One of the couriers who was martyred was Qays ibn Mashar al-Saydawi. He had carried a letter from Muslim ibn ‘Aqil to Imam al-Husayn (as), and was bringing the Imam’s reply to Kufah when he was arrested by the villainous spy Hasin ibn Tamim and broug...

One of the couriers who was martyred was Qays ibn ...

Biographers write, “Imam al-Husayn sent ‘Abd Allah ibn Yaqtar Humayri to Kufah to deliver the reply he had written to Muslim ibn ‘Aqil. Ibn Ziyad’s notorious spy, Hasin ibn Tamim, arrested him in an area called Qadissiyyah near Karbala. Hasin ibn Tam...

Biographers write, “Imam al-Husayn sent ‘Abd Allah...

‘Abis ibn Abi Shabib Shakiri was one of the most famous Shi‘ah personalities in Kufah. He was a tribal headman and a very brave man. He was an eloquent speaker and a man devoted to worship. The tribe of Bani Shakir was among the most sincere believer...

‘Abis ibn Abi Shabib Shakiri was one of the most f...

You promised not to interfere until the letter of Ibn Ziyad arrives.” Hurr said, “That is true, but these people did not come with you.” Imam al-Husayn (as) said, “These people are my helpers and companions. It is better for you to keep your promise ...

You promised not to interfere until the letter of ...

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...

With recourse to history, especially after the death of Imam ‘Ali (as) and during the time of Imam al-Husayn (as), and with careful examination of the beliefs of the people of Kufah, we come to the conclusion that the predominant type of Shi‘ism whic...

With recourse to history, especially after the dea...

We find many people in the world who claim to hold certain beliefs but do not act upon their professed convictions at all. These people are not steadfast in their beliefs. They claim to belong to a certain religious group, but are not faithful to the...

We find many people in the world who claim to hold...

1. Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrates from ‘Amir Shatibi, “I once accompanied ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib on a journey. He was traveling to Siffin. When he reached the valley of Naynawa, he shouted out, ‘O Aba ‘Abd Allah! Bear patiently near the River Euphrates.’ ‘Ami...

1. Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrates from ‘Amir Shatibi, “...

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 ...

Clay from Karbala is one of the soils on earth which Allah, the Exalted, has blessed for certain reasons, and one of the reasons is that this piece of the earth is where the pure and noble body of the Doyen of Martyrs, Imam al-Husayn (as), rests. Wh...

Clay from Karbala is one of the soils on earth whi...

From the viewpoint of both Sunni and Shi‘ah traditions, it can be inferred that certain parts of the earth, and likewise the people dwelling therein, are endowed with qualities of either wickedness or prosperity and salvation: 1. On his own chain of...

From the viewpoint of both Sunni and Shi‘ah tradit...

The Philosophy behind Prostrating on the Soil of Karbala One of the subjects which has attracted the attention of both Sunnis and Wahhabis is why the Shi‘ahs prostrate on soil from Karbala, known as the soil [turbat] of Imam al-Husayn (as). They que...

The Philosophy behind Prostrating on the Soil of K...

He is one of the professors and scholars of al-Azhar University. After a lot of research about the Shi‘ahs, he understood the legitimate claims of this sect and traveled to Iran. In a speech to the people of Ahwaz, a province in Iran, he said, “My lo...

He is one of the professors and scholars of al-Azh...

Ahmad Husayn Ya‘qub had traveled to Iran on the anniversary of the death of Imam Khomeini. He says, “One of the things on my programme during the death anniversary was to visit the shrine of Imam Khomeini. In the morning of that day, I went to visit ...

Ahmad Husayn Ya‘qub had traveled to Iran on the an...

In his book entitled, “Thumma Ahdaytu” (Then, I was Guided), he says, “My friend Mun‘im and I traveled together to Karbala and there I understood the sufferings of our leader al-Husayn, like the Shi‘ahs do. I understood that Imam al-Husayn is not dea...

In his book entitled, “Thumma Ahdaytu” (Then, I wa...

In his book entitled, “Laqad Shayya‘ani al-Husayn (as)” (Al-Husayn Made Me a Shi‘ah), he writes, “One of the people close to me asked, ‘Who made you a Shi‘ah and what books did you trust and find reliable for your research?’ I answered, ‘As regards w...

In his book entitled, “Laqad Shayya‘ani al-Husayn ...

In his book entiltled, “Manhaj fi al-Intima’ al-Madhhabi”, he recounts the story of his religious transformation and spiritual insight in this way, “Yes, the beginning was like this. The actual beginning was the guiding light of al-Husayn. The ship ...

In his book entiltled, “Manhaj fi al-Intima’ al-Ma...

In one of the letters he has written to an orator specializing in preaching about Imam al-Husayn (as), Abu Sharif says, “One day, I was holding a small portable radio in my hands and searching for a Cairo radio frequency to listen to. I was alone in ...

In one of the letters he has written to an orator ...

The event of Karbala has not only been influential on the hearts of mankind in general, but has also been the reason for many individuals who did not even profess Imam al-Husayn’s (as) beliefs to become attracted to him. It has also become a cause fo...

The event of Karbala has not only been influential...

He recounts, “… al-Husayn was the only person in the last fourteen centuries to stand up against an oppressive and tyrannical government… He remains the only politician in the entire history of mankind to employ such effective politics ...

He recounts, “… al-Husayn was the only pers...