(1) THE LIFE OF HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (p.b.u.h)
Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) is the last prophet of Allah and the leader of all prophets. He is the greatest of men and teachers ever born earth. There is none like him. He is the embodiment of all that is good, pure and noble. Before his birth Arabian was steeped in darkness, ignorance and superstition. The Arabs were ignorant and wicked and they led beastly lives. They were worshipers of many gods and goddesses and were given to all kinds of vices. The people of other countries of the world also had fallen on evil ways of life by that time. Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) was therefore, sent by Allah to correct the Arabs and to show the people of the world the right path. Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) was born in the famous Quraish tribe of Mecca in 570 A. D. His father Abdullah died before his birth, and his mother Amena died he was only six. So he became an orphan when he was still an infant. He was brought up by a nurse named Halima.
His grandfather, Abdul Muttalib and his uncle abu taleb took care of the boy. Early in life Hazrat Muhammad passed through many trials and sufferings. He got no opportunity for learning. But he was taught much higher things than book-knowledge by nature and the unseen hand of Allah.
He was sent down by Allah for the good of mankind. From his boyhood he was thoughtful honest and truthful. He was called Al-Amin or the trusty one. He always thought about the evils of Arab life and how to save the Arabs from those evils. He was a man of word also and knew how to manage business and other affairs. He carried on trade under his uncle and went to Syria several times on commercial visits
He was sent down by Allah for the good of mankind. From his boyhood he was thoughtful honest and truthful. He was called Al-Amin or the trusty one. He always thought about the evils of Arab life and how to save the Arabs from those evils. He was a man of word also and knew how to manage business and other affairs. He carried on trade under his uncle and went to Syria several times on commercial visits
Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) served for some time under a beautiful rich and accomplished widow named khadija. He managed her large business and won her confidence. At last at the age of 25 he married her and became the master of her vast wealth. But wife and riches had no effect on his character. He retired to the cave of mount Hira and meditated on the problems of life and death. At last at the age of forty light dawned upon him and he got the new truth. He preached: “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah to preach this great to the world.” This is the religion of Islam. The new faith was first accepted by his wife khadija. A few others also accepted it and became his disciples. But a great many of the fierce Arabs were furious when they heard of the new religion of Islam. They a first tried to persuade him to refrain from preaching it and promised to give him whatever he wanted.
Than they put every difficulty in his path. Subjected his followers to sever tortures and tried to kill him. So for the sake of religion he sent many of his followers to medina and than in 622 A.D. he himself went there. This is called the Hijrat from this date the Islamic era Hijri began. The people of media warmly welcome him. Many of them accepted his faith. But the people of Mecca attacked medina several times to kill the prophet and to wipe out Islam. Thus the prophet and his followers were forced to fight a number of battles like Badar, Ohud and khandak. But every time the evils designs of the oppressors of Mecca were foiled. At last the prophet conquered Mecca in 630 A. D. and succeeded in bringing all Arabs to his faith. The prophet did not take any retaliation.
He taught the people the virtue of forgiveness. He asked them to do well to others and worship Allah. The Quran was revealed to him by Allah and the hadith which contains his sayings taught the Muslims many noble virtues to make them a great world force later on. This great and novel soul passed away in 632 A.D. at the age of 63. But his work and teachings remain and will be followed as long as the world lasts. He made Muslims brothers of one another, built a great nation and powerful state. At present one fifth of the people of the world are the followers of this great and noble prophet.
IntroductionFatimah SWT is the only daughter of the Prophet of Islam SAWS. Our Lady's mothers name is Lady Khadijah (R.A) the first wife of the Prophet SAWS. The only wife in whose lifetime the Prophet SAWS never married again. Holy Fatimah (SWT) is the wife of the Lion of Allah Imam Ali A.S. She is the mother of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain A.S (The Chiefs of the youth of Heaven), Lady Zenab (SWT), Lady Umme Kulsum (SWT) and Prince Mohsin (The child who was killed by the sword of a muslim). Holy Fatimah (SWT) is also the ancestrol mother of 9 other Imams of the Holy Household. She is also among the five in the `Panjtan Pak'. Her appelations include `Zahra' and `Sayyidatin Nisa' (Chief of the Women). Her fillial appelations include `Umme Abiha' (Mother of Imam Hussain and Imam Hassan A.S), Umme Sibtain and Ummul Iima (Mother of Imams).
Birth
The light of Holy Fatimah's existence was made with that of the Holy Prophet SAWS much before the creation of the Universe. However visible existence came into being on 20th Jamad us Sani (5th year after the declaration of Prophethood) on friday. The year was 615 A.D. At the time of our lady's birth there were heavenly nymphs and pure women who descended from heaven to carry out the duty of delivery. These pious and pure women included:
-- Lady Mariam daughter of Imran (mother of the Prophet Jesus)
-- Asia daughter of Mauzahim
-- Safoora daughter of Shoaib
-- Kulsum sister of the Prohet Moses
Lady Khadijah on account of the delivery shows that as she had married without the consent of her tribe with the Prophet SAWS. The tribe had done a total boycott of her. However with the grace of Allah heavenly nymphs and pure and pious women did the delivery of our Lady fatimah SWT.
Fatimah SWT only Female Child It is an established fact that the Lady Fatimah (SWT) and Prince Qasim Abdullah were from Hazrat Khadijah and the Holy Prophet SAWS. The difference arises between Shia and other sects that the Prophet SAWS had other daughters which were Zainab, Rukkya (Wife Hazrat Usman) and Umme Kulsum. It is a known truth that these three daughters were wedded to pagans. The names of which include Abul Aas bin Rabi. Refrence is available from Masudi's accounts. However this above information is incorrect. The Prophet of Islam would never marry his daughters into the pagans. These three daughters were actually the nieces of the Lady Khadijah (R.A). However as Lady Khadijah was a woman of dignity and high calibre, she treated her nieces gently and lovingly as though they were her own daughters. These nieces were called daughters of the Holy Prophet SAWS as Zaid was called his son. However in actual fact they were not Holy Prophet's (SAWS) children. When the Holy Prophet SAWS married Lady Khdijah at that time the Holy Prophet's age was 25 years. It is unanimously accepted that the Prophet SAWS had no children till the age of 30. It is also accepted that these three daughters were married before the revelations came. This means that the Holy Prophet SAWS in 10 years had three daughters married and also married them of. Certainly this is illogical and impossible. This proves that the Prophet SAWS had just two children. Qasim Abdullah (Died in Infancy) and Our Lady Fatimah(SWT).
Early life and Trainning
Our Lady was totally different from the rest of the girls of that age. Umme Salma was asked to teach Our Lady principles of Culture. However Umme Salma replied that what could she teach the model of purity and chastity and I myself would take knowledge and teaching from this Baby girl. Books written by various writers indicates that Our Lady's entire young age was spent serving her parents and praying to the All Mighty Allah.
Oneday when the Prophet SAWS was praying in the courtyard of the Holy Kaaba. The accursed AbuJahl (Uncle of Hazrat Umar) saw the Prophet in prostration to Allah. He put a tripe laden with compost of the camel on the Holy Prophet's back. When the news of this act reached the Holy Fatimah (SWT) she came running and removed the tripe of the Prophet of Islam's Back. Then washed the Holy back with water. On this occasion the Prophet (SAWS) said:
"Daughter! One day these enemies will be subdued and the lord will give my religion utmost superamacy."
It has been reported that Lady Khadijah (R.A) was preparing to go to a wedding. When she started to put her clothes on she was informed that Our lady had no clothes. This made Lady Khadijah (R.A) to be worried but when Our Lady got to know about her mother's anxiety that her daughter had no clothes. Our lady Fatimah (SWT) said : "Dear Mother! I will go wearing old clothes, because father dearest says that the best jewellery for muslims girls is life of piety and absitence and the best decoration is modesty and bashfulness."
Lady Fatimah (SWT) system of work
After going to His Holiness (Imam Ali (A.S)) house. Our Lady Fatimah (SWT) established such a system that is a model for all the women of the world to follow. Her Holiness (SWT) did all the household work alone. The work included cooking food, weaving, grinding the flour by the use of a handmill, sweeping and Trainning the two young Holy Imams Hassan (A.S) and Imam Hussain (A.S) and the two princesses Her Holiness Lady Zenab (SWT) and Her Holiness Lady Umme Kulsum (SWT). All these works our Queen used to do but never was there a change Her Holiness's temprament nor did Her Holiness (SWT) ever complaint to Imam Ali (A.S).Her Holiness Lady Fatimah (SWT) never asked for a slave girl. However when Our Lady (SWT) was given a maid in the 7th year of Migration of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) from Mecca to Medina. Her Holiness (SWT) treated the servant not as a servant but as if a close friend and associate. Oneday Our Lady (SWT) used to do the chores of the house and the next day Lady Fizza (The Maid of Her Holiness Lady Fatimah SWT) used to do the work. Hence the system was of taking turns at doing the work of the House. This system adopted by Her Holiness (SWT) made Lady Fizza feel like a part of the House and not as a servant. Actually this was a true example of the House of the Prophet (SAWS) system of equality.
Fatimah (SWT) and The Islamic Dress Our Lady Fatimah (SWT) has explained clearly the acme of the Women. These acmes are staying indoors and obeserving the Islamic Dress. The Islamic dress code of wearing a veil and wearing such a dress which protects a women's honour and beauty from the gaze of male strangers. Today we see that by not observing the Islamic dress code muslim women open themselves to the lust of many unscruplous men.
Time has revealed to us that the Ahlul Bait (A.S) (House of the Prophet SAWS) has always tried to protect the humans especially the muslims from disasters caused by the people's own wrong doings.
The Holy Lady (A.S) who was well aware of these Islamic principles practiced these Islamic fundmentals most strongly. Her Holiness stayed indoors, wore a veil and maintained utmost privacy. In Her Holiness's house was a door which opened into the mosque of the Holy prophet (SAWS). Despite having this facility Her Holiness never joined congregational prayers behind the Holy Prophet (SAWS) inside the courtyard of the mosque. When the Holy Prophet (SAWS) used to give advice or lectures in the courtyard of the Mosque of the Prophet (SAWS) , Our Lady (SWT) still never came into the courtyard of the Mosque. Once it happened that His Holiness The Prophet (SAWS) put a question to His Holiness companions who were present in the courtyard of the mosque. The Question was as follows:
"What is the best thing for a woman?"
When Our Lady Fatimah (SWT) was infromed of this question . Her Holiness replied that the best thing for a women is that her glance never falls on a male stranger and the glance of a male stranger does not fall on her
When this answer reached The Holy Prophet (SAWS), His Holiness was rejoiced and said:
"----Fatimah (SWT) is a part of me (His Holiness The Prophet of Islam (SAWS)".
Ibn Al-Maghazili mentions in his book Manaqib that (His Holiness) Ali ibn Al-Hussain ibn Ali (A.S) said:
"Once a blind man asked for permission to enter Fatima's (Her Holiness) house
but she kept a veil between them. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) noticed her
(Our Lady Fatimah (SWT)) actions and asked:
`Why did you (Her Holiness(SWT)) keep a veil between you (Her Holiness (SWT))
when he cannot see you?"
Her Holiness Fatimah (SWT) answered :` Messanger of Allah, it is true that
he cannot see me (Her Holiness (SWT)), but I (Her Holiness (SWT)) can see
him and he can smell my (Her Holiness (SWT)) fragrance.'
At this, the Prophet (SAWS) said : "I bear witness that you are part of me".
(Book `Fatimah the Gracious' Pg 187)
Death of the Holy Lady (sa)
After the death of Holy Prophet (saw), people disobeyed the will and advices of Holy Prophet (saw). They collected themselves and elected a caliph amongst them inspite of explicit announcement of Imam Ali's (as) vicegrency by Holy Prophet (saw) duing his last Hajj. People came to Bibi Fatima's house to forcefully take oath from Imam Ali (as). When she denied from behind the door, people who wanted the oath pushed the door such that it fell on the Holy Lady Fatima (saw) and then crossed over the door, while the Holy Lady was below the door. The door also had a nail which pierced the Holy lady's body. The child in her womb died because of this atrocious incident. The caliph of that time snatched the land of Fadak which Holy Prophet (saw) gifted in His life. People closed their doors on the Holy households of Prophet (saw). All such events made Bibi Fatima (saw) weaker day by day and she passed aways within an year after the death of her father.
Name: Ali ibne Abi Talib (as)
The martyrdom of Imam Ali (A) on the 21st of Mahe Ramadhan, 40 A.H. marked the beginning of Imam Hasan's (A) Imamat. The Muslims pledged their allegiance to him and finalised the formality of Bay'at (Oath of Allegiance). No sooner had he taken the reins of leadership in his hands than he had to meet the challenge of Muawiya bin Abu Sufyan, the governor of Syria, who began trying to undermine his authority. The Holy Imam (A) decided that Muawiya would have to be ousted by force and he prepared for war. He appointed a representative in Kufa and proceeded to Nukhayla where he had asked the army to gather. After 10 days, only 4,000 men had assembled, so he went back to Kufa and made another call for people to come to arms, sending out Hujr bin Adi to do the same.
Slowly the people answered the call for Jihad. A mixed band of people formed the army. Some were sincere Shia, others were Kharjites who wished to fight Muawiya by any means possible, some were men who loved fighting and desired war booty, some were unsure about the right of the Holy Imam (A) to the Caliphate, while others blindly followed their tribal leaders with no thought for religion.
The Holy Imam (A) gave an address to the army in which he first praised Allah and the Holy Prophet (S). He then told the people that he was their sincere advisor and urged them to unite rather than be divided in factions. This message was misunderstood by some, who thought that he planned to hand over authority to Muawiya. There was a riot amongst the people and a group of them attacked the Holy Imam (A) while he was in his tent. The Shia gathered around him and protected him.
Later, during the march towards Syria, a man from the Bani Asad attacked the Holy Imam (A) and struck him on the thigh with an axe. Due to the injury, the Holy Imam (A) was forced to stop at Mada'in, from where he sent Ubaidullah bin Abbas with 12,000 men to stop Muawiya, who had advanced into Iraq.
Muawiya managed to bribe and threaten many of the Holy Imam's (A) followers into abandoning him, including Ubaidullah, who was paid one million dirhams to betray the Holy Imam (A).
The Holy Imam (A) realised that he could not trust the intentions of most of his men and the only people he could rely on were his Shia, who were too few to resist the Syrian soldiers. Meanwhile, Muawiya wrote to him suggesting a truce and Peace Treaty on the Holy Imam's (A) terms.
Muawiya was still not satisfied with affairs. He knew that the treaty was never meant as a surrender of authority by the Holy Imam (A), because he was Divinely Appointed as the Imam.
It was merely an interim transfer of the administration of the Islamic State, subject to the condition that it would be returned to the Holy Imam (A) after Muawiya's death and then it would be in turn inherited by Imam Husain (A). However, Muawiya had plans to declare Yazid, his son, as his successor, and he decided to get rid of the Holy Imam (A) first.
They were prepared to shoulder the responsibility of the Divine message, in form and content. The ultimate result was that both Imams Hasan and Hussein (a.s.) became Islam personified walking on the earth.
Following are a few narratives which shed light on this side of his character:
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said:
Ali ibn Jadh’an, and Abu-Na"im report in Helyat al-Awaliya" (Ornament of the Saints) and Tabaqat ibn Sa"d that Imam Hasan had given all his money to the needy twice, seeking Allah"s pleasure, and had given half his money to the needy three times. He would even give a single shoe and retain the other, and give a single sandal and retain the other. When he approached the door of the mosque, he would say. "O Lord! Your guest is at Your gate. O Generous! The transgressor has come to You. Forgive me my ugly deeds with Your Generosity. O Generous!"
As for the new questions and developments of life, the sublime, inner entity of the Imam himself, and his boundless spirituality, qualified him for self-acquired knowledge. That is why the Muslim orators dubbed the knowledge of the Imams, from the perspective of the "present knowledge". An Imam wouldn’t need to be tutored or taught by others in this respect. He acquired knowledge by means of direct inspiration.
Following are a number of reports about Imam Hasan"s vast knowledge.
A. Hasan al-Basri wrote to Imam Hassan (a.s), asking him about the Divine decree. The grandson of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) answered him in these words:
"Mind you, he who does not believe that all sudden incidents that happen, be they good or bad, are known earlier by Allah, is an infidel. He who blames sins on Allah, is unchaste. Allah is not obeyed against His will. He is not sinned against by force. He does not leave aside His servants in His Kingdom. He is the Owner of what He gives to them. He is the Powerful over whatever He puts at the disposal of them. Nay, He orders them with no coercion, and prohibits them as a warning. If they opt to obey Him, none would stand in their way, and if they choose to sin, He may prevent them from doing it. But if He does not, He is not to blame, because it is not He Who forces them to do it, or compels them into committing it against their will. But He does them a favor by opening their eyes, teaching, warning, ordering and prohibiting them. He does not force them to do what He orders, so as to be like the angels, not does He pressure them to keep away from what He forbids. Allah"s is certainly the conclusive argument. If Allah willed, He would have guided you to the right path..."
B. "What is asceticism?" the Imam was once asked.
"The desire to be pious and abstemious in this life," he replied.
"What is forbearance?" he was asked.
"Restraining one"s anger and controlling oneself," he answered.
"What is righteousness?" he was asked.
"Replacing the bad with the good," he answered.
"What is honor?" they asked.
"Being kind to one’s relatives and shouldering people’s burdens of sin."
"What is the succour?" he was asked.
"Defending the neighbor, patience in war, and advance during adversities," he said.
"What is glory?" he was asked.
"Giving while being in debt and forgiving others their offences."
Having finished eating with them he invited them to his house. He showered them with money, fed and clothed them.
2. It is reported that he was sitting in some place. When the Imam (a.s.) rose to go, a poor man came in. The Imam greeted him, and spoke kindly to him. "You have come at the time when I was taking leave," he said to the man. "Do you permit me to go?" "Yes, O son of the Messenger of Allah," replied the man.
"O old man! I think you are a stranger here. Maybe you mistook me for someone else? If you propitiate us, we will satisfy you. If you ask us, we will give you what you need. If you ask our advice, we will guide you. If you ask us to give you a ride, we will take you with us. If you are hungry, we will satisfy you. If you are naked, we will clothe you. If you are in need, we will make you rich. If you are a refugee, we will give you lodgings. If you have a request, we will grant it. If you join your luggage to ours, and be our guest until the time of your travel, it will be more useful to you, because we have a spacious place, a good social position, and a vast amount of money."
Upon hearing these words, the Syrian broke into tears.
He replied:" I am asking Allah for His favors, and I love to be near Him. I am ashamed, as I am myself in need of Allah, to repulse a beggar. Allah got me used to a habit; to shower me with His bounties, and I get Him used to me showering His bounties on the people. I fear that should I stop my habit, He may stop His habit."
The Holy Imam (A) had stated that before he was buried in Jannatul Baqee, his body should be taken to the grave of the Holy Prophet (S) for a final visit. When the Bani Hashim attempted to carry out the last wishes of the Holy Imam (A), they were stopped by Ayesha and members of the Bani Umayyah, who thought that they wished to bury him next to his grandfather. Imam Husain (A) did not want bloodshed so he directed that the body be taken straight to Jannatul Baqee, where Imam Hasan (A) was buried next to his grandmother Fatima binte Asad. He was 48 years old when he was martyred.
When Ju'da came to Muawiya to claim her reward, he gave her the money, but refused to marry her to Yazid, declaring that a woman who could poison one husband would certainly not hesitate to poison another.
2. Hassan (as) is from me and I am from Hossein (as), Allah befriends those who befriend Hossein (PBUH) and He is the enemy of those who bear enmity to him.
5. The punishment inflicted on the murderer of Hossein (as) in Hell would be equal to half of the total punishment to be imposed on the entire sinners of the world.
6. When the Holy Prophet (as) informed Hazrat Fatima of the Martyrdom in store for his grandson, she burst into tears and asked, "O my father! When would my son be martyred?" "In such a critical moment," he replied," When neither I nor you, nor Ali would be alive. " This accentuated her grief and she inquired again," Who then, O my father, would commemorate Hossein"s martyrdom?" The Holy Prophet (as) said, "The men and the women of a particular sect of my followers, who will befriend my Ahl-ul-Bayt, will mourn for Hossein and commemorate his martyrdom each year in every century."
(2) HAZRAT FATIMA BINTE MUHAMMAD (AS)
IntroductionFatimah SWT is the only daughter of the Prophet of Islam SAWS. Our Lady's mothers name is Lady Khadijah (R.A) the first wife of the Prophet SAWS. The only wife in whose lifetime the Prophet SAWS never married again. Holy Fatimah (SWT) is the wife of the Lion of Allah Imam Ali A.S. She is the mother of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain A.S (The Chiefs of the youth of Heaven), Lady Zenab (SWT), Lady Umme Kulsum (SWT) and Prince Mohsin (The child who was killed by the sword of a muslim). Holy Fatimah (SWT) is also the ancestrol mother of 9 other Imams of the Holy Household. She is also among the five in the `Panjtan Pak'. Her appelations include `Zahra' and `Sayyidatin Nisa' (Chief of the Women). Her fillial appelations include `Umme Abiha' (Mother of Imam Hussain and Imam Hassan A.S), Umme Sibtain and Ummul Iima (Mother of Imams).
Birth
The light of Holy Fatimah's existence was made with that of the Holy Prophet SAWS much before the creation of the Universe. However visible existence came into being on 20th Jamad us Sani (5th year after the declaration of Prophethood) on friday. The year was 615 A.D. At the time of our lady's birth there were heavenly nymphs and pure women who descended from heaven to carry out the duty of delivery. These pious and pure women included:
-- Lady Mariam daughter of Imran (mother of the Prophet Jesus)
-- Asia daughter of Mauzahim
-- Safoora daughter of Shoaib
-- Kulsum sister of the Prohet Moses
Lady Khadijah on account of the delivery shows that as she had married without the consent of her tribe with the Prophet SAWS. The tribe had done a total boycott of her. However with the grace of Allah heavenly nymphs and pure and pious women did the delivery of our Lady fatimah SWT.
Fatimah SWT only Female Child It is an established fact that the Lady Fatimah (SWT) and Prince Qasim Abdullah were from Hazrat Khadijah and the Holy Prophet SAWS. The difference arises between Shia and other sects that the Prophet SAWS had other daughters which were Zainab, Rukkya (Wife Hazrat Usman) and Umme Kulsum. It is a known truth that these three daughters were wedded to pagans. The names of which include Abul Aas bin Rabi. Refrence is available from Masudi's accounts. However this above information is incorrect. The Prophet of Islam would never marry his daughters into the pagans. These three daughters were actually the nieces of the Lady Khadijah (R.A). However as Lady Khadijah was a woman of dignity and high calibre, she treated her nieces gently and lovingly as though they were her own daughters. These nieces were called daughters of the Holy Prophet SAWS as Zaid was called his son. However in actual fact they were not Holy Prophet's (SAWS) children. When the Holy Prophet SAWS married Lady Khdijah at that time the Holy Prophet's age was 25 years. It is unanimously accepted that the Prophet SAWS had no children till the age of 30. It is also accepted that these three daughters were married before the revelations came. This means that the Holy Prophet SAWS in 10 years had three daughters married and also married them of. Certainly this is illogical and impossible. This proves that the Prophet SAWS had just two children. Qasim Abdullah (Died in Infancy) and Our Lady Fatimah(SWT).
Early life and Trainning
Our Lady was totally different from the rest of the girls of that age. Umme Salma was asked to teach Our Lady principles of Culture. However Umme Salma replied that what could she teach the model of purity and chastity and I myself would take knowledge and teaching from this Baby girl. Books written by various writers indicates that Our Lady's entire young age was spent serving her parents and praying to the All Mighty Allah.
Oneday when the Prophet SAWS was praying in the courtyard of the Holy Kaaba. The accursed AbuJahl (Uncle of Hazrat Umar) saw the Prophet in prostration to Allah. He put a tripe laden with compost of the camel on the Holy Prophet's back. When the news of this act reached the Holy Fatimah (SWT) she came running and removed the tripe of the Prophet of Islam's Back. Then washed the Holy back with water. On this occasion the Prophet (SAWS) said:
"Daughter! One day these enemies will be subdued and the lord will give my religion utmost superamacy."
It has been reported that Lady Khadijah (R.A) was preparing to go to a wedding. When she started to put her clothes on she was informed that Our lady had no clothes. This made Lady Khadijah (R.A) to be worried but when Our Lady got to know about her mother's anxiety that her daughter had no clothes. Our lady Fatimah (SWT) said : "Dear Mother! I will go wearing old clothes, because father dearest says that the best jewellery for muslims girls is life of piety and absitence and the best decoration is modesty and bashfulness."
Lady Fatimah (SWT) system of work
After going to His Holiness (Imam Ali (A.S)) house. Our Lady Fatimah (SWT) established such a system that is a model for all the women of the world to follow. Her Holiness (SWT) did all the household work alone. The work included cooking food, weaving, grinding the flour by the use of a handmill, sweeping and Trainning the two young Holy Imams Hassan (A.S) and Imam Hussain (A.S) and the two princesses Her Holiness Lady Zenab (SWT) and Her Holiness Lady Umme Kulsum (SWT). All these works our Queen used to do but never was there a change Her Holiness's temprament nor did Her Holiness (SWT) ever complaint to Imam Ali (A.S).Her Holiness Lady Fatimah (SWT) never asked for a slave girl. However when Our Lady (SWT) was given a maid in the 7th year of Migration of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) from Mecca to Medina. Her Holiness (SWT) treated the servant not as a servant but as if a close friend and associate. Oneday Our Lady (SWT) used to do the chores of the house and the next day Lady Fizza (The Maid of Her Holiness Lady Fatimah SWT) used to do the work. Hence the system was of taking turns at doing the work of the House. This system adopted by Her Holiness (SWT) made Lady Fizza feel like a part of the House and not as a servant. Actually this was a true example of the House of the Prophet (SAWS) system of equality.
Fatimah (SWT) and The Islamic Dress Our Lady Fatimah (SWT) has explained clearly the acme of the Women. These acmes are staying indoors and obeserving the Islamic Dress. The Islamic dress code of wearing a veil and wearing such a dress which protects a women's honour and beauty from the gaze of male strangers. Today we see that by not observing the Islamic dress code muslim women open themselves to the lust of many unscruplous men.
Time has revealed to us that the Ahlul Bait (A.S) (House of the Prophet SAWS) has always tried to protect the humans especially the muslims from disasters caused by the people's own wrong doings.
The Holy Lady (A.S) who was well aware of these Islamic principles practiced these Islamic fundmentals most strongly. Her Holiness stayed indoors, wore a veil and maintained utmost privacy. In Her Holiness's house was a door which opened into the mosque of the Holy prophet (SAWS). Despite having this facility Her Holiness never joined congregational prayers behind the Holy Prophet (SAWS) inside the courtyard of the mosque. When the Holy Prophet (SAWS) used to give advice or lectures in the courtyard of the Mosque of the Prophet (SAWS) , Our Lady (SWT) still never came into the courtyard of the Mosque. Once it happened that His Holiness The Prophet (SAWS) put a question to His Holiness companions who were present in the courtyard of the mosque. The Question was as follows:
"What is the best thing for a woman?"
When Our Lady Fatimah (SWT) was infromed of this question . Her Holiness replied that the best thing for a women is that her glance never falls on a male stranger and the glance of a male stranger does not fall on her
When this answer reached The Holy Prophet (SAWS), His Holiness was rejoiced and said:
"----Fatimah (SWT) is a part of me (His Holiness The Prophet of Islam (SAWS)".
Ibn Al-Maghazili mentions in his book Manaqib that (His Holiness) Ali ibn Al-Hussain ibn Ali (A.S) said:
"Once a blind man asked for permission to enter Fatima's (Her Holiness) house
but she kept a veil between them. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) noticed her
(Our Lady Fatimah (SWT)) actions and asked:
`Why did you (Her Holiness(SWT)) keep a veil between you (Her Holiness (SWT))
when he cannot see you?"
Her Holiness Fatimah (SWT) answered :` Messanger of Allah, it is true that
he cannot see me (Her Holiness (SWT)), but I (Her Holiness (SWT)) can see
him and he can smell my (Her Holiness (SWT)) fragrance.'
At this, the Prophet (SAWS) said : "I bear witness that you are part of me".
(Book `Fatimah the Gracious' Pg 187)
Death of the Holy Lady (sa)
After the death of Holy Prophet (saw), people disobeyed the will and advices of Holy Prophet (saw). They collected themselves and elected a caliph amongst them inspite of explicit announcement of Imam Ali's (as) vicegrency by Holy Prophet (saw) duing his last Hajj. People came to Bibi Fatima's house to forcefully take oath from Imam Ali (as). When she denied from behind the door, people who wanted the oath pushed the door such that it fell on the Holy Lady Fatima (saw) and then crossed over the door, while the Holy Lady was below the door. The door also had a nail which pierced the Holy lady's body. The child in her womb died because of this atrocious incident. The caliph of that time snatched the land of Fadak which Holy Prophet (saw) gifted in His life. People closed their doors on the Holy households of Prophet (saw). All such events made Bibi Fatima (saw) weaker day by day and she passed aways within an year after the death of her father.
(3) LIFE OF HAZRAT ALI IBNE ABI TALIB (AS)
Name: Ali ibne Abi Talib (as)Father: Abu Talib bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim.
Mother: Fatimah bint Asad bin Hashim bin Abd Munaf.
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abul Hasan and Husayn, Abu Turab
Laqab (Title): Al-Wasi, Amir al-Mu'minin
Birth: He was born in the Ka'ba , in thirty 'Am al-Fil (the year of the elephant).
Martyrdom: He was martyred by the Khwariji named Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam at Kufa during the month of Ramadhan in the fortieth year of Hijrah and is buried in Najaf on the outskirts of Kufa
Biography
Amir al-mu'minln Ali (upon whom be peace) was the son of Abu Talib, the Shaykh of the Banu Hashim. Abu Talib was the uncle and guardian of the Holy Prophet (sawas) and the person who had brought the Prophet (sawas) to his house and raised him like his own son. After the Prophet (sawas) was chosen for his prophetic mission, Abu Talib continued to support him and repelled from him the evil that came from the infidels among the Arabs and especially the Quraysh.
According to well-known traditional accounts Ali was born ten years before the commencement of the prophetic mission of the Prophet (sawas). When six years old, as a result of famine in and around Mecca, he was requested by the Prophet (sawas) to leave his father's house and come to the house of his cousin, the Prophet (sawas). There he was placed directly under the guardianship and custody of the Holy Prophet (sawas).
A few years later, when the Prophet (sawas) was endowed with the Divine gift of prophecy and for the first time received the Divine revelation in the cave of Hira', as he left the cave to return to town and his own house he met Ali on the way. He told him what had happened and Ali accepted the new faith. Again in a gathering when the Holy Prophet (sawas) had brought his relatives together and invited them to accept his religion, he said the first person to accept his call would be his vicegerent and inheritor and deputy. The only person to rise from his place and accept the faith was Ali and the Prophet (sawas) accepted his declaration of faith. Therefore Ali was the first man in Islam to accept the faith and is the first among the followers of the Prophet (sawas) to have never worshipped other than the One God.
Ali was always in the company of the Prophet (sawas) until the Prophet (sawas) migrated from Mecca to Medina. On the night of the migration to Medina (hijrah) when the infidels had surrounded the house of the Prophet (sawas) and were determined to invade the house at the end of the night and cut him to pieces while he was in bed, Ali slept in place of the Prophet (sawas) while the Prophet (sawas) left the house and set out for Medina. After the departure of the Prophet (sawas), according to his wish Ali gave back to the people the trusts and charges that they had left with the Prophet (sawas). Then he went to Medina with his mother, the daughter of the Prophet (sawas), and two other women.
In Medina also Ali was constantly in the company of the Prophet (sawas) in private and in public. The Prophet (sawas) gave Fatimah, his beloved daughter from Khadijah, to Ali as his wife and when the Prophet (sawas) was creating bonds of brotherhood among his companions he selected Ali as his brother
Ali was present in all the wars in which the Prophet (sawas) participated, except the battle of Tabuk when he was ordered to stay in Medina in place of the Prophet (sawas). He did not retreat in any battle nor did he turn his face away from any enemy. He never disobeyed the Prophet (sawas), so that the Prophet (sawas) said, "Ali is never separated from the Truth nor the Truth from Ali."
On the day of the death of the Prophet (sawas), Ali was thirty-three years old. Although he was foremost in religious virtues and the most outstanding among the companions of the Prophet (sawas), he was pushed aside from the caliphate on the claim that he was too young and that he had many enemies among the people because of the blood of the polytheists he had spilled in the wars fought alongside the Prophet (sawas). Therefore Ali was almost completely cut off from public affairs. He retreated to his house where he began to train competent individuals in the Divine sciences and in this way he passed the twenty-five years of the caliphate of the first three caliphs who succeeded the Prophet (sawas). When the third caliph was killed, people gave their allegiance to him and he was chosen as caliph.
During his caliphate of nearly four years and nine months, Ali followed the way of the Prophet (sawas) and gave his caliphate the form of a spiritual movement and renewal and began many different types of reforms. Naturally, these reforms were against the interests of certain parties that sought their own benefit. As a result, a group of the companions (foremost among whom were Talhah and Zubayr, who also gained the support of A'ishah, and especially Mu'awiyah) made a pretext of the death of the third caliph to raise their heads in opposition and began to revolt and rebel against Ali.
In order to quell the civil strife and sedition, Ali fought a war near Basra, known as the "Battle of the Camel," against Talhah and Zubayr in which Ummul Mu'mineen A'ishah, was also involved. He fought another war against Mu'awiyah on the border of Iraq and Syria which lasted for a year and a half and is famous as the "Battle of Siffin." He also fought against the Khawarij at Nahrawan, in a battle known as the "Battle of Nahrawan." Therefore, most of the days of Ali's caliphate were spent in overcoming internal opposition. Finally, in the morning of the 19th of Ramadan in the year 40 A.H., while praying in the mosque of Kufa, he was wounded by one of the Khawarij and died as a martyr during the night of the 21st of Ramadan
According to the testimony of friend and foe alike, Ali had no shortcomings from the point of view of human perfection. And in the Islamic virtues he was a perfect example of the upbringing and training given by the Prophet (sawas). The discussions that have taken place concerning his personality and the books written on this subject by Shi'ites, Sunnis and members of other religions, as well as the simply curious outside any distinct religious bodies, are hardly equalled in the case of any other personality in history.
In science and knowledge Ali was the most learned of the companions of the Prophet (sawas), and of Muslims in general. In his learned discourses he was the first in Islam to open the door for logical demonstration and proof and to discuss the "divine sciences" or metaphysics (ma'arif-i ilahlyah). He spoke concerning the esoteric aspect of the Quran and devised Arabic grammar in order to preserve the Quran's form of expression. He was the most eloquent Arab in speech (as has been mentioned in the first part of this book).
The courage of Ali was proverbial. In all the wars in which he participated during the lifetime of the Prophet (sawas), and also afterward, he never displayed fear or anxiety. Although in many battles such as those of Uhud, Hunayn, Khaybar and Khandaq the aides to the Prophet (sawas) and the Muslim army trembled in fear or dispersed and fled, he never turned his back to the enemy. Never did a warrior or soldier engage Ali in battle and come out of it alive. Yet, with full chivalry he would never slay a weak enemy nor pursue those who fled. He would not engage in surprise attacks or in turning streams of water upon the enemy. It has been definitively established historically that in the Battle of Khaybar in the attack against the fort he reached the ring of the door and with sudden motion tore off the door and cast it away. Also on the day when Mecca was conquered the Prophet (sawas) ordered the idols to be broken. The idol "Hubal" was the largest idol in Mecca, a giant stone statue placed on the top of the Ka'bah. Following the command of the Prophet (sawas), Ali placed his feet on the Prophet (sawas)'s shoulders, climbed to the top of the Ka'bah, pulled "Hubal" from its place and cast it down.
Ali was also without equal in religious asceticism and the worship of God. In answer to some who had complained of Ali's anger toward them, the Prophet (sawas) said, "Do not reproach Ali for he is in a state of Divine ecstasy and bewilderment.
" Abu Darda'', one of the companions, one day saw the body of Ali in one of the palm plantations of Medina laying on the ground as stiff as wood. He went to Ali's house to inform his noble wife, the daughter of the Prophet (sawas), and to express his condolences. The daughter of the Prophet (sawas) said, "My cousin (Ali) has not died. Rather, in fear of God he has fainted. This condition overcomes him often." There are many stories told of Ali's kindness to the lowly, compassion for the needy and the poor, and generosity and munificence toward those in misery and poverty. Ali spent all that he earned to help the poor and the needy, and himself lived in the strictest and simplest manner. Ali loved agriculture and spent much of his time digging wells, planting trees and cultivating fields. But all the fields that he cultivated or wells that he built he gave in endowment (waqf) to the poor. His endowments, known as the "alms of Ali," had the noteworthy income of twenty-four thousand gold dinars toward the end of his life.
(4) IMAM HASAN BIN ALI (AS)
Name: Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.)
Mother: Fatimah az-Zahra (a.s.), the daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu Muhammad
Laqab (Title): Al-Sibt al-Kabir (the elder grandson), Al-Mujtaba.
Birth: He was born in Madina in the middle of the month of Ramadhan in 3 A.H.
Martyrdom: He died on the 28th of Safar in the year 50 A.H. He was buried in the graveyard of Baqi in Madina
A Brief History of Imam Hassan’s Life
The Son of the Prophet
Imam Hassan Mujtaba (as) was the second Imam. He and his brother Imam Hussein were the two sons of Amir al-mu"minin Ali and Hadhrat Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet. Many times the Prophet had said,"Hassan and Hussein are my children". Because of these same words Ali would say to his other children, "You are my children and Hasan and Hussein are the children of the Prophet."
Imam Hassan was born in the year 3 A.H. in Medina and shared in the life of the Prophet for somewhat over seven years, growing up during that time under his loving care.After the death of the Prophet which was no more than three,or according to some, six months earlier than the death of Hadhrat Fatimah,Hassan was placed directly under the care of his noble father.
The beginning of Imam Hasan's (A) Imamat
The Holy Imam (A) helped his father throughout his life until Imam Ali (A) died when the Holy Imam (A) was 37 years old. At this age he inherited his father and became the guardian of the Ahlul Bayt and the Shia. In his well-known will Imam Ali (A) appointed him as the next Imam.The martyrdom of Imam Ali (A) on the 21st of Mahe Ramadhan, 40 A.H. marked the beginning of Imam Hasan's (A) Imamat. The Muslims pledged their allegiance to him and finalised the formality of Bay'at (Oath of Allegiance). No sooner had he taken the reins of leadership in his hands than he had to meet the challenge of Muawiya bin Abu Sufyan, the governor of Syria, who began trying to undermine his authority. The Holy Imam (A) decided that Muawiya would have to be ousted by force and he prepared for war. He appointed a representative in Kufa and proceeded to Nukhayla where he had asked the army to gather. After 10 days, only 4,000 men had assembled, so he went back to Kufa and made another call for people to come to arms, sending out Hujr bin Adi to do the same.
Slowly the people answered the call for Jihad. A mixed band of people formed the army. Some were sincere Shia, others were Kharjites who wished to fight Muawiya by any means possible, some were men who loved fighting and desired war booty, some were unsure about the right of the Holy Imam (A) to the Caliphate, while others blindly followed their tribal leaders with no thought for religion.
The Holy Imam (A) gave an address to the army in which he first praised Allah and the Holy Prophet (S). He then told the people that he was their sincere advisor and urged them to unite rather than be divided in factions. This message was misunderstood by some, who thought that he planned to hand over authority to Muawiya. There was a riot amongst the people and a group of them attacked the Holy Imam (A) while he was in his tent. The Shia gathered around him and protected him.
Later, during the march towards Syria, a man from the Bani Asad attacked the Holy Imam (A) and struck him on the thigh with an axe. Due to the injury, the Holy Imam (A) was forced to stop at Mada'in, from where he sent Ubaidullah bin Abbas with 12,000 men to stop Muawiya, who had advanced into Iraq.
Muawiya managed to bribe and threaten many of the Holy Imam's (A) followers into abandoning him, including Ubaidullah, who was paid one million dirhams to betray the Holy Imam (A).
The Holy Imam (A) realised that he could not trust the intentions of most of his men and the only people he could rely on were his Shia, who were too few to resist the Syrian soldiers. Meanwhile, Muawiya wrote to him suggesting a truce and Peace Treaty on the Holy Imam's (A) terms.
Muawiya was still not satisfied with affairs. He knew that the treaty was never meant as a surrender of authority by the Holy Imam (A), because he was Divinely Appointed as the Imam.
It was merely an interim transfer of the administration of the Islamic State, subject to the condition that it would be returned to the Holy Imam (A) after Muawiya's death and then it would be in turn inherited by Imam Husain (A). However, Muawiya had plans to declare Yazid, his son, as his successor, and he decided to get rid of the Holy Imam (A) first.
Imam Hassan’s Character
In human perfection Imam Hassan was reminiscent of his father and a perfect example of his noble grandfather. In fact, as long as the prophet was alive, he and his brother were always in the company of the Prophet who even sometimes would carry them on his shoulders.Both Sunni and Shiite sources have transmitted this saying of the Holy Prophet concerning Hassan and Hussein:"These two children of mine are Imams whether they stand up or sit down" (allusion to whether they occupy the external function of caliphate or not).
The researcher who examines the life of the Holy Prophet’s grandson, Imam Hassan and his brother, Imam Hussein (as),can’t help drawing the conclusion that they enjoyed a high level of education and spiritual and ideological upbringing, which no other person had won next to their grandfather (pbuh),mother and father (as).The imprints of the revelation and Divine care marked their characters, in all its aspects, ingredients and angles.
They were highly refined and brought up in line with Islam’s teachings by their grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), their father, Imam Ali (a.s.), and their mother Fatima (a.s.) , through excellent examples and direct daily guidance. Although they lost both their grandfather and mother at an early age, their upbringing suffered no interruption. Their father, Imam Ali bin Abi-Talib (a.s.), the disciple of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), and the graduate from the school of Divine revelation, who was the beacon for the people, was alive, throwing his shade over them. There is no doubt that Imams Hassan and Hussein (a.s.) wound up in the stage of Divine preparation.They were prepared to shoulder the responsibility of the Divine message, in form and content. The ultimate result was that both Imams Hasan and Hussein (a.s.) became Islam personified walking on the earth.
As the ingredients of the characters of the two Imams were the same, they were singular in their behavior, march, steps and goals, which were Islamic in their entirety.The nature of our discussion dictates that we present lively examples from Imam Hassan’s (a.s.) spiritual, scientific, and ethical activities.
1. Spiritual Side:
The excellent preparation which was provided for the grandson of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), helped his spiritual entity to sublimate. His closeness to Allah, and his attachment to Him was a source of awe and respect.Following are a few narratives which shed light on this side of his character:
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said:
"Hassan bin Ali (a.s.) was certainly the most true worshipper, ascetic and merited man among the people of his time."
2. Scientific Side:
All of the rightly guided Imams either received their education directly from the Messenger (s.a.w.) or indirectly from the preceding Imam.As for the new questions and developments of life, the sublime, inner entity of the Imam himself, and his boundless spirituality, qualified him for self-acquired knowledge. That is why the Muslim orators dubbed the knowledge of the Imams, from the perspective of the "present knowledge". An Imam wouldn’t need to be tutored or taught by others in this respect. He acquired knowledge by means of direct inspiration.
Following are a number of reports about Imam Hasan"s vast knowledge.
A. Hasan al-Basri wrote to Imam Hassan (a.s), asking him about the Divine decree. The grandson of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) answered him in these words:
"Mind you, he who does not believe that all sudden incidents that happen, be they good or bad, are known earlier by Allah, is an infidel. He who blames sins on Allah, is unchaste. Allah is not obeyed against His will. He is not sinned against by force. He does not leave aside His servants in His Kingdom. He is the Owner of what He gives to them. He is the Powerful over whatever He puts at the disposal of them. Nay, He orders them with no coercion, and prohibits them as a warning. If they opt to obey Him, none would stand in their way, and if they choose to sin, He may prevent them from doing it. But if He does not, He is not to blame, because it is not He Who forces them to do it, or compels them into committing it against their will. But He does them a favor by opening their eyes, teaching, warning, ordering and prohibiting them. He does not force them to do what He orders, so as to be like the angels, not does He pressure them to keep away from what He forbids. Allah"s is certainly the conclusive argument. If Allah willed, He would have guided you to the right path..."
B. "What is asceticism?" the Imam was once asked.
"The desire to be pious and abstemious in this life," he replied.
"What is forbearance?" he was asked.
"Restraining one"s anger and controlling oneself," he answered.
"What is righteousness?" he was asked.
"Replacing the bad with the good," he answered.
"What is honor?" they asked.
"Being kind to one’s relatives and shouldering people’s burdens of sin."
"What is the succour?" he was asked.
"Defending the neighbor, patience in war, and advance during adversities," he said.
"What is glory?" he was asked.
"Giving while being in debt and forgiving others their offences."
3. Ethical Side:
Covering this aspect of the character of the grandson of the Prophet (s.a.w.) by no means signifies a difference among the guiding Imams (a.s.) in this respect, or in any other ingredient of the ideal Islamic character.
They are equal in this. We will confine ourselves to presenting some narratives of the Imam’s behavior with the people.A. His Modesty:
1. It is reported that he once chanced upon some poor men who put a few crumbs of bread on the ground in front of them, which they had earlier picked up from the road. They were eating them. They invited him to eat with them. He accepted the invitation and said: "Certainly Allah does not like the proud."Having finished eating with them he invited them to his house. He showered them with money, fed and clothed them.
2. It is reported that he was sitting in some place. When the Imam (a.s.) rose to go, a poor man came in. The Imam greeted him, and spoke kindly to him. "You have come at the time when I was taking leave," he said to the man. "Do you permit me to go?" "Yes, O son of the Messenger of Allah," replied the man.
B. His Kindness to the Wrongdoers:
A Syrian, imbued with hatred and spite against the family of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), by Mu’awiyah bin Abi-Sufyan, once saw the Imam on horseback. He at once emitted a series of curses! Imam Hasan (a.s.) did not put in a word of protest or interruption. When the man finished, Imam Hasan (a.s.) approached him with a tender smile. He said to him:"O old man! I think you are a stranger here. Maybe you mistook me for someone else? If you propitiate us, we will satisfy you. If you ask us, we will give you what you need. If you ask our advice, we will guide you. If you ask us to give you a ride, we will take you with us. If you are hungry, we will satisfy you. If you are naked, we will clothe you. If you are in need, we will make you rich. If you are a refugee, we will give you lodgings. If you have a request, we will grant it. If you join your luggage to ours, and be our guest until the time of your travel, it will be more useful to you, because we have a spacious place, a good social position, and a vast amount of money."
Upon hearing these words, the Syrian broke into tears.
Then he said: "I bear witness that you are the viceroy of Allah on the earth. Allah knows best whom to entrust with His message. You and your father were the most hateful creatures of Allah to me. But now you and your father are the most beloved from among all the creatures of Allah to me."
Then the Imam took the Syrian to his house as his guest till the time of his departure. The man had completely changed his opinion and position toward Ahlul-Bait (a.s.).C. His Generosity:
Maybe the most eminent of Imam Hassan’s (a.s.) attributes is his generosity. He believed that money was only a means to clothe the naked, help the destitute, pay the debts of the indebted, or satisfy the hungry. Once, he was asked: "We do not see you disappoint a beggar. Why?"He replied:" I am asking Allah for His favors, and I love to be near Him. I am ashamed, as I am myself in need of Allah, to repulse a beggar. Allah got me used to a habit; to shower me with His bounties, and I get Him used to me showering His bounties on the people. I fear that should I stop my habit, He may stop His habit."
Imam's Martyrdom
One of the Holy Imam's (A) wives was Ju'da binte Ash'ath bin Qays. Muawiya conspired with Ju'da to give the Holy Imam (A) some poison. In return she would get 100,000 dirhams and he would marry her to Yazid. This evil woman put poison in the Holy Imam's (A) drinking water and he immediately fell gravely ill as a result. After great suffering, the Holy Imam (A) departed from this world. Just before he died, he entrusted the affairs of Imamat to his brother Imam Husain (A) and made him the guardian of his own family.The Holy Imam (A) had stated that before he was buried in Jannatul Baqee, his body should be taken to the grave of the Holy Prophet (S) for a final visit. When the Bani Hashim attempted to carry out the last wishes of the Holy Imam (A), they were stopped by Ayesha and members of the Bani Umayyah, who thought that they wished to bury him next to his grandfather. Imam Husain (A) did not want bloodshed so he directed that the body be taken straight to Jannatul Baqee, where Imam Hasan (A) was buried next to his grandmother Fatima binte Asad. He was 48 years old when he was martyred.
When Ju'da came to Muawiya to claim her reward, he gave her the money, but refused to marry her to Yazid, declaring that a woman who could poison one husband would certainly not hesitate to poison another.
(5) IMAM HUSSAIN BIN ALI (AS)
Name: Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.)
Mother: Fatimah az-Zahra (a.s.), the daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu 'Abdillah.
Laqab (Title): Al Sibt, Shahid-e-Karbala.
Birth: He was born in Madina in the month of Shaban in the year 4 A.H.
Martyrdom: He was martyred with his companions by the army of Yazid in the month of Muharram 61 A.H. His tomb is in Karbala, a town of Iraq.
BIOGRAPHY
His Birth
Imam Hossein (PBUH) was born on the 3rd of Sha'ban, in 4th year of Hijrah inMedina. When the Prophet (PBUH) heard the news of Imam Hossein's birth, became very happy and came to the house of Fatima (PBUH). Asma, the maidservant ofFatima covered the child in a white cloth and brought him to the Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) picked the child up in his lap and recited the Azaan in his right ear and iqamah in the left one. As if, apparently, he (PBUH) made the ears of his son familiar and acquainted with the name of God for the first time. On the seventh day of the birth, an angel came from the God and he said, "Just as Haroon was the brother, sympathizer, and helper in each and every difficulty of Moses (PBUH) similarly Ali (PBUH) is your sympathizer, helper and brother in each and every matter of yours. Therefore, keep the name of this child upon the name of Haroon's son "Shabeer," which translated into Arabic becomes 'Hossein'. Thus the name of the second child of Fatima (PBUH) was also selected by God.
His Life
Imam Husayn was Imam for a period of ten years, all but the last six months coinciding with the caliphate of Mu'awiyah. Imam Husayn lived under the most difficult outward conditions of suppression and persecution. This was due to the fact that, first of all, religious laws and regulations had lost much of their weight and credit, and the edicts of the Umayyad government had gained complete authority and power. Secondly, Mu'awiyah and his aides made use of every possible means to put aside and move out of the way the Household of the Prophet (sawas) and the Shi'ah, and thus obliterate the name of Ali and his family. And above all, Mu'awiyah wanted to strengthen the basis of the caliphate of his son, Yazid, who because of his lack of principles and scruples was opposed by a large group of Muslims. Therefore, in order to quell all opposition, Mu'awiyah had undertaken newer and more severe measures. By force and necessity Imam Husayn had to endure these days and to tolerate every kind of mental and spiritual agony and affliction from Mu'awiyah and his aides,until in the middle of the year 60 A.H. Mu'awiyah died and his son Yazid took his place.
Paying allegiance (bay'ah) was an old Arab practice which was carried out in important matters such as that of kingship and governorship. Those who were ruled, and especially the well known among them, would give their hand in alleging, agreement and obedience to their king or prince and in this way would show their support for his actions. Disagreement after allegiance was considered as disgrace and dishonour for a people and it was like breaking an agreement after having signed it officially, it was considered as a definite crime. Following the example of the Holy Prophet (sawas), people believed that allegiance, when given by free will and not through force, carried authority and weight.
Mu'awiyah had asked the well-known among the people to give their allegiance to Yazid, but had not imposed this request upon Imam Husayn. He had especially told Yazid in his last will that if Husayn refused to pay allegiance he should pass over it in silence and overlook the matter, for he had understood correctly the disastrous consequences which would follow if the issue were to be pressed. But because of his egoism and recklessness, Yazid neglected his father's advice and immediately after the death of his father ordered the governor of Medina either to force a pledge of allegiance from Imam Husayn or send his head to Damascus.
After the governor of Medina informed Imam Husayn of this demand, the Imam, in order to think over the question, asked for a delay and overnight started with his family toward Mecca. He sought refuge in the sanctuary of God which in Islam is the official place of refuge and security. This event occurred toward the end of the month of Rajab and the beginning of Sha'ban of 60 A.H. For nearly four months Imam Husayn stayed in Mecca in refuge. This news spread throughout the Islamic world. On the one hand many people who were tired of the iniquities of Mu'awiyah's rule and were even more dissatisfied when Yazid became caliph, corresponded with Imam Husayn and expressed their sympathy for him. On the other hand a flood of letters began to flow, especially from Iraq and particularly the city of Kufa, inviting the Imam to go to Iraq and accept the leadership of the populace there with the aim of beginning an uprising to overcome injustice and iniquity. Naturally such a situation was dangerous for Yazid.
The stay of Imam Husayn in Mecca continued until the season for pilgrimage when Muslims from all over the world poured in groups into Mecca in order to perform the rites of the hajj. The Imam discovered that some of the followers of Yazid had entered Mecca as pilgrims (hajjis) with the mission to kill the Imam during the rites of hajj with the arms they carried under their special pilgrimage dress (ihram). The Imam shortened the pilgrimage rites and decided to leave. Amidst the vast crowd of people he stood up and in a short speech announced that he was setting out for Iraq. In this short speech he also declared that he would be martyred and asked Muslims to help him in attaining the goal he had in view and to offer their lives in the path of God. The next day he set out with his family and a group of his companions for Iraq.
Imam Husayn was determined not to give his allegiance to Yazid and knew full well that he would be killed. He was aware that his death was inevitable in the face of the awesome military power of the Umayyads, supported as it was by corruption in certain sectors, spiritual decline, and lack of will power among the people, especially in Iraq. Some of the outstanding people of Mecca stood in the way of Imam Husayn and warned him of the danger of the move he was making. But he answered that he refused to pay allegiance and give his approval to a government of injustice and tyranny. He added that he knew that wherever he turned or went he would be killed. He would leave Mecca in order to preserve the respect for the house of God and not allow this respect to be destroyed by having his blood spilled there. While on the way to Kufa and still a few days' journey away from the city, he received news that the followers of Yazid in Kufa had put to death the representative of the Imam in that city and also one of the Imam's determined supporters who was a well-known man in Kufa. Their feet had been tied and they had been dragged through the streets. The city and its surroundings were placed under strict observation and countless soldiers of the enemy were awaiting him, There was no way open to him but to march ahead and to face death. It was-here that the Imam expressed his definitive determination to go ahead and be martyred; and so he continued on his journey.
Approximately seventy kilometres from Kufa, in a desert named Kerbala, the Imam and his entourage were surrounded by the army of Yazid. For eight days they stayed in this spot during which the circle narrowed and the number of the enemy's army increased. Finally the Imam, with his household and a small numbers of companions were encircled by an army of thirty thousand soldiers. During these days the Imam fortified his position and made a final selection of his companions. At night he called his companions and during a short speech stated that there was nothing ahead but death and martyrdom. He added that since the enemy was concerned only with his person he would free them from all obligations so that anyone who wished could escape in the darkness of the night and save his life. Then he ordered the lights to be turned out and most of his companions, who had joined him for their own advantage, dispersed. Only a handful of those who loved the truth--about forty of his close aides--and some of the Banu Hashim remained.
Once again the Imam assembled those who were left and put them to a test. He addressed his companions and Hashimite relatives, saying again that the enemy was concerned only with his person. Each could benefit from the darkness of the night and escape the danger. But this time the faithful companions of the Imam answered each in his own way that they would not deviate for a moment from the path of truth of which the Imam was the leader and would never leave him alone. They said they would defend his household to the last drop of their blood and as long as they could carry a sword.
On the ninth day of the month the last challenge to choose between "allegiance or war" was made by the enemy to the Imam. The Imam asked for a delay in order to worship overnight and became determined to enter battle on the next day.
On the tenth day of Muharram of the year 61/680 the Imam lined up before the enemy with his small band of followers, less than ninety persons consisting of forty of his companions, thirty some members of the army of the enemy that j joined him during the night and day of war, and his Hashimite family of children, brothers, nephews, nieces and cousins. That day they fought from morning until their final breath, the Imam, the young Hashimites and the companions were all martyred. Among those killed were two children of Imam Hasan, who were only thirteen and eleven years old; and a five-year-old child and a suckling baby of Imam Husayn.
The army of the enemy, after ending the war, plundered the haram of the Imam and burned his tents. They decapitated the bodies of the martyrs, denuded them and threw them to the ground without burial. Then they moved the members of the haram, all of whom were helpless women and girls, along with the heads of the martyrs, to Kufa. Among the prisoners there were three male members: a twenty-two year old son of Imam Husayn who was very ill and unable to move, namely Ali ibn Husayn, the fourth Imam; his four year old son, Muhammad ibn Ali, who became the fifth Imam; and finally Hasan Muthanna, the son of the second Imam who was also the son-in-law of Imam Husayn and who, having been wounded during the war, lay among the dead. They found him near death and through the intercession of one of the generals did not cut off his head. Rather, they took him with the prisoners to Kufa and from there to Damascus before Yazid. The event of Kerbala, the capture of the women and children of the Household of the Prophet (sawas), their being taken as prisoners from town to town and the speeches made by the daughter of Ali; Zaynab, and the fourth Imam who were among the prisoners, disgraced the Umayyads. Such abuse of the Household of the Prophet (sawas) annulled the propaganda which Mu'awiyah had carried out for years. The matter reached such proportions that Yazid in public disowned and condemned the actions of his agents.
The event of Kerbala was a major factor in the overthrow of Umayyad rule although its effect was delayed. It also strengthened the roots of The Followers of Ahlu Bayt. Among its immediate results were the revolts and rebellions combined with bloody wars which continued for twelve years. Among those who were instrumental in the death of the Imam not one was able to escape revenge and punishment. Anyone who studies closely the history of the life of Imam Husayn and Yazid and the conditions that prevailed at that time, and analyses this chapter of Islamic history, will have no doubt that in those circumstances there was no choice before Imam Husayn but to be killed. Swearing allegiance to Yazid would have meant publicly showing contempt for Islam, something which was not possible for the Imam, for Yazid not only showed no respect for Islam and its injunctions but also made a public demonstration of impudently, treading under foot its basis and its laws. Those before him, even if they opposed religious injunctions, always did so in the guise of religion, and at least formally respected religion. They took pride in being companions of the Holy Prophet (sawas) and the other religious figures in whom people believed. From this it can be concluded that the claim of some interpreters of these events is false when they say that the two brothers, Hasan and Husayn, had two different tastes and that one chose the way of peace and the other the way of war, so that one brother made peace with Mu'awiyah although he had an army of forty thousand while the other went to war against Yazid with an army of forty. For we see that this same Imam Husayn, who refused to pay allegiance to Yazid for one day, lived for ten years under the rule of Mu'awiyah, in the same manner as his brother who also had endured for ten years under Mu'awiyah, without opposing him.
It must be said in truth that if Imam Hasan or Imam Husayn had fought Mu'awiyah they would have been killed without there being the least benefit for Islam. Their deaths would have had no effect before the righteous appearing policy of Mu'awiyah, a competent politician who emphasised his being a companion of the Holy Prophet (sawas), the "scribe of the revelation," and "uncle of the faithful" and who used every stratagem possible to preserve a religious guise for his rule. Moreover, with his ability to set the stage to accomplish his desires he could have had them killed by their own people and then assumed a state of mourning and sought to revenge their blood, just as he sought to give the impression that he was avenging the killing of the third caliph.
Excellenes of Imam Hussain (as) in Ahadeeth
1. Hassan (as) and Hossein (as) are the leaders of the Youths of Paradise.2. Hassan (as) is from me and I am from Hossein (as), Allah befriends those who befriend Hossein (PBUH) and He is the enemy of those who bear enmity to him.
3. Whoever wishes to see such a person who lives on earth but whose dignity is honored by the Heaven dwellers should see my grandson Hossein (as).
4. O my son! your flesh is my flesh and your blood is my blood, your are a leader, the son of a leader and the brother of a leader; your are a spiritual guide, the son of a spiritual guide and the brother of a spiritual guide; you are an Apostolical Imam, the son of an Apostolical Imam and the brother of an Apostolical Imam; your are the father of nine Imams, the ninth of whom would be the Oa"im (the last infallible spiritual guide).5. The punishment inflicted on the murderer of Hossein (as) in Hell would be equal to half of the total punishment to be imposed on the entire sinners of the world.
6. When the Holy Prophet (as) informed Hazrat Fatima of the Martyrdom in store for his grandson, she burst into tears and asked, "O my father! When would my son be martyred?" "In such a critical moment," he replied," When neither I nor you, nor Ali would be alive. " This accentuated her grief and she inquired again," Who then, O my father, would commemorate Hossein"s martyrdom?" The Holy Prophet (as) said, "The men and the women of a particular sect of my followers, who will befriend my Ahl-ul-Bayt, will mourn for Hossein and commemorate his martyrdom each year in every century."
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