Issue No: 144
7th December 2012
22nd Muharram 1434 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
What was missing in the Ummah?
Barely some 50 years after the sad passing away of the Noble Prophet from this world the essence and the values of Islam as taught by Noble prophet who is Rahmatu lil 'aalamin – mercy of the worlds- had been corrupted and trampled upon. The Muslim Ummah had fallen into a slumber. Its conscience had been doused. There was need for the conscience of the Muslim Ummah to be awoken from this deep sleep.
In explaining the purpose of his mission Aba Abdillah Imam Husayn a.s stated that he desired to enjoining towards amr bil m'aroof- performing good deeds and order nahy 'anil munkar -refrain from the evil- and to tread the path of his grandfather Rasulallah- the Messenger of Allah- and his father.
It was these values of amr bil m'aroof- performing good deeds and order nahy 'anil munkar -refrain from the evil- and to practice Islam on the path of Rasulallah- the Messenger of Allah- that had become rare in the Ummah.
Ashura : Wake up call:
What gave a wakening jolt to the Muslim Ummah was the tragic martyrdom of Aba Abdillah Imam Husayn and his devoted companions on day of Ashura in Karbala. Immediately after the tragedy of Karbala, when the news of the atrocities carried out by Yazid and his henchmen spread, the ummah was woken up. The conscience of the muslim ummah became alive. The phenomenon of Azadari of Imam Husayn –to oppose the injustice and sacrilege to Islam- gripped muslims' conscience immediately after tragedy of Karbala.
Is your heart aflame?
The profound effect of the martyrdom of Aba Abdillah Imam Husayn a.s. on the believers had been foretold by the Noble Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. when he stated, "Surely there exists in the heart of believers, with respect to the martyrdom of Husayn, such a heat that never subsides."
Indeed the martyrdom of Imam Husayn has ignited a passionate flame in the hearts of believers resulting to devotedly perform Azadari. As the years pass by the commemoration of this heartrending event is observed with even greater fervor.
In our life time we are blessed with another opportunity to take part in the Azadari - mourning ceremonies. Whilst it is only Allah SWT who is able to fathom the sincerity of our Azadari, how far is one committed to uphold and practice the above mentioned values that were missing in the ummah at that time?
Is the Azadar committed to enjoin amr bil m'aroof- performing good deeds and order nahy 'anil munkar -refrain from the evil- and to practice Islam on the path of Rasulallah- the Messenger of Allah- ?
May Allah make great our reward and your reward, for our grief on Husayn a.s.
May He place us and you from those who help the cause of Imam Husayn with His representative, the guided Imam from the family of Muhammad, peace be on them.
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