Seerah

Crying and shedding tears has been mentioned in many hadiths recounted by the different sects of Islam. In the hadiths, just like in the Gracious Qur’an, love for the Ahl al-Bayt has been emphasized in a clear and explicit manner. We shall now refer...

Crying and shedding tears has been mentioned in ma...

When we study scholars’ books of etymology and terminology, we come to know that what is meant by term Ahl al-Bayt of the Holy Prophet (S) are certain special and distinguished people. When we refer to books of tradition [hadith], we understand that ...

When we study scholars’ books of etymology and ter...

Upon referral to Sunni books of history and biography, we can see that Imam al-Husayn (as) is held in high esteem and praise by a number of Sunni scholars including: 1. Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani “Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) is a Hashimite, p...

Upon referral to Sunni books of history and biogra...

Imam al-Husayn (as) in the words of the tabi‘in27 1. Mu‘awiyah said to ‘Abd Allah ibn Ja‘far, “You are the chief of Bani Hashim!” ‘Abd Allah replied, “The chiefs of Bani Hashim are al-Hasan and al-Husayn (as).”28 2. When Marwan ibn Hakam suggested ...

Imam al-Husayn (as) in the words of the tabi‘in27 ...

1. Anas ibn Malik recounts, “After the martyrdom of al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali (as), they brought his severed head to ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad. Ibn Ziyad started hitting Imam al-Husayn’s (as) teeth with a piece of wood. I was thinking to myself, ‘What an ugly ...

1. Anas ibn Malik recounts, “After the martyrdom o...

1. On his own chain of transmission [sanad], Bukhari quotes Na‘im saying, “Ibn Umar was asked, ‘What is the verdict of a muḥrim (a person visiting the holy and inviolable House of Allah) who kills a fly?’ Ibn ‘Umar answered, ‘The people of Iraq are m...

1. On his own chain of transmission [sanad], Bukha...

1. It has been recounted that Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn (as) said, “Al-Husayn used to say, ‘If someone vilifies me in my right ear and then apologizes for it in my left ear, I will surely accept his apology because I heard Amir al-Mu’minin ‘Ali ibn Abi...

1. It has been recounted that Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Hus...

1. Ibn ‘Abd Rabbih recounts that it was asked of ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn (as), “Why are your father’s progeny few?” The Imam (as) answered, “I am surprised at how he managed to sire children at all because he was constantly engaged in prayer every day and...

1. Ibn ‘Abd Rabbih recounts that it was asked of ‘...

1. Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr writes, “Al-Husayn (as) is the son of ‘Ali ibn Abu Ṭalib (as) and Fatimah (as), the Prophet’s (S) daughter. His nickname is Aba ‘Abd Allah. He was born on the 5th of Sha‘ban in either the third or fourth year of the Islamic calend...

1. Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr writes, “Al-Husayn (as) is the...

The enemies of Allah waited for a short while then returned to al-Husayn (‘a) whom they surrounded as he sat on the ground unable to stand. ‘Abdullah son of Imam al-Hasan (‘a), grandson of the Prophet (S), who was then eleven years old, looked and sa...

The enemies of Allah waited for a short while then...

He then ordered his infant son [‘Abdullah] to be brought to him so that he would say good-bye to him. Zainab brought him his baby son ‘Abdullah8 as well as the latter’s mother al-Rubab. He placed him in his lap and kept kissing him9 and repeating thi...

He then ordered his infant son [‘Abdullah] to be b...

Abu Bakr, son of Imam al-Hasan son of the Commander of the Faithful (‘a), came out. His first name was ‘Abdullah al-Akbar [‘Abdullah senior] and his mother was an “umm walad”8 named Ramla.9 He fought till he was killed.10 After the latter, his full-...

Abu Bakr, son of Imam al-Hasan son of the Commande...

My heart goes for the ladies of the Prophet When thus they saw him in that condition. Their wailing and their cries did intensify So the minds and the souls were baffled by their cry. The wise ladies mourned their protector And so did virtues and mer...

My heart goes for the ladies of the Prophet When t...

Al-Husayn (‘a) wept and said, “O help! How quickly shall you meet your grandfather who will give you a drink after which you shall never suffer of thirst.” He gave him his tongue to suck then his ring to put in his mouth.16 He returns to bid farewel...

Al-Husayn (‘a) wept and said, “O help! How quickly...

None remained with al-Husayn (‘a) except his Ahl al-Bayt who were determined to face death with their might and to maintain their dignity. They came bidding each other farewell1 the first being Abul-Hasan2 ‘Ali al-Akbar3 who was twenty-seven years ol...

None remained with al-Husayn (‘a) except his Ahl a...

A war by means of peace: How did Imam Hussein start his war through Imam Hassan's peace. They both made a truce with Muawiyah, because the army was exhausted, and the people were unaware of the real picture, as a result of the wars from the beginnin...

A war by means of peace: How did Imam Hussein sta...

Here's the tale of my nightly trance The Vision of Karbala in a deathly dance When a Martyr great faced the lance, Of shameful Shimr for Islam to enhance, No war of weapons or battles' sound Equals this tragedy all world round, No hero hooked t...

Here's the tale of my nightly trance The Vision o...

Rayyan ibn Shabeeb relates that once when he visited the Prophet's 8thInfallible Successor, Imam Reza (A.S), on the advent of Muharram, the Imam said: "O Ibn Shabeeb! Muharram is the month in which the people of the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyya) had f...

Rayyan ibn Shabeeb relates that once when he visit...

In the month of Muharram 61 AH (approx. 20 October 680 AD), an event took place in Iraq at a place known as Karbala on the bank of the river Euphrates. A large army which had been mobilized by the Umayyad regime besieged a group of persons numbering ...

In the month of Muharram 61 AH (approx. 20 October...

i The martyrs of the revolution of al-Husayn at Karbala' have a very strong presence in popular consciousness. Their hearts encompass the emotions of love, wonder and sanctity which arise out of their attitude and devotion at Karbala.46 The scope f...

i The martyrs of the revolution of al-Husayn at K...

i 'Ali ibn al-Husayn was born on 11th Shaban in the year 33. When he was martyred on 10th Muhharram in the year 61, he was twenty-seven years and five months old. His mother was Layla bint Abi Murra ibn 'Urwa ibn Mas'ud al-Thaqafi. Urwa ibn Mas'ud h...

i 'Ali ibn al-Husayn was born on 11th Shaban in t...