3rd Muharram
(JANABE JOHN
)
Bismillahir
Rahmanir Raheem
Today is the
3rd night of Moharram.
Majaalis-e-Hussain
(a.s) continues. As the nights of Moharram go by, our hearts are weighed
down with more and more grief. We continue to hear the majaalis about
the tragedy of Karbala.
Ashura day is
not far away We will recite more marsias and nawhas. Our matam will
increase. Our eyes will continue to shed tears for the Martyrs of
Karbala.
"Hussain
(a.s)! MOHARRAM! KARBALA! ASHURA! MARSIAS! NOHAS! TABOOT! ALAM! MASHK!
MATAM!"
When Bibi
Fatima(s.a) hears these words, she joins us. She cries with us. She
cries for Aun and Mohammed, Qasim, Abbas, Ali Akber, Ali Asgar and
Hussain (a.s), who are her family. She also cries for, and is thankful
to those martyrs of Karbala who were not related to Hussain (a.s). She
especially cries for them because they died in Karbala helping her son
Hussain (a.s) save Islam.
Among those
not related to Hussain (a.s) were sixteen slaves. Most of them were from
Ethopia. Some belonged to Imam Hussain (a.s)'s family and others to the
companions of the Imam.
On the night
before Ashura, Imam and his companions had freed these slaves and urged
them to go away to seek their safety. But none of the sixteen slaves
left Imam Hussain (a.s). They understood Imam's mission and preferred to
die in Karbala with Hussain (a.s). They knew they would be rewarded with
a place in Heaven.
Amongst them
was a slave called John.
Today let us
remember Janabe John and cry with Bibi Fatima(s.a) for his sacrifice in
Karbala.
Janabe John
was sent as a gift from Abu Ghiffari, to the household of Hazrat Ali
(a.s) and BibI Fatima(s.a). In the company of Hazrat Ali(AS) he learnt
the tafseer of the Quran and traditions of the Holy Prophet. He also
knew the Holy Qur’an by heart. When Hazrat Ali(AS) was martyred, John
stayed with Imam Hassan(AS) and after Imam Hassan's death he stayed on
with Imam Hussain (a.s).
Janabe John
was blessed to be with the three Imams. What a lucky man!
When Imam
Hussain (a.s) left Medina John insisted on joining him.
On the night
before Ashura, John spent the whole night sharpening his sword whilst
reciting the Holy Qur’an.
The next day
was the tragic day of Ashura. At dawn Ali Akber (AS)gave the Adhan.
"Allaho
Akberl Allaho Akber! Allaho Akber! Allaho Akberl"
This was the
last Adhan by Ali Akber(AS). It was recited with great emotion. Tears
flowed from Ali Akber's eyes.
The sun rose
from the east. By 10 am, the desert was like a furnace. The friends and
family of Hussain (a.s) were suffering great hardship. They have been
without water for three days now.
Yazid's
soldiers blew the trumpets to start the battle.
The battle of
Karbala started.
One-by-one,
Imam's friends took permission to go for Jehad.
One-by-one
Hussain (a.s)'s companions were martyred. All of them fought bravely and
died a hero's death.
Hussain
(a.s), with his brother Abbas (a.s) and son Ali Akber (a.s) , went to
the battlefield and carried their bodies to the tent.
At midday,
after Zohr prayers, Janabe John came to Imam Hussain (a.s). He stood
silently with arms folded.
Imam Hussain
(a.s) looked at John and said:
"John! My
friend John! What is the matter?"
"My master!
Enough is enough I cannot bear to see any more suffering. I cannot bear
to see the children of Bibi Fatima(s.a) killed in front of me. Please
Master! Allow me to go to the battlefield."
"John, you
are an old man! Jehad is not wajib for an old man like you. No, John,
no! I cannot allow you to die."
John was
determined to get permission.
"Master, I
know why you are not letting me go to the battlefield. Is it because I
am a black slave and you do not want the blood of a black slave to mix
with the blood of the Holy family?"
Hussain (a.s)
was deeply shocked to hear this.
"John! My
friend John! Do not say that! You know we do not keep such differences."
"Go, John,
go! Allah be with you!"
Hussain (a.s)
himself then helped dress John for the battle. He mounted John on the
horse and said:
"Khuda Hafiz,
John!"
John was very
pleased with himself as he headed for the battlefield.
On his way to
the battlefield he remembered his time with the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.w).
He remembered how dearly the Prophet loved his grandson, Hussain (a.s).
John
remembered how the Prophet himself used to nurse Hussain (a.s)'s
injuries, sustained whilst playing.
John
remembered the day when Hussain (a.s) climbed on the Prophet’s back
while he was praying Namaaz. The Holy Prophet stayed in sajda till
Hussain (a.s) came off his back. The Holy Prophet did not want to hurt
his beloved grandson.
John's eyes
were full of tears as he reached the battlefield.
He spoke to
the soldiers on the other side:
"Look at me!
You have seen me with the Holy Prophet (sa.w.w). Remember the Holy
Prophet by looking at me. You say the Holy Prophet (sa.w.w) is the
messenger of Allah. You call yourselves Muslims. Do you think the Holy
Prophet (sa.w.w) will be pleased with you for killing his beloved
grandson?"
He continued:
"What has
Hussain (a.s) done to you? He is innocent. Leave him alone. Save
yourselves from the Fire of Hell."
Yazid's
soldiers were evil. They were not Muslims. They were not prepared to
listen to the truth.
Janabe John
was attacked. Arrows were fired from all directions. John fought the
Jehad bravely. He sent many to the Fire of Hell.
Alas, how
much can an eighty year old man take, thirsty and hungry for three days?
As he fell
from his horse, he cried out:
"My Master!
Come to see me! Let me see you for the last time."
Imam Hussain
(a.s) heard John calling him and he rushed to the battlefield. Abbas
(a.s) and Ali Akber (a.s) accompanied him.
Hussain
(a.s), Abbas (a.s) and Ali Akber (a.s) reached the battlefield where
John was lying wounded and taking his last breaths.
Imam Hussain
(a.s) placed John's head on his lap. Tears poured from Hussain (a.s)'s
eyes.
"John! I am
very sorry! You are leaving my home without food or water for three
days. John! Please forgive me!"
"Master! Why
are you sorry? You have done me a big favour by letting me fight and
sacrifice my life for Islam."
Janabe John
continued:
"Look,
Master, look! Who has come to receive me? The Holy Prophet (sa.w.w)
himself is here. Bibi Fatima (s.a) is here. Imam Ali (a.s) and Imam
Hasan (a.s) are here!"
Janabe John's
soul was taken away to Heaven.
SYEDA
ZAINAB ABBAS. |