SYNOPSIS OF THE GREAT TRAGEDY OF KARBALA

 

Karbala is the conflict of truth and falsehood, faith, and faithlessness. It was the battle between Abu Sufyan and the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Abu Sufyan was the arch enemy of Islam and the Messenger of Allah, he fought many battles like Badr, Uhad and Khandaq and was defeated due to the bravery of the Lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a.s.). He realized that he cannot harm Islam as long as Imam Ali (a.s.) is alive. Ultimately, when Makkah was captured by the Islamic forces, he changed the strategy from confrontation to hypocrisy. He told all Polytheists to become Muslim but keep the fire of hatred alive. He and his son Muawiya converted to Islam and the Prophet, who was the Mercy for Universe, pardoned everyone and they were called “freed slaves” They belonged to the Umayyad clan bearing all the anti-social traits of character. They were materialistic, running after the world, disregarding the prohibitions in Islam.In short, they were on opposite poles compared to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)

Muawiya revolted against Imam Ali (a.s.), the fourth caliph of Muslims. After the sad martyrdom of Imam Ali (a.s.), he continued to resist Imam Hasan (a.s.). He played the old tricks of buying out the stubborn or silence them by sword or poison. He succeeded in bribing Imam Hasan (a.s.)’s wife to poison her husband. In the meantime, Muawiya weakened the Imam Hasan (a.s.)’s army and forced him to abdicate the khilafah by sending a blank sheet of paper and signed it and let the Imam write any terms or condition of peace treaty he liked! Because he did not intend to abide by it. One of the conditions the Imam (a.s.) mentioned was that after Muawiya’s death, the khilafah will return to Imam Hasan (a.s.) or Imam Husayn (a.s.). But in total disregard of the peace treaty, Muawiya appointed his profligate (fasiq) son Yazid. On becoming the king, Yazid (l.a.) ordered the governor of Madinah to either obtain allegiance or kill Imam Husayn (a.s.). As Yazid openly acted against the tenets of Islam, it was obligatory on Imam Husain (a.s.) to refuse allegiance. Hence, he left Madinah along with his entire family and went to Makkah. He (a.s.) sent his cousin and confidant Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) to Kufa to verify the thousands of invitations soliciting his guidance. Kufans first paid allegiance to him but when new tyrant governor Obaidullah bin Ziyad arrived, they disowned the commitment. Obaidullah mercilessly martyred Muslim and ordered to hang his body for a year! Just before the Hajj, this caravan of Truth proceeded towards Karbala. Obaidullah sent 1,000 strong army under Commander Hurr, to intercept the Imam (a.s.). Hurr’s army was dying of thirst. The grandson of the “Mercy of Universe” used their valuable water resources to quench their thirst and that of their horses. On the Muharram 2^nd 61 A.H. They reached Karbala, where Yazid (l.a.)’s army began arriving which swelled to more than 30,000 men. The enemy stopped water on the Muharram 7^th. On the 10^th of Muharram, Ashura, Hurr deserted Yazid’s army and joined Imam Husayn and was the first to sacrifice his life. The enemy attacked Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s camps and later dual fights ensued when first the companions followed by Bani Hashim, sacrificed their lives. Imam Husayn (a.s.) sought water for his infant Ali Asghar, who was mercilessly killed by an arrow. Imam Husayn fought bravely and was martyred, his body was trampled by enemy horses. People changed dramatically within 50 years of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) demise. Later, the enemy forces desecrated the women and children, snatched their head-covers, looted their belongings, and set it on fire. Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s young son Ali, Zaynal-Abidin (a.s.) was the only male member of the Ahlul Bayt alive as he was sick and denied Jihad. Next day, everyone was made captive, made to sit on camels without seating, their hands were fastened behind the backs like slaves. They were first taken to Kufa and later to Damascus, the evil capital of the Umayyads. Yazid was sitting on a throne under which was placed the sacred head of Imam Husayn (a.s.). He was hitting the teeth of Imam Husayn. The lion-hearted daughter of Imam Ali (a.s.), Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.), still in chains with hands fastened behind the back, thundered, and gave a long sermon addressing Yazid, while more than 600 people were seated in his court. She introduced the Ahlul Bayt, her grandfather, the Prophet, her father Imam Ali (a.s.) and disclosed the evil chain of Yazid’s grandfather Abu Sufiyan, mother Hind, the liver-chewer, father Muawiya. Imam Ali, Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) also spoke making Yazid angry and threatened to kill him, but his aunt Zaynab (s.a.) sacrificed herself and saved him. There was lot of commotion and the crowd became hostile to Yazid (l.a.). Imam Husayn (a.s.)’ beloved daughter, 4 years old Sakina died in the roof-less prison. Like her father Imam Husayn(a.s.), she was also buried in the prison without proper shroud, in her blood-stained clothes. Facing the hostile revolt of the people, Yazid offered to release the Ahlul Bayt. Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) demanded a house where she could properly mourn her brother Husayn (a.s.). Later, the Ahlul Bayt consisting of the widows and orphans, were sent back in properly covered camels under the supervision of Bashir, who first went to Karbala to commemorate the Forty Days (Chehlum) of the martyrs and reconnect the heads to the head-less bodies left behind. Sayyida Rabab, one of the wives of Imam Husayn (a.s.), had lost the infant Ali Asghar, only daughter, Sakina buried in the prison of Damascus!

THE VICTORY OF THE TRUTH AT DAMSCUS BY SAYYADA ZAYNAB (S.A.)

 

The cursed Yazid (l.a.) representing the Umayyad thought that after slaughtering the grand son of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and looting his camps, desecrating the daughters of the Prophet and disgracefully captivating the remaining family of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), he had mentally and emotionally downgraded them. But the lion-hearted daughter of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) torn-off the artificial mask of Islam from his face and shown him his true status of “son of the liberated slave “by the Prophet. He underestimated even the females of the Prophet’s Household.While still in chains and hands fastened at her back facing some 400 people in the court of Yazid (l.a.), she thundered fearlessly and addressed him eloquently:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and blessings on my grandfather, the Chief of Divine Prophets. O Yazid, Allah says, and His word is true, that ‘Then evil was the end of those who did evil because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them.’ (30:10). O Yazid (l.a.), do you believe that you have succeeded in closing the sky and earth for us and that we have become your captives just because we have been brought before you in a row and that you have secured control over us? Do you believe that we have been afflicted with insult and dishonor by Allah and that you have been given honor and respect by Him? You have become boastful of this apparent victory and that your affairs have become stabilized. Wait for a while. Do not be so joyful. Have you forgotten Allah’s saying: ‘The unbelievers should not carry the impression that the time allowed to them by us is good for them? Surely, We give them time so that they may increase their evil deeds, and eventually they will be given insulting chastisement.’ (3:178)  

O son of freed slaves is this your justice that you keep your own daughters and slave maids veiled while the daughters of the Prophet of Allah are being paraded from place to place exposed. You have dishonored us by unveiling our faces. Your men take us from town to town when people are looking at us. O Yazid, whatever you have done proves your revolt against Allah, and your denial of His Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and of the Book and Sunnah that he brought from Allah. Your deeds should not cause amazement because whose ancestors chewed the livers of the martyrs, who fought against the Chief of divine prophets, who mobilized parties for fighting against him and drew swords against him, should conspicuously excel all Arabs in disbelief, sinfulness, excesses, and enmity against Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Remember that the evil deeds and sinful actions that you have committed are the result of unbelief and old rancor you bear because of your ancestors who were killed in Badr. O Yazid (l.a.) you are striking the lips of Imam Husayn (a.s.) with your stick in front of this crowd while these very lips used to be kissed by the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) of Allah, and yet your face reflects pleasure and happiness. By my life, by killing the Chief of youths of Paradise, the son of the Chief of Arabs (Imam Ali a.s.), and the shining son of the progeny of Abdul Muttalib, you have deepened our wounds and uprooted us completely. O Yazid (l.a.) if you have heart enough to take account of your nefarious deeds, you yourself would surely wish your arms to be paralyzed and severed from elbow and you would wish that your parents had not given birth to you because you would know that Allah has become displeased with you. Allah, Grant us our rights. Avenge those who have oppressed us. O Yazid (l.a.)! It is not seeming for you to swell with joy after slaying the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s Progeny. ‘Reckon not those who are killed in Allah’s way as dead; nay, they are alive and are provided sustenance from their Lord; rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His Grace.’ (3:169-170) Allah is sufficient to deal with you. The Messenger of Allah is your antagonist and Hazrat Gabriel is our help and support against you. Those who have made you the head of state and burdened the Muslims with your leadership will soon find out what awaits them. The end of all tyrants is agony. You may contrive and try however much you can. By Him Who honored us with revelation, the Book and Prophet hood, you cannot achieve our status, nor reach our position, nor can you effect our mention, nor remove from yourself that shame and dishonor that is now your lot because of perpetrating excess and oppression on us. Your word is now week and your days are numbered.

 

Source: The Victory of Truth: The Life of Zaynab bint Ali (a.s.) by Muna Haeri Bilgrami  

SAYYIDA SAKINA, THE BELOVED DAUGHTER OF THE KING OF MARTYRS, IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.)

 

Sayyida Sakina was born on 20 Rajab 56 A.H. in Madinah. She was the most beloved daughter of The King of Martyrs, Imam Husayn (a.s.) and she in turn loved her father and used to sleep on his chest. Imam Husayn (a.s.) used to say: “A house without Sayyida Sakina would not be worth living in!” She loved all her brothers and sisters specially her younger brother Ali al-Asghar who was about six months old in Karbala. Moreover, she had a special relationship with her uncle, Abbas ibn Ali (a.s.) and he also loved his niece more than his own children.

She was deeply religious, enjoyed reading the Glorious Qur’an, would pray salat (namaaz) regularly and was always dressed-up in Islamic attire including head-cover. She was about 5 years old in Karbala.

In Karbala, after 7 Muharram, Yazid (l.a.)’s army did not allow the water inside Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s camp. Sayyida Sakina shared whatever water was left with other children. As the days passed, the desert heat made the children uncomfortable without water. On the Day of Ashura, when all the companions and the family members of Hashmi youths had attained martyrdom, Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (a.s.), the Commander of the Imam (a.s.)’s band of warriors, sought permission for Jihad. Imam Husayn (a.s.) refused to grant permission saying that he was the Commander of Imam (a.s.)’s army. In the meantime, Sayyida Sakina, along with some 42 children, brought a dry waterbag (mashk) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) reluctantly permitted Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) only to get some water. Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) courageously fought his way and landed his horse in the River Euphrates. Neither he nor his faithful horse drank a drop of water. He filled the water-bag with water and was galloping towards the camp when the treacherous enemy cut-off both of his hands from behind, but he still held tight the water-bag in his teeth, but the arrows of the enemy pierced the water-bag and the water flowed away. Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) attained martyrdom. After that time, she never asked for water anymore! 

The famous Marsiah writer, Mir Anees had described the last meeting between Imam Husayn (a.s.) and Sayyida Sakina. The expert Mir Anees had painted a grim picture of this painful departure in many Marsiyas. A couplet is mentioned here; “Neend Aeygi Jab Apki Bu Paungi Baba * Main Raat Ko Maqtal Mein Chali Aungi Baba.” “I can sleep only when I am near you * At night I will come to you in the battlefield.” After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.), the accursed Shimer slapped Sayyida Sakina, forcibly snatched her earrings tearing her ear lobes. The barbaric Yazid (l.a.)’s army looted the sacred household of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and set the camps on fire. The sacred ladies were deprived of their head covers; the children ran out of the burning camps. Sayyida Sakina’s clothes also caught fire, and when one of the reporters tried to extinguish the flames, she warned the man not to touch her as she was the member of the sacred Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). She was running in the battlefield crying: “Father! O Father, where are you?” As the butchers of Karbala, had already severed the pious heads of the martyrs, the bodies in the battlefield were unrecognizable.

As night fell, the “Sham-e-Ghareeban” became sorrowful and painful. The Sani-e-Zahra, Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) took charge of the caravan and along with her sister, Umme Kulsoom (s.a.), they started counting the children and could not find Sayyida Sakina. They went in the battlefield and searched her and at last found her sleeping on the trampled chest of Imam Husayn (a.s.). She woke her up and Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) inquired as to how she recognized her father? Sayyida Sakina replied: “I was running around in the battle-field and calling my father, when a voice came from this trampled body calling me towards him” The widow of Hazrat Hurr, the deflected commander of Yazid (l.a.) army, brought some water and food into AhlulBayt’s burnt down camp site, Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) gave some water to Sayyida Sakina. She inquired why water was given to her first? Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) replied that she was the youngest. She took the water towards the battlefield for her martyred six months old baby brother, Hazrat Ali al-Asghar, who was the youngest in the family! 

The children at Karbala were in no way connected to the “allegiance” to Yazid (l.a.). In any humane and civilized Muslim society, the survivors of this catastrophic carnage are pacified and offered kind words of consolations. In the tragedy of Karbala, the so-called Muslims did not stay even at the level of humanity! It was the height of barbarism and butchery, un-parallel in human history. 

On the 11 Muharram, the daughters of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) , along with other females, were made captive, their hands were fastened behind their backs and made to sit on the camels without seats and routed through the battlefield, where the bodies of their loved ones were scattered all over the battle-field. Imagine the sorrow and grief of the women who saw their loved-ones un-buried (against the dictates of Islamic customs). The caravan proceeded towards Kufa. In Kufa, the markets were decorated in celebration of the massacre at Karbala and the procession of Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s)’s captive family! Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) was made to go through the bazars without head-cover while her mother, Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatimah Zahra (s.a.)’s funeral was taken out at night and not seen by anyone! On the way from Kufa to Damascus, at one point, Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s head will not move forward. On inquiry it was found that Sayyida Sakina had fallen from the camel and Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) walked back and saw that she was sitting in the lap of a sacred lady in black attire concealing her identity. When Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) tried to thank her, she disclosed her identity; she was the Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) who was all along with the Holy Caravan from Madinah.

The oppressive armed men, to cause pain and misery, hurriedly completed the journey in two days, which normally takes sixteen days! In Damascus, the sacred members of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) were imprisoned in a prison without roof when the scorching sun light fell on them while they were exposed to the chill at night!

While in the court of Yazid (l.a.), he was desecrating Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s head by hitting his lips and teeth with a cane. At one time, he wanted to test Sayyida Sakina’s love for her father. He (l.a.) challenged Sayyida Sakina to call her father’s head to come to her lap. She responded and raised her little hands and called her father to come to her. Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s head rose from the big plate and flew into the waiting arms of Sayyida Sakina.

Sayyida Sakina used to sit at the gate of the prison and witness that birds were returning to their nests in the evening. She would ask her aunt Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) as to where those birds were going, she would reply that they were going to their homes. Sayyida Sakina would ask her aunt as to when they were going back to Madinah. Unfortunately, it was not destined that she will ever return to Madinah! 

In the prison, one night, she woke up from her sleep and cried continuously. The family members tried their best to pacify and console her. She said: “O dear aunt, where is my father? A few minutes ago, I was with my father and he kissed me and said that “my dear Sakina you will soon be with me” But where is my father now?” When Sayyida Sakina described her dream, all the sacred ladies started to cry and when this noise reached Yazid (l.a.)’s quarters, he sent the severed head of Imam Husayn (a.s.) to the prison. As soon as she received her father’s head, she held it tight to herself and cried even more and said to her father: “Who cutoff my father’s head? Who martyred my father? Why we are kept as captives?” With these words of sorrow, she suddenly became quiet. Everyone thought that she might have slept again, but alas! Sayyida Sakina had gone into the eternal sleep. Imam Sajjad (a.s.) dug a grave in the prison and buried her little sister in her torn clothes as it was completely attached to her flesh after the burning of the camps on Ashura!

May Allah curse the oppressors of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) till the Day of Resurrection. Ameen 

            Sources: Islamicoccasions.com, WIKIPEDIA, WIKIVISUALLY, Infogalactic.com

 

 

SURAT AL-IKHLAS - PART ONE

 

There are many narrations about its revelation but it is sufficed to state that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “A Jew asked the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to describe the identity of Allah, and he recited the “Surat al-Ikhlas” which is:

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Say: He, Allah, is One, Allah, the Eternal, He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is 

                                                            none like unto Him.

The extra-ordinary greatness of the recitation of this Surat may be imagined by the fact there are ninety traditions and narrations, with their approved references, on the virtue and commentary on this Surat in Tafsir-i-Nur -uth-Thaqalayn volume 5 pages 699-715.For example, It is narrated that the recitation of this Surat, when, arriving at a home,  causes the increase of sustenance and removing of poverty from the people therein. It is argued that the Glorious Qur’an contains ordinances, creeds (Monotheism) and history, and that this Surat states the creed part in an intensive form. Hence, there is a tradition that the thawab of reciting this Surat is equivalent to reciting One-third of the Holy Qur’an. 

Allah is a proper noun applied to the being ‘the Being Who exists necessarily, by Himself; comprising all the Attributes of perfection, a proper name denoting the true God, containing all the Excellent Divine Names; a unity having all the Essence of existing things’. This sacred Name is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an almost one thousand times, which is more than any other of His Holy Names. This name brings light in in our heart, makes us firm and calm, and takes us into a world full of purity and serenity. 

The term ‘wahid’ conveys the idea of number which follows by two and three. While the term ‘Ahad’ is the one in the sense of Absolute Oneness of His Essential Existence, not in the numerical sense of the word, which has its second and third, but, the One which has no second.

As for the term ‘Eternal’ or ‘Samad’, there are many explanations given by people, but we restrict ourselves to the explanation given by the King of Martyrs, Imam Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.): “Samad is a Lord Whose Lordship has attained its utmost point or degree’ Samad is an Essence and Being that continues for ever; Samad is an Existence that has not a hollow inside; Samad is the One Who takes no nourishment, food or drink; Samad is the One Who does not sleep.” He (a.s.) further said, ”Allah, Himself, has rendered ‘Samad’ to mean: ’ He begets not , nor is He begotten, And there is none like unto Him’ Yes, Allah is Samad who is not from anything and is not in anything or on anything; He is the Creator of everything and all are from Him by His Power; what He has created to perish will perish at His Will, and what He has created to remain will remain in His Knowledge. This is Allah; al-Samad.” 

The Christians believe in Trinity; the Father, the son (Jesus) and the Holy Ghost. The Jews believe ‘Ezra’ (Uzair) was the son of God. The Arab pagans believed that the angels were the daughters of Allah (6:100). The King of Martyrs Imam Husayn (a.s.) commented about the material relations of ‘son and father’ about the Creator saying:” There emitted nothing from Him – neither material things nor a child, nor other things that emits from creatures, nor a delicate thing like a soul. Nothing appears in Him like a sleep, imagination, grief, sadness, happiness, laughter, tears, fears and hope, courage and discouragement, hunger, and satiety. Allah is more Exalted than that something should emit from Him, or that He begets something material or delicate, nor is He begotten from something material or delicate. Similar to a living creature coming out from another one, or a plant from the earth, water from a spring, fruits from the trees, nor the like, emitting delicate things from their sources, such as vision from the eye, hearing from the ears, smelling from the nose, tasting from the mouth, speech from the tongue, knowledge and understanding from the heart (insight and soul), and particles of fire from stone. (Bihar-ul-Anwar v.3 p. 224 and Majma’-al-Bayan v.10 p.566)

Sources: Tafsir-e-Namouna by Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of Holy Qur’an, Ayatullah Agha H.M.M Pooya (r.a.) & S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali, A Commentary on the Prayer by Muhsin Qara’ti

SURAT AL-KAFIRUN

Surat al-Kafirun is a Makkan Surat Number 109. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Its recitation is equivalent to reciting one-fourth of Glorious Qur’an.” He advised Ja’bir ibn Mat’am to recite the Four Qul and the Surat Nasr beginning each Surat with ‘Bismillah-ir-Rahman ir-Rahim’, when he travels as the most amount of needed provisions. He further advised to recite this Surat before going to bed as it wards off polytheism.

Salvation on the Day of Judgment will only be attained through Monotheism and the negation of Polytheism. The Infallible Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘My father, when he recited this Surat, used to say, ‘I worship only Allah, I worship only Allah.’  

The meaning of the root word ‘Kafar’ is to cover or hide like a peasant covers the seed with soil as stated in Surat al-Hadid Ayah 20, “…Kamasale Ghaisin A’jabal Kuffara Naba’tahu…” “..(It is like the vegetation after rain…” A person who deny the truth and is ungrateful to his Creator is ‘Ka’fir’. The literal meaning of the Surat is:

                                                 In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Say: O you disbelievers, I worship not what you worship, nor do you worship Whom I worship,

            Neither shall I worship what you worship, nor you will worship Whom I worship

    To you be your religion, and to me my religion

Islamic narrations denote that this Surah was revealed about some of the pagan chiefs of the Quraysh tribe such as Walid ibn Mughaira, As ibn-i-Wa’il, Harith ibn-i-Qays, Umaiyya ibn-i-Khalaf etc. Their contention was that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) worship their gods for one year and they will worship Allah. He (s.a.w.a.s.) declined the offer.

The Infallible Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “ The reason for the repetition in the Sura is just in reply to repetition in the proposal by the disbelievers who told the Holy Prophet that he should worship for one year what they worship and the other year they will worship what he worshiped. Moreover, “Nor do you worship Whom I worship” for the first time it speaks about present tense and the second time completely denies addressing the chiefs you ‘shall never worship Whom I worship’. After the Great Victory of the Conquest of Makkah large number of Quraysh entered the folds of Islam as stated in Surah al-Nasr Ayah 2, “and you see the people entering Allah’s religion in throngs…”

The reason for commencing the Surat with the word “Qul” was that the Quraysh invited Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) to collude with them regarding idols, so it means he should repel this from himself and say that he would never agree with them in idolatry. Additionally, it manifests the integrity of the Messenger that he exactly and completely communicated the message as received from Allah through Gabriel.

The statements in this Surat are purely logical, that the Holy Prophet having himself preached the truth, can never

naturally or reasonably yield to falsehood and the disbelievers being attached to their own fancies and vested interest could not act according to the truth they were ever opposed to.  

The meaning of the Ayah, “To you be your religion, and to me my religion” conveys a warning that let your religion be yours and you will see the fatal consequences. This idea is like Surat al-Qasas Ayah 55, “and when they hear vain talk, they avoid it and say, ‘Our deeds belong to us, and your deeds belong to you.’

Sources: Glorious Qur’an-English translation – Tafsir-e-Namouna compiled by Ayatullah Naser                             Makarem Shirazi

                The Holy Qur’an – English translation by Ayatullah Agha H.M.M. Pooya & S.V. Mir                             Ahmed Ali

                 An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an volume 20

                (57/20                                                                                   TAHAWWUR ALI MIRZA

SAYINGS OF THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.) ABOUT IMAM ALI (A.S)

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) disclosed the status of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) detailed below:

“I and Ali were one light 14,000 years before the creation of Adam, our light was placed in the loins of Adam and travelled up till Abdul Muttalib then it was split into two; one was placed in my father’s (Abdullah) and the other in Abu Talib’s. Two thousand years before the creation of skies, it was written on the door of the Heavens, “There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger and Ali is his brother.” Ali is from me and I am from Ali. There are three “Siddiq” in the Ummahs; Habib Najjar of “Ale Yasin”, Khizqil of Ale Firaun and Ali ibne Abi Talib, and Ali is the best of the three. O Ali, you are to me like Harun was to Musa but that there is no prophet after me. After migration to Madinah, he (s.a.w.a.s.) made brother hood between Muhajir and Ansars and he made Imam Ali as his brother and said, “You are my brother in this world and Hereafter.” Whoever hurts Ali, Allah shall raise him a Jewish or Christian. I am the Warner and Ali is the Guide. As Surah Tawhid is unique in the Glorious Qur’an, likewise Ali is unique in my Ummah. Ali’s love cleanses the sins like fire burns the wood. Wisdom is divided into ten parts and nine were given to Ali. I am the “City of Knowledge and Ali is the gateway”. Ali’s right on my Ummah is like the right of a father on his son. Ali is the best dispenser of justice in my Ummah. “O Ali! You have three superiority which no one else has, not even me. Firstly, you have a father -in-law like me but not given to me. Secondly, you have a wife like my daughter Fatima, which my wife is not comparable to her. Thirdly, you have sons like Hasan and Husayn which I did not get. Whoever wants to see Adam in his knowledge, and Noah in his understanding, and Yahya in his piety and Musa in his dread, he should look at Ali ibne Abi Talib. People do not complain about Ali; he is extremely strict and firm about Islam. Hypocrite will not be friendly with Ali and Momin has no enmity with him. Whoever curses Ali curses me. Looking at Ali’s face is devotion (ibadat). Talking about Ali is devotion (ibadat). Ali your body is my body, your blood is my blood, your heart is my heart, your nafs is my nafs, your soul is my soul. Whenever the golden door of Paradise is knocked, it gives a sound of O Ali O Ali. “O Ali you and your Shiah will be pleased (razi) with Allah, and Allah will be pleased with them. If Allah would not create Ali, there would not be any equal (kufu) for Fatima. The title of the book of momin is the love of Ali. O Ali, on the Day of Judgement you decide who will go to Paradise and to Hell Fire. I fought on the revelation of Qur’an Ali will fight on its interpretation. On the day of Arafat, at the Ghadir-e-Khumm, and many occasions, he (s.a.w.a.s.) recited the historical sermon reminding the Ummah about the Glorious Qur’an and his Ahlul Bayt and directed them to be attached to both. Allah All-mighty spoke to me in the language and accent of Ali during my celestial flight of Ascension (Mai’raj). Allah has created seventy thousand angels from the light of the face of Ali and they will seek repentance for him and his (a.s.) shiahs till the Day of Resurrection. O Ali! Allah elevated me in all the men and after me He elevated you and your infallible progeny and lastly, He elevated Fatima and made her superior to all the women of the world. Allah had appointed vice-gerent for every Messenger; thus, Adam’s vicegerent was Shees, Musa’s vicegerent was Yu’sha, Isa’s vicegerent was Shamoun and my vicegerent is Ali. During the Ascension (Mai’raj) Gabriel told me that if my Ummah unanimously agreed on the Vilayat of Ali, Allah would not have created Hell. O Ali! Anyone who has the age of Noah, has gold equal to the mountain of Uhad, and he spends it in the way of Allah, he performs 1,000 Haj on foot and later killed between Safa and Marwa with oppression; if he does love you (Ali), he will never smell the scent of Paradise!

Out of 161 traditions in the book, we have selected only the above-mentioned ones for dearth of space.

                Source: Kaukab-e-Durri by Sayyid Muhammad Saleh Kashfi al-Tirmizi al-Hanafi

MARTYRDOM OF THE INFALLIBLE IMAM ALI, ZAYN-AL-ABIDIN (A.S.)

The Infallible Imam Ali, Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) was the son of the King of Martyrs, the Infallible Imam Husayn (a.s.) and Lady Shaher Banu (Shahzanan), Princess of Persian King. He (a.s.) was present in Karbala but was sick, hence exempted from performing jihad in the battlefield. Apparently, it was the Divine decree to safeguard and protect the sacred members of AhlulBayt (a.s.) and other females who were made captive by Yazid (cursed one)’s army. After the Ashura, along with the AhlulBayt (a.s.), including 3-year-old Sakina the daughter of Imam Husayn, Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.), also known as “Sajjad”, also made captive and was hand-cuffed and made to wear thorny chains and collar. All captives were made to ride camels without seats and taken first to Kufa then to Damascus. On the 13^th of Muharram 61 A.H., Imam Sajjad miraculously returned to Karbala to bury his father Imam Husayn (a.s.) as only an infallible Imam can bury an infallible Imam.

When the captives reached Kufa, Imam Sajjad addressed the crowd, “I am Ali ibnal Husayn ibne Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.). O Kufians! You invited my father by writing letters promising allegiance, then deceived and fought with him. May you be ruined by what you have committed against your own souls. How you will face the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) when he says to you: ‘You killed my Progeny, violated my sanctity, so you do not belong to my community?” The Kufians, who had blanked the face of history, wept loudly, and lamented. They promised to obey him and safeguard his trust. The Imam rejected them saying, “It is far away from you to do so, O people of treachery and conniving! Do you want to come to me as you did to my father? No, by the Lord of those (angels) that ascend and descent, the wound is yet to heal.”

While in Damascus, replying to Yazid (cursed one) about the martyrdom of his father, the Imam Sajjad said, “ Whatever misfortune befalls the earth on your own selves is already in a Book even before we cause it to happen; this is easy for Allah, so that you may not grieve about what you missed nor feel elated on account of what you receive. And Allah does not love those who are haughty and proud.” Yazid (cursed one) burst in anger and recited Surat al-Shura Ayah 30, “Whatever affliction that may visit you is because of what your hands have earned, and He excuses many (an offense). The Imam answered him, saying; “This verse concerns those who do wrong, not those who are wronged.”  Yazid (cursed one) ordered a speaker to defame Imam Husayn (a.s.) and Imam Ali (a.s.). The speaker did that and lauded in a false way Yazid (cursed one) and his father Muawiya (cursed one). The Imam Sajjad interrupted him and said,” Woe unto you, you have traded the pleasure of the creature for the Wrath of the Creator, so take your place in Fire of Hell. “Then the Imam wanted to speak and Yazid (cursed one) reluctantly agreed. The speech is partly given here:

“O People, we were granted six things and were favored with seven: We were granted knowledge, clemency, leniency, fluency, courage, and love for us in the hearts of the believers. We were favored with the fact that from among us came the chosen prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.), al-siddiq (truthful one), al-Tayyar (the one who flies in the heaven), the Lion of Allah and the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Mistress of the women of the World, Fatima, the Chaste, and both Lords of the Youths of Heaven from among this nation. Whoever recognizes me knows me; I am the son of Makkah and Mina; I am the son of Zamzam and al-Safa; I am the son of the best man who ever made tawaf (of Ka’ba) and Sai' (running seven times between Safa and Marwa); I am the son of the best man who offered Hajj; I am the son of the best man who was transported on “Buraq” in the air; I am the son of the one who was made to travel from the Sacred Mosque to the Remote Mosque; so Glory belongs to Him Who made (His servant) travel; I am the son of the one who was taken by Gabriel to Sidrat al-Muntaha; I am the son of the one who drew near(His Lord) and suspended, so he was the measure of two bows or closer still; I am the son of the one who led the angels of heavens in prayer.”

People started crying and wailing. To distract attention, Yazid (cursed one) ordered “Azaan” to be recited. When mozzen said, “Ashhadu anna Muhammadun Rasool Allah”, the Imam asked Yazid (l.a.), “Yazid, is Muhammad your grandfather or mine?” If you say that he is yours, then you are a liar, and if you say that he is mine, then why did you kill his family?”

Imam Sajjad was murdered on 25^th of Muharram 95 A.H.by Walid bin Abdul Malik through poison.

                Source: The Life of Imam Zayn al-Abidin by Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi

SURAT AL-FALAQ

This is the 113^th Surat of the Glorious Qur’an which contains some divine teachings commands to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), in particular, and to all Muslims in general, to seek refuge with Allah from every kind of ill arising from the cleaving of the darkness or evil effects of any witch craft or sorcery and envy on the part of the envious.

About the recitation of this Surat, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Some verses have been revealed to me, the like of which have not been revealed before; Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Nas. He further said ’recite them whenever you get and whenever you go to bed” The infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said, “He who recites Surat al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and al-Nas, in his Watr prayer will be told, “O servant of Allah, be happy that Allah accepted your Watr prayer.”

                                         In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

          Say, ‘I seek the protection of the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil what He has created,

                                              and from the evil of the dark night when it settles, 

                                            and from the evil of the witches who blow on knots,

                                            and from the evil of the envious one when he envies.

Why did Allah used ‘Qul’ here and in other three Surahs? It may be to deflate the sense of perfection in men and make admit then submit to the Divine Protector. We all need some sort of protection in our life against dangers.

The word “Falaq” means ‘to split’ or ‘torn’ as at the time of dawn the black curtain of night break opens. It includes the creation of other living things like plant, animal etc. A seed tears open the soil to grow. Surat al-An’am Ayah 95, “Indeed Allah is the splitter of the grain and the pit. He brings forth the living from the dead and He brings forth the dead from the living. That is Allah.” (Pit is the single, central kernel or stone of certain fruits, such as date, peach, or cherry.)

The Ayah, “from the evil He has created” does not mean Allah has created evil. Allah has created goodness only as stated in Surat al-Sajdah Ayah 7, “He who has made everything which He has created Most good.” It is the evil possessed by His creation-visible to human eyes and invisible -creatures on earth, below it or above it -known to man or unknown to him-physical or spiritual -or even the psychological disturbances.

Regarding the Ayah, “the evil of the dark night”, the evil men generally go out at night to commit sins or crimes. Similarly, the harmful animals come out in the camouflage of darkness and may attack humans. We are seeking Allah’s protection from some of his creation who may be planning to harm us which is not known to us. Those who practice magical arts of blowing on knots-the favorite witchcraft generally practiced by perverted woman which creates psychological disturbances, although prohibited in Islam. They may practice it out of jealousy and envy. According to most Muslim scholars, the Jewish women performed magic on the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)  although, Tabari and others rejected this notion. Such traditions were fabricated to reduce his (s.a.w.a.s.) sublime position. The Shi’i’ scholars discounted this claim as the integrity of his mission will be in danger. It is reported that the Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Nas was recited for Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn when they were young. This was done for our guidance and practice. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq said that a momin may have “Ghibta” -envy in positive sense and not “Hasad” – envy in negative sense. Ghibta means a momin is pleased with the success of other momin as he knows that Allah will give him as He has provided the other. A person having envy in negative sense (Hasad) wish that the other person may lose the bounty given by Allah.

Sources: The Holy Qur’an – English translation by S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali & Ayatullah Agha H.M.M.                   Pooya (r.a.)

               Tafsir -e- Namouna by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

               An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an

               Dr. Ammar Naqshwani

SURAT AL-NAS

Surat al-Nas is the last chapter (114) of the Glorious Qur’an revealed on the heart of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), whose strength cannot be gauged by human beings. Allah says in Surat al-Hashr Ayah 21, “Had We sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have surely seen it humbled (and) go to pieces with the fear of Allah. We draw such comparisons for mankind, so that they may reflect.” This Surat commands the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) as a leader and as an example to seek refuge with Allah from the evil of any temptations. In a tradition from the Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.), it is said, “He who recites Surat Falaq, Nas and Ikhlas in Watr prayer, he will be told, ’O servant of Allah, rejoice that Allah accepts your Watr prayer.”  

The literal English translation is given here under:

                                         In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

                                                 Say, ‘I seek the protection of the Lord of humans,

                                             Sovereign of humans, God of humans,                                                                 

                                                          From the evil of the sneaky tempter

                                                 Who puts temptations into the breasts of humans,

                                                               From among the jinn and humans.’

The meaning of these Ayahs is, ‘Say, I take refuge with Allah from the devilish tempter who runs away and hides himself from the name of Allah.’

Surat al-Nas is supplementary to the Surat al-Falaq. We all have different types of thoughts some positive some negative. Negative thoughts are more devastating to our religiosity and “Iman” than external danger. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, ‘An angel blows positive thoughts in a believer’s ear and the tempter blows evil.’

In Surat al Falaq, the one who envies suffers as the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Envy destroys faith as fire eats up the wood.” The first person who claimed himself to be the “Lord”, “Sovereign” and “God” was Pharaoh (Fir’aun) as explained in Surat al-Nazi ‘at Ayah 24, “saying, ‘I am your exalted Lord!” Surat al-Zukhruf Ayah 51, “And Pharaoh proclaimed amongst his people. He said, ‘O my people! Does not the Kingdom of Egypt belong to me.” Surat al-Qasas Ayah 38, “Pharaoh said, ‘O (members of the) elite! I do not know of any god that you may have other than me…” It is worth noting that Allah used the word” breasts” and not “hearts”. Shaitan does not enter our hearts but is limited to the breasts. It is our prerogative to either throw him out or let him enter our hearts. It is said, “The heart of a momin is like the Arsh of Rahman.”  Shaitan or his group attacks us, they are from Jinn and or human beings. Human beings include all and every Shaitani images, voices.

Human beings easily puts all blames on Shaitan while Shaitan categorically disclaims any control except that he invited us and we responded, as explained in Surat al-Ibrahim Ayah 22, “When the matter is all over, Shaitan will say, ‘Indeed Allah made you a promise that was true and I (too) made you a promise , but I failed you. I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you responded to me. So do not blame me but blame yourselves.”

The best protection for mankind is to recite the two Surats of Falaq and Nas. Of course, it should not be just recital but should be accomplished by thoughts, faith, and actions; should avoid devilish routs, devilish programs, devilish minds and communications, devilish societies, and meetings.

Sources: An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an

                 The Glorious Qur’an (English Translation) by Ali Quli Qara’i

                 Tafsir-e-Namounah by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

                 Tafsir by Dr. Ammar Naqshwani

EVENTS BEYOND KARBALA

There is a difference between Islam and believe (Imaan). Oral recitation of kalima will make one a Muslim, he enters the Ummah with certain rights and liabilities. That spirit of Islam should enter the heart to make us a believer (Mu’min). After that, a man’s actions prove his believe. Surah al-Hujurat Ayah 14, “The Bedouins say, “We have faith” Say, “You do not have faith yet; rather say, “We have embraced Islam” for faith has not yet entered your hearts.” This Golden Principle holds good even today!

 Throughout Islamic history, we observe that certain Muslims committed heinous crimes. The Best example is the carnage at Karbala where the so called Muslims deprived the Ahlul Bayt the basic necessity of human beings; supply of water and the mercilessly slaughtered the grandson of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), his near ones and his companions. How the Muslims changed within 50 years after his (s.a.w.a.s.) sad demise!

On the morning of the 11^th day of Muharram 61 A.H. Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) assumed the command of the caravan consisting of the widows, orphans, and the ailing Infallible Imam Ali, Zaynal Abidin (a.s.). She (s.a.) helped the captives get seated on the bare humps of the camels. She looked towards the River Euphrates and called Commander Abbas to help her get on the camel. Fizzah helped her. When they passed through the battlefield, they saw the head-less bodies of their dear ones and once again started wailing and weeping.

The caravan reached Kufa on the 13 th day of Muharram. The city’s residents had gathered to see the prisoners. The government’s propaganda machinery already brain-washed the populace that the rebel’s heads and their families are coming in the city. People shouted names and threw stones. Some of them threw dates, Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) shouted that charity was prohibited on them! Then she signaled them to calm down and the huge crowd stood speechless and motionless; even the bells of the camels stopped ringing. She addressed the crowd with calm, composed and with courage reminiscent with her father Imam Ali (a.s.) and said, “All Praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon my father Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) and his good and righteous Progeny. Your similitude is one who unspins what is already spun out. You make religion your source of income. Is there any one among you who is not a boaster of what he does not have, a charger of debauchery, a conceited liar, a man of grudge without any justification, one submissive like bondmaids, an instigator. Bad is that which your souls have committed. You have reaped the Wrath of Allah, remaining in the chastisement for eternity. The descendant of the Bearer of the Last Message , the very essence of the Message, the source of your security and the beacon of your guidance, the refuge of the righteous from among you, the one who saves you from calamity, the Master of the Youths of Paradise is killed. O how horrible is the sin that you bear! Miserable you are and renegades from the path of righteousness; may you be distanced and crushed. The effort is rendered futile, the toil is ruined, the deal is lost, and you earned nothing but Wrath of Allah and from His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).  By Allah you should cry a great deal laugh a little, for you have earned nothing but shame and infamy. Woe unto you, O Kufians You have done the most monstrous deed. Do you wonder why the sky rains blood? Surely, the torment of Hereafter is a greater chastisement.

  

Sources: Maqtal al-Husayn by Sayyid Abdul Razzaq al-Muqarram

                  Karbala and Beyond by Yasin T. Al-jibouri