Majalis Nauha programmes in Hussainabad

Hazrat Imam Zaynul Abdin (AS) said: “May Allah give best reward to Mukhtar (RA)”

The Book Tazkirah-e-Mukhtar, famous and authentic work of SyedahBint-ul-Huda, consists of story of Hazrat Mukhtar Bin Abu UbaidahSaqafi (RA)’s personality,as mojza, learning, scholarship, introduction, braveryand gallantry besides solid answers of opponents’ objections.

“It is obligatory for every shia youth to read this book,” Jamiat Ulma-e-Jafaria.

Hazrat Mukhtar (RA) is that soldier of Islam who took revengefrom Yazidan-e-waqt (tyrants of the age) of the killing of Hazrat Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet (PBUH&HP), and hiscompanions. He is that lover of Aal-e-Muhammad (PBUT) who is

The fruit of prayers of Rasool (PBUH&HP) and ali maula Ali (AS), Sun and moon of the sky of bravery,

Wrath of Allah on Yazidan-e-waqt (tyrants of the age),

Cause of pride for Ummat-e-Muhammadi (PBUH&HP),

Who brought coolness to the grieved and afflicted hearts of Ahl-e-Bayt (AS),

For whom Hazrat Imam Zaynul Abidin (AS) prayed,

Who shattered the foundations of Yazidiyyat,

With whose name Yazid of every era is trembling and fearing,

Whose sole objective was following the Book of Allah and Sunnahof Prophet (PBUH&HP), Qisas of the blood of Hussain (AS) & hiscompanions, and defense of have-nots.

The book, published by Mukhtar Publications, Mukhtar StudentsOrganization (MSO), with elegant title and best printing gives uslesson how should we love Aaimmah Masumen (AS).

Cost: 150 RS

Available at:

7/B-II, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, Pakistan &

Liaqat Book Depot, Misryal Road, Chuhr Chowk, Rawalpindi Cantt. Pakistan

Email: msopak@hotmail.com 

publications@mso.org.pk

Hazrat Fatima binte Hazam bin Khalid Ibn-e-Rabi'e Ibn-e-Amer Kalbi belonged to the clan of Banu Kilab, which was one the noblest families amongst the Hashimites and famous for the bravery and valor of its warriors.

Some years after the martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.), Imam maula ali (a.s.) expressed his desire to his brother Aqil bin Abu Talib (a.s.) to marry a women of a brave tribe. Hazrat Aqeel was a very knowledgeable in tribe genealogy and he immediately proposed the name of Hazrat Fatima binte Hazam bin Khalid and the marriage took place soon after.

Much earlier during 8 A.H., Imam Ali (a.s.) had been given the prophecy by Prophet

Mohammad(pbuh&hf) of a brave son who would be martyred alongside with his brother Imam Hussein(a.s.) on the day of Ashura in karbala. Eversince then, Imam maula Ali(a.s.) had been waiting for the birth of that son which came in the person of Hazrat Abbas(a.s.).

Hazrat Umm-ul-Baneen came to the house of Imam maula Ali (a.s.) knowing very well that before her the chief of the women of paradise, Hazrat Fatima Zahra(s.a.) was living in that house. She served Imam maula Ali (a.s.) in the same manner as Hazrat Umm-e-Salma had served the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) after the demise of Hazrat Khadija (a.s.). Immediately stepping in the house, she vowed herself to act as a slave of the children of Hazrat Fatima (s.a.). Her sincerity was much respected by the children of Hazrat Fatima (s.a.) that they always gave her a high status and respect.

Fatima Binte Hazam was an accomplished and cultured lady, and bore Hazrat maula Ali's four sons: Abbas, Abdullah, Jafer and Usman. The meaning of 'Ummul Baneen' is 'Mother of Sons'. All of her sons were martyred along with Imam Hussein. After their martyrdom, she requested people not to call her 'Ummul Baneen' ever again. When Imam Hussein (A.S.) was leaving Madinah for Iraq (karbala) Hadrat Ummul Baneen asked her four sons, Hadrat Abbas (A.S.), Abdulla, Ja'far and Usman to sacrifice their lives in the sacred cause of Imam Hussein (A.S.).

On 10th Muharram 61 A.H.,the day of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his 72 faithful companions at the battlefield of Karbala when Hadrat Umme Salamah witnessed that the earth in the bottle given to her by the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) had turned into blood she raised the cry of "Ya Hussein" Ya Hussein" and declared that Imam Hussein (a.s.) has been martyred according to the prophecy foretold to her by the Holy Prophet (phuh&hf) about the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.).

Ummul Baneen conducted first ever Majlis after Imam Hussein (a.s.) martyrdom:

Then Ummul Baneen gathered women of Madinah in her house and all cried for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.).This was the first ever Majlis conducted after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.). Ummul Baneen had such sincerity toward the Holy Prophet's progeny that she loved Imam Hussein (a.s.) more than her own children. A feeling which was from the bottom of her heart - It was to the extent that when she received the news stating the martyrdom of her four children, she said: "Tell me about Hussein (A.S.)" and when she received the news of Imam Hussein (A.S.)'s martyrdom she said: "All of the arteries of my heart are torn. May all of my children and what ever that exists under this azure heaven be sacrificed for the sake of Imam Hussein (a.s.).

The First Noha Recitor of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.):

After the arrival of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) and Hazrat Zainab (s.a.) in Madinah Hadrat Ummul Baneen used to gather women in her house and used to narrate them how Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his companions were martyred by Yazidi forces.

Hadrat Ummul Baneen was a great poetess and she is considered as the first Noha (lamentation poetry) reciter for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.).She used to visit regularly the famous Jannat ul-Baqi cemetery in Madinah and recite her Nohas in a very sad and pathetic voice that everybody present there used to weep bitterly.

She transformed the Jannat ul-Baqi cemetery in Madinah as "the Centre of Azadari of Imam Hussein (a.s.)". The Nohas recited by Hadrat Ummul Baneen for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.) are recorded in history and are considered as masterpieces in Arabic literature.

Ummul Baneen died:

It is recorded in historical accounts that Hadrat Ummul Baneen died on 13th Jamadi us-Sani 64 A.H. and was buried in the Jannat ul-Baqi cemetery in the holy city of Madinah.

Rajab 15 marks the martyrdom anniversary of Seyyedah Zainab (pbuh) who safeguarded the religion of Islam - which is the best religion in the sight of Allah according to a Quranic verse “in-nad-dina indallah-il Islam” - by conveying the message of the martyrs of Karbala through her eloquent speeches.

The life and example of Seyyedah Zainab (pbuh) crystallized the figure of the ideal woman in Islam. Her versatile and innumerable virtues and sublime personality, modesty, chastity and knowledge reminded one of her mother, Mistress of the Women of the World Seyyedah Fatimah (pbuh).

In her character she reflected the best attributes of those who raised her. In sobriety and severity, she was likened to Umm-ul-Muminin Hazrat Khadija (pbuh) - her grandmother; in chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima-tuz -Zahra (pbuh); in eloquence to her father Imam Ali (pbuh); in forbearance and patience to her brother Imam Hassan (pbuh) and in bravery and tranquility to Imam Hussein (pbuh). Her face reflected her father’s awe and her grandfather's reverence.

She had ability to impart the teachings with such clarity and eloquence that she became known as Fasihah (Skillfully fluent) and Balighah (intensely eloquent). The depth and certainty of her knowledge earned her epithet given to her by her nephew Imam Zayn-ul-Abidin (pbuh) of ‘Aalimah gheyr Mu’allamah’ - she who has knowledge without being taught by anyone.

She was that great woman that Imam Hussein (pbuh) revealed his secret will to her before attaining martyrdom. In a bid to safeguard the life of the 4th Imam (pbuh) who would take over the Imamate after Imam Hussein (pbuh), he called Zainab (pbuh) his successor for a while.

Her speeches delivered in the Court of Yazid and Ibn-e-Ziyad in Kufa and Syria, when taken as a captive, still echo throughout the Muslim World. In a speech in Damascus at Yazid’s court, she said:

“O Yazid! You are an oppressor and have inherited cruelty and atrocity from your ancestors. You are the grandson of “Hind” who disemboweled the martyr of Ohud (referring to Prophet’s uncle, Hamzah) and ate his liver. Hence, we cannot expect more than this from you. I regard confronting you as a shame. Now that I have been brought here at your court as a captive you and your gaudy court seem so worthless to me and I still curse and rebuke you with all my might.”

Abu’l Fadhl Al-Abbas (AS) is that great personality in the face of whom the bravery of other heroes of history fades. Hussain ibne Ali (AS) represented holy Prophet (SW) in Karbala in 61 A.H., and it was Abbas bin Ali (AS) who represented the Lion of God Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (AS).

It was the blessed 4th of Sha’ban when the valiant standard-bearer of the epic of Karbala and loyal brother of Al-Imam Al-Hussain (AS), Abu’l Fadhl Al-Abbas, illuminated this world with his auspicious birth.

If one wishes to find about the status of Abu’l Fadhl Al-Abbas (AS), he could notice the words of infallible Imams (AS) about him:

The chief of Prophets (SW)’s 10th Infallible Successor, Al-Imam Ali Naqi Hadi (AS) pays tribute to him with the words: "Peace upon Abu Al-Fadhl Al-Abbas, the son of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) and of Omm Al-Baneen. Peace upon him who gave up the world for the hereafter. He sacrificed his life for his brother Al-Imam Al-Hussain (AS) in trying to carry water for thirsty camp."

On the day of Ashura when Al-Abbas (AS) fell from the horse on the ground, Imam Hussein (AS) stated this sentence: “Now my back is broken and my ingenuity has been decreased”. The sentence shows the importance of Abbas (AS) and his role in supporting Imam Hussein (AS).

His auspicious name is Abu’l Fadhl and he was indeed the resource and treasury of divine grace and good attributes. His nicknames are so many, some famous of which are going to be explained in the following section:

Qamar Bani Hashem (the Moon of Hashemite Clan): this was his most famous epithet. The reason behind that was his handsomeness and good looking face which was resembled to the moon.

Bab-ol Hawa’ej or Bab-ol Muraad (the Granter of Necessities) is one of his famous titles.

Saqqa’ (The one who brings water): this is his another famous nickname. Since he was dealing with bringing water to Imam Hussein (AS)’s camps and supplying Imam’s thirsty children with water, he was given this nickname.

Hamel -ul –Levaa’ (The one who carries the flags): This nickname was given to him because he was the one who carried the flag in Imam Hussein (AS)’s troop.

Raees-e Askar Al–Hussein (The commander of Hussein’s army): This nickname was given to him because he was the commander of Imam Hussein (AS)’s troops.

Salutations to Abu’l Fadhl Al-Abbas (AS):

As Salaamo alaika yab-ne Amir-il-Momeneen,

As Salaamo alaika aiyyo-hal Abdus-Saleh,

Al-mootee-oo lillahey wa ley Rasooley-hee,

Ash hadu annaka qad jaa-hadta Wa ne-sah-ta,

Wa sabarta hatta a-taa kal yaqeen

La a-nalla-hooz zaaleymeena lakoom minal,

Awwaleena wal aakheyreen,

Wal haqahoom bey dar kil jaheem.

Salutations be unto thee, O son of Commander of the Faithful;

Salutations be unto thee, O virtuous servant, obedient to God and His Messenger;

I bear witness that thou didst truly fight the Holy War,

And thou didst help the cause of Faith;

And thou didst patiently endure

Until the certainty (of death) came upon thee.

May God deprive those who wronged thee of His Mercy.

Whether they may have been of the first or the last (i.e., all of them);

And may He consign them to the nethermost regions of Hell;

Salutations and the Mercy and Blessings of God be upon thee, (O beloved Moon of the Hashimites).

"As Salaamo ala ya Abul Fadhl Al-Abbas ibne Aliyin Amiril Momeneen wa Rahmatullahey wa Barakaatuh."

"Peace be upon thee O Abul Fadhl Al-Abbas, son of Ali, Commander of the Faithful, and the Mercy of Allah and His Bounties."

The Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) stated: Everyone who wants the world and the hereafter should perform hajj rituals.

Someone asked Imam Baqir (A.S.): "Why Hajj has been named "The Hajj of God's House?" "Imam said: It means that the pilgrim has reached salvation.

Imam Ali ibn Hussain Zainul Abedin (A.S.) says: Perform Hajj and Umrah rituals in order to be safe and sound, to make it better living for your family and make a better life.

Imam Ali ibn Hussain Zainul Abedin (A.S.) says: Pilgrim of God's House will be forgiven, and he is entitled to go to heaven and his family and possessions will be safe and immune.

Abdullah Ibn Fazl says: "I said to Imam Sadiq (A.S.) that I have too many debts, I have a big family and I can't afford the Hajj costs. Teach me a prayer. Imam stated: Say after each obligatory prayer: "May the blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his progeny, and pay my debts in this world and the hereafter."

I said to him, "I know what the worldly debts are but what are the debts of the hereafter?"

He said: "Hajj". The prophet of God (S.A.W.) looked at the strings of camels taking Hajis to the pilgrimage of God's House and said: They don't take steps unless it is taken as a good deed, they don't take steps unless it vanishes a sin of them. And when they finish their ceremony of Hajj, they will be told: "You have made a building, don't destroy it. Your sins are forgiven. From now on, do good deeds."

Imam Baqir (A.S.) said: Everyone completing a recitation of the Holy Quran in Makkah won't die unless he sees the Prophet (S.A.W.) and his own place in the Heaven.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: The best ways to pray God include silence and going to His House.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) said: God does not accept the Hajj and Umrah whose costs have been paid for through illegal means property. (Religiously prohibited).

It's been narrated from Isaac Ibn Ammar that Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: O Isaac, everyone who circumambulates God's House one time, God writes down 1000 good deeds for him, vanishes 1000 of his sins, gives him 1000 rewards, plants 1000 trees fro him in Paradise, gives him mercifully the recompense for delivering 1000 slaves. When he reaches "Moltazem", 8 doors of Heaven open and he is told: "Enter whichever door you wish".

Isaac said: "I said to Imam that all of those are for a person who just circumambulates God's House"?

Imam stated: "Yes. Wouldn't I teach you a bigger recompense?

"I said: "Please, teach me.

"He said: "Everyone who does something for his faithful brothers, God will give him the recompense of 10 circumambulations."

Imam Baqir (A.S.) said: One prayer in the Masjid-al-Haram is 100000 times more valuable than one prayer in any other mosques.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: The most favorable place for prayer to God Almighty is Saay. (That is a holy place in Makkah). Because there every stubborn and proud person becomes meek.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said to Ibn-Abi-Yafour: Pray very much in the Prophet's mosque, for praying in this mosque is equal to same 1000 prayers in other mosques, except Masjid-al-Haram that same prayers in this mosque is equal to same 1000 prayers in the Prophet's mosque.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: Someone who visits a Hajj pilgrim and shakes hands with him, it is as if he has touched the Hajar-ol-Asvad.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says regarding " Ramye- Jamarat " : With every stone that a Haji throws at Jamarat, a big fatal sin is vanished from his soul.

Imam Ali ibn Hussain (A.S.) says: When Haji sacrifices in the desert of Mina (that is a place near Makkah) , his sacrifices will be the price of his freedom from the fire of the Resurrection Day.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: As one of you perform Hajj and finish it with the pilgrimage to Madinah, that pilgrimage is the sign of Hajj's completion.

Imam Sajjad (A.S.) says: A person, who accepts responsibility for the family and financial matters of a Haji, has the same reward as a Haji has himself. It is even as if he has performed Hajj himself.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Religion will be living so long as Kaaba is living.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: Respect people who had performed Hajj and Umrah, because you are obliged to respect them.

The Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) has been quoted a saying: What is meant by obligatory prayers; Hajj rituals and other rituals is to remember God, so what is the use of verbal praise whelming your mind, you don't think of the greatness of Allah.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: People who do Hajj and Umrah are justified to God. God will grant them whatever they have asked. If they pray he will accept, if they intercede, He will accept and if they remain silent, He himself begins to give them generously His favor and He grants them and instead of each dirham, He will grant them thousands of dirhams.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Hajis who return from God's House appear in three categories: One group are those who are free from fire of Hell. One group who are purified of their sins as if they are born again. The third group are the people who come back with the guarantee of their families and properties, and this is the least a Haji enjoys.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: When you decide to go to Hajj, free your heart from anything that may keep you away from God.

The Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) says: In 4 occasions the doors of sky are opened and prayers will be accepted ; on the occasion of coincidence of the rows of fighters in the cause of God, when it rains and in the time of getting up for saying prayers and at the time of looking at the great Kaaba.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: As long as a person is looking at Kaaba he will receive rewards and his sins are forgiven.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: There are three things that are headed by God. His book, which is His order and light. His House which is the Qiblah (that is the direction to which Muslims turn in praying) and He just accepts full attention to this direction and the Etrat (that is the household of the Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) ).

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: God has provided 120 types of blessings around Kaaba, 60 of these blessings will be given to circumambulators, 40 of them will be given to prayers and 20 of these blessings will be for people who look at Kaaba. Regarding settlement in Arafat Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: None of good and wicked people would settle on the Arafat's mountain unless God accepts their prayers ; the chaste benediction for the mundane and afterlife matters will be accepted but the wicked prayers will be accepted just for their mundane matters.

A man asked Imam Sadiq (A.S.) in Masjid- ul- Haram: Who commits the greatest sins?

Imam said: "Someone who settles in Arafat and Mashar, and he does the ceremony of Saay between the mountains of Safa and Marveh, and circumambulates around the God's House, then he prays at the back of the Maghame Ibrahim (A.S.) but doubts whether God forgives him or not. This person commits the greatest sin.

Imam Hussain ibn Ali (A.S.) says: Shake hands with Hajis and the people whom have performed the Hajj rituals and Umrah and salute them before they make sin.

Muhammad ibn Sannan has been quoted a saying that once Imam Reza (A.S.) wrote to him, " The reason why Mina (A place near Makkah) was named Mina is that Gabriel (A great angel) said to the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) in this place: Ask God whatever you wish."

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Haji will have the light and mien of Hajj as long as he has not committed a sin.

The Messenger of God (S.A.W.) says: O people perform Hajj rituals with full awareness and religion and don't come back from Hajj unless you decide to give up committing sins and repent instead.

The Messenger of God (S.A.W.) says: The reward of Hajj is Paradise and the atonement of any sin is Umrah.

The Messenger of God (S.A.W.) says: There are some kinds of sins that are just forgiven in Arafat.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Frequenting between Safa and Marwah is a means to underestimate a tyrants.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: Begin your Hajj from Makkah and finish it to us.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Looking at Kaaba is an act of worship.

Imam Ali (A.S.) says: Don't abandon Hajj rituals because you will be punished.

The Prophet of God (S.A.W.) said to Imam Ali (A.S.): O Ali, someone who is able to do Hajj but he avoids doing it is a great sinner.

The Messenger of God (S.A.W.) said to Imam Ali (A.S.): O Ali, someone who postpones Hajj rituals until he dies, God will send him as Jewish or Christian in the Resurrection Day.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: If people abandon Hajj of this House, they will be immediately punished.

The Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: the fighters in the way of God and the Hajis and those who do Umrah are guests invited by God.

The Holy Prophet of God (S.A.W.) has been quoted a saying: Hajj resembles Jihad (which is the Holy war in the way of God).

Narrated from the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) that he said: What a nice Jihad is Hajj.

Imam Ali (A.S.) says: Four heavenly places exists on earth: Masjid -ul- Haram, the mosque of the Prophet, the mosque of Bayt -al- Muqaddas and the mosque of Kufah.

The Holy Prophet of God (S.A.W.) says: Perform Hajj in order to be independent.

The Holy Messenger of God (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: Sustaining wealth for the journey of Hajj is like sustaining in the way of God and God will reward it 100 times more.

The Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: If someone gives Eftar (which is a meal eaten after fasting) to any person fasting or sends a Muslim into Hajj, or mobilizes a fighter or accepts the responsibility of his family, he is entitled to equal spiritual reward.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Entering Kaaba is like entering into God's Mercy.

The great Messenger of God (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: God forgives a Haji and whoever that he asks forgiveness for.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: God is the guarantor of someone going to Hajj. If God wants him to be alive, he will come back to his family and if God gets his life, he will enter the Paradise.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: When a Haji enters Makkah, God puts two angels for him to keep his prayer, Saay and circumambulation, When he stands in the Arafah, they beat on his right shoulder and say: " Don't worry for the past, see what you will be in future.

Imam Ali (A.S.) says: someone who goes to Hajj and Umrah, he is in fact going to God and God honors his guests and forgives them.

The great Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: The fighters in the way of God and the people performing Hajj and Umrah are God's guests. God invites them and they accept and they ask God and God grants.

The great Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: three groups go towards God: Fighters, people who perform Hajj and people who perform Umrah.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: One Hajj is better than the world and everything that is in it and an obligatory prayer is better than 1000 Hajjs.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: No act is better than the Hajj except for Jihad and martyrdom in the way of God.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: There is nothing better than Hajj but the daily prayer.

The great Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: Paradise is the reward for an accepted Hajj.

The great Prophet of God (S.A.W.) was asked: "What is the best work? He said: "Faith in God, Jihad in the way of God and an accepted Hajj.

The great Messenger of God (S.A.W.) said: Hajj is a minor Jihad.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says : Saying an obligatory prayer is better than going to Hajj for 20 times and going to Hajj is better than a House, full of gold which is given away as donation and alms.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: One Hajj is better than releasing 70 slaves.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: Hajj and Umrah are two bazaars of the hereafter. The person who does Hajj and Umrah very often is the God's guest. If God keeps him alive, he is kept forgiven and if God gets his life, he will enter the Paradise.

Imam Reza (A.S.) says: Hajj and Umrah vanish sins and poverty as a furnace vanishes impurities of Iron.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: There are three things which their spiritual rewards include both afterlife and this world: Hajj; which vanishes poverty, alms; which removes poverty, and goodness; which makes life last longer.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says : A Haji never becomes poor.

The great Prophet of God (S.A.W.) says: Travel to have a healthy body and do Jihad to gain booty and go to Hajj to be independent.

The Prophet of God (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: Someone who wants to go to Hajj should hurry up.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: If someone can afford Hajj but he postpones it without any logical excuse until he dies, he has violated one of Islam's injunctions.

The great Prophet of God (S.A.W.) has been quoted a saying: Someone who doesn't perform his obligatory Hajj rituals without any severe illness or essential need or any other reasons until he dies, he has died as a Jewish or Christian.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says : No one will be deprived of Hajj rituals unless because of a sin, and this is under conditions when God forgives most sins.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said to Isa, the son of Abi Mansour: O Isa, if you can eat bread and salt and go to Hajj, do it.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: If someone performs Hajj twice, he will be in mercy and blessing as long as he is alive.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Someone who goes to Hajj for three times, he never becomes poor.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Someone who goes to Hajj for ten times, God will forgive all his sins.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: In every month of the year people can go to perform Umrah, but the best month is Rajab. (The 7th lunar month).

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: To God Makkah is the most favorite place.

Imam Ali ibn Hussain Zainul Abedin (A.S.) says: Feeding in Makkah is like fasting in other places and fasting one day in Makkah is equal to fasting one year in other places and walking in Makkah is a prayer itself.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: Someone who prostrates in Makkah is like the person who sheds his blood in the way of God.

The great Prophet of God (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: No days are like the first ten days of Zul-Hajjah (12th lunar month) when God likes people to pray in.

Narrated from the great Messenger of God (S.A.W.) a saying: Touching the Hajar al-Asvad (which is a holy black stone in Makkah) and Rokne Yamani will vanish all sins.

Imam Ali ibn Hussain Zainul Abedin (A.S.) says: When the night of Arafat and the first hours of the Mina day come, God presents his dearest Angels to the people standing in Arafat and Mina.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: When people rest in Mina, a proclaimer on behalf of God proclaims that, if you wish my satisfaction, I am satisfied.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: The major Hajj is day of sacrifice.

The Messenger of God (S.A.W.) says: Ramye Jamarat (that is part of Hajj rituals in which pilgrims throw stones at satans) will be rewarded in the resurrection day.

Imam Baqir (A.S.) says: If someone dies in one of these two sanctuaries (that is Makkah or Madinah), he will be appointed without any fear in the resurrection day.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: God likes serving food and sacrificing of sheep in Mina.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: When a faithful man shaves all his hair in Mina and buries it. In the resurrection day, every hair will recall its owner's name.

Imam Ali (A.S.) says: The Zamzam's water (which is a holy well near Kaaba) is the best water on earth.

The great Messenger of God (S.A.W.) has been narrated a saying: Someone who circumambulates God's house seven times and says two units of prayers in the back of Magham (which is a holy place in Kaaba) and drinks Zamzm's water, all his sins will be cleared.

The great Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) says: Drinking the Zamzam's water is a cure for every illness.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says: Nothing but daily prayers is better than Hajj.

The great Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) says: When you finish Hajj rituals, you are so pure as if you have been born again.

Imam Ali (A.S.) has said in his will that: For the sake of God, For the sake of God, It's the right of your Lord's home to not be left alone until you live, because if it is left alone, you won't stand a chance against God's punishment.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): No place is more favored by God except the place of running (Masaa) because there is where any selfish or cruel person will be humiliated and disrespected.

Imam Ali (A.S.) : Don't you see that the Glorious God ever since Adam's time till the end of the world has tested people with rocks that are useless as well as harmless, blind as well as deaf, and with all his respect, built them into a place where people gather round. Then, it was placed in the most rocky, plant less, and harrow canyon which was between the toughest mountains, hottest pebbles, and waterless springs that was very far from plains, somewhere no camel, horse, cow, or sheep could grow fat. If the Glorious God with all his respect were to place his home and the Hajj's ceremonial place somewhere else that was in the middle of gardens, springs, plains full of trees, fruit, and close houses and villages, and where fields full of wheat, gardens full of flowers, fine land and sure enough however simple the examination is, the reward will be little.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) in answer to Hesham the son of Hekam 's question about the reason of achieving the Hajj ceremony and circumambulating the Kaaba, replied: God created humans, and commanded them to obey the religion and what's best for them in this world and placed Hajj to join his people from the east and west of the world (and so that they get to know what each other are up to) and so that the merchants that take goods from town to town would profit. And so that leaders and the camel keepers would gain something as well. And also so that the God's Messenger's traces would be known and his words would not be forgotten. If every tribe or person were to settle in his / her own city or land, they would banish, and their cities would be destroyed, they would have a financial decrease, and everything would be kept silent, this is the true reason of Hajj.

Imam Baqir (A.S.): Hajj is peaceful for the soul.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): I've never seen anything remove and replace poverty with wealth as fast as continuously going to the pilgrimage of God's home.

Imam Sajjad (A.S.): The right of Hajj for you is to know that through this you enter your God's bounders and you turn to him instead of sinning, and because of this your sorrow is accepted and you have achieved what God has asked you to do.

Imam Baqir (A.S.): Having complete Hajj is like meeting with the Imam.

Imam Kazim (A.S.): Following the verse: Whoever is blind in this world is also blind in the second world and even more mislead.

Imam Kazim (A.S.) commented: That's someone who postpones the required Hajj and keeps saying I'll go this year, I'll go next year until he / she finally dies, and we warp their body and keep eyes of people.

Abdur Rahman the son of Kosair: I went to Hajj with Imam Sadiq (A.S.) and on the way; his excellency went on a high mountain and looked at people from up there and said: There's so much commotion and so little Hajis.

Imam Baqir (A.S.):

Whoever comes to pilgrimage this house is not accepted if he/she doesn't have these three traits:

1. Self-restraint from sinning.

2. Forbearance to control his / her anger with.

3. Treating his / her companions properly.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): If someone goes to the pilgrimage of God's home with religiously prohibited money, and says,"Oh my Lord, I 'm here (Labake) (In return) he'll /she'll hear: No, you are not here and no you are not worthy. And if someone goes to the pilgrimage of God's home with religiously legitimate money will hear: You are here and you are worthy.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: Whoever goes to Hajj with religiously prohibited money, then says: I'm here, oh God, I'm here (Labake Allahomma Labake) God will answer: No, you are not here and no your Hajj should be of your own.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): There are two kinds of Hajj: Doing the duties of Hajj for God and doing the duties of Hajj for people, whoever goes to Hajj for God, is rewarded with heaven, and whoever goes to Hajj because of people, on the Judgment Day, his / her reward will be given to those people.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): Whoever dies on the way to Makkah or coming back from Makkah will be rid of fright, fear, and nervousness on the Judgment Day.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): Whoever dies while wearing the pilgrimage's garb, will later rise saying I'm here (Labake) .

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): Regarding the verse (And whoever reaches there is safe) said, Any human that enters the Holy Shrine and turns to it is safe from God's anger and if any kind of animal or bird enters, they should not be annoyed or forced out until it has left the Shrine itself.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.): People lose their Imam but his Excellency is present in the Hajj ceremonies and sees people, but people don't see him.

Peace be upon the bodies drowned in Blood – an account on Arbaeen

By: Khatar Nurrizadeh

It has been narrated by the eleventh Imam Hazrat Hasan Askari (A.S)

“There are five signs for a believer:

A) Reciting 51 Rakats of Salat (Prayers) (seventeen Rakats of obligatory prays)

B) Ziyarat of Imam Hussain on Arbaeen

C) Wearing an (onyx) ring in the finger of the right land

D) Putting the forehead (doing prostration) on the Khak-e-Shafa (earth of Karbala)

E) Reciting loudly Bismillah-ir-Rahman- ir- Rahim

Peace be upon you, O Aba Abdellah Al- Hussein (A.S)

Peace be upon the bodies drowned and laden in Blood

Peace be upon the bodies left in the desert

Peace be upon the burnt tents

Peace be upon the beards drained in the blood and upon the head, which was laid on the spear and carried from one city to another city

Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari was a great companion of the holy Prophet. On the 20th of Safar (i.e. 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain), he was the first visitor to the holy land of Karbala. Simultaneous with his arrival, the family of the holy Imam Hussain also reaches karbala.

The below article is a brief report from their visit of the holy family members.

“Zainab descended from the camel very slowly. She answered my Salam and said: Salam Jabir! It has been years since I have met you. Did you visit the grave of my Hussain?”

The spiritual voice of Zainab made me embarrassed. I had lost myself in front of that mighty complaint.

O … Yes, my respected lady!

“I give you glad tidings that the foremost pilgrims, I gather myself and ask very politely. “But you! …. Shame stops me from continuing. What should I say, what happened to you Captives?

A prisoner? But, it was your family who had taken the wicked Yazid as the prisoners!

Zainab, understood that my words have become heavy, and that I cannot speak. She replied me with a firm tone, “The cause of Yazid is finished! He could not stop us from our return trip.”

“Praise be to Allah! We have been sent respectfully, and we asked the camel drivers to lead us to our destination karbala.”

I hold Sajjad in my arms. It is as if his body does not have fever.

Then, we have to thank the Almighty God.

O dear Ali! How much you smell the sweet fragrance of Hussain! My Mawla kissed me on my forehead and held my hand warmly.

My heart became impatient to see him! Still the dust of Siffin has not fallen from your shoulders!”

How much warm he welcomes me. May be … may be you have told him that he will see me.

My Maula! May father and mother be sacrificed in your path? Praise is to Allah that I have become blind and I cannot see you so that I would have become ashamed.

But, he is so magnanimous and generous so as to blame me for my backwardness. Again, he holds me in his holy arms and kisses me.

The children, who after suffering a lot pf troubles and calamities, recognize their old friend and father around him.

They talk with me in a sweet manner. I embrace the busy so that they will not remember there past difficulties. It is true that I am blind, but the old memory passes from my eyes. My memory has stored and recollects all of them.

Violet? Where is the violet of Hussain? … As much as I search amongst the children, I cannot find her. But, then where she is … has she honed with Zainab for pilgrimage? No, … she had entrusted the children to me and she had gone with Sajjad. O Allah! Why is my heart beating so much? No … no. Dust is in your mouth, o Jabir! Not this one … this is absurd thinking wrong!

Till Zainab comes, the children have gathered around me and for the first time after those difficult days, we see a little smile on their faces. Pray that they do not recollect anything. I also laugh with them. But, always I aspire in my heard, “I hope that Rokayya has also gone with Zainab”.

Centuries have passed and the sun and the moon lighten the horizons of the earth.

They glimpse politely at the Turbat of their holy Imam Hussein (A.S) and pay their respects

and say, peace be upon, O father of Abdullah (A.S).

And centuries have passed that they are waiting every day and night for the reappearance of the revengers of the blood.

The Mahdi (A.S) of Islam says while reciting Ziarat on the grave of his lonely forefather

“O my respected forefather. Now that I could not help you during your life, I shall cry and shed tears day and night on your afflictions and hardships”. 

1- The Endeared Prophet of Islam (P.B.U.H.) ((Ashshehab Fel-Hekame-Val-Adab, p. 7))

The world is the prison of the religious people and paradise of unbelievers.

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2- Imam Sajjad (A. S.) ((Osool-e-Kafi, vol. 3, p. 197))

Affection and attachment to the world is the root of all sins.

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3- Imam Mohammad Bagher (A. S.) ((Tohafol-Oghool, p. 293))

By decreasing desires, piety, asceticism and disinterestedness to the world become it sweet to your mouth.

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4- Imam Musa Kazem (A. S.) ((Behar, vol. 78, p. 311))

The story of the world is as a snake, that appears to be soft, but inwardly has a deadly poison.

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5- Imam Hadi (A. S.) ((Behar, vol. 78, p. 369))

In the world, people are publicized by their property, wealth and asset, and in eternity they are known by their deeds and actions.

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6- Imam Ali Naghi (A. S.) ((Tohafol-Oghool, p. 512))

The world is a market in which one group makes profit and another group incurs loss.

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7- Imam Mohammad Bagher (A. S.) ((Behar, vol. 78, p. 165))

There is no other sin higher than eagerness in living and staying in this world!

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8- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Nahjol-Balaghe, Sent. 100))

The one who is attached to this world will consider the next world as an enemy and will detest it.

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9- Imam Jafar Sadegh (A. S.) ((Tohafol-Oghool, p. 374))

Attachment to the world results in sorrow and grief, and the lack of eagerness towards it is accompanied with comfort of the body and ease of the soul.

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10- The Honorable Prophet of Islam (S.W.) ((Ashshehab fel-Hekame-Val-Adab, p. 49))

The one who weeps for this world, his place will be in fire (tomorrow).

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11- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Nahjol-Balaghe, Sent. 71))

Any breath that a man breathes is a step towards death.

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12- The Honorable Prophet of Islam (P.B.U.H.) ((Ashshehab Fel-Hekame-Val-Adah, p. 13))

Call to your mind many times the extinction of pleasures and joys (never forget death).

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13- Imam Mohammad Bagher (A.S.) ((Behar, vol. 78, p. 165))

The one that sincerity of truth and faith took place in his heart, will turn his face from decorations and ornaments of the world.

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14- Imam jafar Sadegh (A. S.) ((Oddatod-Daee, p. 105))

The person who is attached much to the world, when it is time to depart, will have many deep regrets and many grievances.

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15- The Honorable Prophet of Islam (S.W.) ((Ashshehab Fel-Hekame-Va1-Adab, p. 19))

The gift for and goodnews to a believer is the time of his death, when he will see his lodging in paradise.

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16- Imam Moussabne Jafar (A. S.) ((Tohafol-Oghool, p. 417))

The world is like water of the sea, the man who is thirsty, the more he drinks water of it the more he becomes thirsty, until the water kills him in the end!

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17- Imam Jafar Sadegh (A. S.) ((Osoole-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 9))

The one who is attached to the world is always engaged with three spiritual states: Grief and permanent distress, wishes that never take place and hopes that will never he reached.

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18- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Nahjol-Balaghe, Khotbah 194))

The world is a passage lodging, and eternity is a place everlasting, yon should take advantage of the opportunity to save something from your passage lodging for the rest of your Journey.

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19- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Behar. vol. 78, p. 56))

The one who sorrows and cares for the world, in fact he has expressed his dissatisfaction regarding God's destinies.

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20- Imam Hassan Mojtaba (A. S.) ((Safinatol-Behar, vol. 2, p. 671))

The faithful people use this world to gather provisions for the next world but faithless people only enjoy the fruits of this world while living.

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21- Imam Jafar Sadegh (A. S.) ((Khesal, vol. 1, p. 64))

The one whose onl objective is eternity, God will suffice his worldly affairs.

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22- Imam Muhammad Bagher (A.S.) ((Meshkotol-Anvar, p.270))

Consider the world as an inn that you have just arrived at, and will vacate today!

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23- Imam Zeinolabedin (A. S.) ((Osool-e-Kafi, vol. 3, p. 199))

The person who breaks off attachment to the world, afflictions and calamities will be easy for hi0m.

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24- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Amali-e-Sadoogh, p. 393))

The one whose onl goal is this world, at the time of death and departure will be filled with grief, sorrow and regrets.

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25- Imam Jafar Sadegh (A. S.) ((Behar, vol. 75, p. 193))

The world near me is not more than a marsh; whenever I become obliged to, I drink from it.

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26- Imam Zeinolabedin (A. S.) ((Tohafol-Oghoo1, p. 285))

The world and its affairs will seem insignilicant for the one with great and cleric personality.

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27- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Nahjol-Balaghe, Khotbah 217))

The world is an inn that surrounded by grief and sorrow and is famed with deceit and unfaithfulness, will never remain in one Condition, and its residents will never remain in good health.

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28- Imam Jafar Sadegh (A. S.) ((Osool-e-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 193))

A prisoner in this world is in fact one who is being detained from attention to eternity.

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29- Imam Reza (A. S.) ((Behar, vol. 78, p. 348))

Don't be unaware of the world's benevolence, and be it known that the eternity will not be obtained but through this World.

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30- Imam Muhammad Bagher (A. S.) ((Behar, vol. 78, p. 165))

To reconize the world insignificant, is the highest stage of certainty in faith.

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31- Imam Musa Kazem (A. S.) ((Tohafol-Oghoo1, p. 433))

Take legitimate interests from your world to the degree that it will neither injure your generosity and manlihood nor engage you with overindulgence, thus helps you in help your religious affairs.

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32- Imam Jafar Sadegh (A. S.) ((Behar, vol. 78, p. 242))

Whenever you find your world has improved, be concerned about your religion!

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33- The Honorable Prophet of Islam (S.W.) ((Vasael, vol. 11, p. 345))

The worset of people is the one who trades his next world for enjoyment of this world, and worse than him is the one who trades his next world for enjoyment of someone else (in this world).

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34- The Honorable Prophet of Islam (S.W.) ((Majmoo-e-Varram, vo1. 1, p. 131))

The slave of God should put away reserves from this world for his eternity, and from his life for his death, and from his youth for his old age.

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35- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Mavaez-e-Sadoogh, p. 78))

Any affluence and pleasure of this world compared to the blessing of paradise is insignificant, and any calamity and disaster of this word compared to the fire of hell is considered healthful!

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36- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Osool-e-Kafi, vol. 3, p 204))

Don't he attached to this world, affection and kindness of this world will make the human blind, deaf and dumb and would lead to wretchedness.

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37- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Nahjol-balaghe, Sent. 61))

The people of this world are the example of a caravan that is taking them while they are sleeping!

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38- The Reverent Amir (A. S.) ((Fehrest-e-Ghorar, p. 111))

Attachment to this world corrupts the wisdom and makes deaf the ear of the heart from hearing wisdom.

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39- Imam Musa Kazem (A. S.) ((Tohafol-Oghool, p. 421))

The one who is attached to the world, the fear of the next world will be gone from his heart, and if a servant of God after becoming knowledgeable behaves more attached to the world, he will be far from God as well, and will be more and more disfavored by Allah.

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40- The Honorable Prophet of Islam (S.W.) ((Behar, vol. 6, p. 249))

You are not created for annihilation and mortality, but you have been created for survival and eternal living, and it is only by death that you are transferred from this lodging to other housing.

The Hashemite Prince Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (p), son of Imam Al-Hussain (p) and Hazrat Umm-e-Layla (p), born on 11 Shaban, possessed so much remarkable resemblance to the holy prophet Hazrat Muhammad (p) that the Chief of Martyrs and Leader of the Youths of Paradise Al-Imam Al-Hussain (p) was often heard to say “Whenever I desire to see the holy prophet (p) I look at him.”

In looks, in voice, in mannerism, in gait and in every way, Ali Al-Akbar (p) resembled the Seal of Prophets Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (p). The resemblance was so marked that people from far and wide were coming to see him, to be reminded of the Prophet (p) whom they were missing so much. Those who had not had the good fortune to see the Prophet (p) were told by their elders that Ali Al-Akbar (p) was the very image of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (p).

His handsome looks were matched by his handsome deeds. His nobility of character, his sense of duty, his generosity, his chivalry, his geniality, his love of justice and fairplay had endeared him to every soul.

18-year-old Ali Al-Akbar (p) had been taught fencing and archery by Inheritor of Haidari Valor Hazrat Al-Abbas (p).

In the battle of Karbala in 61 AH, Ali Al-Akbar (p) went over to his father Al-Imam Al-Hussain (p) to ask his permission to go out into that gory arena from which no person from his camp had returned. Hussain (p) looked at his face; it would be more correct to say that for a couple of minutes his stare was fixed on that face which he loved so much, which reminded him every time of his grandfather (p) whom he resembled every inch. He tried to say something but his voice failed him. With considerable effort he whispered with sad eyes:

Akbar, I wish you had become a father, then you would have known what I am experiencing at this moment. My son, how can a father ask his son to go, when he knows that the parting would be for ever! But Akbar, the call of duty makes me helpless in this matter. Go to your mother (p), and to your aunt Zainab (p) who has brought you up from childhood and loved you and cared for you more than for her own sons, and seek their permission.

Hazrat Zainab Bint-e-Ali (p) said:

Oh God, can it be true that Akbar has come to bid me and his mother the last farewell! Akbar! Do not say that you are ready for the last journey. So long as my sons Aun and Muhammad are there, it is impossible for me to let you go.

Hazrat Al- Al-Akbar said:

My aunt, for all my father's kinsmen the inevitable hour has come. I implore you, by the love you bear for your brother, to let me go so that it may not be said that he spared me till all his brothers and nephews were killed. Abbas, my uncle, is Commander of our army. The others are all younger than me. When death is a certainty, let me die first so that I can quench my thirst at the heavenly spring of Kausar at the hands of my grandfather.

After getting permission from Hazrat Zainab (p) and Hazrat Umm-e-Layla (p), Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (p) said to her aunt Zainab (p):

My aunt, I am leaving my mother to your care. I know, from your childhood, your mother Fatima (p) prepared you for the soul-stirring events of today and what is to come hereafter. My mother will not be able to bear the blows and calamities that are to befall her, unless you lend her your courage. I implore you by the infinite love you bear for me to show the fortitude that you are capable of, so that your patience may sustain my mother when she sees my dead body brought into the camp's morgue. I entrust her to your care because there will be none to solace her and look after her in the years of dismay and despondency that lie ahead of her.

Sending Ali Al-Akbar to the battlefield, Imam Hussain (p) raised his hands and said:

“O lord be a witness against this people that a youth is leaving who was resembling the Holy Prophet (p) most ... whenever I was desirous of seeing the holy prophet (p) I looked at him ...”

In the battlefield, he was addressing the forces of Amr Ibne Saad with an eloquence which he had inherited from his Grandfather Ali Al-Murtaza (p) and the Prophet Muhammad Al-Mustafa (p). He was telling them that Hussain, his father, had done them no harm. He was explaining to them that by shedding the blood of Hussain (p) and his kinsmen, they would be incurring the wrath of God and displeasure of the Prophet (p) who had loved Hussain (p) more than any other person. He was exhorting them not to smear their hands with the blood of a person so holy, so God-fearing and so righteous.

His words cast a spell on the army of the opponents. The older ones from amongst them were blinking their eyes in amazement and wondering whether the Prophet (p) had descended from the Heavens to warn them against the shedding of Hussain (p)'s blood. What a resemblance there was with the Prophet (p), in face, features and even mannerism! Even the voice was of Muhammad (p)! But on second thoughts, they realized that this was Ali Al-Akbar, the 18 year old son of Hussain (p), about whose close resemblance with the Prophet (p) people were talking so much.

Ashura (also spelled Aashurah, ‘Ashurah or Aashoorah), is an Islamic holiday observed on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. The word Ashura means "10," denoting the date of the holiday.

Shortly after the Hijira in AD 622, Muhammad designated Ashura as aday of fasting from sunset to sunset, perhaps patterned on the JewishDay of Atonement (Yom Kippur).Traditionally, Ashura commemorates two events: the day Nuh (Noah) leftthe ark and the day Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah.

When Jewish-Muslim relations became strained, however, Muhammad designated Ramadan the Muslim month of fasting, making Ashura a voluntary fast, as it has remained among Sunnis.

Among Shi'ites, however, Ashura is a major festival, the tazia (ta'ziyah). It commemorates the death of Husayn(also spelled Hussein), son of Imam 'Ali and grandson of Muhammad, onthe 10th of Muharram, AH 61 (October 10, 680), in Karbala, Iraq. Theevent led to the split between the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam, andit is of central importance in Shia Islam.

For Shi'a Muslims, rituals and observances on Ashura consist primarily of public expressions of mourning and grief.Some Shi'as express mourning by flagellating themselves on the backwith chains, beating their head or ritually cutting themselves. This isintended to connect them with Husayn's suffering and death as an aid tosalvation on the Day of Judgment.

Passion plays commemorating the death of Husayn arealso presented on Ashura. In London, around 3,000 Shi'a Muslims gatherat the Marble Arch on Ashura for a mourning procession and speeches.

Many Shi'a make pilgrimages on Ashura to the Mashhad al-Husayn, the shrine in Karbala,Iraq, that is traditionally held to be Husayn's tomb. Husayn'smartyrdom is widely interpreted by Shi'a as a symbol of the struggleagainst injustice, tyranny, and oppression.

The regime of Saddam Hussein saw this as a potential threat andbanned Ashura commemorations for many years. In neighboring Iran, thefestival became a major political symbol during the Islamic Revolution,as also occurred in Lebanon during that country's civil war.

The 2004 (1425 AH) Shi'a pilgrimage to Karbala, the second sinceSaddam Hussein was removed from power in Iraq, was marred by bombattacks that killed and wounded hundreds.

Majlis Janab-e-Zainab(A.S.)proclaimed to the world the greatest sacrifices made by ImamHussain(A.S.) and other members of the family of the Holy Prophet ofIslam(S.A.W.) for the cause of Islam, who were brutally martyred atKarbala in 61 A.H by the Yazidi forces. She exposed the evil deeds ofIbn-Ziyad and Yazid through her bold and fearless speeches she gave onher journey to Madinah after the tragedy of Karbala.

The wordsthat spread as a result of her journey, people came to know of theevents of Karbala and their hearts were stirred. Word came to Yazidthat there was turmoil and unrest in the realm he decided to releasethe Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S.) as it seemed to him that the Ahl-ul-Bayt hadbeen adequately humiliated. He sent for Imam Zayn-ul-Abideen (A.S.). Heinformed Imam Zayn-ul-Abideen (A.S.) of his impending release and askedif he wished for anything. Imam Zayn-ul-Abideen (A.S.) said he wouldhave to consult his aunt Janab-e-Zainab (A.S.).

Arrangements weremade and Janab-e-Zainab (A.S.) arrived, properly veiled. She asked, "OYazid, since the day our leader and our chief Imam Hussain (A.S.) wasbutchered in Karbala we have not had any opportunity to mourn for him."A house was therefore provided in Syria (Sham) and here Janab-e-Zainab(A.S.) held her first Majalis-e-Aza of Imam Hussain. The women of theSyria (Sham) arrived clad in black, with their heads uncovered, weepingwretchedly. Imam Zayn-ul-Abideen (A.S.) sat on the carpet of ImamHussain (A.S.) and then Janab-e- Zainab (A.S.) told the women of Syriawhat had befallen for them in Karbala and Kufa. They shed tears andmourned. From then Azadari started. She vowed that Majalis-e-Aza andAzadari for Imam Hussain Will begin from the same house of Yazid whoordered the Imam to be butchered. After returning to Madina when thepeople wanted to invite Janab-e-Zainab (A.S.) on any occasion, the onlyway to invite her was organize Majalis-e-Aza of Imam Hussain (A.S).

As Shi’ahs we are indeed blessed to have the honor of remembering thetragedy of Karbala through the practice of Majalis-e-aza and Azadari.We should offer our condolences to Imam -e- Zamana (A.S) who willavenge the blood of Imam Hussain (A.S) and we should pray for hisearliest reappearance. Grieving during Azadari, for the heartless wayin which Imam Hussain (A.S) and his family were treated in Karbala, isnot only a reverence and love for the holy family, but also serves tosoften and purify our hearts.