The Fourth Imam - Hazrat Ali ibne Husain(a.s.)

"The first of them (after Imam Hussain(a.s)) is Ali, the master of worshippers and the ornament of My Auliya in the past." (Hadees-e-Lauh)

Early life-Imam Zainul Aabedeen (a.s) was born on 15th jamadi-ul-awwal, 37A.H two years prior to the martyrdom of Imam Ali(a.s). His (a.s) mother was Shah-e-Zanan, the daughter of Yazdagird bin Shahrayar bin Khosro, a Persian King. Her name was later changed to Shahrbano. His (a.s) father was Imam Hussain (a.s) the lantern of the source of guidance. At the age of 23, He (a.s) faced the most tragic event of His life i.e. the event of Karbala.

Event of Karbala- By the will of Allah, Imam Sajjad (a.s) became seriously ill at the time of the event of Karbala, which prevented him from taking in the battle. His(a.s) Imamat commenced from the noon of Aashura, 61 A.H. From the 11th Moharram, 61 A.H.  the caravan of Imam (a.s) was forced to undertake a journey along with surviving women and children of the martyrs of Karbala, He (a.s) tried His best to unveil the ugly leadership of Yazid. Imam (a.s) speech in the court of Yazid manifested His exalted character inspite of the fact He had to bear mental and physical tortures and hardship. Imam (a.s) in His comprehensive speech praised Allah and introduced the progeny of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and the valuable service rendered by them in the way of Islam. The speech created such an atmosphere that it provoked the people against Yazid ( may Allah curse him). To defuse the tension, Yazid ordered a Muezzin to call out Azan to silence Imam (a.s). However Imam (a.s) after each and every sentence of Azan gave such a remarkable commentary, which resulted in increased disgrace of Yazid. Imam (a.s) during 34 years of Imamat passed through the reigns of Yazid ibne Moaviya, Moaviya ibne Yazid, Marwan ibne Hakam, Abdul Malik ibne Marwan and Walib ibne Abdul Malik.

Life after Karbala-  Imam (a.s) adopted two methods to fulfill the duties of Imamat. The first method was that He concentrated on the training of the people individually or collectively through the medium of supplications. The Book 'Sahifa-e-Sajjadiya' is a compilation of the supplications of Imam (a.s) through which He (a.s) trained people. Another important work of Imam (a.s) was the treatise, 'Resalatul huquq'. It is a collection of individual and social rights of the Muslims in different aspects of the society. The second method adopted by Imam (a.s) was to keep alive the heart rendering memories of Karbala. Imam(a.s) from time to time reminded the people about the tragedy of Karbala. He cried loud whenever He saw an animal slaughtered. In an emotional atmosphere He reminded the people about the cruelties of Bani Ummayah.

Generosity and Martyrdom- It is reported from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) about the generosity of His father, "He would go out in the darkness of the night carrying a bag on His back. He would come to a door and knock on it. He delivered food from His bag to anyone who opened the door. He used to keep His face covered when helping the poor, lest they recognize Him". His attitude towards the people was very gentle. When He heard somebody speak ill of Him, He would not get angry but would say, "If whatever you said about me is true, may Allah forgive me and if whatever you said about me is false, then may Allah forgive you". At last by the order of Walid ibne Abdul Malik (may Allah curse him) Imam (a.s) was poisoned on 25th Muharram, 95 A.H. He (a.s) was buried in Jannatul Baqi, Madina.

Importance of Ziarat e Aashura

The Ziyara is best read under the sky facing Kerbala. Our 5^th Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) told his companion Alqama bin Muhammad that who so ever recited this Ziyara would get the thawaabs of having gone to Kerbala to perform the Ziyara of Imam Hussein (as)

The Ziyara is followed by 2 rakaats salaah and a dua known as Dua e Alqama which the 6^th Imam used to recite after Ziyarat e Ashura.

Shaykh Husayn Nuri in his book "Najmuth Thakib" writes that there was a person called Syed Ahmed Rushid who was on his way to Hajj with two companions.

It was winter and one night there was snow and ice accompanied by strong winds.

Syed Ahmed got separated from his companions.

He says he was trembling with fear and cold as it was a place where people often looted.

Suddenly he saw a person with a shovel freeing the tree branches which were burdened with snow.

The man greeted Syed Ahmed saying "Assalamu Alaykum Syed Ahmed! Where are you going?"

Amazed at the person knowing his name he said he was on his way to Hajj but had lost his way.

The man told him "Alayka bin Nafela! Nafela! Nafela!"

Syed Ahmed prayed his Maghrib and Isha salaah finishing each with its Nafela.

He saw the man again who asked him, "Have you not gone yet?"

Syed Ahmed replied "No!"

The man said, "Alayka bil Jamia! Jamia! Jamia!"

Syed Ahmed says that I did not know Ziyarat e Jamia by heart but that day I could recite it as though I had memorised it.

The man told him, "Alayka bil Ashura! Ashura! Ashura!"

Syed Ahmed recited Ziyarat e Ashura and Dua Alqama. The man then mounted on his horse and took him to his caravan and the companions he had been separated from.

As he parted he said to Syed Ahmed, "REMEMBER ZIYARAT E ASHURA, THERE IS NO GREATER GIFT THAN IT."
 

Muharram When Skies Wept Blood

 You know that it is almost the definition of Muharram that this is the month of wail and cries. Imam Hussain (a.s) along with His (a.s) companions were martyred mercilessly in this very month. Shias around the world commemorate this event  in this particular month. Muharram gives back the firmness of faith to shia muslims with its arrival. This is the only  month whose arrival is greeted with tear and it is bid farewell with pearls of cries. Since this month has arrived use this month as best as possible and give your pursa to Imam Mahdi(a.t.f.s) of His(a.s) grand father. Oh Imam accept my salutation  for savior of Islam, Leader of Islam, Hero of Islam Hussain Hussain Hussain.