Seerah

"This day, Allah has permitted us to engage in jihad and He shall reward us for our martyrdom. So prepare yourself to fight against the enemies of Islam with patience and resistance. O sons of the noble and self-respected persons! Be patient, for dea...

"This day, Allah has permitted us to engage in jih...

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, "The most superior deed before Allah is to satiate the thirst of the thirsty, even if it be an animal." (Darrusslam, vol. 3, pg. 162) The relation between water and life is extremely close and one that cannot be deni...

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, "The most superi...

It is a historically foregone conclusion that Imam Hussein (a.s.) was fully aware of the fact that his opposition to the Ummayyad policy and the strong stance he took against it would only lead to his martyrdom in the way of Allah, whether he remaine...

It is a historically foregone conclusion that Imam...

“Whoever works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof, and whoever works a righteous deed whether man or woman and is a believer such will enter Paradise, therein will they have abundance without measure.” 40:40 WHY DID IMAM HUSAIN TAKE HI...

“Whoever works evil will not be requited but by th...

1. Introduction There is no doubt that the atrocities committed at Karbala' reached their brutal climax with the death of al-Husayn as a martyr in the afternoon of 10th Muharram in the year 61. It led to the performance of funeral and remembrance rit...

1. Introduction There is no doubt that the atrocit...

On 15th September 2011, there was a program at St. Paul's University, Limuru, Kenya, on Ashura Literature in English. I was expected to deliver a lecture on this topic there. My host was an American priest, the Rev. Dr. Peter Ford, an erudite scholar...

On 15th September 2011, there was a program at St....

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...

All those who are familiar with the Imam's life do certainly realize that his role in serving Islam had started very early in his life. He has contributed to the rising Islamic movement when he was a boy, and played a significant role, when his fathe...

All those who are familiar with the Imam's life do...

Ibn Hanbal says: Muhammad bin ‘Ubayd has related to us from Sharhab?l bin Madrak from ‘Abdull?h bin Nujayy from his father who narrates that he was marching with (Imam) ‘Al? [(‘a)] towards Siff?n and when we reached Ninevah, (Imam) ‘Al? [(‘a)] cried ...

Ibn Hanbal says: Muhammad bin ‘Ubayd has related t...

Due to their ignorance, some people allege that lamentation for Imam Hussain (A) is an innovation (bidat) and is 'haram'. Some of them knowingly support the propaganda of those who harbour selfish motives against Azadari (mourning) although reason de...

Due to their ignorance, some people allege that la...

Al-Abbas ibn Ali was a whole world of virtues and merits. His personality included each and every lofty characteristic. It is however sufficient honor for him to be the son of Imam Ali Amir ul-Mu'minin (a); the model of human perfection. Thus, al-Abb...

Al-Abbas ibn Ali was a whole world of virtues and ...

TODAY WHEN THE leaders of every religion are revered only by their respective followers, the Holy Imam Husain is the International Hero who occupies a special position of love, honour, reverence and holiness in the hearts of the followers of all the ...

TODAY WHEN THE leaders of every religion are rever...

THE HOLY QUR'AN asserts in unequivocal terms that Jesus was neither killed nor crucified by the people: 4:157 and 158. Even taking for granted the statement of our Christian brethren the crucifixion of Jesus under the evidence of the Holy Bible of th...

THE HOLY QUR'AN asserts in unequivocal terms that ...

THE POISON WAS administered through the drinking water and it was so strong that no sooner did Hasan drink the water, than he began vomiting blood and the bits of his liver and knowing the ultimate result of the drink he had, Hasan called his brother...

THE POISON WAS administered through the drinking w...

In the year 61 A.H. Imam Husayn went from Madina to Makkah and from there he reached near Kufa. At all these places he invited the people to assist him and to defend truth and reality, and delivered various speeches. This campaign lasted for more tha...

In the year 61 A.H. Imam Husayn went from Madina t...

A major portion of Shi‘ite historiography of the past few centuries is made of maqtal works. It is a well established fact that the holding of mourning ceremonies for Imam Husayn (‘a) was very much in vogue in the eastern parts of Iran before the Saf...

A major portion of Shi‘ite historiography of the p...

To get a glimpse of the magnitude of the personality of the Imam(a) it could suffice to quote some excerpts from the prayers for Imam Husayn(a): Peace be upon you, O Treasure and Custodian of the knowledge and mysteries of the Scriptures; of the Tora...

To get a glimpse of the magnitude of the personali...

Imam Hussein (as) was born on 3rd Sha'ban in the year 4 A.H. in Madina. He was the second child in the house of Ali (as) and Fatima (as). It is reported that the Holy Prophet (saw) was in Madina when he was given the news of the birth of a child in F...

Imam Hussein (as) was born on 3rd Sha'ban in the y...

Soil which is in the vicinity of the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) is sacred. Allah has bestowed it with beneficence, unsurpassed in compassion to any other material. Allah has ordained it to be a cure for every illness, and source of Barakat and Divin...

Soil which is in the vicinity of the grave of Imam...

The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Kerbala was none other than Imam Husain (A.S.), son of Ali bin Abi Talib (A.S.) and grandson of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). Who was Imam Husain (A.S.)? He was the son of Fatima (A.S.) for whom t...

The leader of the small band of men who were marty...

When Imam Hussein and his 72 faithful companions were in Kerbala standing up against the soldiers of Yazid, the tyrannical ruler and usurper of the mantle of Khilafah, they were sending powerful messages to mankind. No doubt, the sacrifice offered by...

When Imam Hussein and his 72 faithful companions w...