Lectures on Ashura

Lectures on Ashura

This international organization named THE ISLAMIC SEMINARY, established, under the patronage of His Eminence Imam Khui (Rehmatullah alaih of Najaf of Iraq) in 1977, is endeavouring to convey authentic Islamic literature to the people of the world. The object of this organization is to meet the spiritual needs of the present age, to draw the attention of the people to real and solid Islamic learning and to safeguard the valuable treasure of knowledge which has been entrusted to us by the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad and by his Holy Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them). This organization has so far published more than one hundred books in English, Urdu, Arabic, French, Malay, Hausa, Sindhi and Gujrati which enjoy a high position among the publications on Islamic literature. If Allah Wills this process of publication will continue and will show the Straight Path to the humanity. Moreover, many madaris which are being run under the supervision of the Seminary are playing their role in spreading Islamic education among the youths of the community. Furthermore, the Seminary also participates in the establishment and development of social and welfare projects of the community. Spreading the message of slam is a task which needs cooperation by all of us. The Seminary invites you to participate in this noble task so that the teachings of slam may be spread round the globe. I pray to Almighty Allah to favour us with His Kindness and Blessings. Agha YusufAli Nafsi, Representative of Ayatullah-al-Uzma Sistani (Najaf- Iraq) INTRODUCTION OF IMAM HUSAYN (P) IN LECTURES ON ASHURA It cannot be gainsaid that the Ashura Day or the Tragedy of Karbala has no parallel in the history of the world. Though its significance has been realized by a large number of people, yet it requires to be brought home to the ignorant masses and the educated persons, who are desirous of learning the true concepts of Islam, but have been handicapped by hearing or listening to only one-sided or biased accounts. This tragedy occurred (61 A.H) 50 years after the passing away of the Holy Prophet (11 A.H). The hero of this tragedy was Husayn bin Ali bin Ali Talib (P) the grandson of the Holy Prophet. The Holy Imam [ Husayn (P) ] was martyred on the l0th of Muharrum (Ashura day 61 A.H) at the plains of Karbala (Iraq). Why was he martyred? It was because he refused to pay allegiance to Yazid who was nominated Caliph by his father Muawiyyah. Muawiyyah, who belonged to the Umayyad clan was the worst enemy of Ali (P) who, like the Holy Prophet, belonged to the Hashimiite clan. The enmity between the Umayyad and the Hashimiites was proverbial. In the battle of Badr most of the Umayyad were killed and Islam was now on a firm footing. Abu Sufyan who was always trying to kill the Holy Prophet and destroy Islam, was the leader of the Umayyad. Although later he apparently professed Islam, he was at heart the bitterest enemy of Islam and the Prophet. When Yazid, the vilest of the vile, son of Muawiyyah and grandson of Abu Sufyan, declared himself to be the Caliph of Islam, he got martyred Husayn son of Ali and Fatima, the dearest daughter of the Prophet of Islam. The fight between Husayn (P) and Yazid (L) was really a fight between Truth and Falsehood, and between Faith and Infidelity .Had Husayn (P) any desire for power, he would not have gone forward to sacrifice his life along with a band of less than hundred of his kith and kin including his children and women. This tragedy occurred within fifty years of the passing away of the Holy Prophet. During the twenty-three years of the Prophetic mission an unparalleled revolution had taken place. The Holy Prophet suffered extreme troubles in propagating Islam which gloriously spread by leaps and bounds with the support of his real uncle Abu Talib who had nurtured him in his childhood and protected and defended him from his inveterate enemies. After the demise of Abu Talib the Holy Prophet pursued his preaching with his cousin Ali bin Abi Talib (P) at his support, until the task was accomplished in 10 A.H. It was then that after receiving Allah's command Proclaim what has been sent down to you and if you do not, you would not accomplish the mission at all. -(5 : 67). The Prophet of Islam, returning from his Farewell Hajj, ordered a halt at Ghadir-e-Khum on 18th Zil Hij, mounted the pulpit and taking Ali's(P) hand in his own proclaimed amongst multitudes of muslims. "I leave behind two grand things -Allah's Book (the Qur'an) and my Progeny (Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn). Beware! how you behave to them when I am gone from amongst you. Both of them will never separate from each other until they reach me in Heaven at the fountain of Kauther". Then he reiterated taking Ali's hand in his hand "Whomsoever I own the guardian- ship Ali also owns his guardianship?" The Divine Mission was accomplished and shortly afterwards the Holy Prophet passed away in Madina on 28th of Safer or 12th of Rabiul Awwal. Thus ended the revelation of Wahi,since the Holy Prophet was the last Prophet and the Holy Qur'an is the last Book of Allah. The Holy Prophet in his lifetime had forewarned the people of the atrocious activities of Bani Umayya against his progeny. The Holy Qur'an also said: Say O Prophet! I do: not require any recompense from you except love for my kin. Allah also said about the Prophet's Ahlul Bayt: Verily Allah intends but to keep off from you, O' the People of the House, every kind of uncleanness and purify you with a thorough purification. (33: 33) Source:alhassanain.com