the torch of perpetual guidance, ziyarat ‘ashura of … torch of perpetual guidance, ziyarat...
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TheTorchofPerpetualGuidance,Ziyarat‘AshuraofImamHusaynAliAsgharAziziTehrani-XKP
Published:2012Tag(s):"ZiyaratAshura""shiaebooks""shiapdf""shiaepub""shiakindle"islamTorchPerpetualGuidanceImamHusaynAlixkpislamicmobilitymahdizairatashuraamalnamazmoharram
1ChapterNoteFromtheTranslator
May thepeaceandmercyofAllahbeuponyou. Thiswork,abriefexposeonZiyarat ‘Ashurawas
originallytranslatedasaworkwhichwouldbesentviaemailinaseriesof‘weeklythoughts’.Itisforthisreason,thatwedecidedtokeepeachsectionshortandconcise–400wordsatmaximum.Obviously,muchmorecanandhasbeensaidandwrittenaboutthisvisitation,whichsomescholarsdeemasbeinghadithal-QudsiorasacredtraditiontaughtdirectlybyAllah(swt)tothefollowersofHispath.SincewewishedforthisworktobereleasedduringthesacredmonthofMuharram1426ah/2005c.e,
itwasdecidedtopublishthisworkinelectronicformatinitssummarizedversion.Insha-Allah,withthepowerandpermissionofAllah(swt),weintendtorevisitthistranslation,refer
back to theoriginalsourceandpresentacomplete lookat theexplanationof thisbeautifulandmovinggreeting.Thisworkis,Insha-Allah,expectedtobereadybythe‘Arbain(40th)ofthemartyrdomofImamHusayn(as)andhisfamilyandfriends.Itshouldbenotedthatwhereaswehavetriedtoremainfaithfultotheoriginaltext,wehaveaddedour
ownthoughtsintosomesegmentstobetterassistinthisbriefunderstanding–thesewillbeamendedinthefinalversion.
…andIhavenosuccessinmy
workexceptwiththepermissionofAllah…
2Chapter‘Arabic&EnglishTextofZiyarat‘Ashura
IntheNameofAllah,theSourceofGeneralMercytoallofHumanity,theSourceofSpecificGracetotheBelievers
PeacebeuponyouO’Aba‘Abdillah;PeacebeuponyouO’sonoftheMessengerofAllah;PeacebeuponyouO’sonoftheCommanderoftheFaithfulandthesonof the leader of the inheritors (of the Prophet); Peace be upon youO’ son ofFatimah,theleaderofthewomenoftheentireUniverse.
ای كیلع مالسلأ ه، للا دبع ابأ ای كیلع مالسلأریمأ نب ای كیلع مالسلأ ه، للا لوسر نبكیلع مالسلأ ، نییصولا دیس نباو ، نینمؤم ـ لانیم ـ لاعلا ءآسن ةدیس ةمطاف نب ای ،
PeacebeuponyouO’theonewhowaskilledandwhosebloodhasnotyetbeenavenged–andwhoseavengingisinthehandsofAllahandpeacebeuponyou,thesonofonewhowaskilledandwhosebloodhasnotyetbeenavenged(Imam‘Alib.AbiTalib)andpeacebeuponyouO’theonewhowasalone,an individual (killed).Peacebeuponyouandalsoupon thosesoulswhoaccompaniedyoutoyourannihilation.
راث ای كیلع مالسلأرتولاو هراث نباو ه للامالسلأ ، روتوم ـ لاحاورألا ىلعو كیلعكئآنفب تلح يتلا ،
Uponyouanduponallofthose(whowerekilled)istheSalamofAllahfrommeforeternity,aslongasthenightandthedayremain.
ام ادبأ ه للا مالس اعیمج ينم مكیلعراهنلاو لیللا يقبو تیقب ،
O’Aba‘Abdillah!Surelythetribulationsaregreatandunbearableandyourtragedyisgreatforus,andforallthepeopleofIslamandunbearableandgreat is your tragedy in the heavens and for all of the dwellers of theheavens.
تمظعو تلجو ةیزرلا تمظع دقل ه، للا دبع ابأ ایتلجو ، مالسإلا لهأ عیمج ىلعو انیلع كب ةبیصم ـ لالهأ عیمج ىلع تاو مسلا يف كتبیصم تمظعوتاو مسلا ،
May the curse (La’n) be upon those people who laid down the foundations for theoppressionandwrongsdoneuponyou,thefamilyoftheProphet[AhlulBayt].
ملظلا ساسأ تسسأ ةمأ ه للا نعلفتیبلا لهأ مكیلع روج ـ لاو
MayAllahcurse thosepeoplewhodeniedyouyourposition (O’AhlulBayt)andremovedyoufromyourrankwhichAllahhimselfhadgrantedyou.
مكتلازأو مكماقم نع مكتعفد ةمأ ه للا نعلواهیف ه للا مكبتر يتلا مكبتارم نع ،
MaythecurseofAllahbeuponthosepeoplewhokilledyouandmaythecurseofAllahbe upon those people whomade it easy for them by preparing the grounds of yourkilling.
ه للا نعلو ، مكتلتق ةمأ ه للا نعلونم نیكمتلاب مه لـ نیدهمم ـ لامكلاتق ،
I turn to Allah and I turn towards you and turn away from them and theiradherents,followersandfriends.
مهنم مكیلإو ه للا ىلإ تئربمهئآیلوأو مهعابتأو مهعایشأو ˛
O’Aba‘Abdillah!IamatpeacewiththosewhomakepeacewithyouandIamatwarwiththosewhomakewarwithyouuntiltheDayofJudgment.
، مكم ـ لاس نم لـ ملس ينإ ه، للا دبع ابأ ایةمایقلا موی ىلإ مكبراح نم لـ برحو ،
MaythecurseofAllahbeuponthefamilyofZiyadandthefamilyofMarwanandmaythecurseofAllahbeuponBaniUmayyah.
نعلو ، ناورم لآو دایز لآ ه للا نعلوةبطاق ةیمأ ينب ه للا ،
May thecurseofAllahbeupon IbnMarjanaandmay thecurseofAllahbeupon‘‘Umarb.Sa’adandmaythecurseofAllahbeuponShimr.
رمع ه للا نعلو ، ةناجرم نبا ه للا نعلوارم هشـ للا نعلو ، دعس نب ،
AndmaythecurseofAllahbeuponthenationthatcarriedout,sawandweresilentatyourkilling.
تبقنتو تمج ـ لأو تجرسأ ةمأ ه للا نعلوكلاتقل ،
Maymy fatherandmotherbesacrificed foryou.Surelymysorrow foryou isgreatandIpraytoAllahwhohashonoredyourstatusandhasalsohonouredmethroughyouthatHegrantmetheopportunitytoseekyourrevengewiththevictoriousImamfromthefamilyofMuhammad.
لأسأف ، كب يباصممظع دقل ، يمأو تنأ يبأبنأ ، كب ينمركأو ، كماقم مركأ يذلا ه للالهأ نم روصنم مامإ عم كراث بلط ينقزریهلآو هیلع ه للا ىلص دمحم تیب .
O’Allah! MakemeworthyofrespectwithYouthroughHusayn,peacebeuponhim,bothinthetransientworldandalsothenextlife.
˛ نیسح ـ لاب اهیجو كدنع ينلعجا مه للأةرخآلاو ایندلا يف مالسلا هیلع ،
O’ Aba ‘Abdillah! Surely I seek closeness to Allah and to HisMessengerandtotheCommanderoftheFaithfulandtoFatimahandtoHasanand to you through loveof youand throughdistancingmyselffrom those who laid the foundations and those who built upon andcarried out oppression and cruelty upon you all and upon yourfollowers.
ىلإو ، هلوسر ىلإو ه، للا ىلإ برقتأ ينإ ه، للا دبع ابأ ایكیلإو ، نسح ـ لا ىلإو ، ةمطاف ىلإو ، نینمؤم ـ لا ریمأأربأو مكیلع روج ـ لاو ، كلتاق مـمـن ةءاربلابو ، كتالاوم بـهیلع ىنب و كل ذ ساسأ سسأ نم مـ هلوسر ىلإو ه للا ىلإ
مكعایشأ ىلعو مكیلع هروجو هملظ يف ىرجو ، هناینب ،
IdisassociatemyselffromthemthroughAllahandthroughallofyouandIseeknearness to Allah and then to you through love for you and your friends anddisassociationwithyourenemiesandfromthosewhowanttofightagainstyouanddisassociationfromtheiradherentsandfollowers.
ىلإ برقتأو ، مهنم مكیلإو ه للا ىلإ تئرب، مكیلو ةالاومو مكتالاوم بـ مكیلإ مث ه للامكل نیبصانلاو ، مكئادعأ نم ةءاربلابو
مهعابتأو مهعایشأ نم ةءاربلابو ، برح ـ لا ،
SurelyIamatpeacewiththosewhoareatpeacewithyouandIamatwarwiththosewhoareatwarwithyouandIamafriendstothosewhoarefriendstoyouandIamanenemytothosewhoareenemiestoyou.
برحو ، مكم ـ لاس نم لـ ملس ينإ، مكالاو نم لـ يلوو ، مكبراح نم لـ
مكاداع نم لـ ودعو ،
So then I ask Allah who has honouredme with a cognizance of all of you and acognizance of your friends that He also grant me the opportunity to disassociatemyselffromyourenemiesandthatHeplacemewithyou–bothinthetransientworldandalsointhenextlife–andthathemakemefirminyourpresencewithatruthfulstancebothinthetransientworldandalsothenextlife.
، مكتفرعم بـ ينمركأ يذلا ه للا لأسأفنم ةءاربلا ينقزرو ، مكئآیلوأ ةفرعموایندلا يف مكعم ينلعج يـ نأ ، مكئادعأ
مدق مكدنع يل تبثی نأو ، ةرخآلاوةرخآلاو ایندلا يف قدص ،
AndIaskHim(Allah)thatHeenablesmetoreachtothehonouredstationwithyouinthepresenceofAllahandthatHegrantmetheabilitytoseektherevengeofyouwiththerightlyguidedImamfromyou,whoshallsurelycomeandspeakthetruth.
دومحم ـ لا ماقم ـ لا ينغلبی نأ هلأسأويراث بلط ينقزری نأو ه، للا دنع مكل
قح ـ لاب قطان رهاظ ىده مامإ عممكنم ،
AndIaskAllahforyoursakeandforthestatusandrankwhichyouhavewithHimthatHegrantme that thingdue tome showinggrief and sorrowat your sorrowsevenmore thanof thatwhichhegives in a person’s owngrief and sorrows, andwhatgreatsorrowandtragediesyoufaced!HowgreatwasyourtragedyforIslamandforalloftheinhabitantsoftheheavensandtheEarth!
مكل يذلا نأشلابو مكقح بـ ه للا لأسأولضفأ مكب يباصم بـ ينیطعی نأ هدنعةبیصم ، هتبیصم بـ اباصم يطعی اممالسإلا يف اهتیزر مظعأو اهمظعأ امضرألاو تاو مسلا عیمج يفو .
O’Allah!Makemeat thismoment,onewhoreceives fromYouprayers,mercyandforgiveness.
تاولص كنم هلانت نم مـ اذ ه يماقم يف ينلعجا مه للأةرفغمو ةمحرو ،
O’Allah! Makeme live the lifeofMuhammadand the familyofMuhammadandpermitmetodiethedeathofMuhammadandthefamilyofMuhammad.
لآو دمحم ایح مـ يایح مـ لعجا مه للأدمحم لآو دمحم تام مـ يتام ـ مو ، دمحم .
O’Allah!Thisistheday(theDayof‘Ashura)whichtheBaniUmayyahrejoicedupon(and is the day when the) son of the liver eater (the son of Hind b. Abu Sufyan –Mu’awiyah and his son Yazid) celebrated, the cursed son(s) (Yazid) of the cursed(Mu’awiyah),assaidbyYouandYourProphetateveryplaceandoccasion.
ونب هب تكربت موی اذ ه نإ مه للأنبا نیعللا ، دابكألا ةلكآ نباو ةیمأيف كیبن ناسلو كناسل ىلع نیعللاكیبن هیف فقو فقومو نطوم لك .
O’Allah!CurseAbuSufyanandMu’awiyahandYazidb.Mu’awiyah–uponthemmayYourcursebeforeverandeternity.AndthisisthedaywhenthefamilyofZiyadwerehappyandsowere the familyofMarwanat theirkillingofHusayn,may the Prayers of Allah be upon him. O’ Allah! Increase upon themYourcurseand(Your)painfulpunishment.
نب دیزیو ةیواعمو نایفس ابأ نعلا مه للأموی اذ هو ، نیدبألا دبأ ةنعللا كنم مهیلع ةیواعممهلتقب ناورم لآو دایز لآ هب تحرففعاضف مه للأ . هیلع ه للا تاولص نیسح ـ لا
میلألا باذعلاو كنم نعللا مهیلع .
O’Allah! Surely Iseeknearnesstoyouonthisday(theDayof ‘Ashura)and in thisplace (which Iam in)and inalldaysofmy lifebydisassociatingmyself from thesepeople and sending curses upon themand throughmy love and friendship toYourProphetandthefamilyofYourProphet,peacebeuponhimanduponallofthem.
، مویلا اذ ه يف كیلإ برقتأ ينإ مه للأةءاربلاب يتایح مایأو ، اذ ه يفقوم يفو
ةالاوم ـ لابو ، مهیلع ةنعللاو ، مهنممالسلا مهیلعو هیلع كیبن لآو كیبنل .
O’Allah! Curse the first tyrantwhooppressed therightofMuhammadand thefamily of Muhammad and the next person who followed him on this path. O’Allah!CursethegroupwhofoughtagainstHusaynandthosewhofollowedthemandsupportedthemandassistedtheminkillinghim.O’Allah,curseallofthem!
لآو دمحم قح ملظ ملاظ لوأ نعلا مه للأنعلا مه للأ . كل ذ ىلع هل عبات رخآو دمحمتعیاشو نیسح ـ لا تدهاج يتلا ةباصعلامهنعلا مه للأ ، هلتق ىلع تعباتو تعیابواعیمج .
Peace be upon you O’ Aba‘Abdillah and upon the souls which wereannihilatedwithyou.Uponyou,fromme,isthepeaceofAllahforeternity,aslongasthenightandthedayremainandpleasedonotmakethis(Ziyarat)asmy lastcontactwithyou.GreetingsbeuponHusayn,andupon ‘Ali thesonofHusaynanduponthechildrenofHusaynanduponthecompanionsofHusayn.
يتلا حاورألا ىلعو ه للا دبع ابأ ای كیلع مالسلأتیقب ام ادبأ ه للا مالس ينم كیلع ، كئآنفب تلحينم دهعلا رخآ ه للا هلعج الو ، راهنلاو لیللا يقبونب يلع ىلعو ، نیسح ـ لا ىلع مالسلأ ، مكترایزل
باحصأ ىلعو ، نیسح ـ لا دالوأ ىلعو ، نیسح ـ لانیسح ـ لا .
O’Allah!Particularlycursethefirsttyrant,acursefromme,andbeginthefirstcursewithhimandthensendthecurseonthesecondandthethirdandthentheforth(tyrant).O’AllahcurseYazid,thefifth(tyrant)andcurse‘Ubaydullahb.ZiyadandIbneMarjanahand‘‘Umarb.Sa’dandShimrandthefamilyofSufyanandthefamilyofZiyadandthefamilyofMarwanuntilthedayofJudgement.
أدباو ، ينم نعللاب ملاظ لوأ تنأ صخ مه للأ. عبارلاو ثلاثلاو يناثلا نعلا مث ، الوأ هبنب ه للا دیبع نعلاو ، اسماخ دیزی نعلا مه للأارم ـ شو دعس نب رمعو ةناجرم نباو دایزموی ىلإ ناورم لآو دایز لآو نایفس يبأ لآوةمایقلا .
O’Allah!Toyoubelongsthepraise,thepraiseofthosewhoarethankfultoYoufor their tribulations. All Praise belongs to Allah formy intense grief. O’ Allah,grant me the blessing of intercession of Husayn on the Day of Appearance(beforeYou)andstrengthenmewithatruthfulstandinYourpresencealongwithHusaynandthecompanionsofHusayn–thosepeoplewhosacrificedeverythingforHusayn,peacebeuponhim.
ىلع كل نیركاشلا دمح دمح ـ لا كل مه للأ. يتیزر میظع ىلع ه لل دمح ـ لأ . مهباصم، دورولا موی نیسح ـ لا ةعافش ينقزرا مه للأ
نیسح ـ لا عم كدنع قدص مدق يل تبث ونود مهجهم اولذب نیذلا نیسح ـ لا باحصأومالسلا هیلع ˛ نیسحلا .
3ChapterZiyaratandDu’a
TheDu’a(supplication)istheactofspeakingtoAllah(swt)whiletheZiyarat(visitation)istheactof
speakingwiththerole-modelsandtrueexamplesofthefaithsentbyAllah(swt).Nevertheless, Ziyarat itself is also a form of speakingwithAllah (swt) since the individuals being
addressedaretheProphets(as)andA’immah(as)whoareindividualsthatinvitehumanitytotheworshipoftheOneTrueGodandtostruggleagainsttheinternalandexternalenemies.Thusinreality,theZiyaratis nothingmore than speaking toAllah through the intermediaries whichHe himself has appointed inorderforustoreachtoperfection.TheDu’aistheactoftravellingtowardsAllah-consciousnessandself-knowledgewhiletheaimofthe
Ziyarat is knowledge of the Imam (as) – and in actuality this is the same as having knowledge ofAllahiandknowledgeofourselves.WithintheDu’ataughtbytheAhlulBayt(as), therearefourmainpointsseen:sheddingof tearsand
showing grief, expressing one’s needs, gaining a better understanding of the faith and beliefs and theinvitationtostandupandfightagainsttheenemies-internalandexternal.This is the same thingwhich canbe seen in theZiyarat aswell, however at the same time,we are
callinguponandremembering thosepersonalitieswhoare thebestandmostperfectexamplesof thesefourcharacteristics.BythiswemeanthattheAhlulBayt(as)aretheoneswhosetearswhichtheyshedintheirprayersare
themost sincere drops of grief; they are best able to express their needs to their Creator in themosteloquentofways;theirunderstandingofthefaithwasthemostcompleteandperfect,andlastly,theyweretheultimatemanifestationof thosewhostoodupand foughtagainstboth their internal enemiesand theexternaldespots–eachoneinhisownwayandmethod.Ofall theZiyaratwehave, thebestexample inwhich these fourpointsaremanifest is thatof Imam
Husayn(as)–especiallysincehewasthesupremeexpressionofrisingupforAllahiandstandingupinthefaceofoppressionandtyranny.
TheZiyaratofImamHusayn
The ahadith which speak about the Ziyarat of ImamHusayn (as) refer to it as being an obligatory
(wajib)actwhicheachpersonwhoclaimstobeaShi’amustperformatleastonceinhislife(thisisinreferencetothephysicalvisitationoftheImamathisshrineinKarbala’–sincethespiritualmeetingoftheImamfromwhereveronelivesthroughtherecitationofthewordsgiventouscanbeperformedatanytimeandanyplace).Is this “wajib” commandment in the narrations the same “wajib” which we understand for acts of
worshipsuchasHajj,Khums,Salat,Sawm,etc?ThroughthisdiscussionandcommentaryofthisZiyarat,wehopetoclarifythisissue,howeveritsufficestomentionherethatthisisanactwhichtheProphetofIslam(as)toldhisdaughter,FatimahAz-Zahra(sa),thatagroupofherShi’a(followers)wouldperform(this was foretold over 50 years before the event occurred) and is something which each Imam hasemphasized!There are numerous benefits which have been promised will be granted to the one who pays his
respectstothe3rdImamandinclude:one’ssinswillberemoved,anincreaseandalsoDivineblessingsin one’s life, removal of difficulties and the acceptance of one’s legitimate desires and appeals. Inaddition, the Ziyarat of the 3rd Imam is equivalent to the (spiritual) visitation ofAllah (swt) and thevisitationtoHisNobleProphet(S).It goes without saying that such benefits are not acquired simply by the physical visit to Karbala’
withoutanypositivechangeinthemoralsandcharacterofaperson.Thispointshallbeelucidateduponindetailinournextdiscussion,Godwillingsothatwedonotthinkthatbyamerejourneyofafewhoursandtherecitationofafewwords,thatwetrulybecomedeservingofsuchbounties!
TheBenefitsoftheZiyaratofImamHusayn
The benefits of visiting the Leader of the Martyrs (as) can be divided into two categories: the
individual benefits and the societal gains. Although each of these categories contain numerous sub-categories,wewillonlylookatoneofeachinordertokeepthisdiscussionbrief.
TheIndividualBenefits
Without doubt, visiting the Imams, especially Sayyid ash-Shuhada (as) has a very great individual
benefittoitsincethetruemeaningofZiyaratis“tomeetsomeone”and“beingoneandunited”withtheperson whomwe are encountering – either through a physical engagement or a spiritual and esotericmeeting.Fromonepointofview,weknowthatthesepersonalitiesareinfallibleandwithoutdoubt,whenapersonmeetsthosewhomhelikestobearoundandarehisfriends,hetakesontheircharacteristicsortrieshardtobelikethemto“fitin”(positivepeerpressure).Thus,whenapersongoestomeetthosewhoaretheclosesttoAllah(swt)inthespiritualhierarchyandwhoarethemostrighteousfromthepointofviewoftheiractionsanddemeanour,hewoulddefinitelyseektoemulateandbelikethem!Justasapersonwhohasbeen invited tomeet thepoliticalheadofacountryoranotherpersonality
would ensure that he looks presentable andwouldmake sure that he has showered, brushed his teeth,combedhishair,wornthebestclothingandappliedthebestperfume,sotoowhenapersongoestomeetpersonalitiessuchastheProphetofIslam(S)andtheA’immah(as),hetoomustensurethatnotonlyishepresentablefromthephysicalpointofview,butmoreimportantlythathisinsideispurifiedofallsins.ItisforthisreasonthatTawbahoraskingforgivenessisoneoftheintroductorystepsbeforeapersonevenentertainsthethoughtofgoingforZiyarat.Therefore,oneofthebenefitsoftheZiyaratisbothaphysicalcleaningofourbodyandalsoaspiritualcleansingofourheart!Isitpossibleforapersonwhosays‘As-Salam‘AlaikaO’Aba‘Abdillah’tobenegligentofthenoble
ethicaltraitswhichthisImambestexemplified?Isitpossibleforapersonwhosays‘As-Salam‘AlaikaO’Aba‘Abdillah’ tobeonewhoworshipshis lowerdesires, thewealthof theworldandwhoshowsvenerationtotheopenenemiesofAllah(swt)?IfweseethatwehavegonetovisittheProphet(S)oranyofourA’immah(as)whilewehave thesenegative traitswithinus thenweshouldbesure that there issomedoubtinregardstoourvisitation…
TheSocietalBenefits
The societal benefits of this visitation can be best understood if we analyze the reasons why the
enemiesoftheAhlulBayt(as)havepreventedtheShi’afromvisitingtheirA’immah(as)–thoseburiedinMedinaandIraq,butmoreimportantly,theoneburiedinKarbala’.The enemies of the Ahlul Bayt (as) , especially the Bani Umayyah, Bani Abbas and even today’s
enemiesknewandknowthepoweroftheZiyarat. TheyhaveprobablystudiedthephilosophyandtruemeaningoftheZiyaratbetterthanwehaveandthus,understandthatif it iscarriedoutwithacompleteawareness of the individual whom we are paying our respects to, his or her own struggles againstinjusticeandtheirmotivesinrisingupforAllah(swt),andthatifallofthesewereinstilledintheheartsofthosevisitingthem,thatagreatrevolutionwouldtakeplaceintheirlands!TheyknowthatthetruemeaningoftheZiyaratofImamHusayn(as)istherejectionandoverthrowof
‘theirversion’ofIslamandanacceptanceandimplementationofthetruevisageofIslamwhichcallsforjustice,equalityandfreedomforall.ThesocietaleffectsofthisZiyaratareoneswhichaffectallaspectsofone’slife–economics,social
welfare,artsandhumanities, literature,etc…Inaddition,somethingas“simple”astheplacingoftheTurbahduringthetimeofSalatwhichweprostrateuponremindsusoftwothings:oneisthatweareallfrom Allah and from the ground which He created us and it is back into that Earth that we shallreturn.HowevermoreimportantlyweareremindedthatifwearetogobacktoAllah,thenthebestwaytoreturnbacktoHimisthroughlosingourlifeontheplainsofKarbala’–notnecessarilythephysicallandofKarbala’inIraq,ratherasthesayinggoes,‘Everydayis‘AshuraandeverylandisKarbala’.’
WhyZiyarat‘Ashura??
OfalltheritesofvisitationwhichwecanreadwhenwewanttosaluteImamHusaynandhisfamily
andcompanions,thebestandmosthighlyrecommendedoneisthatofZiyarat‘Ashura.In this comprehensive visitation, we combine the concepts of Tawalla [Love for the sake of Allah
(swt)]andTabarra[HateforthesakeofAllah(swt)],thecultureofself-sacrificefortheloftygoalsofthesocietyandthefactthatwemustneversuccumbtooppressionandtyranny.In addition, through such an encompassing prayer, the issues of Tawhid,Nubuwwat andMa’ad are
explainedandwerealizethatwithoutImamate,thesethreeprinciplebeliefshavenomeaningorpowertothem!The truth of this statement is clear since if we look through history, these three beliefs have never
broughtaboutanyseriouschange in theMuslimstateofaffairs [just lookat thestateof the“Muslims”today throughout theworld]norhave these threebeliefsbeenable toconquer foreignoccupiersof theMuslimlandsnorexpelforeignentitieswhohaveillegallyoccupiedoursovereigncountries!OneQur’anic proof of this point is the verse ofMubahilah(3:61) inwhich theChristians,who had
come to debate the Prophet about the true character of Jesus the son of Mary, brought forth a veryinterestingpointwhichallMuslimscanlearnfrom.The delegation told the otherChristians that ifMuhammad brings his companions to theMubahilah
field then to go ahead and challenge them (as the companions - on their own - have no power orstrength). However ifMuhammadbrings hisAhlulBayt (‘Ali, Fatimah,Hasan andHusayn) then theymustnotgoagainsthimastheywoulddefinitelyperish!Thus,iftheChristiansofNajranknewthepoweroftheAhlulBayt,thenthisissomethingwhichtherest
oftheMuslimUmmahalsoneedstorealizeandaccept.Therefore,byreadingtheZiyaratof‘Ashura,weareactuallyseekingtokeeptheIslamofMuhammad,
‘Ali,HasanandHusayn….upuntilImamal-Hujjahaliveandthroughthisvisitation,werejecttheIslamofthelikesofAbuSufyan,thefirst,secondandthird“Caliphs”,Mu’awiyah,YazidandtheentirepollutedchainofBaniUmayyah,Bani‘Abbasandothers.
TheEtiquetteoftheZiyaratofImamHusayn
WhenvisitingtheshrineofImamHusayn(as),wemustfirstoffrealizewhomwearegoingtovisitand
the etiquette which we must observe. Just as we spend time to look presentable when we have animportantbusinessmeetingora luncheonwithaclient,sotowhenwegotomeet therepresentativeofAllah(swt)ontheEarth,wemustalsoobservetheseandmanyothernormsandetiquette.InalonghadithnarratedbyMuhammadb.Muslim,heaskedImamMuhammadb.‘Alial-Baqir(as)in
regardstotheetiquetteoftheZiyaratofImamHusayn(as).HespecificallyaskedthemImam,“Isitnotthe sameasvisiting thehouseofAllahandperforming theHajj?” To thisquestion, the Imamreplied,“Butofcourseitis.”Thecompanionthenasked,“Thus,areallthethingswhichtheHujjajmustobservealsonecessaryformetoperform?”Tothis,theImam(as)repliedandstated:“Itisincumbentuponyoutodealwiththosewhotravelwithyouwithgoodness;youshouldspeaklessexceptfortheremembranceofAllah;youmustensurethatyouarewearingcleanclothes…”The Imam(as)wenton to listover15conditions for thevisitorof ImamHusaynandconcludedhis
statement by telling b.Muslim that, “If you observe all of these conditions, then you shall receive therewardasifyouhadperformedaHajjand‘Umrah…”TheseareobviouslyrelatedtothatpersonwhoisabletophysicallyperformtheZiyarat,howevermany
ofthemcanalsobeperformedbythosewhoarereadingthisZiyaratfromfaraway.In summary, the thingswhich these sorts of ahadith teachus are thatweneed tomouldour lives to
conformwiththewayoflifeofthepersonwhomwearevisiting–spiritually.Weneedtoshowhumilityandhumblenessinourdaytodaylife[thiscanbeseeninthefactthatwhenweperformtheZiyaratwearerecommended to go barefoot and walk with tranquility], we need to always look presentable wheninteracting with others [we are recommended to wear clean, white clothes and apply perfume toourselves], we need to be ready and willing to assist those less fortunate than ourselves [it isrecommended to give Sadaqa before the Ziyarat and to offer a gift to others] and we need to showmoderationinour lifestyle[weare toldthatweshouldnoteatheavyandfattyfoodsbeforesuchvisitswhichmayonlymakeusfeeltiredandlazy]…In addition to the etiquette of Ziyarat related to our physical presence,wemust also remember the
spiritualetiquette–themostimportantonebeingtherejectionofallexternaldespotsandenemiesandthatifweneedtobekilledtokeepourhonouranddignity(justasImamHusayndid),thensobeit.Afterall,Sayyidash-Shuhada(as)hastoldusthat:“Adeathindignityisbetterthanalifeinhumiliation.”
4ChapterSectionOne
“PeacebeuponyouO’Aba‘Abdillah;PeacebeuponyouO’sonoftheMessengerofAllah;Peacebeupon youO’ son of the Commander of the Faithful and the son of the leader of the inheritors (of theProphet);PeacebeuponyouO’sonofFatimah,theleaderofthewomenoftheentireUniverse.”Oneoftheetiquettesandtraditionswhichisseeninallcivilizationsistheactofgreetingoneanotherat
thetimeofmeetinganddeparting.Asweknow,eachculturegreetsintheirownspecificmanner. Themannerofthoseinthe“West”isthatofshakinghands;thefarEastculturesgreetoneanotherbyslightlybendingatthewaist;yetotherswouldremovetheirhatoratleasttiptherimofthehattogreetanotherperson. Oneof the traditionsof theArabswas to say“MayAllahkeepyoualive”,howeverwith thedawnofIslam,thegreeting,astheQur’anitselfmentionsisthesayingof“As-SalamAlaikum”or“Peacebeuponyou”.The truemeaning of “As-SalamAlaikum” is not amere “Hi”, “Hello”, “How are you” as we are
accustomedtousingtoday–ithasamuchdeepermeaningthanjustastandardgreeting.Inactuality,therearethreemeaningsforthisgreeting:1.As-Salam,asweknow,isoneofthenamesofAllah.Thus,whenwesay“As-Salam
Alaikum”weareactuallysayingthatmaythetraitofAllah(as-Salamorpeaceandtranquility)beuponyouandmayHeprotectyou;2.As-Salamisalsointhemeaningofsubmissionorsurrender.Thus,whenwesay“As-
SalamAlaikum”weareactuallysaying thatwesubmit towhatyouwould likeforus todo(obviouslywithinthelimitsoftheShariah.);3.As-Salamisalsointhemeaningofprotectionorsafety.Thusinthismeaning,whenwe
greetanotherbelieverwith“As-SalamAlaikum”weareactuallyguaranteeingourbelievingbrotherorsisterprotectionfromanyevilfromourselvesandthatwewillnotdoasinglethingtoharmthem–eitherphysicallyorevenspiritually. Notonlywouldwenotharmthemwithourhands,butwewillalsonotcausethemgriefwithourtongue…ThuswhenweaddressAbi‘Abdillahandsay“As-SalamuAlaikaYaaAba‘Abdillah”wearesaying
that: ‘May the peace and tranquillitywhichAllah bestowsuponHis creations also be showered uponyou.Truly,wesubmittoyourmissionandcommandmentsandwhateveryouaskustodo.Inaddition,weshallnotdoasinglethingtohurtyou–eitheryourphysicalpresenceormoreimportantly,yourfeelings.In actuality,we are promising the Imam thatwe shall not break the laws ofAllah (since our Imam
grieveswhenheseesusdoingthis)norwillwedoanythingtotrampleonthesacredgoalsandobjectives
whichhelaiddownhislifetoprotect.Literally, Abillahmeans the ‘worshipper ofAllah’ and the literalmeaning ofAba ‘Abdillah is the
‘fatheroftheworshipperofAllah’.ThecustomoftheArabswasthatifapersonpossessedaspecificcharacteristic,theywouldthenrefer
tohimasthe‘father’ofthattrait.ThusweseethatAbuJahlwasknownassuchnotbecausehissonwasJahl(ignorant)ornamedJahl,ratheritwasduetothefactthathebestpersonifiedignoranceanditcanbesaidthathewasthe“father(leader)”ofignorance!Similarly,onewhohadastrongloveandaffectionforcatswouldbereferredtoasAbuHurairah–not
thatheisthefatherofacat,rather,sincehelovedandlikedtoplaywithcatshedevelopedthistitle!Thus,hadImamHusayn(peacebeuponhim)notrisenandsacrificedhislifeontheplainsofKarbala’,
todayAllahwouldnothavebeenworshippedasHeshouldbe–theShariahofMuhammadwouldhavebeenreplacedwiththeShariahofYazidandhislikes–thus,noneofuswouldhavebeenworthyofthename‘Abillah’.WiththemurderofImamHusayn,hegavelifetothetitle‘Abillah’andensuredthatwecouldworship
AllahasHehasrequiredusto.Thusforthisreasontoo,heisknownasthe‘fatheroftheworshipperofAllah’.Therefore,anyperson
whoisblessedtobeabletoworshipandsubmittoAllahhasbeengiventhisblessingthroughthebloodofthe3rdImam.It is for this reason that we are told, “Were it not for him (Imam Husayn) no one would have
worshippedAllah,andwereitnotforhim,noonewouldhavegaincognizanceofAllah.”In this first line of theZiyaratwegreet the Imamby recallingoneof his greatest titles and also by
mentioninghis lineage(his fatherandmother)andhisgrandfather– thus,wekeepalive thementionofthesepersonalitiesatatimewhenpeoplewantustoforgetthemandtothinkofothers!Wealsoguaranteethesefourpersonalitiesthatweshallnottransgresstheirteachingsnorshallwedoanythingtocausethemspiritualharmandgrief…
5ChapterSectionTwo
“PeacebeuponyouO’theonewhowaskilledandwhosebloodhasnotyetbeenavenged–andwhose
avengingisinthehandsofAllahandpeacebeuponyou,thesonofonewhowaskilledandwhosebloodhasnotyetbeenavenged(Imam‘Alib.AbiTalib)andpeacebeuponyouO’theonewhowasalone,anindividual(killed).”Inordertobetterunderstandthisline,itisnecessarytoofferthefollowingintroduction.Thecustomofthepre-IslamicArabswassuchthateachextendedfamilybelongedtoaparticularclan
ortribe.Ifapersonofonetribe,suchasBaniMudhirrwaskilledbysomeonefromBaniKinaana,thentheentiretribeofBaniKinaanawasheldresponsibleforthiscrime!ApersonfromBaniMudhirrwas“permitted”tokillanyonefromtheother tribeasretribution–evenif thatpersonwasnotguiltyof thekilling!Suchaformof‘collectiveguilt’wasthewayofthebackwardArabsandcanevenbeseentoday!Islamcameonthesceneandsaidthattheonewhoisguiltyofthecrimeistheonewhomustdothetime
and that ‘blindrevenge’ isnotpermissible. It is through thiscustomthat rivalriesandwarscame toahalt.Theonlypeopleresponsibleinensuringthatonewhowaskilledwasavengedwashisimmediatefamily–mother,father,brother,etc…With this said, we see in another Ziyarat of Imam Husayn that we pray, “And surely you are the
(metaphorical)bloodofAllahontheearthandyouarethebloodwhichhasnotbeavengedbyasinglepersonontheEarthandwhichcannotbeavengedexceptbyAllah,theOne.”Therefore,the‘avenger’mentionedinthisZiyaratisnottheavengerofanactdonebyonepersonupon
anotherperson since in this case itwouldhavebeen settledbetween ImamZaynulAbideen (peacebeuponhim)andShimr,Yazidandtheothers.Thisisnotakillingwhichcouldbeavengedinafewhoursandwiththekillingofafewpeople.Rather,thisisacaseofavengingthedeathofapersonwhowastherepresentativeofAllahoverallofhumanityforalltimeandissomethingwhichcanonlybecarriedoutbytheOnewhohadsentsucharepresentative.Inclosing,werecallthewordsofour6thImaminDu’aan-Nudbahwherehecriesouttotheonewho
shallavengethebloodonbehalfofAllah,“WhereistheonewhoshallavengethebloodofthemurderedProphetsandthesonsoftheProphetswhoweremurdered?WhereisheonewhoshallavengethebloodofthosekilledinKarbala’?”
6ChapterSectionThree
“Peacebeuponyouandalsouponthosesoulswhoaccompaniedyoutoyourannihilation.Uponyou
anduponallofthose(whowerekilled)istheSalamofAllahfrommeforeternity,aslongasthenightandthedayremain.”This part of theZiyarat includes salutationsuponboth the Imamand also thepure companionswho
sacrificedtheirsoulsforthecauseofIslamandthisinstilsagreatersenseofloveandrespectfortheseindividualsinourhearts.Throughthisgreeting(andalsokeepinginmindthethreedefinitionsof‘Salam’previouslygiven),we
makeapledgethatourloyaltyistoImamHusaynandhiscompanions.OurgreetingsandpledgetoourImamdonotendat thedayof‘‘Ashura–norevenafter‘Arbaeen–
rather,ourpledgecontinues“…as longas thenightandthedayremain.” Thus, for the trueShi’a,wekeepourpledgeandpromisetotheImamuntilweleavethisworld–andevenbeyond!ItisclearwhywegreetandmakethispledgetoourImam,howeverisitrighttomakesuchapactwith
thecompanionsoftheImam?Withoutdoubt,ifwestudythelivesofthenoblesoulswhoaccompaniedtheImamtoKarbala’,weseethattheyaretrulyworthyofsubmittingandpledgingourallegianceto–thisisdefinitelynotsomethingweseeinthecompanionsoftheProphet–especiallythosewhowereintheBattleofUhudwhofledthesceneofthebattle,lookingforthespoilsofwar!
7ChapterSectionFour
“O’Aba‘Abdillah!Surelythetribulationsaregreatandunbearableandyourtragedyisgreatforus,
andforallthepeopleofIslamandunbearableandgreatisyourtragedyintheheavensandforallofthedwellersoftheheavens.”InthissectionoftheZiyarat,weaddressourImamdirectlyandrecallthetragedieswhichbefellhim
andourgriefandremorseatwhatoccurredontheplainsofKarbala’.The historians have stated that from the first day of creation until the Resurrection comes, the
tribulationswhichImamHusaynfacedarethegreatestandmostsevere–andthereisnootherhistoricaleventwhich comes close towhat hewent through. However,why such an emphasis on recalling thistragedyinthisparticularwayandwithsuchwords?Thelatescholar,AyatullahMurtadaMutahharihaswrittenthat,“Once,Isatdownandtriedtocountthe
numberofreasonswhythiseventwassounbearableandIwasabletocomeupwitharoundtwenty-onereasonsandIdonotthinkthatthereisanyothersingleeventinthisworldwhichcouldcomparetothisinjustice…”WhenwestudytheeventofKarbala’weseethatnoonewasspared–theinfantchild,theyoungadults,
thegrownmen,theelderlyandeventhewomenofthecamp!Notonlyweretheymurderedincoldblood,but even after their death, theywere not shown respect and this is evident from the trampling of theirbodiesbythehorsesandtheirdecapitationandparadingthroughthestreetsofKufahandShaam(Syria)!Inaddition,wereadintheZiyaratthatthisisatribulationthatnotonlythepeopleoftheEarthfeelgrief
and cry about, but even the Angels in the Heavens express remorse about! In this regards, we havenumeroushadith,howeversufficesustoquotethefollowingfromthe6thImam,Jafarb.Muhammadas-Sadiqwherehehassaid,“Whatiswrongwithyouthatyoudonotgo(totheZiyaratofthegraveofal-Husayn)?Surely40,000Angelsareathisgrave,crying,untiltheDayofResurrection.”
8ChapterSectionFive
“May the curse (La’n) be upon those peoplewho laid down the foundations for the oppression and
wrongsdoneuponyou,thefamilyoftheProphet[AhlulBayt].”Theword“La’n”which isusually translatedas ‘curse’ isoneof thoseArabicwordswithnodirect
translationin theEnglish language. Its truemeaningis toberemovedanddistancedfromthemercyofAllahanddoesnotmean‘curse’asinusingacurseword(asweuseinEnglish).Thus,the‘La’n’whichwemakemeansthatweareaskingAllahtoremoveHismercyinthisworldfromthepeoplewhobroughttheeventofKarbala’intobeing(andwhoalsoperpetuatetheirclaimseventoday)andalsoforHimtonotshowMercyuponthemontheplainoftheResurrection.In thissection,weaskAllah toremovehismercyandblessingsfromthosepeople– thatpartof the
nationofIslam–wholaiddownthefoundationsoftyrannyandthisis indirectreferencetothosewhotookpartinSaqifahofBaniSa’idah–thosewhostoletheCaliphatefromitsrightfulinheritor,Imam‘Alib.AbiTalib.The‘La’n’isnotsomethingalientoIslamorlimitedtotheShi’asincetheQur’anclearlytellsusthat
this is something permissible for allMuslims and is an actwhich theAngels andAllahHimself alsoperformuponcertain individuals! InSuratulAhzab(33),verse57weread,“Surely thosepeoplewhohurtAllah andHisProphet (Muhammad), the curseofAllah shall beupon them in this life and in thenext…”Without doubt, we can not “hurt” Allah – however we can do things against His religion and His
chosenservantswhichHedoesnotacceptandwhich“anger”him.Withoutdoubt,thekillingoftheonewhomHehadchosen to lead thecommunity isonesuch reason forHiscurse todescend. Inaddition,withoutdoubt,thekillingofthesonoftheProphet(ImamHusayn)isanactwhichhurttheProphet.Thus,hehasarighttocursesuchindividualsandusbeinghisfollowers,actingaccordingtohisSunnahhaveeveryrighttoalsocursesuchpeople!Ashistoriansassert,hadthecaliphatenotbeenstolenfromtheCommanderoftheFaithfulintheevent
ofSaqifah,thefoundationsforoppressionandwrongsdoneuponallthemembersoftheAhlulBaytwouldneverhavebeenlaid.Thus,weaskAllahtoremoveHismercyfromthosewhohatchedtheplotswhichledtothisgreattragedy…
9ChapterSectionSix
“MayAllahcursethosepeoplewhodeniedyouyourposition(O’AhlulBayt)andremovedyoufrom
yourrankwhichAllahhimselfhadgrantedyou.”TheShi’ahaveafirmbeliefintheImamateofthechosenmembersofthefamilyoftheProphetasthey
formthecompletionofthefaithofIslamand‘perfect’themessageoftheProphetbyprotectingituntiltheendoftime.IntheopinionoftheShi’a,theroleoftheImamistwo:
1.IslamicReligiousLeadership
AllMuslimsagreethatinthe23yearspanoftheProphetofIslam,eventhoughtheentireQur’anwas
revealed, however not all of the Islamic laws were implemented and explained to the community indetail.ItisforthisreasonthatsomeMuslimsbelievethatifthereisnorulingintheQur’anorSunnahthattheycanapplyQiyas(analogy)tothelaws–inessence,makinguptheirownrulings.HowevertheShi’abelievethatsincethereare12ImamsaftertheProphet,thattheyhadtheresponsibilitytoexplainandelucidateupontherulingsoftheProphetandtofurtherdevelopthese–basedontheirinfallibilityandDivinelygrantedknowledge.Thus,thereisnoroomintheShi’ateachingsformakinguprulingsbasedonone’sown‘opinion’.
2.PoliticalLeadershipoftheUmmah
The majority of Muslims believe that after the Prophet, we are free to choose our own political
leadershipandevenifanunjustandtyrannicalrulerisplacedastheheadbythe“majority”,thenhemustbefollowedwithoutquestion!However, theShi’abelievethatAllahwouldneverleavethecommunitywithoutapoliticalleaderandthus,theProphetdefinitelyappointedandmadeknownhissuccessors.Inourpresentdayandage, it is interesting thatwhenYasirArafatwasonhisdeathbed,hisfollowers intheWest Bank andGaza Stripwere talking about his successor to carry the cause of the Palestiniansforward!Just imagine, thesepeoplehavetheforesight toensureasuccessor isgroomedandappointedfor the
roleofguidingafewmillionpeoplefromPalestine,howeverourProphetwouldleavethisworldwithoutdoingthesamefortheentireMuslimnationofcloseto2,000,000,000,000people!The ‘curse’ in this section of the Ziyarat is directed towards those people who denied a group of
peopletheirGodgivenrighttoruleandleadandwhoultimatelyendedupdenyingthewordsofAllahandthe Prophet by electing their own leaders! From this line we also understand that Islam is not only“prayers and fasting” – rather, it is a complete systemwhich includes theReligious leadership of thecommunityandallofitsaspects:social,political,economic,artisticandallotherdimensions.Thus,werejectanyformof“Islam”ifitdoesnotconformtotheIslamofRasulullah,‘Ali,Hasanand
Husaynandtherestoftheinfallibles(peacebeuponallofthem).
10ChapterSectionSevenandEight
“MaythecurseofAllahbeuponthosepeoplewhokilledyouandmaythecurseofAllahbeuponthose
peoplewhomadeiteasyforthembypreparingthegroundsofyourkilling.”Themeaningof“…thosepeoplewhokilledyou…”isadirectreferencetoYazid,Shimrandtheother
criminals who directly carried out the war against the successor of the Prophet and may also be inreferencetothosepeoplewhokilledthefirst11Imams.As for who “… those people who made it easy for them… ”, we alluded to this in our previous
discussionandonceagainreiteratethatthesepeoplearenoneotherthanthosewholaidthefoundationofKarbala’whiletheybattledforpowerintheSaqifahofBaniSa’ida.“I turn toAllah and I turn towardsyouand turn away from themand their adherents, followers and
friends.”NotonlydowecurseandaskAllahtoremoveHismercyfromthesepeople,butoncewehavecarried
this Islamic injunctionout,we thenattest thatwehold firmly toAllahand theAhlulBaytanddistanceourselvesfromnotonlythekillersoftheImam,butalsothosewhoadheretotheirideologyandacceptthemastheirleaders,thosewhofollowthem(bothinsuccessionandalsointhespiritualessenceoftheword)andthosewhoareclassifiedastheirfriends.Isthisnothingotherthan“Tabarrah”whichisoneofourFuru’ad-Din?This belief of Tawallah and Tabarrah can best be summarized in the famous hadith from Imam
Muhammadb.‘AliAl-Baqir(peacebeuponhim)inwhich,whenhewasaskedabout thedefinitionof‘religion’andhesaid,“…isreligionanythingotherthanloveandhate…”
11ChapterSectionNine
“O’Aba‘Abdillah! IamatpeacewiththosewhomakepeacewithyouandIamatwarwiththose
whomakewarwithyouuntiltheDayofJudgment.”ThislineoftheZiyaratactsasacontinuousandeverlastingpledgethatwemaketoourImamthatno
matter what time and day we live in, those who are at peace and submitting to hisWilayat will beconsideredasourfriends.However,iftheyareagainsttheImam,thenwetoowillstandagainstthem!Thus,we are not limiting our enmity and hatred to thosewhokilled the Imam in the year 61AH–
rather,thisanimosityanddistancingfromhisenemiescontinuestodayinthe20thCentury!This line is very close to what we read in Hadith al-Kisa in which the Prophet himself said, “O’
Allah! Surely these (‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn) are my family members and those selectindividualsandmyhelpers.Theirfleshisasmyfleshandtheirbloodisasmyblood.Thatwhichhurtsmealsohurtsthemandthatwhichbringsgrieftomealsobringsgrieftothem.IamatwarwiththosewhoareatwarwiththemandIamatpeacewiththosewhoareatpeacewiththemandIamanenemytotheirenemiesandIamalovertothosewholovethem.SurelytheyarefrommeandIamfromthem…”This line in the Ziyarat should also act as awakeup tool for us that in all times,we need to keep
ourselvespoliticallyawareofwhatisgoingonsothatwearesuretoalwaysbesupportingtheoppressedand standingup to theoppressors. If this is not the case, thenwehave surelymade amockeryof thisZiyaratandofthesacrificeofourImam.
12ChapterSectionTen
“MaythecurseofAllahbeuponthefamilyofZiyadandthefamilyofMarwanandmaythecurseof
AllahbeuponBaniUmayyah.”AtthispointintheZiyarat,wenowbegintorelatesomeofthenamesofthecriminalsresponsiblefor
themassacre inKarbala’by listing threespecific familiesand tribes: the familyofZiyad, the familyofMarwan,andthecorrupttreeofBaniUmayyah.Thehistoryofthesethreegroupswouldtakeuspagestonarrate,howeverweofferafewhighlightsoftheirinfamouslivessothatthisZiyaratisbetterunderstood.1)WhowasZiyadandwhycursehimandhisfamily?Hisownlineageisnotknownsincehismother
wasaknownadulteressandhasthusbeenattributedtobeingthesonofnolessthansevendifferentmen–itisforthisreasonthatheissometimesreferredtoasZiyadthesonofhisfather!Inthebeginning,ZiyadwasastaunchfollowerofImam‘Ali(peacebeuponhim)andwasappointedtotheregionofFars(Iran)asagovernor.HewasalsoloyaltoImamHusaynduringtheinitialperiodofhisImamatehoweververyshortly,Mua’wiyahmanagedtobuyhimoutandusehimforhisownwickedgames.HewasappointedbyMua’wiyahasthegovernorofKufahatwhichtimehekillednumerousShi’aandcausedgreatproblemsforthefollowersof‘Ali.2)MarwanwasthesonofHakamb.AbilAasb.UmayyahandwastheuncleofUthmanb.Affan(the
3rdCaliph).HeandhisfatherwereexiledbytheProphetandremainedoutofMadinahduringthereignofthefirsttwocaliphsanditwasUthmanwhopermittedthemback(thusgoingagainsttheProphet)andalso granted Marwan huge sums of money from the public treasury (after all, they wererelated).Mua’wiyahappointedHakamasthegovernorofMadinaandafterhisdeath,manyindividualsfromhisfamilytookthisposition.Toshowhowdespisedthisfamilywas,ithasbeennarratedthatanytimeachildwasborninMadina,
theparentswouldtakethechildtotheProphetforhimtomakeaDu’aforhim.WhenMarwanwasborntheProphetmadeaDu’aandsaid,“…heisthecursedsonofacursedfather…”3)TheBaniUmayyahneednointroductionduetotheirknownactsoftyrannyandoppressionagainst
theProphet and the first 6 Imams. Insha-Allah, during this exposition,more lightwill be shedon thepollutedtreeoftheBaniUmayyahandtheevilswhichtheywreakedontheMuslimsociety.
13ChapterSectionEleven
“MaythecurseofAllahbeuponIbneMarjanaandmaythecurseofAllahbeupon‘‘Umarb.Sa’adand
maythecurseofAllahbeuponShimr.”Ibne Marjana is one of the people discussed in the previous section as he is from the family of
Ziyad. SincehismotherwasanadulteressnamedMarjana, ifwewish torefer tohimbyhismother’sside,hewouldbeknownasIbneMarjana,whileifwewishtorefertohimbyhisfather’sside,whowasalsoanunchasteperson,hewouldbeknownasb.Ziyad.Thus,(‘Ubaydullah)b.Ziyadisalsoknownas‘UbaydullahIbneMarjana–onewithanunclearlineageandfamilytree.WhatwasIbneMarjana’sroleintheeventofKarbala’?HewasthegovernorofBasrahandthenwas
senttoKufah.HewasdirectlyresponsibleforthekillingofMuslimb.‘AqilandalsoguiltyofmassingthetroopstowardsKarbala’.‘‘Umarb.Sa’db.AbiWaqqasisthesecondpersoncursedinthissection.Sa’db.AbiWaqqaswasa
prominentcompanionoftheProphet,howeverlikeothers,heletthematerialworldandSatangetthebestofhimsometimeafterthedeathoftheMessengerofAllah.RisingupinoppositiontotheImamateof‘Alib.AbiTalib,herefusedtopledgehisallegiancetothe
successor of the Prophet and after a lifetime of submission to Islam, ended up leaving this world inoppositiontoAllah. Howeverhisson,whowascursedbyProphetMuhammadandImam‘Alididnoteven enjoy a temporary lofty rank andwas actually disowned by his father! His role in the event of‘Ashurawasascommander-in-chiefoftheentirebattalionontheplainsofKarbala’ashewasgiventhe“honour”ofbeingthegovernorofRay(avillageontheoutskirtsofTehran,Iran–itstillexiststodayasasuburbofSouthTehran).ToshowhisperversityandSatanicideasatthemerethoughtofkillingtheremaininggrandsonofthe
Prophet,wequotetwolinesofpoetryhecomposed:“ShouldIgiveupthegovernmentofRaywhichismyultimategoalanddesiretoattain?OrshouldIreturntoKufah,guiltyandculpableofthekillingofal-Husayn?Andinthekillingofhim(al-Husayn)isthehellfireofwhichthereisnothingtosaveme,HoweverthegovernmentofRayisthatthingwhichbringspleasuretomyeyes.”Shimarb.DhilJawshan,thethirdpersoncursedinthissectionwasonceastaunchfollowerofImam
‘AliandevenfoughtagainstMu’awiyahinthebattleofSiffin,howeverhetoosuccumbedtoSatanandfollowedhislowdesires.
HiscrimesincludedencouragingIbneZiyadnottoacceptanysortofpeacetreatywithImamHusaynandtoensurethathewaskilledtopreventanymore‘rebellion’inthenation.Hissinsaretoonumeroustorecounthere,howeverhisgreatestcrimewasseveringtheheadoffofthebodyofImamHusayn.
14ChapterSectionTwelve
“AndmaythecurseofAllahbeuponthenationthatcarriedout,sawandweresilentatyourkilling.”Howmanypeoplemakeupthis‘nation’mentionedinthissectionwhosaw,carriedoutandweresilent
atthemassacreofKarbala’?Somehistoriansstatethatthisnumberexceeded80,000peoplehoweverthemostfamousaccountwhichhascometousdirectlyfromtheMasumeenis30,000.TheentirecityofKufahwasmobilizedforthisactofterrorismand‘‘Ubaydullahb.Ziyadensuredthat
everythingneededtofinishthisbattlewasbroughttothewarfront.Those who participated in this event and even those who did not however remained silent are all
cursed–justasthosewhoeventodayhearofthistragedyandofotheractsofoppressionthroughouttheworldarecursedeveniftheyarenotdirectlyresponsibleforwhathappens.TherearethreemainreasonswhytheImamdidnotreceivethesupportheshouldhavegottenfromthe
Muslims,anduponreviewweseethattheyaredefinitelynot‘validexcuses’:1. The people’s ownpersonal gain andprofit: When ImamHusayn,while in theHajj asked a
personwhohadjustarrivedfromKufahaboutwhatthepeopleweretalkingabout, thismansaid,“Theheartsofthepeoplearewithyou,howevertheirswordsarewithBaniUmayyah…”Tothis,theImamreplied, “Surely thepeopleare the servantsof the transientworldand the religion is somethingwhichtheypaylipserviceto.Theyholdontoitwhenitservestheirpurposehoweverwhentheyareplaguedwithdifficulties,thenveryfewholdfirmtoit.”2.Fearofthegovernmentinpower:Mua’wiyah,Yazidandhisgangwereveryeffectiveinstriking
terrorandfearintotheheartsofthepeople.ThepropagandaofYazid,b.Ziyadandothersinfuseddeepintothepsycheofthepeoplesuchthattheyshookatthethoughtofgoingagainsttheir‘leaders’letaloneevenquestiontheiractions.3.Ignoranceofthetruth:Inalltimes,weseethatthosewhoaremisledarethepeoplewholacktrue
knowledgeandawarenessofwhatisgoingonintheworld,justasImam‘Alihassaid,“Ignoranceistherootofallevil.”Again,thepropagandamachineofYazidwassostrongthatpeoplethoughthimandhisforefatherstobethetrueMuslimsandleaders,whiletheCommanderoftheFaithfulandhisfamilywereconsideredtobeoutofthefoldofIslam!Onewondersifthesesamethingscannotbeseeninallageswheretruthispittedagainstfalsehood…
15ChapterSectionThirteen
“Maymyfatherandmotherbesacrificedforyou.SurelymysorrowforyouisgreatandIpraytoAllah
whohashonouredyourstatusandhasalsohonouredmethroughyouthatHegrantmetheopportunitytoseekyourrevengewiththevictoriousImamfromthefamilyofMuhammad.”Thisisperhapsoneofthemostmoving,inspirational,andthoughtprovokinglinesofthisZiyarat.We firstmakeaveryhonorificpromise to the Imam thathadhebeenalive today, thatwewouldbe
willing to sacrifice ourselves and even our parents in his way. Thus, our lives mean nothing whencomparedtotheImam.ThisisnotonlyapleamadetoanImamwhoisnolongerwithus,rather,sinceour 12th Imam is still alive and among us,we aremaking this pledge to him aswell, since he is theinheritorofImamHusayn–arewetrulyreadyandwillingtosacrificeourselvesandourfamiliesforthe12thImam?Itishardenoughtosacrificeourmoneyletaloneourlivesandourparents…TheappealmadeinthissectionoftheZiyaratistobealongsidethe12thImaminhisarmytotakethe
revengeonallofthosewhowereguiltyofthisgreatcrime–fromthedaysinSaqifahupuntilthedayof‘Ashurain61AH.AsforthehonouredstatusoftheImam,torecounthisloftyrankwouldtakeusvolumes,howeveritis
enough tomention that hewas the son of theProphet (according to theQur’an) and that the dirt fromaroundhisgraveisameansofcureforillnessashasbeenseenandrecordedinmanybooks.Itisthroughhisnoblestatusthatwetoday,theShi’a,haveanystatusorhonour–asitisthroughfollowinghismissionthattrueIslamisseparatedanddifferentiatedfromtheIslampracticedbythemajorityofothers.Wealsomakeasupplicationthatweareabletoassistthe12thImaminhismissiontoavengethedeath
oftheHujjatofAllahontheEarth.Yesitistruethatover1,350yearshavepassedsincethismassacreand thatMukhtar took“revenge” for thekillings,however the true revengewhich is tobedoneby theimmediate family under the authority ofAllah still remains – aswediscussed in the beginning of thiscommentary.Inactuality,thislineoftheZiyaratshowsusthat‘Ashuraisnot‘oneday’andKarbala’isnot‘oneland’
andthataslongasoppressionandtyrannyremain,‘AshuraandKarbala’remainandit isonlywiththeadventofthe12thImamthatthisstateofaffairswillperpetuate.Unfortunately, we only study the event of Karbala’ and ‘Ashura as a historical occurrencewith no
desiretotieitintocurrenteventstoseehowKarbala’isalivetodayandhow‘AshuraisoccurringeverydayandthisiswhatthisonelineoftheZiyaratisseekingtoinstilwithinus…
Italsokeepsthehopeoftheadventofthereformeroftheworld,our12thImam,enlivenedinourheartsasweseektobealongsidehimwhentheDivineretributiontakesplace.
16ChapterSectionFourteen
“O’Allah! Makemeworthy of respect withYou throughHusayn, peace be upon him, both in the
transientworldandalsothenextlife.”Thestatuswhichwehave–eitherinthisworld,orthenext, is inaccordancetoourlevelofTaqwa
whichcanonlybedevelopedthroughaconsciousnessandawarenessofAllah.ThebestwaytodevelopthisTaqwaisobviouslytohaveperfectrolemodelstofollowwhocanbringusclosertoHispresence–whobetterthantheMessengerofIslamandhisAhlulBayt?In this case, we refer to the character and persona of ImamHusayn and use him as our guide and
teacher toAllah. In this part of the Ziyaratwe addressAllah and say to him that it is through ImamHusaynandour spiritual connectionwithhim thatwedesire respect andhonour inAllah’spresence–bothinthisworldandthenext!Truly ifwewere not followers of the Prophet of Islam and hisDivinely appointed successors,we
wouldnotbeworthyofhavingrespectshowntousbyAllahasthesepersonalitiesarethe‘ropeofAllah’whichHehasstretchedforthforHisservants.
17ChapterSectionFifteen
“O’Aba‘Abdillah!SurelyIseekclosenesstoAllahandtoHisMessengerandtotheCommanderof
theFaithfuland toFatimahand toHasanand toyou through loveofyouand throughdistancingmyselffromthosewholaidthefoundationsandthosewhobuiltuponandcarriedoutoppressionandcrueltyuponyouallanduponyourfollowers.”What does it mean to seek closeness to Allah, His Messenger and the other noble personalities
mentionedinthissection?Withoutdoubt,‘closeness’totheseindividualscannotbeinthephysicalsenseoftheword–rather,itisaspiritualmeaning.Therefore,beingclosetoAllahmeanstobeatthehighestpinnaclesoffaithandcertaintysuchthatapersonhasnodoubtsormisgivingsofthepathoflife,Al-Islam,whichhehaschosentofollow.Closeness to the Messenger of Allah, the Commander of the Faithful, Fatimah, Hasan, and Imam
Husaynisalsoachievedthroughfollowingtheirmissionandwayoflifeandbecoming‘one’withthemonthespiritualrealms.AccordingtothissectionoftheZiyarat,closenesstoAllahcanonlybeachievedthrough“TawAllah”
and“TAbarrah”– loveandhatefor thosewhomAllahhascommandedus toshowthese twoopposingstatestowards.ThisisnotonlyaconceptseeninthisZiyarat,rather,inmanyoftheversesoftheQur’an,wearealsotoldtohaveloveandcompanionshipforthebelieversandtobeharshandfirmagainstthedisbelievers.Thusinsummary,weseethattheonlywaytobeclosetoAllahandHisMessengerandthosewhomwe
areorderedtofollowandobeyisthroughloveforthem–andtrueloveentailsacompleteobediencetotheonewhomwelove(astheQur’analsoatteststo).Atthesametime,loveisnotenoughas‘lovecannotconquerevil’–thus,wealsoneedtodistanceourselvesandmakeknownouraversiontothosepeoplewhooppressedandmercilesslykilledthefamilyoftheProphet–wehavementionedwhothesepeopleareinourpreviousdiscussionsandmoreshallbementionedinthisZiyarat,Insha-Allah.
18ChapterSectionSixteenandSeventeen
“IdisassociatemyselffromthemthroughAllahandthroughallofyouandIseeknearnesstoAllahand
then toyou throughloveforyouandyourfriendsanddisassociationwithyourenemiesandfromthosewhowanttofightagainstyouanddisassociationfromtheiradherentsandfollowers.”TheimportanceofdisassociationfromtheenemiesofAllahissogreatthatwerepeatourthoughtsin
thissection. Justas in the lastsectionwesoughtcloseness toAllahandthoseselectpersonalitiesanddistancedourselves fromHis enemies,onceagainwe repeat the samewords since if there is evenanatom’s weight of love in our hearts for the enemies of Allah, it is impossible to love Allah, HisMessengerandtheAhlulBayt.“SurelyIamatpeacewiththosewhoareatpeacewithyouandIamatwarwiththosewhoareatwar
withyouandIamafriendstothosewhoarefriendstoyouandIamanenemytothosewhoareenemiestoyou.”Inactuality,thislineoftheZiyaratisthenaturaloutcomefromtheprevioustwosections–meaningthat
oncewerealizewhoweloveandhate,wethenrealizewhomweareatwarwithandwhomweareatpeace with. Is it possible for us to love the enemy of Allah, the Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt whileshowinghatredfortheirsincerefollowers??Obviously,oncewerealizewhoourtruelovesandguidesarewewouldnecessarilybeloyaltothem
andalsothosewholoveandfollowthem.WhenwerealizewhotheenemiesofAllah,theProphetandhis Ahlul Bayt are we would necessarily also have an aversion to them and would be in a state ofperpetualwarwiththem…
19ChapterSectionEighteen
“SothenIaskAllahwhohashonouredmewithacognizanceofallofyouandacognizanceofyour
friendsthatHealsograntmetheopportunitytodisassociatemyselffromyourenemiesandthatHeplacemewithyou–both in the transientworldandalso in thenext life–and thathemakeme firm inyourpresencewithatruthfulstancebothinthetransientworldandalsothenextlife.”Whenapersonwantstofollowanotherpersonorideology,itisnecessaryforhimtoknowthatperson
or ideology from all of its various dimensions. Can a supporter of democracy for example, saywith100%certaintythatheacceptsthisformofgovernmentifhehasnotstudiedit?Thus, the friends of theAhlulBaytwould necessarily become closer to these individuals through a
deeperknowledgeofthesenoblepersonalitiesandallaspectsoftheirlives.Asweknow, thisdeepknowledgeof theAhlulBaytwhichwerequestcanonlybegranted tousby
AllahanditisforthisreasonthatwealwaysturnbacktoHimasoursourceofguidance.Thisisoneofthekeyingredients in theDu’aandZiyaaraatwhichtheProphetandA’immahhavetaughtus thateveryissuegoesbacktoAllah,thus,placingTawhidatthefore-frontofallofourdiscussions.In thisZiyarat,whatdoes itmeanwhenwesay,“…thatHeplacemewithyouboth in the transient
worldandalsointhenextlife…”?This‘oneness’hasverymanylevelsanddegreestoit,howeverinthis section it refers to a “spiritual oneness”which is accomplished through following themorals andetiquetteoftheAhlulBaytsuchthat‘beinglikethem’isthenequatedwith‘beingwiththem’–thisisinregardstothelifeofthisworld.Asforthenextworld,theQur’anitselftellsusthat,“OnthatDayshallwecalleverypeoplewiththeir
Imam…” Thus,wepray that on theDayof Judgment,we are raisedup in the companyofour Imamhowevertheonlywaythiscanbeaccomplishedistobewiththeminthisworld.ThelastlineofthisZiyaratwhichreads,“…andthathemakemefirminyourpresencewithatruthful
stance…”carriesaveryimportantmeaningwithit.Inthisline,wearebeingtaughtthatitisnotofanyworthtobea“Husayni”forthemoment–meaningthattoprofessloveatthismomentofourlivesisnotsomegreathonour.Rather,whatisimportantistodieasa“Husayni”andtobebroughtupontheDayofResurrectionasa“Husayni”.HowmanypeoplelivedaroundtheProphetandwerehis“companions”inthisworld–willtheybehis
companions in thenext life? Howmanypeoplepledgedallegiance to ‘Alion thedayofGhadeerandevenafterthedeathofthefirstthreeCaliphshoweverwhereweretheywhenhewasfightingthebattlesofJamal,Siffin,Nahrwanandotherwars?
Thus,inthissectionwemakeaprayertoAllahthatweareabletoremainasa“Husayni”throughout
ourentirelifeandevenatResurrectionandthatweneverswitchsidesandbecomea“Yazidi”…
20ChapterSectionNineteen
“AndIaskHim(Allah)thatHeenablesmetoreachtothehonouredstationwithyouinthepresenceof
AllahandthatHegrantmetheabilitytoseektherevengeofyouwiththerightlyguidedImamfromyou,whoshallsurelycomeandspeakthetruth.”Thehonouredstation(Maqaamal-Mahmood)isnotonewhicheverybodycanreachtoanditisforthis
reasonthatinSuratulIsra(17),weread,“…andinthenightperformtherecommendedprayers(SalatulLail). Perhaps is through this act that Your Lord may grant you an honoured station (Maqaam al-Mahmood).” Thus, the onlyway to soar to the peaks of closenesswithAllah is through the spiritualtravels–oneofthembeingclosenesstotheAhlulBaytinthetruesenseoftheword.AlthoughthetafseerofthisversehaslimitedthetrueMaqaamal-MahmoodasbelongingtotheProphet
MuhammadandhispowerofIntercessionforallwhoAllahpermitshimtointercedefor,howeverthereare otherswho, according to numerous ahadith,will have the permission to intercede for others – theteacher will be able to intercede for his students; the Shaheed will be able to intercede for familymembersandothercategorieswhichthehadithspeakabout.However,thetermMaqaamal-Mahmoodusedinthissectionisofa‘general’natureofaloftystatus
andnotthatrankoftheProphetofIslam.Thementionofthe12thImamisonceagainseeninthisZiyaratandweonceagainaskAllahthatwe
aregiventheopportunitytobewithourImaminseekingrevengeforthisgreatactofmurderontheplainsofKarbala’.ThisImamwillcomeandwilltaketherevengeforhisfamilywhowerewrongedandoneofthe Du’as of each true believer should be that he is present and fighting with the Imam ratherthanagainsttheImam.
21ChapterSectionTwenty
“AndIaskAllahforyoursakeandforthestatusandrankwhichyouhavewithHimthatHegrantme
thatthingduetomeshowinggriefandsorrowatyoursorrowsevenmorethanofthatwhichhegivesinaperson’sowngrief and sorrows,andwhatgreat sorrowand tragediesyou faced!HowgreatwasyourtragedyforIslamandforalloftheinhabitantsoftheheavensandtheEarth!”What is being asked for in this section of the Ziyarat? The Qur’an clearly tells us that when an
afflictionbefallsapersontherearecertainthingswhichAllahgrantshim:“AndsurelyWewilltestyouwithsomethingfromfearandhungerandalossinyourwealth,livesandyourchildren–thengivegoodtidingstothosewhoshowpatiencethatwhenatribulationbefallsthemtheysay,‘SurelyweareallfromAllahandbacktoHimisourreturn.’Surelyitisuponthesepeoplethat
theprayersoftheirLordareshoweredandHisMercyandsurelyitisthesepeoplewhoareontherightpath.”(2:155-157)Thus,inthissectionoftheZiyaratweareaskingAllahtograntuspatienceandtoshoweruswithHis
PrayersandMercyforusbearingthetribulationswhichbefellAbi‘Abdillahandhisfamilyandfriends.Wealsoattest tothefact thatwhatevercomesuponusintheformoftribulationsandtests isnothing
comparedtowhathappenedtothegrandsonoftheProphetandthathistribulationsweresomethingwhichalloftheinhabitantsoftheheavensandtheEarthhadahardtimeinbearing!Accordingtoonehadithfromthe5thImam,everythingincreation–theJinn,wildanimals,trees,even
theskycriedatthemurderofImamHusayn!ThisshouldcomeasnosurprisetousasinoneverseoftheQur’an,Allahtellsusthatatthedeathofaparticularperson,theskyandtheEarthdidnotcry(sincethispersonwasnotworthyofthis)–thus,thismeansthatatthedeathofothers,itispossiblefortheEarthandSkytoshow‘emotions’andshetears.Even today, scientists have shownhowanimals candevelop a close bond to their owner and if the
ownerdies,thatanimalisabletosensethisandalsofeelsgriefandtheirentirepatternoflifechanges…Withoutdoubt,theHujjatofAllahleavinghisEarthinthefashioninwhichhedidissomethingwhich
wouldevenmakeahardrocksplitandhavewatergushoutfromit,howeverhowtragicitisthattheheartwhohearsofhistragedydoesnotbreakdownintears…
22ChapterSectionTwentyOneandTwentyTwo
“O’Allah!Makemeatthismoment,onewhoreceivesfromYouprayers,mercyandforgiveness.”Themeaningof“…makemeat thismoment…” is thatpoint in timewhenaperson is reciting this
Ziyaratsince,asmentionedbefore,oneisabletoattainclosenesstoAllahandHischosenpersonalitiesthroughloveandaffinityfortheProphetMuhammadandhischosenfamilymembers.Thus,asweseeknearnesstoAllahthroughtheAhlulBayt,weaskAllahforHisprayers,mercyand
Hisforgivenessfromoursinsandtransgressions.“O’Allah!MakemelivethelifeofMuhammadandthefamilyofMuhammadandpermitmetodiethe
deathofMuhammadandthefamilyofMuhammad.”We know the way of life of Muhammad and his family – they led a life of piety, humility and
humbleness. Theydidnot indulge inextravagance,norwere theymiserly in theirspending. Whatevertheydidwas forAllahand toseeknearness toAllah. This iswhatweask for in the firstpartof thissection.WealsoknowthattheystoodupfortruthandjusticeandwhenthetimecametogivetheirlifefortheprotectionofthefaithofIslam,theydidastheyneeded.The positive traits and noble ethical qualities which the Prophet and his family possess are too
numeroustomentionhere,howeverweaskAllahtoblessourlifeandpermitustolivethesamesortoflifethattheyhad.Asforthesecondportioninwhichweaskthatwe‘…diethedeathofMuhammadandthefamilyof
Muhammad… ’ this is a farmore important aspect. In essence,we are askingAllah for a noble andgloriousdeath–adeaththatthefamilyoftheProphetwelcomedinwhichtheywerekilleddefendingthecauseofAllahandHisfaithsincegenerallyspeaking,thewayweliveisthewaywedie.It is not possible for a person to live his life as a ‘Husayni’ but die as a ‘Yazidi’ – as long as the
‘Husayni’traitsaredeeplyengrainedinhispsycheandessence,hewillneverleavethispath.Similarly,itisnotpossibleforapersontolivehisentirelifeasa‘Yazidi’butdieasa‘Husayni’ashisheartwouldbe so pollutedwith sins and evil, that it would be very hard, if not impossible to return back to thestraightpath. Granted thereare thosewhohave led less thanpious livesandhavediedon thepathofIslamhoweverforthemwecanstatethattheyhadnotarrivedtoastateinwhichtheirentirepresencehadbeencoveredoverwithsins–peoplesuchasHurrb.Yazidal-Riyaahi.Thus,inthislifeoftheZiyaratweareaskingforthedeathofaShaheed–Martyr–asthisisthenoblest
wayofleavingtheworldespeciallykeepinginmindthatwecoulddieinmanywayssuchascrossingthe
street,ridingabikeorsomethingofthisnature…
23ChapterSectionTwentyThree
“O’Allah!Thisistheday(theDayof‘Ashura)whichtheBaniUmayyahrejoicedupon(andistheday
when the) son of the liver eater (the son of Hind b. Abu Sufyan – Mu’awiyah and his son Yazid)celebrated, the cursed son(s) (Yazid) of the cursed (Mu’awiyah), as said byYou andYour Prophet ateveryplaceandoccasion.”InthissectionoftheZiyarat,weonceagainturnourattentiontothosespecificpeoplewhoarecursed
byAllah,HisProphetandallwhoaregiventhepermissiontocursebyAllah.WearetoldthattheBaniUmayahrejoicedonthisday–theDayof‘Ashura–howeverwhatexactlydid
theycommemorateonthisday?ThebooksofhistorytellusthatthefollowingthingswereinnovatedintothefaithduringthetimeofYazidandtherestofthecorruptleaders:1.Theyconsidered thisdayas theoneonwhich the sustenance isdeterminedbyAllah and theday
whenAllahwoulddividehisblessingsonHisservantsforthenextyear.ItisforthisreasonthattheAhlulBaythaveadvisedtheirfollowerstorefrainfromwork,school,etc…onthisday.2.TheyconsideredthisdayasadayofEidandthus,encouragedtheirfollowerstocleantheirhouse,
applyperfume,wearclean,newclothingandalloftheotheractsrelatedtoEid.Again,theAhlulBaythavetoldustomarkthisdayinasolemnmannerandwithgriefandsorrowwith‘modest’and‘simple’dress.3. TheBaniUmayyah used to fast on this day and even still,many followers of theBaniUmayyah
(thosewhomakeupamajorityoftheMuslimsoftheworld)fastonthedayof‘AshuraclaimingthattheProphetdid so in respectofProphetMusa! Again, theShi’aare told that to faston thisday ishighlydiscouraged, however we are recommended to keep a half-day fast (Faqqah) as a sign of grief andremembranceofthehungerandthirstfeltonthedayof‘Ashura.4.ThefourththinginnovatedinthefaithwastomakespecialDu’aforthegreatnessofthedayandto
askforBarakatfromAllah.Again,thefollowersoftheAhlulBaythavebeentaughttomakeDu’aandtheZiyaratinwhichwerecallthegriefofthefamilyandtoaskAllahforbenefits–butnotofthematerial,worldlytype.In a long tradition from Imam al-Ridha he has cleared this lie (that the day of ‘Ashura is a day of
celebration) andhas said (at the endof thehadith), “… thepersonwho takes thedayof ‘Ashuraas ahappyonewillberaisedupontheDayofJudgementwithYazidand‘Ubaydullahb.Ziyadand‘Umarb.Sa’dinthelowestregionsoftheHellFire.”
24ChapterSectionTwentyFour
“O’Allah!CurseAbuSufanandMu’awiyahandYazidb.Mu’awiyah–uponthemmayYourcursebe
foreverandeternity.AndthisisthedaywhenthefamilyofZiyadwerehappyandsowerethefamilyofMarwanattheirkillingofHusayn,maythePrayersofAllahbeuponhim.O’Allah!IncreaseuponthemYourcurseand(Your)painfulpunishment.”Once againwe see the curse being sent upon specific individuals and once again,we askAllah to
removeHismercyfromtheseindividualsduetotheirwickedacts.Abu Sufyan remained a polytheist until his death and thus, died in opposition to Allah and His
Messenger.Thesamecanbeseenforhisoff-spring–hissonandgrandson,Mu’awiyahandYazid-whoalthough‘openly’acceptedIslam,werethegreatestopponents toAllahandHisMessenger! Itwasnotuntilthereignofthe3rdCaliphthatMu’awiyahfinallybegantotakeaprominentroleinthegovernment–afterall,hewasfromthesamefamilyasUthman.However,thisdidnotstophimfromhavingUthmankilledandthenpinningtheblameontheCommanderoftheFaithful‘Alisothatthepeoplewouldriseupagainsthim!Mu’awiyah continued his evil plots during the caliphate of Imam ‘Ali and his son, Hasan al-
Mujtaba.Alhamdulillah,afterhewassenttothehellfire,hissonYazidwasappointedastheCaliphoftheMuslimnation! Thus, theywere theones tobring themonarchy toIslam–somethingseen inmanyMuslimcountrieseventoday!WhereasitwouldtakebookstodescribeMu’awiyah’sdeviations,wementionjustafewsowecan
betterunderwhywecursehim:hewasthefirsttoperformJumuahSalatonWednesday;hepermittedapersontomarrytosistersatonetime(whichisforbiddeninIslam);heintroducedtheAdhanonthedayof‘Eidal-Adhhaand‘Eidal-Fitr;herecitedhisSalatinfullwhileonajourney;hemadeuseofpuresilkandgoldwhichisforbiddenformen;hedidnotimplementtheIslamicpenalcode;hedrankalcoholintheopen;heestablishedthemonarchyinIslam;hecursedthefamilyoftheProphet–especiallyImam‘Aliintheopenandmade itapartof theJumuahKhutbahwithoutwhich theJumuahKhutbahwas invalid;heprohibitedpeoplefromnarratingahadithoftheProphet,andhundredsofotherthings…TheactionsofYazidwerenoless–includingtheactofkillingthegrandsonoftheProphet,attacking
theHolyKa’bahanddestroying it andhundredsofother actsduringhis threeyears and sixmonthsof“leadership”oftheMuslimnation…
25ChapterSectionTwentyFiveandTwentySix
“O’Allah!SurelyIseeknearnesstoyouonthisday(theDayof‘Ashura)andinthisplace(whichIam
in)andinalldaysofmylifebydisassociatingmyselffromthesepeopleandsendingcursesuponthemandthroughmyloveandfriendshiptoYourProphetandthefamilyofYourProphet,peacebeuponhimanduponallofthem.”Once again,we return to the over-riding theme in all of our supplications andZiyaratwhich is the
MonotheismofAllahand seekingnearness toHim through individualswhomHehas appointedasourguides.ThislineoftheZiyaratshowsthattheclosenesswhichweaskAllahforisnotlimitedtoaparticular
dayorplacewearein–rather,itisforalltimeandforanywhereinwhichweremembertheImamandhissacrifice.Inactuality, this lineof theZiyarat isasummaryof theentirevisitation– loveandhate–whichwe
havecoveredinprevioussectionsofthisexposition.“O’Allah!CursethefirsttyrantwhooppressedtherightofMuhammadandthefamilyofMuhammad
andthenextpersonwhofollowedhimonthispath.O’Allah!CursethegroupwhofoughtagainstHusaynandthosewhofollowedthemandsupportedthemandassistedtheminkillinghim.O’Allah,curseallofthem!”Themeaningof“…thefirstoppressor…”isnotnecessarilythefirstpersonwhooppressedthefamily,
just as the meaning of “… the next person… ” does not necessarily mean the second one whofollowed. Rather, itmeans those individualswho initiated the oppression against theProphet and hisfamilyandthosewhocontinuedandperpetuatedthisact–evenupuntiltoday(thosewhoarehappyandcontentandsupportiveofwhatwascarriedout).Cansomeoneactually“…oppress therightsofMuhammadandthefamilyofMuhammad?”Without
doubt,thisdoesnotrefertothestatusofProphethoodandImamateastheseareAllahGivenandnoonecantakethemaway.Thus,whatthismeansisthatwearesendingcursesuponthosewhopreventedtheProphetandhis familyfromenacting thestatuswhich theyweregivenandfromleading thecommunitybasedontheirImamate. Thus,‘oppressingtherights…’meanspreventingtheImamfromfulfillinghisImamateover thenationandensuring thatallof theIslamiccommandmentsareput intopracticewhichwasobviouslynotdoneduringtheruling‘Caliphs’.Wehavebeenrecommendedtorecitethissection100timesinorderforourZiyarattobe‘complete’,
however,whatisthereasonforthis?Onepossiblereasonfortherecitationistoinstilasenseofhatred
andenmityforthekillersofthegrandsonoftheProphet. It ispossiblethatoutofthese100times,ourattentionmayslipawaya few times, thus rendering thesecursesasnotcoming from thebottomofourheart,howeverwithoutdoubt, ifwerepeat it100 times,weareguarantee thatatleastoneof these100wouldbedonesincerelyandwithtruefaithinwhatwearesaying.
26ChapterSectionTwentySeven
“PeacebeuponyouO’Aba‘Abdillahanduponthesoulswhichwereannihilatedwithyou.Uponyou,
fromme,isthepeaceofAllahforeternity,aslongasthenightandthedayremainandpleasedonotmakethis(Ziyarat)asmylastcontactwithyou. GreetingsbeuponHusayn,andupon‘AlithesonofHusaynanduponthechildrenofHusaynanduponthecompanionsofHusayn.”Thissectionwhichisalsorecited100timesisoneinwhichweexpressourloveandgreetingstothe
Imam,hisfamilyandthecompanionskilledwithhim.ThefirstpointofimportanceinthissectionisthatthesegreetingswhichweconveytoourImamare
perpetual and do not end with the day of ‘Ashura – rather, they continue on until the end of thisworld.Fromthis,wecanunderstandthatevenifwearephysicallydeadinourgraves,we,thetrueShi’awouldcontinuetosendourgreetingstotheImamevenfromourstationinBarzakh.Whois‘Alib.Husaynwhomwesendourgreetingsto?Isthisthe4thImam,As-Sajjad,orsomeone
else?SeeingashowthisZiyaratisinregardstothosemurderedwiththe3rdImam,wecanstatethatthisisnoneotherthan‘Alib.Husaynwhomwerefer toas‘AliAkbar. Asweknow,thefourthImamwasprotectedandsavedonthedayof‘Ashuraasthroughhim,theremainingeightImamscameforth.WhoarethechildrenofHusaynwhomwesendourgreetingsupon?Historianshavementionedthatthe
Imamhadfoursons:1.‘Alial-AkbarwhosemotherwasLaila;2.‘Alial-Awsat(ImamZainulAbideen)whosemotherwasthedaughterofYazdjardthe
EmperorofIran;3.Abillah(‘Alial-Asghar)whosemotherwasRabab;4.Ja’farb.HusaynwhodiedbeforetheeventofKarbala’.Asforhisdaughters,theyinclude:1.RuqayyahwhosemotherwasRabab(alsoknownasSakinah);2.FatimahwhosemotherwasUmmulIshaq,thedaughterofTalhah.Thecompanionswhowerekilled inKarbala’arenumerousandalthough thehistoriansdifferon the
exactnumber,thosefromtheBaniHashimnumbered17whoinclude:1.‘AliAkbar(‘Alib.Husayn);2.‘Abillahb.‘AlithesonofUmmulBanin;
3.‘Abbasb.‘AlithesonofUmmulBanin;4.Ja’farb.‘AlithesonofUmmulBanin;5.‘Uthmanb.‘AlithesonofUmmulBanin;6.Muhammad(Asghar)b.‘Ali;7.‘Abillahb.Husayn(‘AliAsgharthebaby);8.AbuBakrb.Hasanb.‘Ali,thesonofImamHasanal-Mujtaba;9.Qasimb.Hasanb.‘Ali,thesonofImamHasanal-Mujtaba;10.‘Abillahb.HasanthesonofImamHasanal-Mujtaba;11.‘Awnb.‘Abillahb.Ja’farb.AbiTalib;12.Muhammadb.‘Abillahb.Ja’farb.AbiTalib;13.Ja’farb.‘Aqilb.AbiTalib;14.‘AbdulRahmanb.‘Aqilb.AbiTalib;15.‘Abillahb.Muslimb.‘Aqilb.AbiTalib;16.‘Abillahb.‘Aqilb.AbiTalib;17.Muhammadb.Sa’idb.‘Aqilb.AbiTalibTherestingplaceofallof themartyrsof theBaniHashimisat thefeetof thebodyofImamHusayn
(peacebeuponhim).A separategravewasdug for themand theywereburiedat this spot–with theexceptionofal-’Abbasb.‘Ali(peacebeuponhim)whoseburialplaceisthesamelocationaswherehewasmartyred.Thetotalnumberoftherestofthemartyrsisalsoapointofdifferenceofthescholars.Themaximum
number given is 112 however the number of 72 is one of the most accepted numbers as this is theminimumnumberoffollowerskilled.Theburialspotsoftherestofthemartyrsarealsodifferentandtheyareallburiedaroundthegraveof
ImamHusayn(peacebeuponhim)invariouslocationshoweverthespotsofmostoftheirgravesisnotpreciselyknowneventoday.Ofallofthesegraves,onlytwoareexactlyknownandthesearethegravesofHabibb.MazahirAsadiwhichislocatedinsidetheHair(theareawhereImamHusayn(peacebeuponhim)isburied)totherightofthebodywhiletheotheristhatofHurrb.Yazidal-RiyahiwhoisburiedafewkilometresfromthegraveofImamHusayn(peacebeuponhim).
27ChapterSectionTwentyEight
“O’Allah!Particularlycursethefirsttyrant,acursefromme,andbeginthefirstcursewithhimandthensend the curse on the second and the third and then the forth (tyrant). O’Allah curseYazid, the fifth(tyrant)andcurse‘Ubaydullahb.ZiyadandIbneMarjanahand‘‘Umarb.Sa’dandShimrandtheFamilyofSufyanandthefamilyofZiyadandthefamilyofMarwanuntilthedayofJudgement.”AswedrawaclosetothisZiyarat,weonceagainbringtomemorythosespecifictyrantswhobegan
themovement against the family of the Prophet and ask Allah to removeHismercy from them. Theindividualsmentionedherenumber11-whoarethesepeopleandwhatdidtheydo–weexplainthisindetailsoastobetterunderstandwhywecurseallofthem.OnepointshouldbementionedthatalthoughsomepeoplewerenotpresentintheeventofKarbala’howeveriftheyare‘gathered’inthisgroup,thenthisisduetothefactthattheywerepleasedwithwhatoccurred–eventhoughtheymaynothavehadadirecthandinthekilling.Also,itshouldbenotedthat‘Ubaydullahb.ZiyadandIbneMarjanahareonepersonhoweverhehas
beenmentionedtwicesincehismotherandfatherwerebothadulterersandthus,thereisnoclearrecordofwhosechildhewas.Thisshowsthedespicabilityoftheactofadulterythatachildissometimesleftwith no lineage andmentioning him twicewould also remove the doubt from the people’sminds that‘Ubaydullahb.ZiyadasbeinganotherpersonwhowasnotguiltyofthecrimesinKarbala’.1.Thefirsttyrant–TheFirstCaliphwhoruledfor2yearsand3months:a.StealingtheCaliphatefromtheCommanderoftheFaithful‘Alib.AbiTalib(peacebeuponhim).b.Ordering the Imam (peace be upon him) to be tied and bound and dragged through the streets of
MadinatogivetheBay’at.c.OrderingthedaughteroftheProphet,Fatimahaz-Zahra(peacebeuponher)tobeattackedandbeat
up–thus,causinghertohaveamiscarriage,losinghersonMohsinandwhichleadtoherdeath.d.DesignatingthesecondCaliphthroughhiswill.2.Thesecondtyrant–TheSecondCaliphwhoruledfor10yearsand6months:a.StealingtheCaliphatefromtheCommanderoftheFaithful‘Alib.AbiTalib(peacebeuponhim).b.PlanningtheeventofattackagainstImam‘Alib.AbiTalib(peacebeuponhim)andFatimahAz-
Zahra(peacebeuponher)afterthedeathoftheProphet.c.OrganizingthestealingoftheCaliphateandplacingthefirstCaliphinhisseatattheSaqifah.d.ManyinnovationsinthefaithofIslamsuchas:
ProhibitingMut’ahofthewomanandMut’ahoftheHajj;Addingtheline,‘As-Salatisbetterthansleep’totheAdhanofFajr;Bringinguponnewrulingsinregardstothedivorce,andmanyotheracts.
e.Inappropriatedistributionofthepublictreasury.f.RacialdiscriminationbetweenMuslims.g.MakingMua’wiyahthegovernorofpresentdaySyria.h. Selectively implementing the Islamic penal code by turning a blind eye to his friends and family
memberswhocommittedactscontrarytoIslamiclegislation.i. Designating the third Caliph through his twisted and perverted “Council” to assign who would
succeedhim.3.Thethirdtyrant–TheThirdCaliphwhoruledforapproximately12years:a.StealingtheCaliphatefromtheCommanderoftheFaithful‘Alib.AbiTalib(peacebeuponhim).b.ManyinnovationsinthefaithofIslam.c.Puttingforthhisgovernmentwithoutkeepingthecommonpeopleinmindforpositionsandrelating
positionstofamilyandfriends.d.Appointingpeopletogovernmentpositionswhowerenotworthyofsuchpositions.e.LimitingthePublicTreasurytotheBaniUmayyah.f.RacialdiscriminationamongsttheMuslims.g.Physicallyattackingandassaultingpeoplewhowerenothappywiththesituationofthegovernment
andtheirpolicies.h.ShowingrespecttotheprimeenemiesofIslamandtheteachingsoftheProphet(blessingsofAllah
beuponhimandhisfamily)suchasMarwanb.Hakam.Theactsofaggressionoftherestofthosecursedinthissectionaretoonumeroustomentionandthus,
weleavethisforthereaderstoinvestigateandresearch.
28ChapterSectionTwentyNine
“O’ Allah! To you belongs the praise, the praise of those who are thankful to You for their
tribulations. All Praise belongs to Allah for my intense grief. O’ Allah, grant me the blessing ofintercessionofHusaynontheDayofAppearance(beforeYou)andstrengthenmewithatruthfulstandinYour presence along with Husayn and the companions of Husayn – those people who sacrificedeverythingforHusayn.”The final section of this Ziyarat which is recited in Sajdah – again, showing that this visitation is
directedtowardsAllahandthatHeisalwaysinoursight isoneof thanks. WeconfirmthatwepraiseHimjustasthosewhohavebeenplaguedwithtribulationsglorifyandsinghispraise.WealsoconcludeourvisitationwithaskingAllahforthepermissionofHusayntointercedeforuson
theDaywhenweshallallbegatheredinHispresencetobeaccountableforoursinsandthatweareabletostandalongsideHusaynandhiscompanions–thosewhosacrificedwhatevertheyhadforhiscause.Withthis,webringourvisitationtothegrandsonoftheProphettoacloseandaskAllahtoacceptour
actionsandtograntustheabilitytobeabletomanifestallwhichwehavesaidinthissupplication.WealsoaskAllahtogiveusthestrengthtobeabletolovethosewhomHehascommandedustoloveandtohate thosewhomHehascommandedus tohate. Wealsoaskfor theTawfeeqtobeable tofollowthefootstepsofHusaynandthatweareabletorejectthe“Islam”ofYazidandthelikesofhim…
29ChapterDu’aAfterZiyarat‘Ashura-Du’aAlqamah
In some books of supplication, this supplication is referred to as Du’a Alqamah named after the
companionofImamas-Sadiq,peacebeuponhim,Alqamah.However,Shaykh‘Abbasal-QummiquotesverycleartraditionsinMafatihal-JinanthatImamas-Sadiq,peacebeuponhim,recitedthisdu’ainthepresenceofthecompanionSafwan,notAlqamah.Therefore,thecorrectnameofthissupplicationisDu’atoberecitedafterZiyarat‘AshuraorDu’aSafwan.OAllah!OAllah!OAllah!OHewhogivesanswertothecriesofthepersecuted!OHewhopullsout
thegrief-strickenfromagonyandanguish!OHewhocomestohelpthosewhoshedtearsinhelplessness!Ohewhobringsrelieftothosewhocryforhelp!OHewhoiscloseby,nearerthanmyjugularvein!OHewhomakes peace between heart andmind; OHewhom people search in the highest and noblestperspectives;intrueandevidentdistinctions!OHewhoisBeneficentandMercifulinHisauthority!OHewhoknowswhatthefurtiveeyesbetraysandwhatthesecretiveheartsconceal!OHewhomdonotdeceivethosewhodoeverythinginsecret!OHewhomintermingledvoicesofthe
countlesscallers(supplicants)donotstopfromgivinganswertoeachandeveryone!OHewhomwantsandneedsoftheinfiniteneedydonotputinconfusionforattendingtooneandallseparately!Ohewhomclamorous determined pleading of petitioners do not upset! O He who reaches and takes hold ofeverythingthattriestoescape!OHewhokeepstogetherandbringsintoharmonypeoplewhoknowandunderstand!OHewhoexamines the soulswhen theypresent themselvesbeforeHimafterdeath!Ohewho,eachday,has(new)distinctglory!OFulfillerofwantsandneeds!OHewhogivesconfrontandrespiteindistress!OHewholiberallysatisfiesthosewhosolicitHisfavours!OHewhostandsbyandfollowcloseuponthosewhohumbleandferventlycallonHim!OHewhoeffectivelysupportthosewhomake sincere efforts! O He who is equal to and can do anything instead of another in the mattersconcerningallthings;andnothing,intheheavensandtheearth,canbeoutofthereachoforisfreefromHishold.IbeseechTheeinthenameofMuhammad,thelastProphet,andAli,thecommanderofthefaithfuls,in
thenameofFatimah,thedaughterofThyProphet,andinthenameofHasanandHusayn.IdirectmyselftowardsThee,throughthem,inmyaddress,throughthemItrytogetahearing,throughthemIputforwardmycasetogetThyfavours,intheirnamesImakearequesttoThee.BoundtoTheebyoat,livingalifeaccordingtoThycommands,Icarryoutmypledgebyeverymeans,
inthenameoftheloveanddevotionThouhasforthem,andtheinfluenceandstatustheyenjoyineverydimensionofThywill, the superiormost pre-eminence inwisdomand characterThoubestoweduponthemtotranscendaboveeverythinginthewholeuniverse,inthenameofThynameThourevealedtothemintrust,onaccountofwhichThouchosetheminpreferenceovereverythingfoundintheheavensandtheearths, throughwhichThoubuilt theirsyndrome,developedtoperfectiontheirsurpassingexcellencein
knowledge,learninganddeeds,outofalltherestofthepeople,tilltheircompletenesssurpassedthetotalachievementofallthepeopleputtogether;IrequestTheetosendblessingsonMuhammadandonthechildrenofMuhammad;(and)lookintothe
causes of my sorrows, anxieties, burdens, and do away with them, let me be equal to, sufficientlyinstructed, while dealing with my important enterprises and efforts, (and) carry out and fulfil myobligations,setmefreefromtheclutchesofpovertyandfromthepangsofhunger,letmehaveenoughtoliveupon,freefromtheneedtoturntoothers.Letmebeanadequatematchforhimwho,Iamafraid,shallcreatetrouble,thwarttheschemesofthe
onewho,Iamafraid,shalltreatmeharshly,lethim,who,Iamafraid,shallvexme,cometogrief,exposeandrebukehim,who,Iamafraid,shallslanderme,layoutaplantodefeathim,who,Iandafraid,shalltryto deceiveme by stratagem, take notice and act swiftly against him,who, I am afraid, shall treatmeunjustly,takemeintoThycustodytokeepsafefromtheonewho,Iamafraid,shalltyrannizeme,exerciseThysupremeauthoritytokeephimincheck,who,Iamafraid,shallruleoverme,outwithim,who,Iamafraid,shalllaytrapstodeceivemecunningly,makereadyafittingreplytohimwho,Iamafraid,shalloppressme;keepofffrommetheobstinatedeceitofthevindictivemalicious,andthecraftyartificeofthecunningimposter.OmyAllahputanendtotheintentionsofhimwhodesirestodestroyme,outwithimwhomakesplans,
keepofffrommehisdeceitandintrigue,hishostilityandfancy,keepmealoof,refusingtohaveanythingtodowithhim,inwhatevermanner,onanyoccasion,asThouwills.OmyAllahdiverthisattentionfrommeandinvolvehiminhisownoverbearinganxietieswhichThou
willnotcutdown,inmisfortunewhichThouwillnotmakeeasytodealwith,inwaywardnessfromwhichThouwillnot leadhimbackontherightpath, inspiritless lazinesswhichThouwillneverchangeintofruitfulactivity,infamyanddisgracefromwhichThouwillnotallowhimtorisetothesurface,inbrokenfortunewhichThouwillnotletgetset.OmyAllahletcontemptibledisgracesticklikealeechontheforeheadbetweenhistwoeyes,expose
himtoemptinessineveryefforthemakes,letwickedinclination,distractionandinactivitycutdeepintohisbodyandsoul,inorderthatThoudivertshisattentionfrom,me,absorbedinhisownpursuitsthatdonotfreehimtoemployhimselfatanother,makehimthinknomoreofmeashehaswillfullyneglectedandforgottenThee,takeawayfrommeandthrowoverboardhisattention,interest,communication,influence,support,andpervertedthinkingeveryevilhecommitsordrawsitonhimself,leteverythinghedoesgowaste,defectiveandincomplete,anddonotgiveanyletupsothatheiskeptfullypreoccupiedandgetsnotimetopayattentiontomeorthinkofme.Giveenoughtome,OHewhoeffectivelyandcompletelygivessatisfaction.Thereisnooneotherthan
Thee who gives sufficiently, because Thou alone gives enough, no one else gives to the seeker’ssatisfactionexceptThee.Thoudispelsthecloudsofsorrows,nooneelse,saveTheecanfreethegrief-strickenfromcares.Thoucomestohelp,nooneelse,exceptThee,candoafavourwhencalledforhelp.Thouartnear,readytoavertthedanger,nooneelse,saveThee,iscloseenoughtostandbyinthehouroftrouble.ComestogriefhewhoreliesuponhisownfriendsinsteadofThee;orlooksforhisownsupportersin
placeofThee;frightened,criesforhelphavingsomeoneelseotherthanTheeinmind;terrorized,runs
away from thedanger to a placeof escapeoutsideofThyguaranty, and takes refuge in an asylumnotwatchedoverbyThee;andtriestobringhimselftoaplaceofsafetythroughthehelpofcreatedbeings,excludingThee,theCreator.Therefore,Thouartmytrust,myhope,myretreat,myrefuge,mysecurity,untowhichonecanrunfor
safety, for this reason I call for thy help, and seek Thy support to carry out my affairs easily andsuccessfully,throughMuhammadandthechildrenofMuhammadIpresentmyselfbeforeThee,trytodrawThyattentionandaskforsalvation..So I beseechThee,OAllah!OAllah!OAllah!Because (all) praise is for Thee (alone), and also
prostrationinthankfulness,thoualonelistenstocomplaints,Thoualoneiscalleduponforhelp.So I beseech Thee, O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! In the name of Muhammad and the children of
Muhammad to send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, to put to flight thesorrows,theanxieties,theburdens,nowsurroundingmefromallsides,justasThoumadeThyProphetfreeofhissorrows,anxietiesandburden,andsavedhimfromtheterrorofhisenemies,insuchmannerasThoumadehimtodoso,letmealsodothesame,letmebefreeofcareasThougavehimjoy,heartandconfidence,letmehaveenoughandbecontendedasThougavehimsufficiently.Sendawayfrommetheterrorthatfrightensme,theencumbrancethatIfindburdensome,theanxieties
thatwearmedown,freeingmefromtheirimpact.Makemeusemymeansfreelytocarryoutandcompletemybusinessoremployment, anddoanything requisite insteadofanother,whichmaymakemeanxiousaboutmyaffairsinthisworldorthehereafter.OAmeerul-Mu’mineen!OAbaaAbillah!SofarIamliveandthedaysandnightsfolloweachotherI
invokeAllahtosendblessingsonyouforeverandever.MayAllahnotmakemythispledgeofphysicalandspiritualcloseassociationwithyou(both)thelastfulfilment,andmayAllahnotseparatemeandyou(both)fromoneanother.OmyAllah letmehaveameaningfulexistenceasMuhammadhisdescendantshadlived,anddieas
they departed from thisworld, take to and carry out completely their creed; and raiseme for the lastjudgementalongwiththepeoplededicatedtothem,anddonotcut(us)intwo(groups),evenfortheflashofaneyelid,ever,eitherinthisworldorinthelifeofthehereafter.OAmeerulMoomineen!OAbaaAbillah!Icomenearerto(youboth)toestablishclosephysicaland
spiritual relationship, and thereby seeknearness toAllah,my lordNourishes andyour lordNourisher,throughyou Idirectmyself towardsHim,and requestyou to speak in favourofmy immediate athandneedsandwantsIhaveputbeforeAllah.Sopleasespeakwellofmebecause,ofcourse,withAllahyourthoughtfuljudgementishighlycredible,yourdispositionenjoysconclusivepreference,youractionkeepsstepwithpreciseacumen,andasuremeansofapproachtogainHisfavour.I looked forandwent throughallpossibilitiesand finallybroughtmyselfover toyou in thehopeof
obtaining, speedily and successfully, fulfilment of my demands, their final settlement and favourableexecutionbyAllahonaccountofyourrecommendationsonmybehalftogetAllah’sapproval.So,letnotmy“seeingthelight”beabitterand“fallenshort”changeofheart,butmakemy“acceptingthetruefaith”resolutiona turningpoint leading topreferenceandfull satisfaction in thematterof thedisposalofmywantsandneeds;
I directmyself to bringmyself over to thatwhichAllahwills and commands. (because) there is no
powerandnomightsaveAllah.IcommitmycasetoAllah,anythingneglectedortakingplacebehindmybackshallbe takencareofAllah, IentrustAllahwith themanagementofmyaffairs,andsay:Allah issufficientandenough,AllahpaysattentiontowhosomakesarequesttoHim,thereisnothingformeinthatwhichisontheotherside(inopposition)ofAllah,andyou,Omyleaders,ultimatelythatwhichmylordNourisherwillstakesplace,andhappensnotthatwhichHewillsnot.ThereisnopowerandnomightsaveinAllah.Untoyou(both)Ihavecomewithloveandaffection,
motivated underDivine incentive.MayAllah notmakemy this pledge of physical and spiritual closeassociationwithyou(both)thelastfulfilment.ItakeadvantageOmyleader,OAmeerulMoomineen,OmyfriendtowhomIhavesurrendered,body
andsoul,andyouOAbaaAbillah,Omyleader,andpayrespectswithloveandaffection,nonstop,(till)donotcarryembracingdaysandnights,closelyembracingit,toyou,ifAllahsowills,withouteverbeingseparated,inyournamesIbeseechHim,thatHewillsitanddoesitbecauseverilyitisHewhoaloneispraised,andhebringsaboutbeautifulthings. see the lightandbringmyselfover toyou,accepting the true faith, sorry formyearlier ignorance,
thankfultoAllah,alwayshopefulofgettingHisfavour,nevergivingintodespair,norlosingheart,everreadytobenearyou,comingbackagainandagaintoseeyou,never“notlonging”foryournearness,but,ifAllahsowills,shallbealwaysinyourneighbourhoodasaneverydayhabit.There is nopower andnomight save inAllah.Omy leaders I long foryouand love tobe inyour
company though the worldly people looked at it with indifference and kept aloof from your friendlyintercourse.MaynotAllahletmefallshortofinthatwhichIhopeforandinthatwhichIlooklongandattentively to establish everlasting reunion with you. Verily He is near and gives positive answer toprayers.
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