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We condolence on the Arbaeen anniversary, marking the end of a 40-day mourning period after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (a), the third Imam of prophet Mohammad's (pbuh) infallible household. Number forty is mystic in Theosophy. According to the Islamic culture if someone practices a good deed constantly during forty days, it would be his inseparable attribute and lead to descending of God's blessing. In some religions forty days and forty nights praying has been special position. When Moses (a) prayed forty nights; found the ability to hear the words of God.﴾And remember when we appointed for Moses forty nights, and (in his absence) you took the calf (for worship), and you were polytheists and wrong-doers. ﴿ - Holy Quran 1:51 The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "If someone devotes him only to God forty days; the springs of wisdom found in his words. Commemorating of the fortieth day of deeds by their family and giving alms is one of the common custom among some of the Muslims. The fortieth day of Imam Hussain‟s (a) martyrdom is called Arbaeen. On this day, Shias commemorate Imam Hussain's (a) revolution. These forty days are a suitable opportunity for people to develop the love of Imam Hussain (a) and hate his murderers, in their hearts. Forty consecutive days, from Ashura up to Arbaeen, also is a national ceremony of aversion announcement from oppressors of the history. Thus, as we perform the Ziyarat of Arbaeen and commemorate the Arbaeen, 40 days of mourning of Imam Hussain (a), we hope and pray that this forty days of remembrance of Imam Hussain (a), brings about a transformation in us by which we can continue to follow the path of Imam Hussain (a) and carry on his message of upholding justice with true faith and a strong sense of sacrifice!

a r b a e e n

Imam Hussain Day (Sun, Dec 8th @ 6pm)

Khamsa Ladies Majalis (Dec 9th-13th) Speaker: Mohtarma Samina Rizvi

Arbaeen Majalis (Dec 15th-23rd) Speaker: Moulana Maqbool Hussain Alavi

Khamsa Majalis (Dec 30th-Jan 3rd– 2014) Wafat of Prophet (pbuh) & Martyrdom Of Imam Hasan (a) Speaker: Moulana Syed Safi Haider

Shab-e-Aza Saturday, January 5th, 2014

For Further Information Call :

Tele Message: (403) 235-1212 OR

visit: www.hussainicalgary.com

EVENT S AT A GLAN C E

M e s s a g e f r o m p r e s i d e n tM e s s a g e f r o m p r e s i d e n tM e s s a g e f r o m p r e s i d e n t

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Al-Hujjat (atfs) Vol.2 - Issue No 2 - Safar-1435/December-January 2013

In t h i s i s sue :

In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Salaam-un-Alykum, Praise be to the Almighty Allah (swt) & Thanks to him for granting us yet another month for mourning of Imam Hussain (a) and his companions. Contrary to the popular belief by some who assert that holding Majlis is a rather contemporary tradition, the first Majlis-e-Hussain (a) was organized by his sister Syeda Zainab (a) whose veil was torn off by the assassins Prophet‟s (pbuh) grandson. The period of Azadari is magical. It cleans-es our soul, renews our faith in religion and inspires us to greater levels. We should Utilize this time, start anew, put our best foot forward with the best of intentions. Allah (swt) has said “Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, and I will run towards you.” At the core of the gatherings for the commemoration of Imam Hussain (a) are the faithful attendees, their in-teraction and empathy. They are important to the success of the gathering. Therefore, the most prominent and successful gatherings have always been characterized by the attendance of faithful crowds that have several unique characteristics, such as: Abiding by the advice of the grand religious jurists and scholars of the Islamic Seminaries in keeping the season of the commemoration of Imam Hussain (a) alive and well, and within the religiously legal guidelines. May Allah (swt) accept our prayer‟s & Azadari of king of martyrs . With salaams and duas, Riyaz Khawaja President

Beliefs: The Importance of Ijtihad and Taqlid

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Morality of Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a)

3/4/5

Sermon from Nahj-ul-Balagah 5

Bibi Sakina (a) 6

Brief history of the life of our Prophet (pbuh)

7/8

The Fourth Journey - Kufa to Shaam

9/10

Mujedah Minarat 10

Bibi Fatima Bint-e-Asad (a) 11/12

Advertisements 13/14

Calendar & Namaz Timings/ Hussainia Updates

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Ayaat of the Month 16

The Importance of Ijtihad and Taqlid “If after the occultation of your Qa‟im there were not to remain a person from amongst the scholars who: invite towards him (the Imam); guide others to him; defend his religion by the proofs of Allah; rescue the downtrodden servants of Allah from the snares of Iblees (Satan) and his hoards, and the traps of the enemies (of the Ahlul Bayt), then there would not remain a single person (on Earth) except that he would have left the religion of Allah. However, these scholars take it upon themselves to be the protectors of the hearts of our downtrodden followers just as the captain of a boat takes control of the lives and safety of those on his ship. Thus, these (scholars – the Ulama) are the best people in the sight of Allah, the Noble and Great.” (Biharul Anwar, vol. 2, pg. 6, sec. 8, trad. 12) During the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), he was the sole authority in all religious and political issues and issues about the religion or matters dealing with the community were forwarded to him or one whom he placed in authority (by the orders of Allah) over the believers. With his passing away, the chain of successors - the 12 Imams - began. The first of the explicitly appointed leaders was Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) and the final successor is the 12th Imam, al-Hujjat ibnil Hasan al- Askari (may Allah hasten his advent). The leadership of the 12th Imam was quite different than that of the previous 11 Imams since by the wisdom of Allah, he was required to go into two separate and distinct forms of occultation. His minor occultation lasted for a little over 60 years during which time four specific representatives were appointed. They were responsible for forwarding questions on day to day issues from the faithful to the Imam, collecting the various Islamic funds (Khums, Zakat, etc..) and distributing them as the Imam saw fit, and other duties. After the death of the fourth representative in the year 328 AH, the doors of specific representation were closed. However, the guidance did not end and according to the directive issued by the 12th Imam, they were to follow the scholars (Fuqaha) who: “...guard their soul, protect their religion, and follow the commandments of their master (Allah)...” Thus, the ‟general representation‟ has been placed on the shoulders of the sources of emulation (Mara‟ja Taqleed). What is Taqleed? Taqleed comes from the Arabic root „qal-la-da/yuqal-li-du/taqleed‟ which means to „imitate‟ or ‟follow‟. It does not mean “blind following” as some have rendered it – rather, in the frame work of the Islamic legal system, it means that since one is not able to derive the laws of Islam from their sources, he refers to and implements the judgments which the scholar who has this ability to enact, issues. We are not obligated to perform Taqleed, rather as the scholars note, our first option is to become a Mujtahid - one who has reached the level of Ijtihaad - the ability to independently extract the laws of Islam from their sources, and this is obligatory upon all believers, however if even one person fulfills this task, then all are absolved of the responsibility. Since reaching to such a level is not possible for everyone - and because of the fact that if everyone were to dedicate their lives to „Islamic studies‟ we would fall short in having scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, designers, etc... the second option given to us is to perform precaution (Ihtiyaat) in Islamic law. If one decides to follow this method, then on a particular issue, he must review the Islamic rulings which all of the contemporary Mara‟ja have issued and choose “the most precautionary” position. It should be noted that Taqleed pertains only to the realm of the Shari‟ah; there can be no Taqleed in matters of belief (Usulu„d-din). A Muslim must hold his belief in the fundamentals of his religion after attaining conviction of their truth through examination and reflection. Infact the Qur‟an very clearly condemns those who follow others blindly in matters of belief. However, in order for one‟s acts of worship to be performed correctly and accepted, they must be done under the shadow of one of the three options given above – failure to reach the level of Mujtahid, not practicing Ihityaat, and not doing the Taqlid of a recognized Marja‟ may render all of a person‟s actions (such as prayers and fasting) null and void. Logical Proof for Taqleed Just as in any sphere of our lives, we refer to the experts to solve our problems since we cannot be an authority in every aspect and in matters such as engineering, medicine, optometry, car repair, etc… we always take our problems to those who have studied and specialized in a particular area of life. The religious interpretations and rulings is no different and thus, logic dictates that if we are not at the level of understanding the Shari‟ah, we must ask those who have reached that stage. Textual Proof for Taqleed The Qur‟an refers to „following others‟ (in terms of religious guidance) on a number of instances. In the 9th chapter of the Qur‟an, in verse 122 we read: “It is not right that the believers in Islam all go forth (to the battle field to fight) – rather, why does not a group from amongst them go forth to become specialists in religious learning and after completing their studies, return back to their community and warn them (so that they may know the injunctions of the faith).” This verse shows that a group of people must go forth to gain a deep understanding of the religion and upon returning from studies and upon the others returning home from the battlefield, are to teach and instruct the believers in regards to their religious responsibilities. The narrations of the Prophet Muhammad and his twelve successors also stress on the fact that experts must exist to guide the believers to their responsibility to the Creator, just as the final Imam of the Ahlul Bayt has stated: “So then, as for the Fuqaha who protect their own soul, who safeguard their religion, who go against the desires and passions of their lower desires and who are obedient to the command of their Master, then it is permissible for the common people to follow them in religious issues (perform their Taqleed) and this (spiritual) state is found only in some of the Shi‟a scholars - not all of them.“ (Wasail ash-Shia, Vol. 27, Page 131, Hadith 33401) There are numerous examples during the life of the Prophet Muhammad and his infallible successors in which they directed their companions to guide the followers in distant locations and taught them the methodology of how to derive Islamic rulings for „new issues‟ which would come up. The necessary conditions for qualification as a Mujtahid It is understood from the religious texts that becoming an expert in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and the other Islamic sciences is not in itself enough for qualification as a Mujtahid whom everyone can follow. In addition to the high level of Islamic studies which one must have mastered, Islamic law states that a Mujtahid should be a free man (of legitimate birth who is past the age of puberty, sane, an Ithna -Asheri Shi‟a and one who is, adil - a trait which can be translated as „just‟ but includes moral and legal qualities, such as piety and abstention from all that the Shari‟ah forbids and fulfillment of all its obligations. How to recognize who is a Mujtahid whom we can follow How does an ordinary believer discover who is the Mujtahid he or she must follow? There are three recognized ways: 1) Personal knowledge if he/she is a religious scholar; 2) The testimony of two adil, knowledgeable persons to someone‟s being a Mujtahid;3) A degree of popularity which leaves no doubt as to a person‟s being a Mujtahid. In addition, most present day scholars maintain that it is most desirable to follow a Mujtahid who is al-A‟laam. In a general sense this means „the most learned‟, but in this specific contexts it means the Jurist who has the greatest expertise in deriving the rulings of the Shari‟ah from the sources. The most learned may be recognized in any of the three ways a Mujtahid can, however it is sometimes difficult for the Shi‟a scholars to distinguish whom among all the Jurists is the most learned. As a result, more than one Mujtahid may be followed in taqleed at one time (though not, of course, by the same person), as is the case at present in which there are over 15 such scholars whom the believers can choose to follow, but any such multiplicity does not result in any practical disagreement on legal matters within the Shi‟a community.

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B e l i e f s : T h e I m p o r t a n c e o f I j t i h a d a n d T a q l i dB e l i e f s : T h e I m p o r t a n c e o f I j t i h a d a n d T a q l i dB e l i e f s : T h e I m p o r t a n c e o f I j t i h a d a n d T a q l i d

Morality of Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) A relative of Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) was standing beside him, raising his voice and abusing him. The Imam (a) did not answer him until he went back to his house. At this moment, the Imam said to his companions, “Did you hear what this man said? I would like you to come with me to hear my response.” The Imam put on his shoes and set out with his companions saying to himself,

(431والكاظمين الغيظ والعافين عن الناس وللا يحب المحسنين ) …and those who restrain their anger and pardon men; and Allah loves the doers of the good. (3:134) When they reached the house of that man, the Imam (a) introduced himself to the servant who conveyed it to his master. The man who seemed to be looking for trouble came out. He was sure that the Imam (a) had come for retaliation; rather, the Imam (a) said, “My brother! A few minutes ago, you were standing beside me and said such and such words against me. If I am the one whom you described, I will ask for Allah‟s forgiveness; but if what you said about me is not true, may Allah forgive you.” The man kissed the Imam‟s forehead, saying, “What I said about you is not true and it is more deserving of me.”[1] The Lepers Imam al-Sadiq (a) has reported: One day, Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) was passing by the lepers while he was riding. The lepers who were eating invited the Imam to share food with them. The Imam said, “I am fasting; otherwise, I would sit with you.” When the Imam reached home, he had some food prepared, invited the lepers and ate with them.[2] Forgiving A Neighbour Husham ibn Isma`il was appointed as ruler of Medina by `Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. One of the grandsons of Imam `Ali (a) reports: Husham ibn Isma`il was a bad neighbour who persecuted Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) greatly. When he was dismissed, he was brought to public with his hands tied, on the order of Walid ibn `Abd al-Malik for retaliation. While he was under arrest near Marwan‟s house, Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) passed by and greeted him. The Imam had already advised his companions not to offend Husham.[3] [1] Kitab al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid 145/2.[2] Al-Kafi, 132/2, H 8.[3] Kitab al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid: 147/2. A Hidden Charity There were families in Medina whose needs were fulfilled without knowing wherefrom. When Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn passed away, they found out that it was the Imam who had secretly helped them. It is also reported: Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) would come out of house at nights with a purse full of Dirhams and Dinars and go from one door to another leaving some Dirhams and Dinars at the door of each house. Only when he had passed away, they found out that the benefactor had been Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) .[1] Prayer And Charity Abu-Hamzah Thamali has reported: I saw Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) in prayer while his cloak was falling off his shoulders but he did not make any attempt to hold it until he completed his prayer. I asked about it. The Imam said, “Woe to you! Do you know before Whom was I standing? Prayer is not accepted save with full concentration and presence of heart.” A Qur’anic Pardon One of the slave-girls of Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) was pouring water on his hands while performing ablution when all of a sudden the ewer hit and hurt the Imam‟s face. The Imam raised his head towards her. The slave-girl said: Allah says, “Those who restrain their anger.” The Imam said, “I restrained my anger.” The slave-girl said, “…and pardon men.” The Imam said, “I pardoned you.” The slave-girl said, “…and Allah loves the doers of good.” The Imam said, “You are free in the way of Allah.”[2] Day of Loss Imam al-Sadiq (a) reported: There was a clown in Medina who would make people laugh. One day he said to himself, “This man (Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) has made me helpless to make him laugh!” So, when the Imam was followed by two of his servants, he passed by the clown. Seeing the Imam, the clown walked behind him, drew his cloak and ran away. The Imam did not pay any attention to the clown but people went after him and took back the cloak. Addressing people, the Imam said, “Who is this man?” They said, “He is a making people of Medina laugh.” The Imam said, “Tell him there is a day for Allah in which idle people will suffer losses.”[3] [1] `Ilal al-Shara‟i`: 231/1, H 8.[2] Al-Amali by Shaykh al-Saduq: 201, H 12.[3] Al-Amali by Shaykh al-Saduq: 220, H 6. Unknown Among Travelers Imam al-Sadiq has reported: Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) used to go on trips without letting his co-travelers recognize him so that he could help them as an unknown person. However, he was recognized by one of his co-travelers, “Do you know who this man is? This is `Ali ibn al-Hussain.” People rushed to him kissing his hands and feet, saying, “O son of Allah‟s Messenger: We might have harmed you with our hands and tongues hence deserving hell! What made you travel in this way?” The Imam said, “Once I traveled with a group who knew me very well, they treated me for the sake of the Holy Prophet in a way I did not deserve. I thought you might do the same. For this reason, I prefer to travel as an unknown person.”[1] Kindness To A Camel Imam al-Sadiq (a) has reported: When he was passing away, `Ali ibn al-Hussain said to his son, Imam al-Baqir, “I have gone on Hajj on this camel for twenty times and I have not given it a lash. Bury it when it dies so that it will not be eaten by wild animals, for Allah‟s Messenger has said: Any camel which goes to `Arafah for seven times, Allah will make it one of the blessings of Paradise and place blessing in its offspring.” When the camel of the Imam died, they buried it.[2]

M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n a . sa . sa . s

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Helping The Needy When dark overwhelmed Medina and people were at rest, Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) would come out of house to go to the needy people and divide among them the food which he carried in a bag on his shoulder while covering his face so that none would know him. On many occasions, he would stand waiting at the doors so that they would come and take their shares. When they saw him face to face, they would say: He is the possessor of bag!” [1] `Uyun Akhbar al-Rida: 145/2, Chapter: 40, H 13.[2] Thawab al-A`mal wa-`Iqab al-A`mal: 50.[3] Al-Kafi: 68/4; H 3. The Story of Grapes Imam al-Sadiq (a) has reported: Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) was very fond of grapes. One day, they had brought fresh grapes to Medina. His wife bought some of them for him to break his fast with. When they brought them before him and he stretched out his hand to take some, a needy person knocked the door and asked for something. The Imam told his wife to take the grapes for the needy person. She said, “Some of it was enough for the needy person.” The Imam said, “No, By Allah; take all of it for him.” The next day, again they bought grapes for him but an indigent person came to the door and the Imam gave him all of the grapes. The third night, no needy came. So the Imam ate the grapes saying, “We did not lose anything in it, thanks to Allah.”[1] [1] Al-Manaqib: 154/4. Nobility in Childhood `Abdullah ibn Mubarak reports: When I was on Hajj to Mecca, I caught sight of a seven or eight year old child walking alongside a caravan of pilgrims with no provision with him. I went forward, saluted him and asked, “With whom did you cover the desert?” He said, “With the Beneficent Allah.” He looked great to me. I asked, “Where is your provision, my son?” He said, “My piety is my provision and my Lord is my goal.” He looked magnanimous. I asked, “Which lineage do you come from?” He said, “`Abd al-Muttalib.” “Which family?” - “Hashim.” - “Which branch.” - `Ali - Fatimah.” - O my master! Have you composed a poem? - “Yes, I have.” - “Recite part of your poem.” The Imam recited a poem with the following words: We are those sent to the pond of Kawthar. We give water to some and repel others. None can attain salvation but through our mediation. One who loves us will not suffer losses and one who makes us happy will receive happiness from us and whoever harms us will be of low birth. One who usurps our right will be punished on the Judgment Day! Then I lost sight of him until I came to Mecca. When I completed my Hajj rituals and returned to al-Abtah, I saw a circle of people round someone. It was the same child with whom I spoke. I asked who he was. They said that he was Zain al-`Abidin.[1] Asking For Forgiveness Imam al-Baqir (a) has reported: My father sent his slave on mission but he delayed in fulfilling it. He lashed him with one stroke. The slave said, “O `Ali ibn al-Hussain. You send me on a mission and hit me!” My father cried, saying, “My son! Go to the grave of the Holy Prophet, perform a two-unit prayer and say: O Lord: Forgive `Ali ibn al-Hussain on the Judgment Day.” Then he said to the slave, “You are free in the way of Allah.” Abu-Basir says: I said to the Imam, “May I be your ransom. It seems that setting a slave free is the atonement of hitting him!” But the Imam kept silent.[2] Retaliation Imam al-Rida reports: `Ali ibn al-Hussain hit his slave on one occasion. Being sorry, he entered home, took off his shirt and while giving a lash to his slave said, “Hit `Ali ibn al-Hussain!” The slave refused to do and the Imam gave him fifty Dinars.[3] Mother’s Right Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) was said, “You are the most benevolent man but you don‟t eat from the same plate with your mother while she likes to.” The Imam said, “I don‟t like to stretch my hand to reach a morsel which my mother has an eye on it hence being disowned by her.”From that time on, he would put a cover on the plate of food when eating with his mother so he would put his hand under it and ate the food.[4] [1] Al-Manaqib: 155/4. [2] Bihar al-Anwar: 92/46, Chapter: 5, H 79.[3] Kitab Al-Zuhd: 45, Chapter: 7, H 119.[4] Al-Manaqib: 162/4. Security Against Loan `Isa ibn `Abdullah reports: `Abdullah was on the verge of death. The creditors had gathered in his house claiming their dues. He said, “I don‟t have anything to pay you. Refer to either of my cousins, `Ali ibn al-Hussain or `Abdullah ibn Ja`far to pay my debt to you.” The creditors said, “`Abdullah ibn Ja`far is a man of long-term promise. He is negligent too. `Ali ibn al-Hussain, though not wealthy, is truthful. Hence, he is a better option for us.” The news reached Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) . He said that he would undertake to pay the debt at harvest time, while he had no grain at all. When it was harvest time, Allah destined for him a certain amount of money with which he paid all the creditors‟ claim.[1]

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M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n a . s ( C o n t d )a . s ( C o n t d )a . s ( C o n t d )

To spend moderately in times of poverty, give generously in times of luxury, treat people fairly, and greet them initiatively - these manners are within the characters of the believers. -(Imam Sajjad a.s)

An Extraordinary Example of Forbearance A man insulted Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) . His slaves made an attempt to attack him. The Imam said, “Let him go. What is hidden of us is more than what he is saying about me.” Addressing the same man, the Imam said, “Do you need anything?” The man was ashamed. The Imam gave his garment to him together with a thousand Dirhams. The man said loudly, “I bear witness that you are the son of Allah‟s Messenger.”[2] Reaction To Backbiting Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) (a) reached a group of people who were talking behind his back. He stood near them saying, “If you are true about what you say, may Allah forgive me; and if you are lying, may Allah forgive you.”[3] Giving Away His Food When `Ali ibn al-Hussain was fasting, he would have a sheep slaughtered, its meat cut into pieces and cooked. At sunset while he had not broken his fast, he would order to bring the bowls, fill them and take them to such and such houses until there was no more food in the pot. Then, they brought bread and date for the Imam to break his fast with.[3] Forgiving The Child’s Killer Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) had a few guests; he asked his servant to be quick in preparing the food. The servant hastily brought the iron grid on which the meat had been grilled but it fell off his hand on the head of the Imam‟s child who was in the ground floor and killed him. Addressing the servant who was shocked and trembling from fear, the Imam said, “You did not do it intentionally. Therefore, you are free in the way of Allah.” He then took part in the funeral service of his child.[4]

[1] Al-Kafi: 97/5, H 7.[2] Al-Manaqib: 157/2.[3] al-Khisal: 517/2, H 4.[4] Kashf al-Ghummah: 80/2.

Devotion Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) had a needy cousin and the Imam would go to the door of his house as an unknown man giving him a few Dinars. But the cousin would say, “`Ali ibn al-Hussain does not observe ties of relationship towards me. May Allah not give him a good reward!” The Imam heard what he was saying but forbore it and did not wish to reveal his identity. When Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) passed away, his cousin, whose nightly assistance had been cut off, realized that it was Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) who fulfilled his needs. For this reason, he rushed to the Imam‟s grave and wept bitterly.[1]

[1] Kashf al-Ghummah: 106/2.

About keeping aloof from envy, and good behaviour towards kith and kin

Now then, verily Divine orders descend from heaven to earth like drops of rain, bringing to every one what is destined for him whether plenty or paucity. So if any one of you observes for his brother plenty of progeny or of wealth or of self, it should not be a worry for him. So long as a Muslim does not commit such an act that if it is disclosed he has to bend his eyes (in shame) and by which low people are emboldened, he is like the gambler who expects that the first draw of his arrow would secure him gain and also cover up the previous loss.

Similarly, the Muslim who is free from dishonesty expects one of the two good things: either call from Allah and in that case whatever is with Allah is the best for him, or the livelihood of Allah. He has already children and property while his faith and respect are with him. Certainly, wealth and children are the plantations of this world while virtuous deed is the plantation of the next world. Sometimes Allah joins all these in some groups.

Beware of Allah against what He has cautioned you and keep afraid of Him to the extent that no excuse be needed for it. Act without show or intention of being heard, for if a man acts for some one else then Allah makes him over to that one. We ask Allah (to grant us) the positions of the martyrs, company of the virtuous and friendship of the prophets.

O' people! surely no one (even though he may be rich) can do without his kinsmen, and their support by hands or tongues. They alone are his support from rear and can ward off from him his troubles, and they are the most kind to him when tribulations befall him. The good memory of a man that Allah retains among people is better than the property which others inherit from him.

Behold! If any one of you finds your near ones in want or starvation, he should not desist from helping them with that which will not increase if this help is not extended, nor decrease by thus spending it. Whoever holds up his hand from (helping) his kinsmen, he holds only one hand, but at the time of his need many hands remain held up from helping him. One who is sweet tempered can retain the love of his people for good.

In this sermon "al-ghafirah" means plenty or abundance, and this is derived from the Arab saying, "al-jamm al-ghafir" or "al-jamma' al-ghafir" meaning thick crowd. In some versions for "al-ghafirah" "`afwatan" appears. "`afwah" means the good and selected part of anything. It is said "akaltu `afwata 't-ta`am", to mean "I ate select meal." About "wa man yaqbid yadahu `an `ashiratihi" appearing towards the end he points out how beautiful the meaning of this sentence is, Amir al-mu'minin implies that he who does not help his own kinsmen withholds only his hand but when he is in need of their assistance and would be looking for their sympathy and support then he would remain deprived of the sympathies and succour of so many of their extending hands and marching feet.

M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n M o r a l i t y o f I m a m Z a i n u l ' A b i d e e n a . s ( C o n t d )a . s ( C o n t d )a . s ( C o n t d )

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P e a k o f e l o q u e n c e ( N a h jP e a k o f e l o q u e n c e ( N a h jP e a k o f e l o q u e n c e ( N a h j --- u lu lu l --- B a l a g h a ( s e r m o n 2 3 )B a l a g h a ( s e r m o n 2 3 )B a l a g h a ( s e r m o n 2 3 )

Bibi Sakina (a) was the youngest daughter of Imam Hussain (a). She was a vivacious child, full of love and happiness. Everyone loved Sakina (a) .She was also a very religious girl. She enjoyed reading the Holy Quran and never missed her prayers. From the age of two she took great care to make sure that her head and face were properly covered when in public.

Bibi Sakina (a) was Imam Hussain‟s (a) most beloved child. Our Imam (a) was often heard to say, “A house without Bibi Sakina (a) would not be worth living in!” She always had a sweet and cheerful smile and a very friendly nature. Other children sought her company as much as the grown ups did. She was very generous and always shared whatever she had with others.

There was a special bond between Hazrat Abbas (a) and Bibi Sakina (a). He loved her more than he did his own children. If Sakina (a) requested for anything, Hazrat Abbas (a) would not rest until he satisfied her request. There was nothing that Hazrat Abbas (a) would not do to make Sakina (a) happy.

During the journey from Madina to Mecca and then Mecca to Karbala‟, Hazrat Abbas (a) was often seen riding up to the mehmil in which Bibi Sakina (a) sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Bibi Sakina (a) loved her uncle just as much. While in Madina she would, several times a day, visit the house in which Hazrat Abbas (a) lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Baneen.

Like any other four-five year old when Bibi Sakina (a) went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Imam Hussain (a) would tell her stories of the prophets and of the battles fought by her grand-father Ali (a) . She would rest her head on her father's chest and Hussain (a) would not move from her until she fell asleep. When from the second of Muharram the armies of Yazid began to gather at Karbala‟, Husayn said to his sister Zainab (a) , “The time has come for you to get Bibi Sakina (a) used to going to sleep without my being there!” Bibi Sakina (a) would follow her father at night and Imam Hussain (a) had to gently take her to Bibi Zainab (a) or Bibi Rubab (a) .

At Karbala‟ when from the seventh Muharram water became scarce Bibi Sakina (a) shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Bibi Sakina (a) hopefully, and because she could not help them she would have tears in her eyes. Bibi Sakina's (a) lips were parched with thirst.

On the Ashura day, she gave her Mashk to Hazrat Abbas (a) . He went to get water for her. The children gathered round Bibi Sakina (a) with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Hazrat Abbas (a) brought any water, Bibi Sakina (a) would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. When Bibi Sakina (a) saw Imam Hussain (a) bringing the blood drenched 'alam she knew that her uncle Hazrat Abbas (a) had been martyred. From that day on Bibi Sakina (a) never complained of thirst. Then came the time when the earth shook and Bibi Sakina (a) became an orphan! But even then she always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Ali Asghar (a) and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Bibi Sakina (a) would put her little arms around her.

Yes Bibi Sakina (a) never again asked anyone for water. Bibi Zainab (a) would persuade her to take a few sips, but she herself would never ask for water or complain of thirst. From the time when Imam Hussain (a) fell in the battle field, Bibi Sakina (a) forgot to smile!

Kufa saw her as a sombre little girl lost in thought. Quite often she would sit up at night. When asked if she wanted anything, she would say, “I just heard a baby cry? Is it Asghar? He must be calling out for me!”

Knowing that her weeping upset her mother, Bibi Sakina (a) would cry silently and quickly wipe away her tears! In the prison in Shaam she would stare at the flock of birds flying to their nests at sunset and innocently ask Bibi Zainab (a) , “Will Sakina be going home like those birds flying to their homes?”

Then one dreadful night Bibi Sakina (a) went to bed on the cold floor of the prison. For a long time she stared into the darkness! The time for the morning prayers came. Bibi Sakina (a) was still lying with her eyes wide open. Her mother called out: “Wake up, Sakina! Wake up, it is time for prayers, my child!” There was only the painful silence! Our fourth Imam walked up to where Bibi Sakina lay. He put his hand on her forehead. It was cold! He put his hand near the mouth and the nose. Bibi Sakina (a) had stopped breathing. In between sobs Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) said: “inna lil-Lahi wa inna ilay-hi raja‟uun.”

How was Bibi Sakina (a) buried? Bibi Zainab (a) held the still child as Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) dug a grave in the cell. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream! How could anyone console Bibi Rubab (a) ? What could they say? They huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry: “Ya Sakina, Ya madhloomah!!” Bibi Rubab (a) put her cheek on Bibi Sakina's (a) grave and cried out: “Speak to me, Sakina! Only a word, my child! Speak to me!!”

It is narrated from Sheikh Bahaai from famous book Arnaeen by the respected and honorable Syed Qazi Saeed Qumi that; one of my friends was residing in qabrastaan (grave yard) of Isfahan .He was spending most of his time praying most of time near the graves. Sometimes I used to go to see him .

Once I asked” Is there anything astonishing which you have seen in graveyard?

He said; Yes, a Mayyit (Dead Body) was brought earlier day. People buried it in this corner and went away. After sunset a bad smell spread there which made me restless because I had never smelled such a foul smell. Suddenly a black and frightening shape appeared from which that foul smell was emanating. That shape sat near the said grave and disappeared. After only a few moments I smelled a very pleasant fragrance like which I had witnessed never before. At the same time a very beautiful shape arrived near the same grave and disappeared (These are the wonders of the celestial heavenly world that appear in such shapes). After some time I saw that the beautiful shape came out of the grave with bloody wounds. I prayed, My Lord! Let me know who were these two appearances? So I was enlightened that the beautiful face was the embodiment of the good deeds of the deceased and the frightening face of his bad deeds. [The True Stories By Ayatollah Dastghaib Shirazi]

B i b i s a k i n a B i b i s a k i n a B i b i s a k i n a S . aS . aS . a

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A F R I G H T E N I N G F A C E

Lineage The oldest and noblest tribe in the whole of Arabia was Banu Hashim. They were the descendants of Ibrahim through his son Ismail. The Arabs respected and loved them for their goodness, knowledge and bravery. Abd Al-Muttalib (a) Abd al-Muttalib (a) was the chieftain of Banu Hashim and he was also the Guardian of the Ka'bah. Among his ten sons, "Abdullah was the father of the Holy Prophet. In Mecca, baby boy Muhammad (pbuh) was born on 17th Rabi" al-Awwal, 570 AD. His father "Abdullah, son of "Abd al-Muttalib (a), died before he was born and when he was six, he lost his loving mother Aminah bint Wahab. His Grandfather, "Abd al-Muttalib (a), took the responsibility of bringing up the orphan. At the age of ten, he lost his grandfather. On his deathbed, he appointed his son Abu Talib (a) as the guardian of Muhammad (pbuh) .Gentle, soft spoken, tall and handsome boy, Muhammad (pbuh) , accompanied the trading caravans of Abu Talib (a), across the deserts, giving him deep insight into nature and man. Khadijah (a) The wealthy noble widowed lady Khadijah (a) , looking for a manager for her rich mercantile caravans, selects Muhammad (pbuh) , the Trustee. Able and fair dealing, Muhammad (pbuh) is a tremendous success. Khadijah already an admirer, made him an offer of marriage. Muhammad (pbuh) was twenty five and Khadijah forty. In spite of this disparity in age, the marriage proved to be a very happy one. The Prophet (pbuh) Lover of nature and quite worried about human sufferings, Muhammad (pbuh) very often retired to Mount Hira" for meditations. One night, Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Majesty) a voice addressing him, commanded "Recite in the name of thy Lord." Deeply excited by the strange phenomena of Divine Visitation, Muhammad (pbuh) hurried home to his wife, Khadijah (a), who listened to him attentively and said that "I bear witness that you are the Apostle of God (pbuh)." After an interval, the voice from heaven spoke again "O thou shrouded in thy mantle, arise, and warn, and magnify thy Lord." This was a signal for him to start preaching the gospel of truth of One God. In the beginning Muhammad (pbuh) invited only those near him, to accept the new Faith. The first to embrace Islam among women was Khadijah (a) and among men "Ali (a). Soon after, Zayd ibn al-Harithah became a convert to the new Faith. For three long years, he laboured quietly to wean his people from the worship of idols and drew only thirty followers. Muhammad (pbuh) then decided to appeal publicly to the Quraysh to give up idol worship and embrace Islam. The new Faith, is simple without complications, practical and useful for everyday life. It commands to believe and do good, keep up prayer and pay the poor rate, two orders giving four principles of a successful way of life. Almost ten years of hard work and preaching, in spite of all persecution, produced over a hundred followers, physical cruelties and social boycott made life unbearable in Mecca. The Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh) advised his followers, to seek refuge in the to seek refuge in the neighbouring country of Ethiopia. Eighty eight men and eighteen women sailed to the hospitable shores of the Negus, under the leadership of Ja'far at-Tayyaar (brother of "Ali) and the cousin of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). several times the chieftains came to Abu Talib (a) saying, "We respect your age and rank, but we have no further patience with your nephew. Stop him or we shall fight you." Abu Talib (a) asked Muhammad (pbuh) for his decision. With tears in his eyes, the Apostle (a) firmly replied, "O my uncle! If they place the sun on my right hand and the moon on my left, to force me to renounce my mission, I will not desist until God manifests His cause or I perish in the attempt." Tragedies In a period of troubles, trials and tribulations two major tragedies afflicted Muhammad (pbuh) . First the venerable guardian uncle Abu Talib (a) died and shortly afterwards his noble wife Khadijah (a) died, leaving behind her daughter Fatimah (a) - the only child she had from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) - the daughter who looked after her father so much so that the Prophet (pbuh) called her Umm Abiha (the mother of her father). Muslim Era With the death of the old patriarch Abu Talib, the Meccans planned to assassinate the prophet. Under Divine guidance, he asked "Ali (a) to sleep in his bed and Muhammad (pbuh) put his green garment on "Ali (a) . While the murderes mistook "Ali (a) for Muhammad (pbuh) , the Holy Prophet of Islam escaped to Medina. The Muslim era of Hijrah (Emigration) is named after this incident and dated from 17th Rabi" al-Awwal, 622 AD. From the time he came to Medina, he was the grandest figure upon whom the light of history has ever shone. We shall now see him as the King of men, the ruler of human hearts, chief law-giver and supreme judge.The Preacher who went without bread, was mightier than the mightiest sovereigns of the earth. No emperor with his tiaras was obeyed, as this man in a cloak of his own clothing. He laid the foundation of the Muslim commonwealth and drew up a charter which has been acknowledged as the work of highest statesmanship, a master-mind not only of his age, but of all ages. Unlike the Arabs, the Prophet, had never wielded a weapon, but now he was forced to defend Islam by force of arms. Commencing from the battle of Badr, a series of eighty battles had to be fought, which the infant community defended successfully. Uhud Next year, Abu Sufyan, the famous long-lived enemy of Islam, again attacked the Muslims at Uhud. Hamzah, the first flag-bearer of Islam and uncle of the Prophet, was killed in action. In spite of strict instructions from the Prophet, a few Muslim soldiers deserted their post, when victory was in sight. This changed the course of the battle. Khalid ibn al-Walid attacked the Prophet and the grave situation was saved by the timely arrival of "Ali. The enemies ran away and the issue was decided. Muhammad (pbuh) was deeply grieved at the death of Hamzah.

B r i e f h i s t o r y o f t h e l i f e o f o u r p r o p h e t B r i e f h i s t o r y o f t h e l i f e o f o u r p r o p h e t B r i e f h i s t o r y o f t h e l i f e o f o u r p r o p h e t p b u hp b u hp b u h

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Hudaybiyyah The Muslims had been in self exile for six years and began to feel a keen yearning for their homeland, Mecca. The Prophet desired to perform a pilgrimage to Ka'bah. When he forsook his home town he was weak, but when he wanted to return, he was strong. He did not use his strength to force an entry into the sacred city. Finding the Quraysh hostile, Muhammad (pbuh) entered into a treaty Known as the Peace of Hudaybiyyah, appearing not very advantageous to the Muslims, but which revealed the Islamic character of moderation and magnanimity. For the strong to exercise restraint and toleration is true courage. Having reached upto the door of their birth place with hearts over-flowing with impatient longing to enter it, the Muslims retraced their steps peacefully to Medina, under the terms of the treaty, which allowed them to perform the pilgrimage next year. Mecca In The 8th year AH, the idolaters violated the peace of Hudaybiyyah by attacking the Muslims. The enemies were defeated and Mecca was conquered. The Prophet who fled from Mecca as a fugitive, now returned home as a mighty conqueror. The Rahmatun lil "Alamin (mercy unto all beings, i.e., the Prophet) entered the city with his head bowed low in thankfulness to the Almighty (Allah) and ordered a general amnesty, instead of the mass massacre of those who persecuted him and his followers. Wives A great number of Muslim soldiers were killed in battles at Badr, Uhud, Khaybar, Hunayn and other places, leaving behind young wives and children. The serious problem of taking care of the widows and orphans, threatened to break up the moral fabric of the Muslim Society. Muhammad (pbuh) decided to marry these widows and set an example for his followers to do likewise. Last Pilgrimage Under the Divine intuition of his approaching end, Muhammad (pbuh) prepared to make the farewell pilgrimage to Mecca.Before completing all the ceremonies of Hajj, he addressed a huge multitude from the top of mount "Arafat on 8th Dhil-hijjah, 11 AH, in words which shall ever ring and live in the atmosphere. After finishing the hajj the Holy Prophet started for Medina. On his way, at Ghadir Khumm the Voice from Heaven cried: "O Apostle! deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message and Allah will protect you from the people, surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people. (5:67) Muhammad (pbuh) immediately ordered Bilal to recall the Muslims, who had gone ahead, who were behind and who were proceeding to their homes at the junction, to assemble. The famous Sunni mutakallim and commentator, Fakhr ad-Din ar-Razi in his At-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 12, pp. 49-50, writes that the Prophet took "Ali by the hand and said: "Whoever whose mawla (master) I am, "Ali is his master. O Allah! Love him who loves "Ali, and be the enemy of the enemy of "Ali; help him who helps "Ali, and forsake him who forsakes "Ali." Death On Muhammad's return to Medina, he got busy settling the organization of the provinces and the tribes which had adopted Islam. His strength rapidly failed and the poison (administered at Khyber by a Jewess) took its deadly toll. So ended the life dedicated to the service of God and humanity from first to last, on 28th Safar, 11 AH. The humble Preacher had risen to be the ruler of Arabia. The Prophet of Islam not only inspired reverence, but love owing to his humility, nobility, purity, austerity, refinement and devotion to duty. The Master inspired all who came into contact with him. He shared his scanty food; he began his meals in the Name of Allah and finished them uttering thanks; he loved the poor and respected them; he would visit the sick and comfort the heart broken; he treated his bitterest enemies with clemency and forbearance, but the offenders against society were administered justice; his intellectual mind was remarkably progressive and he said that man could not exist without contant efforts. There is no god but One God and Muhammad is the Apostle of God, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his descendants.

B r i e f h i s t o r y o f t h e l i f e o f o u r p r o p h e t B r i e f h i s t o r y o f t h e l i f e o f o u r p r o p h e t B r i e f h i s t o r y o f t h e l i f e o f o u r p r o p h e t p b u h ( C o n t d )p b u h ( C o n t d )p b u h ( C o n t d )

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A b u D h a r r ' s T h i r s tA b u D h a r r ' s T h i r s tA b u D h a r r ' s T h i r s t

In the expedition of Tabuk, some Muslims contrived excuses for not accompanying the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Others who had

joined in reluctantly, deserted after having gone with the expedition for some distance. Abudhar Ghaffari was with the expedition,

but the animal he rode could not stand the blazing sun of the desert. He trailed behind his animal plodding forward at a slow pace,

till at last he had to abandon the animal and walk. Someone said: "O Prophet, Abu Dharr has deserted us." The Holy Prophet

(pbuh) answered: "Allah's Will be done. If Abu Dharr wishes to be with us he will soon appear." Abu Dharr set forth to reach the

Holy Prophet (pbuh) but the scorching heat of the desert worked against him. As he persisted, he came to an oasis. He tasted the

water and found it cold and sweet. "You cannot quench your thirst while the Holy Prophet (pbuh) might be thirsty," he said to

himself, and filled his water skin. At last, he drew near and the companions not recognizing him from far informed the Holy

Prophet (pbuh) that someone was approaching. "Perhaps it is Abu Dharr," the Holy Prophet said. Abu Dharr collapsed near the

feet of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) totally spent and tired by the heat and the thirst. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) ordered: "Give him

some water". Abu Dharr said: "I have water with me". "Then why did you not drink?" The Holy Prophet (pbuh) demanded.

"Because I found it sweet and cold; and I thought that the Messenger of Allah should drink it first, before I do."

Bibi Zainab's (a) speeches had stirred Kufa. The people of Kufa were filled with remorse. There was unrest in the city. In the market place they were whispering: 'What have we done? How could we invite the Prophet's grandson and then desert him to be mercilessly butchered at Karbala‟? How can we permit the Holy Prophet's grand daughters be paraded in the streets like slaves? What have we done?' Ibn Ziyad feared that the people of Kufa might rise against him. He ordered that the prison be strictly guarded. No one was allowed to visit them. Only the most trusted guards were allowed in or around the prison. In the mean time messengers ran between Kufa and Damascus. Although at first Yazid had ordered that the captives be detained at Kufa until he had completed all the arrangements for their entry into Shaam (Damascus), because of the mood in Kufa, Ibn Ziyad was anxious to have the prisoners out of Kufa as soon as possible. It was agreed that they be taken to Shaam. Once again the prisoners were assembled and a procession left Kufa. But this time the departure was kept secret from the people of Kufa and took place at night. So began the fourth journey of tears! It was a long and difficult journey. Who was the hero and who was the heroine of this journey through the Iraqi and the Syrian deserts? Was it Bibi Rubaab, who from her unsaddled camel kept on staring at Ali Asghar's cradle loaded on another camel carrying the goods looted from Husain's camp during the Shaam al-Gareeba? Was it Bibi Sakina who now sat mournfully on her mother's lap staring at the 'alam of Hazrat Abbas and her mashk still tied to the 'alam, and who kept whispering: “I am not thirsty, Uncle, I am not thirsty!” Was the hero Imam Zain ul 'Abideen who was made to walk all the way, the hot chains eating into his flesh? Some times our Fourth Imam would faint. His captors however knew no pity. They would flog him if he slowed down or fainted. On these occasions Bibi Zainab (a) would intervene to stop the Imam from being flogged to death. This was the journey of which the hero was the valour of Hazrat Ali which ruled the heart of Imam Zain ul 'Abideen and the heroine was the sabr of Fatimah Zahra which inspired Bibi Zainab (a) . The journey from Kufa to Shaam was a long one. It took over twenty days. The women and the children were exhausted. Their suffering was great! Quite often the children would faint under the scorching desert heat and fall off the camels. The mothers would scream. Imam Zain ul 'Abideen and Bibi Zainab (a) would go looking for the children. Sometimes they would find them by the road side barely alive and there were occasions when they were discovered too late. Our fourth Imam would dig a grave to bury the dead child. An historian revisiting this route a few years later discovered a large number of small graves on the way side! Some Zakirs narrate the following story: Once Bibi Zainab (a) looked at the camel on which Bibi Sakina was riding. Bibi Sakina was not there! She looked at all the other camels, Bibi Sakina was nowhere to be seen. She panicked. Where could Imam Husayn's darling daughter be? She asked Shimr to untie her to that she could go and look for Bibi Sakina. At first Shimr responded with his whip. Unmindful of her own pain she kept on begging. Shimr untied her with the warning that if she did not return soon he would flog Imam Zain ul 'Abideen to death. Bibi Zainab (a) ran in the direction from which they had travelled. Some distance away she saw an elderly lady holding Bibi Sakina affectionately, kissing her cheeks and wiping away her tears. She could hear Bibi Sakina telling the lady how her uncle Hazrat Abbas had gone to fetch her water and how he had never returned. When Bibi Sakina saw her aunt she explained that she had fallen off the camel but the kind lady had looked after her. Bibi Zainab (a) turned to the lady and said, “May Allah reward you for your kindness to this orphan!” The lady replied, “Zainab (a) , my dear, how can you thank your own mother? Do you not recognize me?” As the lady lifted her face, Bibi Zainab (a) saw that it was Fatimah Zahra (a) !! When the caravan reached the outskirts of Damascus Omar Sa'ad sent a message to Yazid that they had arrived. Yazid ordered that the caravan remain where it was until the morning. He wanted the people of Shaam to line the streets to look at the captives and witness his victory. In the meantime the streets through which the captives were to be marched were being decorated with flags and pennants. Bibi Zainab (a) had conquered Kufa. Now Shaam had come and was waiting for her! The Court of Yazid When at long last the caravan reached the outskirts of Damascus, a message was received by Umar Sa'ad that the prisoners were not to be brought into the capital until Yazid had completed all the preparations. Yazid invited all the ambassadors, foreign dignitaries and leading citizens to his court. People were ordered to line up the streets. Musicians were asked to play music and dancers were told to dance in the streets. Such were the festivities organized by the Khalifah for the entry of the grandson and the grand daughters of the Holy Prophet of Islam into what had become the metropolis of the Islamic Empire!! Surrounded by the dancers, the musicians and the jeering crowds of the citizens of Damascus the prisoners were led toward the palace of Yazid. The ladies who had never stepped outside their homes without their heads and faces being covered, had been forced to travel from Karbala‟ to Kufa, and Kufa to Shaam bare headed and with their arms tied with a single rope. If any one of them stumbled, she was whipped. Never in the history of Islam had prisoners been treated with disrespect, let alone the cruelty meted out to the members of the Holy Prophet's household. And now, this ultimate insult of being led into the court of Yazid like a herd of cattle! Bibi Zainab (a) seemed to be drawing strength from some divine source. She wiped away her tears. Drew her hair over her face so as to hide as much of her face from the staring crowds as she could. Other ladies did the same. Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) straightened himself. Exuding dignity and confidence, he maintained his position behind the bearer of the lance upon which was mounted his father's head. Such was the jostle of the multitude thronging the streets that it took them more than twelve hours to traverse the short distance between the city gates and the palace. They entered the palace and were made to stand in front of Yazid. The tyrant was dressed in his best finery. Imam Hussain's head was formally

presented to him by Umar ibn Sa'ad. Yazid, with a cup of wine in one hand, ceremoniously accepted the ultimate symbol of his victory and commanded Umar Sa'ad to call out the names of the prisoners. And then, in his drunken arrogance, Yazid recited a few couplets which enshrine a diabolical confession, a confession that explains the history of the division in Islam and the motives not only his but of his father and grand father in accepting Islam! He said: “If my venerable ancestors who fell at Badr fighting Muhammad (s) had witnessed how the supporters of Muhammad's faith were thrown into confusion with thrusts given with my spears, they would be blessing me today. The Banu Hashim played a trick to win power. There was never any wahi to them nor did they receive any revelation. Today the souls of my ancestors and friends killed by Muhammad (s) at Badr will rest in peace!”

T h e F o u r t h J o u r n e y T h e F o u r t h J o u r n e y T h e F o u r t h J o u r n e y --- K u f a t o S h a a mK u f a t o S h a a mK u f a t o S h a a m

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The reason of the Umayyad dynasty was vengeance against Islam, a sanguine continuation of Uhud where Yazid'd grand-mother had been only partially successful in her determination to have Ali and Hamza killed in retaliation for the deaths of her father and brother at Badr!! Yazid never believed in Islam, and yet the system forced upon the people after the death of the Holy Prophet had resulted in this worst of all the hypocrites becoming the Khilafah of the Holy Prophet and the Ameer-ul-Mu'mineen of the ummah!! Yazid looked at the prisoners lined up in front of him. He said: “It has pleased Allah to grant us victory! Look how He has caused the death of Hussain and humiliated his family!” He then recited an ayah of the Holy Quran which means 'Allah grants honour to whom He pleases and brings disgrace upon whom He pleases. 'There were over seven hundred dignitaries sitting in the Court. They smiled and nodded approvingly. Bibi Zainab (a) could stand it no more! She was filled with wrath. How dare this unclean man say such things? How dare he with his najis tongue recite from Holy Quran? How dare he make mockery of the family of the Holy Prophet? In a loud and clear voice Bibi Zainab (a) said: “O Yazid! Do you think that it is Allah who has caused you to commit all these foul deeds? Do you blame the Rahman and the Rahim for the oppression we have suffered? Do you blame Allah for the death of the beloved grand son of his most beloved Prophet? How dare you make these false accusations against the Almighty? No, Yazid, it was not Allah! It is you, with your insatiable ambition and greed for wealth and power, who are the only cause of the suffering inflicted not only upon the household of the Holy Prophet but on Islam itself! Do not forget what Allah has said in the Holy Book: Let not the unbelievers take it that the respite We give them would do them any good. We allow them time in order that they might continue to indulge in sin to their hearts' content. Indeed a humiliating punishment has been kept ready for them. Do you think that by killing the grandson of the Holy Prophet and bringing us to your palace as prisoners, you have scored a victory against Islam? No, Yazid, no! Husayn with his blood has made sure that tyrants like you will not be able to use Islam as a toy to carry out their evil designs. The victory is not yours. The victory is of Husayn! The victory is of Islam!” Yazid was stunned! The people present there could not but be moved by what this courageous lady had to say. This lady, who had seen and experienced great suffering, dared today defy the very man who had inflicted those sufferings. Who was she? They asked one another. When they learnt that she was the grand daughter of the Holy Prophet, their hearts began to fill with admiration! In an effort to save the situation Yazid turned towards Imam Zain ul 'Abideen (a) and said: “Well you can tell us who has been victorious. Imam looked at him and replied: “Yazid, final victory can only belong to those on the right path. Let us look at you and look at Hussain. My father, whom you got killed so mercilessly, was the grandson of the Holy Prophet who had said that “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain.” He was born a Muslim and all his life he upheld the laws and principles of Islam. You are the grandson of Abu Sufiyan and Hinda, who most of their lives fought Islam and the Holy Prophet!” Yazid was now greatly embarrassed. To silence the Imam he asked his muezzin to recite the adhaan. When the Muezzin cried out 'ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasuul‟ul-Lah' Imam Zain ul 'Abideen, addressing Yazid, said, “Yazid speak the truth! Was Muhammad my grandfather or your grandfather!” Yazid ordered the prisoners to be moved to a prison. This was not a prison. It was a dungeon! Only a part of it had any sort of ceiling. The rest was open to the sky. An iron grill surrounded the place so that no one could get in or out.

Bibi Zainab (a) reports that the place was so cold at nights that no one could have proper sleep. During the day, it got hot like an oven. It is here that our fourth Imam, still under chains, the ladies and the children spent many days of great agony and discomfort.

One Of the residues that were left behind from the disbelieving Abbasids in the Islamic nation during 786 A.D. was a Mujedah Minaret,40 Kms from the city center of Karbala. The Minaret is located in the al-Gharbiya Desert between the passageway of Karbala and Ayn al-Tamur. It is 14km away from the famous al-Tar caves.The Minaret was built to be flamed to ease the pilgrim‟s tracks at that time. The al-Gharbiya Desert signifies the marine pilgrimage that connects Iraq to Saudi Arabia; local residents gave it the tiltle Mujedah meaning “Flaming”. At that time, it operated as a signal to the lost pilgrims marching towards the Ka‟aba from the desert. They observe the fiery flames from long distance at night and tend to find their way. The Iraqi directory describes the Minaret In the 1935-1936 Iraqi guide, which described the minaret by pointing out that the top half of the broken-down Minaret and the other half are still keepings its structure together. It was built from large cubic bricks and plaster, which today is considered one of the original landmarks of history. The Minaret was rebuilt in the form of a cylinder centered on a square base. Along each of the sides are 10 meters and a base decorated with three Simi-circular bricks in each side. The cylinder extends to the top of the Minaret, but the decorations differ in each section. The first section that extends 2 meters upward is free of any decorations. The second section starts with frieze decoration which is in the form of successive ripples with the length of 2 meters. The third and final section contains a decorative brand that interlaces the bricks. The current height of the Minaret is 9 meters and is exposed to destructive upper parts and in the outer shape due to the erosion over the past years, as though the Minaret contains a special staircase for convenience and a fire lit on the peak.

T h e F o u r t h J o u r n e y T h e F o u r t h J o u r n e y T h e F o u r t h J o u r n e y --- K u f a t o S h a a m K u f a t o S h a a m K u f a t o S h a a m ( C o n t d )( C o n t d )( C o n t d )

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The Minaret was build to be flamed to ease the pilgrim’s tracks at that time.

M U J E D A H M I N A R E T M U J E D A H M I N A R E T M U J E D A H M I N A R E T A l i a lA l i a lA l i a l --- J a u b a r iJ a u b a r iJ a u b a r i

Fatima Bint Asad was born into a household that was the center of spirituality. Her grandfather Hazrath Hashim b. Abd Manaf was the leader of Quraysh and keeper of Kaaba. He was a capable and generous man. He married a girl from his own family who gave birth to his son, Asad, who was father of Fatima Bint Asad. The Hashimi family in the tribe of Quraysh is well-known (famous) for its moral virtues and high (supreme) humanistic characteristics among the Arab tribes. Magnanimity, generosity, courage and so many other virtues are characteristics of Bani-hashim. Abdul Muttalib , who was a very discriminating man had assessed her nature, her intelligence and her capabilities from the very beginning and proposed her for his son, Abu Talib.

Her Characteristics

Fatima bint Asad was a most remarkable lady who followed the religion of Prophet Ibrahim (a). She believed in Allah and acted according to all the previous Prophets instructions. She believed and acted upon all the Books of Allah which has been revealed till then (before Islam ). This shows that she and her husband were Muslims from the beginning and so they need not swear allegiance to Islam. Doubting the Iman Of Abu Talib (a) is liking degrading this pure and pious lady, as she was in his Nikah till his death, that was ten years from the time of her accepting Islam. She was at such a level of Piety that any Dua she said was fulfilled immediately. Even though her life was spent within the four walls of her house Fatima bint Asad was an exemplary women. She took extreme care of her husband and loved her children and above all the Prophet (pbuh). She cooperated with Abu Talib wholeheartedly and she was a mother pure and simple where the safety and well being of Muhammad (pbuh) was concerned. No wonder he loved and respected her so highly. Fatima Bint Asad has the privilege to bring up five of the Holy Masoomeen (a). They were Mohammad (pbuh), Imam Ali (a), Fatima Zahra (a) and for a short time Imam Hasan (a) and Imam Hussain (a) too. Where as no other lady has this privilege. She was also a member of the privileged group who migrated to Madinah.

Her Family

She had four sons, Talib, Aqeel, Ja'far and Ali (a) and two daughters, Umme Hani and Jumana, and above all Mohammad (pbuh) her adopted son. Her home was the real cradle of Islam. Both Muhammad, the future Prophet of Islam, and Ali, the future paladin of Islam, were born in her house, and they grew up in it. Both of them were the "products" of her education. Her husband Abu Talib (a), figures as the greatest benefactor of Islam. She shared the distinction with him of rearing and educating Mohammad (pbuh).

Some verses of Moulana Hasan Zafar Sahib in praise of The house of Fatima Bint Asad and Janab Abu Talib (a)

"Naboowath ho, Imamath ho, Wilayath ho, Shahadath ho - Sabih ne Parwarish sehne Abu Talib me payi hai"

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) Muhammad was deprived of his mother early in life but he soon found a second mother in Fatima bint Asad. He, therefore, did not miss the love and affection that a mother alone can give. She did not spare any pains and looked after the Prophet [pbuh] in his infancy, boyhood and youth. She made sure that the Prophet (pbuh) has the best of everything. She dressed and fed him well. If her husband protected Muhammad from his enemies outside, she provided him love, comfort and security at home. It was in her home that Muhammad (s) found emotional security and the emotional closeness of a family. Fatima Bint Asad use to put her sons on the bed of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) so that in time of danger, Prophet (pbuh) would be safe and if any harm came it would be to her son. She sacrificed her sons for the sake of Islam. When Mohammad (pbuh) left Mecca and Hazrat Ali slept in his place she did not utter a word, Although Ali (a) was in a grave danger.

Aqeel Ibn Abi Talib He was born in 590. His Kuniyath was Abu Yazd. He accepted Islam at the time of Hudaibiya and reached Madina in 8th hijri. He fought in the Battle of Mu'tah. He became blind in his old age. He died at the age of 96. His son Muslim Ibn Aqeel was The first Martyr of Kerbala. He was Safeer-E-Hussain to Kufa. Muslim Ibn Aqeel's two sons Mohammad and Ibrahim also met martyrdom in Kufa.

Ja'far Tayyar was a famous General. He led the forces of Islam in the battle of Mu'tah and was martyred in the same battle. His both arms were severed and he held the standard of Islam with his teeth. He was the Winged Martyr of Islam. Fatima Bint Asad was exceptionally fond of her son Ja'far, she loved him more than the others because he resembled Muhammad [pbuh] very much, and was extremely intelligent. But for the sake of Islam she bore the separation from him and his wife, Asma bint 'Omais, (when they migrated to Abyssinia on the Prophet's orders with the first group of Muslim migrants ). He seemed to have inherited the family's mastery over language and was also an eloquent speaker who could win people over to his viewpoint. It was with this same skill that he had won over the king of Abyssinia when the Quraish appealed to him to surrender the Muslims to them. He had eight sons. His son Abdullah married Zainab (a) and Mohammad married Umme Kulsoom (a). Janab Abdullah Ibn Ja'far's sons, Aun and Mohammad were martyred on the lands of Kebala.

Ali Ibn Abi Talib Fatima Bint Asad 's younger son was Ali Ibn Abi Talib(a). No introduction is needed for this great Imam. But I like to mention some facts of his birth as it also concerns the great Lady Fatima Bint Asad. She stayed in the Ka'bah for three days and had the privilege of eating the fruits of heaven. At the time of the birth of the Prophet Jesus (Isa) (pbuh) his illustrious mother was forced to leave the Holy House. A voice said to her: O MARY (MIRIAM)! LEAVE THE BAITU'L-MUQADDAS, SINCE IT IS THE PLACE OF WORSHIP AND NOT OF CHILDBIRTH. But when the time of Hazrat Ali's birth approached, a voice was heard saying: O FATIMA BINT ASAD! ENTER THE HOUSE (KA'BAH).

On Friday, the 13th of the blessed month of Rajab, 12 years before the ordainment of Muhammad (pbuh) as Allah's Messenger, Fatima bint Asad felt that she was about to give birth to her child. She came to the Sacred Ka'bah and began to circumambulate praying as she walked, "O Allah! I believe in You and in the messengers and the scriptures You have sent. I believe in what has been said by my grandfather, Abraham (pbuh) who built the Ancient House (the Ka'bah). So, for the sake of the builder of this House, and for the sake of the child in my womb, who talks to me and who is my helper and friend, I implore You to make my labor easy. The child I am carrying is a sign of Your greatness and power (Jalal). "(Al-Arbili, Kashf Al-Ghummah, vol. 1, chapter on Imam Ali (a).

Fatima bint Asad leaned against the wall of the Ka'bah to rest. Miraculously, the wall opened. Fatima bint Asad entered and the wall closed behind her. 'Abbas bin 'Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet's (pbuh) uncle witnessed this miracle. He and his companions rushed to the gate of the Sacred House, which was locked, and tried in vain to open it. Understanding that the Divine was at work there, he and his companions ceased to interfere. The news of this incident soon spread throughout Mecca.

Fatima Bint Asad told that while she was inside the Kaaba, she kept hearing a voice say, Name this child Ali. The name Ali is an optimistic and cheerful name. It signifies nobility, eminence, and elevation. No one before Ali (a) had ever had that name, and no one before him or after him ever had the honor of being born inside the sacred walls of the Holy Kaaba.

L a d y F a t i m a B i n tL a d y F a t i m a B i n tL a d y F a t i m a B i n t --- eee --- A s a d A s a d A s a d s . as . as . a

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When the believer becomes angry, his anger should not take him out of the truth; and when he

becomes satisfied, his satisfaction should not bring him in falsehood. . - (Imam Sadiq a.s)

Imam Ali (a) was born within the Ka'bah with his eyes closed and his body in humble prostration before the Almighty Allah. Fatima stayed in the Ka'bah for three days and as the fourth day approached, she stepped out, carrying her baby in her arms. She found the Holy Prophet (pbuh) waiting to receive the newly-born child in his anxious arms. So the first face that little Ali (a) saw in this world was the smiling face of the Apostle of God, Muhammad (pbuh). Imam Ali's (a) birth inside the honoured Ka'bah is unique in the history of the world. Neither a prophet nor a saint was ever blessed with such an honor. (A Brief History of the Fourteen Infallibles, World Organization for Islamic Services, (Tehran: 1984), pp. 51.52.) It is an undisputed historical fact recognized by all historians that the Holy Ka'bah is the birthplace of Ali bin Abi Talib (a). Glad tidings were brought to Abu Talib and his household (a) . Upon their arrival at the Sacred House they saw Muhammad al-Mustafa (puh) there with the child in his arms. (Ibn al-Sabbagh al-Maliki, al-Fusul al-Muhimmah fi Ma'rifat al-A'immah, Ch. 1, p. 13.) He carried the baby Ali (a) to the house of Abu Talib (a) , where he, himself was brought up. Her Funeral Now we will refer to the funeral of Fatima Bint Asad (a) during the Prophet's (pbuh) time. When Fatima Bint Asad (wife of Hazrat Abu Talib and mother of Imam Ali (a)) died,(23rd Safar as per a tradition) the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was very much grieved. Anas bin Malik says that when the Prophet (pbuh) got news of the death of Fatimah bint Asad, he immediately went to her house, sat beside her and prayed for her. He gave his shirt to be used as part of her shroud, saying he prayed to Allah to forgive her and give her the dress of Paradise. When the grave was prepared the Prophet (pbuh) himself examined it and with his own hands placed her into the grave. Thus She was one of the few blessed people in whose graves the Prophet (pbuh) himself examined. Verily, the Messenger of Allah gave Kafan (shroud) to Fatima Bint Asad (a) in his own robe, when the women finished washing her, he carried her bier on his shoulder, and he remained under her bier till he bought it to her grave. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) "remained under her bier" means that he did not carried it on his shoulder. In East Africa, a peculiar custom has been adopted: the son of the dead person remains "under the bier" literally; instead of carrying the bier or helping others carrying it, he places himself between those who are actually carrying the bier, and incon-veniences them. Then the Holy Prophet (pbuh) put her bier near the grave, and entered the grave and lay in it. Then he stood up and took the body in his hands and laid it into the grave. Then he put his face near hers whispering to her for a long time, telling her "your son, your son". Then he came out, filled the grave and shaped it properly. Then he inclined towards the grave, and people heard him (S) saying: 'There is no god but Allah. O Allah, I am giving her to thee in trust' . Then he returned. The Muslims said: 'O Messenger of Allah, today we have seen you doing such things as you had never done before!' The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Today I lost the righteousness of Abu Talib: Verily, she was so (kind to me) that whenever she had any good thing, she gave it to me, instead of using it for herself or for her own children. And I said once that on the Day of Judgment people would be assembled na-ked. She said: "Oh, the shame!" Therefore, I assured her that Allah would resurrect her with clothes. And I described the squeeze of the grave, and she said: "Oh, the weakness!" So, I guaranteed to her Allah would save her from it. It was for this reason that I gave her shroud from my own robe, and I lay down in her grave. And I knelt near her to teach her (the answers of) what she was being asked. And verily, she was asked about her Lord; and she said, "Allah is my Lord"; and about her Prophet (pbuh) , and she answered, "Muhammad (S)". Then she was asked about her Wali and Imam, and she perplexed and hesitated a little; so I told her "Your son, your son". And she replied, "My child is my Imam". Then the two angels went away and said, "We have no authority upon you, sleep as a bride sleeps (with no worry at all)." Then she died again (i.e., her soul was taken out of her body again.)" Mohammad's(S) Sayings concerning Fatima Bint Asad "May God bless your noble soul. You were to me like my own mother. You fed me while you yourself went hungry. Your aim in doing so was to please God with your deeds." He often said, "I was an orphan and she made me her son. She was the kindest person to me after Abu Talib." "O God! Life and death are in Thy hands. Thou alone will never die. Bless my mother, Fatima bint Asad, and give her a mansion in Heaven. Thou art the Most Merciful." "My dear mother, may Allah keep you under His Protection. Many times you went hungry in order to feed me well. You fed me and clothed me on delicacies that you denied yourself. Allah will surely be happy with these actions of yours. And your intentions were surely meant to win the goodwill and pleasure of Allah and success in the Hereafter." "She kept her children hungry but made sure I got enough to eat. She did not comb her boys hair but put oil on my head and combed my hair". Her sacrifices whenever Islam was faced with heavy onslaught it was the sons of Abutalib (a) and Fatima Bint Asad who stood as a shield and stoically bore the brunt of all sorts of catastrophes and calamities including the deaths and exiles but did not budged from safeguarding Islam. Who would be una-ware of the sacrifices of Hazrat Ali (a) and Hazrat Jaffer-e-Tayyar (a) in the initial stages of Islam? They were always ahead in every field in every arena, ever ready to sacrifice themselves in the cause of Islam. They were true sons of Abu Talib and Fatima Bint Asad and real images of their selfless services. Even in Karbala at many places the examples of their sacrifices and dedications can be seen. In the epoch-making event of Karbala whoever from Bani-Hashim had the privilege of attaining the much coveted martyrdom was a flower from the garden of Abi Talib and Fatima Bint Asad. Today wherever the name of Islam has survived it is the fruits of their sacrifices. The Garden of Islam owes its freshness to these flowers.

Fazl bin Rabi‟ had a mosque constructed in Baghdad. It was decided to place a plaque on its door. The people asked Fazl what should be written on it. Bahlool also happened to be present. He asked Fazl, “Who did you make the mosque for?” Fazl replied, “For Allah. Bahlool said, “If you made it for Allah, then don‟t inscribe your name on the plaque.”Fazl angrily said, “Why shouldn‟t I have my name inscribed on the tablet? People have to know who the maker of the mosque is! ”Then have it inscribed that the maker of this mosque is Bahlool. ”I certainly will not have that written! ”If you made this mosque for fame and self-show then you have lost your reward.”Fazl became speechless at Bahlool‟s words. He said, “Whatever Bahlool says, have that inscribed.” This time Bahlool said, “Have a verse from the Sacred Qur‟an inscribed on the door of the mosque.” Moral: You should always do all the good deeds for the sake of Allah & be away form inscribing your names in which you had done some good deeds. As if any thing which is done for show-off looses the rewards.

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L a d y F a t i m a B i n tL a d y F a t i m a B i n tL a d y F a t i m a B i n t --- eee --- A s a d A s a d A s a d S . A ( C o n t d )S . A ( C o n t d )S . A ( C o n t d )

B a h l o o l o n I n s c r i b i n g aB a h l o o l o n I n s c r i b i n g aB a h l o o l o n I n s c r i b i n g a p l a q u ep l a q u ep l a q u e

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Page 15

DEC صفر Fajr Sun-

rise

Zuharain Maghrabain Programme

4 Wed 1 6:34 8:22 12:26 4:46 1st Safar

5 Thu 2 6:35 8:23 12:27 4:46

6 Fri 3 6:36 8:24 12:27 4:45 Jum’ma Prayers

7 Sat 4 6:37 8:26 12:28 4:45

8 Sun 5 6:38 8:27 12:28 4:45

9 Mon 6 6:39 8:28 12:29 4:45 Ladies Khamsa Majlis Starts

10 Tue 7 6:40 8:29 12:29 4:44 Ladies Majlis

11 Wed 8 6:41 8:30 12:30 4:44 Ladies Majlis

12 Thu 9 6:42 8:31 12:30 4:44 Ladies Majlis @12 Pm

13 Fri 10 6:43 8:32 12:30 4:44 Ladies Majlis

14 Sat 11 6:44 8:33 12:31 4:46

15 Sun 12 6:45 8:34 12:31 4:45 Arbaeen Majalis Starts

16 Mon 13 6:45 8:34 12:31 4:45 Shahadat Bibi Sakina (a)

17 Tue 14 6:46 8:35 12:32 4:45

18 Wed 15 6:47 8:36 12:32 4:45

19 Thu 16 6:47 8:36 12:33 4:46 Shab-e-Jum’ma

20 Fri 17 6:48 8:37 12:33 4:46 Jum’ma Prayers

21 Sat 18 6:48 8:37 12:34 4:47

22 Sun 19 6:49 8:38 12:234 4:47

23 Mon 20 6:49 8:38 12:35 4:48 Arbaeen (Chehlum)

24 Tue 21 6:49 8:39 12:35 4:49

25 Wed 22 6:50 8:39 12:35 4:49

26 Thu 23 6:50 8:39 12:36 4:50 Wafat of Fatima Binte Asad (a)

27 Fri 24 6:51 8:39 12:36 4:51 Jum’ma Prayers

28 Sat 25 6:52 8:40 12:37 4:52

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Grant of patience

(from Allah) is in

proportion to the

extent of calamity

you are passing

through. If you

exhibit fretfulness,

irritation, and

despair in

calamities, then

your patience and

your exertions are

wasted.

Imam Ali (a)

Aya at o f th e m o n t hAya at o f th e m o n t hAya at o f th e m o n t h

Page 16

Muharram 1435/ 2013

Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God,

even against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be

against rich or poor, for God can best protect both. Follow not the crav-

ings of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline

to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with all that you do.

Quran 4:135