IMAM HUSSAIN (A.S) AT
KARBALA
Karbala
has the unique feature of having its name engraved in the memory of
generations and all along the history of the Muslim world. Believers
recall this name with sorrow and distress, for they remember the grand
sacrifice of Imam Hussain, peace be upon him (a.s.), and his family
members and friends.
Upto this
day, a huge number of devotees visit this holy place all year around
to pay homage to the master of martyrs Imam Hussain(a.s.). Two main
roads lead the visitor to Karbala. One is from the Iraqi capital
Baghdad, through Al-Musails, and the other is from the holy city of
Najaf. Upon reaching Karbala, the holy place would draw the visitor's
attention to its glorious minarets and domes shining due to the light
of its lord.
Two grand
holy shrine in Karbala are those of Imam Hussain(a.s.) and his brother
Abul-Fazl al-Abbas(a.s.). Also present inside the shrine of Imam
Hussain(a.s.) are the holy tombs of his two sons Hazrat Ali Akbar(a.s.)
and 6-month old Hazrat Ali Asghar(a.s.) and his trusted friend Hazrat
Habib ibn-e-Mazahir(a.s.). In one of the corners of the haram (inside
area of the shrine), is the Ganj-e-Shuhada where bodies of all the 72
martyrs of Karbala are buried. Next to one of the entrances "Bab-ul-Dhahab"
, is the Qatl-gah, where the actual martyrdom of Imam Hussain(a.s.)
took place. All the tombs and shrines are beautifully decorated with
golden windows and beautiful illumination.
"Karbala"
Origin & Meaning
There are
many opinions among different investigators, as to the origin of the
word "Karbala".
Some have
pointed out that "Karbala" has a connection to the "Karbalato"
language, while others attempt to derive the meaning of word "Karbala"
by analyzing its spelling and language. They conclude that it
originates from the Arabic word "Kar Babel" which was a group of
ancient Babylonian villages that included Nainawa, Al-Ghadiriyya,
Karbella, Al-Nawaweess, and Al-Heer. This last name is today known as
Al-Hair and is where Imam Hussain's(a.s.) grave is located.
The
investigator Yaqut al-Hamawy had pointed out that the meaning of
"Karbala" could have several explanations, one of which is that the
place where Imam Hussain(a.s.) was martyred is made of soft earth -
"Al-Karbalat".
Other
writers made the connection between the name and the disastrous event
which painted the desert with blood, and so the word "Karbala" was
said to compose of two Arabic words: "Karb" meaning grief and sorrow,
and "Balaa" meaning affliction. Such a connection, in fact, has no
scientific evidence, since Karbala was known as such even before the
arrival of Imam Hussain(a.s.).
Martyrdom
and popularity
Karbala
was at first an uninhabited place and did not witness any construction
activity, although it was rich in water and its soil fertile.
Following the tenth of Muharram 61 AH (680 AD), after the martyrdom of
Imam Hussain(a.s.), people from far as well as tribes living nearby
started visiting the holy grave. A lot of those who came, stayed
behind and/or asked their relatives to bury them there after their
demise.
Despite
many attempts by successive rulers, such as Al-Rashid and Al-Mutawakkil,
to put a restriction on the development of this area, it has
nonetheless spread with time to become a city.
Bounty of
visiting Imam Hussain(a.s.) shrine
There is a
lot of benefit and great spiritual reward in visiting the grave of
Imam Hussain(a.s.). The Prophet Mohammad(saws) has said of his
grandson Imam Hussain(a.s.): "Hussain is of me and I am of him".
Several narrations mention that visiting the grave of Imam Hussain(a.s.)
relieves one of worldly afflictions as well as those after death.
Believers, therefore, come from all parts of the world all year round
to receive the honor, particularly during the first ten days of
Muharram (Ashura) and the twentieth of Safar (the fourtieth).
One common
Iraqi custom during that season is to go walking from Najaf to
Karbala, reflecting their strong adhesion to and adoption of the
morals and principles for which Imam Hussain(a.s.) struggled and
attained martyrdom.
Mausoleum
of Imam Hussain(a.s.)
The
historian Ibn Kuluwayh mentioned that those who buried Imam
Hussain(a.s.) made a special and rigid construction with signs above
the grave. Higher and bigger constructions above the grave started
during the ruling of Al-Saffah, but Harun al-Rashid later on, put
heavy restrictions to prevent people from visiting the grave.
At the
time of Al-Mamun, construction around the grave resumed until the year
236 AH when Al-Mutawakkil ordered the destruction and digging of the
grave, and then filling the pit with water. His son, who succeeded
him, allowed people to visit the grave site, and since then building
the precinct to the grave increased and developed step by step.
On the
other hand, the historian Ibn Al-Athir, stated that in the year 371
AH, Aadod Al-Dawla Al-Boowayhi became the first to largely lay the
foundations for large scale construction, and generously decorated the
place. He also built houses and markets around the precinct, and
surrounded Karbala with a high boundary wall turning it into a strong
castle.
In the
year 407 AH, the precinct caught fire due to the dropping of two large
candles on the wooden decorations, but Hasan ibn Fadl (the state
minister) rebuilt the damaged sections.
History
has recorded the names of several rulers who shared the honour of
widening, decorating or keeping the precinct in good condition.
Amongst them is Fateh Ali al-Qajari, who in 1250 AH ordered the
construction of two domes. One over Imam Hussain's(a.s.) grave and the
other over his brother Abul-Fazl al-Abbas(a.s.).
The first
dome is 27 meters high and completely covered with gold. At the
bottom, it is surrounded with 12 windows, each of which is about 1.25
m away from the other, from the inside, and 1.30 m from the outside.
The
mausoleum has an area of 59 m / 75 m with ten gates, and about 65
rooms (I wans), well decorated from the inside and outside, used as
classrooms for studying.
As for the
grave itself, in the middle of the precinct, it is called the "Rawda"
or garden and it has several doors. The most famous one is called "Al-Qibla"
or "Bab al-Dhahab". When it is entered, one can see the tomb of Habib
ibn Madhahir al-Asadi(a.r.). Habib was a friend and companion of Imam
Hussain(a.s.) since their childhood. He was one of those who was
honoured with martrdom at the battle of Karbala.
Brief
Sayings of the Imam Hussain (A.S.)
1. Imam Hussain
(A.S.) said on the day of Ashoora: "People are the servants of the
World and touch the religion by their tongues. Till such time that
they know that religion does not carry any harm for them, they would
move and spin around it. But when the test comes then the real
religious ones are (to be seen) actually very few in number."
2. Imam Hussain (A.S.) told his son Imam Zain ul Abidin: "Avoid being
cruel to anybody who does not have any helper except God."
3. During fare well to his son on Ashoora day he said: "Oh my son do
not weep, do not shed tears on my leaving, your distress and calamity
does not come to an end. But that will be the beginning of your
discomforts, agonies and grief's. Be strong, because God is your
supporter. Beware, after I pass away, do not say a word before the
enemy so that your worth comes down."
4. Worst of the people is the one who gives (surrenders) his dooms day
for his world (material gains).
5. Do not perform any good work for the sake of people's praise and do
not abandon it for fear of shame.
6. Those who worship and adore God do not worship others.
7. Whatever my brother Hassan (A.S.) did during his life was upon the
command and order of God. And that which I do is also upon the order
of God.
8. Do not say a word, which may make you repent and force you to make
excuse.
Some Sayings of the Holy Prophet (sawa)
During his Lifetime
with Reference to Imam Husayn (as)
-
Hassan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) are the leaders of the Youths of
Paradise.
-
Hussain (a.s.) is from me and I am from Hussain (a.s.) , Allah
befriends those who befriend Hussain (a.s.) and He is the enemy of
those who bear enmity to him.
-
Whoever wishes to see such a person who lives on earth but whose
dignity is honoured by the Heaven dwellers, should see my grandson
Hussain (a.s.).
-
O my son! your flesh is my flesh and your blood is my blood, your
are a leader, the son of a leader and the brother of a leader; your
are a spiritual guide, the son of a spiritual guide and the brother
of a spiritual guide; you are an Apostolic Imam , the son of an
Apostolic Imam and the brother of an Apostolic Imam; you are the
father of nine Imams, the ninth of whom would be the Oaim (the last
infallible spiritual guide).
-
The punishment inflicted on the murderer of Hussain (a.s.) in Hell
would be equal to half of the total punishment to be imposed on the
entire sinners of the world.
-
When the Holy Prophet (phuh&hf) informed Hazrat Fatimah (s.a.) of
the Martyrdom in store for his grandson, she burst into tears and
asked, "O my father! when would my son be martyred?" "In such a
critical moment," he replied," When neither I nor you, nor Ali would
be alive. " This accentuated her grief and she inquired again," Who
then, O my father, would commemorate Hussain's martyrdom?". The Holy
Prophet (pbuh&hf) said, "The men and the women of a particular sect
of my followers, who will befriend my Ahlul-Bayt, will mourn for
Hussain and commemorate his martyrdom each year in every century."
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