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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