of my uncle Hussain remains, and I am also an orphan”. Husayn then entered the camp and held Qasim in his arms and replied “Oh, my nephew don’t ever consider yourself as orphan.

I am like your father.” Abbas was not ready for anyone entering battlefield before him. Then, Husayn explained to Abbas, “We have not entered Karbala for war”. He said “We could win because we have Banu Hashim men like you. However, our mission here is to serve Islam and now Islam requires our sacrifice. We are here to sacrifice our lives for this pure & noble religion.” [14]

Fight and Death

The Euphrates river was occupied by Yazid’s Army to prevent the camp of Husayn from getting water. Shias believe that Abbas, because of his skill and bravery, could have; attacked Yazid’s army, occupied the river, and retrieved water for the camp alone. However, Abbas was not allowed to fight. He was only allowed to get water. Thus, he went to the river to get water for Husayn’s 4 year old daughter Sakina bint Hussain.[12] Sakina was very attached to Abbas, who was her uncle. To her, Abbas was the only hope for getting water.

Abbas could not see her thirsty and crying “Al-Atash” (the thirst). [4]. When Abbas entered the battlefield, he only had a dagger and a bag for water in his hands. Once he had made it to the river, he started filling the bag with water. Abbas’s loyalty to Husayn was so great, that Abbas did not drink any water because he could not bear the thought that Sakina was thirsty. After gathering the water, Abbas rode back towards the camp.

On his way back, he was struck from behind and one of his arms was amputated. Then, he was stuck from behind again, amputating his other arm. Abbas was now carrying the water-bag in his mouth. The army of Yazid ibn Muawiyah started shooting arrows at him. One arrow hit the water-skin and water poured out of it. At that moment, Abbas lost all hope. One of Yazid’s men hit his head with a mace and Abbas fell off his horse without the support of his arms. As he was falling, he called, “Ya Akkha” (Oh Master).[12]

He tossed on the burning sand with excruciating pain. He called for his master. Husayn immediately came to him lifting his head and taking it into his lap. He said “My brother what have they done to you?” Abbas replied, “You have come at last, my Master. I thought I was not destined to have a last look at you but, thank God, you are here.” Then he said, “My Master, I have some last wishes to express. When I was born, I had first looked at your face and it is my last desire that when I die, my gaze may be on your face. My one eye is pierced by an arrow and the other is filled with blood.

If you will clear the eye I will be able to see you and fulfill my last dying desire. My second wish is that when I die, you should not carry my body to the camp. I had promised to bring water to Sakina and since I have failed in my attempts to bring her water, I cannot face her even in death. Besides, I know that the blows that you have received since morning have all but crushed you and carrying my body to the camp will be back-breaking work for you.

My third wish is that Sakina may not be brought here to see my plight. I know the love and affection she is has for me. The sight of my dead body lying here will kill her.” Husayn fulfilled his wishes. Husayn asked him for one last thing. Husayn said, “Abbas, I too have a wish to be fulfilled. Since childhood you have always called me Master. For once at least call me brother with your dying breath.” Abbas closed his eyes while repeating, “Husayn my brother, my Imam”. [4]

Shia historians say that this was the first time in his life that he called Husayn his brother.[15] He was killed on Friday, 10th Muharram 61 Hijri on the banks of the river Euphrates). Hence, he is called Hero of Al-Qamah (another name for the river Euphrates). His death is generally mourned on the 7th night of Muharram. Shia Muslims mourn the death of all martyrs of Islam associated with Husayn in the month of Muharram, the first of the Islamic calendar, mainly in the first ten days. See Remembrance of Muharram. Also, it has been recorded that Abbas killed 2415 warriors on the day of Ashura. [16]

Harsh Attitude with his Body

After the battle of Karbala ended, the dead bodies of the slain warriors were lying about without heads. The enemy forces decided to run their horses over the bodies. They did this in order to give maximum possible damages to the households of Muhammad and Ali. [citation needed]

Grave

Abbas was buried at that ground where he fell from his horse in Karbala, Iraq. Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine and pay homage to it every year. The real grave of Abbas is beneath the masoulem, and is present in the shrine. Environmental effects have caused the Euphrates river’s direction to change. Nearly 1400 years after the battle of Karbala, the river is flowing across the grave of Abbas, making a circle around it. It is said that the Euphrates has come to Abbas now. [17]

Honorific Titles

A summary of titles given various people are as follows:

Abu al-Fadl Abbas(Lang. Farsi, Translation “Father of virtue”)
Abul Qasim (Lang. Arabic, Translation “Father of Qasim”)
Abu Qurba (Lang. Arabic, Translation “The owner of the skin of water”)
Shahen Shah-e-Wafa (Lang. Urdu, Translation “Sultan of Loyalty”. Given by Shia’s belonging to the Indian Subcontinent)
Qamar Bani Hashim (Lang. Arabic, Translation “Moon of the Hashemites”. His father, Ali ibn Abu Talib announced this title during battle of Siffin)
Strength of Husayn
Alamdar (Lang. Farsi, Translation “Flag bearer”. Husayn announced this title during battle of Karbala)
Saqqa (Lang. Arabic, Translation “Who Fetches Water”. Sakina bint Hussain called him through this title during the battle of Karbala.)
Afza sh-Shuada (Lang. Arabic, Translation “Most Superior Martyr”)
Babul Hawa’ij (Lang. Arabic, Translation “The door to fulfilling needs”. In accordance with Shi’as, three persons are awarded with this title (Abbas ibn Ali, Ali Asghar ibn Hussain, and seventh Shia Imam Musa al Kazim). [18][2]

Shrine of Abbas

Shrine of Abbas is a soul-searching sight for the world. Emperors and kings of various dynasties have offered valuable gifts and gems to the shrine. It was designed by Persian and Central Asian architects. The brilliant splash of colors on the exterior and interior of the shrine are impressive. The central pear shaped dome is an ornately decorated structure. On its sides stand two tall minarets. The tomb is covered with pure gold and surrounded by a trellis of silver. Iranian carpets are rolled out on the floors. [19]

Horse of Abbas

Abbas was given a horse named “Auqab” (Eagle) .[20] This horse was used by Muhammad and Ali. This horse was presented to Muhammad by the King of Yemen, Saif ibn Zee Yazni, through Abdul Muttalib. The king considered the horse to be very important and its superiority over other horses was evident by the fact that its genealogical tree was also maintained. It was initially named as “Murtajis”. The name “Murtajis” comes from Arabic name “Rijis” which means thunder (lightning). Muhammad renamed it to “Auqab”. Muhammad gave that horse to Ali and later on Ali gave it to Abbas. [20] [21]

References
____________
1 The Martydom of Imam Husain (RA). Retrieved on 2006-06-30.

2 a b Lalljee, Yousuf N. (2003). Know Your Islam. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, p.160. ISBN 0-940368-02-1.

3 Lalljee, Yousuf N. (2003). Know Your Islam. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, p.125. ISBN 0-940368-02-1.

4 a b c d e Hazrat Abul Fazl Al Abbas. Retrieved on 2006-01-08.

5 a b Lalljee, Yousuf N. (2003). Know Your Islam. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, p.161. ISBN 0-940368-02-1.

6 Wikipedia: Battle of Siffin. Retrieved on 2006-01-08.

7 Wikipedia: Battle of Kerbala. Retrieved on 2006-07-30.

8 Hasan, Moulana Syed Najamul. Zikr-ul Abbas Chapter 32, p.174.

9 Bastami, Historian. Tohfa-e-Hussainia Lang Arabic, p.78.

10 a b Al-iza, Historian. Al-Mawaiz Al-Baqa Lang Arabic, p.197.

11 a b Hasan, Moulana Syed Najamul. Zikr-ul Abbas Chapter 34, p.181.

12 a b c The Great Sacrifice. Retrieved on 2006-07-30.

13 Channel 4 – Kerbala. Retrieved on 2006-08-09.

14 Najafi, Allama Muhammad Baqar. Dama-e-Sakaba Lang. Arabic, p.326.

15 Zakir. Tears and Tributes, p.51-52. ASIN B000EEP7NC.

16 Darbandi, Aqay-e. Israr-e-Shahadat Lang. Farsi, p.337.

17 KaraÌraviÌ, NajmulhÌ£asan (January 1, 1974). Biography of Hazrat Abbas. Peermahomed Ebrahim Trust. ASIN B0007AIWQW.

18 Al-Abbas (PBUH). Retrieved on 2006-07-30.

19 Muhammad, Yousaf (2001). Al-Abbas (AS) – Rajul Al-Aqidah Wal Jehad. Islamic Republic of Iran.

20 a b Tehrani, Allama Ahhsan. Zindagi-e-Abbas Lang. Urdu, p.83.

21 Pinault, David (February 3, 2001). Horse of Karbala: Muslim Devotional Life in India. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0-312-21637-8.

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