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Common and Specific A’amaal for three nights of Qadr

Question 637: What are the common and specific A’amaal we the Muslim can perform during the three Nights of Power (Laylatul Qadr)?

Answer 637: The Night of Power (Laylatul Qard) is the night, which is the most blessed and excellent of all nights. A prayer during this night is superior to the prayer of a thousand months.[1] The destiny for the year is decided (decreed) on this night.[2] That is why the Du`as for this night ask for special favours in the decree for the year. Believers are encouraged to stay awake the entire night, and pray for blessings and forgiveness. It is the holiest night of the year, and it would be unwise to be heedless of the tremendous benefits of this night. The Angels and Roohul Ameen (a highly dignified Angel) descend on this earth, with the permission of Allah (swt) & call on the Imam of the time, and what is ordained (by Allah) for everybody is presented before the Imam.[3] Read More

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Glossary 507: Qama Zani / How the Infallible Imams mourned for Imam Hussain

Glossary 507: Qama Zani / How the Infallible Imams (pbuth) mourned for Imam Hussain (as)

Related Code: 507

Categories: Islamic Laws / Azadari

Glossary 507: Karbala,[1] Imam Hussain (as),[2] Ashura,[3] Imam Sajjad,[4] Ummah,[5] Bakka’een,[6] Taqiyyah,[7] Imam Sadiq,[8] Imam Kazim,[9] Kumit Asadi,[10] Da’bal Khaza’ei,[11] Seyyed Humairi,[12] Qama zani,[13] Ulema,[14] Maraj’e,[15] Ahadith,[16] Mustahab,[17] Sha’air” Arabic: شعائر,[18] Hijamah,[19] Shi’ism,[20]

[1] . A city in Iraq, located about 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Baghdad.

[2] . Al-Ḥussain ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (as), was the grandson of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), and the son of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and lady Fatimah al-Zahra (pbuth) the daughter of the Prophet.

[3] . The tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.

[4] . Ali ibn Hussain known as Zayn al-Abidin and Imam al-Sajjad (as), was the fourth Shia Imam, after his father Imam Hussain (as), his uncle Imam Hassan (as), and his grandfather Imam Ali (as). Ali ibn Hussain (as) survived the #Battle of #Karbala and was taken, to the caliph in Damascus (Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwiya (la)).

[5] . An Arabic word meaning Community.

[6] . Those who cried very much.

[7] . Literally means to avoid a harm or an injury. Technically, it means expressing peace and reconciliation even if one may internally act against it.

[8] . Imam Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣādiq (as), commonly known as Jaʿfar al-Sadiq or simply al-Sadiq, is the sixth Shia Imam.

[9] . Imam Mūsá ibn Ja‘far al-Kāzim (as), also called Abūl-Hasan, Abū Abd Allah, Abū Ibrāhīm, and al-Kāzim, was the seventh Shiite Imam after his father Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (pbuth).

[10] . One of the prominent poet contemporary with #Ahul #Bayt (pbuth) that meet the three following approbation: Imam Sajjad, Imam Muhammad Baqir and Imam Ja’afar Sadiq (pbuth).

[11] . Abu Ali, Da’bal bin Ali bin Razin bin Uthman bin Abd Allah bin Budayl bin Warqa Khaza’ei Kufi. His grave is in Daniyal City in Khuzistan Province in Iran.

[12] . One of the greatest poet. His parents were Nasibi. He became Shia later. He composed thousands of elegiacs and poems about the virtues of Ahlul Bayt (pbuth).

[13] . An act of mourning by some of Shia Muslims. It is also known as Talwar Zani.

[14] . Singular عالِم ʿĀlim, “scholar”, literally “the learned ones”, also spelled ulema; feminine: alimah (singular) and uluma (plural)), is defined as the “those recognized as scholars or authorities” in the “religious hierarchy” of the Islamic religious studies.

[15] . Known as a marjaʿ #taqlīdī or marjaʿ dīnī (Arabic: مرجع تقليدي / مرجع ديني‎‎), literally means “source to imitate/follow” or “religious reference”, is a label provided to the highest level Shia authority, a Grand Ayatollah with the authority to make legal decisions (Fatwa) within the confines of Islamic law (Ahkam) for followers and less-credentialed clerics. After the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet and Infallible Imams (PBUTH), marājiʿ are the highest authority on religious laws in Usuli Shia Islam.

[16] . One of various reports describing the words, actions, or habits of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The term comes from Arabic meaning a “report”, “account” or “narrative”.

[17] . Referring to recommended, favored or virtuous actions. Mustahabb actions are those whose status of approval in Islamic Laws (ahkam) falls between Mubah (neither encouraged nor discouraged) and Wajib (compulsory, obligatory, mandatory). One definition is “duties recommended, but not essential; fulfilment of which is rewarded, though they may be neglected without punishment”

[18] . Sacraments, Way marks.

[19] . An Arabic term for wet cupping, where blood is drawn by vacuum from a small skin incision for therapeutic purposes. The practice has Greek and Persian origin and is mentioned by #Hippocrates. It is reported that the Holy Prophet #Muhammad (pbuh) has said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is hijama, and if there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is hijama. (#Bihar al-#Anwar, Vol. 62, Pg. 300, chapter 89;  #Kafi, Vol. 6, Pg. 484.)

[20] . The true and righteous religion. #Islam is the last and the most complete of the revealed religions.  Indeed, it is only the teachings of the Shia religion that can depict the pure Muhammad Islam.

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The daughters of Imam Hussain (as)

Question 181: Would you be able to share (i) some insights regarding the total number and fate of the daughters of Imam al-Husayn (as), and (ii) perhaps suggest several researches in English and Arabic, in the form of books/articles that analyze this question?

Answer 181: Many historians and those who write maqtals (accounts of what took place on Ashura) have mentioned two girls with the names of Fatimah and Sukainah when counting the daughters of Imam Hussein.[1] Also, some have added the name of “Zeynab”,[2] while other books have narrated the story of the Imam’s small daughter and the tragic incidents that took place for her in the ruins of Sham.[3] Most of these writers have cited this story from the book of “Kamel Baha’i” which was written in seventh century A. H. Read More

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What happened to Zuljanah in Karbala?

Question 166: What happened to Imam Hussein’s horse (Zuljanah) in Karbala?

Answer 166: The writers of books on what happened on Ashura (these books are referred to as ‘maqatil’) have not mentioned much about what happened to Zuljanah. What is mentioned is that he made his mane bloody with the blood of the Imam and returned to the tents neighing very highly.[1]

When the household of the Imam heard Zuljanah they came out of the tents and found out that the Imam had been martyred.[2] But, some of the later maghatel like Nasekhul-Tawarikh have extended saying that Zuljanah banged his head to the ground so much that he died[3], some say that Zuljanah had been killed before the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and Imam himself fought against Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad till has been martyred[4] or that Zuljanah threw himself in the Furat (the river in Karbala that Imam Hussain was denied water from).[5]

For further information in this regards, please refer to the following answer:

Index: Every day is Ashura and Every Place is Karbala, answer 071.

Index: The Wedding of Hadrat Qasim in Karbala on the Day of Ashura, answer 605.

Index: Enemies killed by Imam Hussain (as) in Karbala on the Day of Ashura, answer 598.

[1] . Biharul Anwar, Majlesi, Vol. 44, Pg. 321, A.H. 1404.

[2] . Qummi, Muntaha al-Amaal, Vol. 2, Pg. 910.

[3] . Ibid, Pg. 909.

[4] . Refer to: Tahqiq wa Pegouhish dar Tarikh Zendegani Imam Hussain (as), Pg. 684.

[5] . The ziyarah of Nahiyah Muqaddasah; Amaliyy of Sheikh Saduq, pg. 163; Mirza Muhammad Taqi Sepehri, Nasekhul-Tawarikh, vol. 6, pg. 2.

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The Wedding of Hazrat Qasim in Karbala on Ashura

Question 605: A’salamu Alaikum. I was wondering if you could shed some light on this matter. Is it true that Imam Hussain (as) recited the nikkah of hazrat Qasim (as) to one of His daughters on the day of ashura? I don’t know what to believe as i have only heard this  by people,i have never read this anywhere. Can someone send me a link or give me a quote from a reliable book? In our country it has become ritual and custom to have Mehdi and henna! What is the Shia point of view about the wedding of Hazrat Qasim bin al-Hasan in Karbala on the day of Ashura?

khuda hafiz

Answer 605: The event of ‘Ashura’ has been subject to tahrif (distortions) an instance of which is the concocted story of the wedding of Hadrat Qasim, a story which has not been mentioned in any reliable book of history not to mention the fact that such a thing is not rationally possible because, firstly, Qasim was not more than thirteen years old on the day of Ashura and he had not attained the age of puberty. Secondly, the wedding could not have taken place because Imam Hussein (as) and his companions were surrounded by their enemies and a pitched battle was going on. Moreover, Imam Hussein (as) attached great importance to fulfilling his divine duty against his cunning enemies such as the Banu Umayyads. Therefore, the story of the wedding of Qasim is a fabricated and unacceptable story according to Shia researchers.  Below we will mention the viewpoints of some those researchers:

  1. Hajji Mirza Husayn Nuri, the author of Mustadrak al-Wasail, writes in a famous work he has authored about the manners of the speakers or preachers who preach on the pulpits: “One of the derogatory and factitious reports which prominent scholars have not heeded or referred to is the story of Za’far the Jinn and the wedding of Qasim mentioned in a well-known book called Rawdat al-shuhada’ by Mulla Husayn Kashifi. The wedding story has not been mentioned in any books before Rawdat al-shuhada from the time Shaykh Mufid until this book had been published. How could an event so great and a story so tangible be not observed by scholars over this period of time?[1]
  2. The great narrator Shaykh Abbas Qummi has reiterated that the story of the wedding of Qasim in Karbala and the marriage of Fatima bint al-Hussein with him is not valid. In addition, Imam Hussein (as) had two daughters, one named Sakina (sa) and another Fatima (as). The first was married out to Abdullah who was martyred in Karbala and the second was married to Hasan Muthanna who was also present in Karbala.[2]
  3. Martyr Ayatollah Qazi Tabatabai considers the story of the wedding of Qasim as invalid. He quotes Allamah Mamqani as having said in his Tanqih al-Maqal: Other researchers and I could not find anything in historical and biographical sources to confirm the authenticity of what has been alleged inTurayhi’s book about the story of the marriage of Qasim. It is very unlikely that such an incident should have taken place on the day of Ashura keeping in view the difficult and extremely dangerous conditions and the calamities that followed. It seems that a mistake has taken place in regards to the wedding of Qasim who had not reached the age of puberty by then. It is indeed the story of the wedding of Hasan Muthanna (the Second) that has become known in such a way on the tongues of people.[3]
  4. Martyr Ayatollah Murteza Mutahhari says in this regard: “As you know, in the heat of the battle on the day of ‘Ashura’, the Imam offered his prayers hurriedly in the form of salat al-khawf[4] and there was no respite even to offer full prayers. In fact, two of the companions of the Imam came to stand in front of him to shield the Imam (against the arrows) so that he may offer two rak’ahs of the salat al-khawf. The two of them fell from the injuries inflicted under the shower of the arrows. The enemy would not even give respite for offering prayers. Nevertheless, they have concocted a story that the Imam called for a wedding ceremony on this day, declaring, ‘It is my wish to see one of my daughter wedded to Qasim.’ Obviously, one cannot take one’s wishes to one’s grave.  …. And this is said to have occurred at a time when there was hardly any respite even for offering prayers. They say that the Hadrat said, ‘I want to wed my daughter to my nephew here and now, even if it is just an appearance of a wedding.’ One of the things that was an inseparable part of our traditional ta’ziyahs was the wedding of Qasim, the boy bridegroom. Such an episode is not mentioned in any reliable book of history.”[5]

[1] Lu’lu’ wa Marjan, Mirza Hussein Nuri, p. 193.

[2] Muntaha al-Amal, Shaykh Abbas Qummi, vol.1, p. 70.

[3]  Research about the first Arba’ein of the Chief of Martyrs by Shahid Qazi.

[4]  The Shari’ah stipulates certain modifications in the obligatory salat, the daily ritual prayers, when offered in conditions of war and danger of the enemy’s attack. The salat thus offered is referred to as salat al-khawf; (see the Quran, 4:101).

[5] – Ashura: Misrepresentations and Distortions (Hamasa Hussaini), Murteza Mutahhari, vol.1, p. 27-28; See: Guli Zawareh, Ghulam Reza, Qasim bin Hasan (as), the Role Model for Adolescents, 209, May 1999; Adopted from answer 11430 IQ.

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The Role of Lamentation for Imam Hussain (as) in Reviving Society

Question 052: Asssalamu alaikum, I am not sure whether this matter was discussed here before. How to explain fact of Lamentation for Imam Hussain (as) and mourning for Him and other members of family for so many days in the month of Muharram, when some sunni brothers and sisters will call it a bidah as there are hadiths claiming you can only mourn after somebody for max 3 days and only women is allowed to grieve after her husband for 40 days. JazakAllah Khair.

Answer 052: The incidents that have taken place in the history of every society can have great effects on the destiny of that society and other societies. If an incident has been useful and effective in its own place, then reviewing and reconstructing it and keeping it alive can have a lot of benefits and effects for humanity. Hence, forgetting it can entail enumerable irreparable damages to human society. That is because the events take place in the history of nations at great material and spiritual cost in the sense that those nations lose their great men and go through a lot of hardship, difficulties and deprivations. Read More

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Lamentation: Normal mourning for Imam Hussain (as)

Question 049: What measures should we take so that Mola Hussain (as) will accept our Azadari? What is the normal mourning for Imam Hussain (as)?

Answer 049: What has been mentioned with great emphasis in the verdicts of grand jurists and religious authorities is that mourning, lamentation, crying and being sad at the sad martyrdom of the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Hussein (a) is good and profusely rewarded. It should be noted that different cultures, communities and people hold different forms of mourning and ceremonies in commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a). No special form of mourning has been recommended in the traditions. Taking off clothes which is customary in some countries or places are subject to the same area’s customs and habits; they have no special virtue or value nor has any special emphasis been laid on them. In fact, at places where there are women and these ceremonies are held in their presence, it is better and more appropriate to hold these ceremonies without taking one’s shirts.[1] Read More

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Pretending to cry over our Sins, for Imam Hussain (as) or Fear of Allah (SWT)

Question 048: What is the ruling of one who desires to cry for his sins, but is unable to do so, so he pretends to cry? Is pretending recommended? What procedures does one have to go through in order to be able to shed tears?

Answer 048: When you want to pray, supplicate or fear Allah, the Almighty you had better to cry or pretend[1] to cry. This act is a psychological example of an artificial effect on our soul.

According to a hadith, in order that your prayers be granted by Allah, the Most High you should cry or pretend to cry. Also, try to have at least one drop of tear coming out of your eyes, even by remembering a memory of one of your relatives who has passed away. In this regards, there is a hadith narrated from the holy Prophet (pbuh) that if one cries or pretends to cry while reciting the holy Quran or hearing it, he will certainly go to the Heaven. Furthermore, if you fear Allah (SWT), the punishment of Hell and desire to go to the Heaven you are supposed to cry or pretend to cry especially at the time of offering prayers, ta’qibat, supplications, dhikr, and during the practices of hajj, especially in Sa’y, stay in Arafa, and on top of Marwa Mount.[2]

Read More

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Ziyarat of Imam Hussain when you are far away from Karbala

Question 057: Can I do the ziyarat for Imam Hussein (as) from home? How does one determine the direction of Karbala?

Answer 057: You can do the ziyarat for Imam Hussein (as) from home. You say, ‘Assalamo-Alaika Ya’ Aba Ab’dillah Al-Husain’. It does not matter where you are, because the ziyarat depends on your niyat (intention). Just do it with all your heart. Read More