Islamic Articles

This Indian poet believes that the mourning ceremonies of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) followers bring about revival of the heart-rending event of Karbala. He says that the uprising of Imam al-Husayn (as) strengthens the religion of Muhammad. This poet bel...

This Indian poet believes that the mourning ceremo...

This Lebanese Christian Writer recounts, “Yazid was a man who had inherited all the evil qualities of his ancestors, the Bani Umayyah. He even exceeded them. Yazid shared in all the vice, iniquity and mischief of Bani Umayyah in general… Ther...

This Lebanese Christian Writer recounts, “Yazid wa...

Some people say that ‘Umar ibn Khattab forbade crying for the dead. They say that ‘Umar’s verdict is proof that it is not permissible to cry for the dead. Response Firstly, ‘Umar’s prohibition is opposed to explicit tenets or statements that prove ...

Some people say that ‘Umar ibn Khattab forbade cry...

Muslim and other historians have recounted that ‘Abd Allah said, “Hafsah cried for ‘Umar.” ‘Umar said to her, “Keep quiet, my little daughter. Don’t you know that the Prophet of Allah said, «إنّ الميت يعذّب ببکاء اهله عليه.» ‘The crying...

Muslim and other historians have recounted that ‘A...

On his chain of transmission, Abu al-Faraj Isfahani recounts that Isma‘il Tamimi said, “I was with Aba ‘Abd Allah Ja‘far ibn Muhammad when his servant asked for permission to allow the poet Sayyid Humayri to enter. The Imam (as) gave him permission ...

On his chain of transmission, Abu al-Faraj Isfahan...

Ibn ‘Asakir narrates that Najja said, “Imam ‘Ali (as) and I started off on a journey. When we reached the valley of Naynawa, which is on the way to Siffin, Imam ‘Ali (as) gave out a loud cry and said, ‘O Aba ‘Abd Allah! Bear patiently near the River ...

Ibn ‘Asakir narrates that Najja said, “Imam ‘Ali (...

‘A’ishah recounted, “Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali came into the house while revelation was being given to the Noble Prophet (S). He grabbed the Prophet’s waist and climbed up on his back and started playing. The Archangel Jibra’il (Gabriel) said to the Holy Pr...

‘A’ishah recounted, “Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali came into ...

Researchers of the empirical and medical sciences believe that tears possess special medical properties, some of which we will now mention: 1. As tears flow, an enzyme is released that disinfects the eyes and all the surrounding parts. 2. According...

Researchers of the empirical and medical sciences ...

Love literally means fond affection and devotion. The renowned traditionalist Muhaddith Qummi says, “Love is an excess of affection.”1 After gaining knowledge and enlightenment, it is beyond doubt that crying or shedding tears is one of the best too...

Love literally means fond affection and devotion. ...

Crying and shedding tears is a strong and cutting weapon that can help us tremendously along the way of self-knowledge and self-building. Again, this is why Imam ‘Ali (as) in the Prayer al-Kumayl says, «إرحم من رأس ماله الرجاء وسلاحه البکاء.&r...

Crying and shedding tears is a strong and cutting ...

People who shed tears as an instrument of devotion to their Lord benefit from numerous spiritual and intellectual rewards because every tear that is shed for Allah while grieving for His awliya’ have extraordinary spiritual effects. That is why the C...

People who shed tears as an instrument of devotion...

There is no doubt that wearing black clothes, especially during recitation of prayers, is widely considered as disapproved [makruh]. Muslim scholars have unanimous agreement on this verdict. The question here is whether or not this aversion to black ...

There is no doubt that wearing black clothes, espe...

Those who oppose beating the chest in intense grief for Allah’s awliya’ have resorted to a number of hadiths recorded by different Islamic sects and schools of thought: Hadith recounted by Sunni Muslims Bukhari quotes from ‘Abd Allah that the Holy ...

Those who oppose beating the chest in intense grie...

It can be understood from Shi‘ah and Sunni traditions [hadiths] that there is no prohibition for beating the chest when mourning and grieving for Imam al-Husayn (as), even though it may cause redness of the chest. On the contrary, the action of beati...

It can be understood from Shi‘ah and Sunni traditi...

It is sometimes said that holding mourning rites is not compatible with Islamic unity because these ceremonies include protest against and condemnation of some of the Muslim caliphs. Therefore, it is felt by some that discontinuation of such protests...

It is sometimes said that holding mourning rites i...

On his own chain of transmission, Bukhari narrates that ‘A’ishah said, “When the news of the martyrdom of Zayd ibn Harithah and Ja‘far and ‘Abd Allah ibn Rawahah was brought to the Holy Prophet (S), he entered the mosque and sat there with signs of g...

On his own chain of transmission, Bukhari narrates...

Depressive disorders are divided into three main groups: 1. Major depression. 2. Habitual depression. 3. Circumstantial depression.1 Major depression is the most intense type of depression. Some of its signs include: a. Feelings of sorrow, empti...

Depressive disorders are divided into three main g...

Mourning or crying has an exterior (outer manifestation) and an interior (inner manifestation). Its outer appearance is physiological, and is a result of psychological influences by means of external or internal stimuli, such as thought and reflectio...

Mourning or crying has an exterior (outer manifest...

The love of a person who loves another is not confined to the heart and soul only. As has already been mentioned, love requires a practical application. The practical application of love is a source of manifestation in a person’s life, and it follows...

The love of a person who loves another is not conf...

Special or particular proofs The hadiths which we have so far mentioned refer to love for the Ahl al-Bayt (as) in general. There is another group of hadiths which allude to love and affection for some of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) in particular. We will n...

Special or particular proofs The hadiths which we...

4. Love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) is worship Allah’s Prophet (S) said, «حبُّ آلِ محمّدٍ يوماً خيرٌ من عبادةِ سنةٍ، ومن ماتَ عليهِ دخلَ الجنّةَ.» “One day of loving Muhammad’s Ahl al-Bayt is better than one year of worship. Anyone who die...

4. Love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) is worship Allah’...