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...

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...