Issue No: 142
23rd November 2012
8th Muharram 1434 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
You are free to leave:
On the plains of Karbala, as the night was drawing to a close and Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram approached, Imam Husayn a.s. addressed his companions saying, “….I thank Allah to the best of my ability and praise Him during the time of injury and affliction. O Lord! I thank You because You have honored us by means of Prophethood, taught us the Qur'an, made us comprehend the religion and its commandments, granted us eyes, ears and hearts; kept us free from the pollution of polytheism and then enabled us to thank You for Your blessings.
It is a fact that I am not aware of any companions more faithful and honest than my companions and any relatives more righteous and kind than my relatives. May Allah grant all of you a good reward.I think that the day of our fighting with this army has arrived. I permit all of you to go away. You are free to depart without any restriction and should take advantage of the darkness of night….."
What was the response of the companions?
None of the historians who recorded this incident mention that any companion of Imam Husayn a.s. present in Karbala went away.
His brothers, sons, nephews and the sons of Abdullah bin Ja'far led by Abbas bin Ali said first of all with one voice: "Should we go away to live after you? We pray to Allah that the time may not come when you may be killed and we may remain alive". Other companions also expressed similar views.
Imam Husayn a.s. invoked Divine blessings for them and returned to his tent.
What is your response?
If one had been present in Karbala seated in the assembly of companions listening to the address by Imam Husayn a.s. what would have been the reaction to the offer by Imam Husayn a.s. freeing one of all allegiance to the Imam and to head for safety?
Would the response be similar to the one that had taken place in the year 61 A.H. as described or would it be a different one? Would the response be : 'Labbayk ya Husayn’ ?
The key determinant to one’s response in the above scenario lies in how great one is committed today in upholding the values for which Imam Husayn a.s. and his noble companions achieved martyrdom.
10th Muharram : Ashura: Day of intense grief: Sunday 25th November, 2012:
“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.)
On Ashura day :
- When we meet let us greet : Ahlul bayt a.s. have advised us to condole muminin 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.)
- Recite Suratul Ikhlas 1000 times or as many times as possible. According to hadith, Allah SWT looks with mercy at a person who recites Suratul Ikhlas on the day of Ashura.
- Recite salawat in abundance.
- Perform A'mal of Ashura including Ziyarate Ashura.
Merits of Reciting Ziyarate Ashura:
- "O Safwan! Allah has sworn that one who recites my grandfather's (Imam Husayn ) ziyarat from near or afar, and raises his hands to seek his desires after reciting this ziyarat, shall find Allah fulfilling his desires. Allah, on account of this ziyarat, shall not let disappointment and dejection befall his servant. Allah will bestow him with nothing less than Paradise and immunise him from the Fire. His stature shall be elevated manifold, so that he will be bestowed with powers of intercession on the day of resurrection.” 5th Imam Muhammad Al-Baaqir a.s.
- “O Safwaan! Reciting Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (a.s) is equal to Ziyarat of Allah at the Arsh (throne)." Imam Muhammad Al-Baaqir a.s.
- “When you are confronted with some adversity, then seek redress of your grievances from Imam Al Husayn wth this ziyarat and Allah never reneges on His word” 6th Imam J’afar Al Sadiq a.s.
Remember each other in duas:
Whilst presenting our hajat during the A'mal of Ashura, kindly remember to pray for the parents, family, community, Marja taqlid, Ulama, Ummah, oppressed, deprived, sick, widows, orphans, those struggling to seek livelihood, beloved departed souls, our leaders and for all to have their hajat fulfilled.
Iltimase dua.
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