A MESSAGE for today

From:

IMAM HUSSAYN (A-S). 
 

A brief study By: Brother Ali Ja’afary. 
 

بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَن الرَّحيم

“In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate” 
 

INTRODUCTION: 
 

There is a famous proverb that says: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Although that may sometimes be the case, in reality often it is not, for at times within words and phrases a never ending source of issues and subjects can develop, especially when those words have a divine and highly intellectual context to them. As well if we deduct a meaning from the context of a word or phrase, we can define a much more precise and clear representation of the setting than any actual picture, for many actual details would be available that are not found in the picture alone. For example, if I look at a picture of a man getting bitten by a dog. My conclusion is the dog is mad or bad and is biting a man, however, if someone gives me an accurate written description of this particular situation and it’s narrated that the man beat and abused the dog to the point that the dog had to defend himself, I will be left with a different impression in my intellect, in this case I will say: This man beat and abused an animal until the animal had no other option but to defend itself against its attacker, which would be a much more accurate and very different impression than the one I had by merely looking at the actual picture. Perhaps the writer of this proverb meant the picture established in our mind after witnessing a given situation. For in our never ending struggle and attempt to live by and spread the truth, the meaning of things is crucial. 
 

The greatest of words that can be witnessed by man would be those that ALLAH (swt) revealed by revelation to HIS Messengers, Prophets and Guides (a-s). In the case of the revelation of the Holy Qur’an and all of its divine magnitude, this makes it the greatest of Miracles ever witnessed by mankind. We can safely say in describing the Holy Qur’an’s immensity that: “A single meaning is worth millions of pictures”. Anyhow the key word in this article is ‘Meaning’. 
 

I originally wrote an article in French about 1 year ago for the newspaper: Sada al-Mashrik, which touched a little on the subject of our duties towards our Islamic Mission based on 6 of the many great sermons by Imam Hussayn (a-s) made before and during the events of Karbala and his (a-s) martyrdom in the year 61A.H. Ever since that time I wanted to elaborate its context and translate that short article into English, in order to show a more precise and deeper significance of that original work. Please remember that I did not want to take on all the important messages that came out of the tragedy of Karbala for that would take volumes and volumes of books, the objective of this project was to keep it as an article and to probe only on one of the many lessons of Ashura 61 A-H. In hopes that ALLAH (swt) will be satisfied with this small effort and that by translating and elaborating the original text I will be able to share this article with more readers, May ALLAH (swt) guide and protect us all. 
 

DEPARTURE FROM MADINA: 
 

“Have you shed tears, spent the night suffering from intense sighs, wept over the ruins of the family of Muhammad (saww), and your chest has become narrow from regrets? Oh! Truly weep for them: make flow for them tears shed out of misfortune. Do not forget that they were befallen by the greatest misfortune on the Day of the Plains”. (Di’bil Khazā’i) 
 

After an emotional goodbye at the graves of his Holy Grandfather; Prophet Muhammad (saww), his pure and infallible mother ‘The Mistress of all women’ Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) and his brave and infallible brother; Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s),Imam Hussayn (a-s) went to his brother Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyya’s house and made his last Testament. 
 

The last Testament of the Grand son of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), the Master of Martyrs and the master of the youth of the Paradise; Imam Hussayn Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib: 
 

“Verily Al-Hussayn (a-s) testifies that there is no god except ALLAH and that HE has no associate, and Muhammad (saww) is HIS Messenger and Prophet bringing truth from HIM. Verily Hell and Heaven are factual and Doom’s Day will come, without any doubt and on that Day ALLAH (swt) will revive the dead. However my denial of Yazid Ibn Mu’awiya is not for creating sedition, corruption, entertainment, or self-absorption and personal gain, but it was for the betterment of my Grandfather’s (saww) Ummah’s affairs. I’ve willed to enjoin the good and dissuade from the evil and to follow the way of life of my grandfather (Prophet Muhammad (saww)) and my father (Wali Amr; Amir Al-Mu’mineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s)). If someone accepted the call on Truth, then ALLAH (swt) deserves more and if not, I will wait for ALLAH (swt) to arbitrate between us, and HE the Most High is the best of arbitrators. O my brother, this is my testament to you. There comes no luck unless I trust in ALLAH (swt) and I have conversion towards HIM”. (Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the tragic saga of Karbala, by Ali Nazari Munfared) 
 

This text (the last Testament of Imam Hussayn), carries deep within it some of the most important teachings of Islam, as well is a clear and unambiguous declaration of what this Saintly Imam’s (a-s) most profound inner intention was. 
 

Point#1: If we examine the phrase: “However my denial of Yazid Ibn Mu’awiya is not for creating sedition, corruption, entertainment, or self-absorption and personal gain, but it was for the betterment of my Grandfather’s (saww) Ummah’s affairs”. Immediately following his praise and declaration of faith in ALLAH (swt) and His Messenger; Prophet Muhammad (saww), Imam Hussayn (a-s) declares purely that he has no intention to create any kind of agitation and corruption and he (a-s) most certainly does not want any kind of material gain or wish for power in refusing to pay allegiance to Yazid. No Imam Hussayn (a-s) who was a pure Infallible and at one with the Glorious Qur’an was truly on the Straight Path. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “I am leaving for you a thing which if you will keep hold of, you will never go astray after me and those two things which are greater and higher than one another.  One of them is the Book of ALLAH which is a rope drawn from earth up to the sky and another one is my progeny who are my Ahlul Bayt (a-s).  These two will never separate from one another until they arrive to me on the Hauz of Kauthar.  So just think how you will act for me on their matter”. (Zaid bin Arqam – Sahih Tirmidhi). This Straight Path that Imam Hussayn (a-s) was on is the very same Straight Path that we all ask ALLAH (swt) everyday to guide us on: “Guide us on the Straight Path, the Path of those whom YOU have favoured. Not those who have incurred YOUR Wrath. Nor those who are astray”. (Glorious Qur’an 1 Al-Fātihah-6 and 7) If we study who are those who will be favoured, they are only the ones who are on the Straight Path, for ALLAH (swt) says: “And whoever obeys ALLAH and the Apostle, they are those whom ALLAH has favoured, such as the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs the righteous, and what good companions they are!” (The Glorious Qur’an 4 An-Nisa’-69).  
 

Since we understand from the above sentence, that the Imam (a-s) was on the Straight Path and this is the reason he (a-s) denied giving his pledge to Yazid (May ALLAH (swt) curse him), then it is obvious that Yazid was not on the Straight Path and his appalling and offensive intentions were only to try and stop the truth and destroy Islam, we then quickly understand that he was among those who have incurred the wrath of ALLAH (swt) and who have gone astray. ALLAH (swt) clearly defines them as: “And that WE may punish the hypocrite men and women and the polytheist men and women, and the cherishers of evil thoughts about ALLAH. On them is the evil turn, and the wrath of ALLAH is on them, and HE has cursed them, and prepared the Hell for them-an evil destination”. (The Glorious Qur’an 48 Al-Fath-6) 
 

Point#2: Our next sentence to examine would be: I’ve willed to enjoin the good and dissuade from the evil and to follow the way of life of my grandfather (Prophet Muhammad (saww)) and my father (Wali Amr; Amir Al-Mu’mineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s)). Anyone who has studied the events preceding, during and following the tragic events at Karbala through historical reports, quickly realizes that the same standard was defended from the start of this divinely inspired upraising until today, that standard of course is the standard of “Enjoining the good and dissuading from evil”. In fact, if we study the events through our religious teachings, we can say that the rising of Imam Hussayn (a-s) was surely a revelation.  Of course by making such a claim, one must give adequate proof in order to fortify such a claim. If we study the Qur’anic ayah 53 An-Najm 2 to 4, we quickly understand that truly all the words, actions, silences and non-actions of Prophet Muhammad (saww) were a form of revelation: “Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray; nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed”. (The Noble Qur’an 53 An-Najm 2 to 4) In order to understand that not only is our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saww) a pure and infallible guide who communicates through the Divine gift of revelation from ALLAH (swt), we must know that to follow his command is obligatory in all cases, this fact is well defined in the Book of ALLAH Azz wa Jall: 

“…, and whatever the Apostle gives you, accept it, and from whatever he forbids you, keep back, and be careful of (your duty to) ALLAH; surely ALLAH is severe in retribution (evil)” (The Glorious Qur’an 59 Al-Hasr-7) 
 

“Whoever obeys the Apostle, he indeed obeys ALLAH and whoever turns back, so WE have not
sent you as a keeper over them”. (The Glorious Qur’an 4 An-Nisā-80) 
 

“Whoever disobeys ALLAH and HIS Messenger will go to hell, wherein he will live forever” (The Holy Qur’an 72 Al-Jinn-22) 
 

If we take the above verses of the Glorious Qur’an and also combine them with the famous ayah: “ALLAH intendeth but to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O’ye the people of the house (Ahlul-Bayt) and purify you (with) a thorough purification”. (The Holy Qur’an 33-Al-Ahzab-33). Without any doubt we understand that ALLAH (swt) wanted to emphasize the superiority of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) and if above that we combine this with the Hadith for which the Prophet (saww) made the claim (through revelation as mentioned in the Qur’an):
 "حُسَيْن مِني وَ انا مِنَ الْحُسَيْن" “Hussayn is from me and I am from Hussayn”, we then have no doubt that Imam Hussayn (a-s) in his purity and infallibility moved forward not by any desire or need of his own, but in a form of revelation in order to revive the truth and divine greatness of the true Islam, which at that point in history was on the verge of eradication. For when the holy Prophet (saww) made this claim about Hussayn (a-s), he (saww) was giving out the important message of Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) high status and that outside of the divine gift and blessing of the Prophethood, both Prophet Muhammad (saww) and Imam Hussayn (a-s) were from the same light. 
 

IN MECCA: 
 

“May ALLAH (swt) water the graves on the plain of Karbala, the quarters of rain clouds. And may HE bless the soul and body of Al-Hussayn (a-s), who was thrown in the desert between the two rivers, was killed without any guilt, called the people to support him when alone and single: “Where are my protectors? Shall I forget, while this river overflows, the one thirsty, killed, and wronged without being oppressive?” (Di’bil Khazā’i) 
 
 

Taken from Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) sermon in Mecca about leaving towards Iraq: 
 

“Praise be to ALLAH! By ALLAH’s will only! There is no power but with ALLAH! And Blessings of ALLAH be upon his Messenger (saww)! Verily death is bound with the sons of Adam (a-s) as a necklace around the neck of a maiden. How I desire and long to meet my ancestors similar to Nabi Ya’qoob (a-s), who was desirous of meeting Nabi Yusuf (a-s). Verily I proceed towards the place of my martyrdom, which has been selected for me. It is as if I see the wolves of the desert (Bani Ummayyah) separating each part of my body between Nawawees and Karbala, and filling their empty bellies and utricles. There is no escape from that which has been written down by the pen of destiny, and the pleasure of our Household (Ahlul-Bayt (a-s)) lies in the pleasure of ALLAH (swt). Verily we will endure HIS trials and secure the reward due for the forbearing ones. Thereby the Prophets (saww) eyes will be cooled due to us and thus ALLAH (swt) will fulfill what HE has promised through them. Then whoever desires to lay down his life for us and strive in the way of ALLAH should come out with us, for I shall be leaving tomorrow morning, Insha’ALLAH”. (Nafasul Mahmoom by Shaykh Abbas Qummi (r-a), Al-Malhuf 25, Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the tragic saga of Karbala, by Ali Nazari Munfared). 
 

Surely this sermon, not only gives us once again the true intention of Imam Hussayn (a-s) wanting to go forward, but also gives a great number of lessons, let us take a closer look at some of those lessons found in this heart rendering declaration, which is based on one of the most essential Commands from ALLAH (swt) in the glorious Qur’an, which is without doubt the true banner of all true believers in Islam: “Say: Surely my worship and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for ALLAH, the LORD of the worlds”. (The Holy Qur’an 6 An-An‘am 162) 
 

Point#1: Imam Hussayn (a-s) at this point, declares very eloquently his certain Martyrdom, and in fact using metaphors (metaphysical/metaphorical meaning) in order to give an exact picture of the soon inevitable events to come. Since death has such a strong and sure link to mankind, it is natural for an intellectual society, which has true belief in the One God (ALLAH Azz wa Jall) and strong moral and ethical doctrine will without any doubt go to any extent in order to fulfill its moral duties in order to gain nearness to ALLAH (swt). 
 

Then logically it is very clear that such an individual or society would not be able to bear anything or anyone whose goal was to stop this very logical, genuine, natural and spiritual need that man has contained so deeply within his soul. When Imam Hussayn (a-s) said: “How I desire and long to meet my ancestors similar to Nabi Ya’qoob (a-s), who was desirous of meeting Nabi Yusuf (a-s). Verily I proceed towards the place of my martyrdom, which has been selected for me”. He (a-s) meant exactly that the one thing that he (a-s) needed most at this point in his life was closeness to the Almighty Creator ALLAH (swt) and he knew that in order to achieve that at the highest scale was to be martyred in the way of ALLAH (swt) and to defend Islam which had been established on earth by his grandfather Prophet Muhammad (saww). 
 

Therefore when Imam Hussayn (a-s) made the metaphor that he desired to meet his ancestors in death by the action of martyrdom, was of the same essence and desire that Prophet Ya’qoob (a-s) had for wanting to see his long lost and most beloved son Prophet Yusuf (a-s). The Glorious Qur’an tells us how Prophet Ya’qoob (a-s) was so full of sadness at the lost of his son Yusuf (a-s) to him, at the hands of the brothers of Prophet Yusuf (a-s) that he cried with deep sorrow until he became blind. “And he (Ya’qoob) turned away from them, and said: ‘O sorrow for Yusuf!’ And his eyes became white on account of grief, and he choked with suppressed agony. They (his sons) said: ‘By ALLAH! You will go on remembering Yusuf until you wreck your health or perish.’ He said: ‘I complain of my anguish and grief only to ALLAH. I know from ALLAH what you do not know.’ (The Glorious Qur’an 12 Yusuf- 84 to 86). In the case of Imam Hussayn (a-s) his deep love and respect for his ancestors and his true obedience, worship and submission to ALLAH (swt) would cause his loss of his companions, brothers, sons and family on the burning hot sands of Karbala (may ALLAH (swt) bless all of their souls). 
 

Point#2: “O you who believe! Be patient! Be patient and excel in patience and remain steadfast, and be careful of your duty to ALLAH, that you may be successful”. (The Glorious Qur’an 3 Al-‘Imran-200). 
 

Surely when we think of the great Mission of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) patience appears in our thoughts, not just any kind of patience but a special exemplary steadfastness that we have only found in the lives of the Prophets (a-s), the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) and a certain number of extraordinary devout and true believers. Just reflect on the remarkable patience that Prophet Muhammad (saww) showed while fulfilling his duty and mission in the face of such adversities as; the torture and cruelty of his enemies, the blockade and exile of him (saww) and the Bani-Hashim out to the desert, attempted murder on him (saww), the never ending wars and campaigns made against him (saww), the evil tricks, ploys and dealings of the hypocrites mixed among the Muslims, the abandonment of most of his companions in the battle of Uhud, the ferociousness and cold heartedness of the Jews and misconducts of the ignorant ones, etc…  
 

We find this same kind of patience in the lives of all the Infallibles of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s), just think of the sufferings of Sayyeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a), Imam Ali (a-s), Imam Hasan (a-s), who showed a remarkable strength and kindness even in the most tragic times of their lives. All the Infallible Imams (a-s) after Imam Hussayn (a-s) would also show great patience and used the tragedy of Karbala as a reference for those who needed an example of the optimum of patience in the face of the worst adversities. Imam Hussayn (a-s) is the perfect example of the above mentioned Qur’anic verse, Imam Hussayn (a-s) never failed to be so pious and patient throughout this never seen before tragedy in history, that would change the essence of the meaning: ‘PATIENCE’. 
 

The Wali-Amr, Amir Ul-Mu’mineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) said: “The rank of patience to faith is as the rank of the head to the body. Hence the impatient are faithless”. (Tuhaf Al-Uquul maxims of Imam Ali (a-s) #14)  
 

We understand that our Mission in life is to perfect and purify ourselves in order to approach ALLAH (swt) and one of our best ways of purifying ourselves from the filth of sins and vice is to be patient, patience will open many spiritual, intellectual, and physical doors for us in order to obtain a higher state and to achieve felicity on the Day of Judgment.  
 

ALLAH (swt) says: “Patience on MY obedience is easier for you than punishment in the hereafter”. (Al-Hadith Al-Qudsi, chapter #8) 
 

In our lives we all at times face great tests that will come and tempt us to fall prey to our desires, or perhaps attempt to push us away from our Islamic beliefs, as important as education is in order to have the knowledge to move ahead in life, we must also seek and achieve patience in order to combat the monster that is adversity. Patience will allow us to be steadfast and stern on our Islamic beliefs, which in return will protect us against falling into the great sin of desperation. It says in the Glorious Qur’an: “…and despair not of ALLAH’s Mercy; surely none despairs of ALLAH’s Mercy except the unbelieving people”. (The Glorious Qur’an 12 Yusuf-87). Therefore there is a link between despair and unbelief, and the only security man has against falling into the trap of despair, which is in fact unbelief, is to use patience. By this explanation both the above Hadith of Imam Ali (a-s) about the Impatient being faithless becomes extremely clear. 
 

ON ROUTE TO KUFAH THAT WOULD LEAD HIM (A-S) TO KARBALA: 
 

“So say to Ibn Sa’ad, may ALLAH (swt) drive away his happiness: You will face the torture of the Fire and curses. Throughout the time, as long as the east wind blows, I will invoke ALLAH (swt) against the people who all have gone astray and lost the statement of ALLAH’s Messenger (saww) through vague errors”. (Di’bil Khazā’i) 
 

Taken from Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) Sermon at “Zeehasam”:

“You see what has happened and the world is reversed. What was good is turned aside and remained nothing but a left-over like the water left in a vessel and thrown away. And life is degraded like an unpleasant grazing ground of death. Do you see not the divine truth (Haqq) is trampled and the creedal error (Batil) is embraced; the faithful must seek the truth and be inclined towards meeting the LORD. I find in death only Martyrdom and co-living with despot tyrants nothing but humiliation”. (Kitab Al-Irshad by Shaykh Al-Mufid (r-a) / Tarikh-I Tabari, 403.5, / Nafasul Mahmoom by Shaykh Abbas Qummi (r-a) / Tuhaf Al-Uquul, maxims of Imam Hussayn (a-s) / Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the tragic saga of Karbala by Ali Nazari Munafared) 

Point#1: Imam Hussayn (a-s) gave this most eloquent, powerful and significant sermon, surely if we were to take away the fact that it was said about 1366 years ago, we would believe that it was designated for our present time. Perhaps like all the lessons and teachings in the glorious Qur’an are timeless and we discover new things emerging from them everyday, we can also say that the messages that were sent out during the tragedy of Karbala are also timeless. Today our world has made a mockery of the divine blessings , gifts, and knowledge sent to us by our Prophets (a-s) and divinely guided Imams (a-s), today’s anti-religious sentiments and materialism worship are doing their upmost to destroy humanity in its entirety. Today’s enemies of Islam have penetrated into the core of Islam, these hypocrites and haters of Islam are now even more educated than the average Muslim, making their evil hidden agenda of total annihilation of Islam within the circle of Islamic belief itself. While their associates attack all the movements in the way of ALLAH (swt) and on the path of perfection, by using insults against Muslims and our beliefs, by bribes and torture, by super armies of high tech killing machines attacking and entering our most holy places of sanctity. While in the so-called peaceful nations of the Occident the lovers and worshippers of ALLAH (swt) are treated worst than criminals, trying to push Muslims to the underground far away from their greedy cold heartless eyes, that don’t turn towards anything else except their lowest base desires. Please forgive me if my description is a little harsh, however, believe me I see these things every single day.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “People will surely live in an age in which a man will not care whether his religious affairs are proper or not as long as his worldly pleasures are satisfactory”. (Tuhaf Al-Uquul, maxims of the Holy Prophet (saww) #136) 
 

ALLAH (swt) says: “These are they who buy the life of this world for the Hereafter, so their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped” (The Glorious Qur’an 2 Al-Baqarah-86) 
 

Point#2: Imam Hussayn (a-s) said in this sermon: “Do you see not the divine truth (Haqq) is trampled and the creedal error (Batil) is embraced; the faithful must seek the truth and be inclined towards meeting the LORD”. Here we must remember that the most horrible and despicable of men; Yazid Ibn Mu’awiya (may ALLAH curse him) stepped up to the leadership of the Muslims and asked all to pledge allegiance to him. Not only was Yazid (may ALLAH curse him) a tyrant, murdering, fornicating hater of Islam, the Holy Qur’an, the Holy Prophet (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s). Not only this, but he hated and despised all goodness and purity, everything he touched turned sour and died. Yazid represented absolutely everything Islam is against, as Islam is Pure Truth and Yazid was Dirty Falsehood. 
 

Islam’s essence being of a celestial nature, perfectly originated and created for mankind by ALLAH (swt), then surely it most certainly could not have a foolish clown such as Yazid to lead it. In fact if such a terrible and worthless man such as Yazid was even able to get his filthy hands on the highest seat of leadership in Islam, it was only because of a great campaign of leading the Muslims back to the days of Ignorance. 
 

Only 50 years had passed since the death of our most beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), who is the greatest example for all mankind of all ages and times of pure human perfection, love, peace, piety, infallibility, etc… and already the Ummah had let their leadership be usurped by one of the ugliest, vicious, cold hearted tyrants of all time. Imam Hussayn (a-s) in his declaration re-opened the hearts and minds of those who were lost in their own ignorance forced into them by the hypocrites and material lovers, who cared less about the divine truth (al-haqq) and only desired to burry the masses in creedal error (al-batil) in order to satisfy their own sadistic pleasures. Imam Hussayn (a-s) reminded all mankind in this sermon, the human beings’ important duty and Mission to turn righteously to ALLAH (swt). 
 

“And they who do not bear witness to what is false, and when they pass by what is vain, they pass by nobly”. (The Glorious Qur’an 25 Al-Furqāne-72) 
 

Perhaps when this campaign of ignorance started naively, only so certain men could keep a hold of certain power over the followers of Islam; however, the results would prove to be disastrous. By the year 61, most of the majority had no longer even the knowledge of who the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) were, and would actually curse them as a prerequisite for their prayers and lectures, the Islamic Ummah of that time had fallen so deeply into error, they were cursing the equivalents of the Holy Qur’an (note: Hadith of the two weighty things) and the ones who ALLAH (swt) had purified from all error, faults, sins, filth, mistakes, bad behaviour, etc… 
 

“ALLAH intendeth but to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O’ye the people of the house (Ahlul-Bayt) and purify you (with) a thorough purification”. (The Holy Qur’an 33-Al-Ahzab-33). 
 

The Prophet (saww) said:  “The likeness of my Ahlul-Bayt amongst my Ummah (followers) is similar to Noah’s Ark.  Those who embarked on it were rescued and those who rejected it perished….” (Bihar-Ul-Anwar, vol. 27) 
 

Imam Hussayn (a-s) said: “I find in death only Martyrdom and co-living with despot tyrants nothing but humiliation”. Imam Hussayn (a-s) made it very clear that to accept ignorance was the worst crime against Islam and truth, he reminded the world of all times that if a choice must be made between right and wrong, a true believer will take the right and defend it with his honour and life, for death doing so is Martyrdom and Martyrdom is the best death, Martyrdom is better than life and is one of the closes and nearest positions to ALLAH (swt). 
 

“And reckon not those who are killed in ALLAH’s way as dead; nay, they are alive and are provided sustenance from their LORD”. (The Glorious Qur’an 3 Al-‘Imran-169) 
 

IN KARBALA: 
 

“They (the tyrants) displayed the head of al-Hussayn (a-s) on a spear and drove his womenfolk bareheaded and sad. They died thirsty and emigrants and they left the schools of ALLAH’s Revelation effaced”. (Di’bil Khazā’i) 
 

Taken from Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) Sermon at the arrival at Karbala: 
 

“People are the servants of the world and they imagine the religion is something tasteful, as long as it is with a sensible taste, they keep it and if it is a matter that tests them, then there are few religious people”. (Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the tragic saga of Karbala. By: Ali Nazari munfared / Bihar Al-Anwar 383.44 and 116.75 / Tuhaf Al-Uquul maxims of Imam Hussayn (a-s)).  
 

This statement is so truthful none can deny its insight, purity, accuracy and reality. Upon hearing of this statement, all true believing individuals who are striving as hard as they can to achieve nearness to ALLAH (swt) shiver and shake with fear. For the painful truth of this statement has always been proven in the history of man, for mankind in general (the majority) have always drifted away from their beliefs when their beliefs test them. It is very easy to be a good believer in comfortable surroundings and when life is simple and pleasant. However, so many times the human being turns away from his religious duty when it tests him, shows him his faults or wrongs, demands a duty of him, etc… 
 

How many times have we all been witnesses, or ourselves (may ALLAH forbid) of crying and mourning the death of one of our Imams (a-s) (perhaps even Imam Hussayn (a-s) during Ashura or Arbaeen) or the Prophet Muhammad (saww), then when the ceremonies are done we forget all of the precious lessons and messages of these great Infallibles, or perhaps even turn away from our Islamic duties. We are very often too undemanding of ourselves when it comes time to make a true effort on the right path, very often we put our focus on the duties that are routine and easy for us, while we ignore or turn away the great chances and blessings of accomplishing duties that may be more demanding on us, even when we know they can bring us bigger rewards and greater closeness to ALLAH (swt).  Unfortunately we often neglect the true important things that are our true links with our salvation on the Day of Judgment, especially when we are distracted by the matters of this world and its short transient life. Many times we (May ALLAH forbid) put off to tomorrow many of our essential and vital religious duties and then when tomorrow comes we put them off again, until death takes us and it is too late. When will we realize and learn that ALLAH (swt) has given us so many great tools, opportunities and blessings, in order to achieve eternal bliss and felicity and the only thing we must do is to accomplish our duties with true belief and pure hearts. 
 

One day someone told me that he was waiting to reach old age to start taking care of his Islamic duties, because he was presently busy with his worldly commitments. I answered him that he must be an extremely pious and blessed man. He asked me: Why do you say that? I answered him that only the true great believers and extremely pious can predict until what age they will live, and that in my case I worry that perhaps this very second is my last, therefore I must try to fill it the best way that I can, in order to seek and achieve nearness to the most beloved Creator of all existence ALLAH (swt). 
 

“But if they turn back say: ‘ALLAH is sufficient for me, there is no god but HE; on HIM do I rely, and HE is the Lord of mighty power’”. (The Glorious Qur’an 9 At-Tawbah-129)  
 

As Muslims and true believers, we must not fall into the error of following the majority who have tuned their backs away from the truth, Imam Hussayn (a-s), his family (a-s) and his followers stayed steadfast, in order to fulfill their duties, they preferred death than to betray their trust they made with ALLAH (swt). They gave all of their worldly possessions and positions, in order to achieve the highest of positions near their LORD.

Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “The party of my Ummah is the community of the right, regardless of their little number”. (Tuhaf Al-Uquul maxims of the Holy Prophet (saww) #105)

Taken from Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) Sermon on the eve of Ashura: 
 

“I glorify ALLAH with the best of glorification, and praise HIM in times of prosperity as well as misfortunes. O ALLAH! I praise YOU that YOU have likened YOUR Prophethood to be bestowed in our family, you taught us the Qur’an thus making us intellectuals in the religion and conferred upon us the faculty of hearing, foresight and an enlightened heart. Thus enter us among the fold of your grateful servants. I have not known any companions who are more faithful and devout than you, nor have I known any family who is more considerate, affectionate, favourable and amiable than my family. Thus may ALLAH reward you well on my behalf. And I presume that the enemy will not spare even a single day, and I permit all of you to go away freely while I validate this for you. I lift up from you the responsibility of the allegiance and oath that you made to me. The darkness of the night has enveloped you, thus free yourselves from the whirlpool hiding within the waves of darkness. Then each of you may catch hold of the hand of each of my family members and disperse into the villages and cities, and after having laid their hands upon me, they (the enemies of ALLAH; Umar Ibn Sa’ad, Ubaydullah Ibn Ziyad and Yazid Ibn Mu’awiya and their armies) shall not pursue anyone else”. (Kitab Al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid (r-a) /  Kitab Maqtal Al-Hussayn by Abu Mikhnaf / Kamil ibn Athir 57.4 / Nafasul Mahmoom by Shaykh Abbas Qummi (r-a) / Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the tragic saga of Karbala. By: Ali Nazari munfared). 
 

How one could read such a declaration, knowing the facts and outcome of the tragedy of Karbala and not be succumbed by enormous grief and sadness. I have never seen, heard or even imagined something of this indescribable grandeur and human virtue as this astonishing act of mercy and compassion, which tears through the human soul, pushing the reader of this historical fact to tears and immense pain. Imam Hussayn (a-s) would not have had to do anything else in his life (which he (a-s) has done countless amounts of great things) to prove to humanity, generation after generation, nation after nation, that he (a-s) was indeed; the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (saww), the One who was from the Prophet (saww) and the Prophet was from him, the master of the youth in Paradise, the master of the Martyrs, the divinely chosen leader and guide for mankind on earth in his time by ALLAH (swt), an infallible who was pure and was a rope of salvation leading mankind to the Paradise. 
 

Imam Hussayn (a-s) invited and suggested to his most beloved family and true followers to leave his side, to go to a safe place from the swords of the evil Shaïtins. But what makes this sermon even more heartbreaking was the response of those people who said: “We shall never do this so as to remain alive after you. May ALLAH (swt) never cause this to happen!” These great people saw death exactly how death should be seen, they saw their sure coming martyrdom as a re-birth, a new journey closer to their most beloved LORD and Creator of all existence; ALLAH (swt). To them, at that point, to stay behind and survive for this transient life was a most unpleasant and ugly thought. These great people (May ALLAH’s Mercy and Blessings be upon them), one after the other, sacrificed themselves in order that future generations would know about the true Mission and Message of Islam. 
 

Anyone who can read the above sermon of Imam Hussayn (a-s) and come away feeling indifferent are so far from the essence and spirit of Islam, that they must question themselves deeply and truthfully. From the beginning, when leaving from Madina, Imam Hussayn (a-s) foretold his upcoming martyrdom, and now it was the eve of that tragic day, he (a-s) once again (as he did through out his entire journey) told his family and supporters of this event and asked them if they wanted to go away from that destiny which was death, with his prayers and good wishes for them. 
 

These great people (May ALLAH have mercy and bless their souls) saw death exactly how true believers should, they were not blinded by love of this world and its idle pleasures and useless material belongings. 
 

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “There is comfort in death for a believer because he departs the world from which he fears, and he rushes towards what he expects and hopes for”. (Al-Mahasin. / Mishkat ul-Anwar fi Ghurar il-Akbar, hadith # 1774) 
 

Imam Ja’afar Ibn Muhammad As-Sadiq (a-s) said: “Death is the closest thing to accompany the son of Adam, although he deems it to be the furthest away. How much man inflicts on himself. What weaker creature is there? In death lies the rescue of the sincere and the destruction of the wrongdoers. That is why some yearn for death while others hate it. The Holy Prophet (saww) said: “If a person loves to meet ALLAH (swt), ALLAH (swt) loves to meet him; and if a person hates to meet ALLAH (swt), then ALLAH (swt) hates to meet him”.” (Masbah Al-Shariat wa Maftah Al-Haqiqat, section #21 Contemplation of death by Imam Sadiq (a-s)) 
 

The main purpose of this article is to remind ourselves of our true purpose, to be so blessed of being on earth with Islam in our hearts and to remember that our true goal is to be with ALLAH (swt) and the best of his worshippers, believers and faithful. Death is our ultimate destiny; to reach our goal during our short time in the world of this life, is to fulfill our deeds and obligations in order to achieve our purpose. It says in the Glorious Qur’an: “And that your LORD is the final goal” (The Glorious Qur’an 53An-Najm-42). 
 

DAY OF ASHURA: 
 

“It was difficult for the chosen one; Prophet Muhammad (saww) to see his grandson remain thrown on earth and without burial. The spearheads raised the head of his beloved one, and it was driven on the bayonets to Sham by night. He whose mother chewed Hamza’s liver, hit it with a rod. These misfortunes made the eye of every monotheist flow blood, so the heart has stricken them with tears”. (Di’bil Khazā’i) 
 

Taken from what is reported to be Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) last sermon: 
 

“O servants of ALLAH! Seek piety and beware of this world. If the world survives for anyone and if anyone had been immortal, divine Prophets (a-s) were those who most deserved survival, high in pleasing ALLAH (swt) and were more pleased with divine providence. However ALLAH (swt) has created the world for disaster and trial and the creatures for mortality. Anything new it bears will become outdated, its gifts will perish and its joys will get embittered; the world is not a place of surviving but it is a place where we can take outfit. So do take outfit, know that the best of it is piety and seek piety since in this way you are salvaged”. (Hayat Al-Imam Al-Hussayn (a-s) 282.3 / Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the tragic saga of Karbala. By: Ali Nazari Munfared). 
 

Imam Hussayn (a-s) was now completely alone, his (a-s) martyrdom was now upon him and he faced the armies of blood thirsty vultures (some reports say as many as 80000 soldiers). Yet despite the fact that Imam Hussayn (a-s) lost all his companions (r-a), his brothers (a-s) present in Karbala, his sons including his infant son, his nephews, his cousins, etc..., he knew his martyrdom had arrived and his (a-s) women folk were going to be captive and their belongings plundered, he (a-s) still gave out the message to all mankind until the end of time, to be pious, grateful to ALLAH (swt) and to turn away from living only for the pleasures of this world. Imam Hussayn (a-s) proved to all humankind that his only intention was as he said when leaving Madina: “it was for the betterment of my Grandfather’s (saww) Ummah’s affairs. I’ve willed to enjoin the good and dissuade from the evil”. 
 

Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) audience for his most important message was us. He (a-s) moved forward and sacrificed everything so that we may know the true Islam, so that we may follow the straight path to ALLAH (swt). Imam Hussayn (a-s) reported to us through the golden chain that leads directly to ALLAH (swt) that in order for us to be in complete bliss and happiness in our upcoming eternal life, we must make the proper sacrifices, in order to be near and close to our most beloved LORD; ALLAH (swt). And the only way to do so is to turn away from our worldly desires, to seek piety and patience, to reflect on death, to dedicate our live to enjoining the good and dissuading from evil. Our only tools and guides to do so; are to follow the two weighty things, which are: The Glorious Qur’an and the Infallibles of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s).  
 

Amir Ul-Mu’mineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) told mankind to beware of loving this transient world and of death, his (a-s) message being the exact one as the one above from Imam Hussayn’s (a-s).  
 

Imam Ali (a-s) said: “So now, certainly I frighten you from this world for it is sweet and green, surrounded by lusts, and liked for its immediate enjoyments. It excites wonder with small things, is ornamented with false hopes and decorated with deception. Its rejoicings do not last and its afflictions cannot be avoided. It is deceitful, harmful, changing, perishable, exhaustible, liable to destruction, eating away and destructive. When it reaches the extremity of desires of those who incline towards it and feel happy with it, the position is just what ALLAH (swt), says: “…like the water which WE send down from heaven, and the herbage of the earth mingled with it, then it becomes dry and stubble which the winds scatter; for ALLAH over all things has power” (18:45)” (Nahj Al-Balaghah, sermon 111) 
 

“Whatever they were ignoring has befallen them, separation from this world, from which they took themselves safe, has come to them and they have reached that in the next world which they have been promised. Whatever has befallen them cannot be described. The pangs of death and grief for loosing this world have surrounded them. Consequently their limbs become languid and their complexion changes. Then death increases its struggle over them”. (Nahj Al-Balaghah, sermon 109 about death) 
 

If in our Islamic beliefs, the message of Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the tragedy at Karbala are so important and crucial for us, it is only because its message is vital for all mankind, for it is the same Message that ALLAH (swt) sent to all mankind in HIS Holy Qur’an and through HIS Prophet Muhammad (saww). The exact same theme that we find in all of the above sermons from Imam Hussayn (a-s) is also found in thousands of our teachings coming from the Holy Qur’an and from the Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (saww) and the 12 holy Imams of the Ahlul–Bayt (a-s). May ALLAH (swt) protect, guide, forgive and bless us all. 
 

“Surely the most honourable of you with ALLAH is the one among you most careful of his duty; surely ALLAH is the All-Knowing, the All-Aware”. (The Glorious Qur’an 49 Al-Hujurat-13) 
 

The insignificant Brother Ali Ja’afary.