Issue No:101
2nd December 2011
6th Muharram 1433 A H.
Salamun alaykum,
Days of Azadari:
With the commencement of another Islamic year: 1433 A.H., in the month of Muharram, 1372 years have passed since the tragic event of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn along with a little band of over seventy of his close family members and companions in Karbala took place on Ashura :- the tenth of Muharram in the year 61 A.H.
So profound would be the effect of this martyrdom on man,that the Holy Prophet had foretold:
"Surely there exists in the heart of believers, with respect to the martyrdom of Husayn, such a heat that never subsides."
Individual muminin and Jamaats around the world commence the preparations for observing the Azadari- mourning ceremonies- of Sayyid Ash Shuhada months ahead of Muharram. Advance bookings for sourcing renowned Dhakirin, some years ahead are done. Arrangements such as venue, recitors for matam/marsia, tabarrukat, shabih and other items of the programme are all undertaken with great devotion.
Each year the commemoration of this heartrending event of Karbala is observed with even greater fervor. Bihamdillah, once again in our life time we have been blessed with another opportunity to take part in the Azadari.
Azadari: a Compass:
The practice of Azadari in form of Majlis, marshias, matam, niyaz, Julus processions and contribution of resources including time, is not only for recounting and mourning over the trials and tribulations of the martyrs of Karbala, but also to derive lessons from them. This Azadari is meant to provide us with a compass to lead us in our journey of attaining the status of Ibadah – servitude towards Allah SWT- which is the purpose of our creation. It reconnects us with the personalities who provide us with a spiritual and moral compass to lead our lives. Azadari makes us aware of the devoted martyrs who bravely stood up to reform the Ummah, enjoin the righteousness, forbid the wrong doing and establish the laws of Allah which had been neglected.
O Husayn:
This Muharram, whilst performing Azadari, in raising our voices with chants of Ya Husayn, will you create time and space to reflect upon how close you are in leading your life based upon the way guided by Imam Husayn? Are you being with Imam Husayn for the objectives he had set out from Madina? How tough are you in shunning the ways of Yazid?
Ashura: Day of intense grief: Tuesday 6th December, 2011:
"He for whom the day of Ashura is a day of grief, sorrow and crying, Allah Mighty and Exalted, will make the day of resurrection a day of joy and happiness for him." (Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha a.s.)
When we meet on Ashura day let us greet :
A way to condole muminin, as advised by Ahlul bayt a.s. is to address in the following words:
A'adhamallahu ujurana wa ujurakum bi musaabina bil Husayn alayhis salaam (May Allah make great our reward and your reward, for our grief on Husayn a.s.)
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat