Seerah

Imam Ja’ffar al-Sadiq (a.s) has said, “The sky wept over al-Husayn (a.s) for forty mornings with blood, while the earth wept over him for forty mornings with blackness. The sun wept over him for forty mornings with an eclipse and with redness, wherea...

Imam Ja’ffar al-Sadiq (a.s) has said, “The sky wep...

Name: al-Hassan Title: al-Mujtaba Alias: Abu Muhammad Father's name: Ali ibn Abi Talib (Amir al-Mu'mineen) Mother's name: Fatimah Al-Zahra (daughter of the Holy Prophet) Birth: In Medina on Tuesday, 15th Ramadan 3 AH Death: Died at the age of 4...

Name: al-Hassan Title: al-Mujtaba Alias: Abu Muh...

The tragic fate of the grandson of the Prophet stirred religious and moral sentiments, particularly among those of the Kufan followers of the House of the Prophet who had so zealously asked Husayn to come to Iraq to guide them on what they considered...

The tragic fate of the grandson of the Prophet sti...

It isn’t uncommon to hear people say “How fast Muharram has come and gone!” after the day of Ashura. For many of us, the climax of this period of mourning is the recitation of the Maqtal (martyrdom epic) of Imam Husayn (a) on the day of Ashura. While...

It isn’t uncommon to hear people say “How fast Muh...

Most of us know this truth, but the point which has not been truly cleared for lot of people (especially non-Muslim thinkers) yet and still is remained like a puzzle in their minds is that: Why is this historical incident which has several similar ex...

Most of us know this truth, but the point which ha...

Nevertheless, Ziyarat itself is also a form of speaking with Allah (swt) since the individuals being addressed are the Prophets (as) and A’immah (as) who are individuals that invite humanity to the worship of the One True God and to struggle against ...

Nevertheless, Ziyarat itself is also a form of spe...

Visiting the grave of Imam Husayn (a.s.) is recommended, while emphasis upon visiting his grave is among the necessities of the Religion. It is related that the visitation to his grave is essential upon every believer and is obligatory upon every man...

Visiting the grave of Imam Husayn (a.s.) is recomm...

Within the Shia literary history and traditions, there have been several epoch-making events of which the Ashura Battle of Karbala(61AH/ 680) has been one of the most prominent ones. The significanceof the Ashura Battle of Karbala lies in the fact th...

Within the Shia literary history and traditions, t...

Lady Zainab, daughter of Imam Ali (peace be upon them both): For those who know the story and events of Karbala and Ashura, a few seconds of thought about what the name "Zainab" means to us can go something along the lines of: bravery, courage, stren...

Lady Zainab, daughter of Imam Ali (peace be upon t...

On 23rd of the Islamic month of Zil-Hijjah in 61 AH, the two pre-teen sons of Muslim ibn Aqeel, were martyred in Kufa, Iraq, by the Godless Hareth ibn Urwah. There are two different accounts of the tragic martyrdom of 12-year old Mohammad and 10-year...

On 23rd of the Islamic month of Zil-Hijjah in 61 A...

Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) as the survivor of the Karbala tragedy and as the son and successor of the Prophet’s grandson, held aloft the torch of genuine Islamic teachings. Although a captive in the aftermath of the tragedy, even in the court of Yazid ...

Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) as the survivor of the Ka...

We commemorate Ashura’ to symbolise and express our grief and emotions towards the martyrdom of Imam al-Hussain (AS), to keep Imam al-Hussain’s (AS) cause alive in our hearts and to be committed to his cause. Also, we want to extract lessons from the...

We commemorate Ashura’ to symbolise and express ou...

With recourse to history, we come to know that Imam al-Husayn (as) gave two types of permission to his companions. A. General permission Imam al-Husayn (as) addressed his companions in a general way, «أمّا بعد؛ فانّي لا اعلم اصحاباً اوفی ولا...

With recourse to history, we come to know that Ima...

History bears witness to the fact that a number of the Shi‘ahs found opportunities to escape from Kufah and join their beloved Imam. They did so at great risk of their lives and by exerting strenuous effort. One example of such Shi‘ahs is Yazid ibn T...

History bears witness to the fact that a number of...

Ibn Abi al-Hadid recounts that Abu al-Hasan Mada’ini said, “Mu‘awiyah issued these orders to his governor generals in a letter he had circulated to them, ‘I have acquitted myself from any obligation regarding anyone who recounts the virtues of Abu Tu...

Ibn Abi al-Hadid recounts that Abu al-Hasan Mada’i...

At the beginning of this discussion, we mentioned the virtues and special qualities of the Holy Prophet’s (S) shrine and the whole area where his holy body rests. Now, we have to bring back to mind that the grave of Imam al-Husayn (as) is just like t...

At the beginning of this discussion, we mentioned ...

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 ...

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...

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’...