Al-Husain: Anecdotes and Sayings

Al-Husain: Anecdotes and Sayings By A.S. Hashim. MD Sayings of Imams taken from: http://www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/infallible10.asp Ziyarah of Imams taken from: http://www.ziaraat.org

Salaam to Al-Husain السلام عليك يا أبا عبد الله وعلى الأرواح التي حلت بفنائك عليك مني سلام الله أبداً ما بقيت وبقي الليل والنهار ولا جعله الله آخر العهد مني لزيارتكم السلام على الحسين وعلى علي بن الحسين وعلى أولاد الحسين وعلى أصحاب الحسين جميعاً ورحمة الله وبركاته

About this slide show: • This slide show deals with: • Al-Husain during the last three months of his life • The incidents before leaving to Karbala • With 7 selections from his Du’aa of Arafah and • With 11 slides about his sayings, then Ziyarah • It also shows his Shrine (burial place)

Lineage of Al-Husain

Mu’awiya sends to the Ummah: Government workers Secret Agents (spies) Collaborators To bribe and reward people who accept Yazid To punish people with losing jobs or even being killed, if they oppose Yazid To Install Yazid for Khilaafah

Yazid and the People • Majority of people refuse Yazid • People look for Husain’s leadership • Gloomy and resentful feeling prevails • High emotions in Iraq and other areas • 12,000 letters reach Al-Husain from Iraq urging him to lead them • Basrah, Hijaz, and Yemen send him letters too • Delegates from Kufa visit Al-Husain

In Medina • Governor of Medina (Waleed ibn Ut’ba) calls on Al-Husain for interview • Atmosphere: somber and tense • Governor asks Al-Husain to give Allegiance to Yazid • Al-Husain answers: Tomorrow I’ll announce it to the People • A few days later Al-Husain leaves Medina for Mecca • Al-Husain leaves with his brothers, nephews, cousins, and family • One brother stays in to supply Al-Husain with future news of Benu Umayya

Major Historical Happenings • See the unfolding sequence of historical happenings: • Mu’awiya dies, leaving his son, Yazid, to be the Ruler after him • The 30 Yr old Yazid wants to secure allegiance to his rule • Al-Husain adamantly refuses to give allegiance, thus leaving Medina for Mecca. Stays in Mecca for three months (including Ramadhan) • On Arafah, Al-Husain delivers his famous Du’aa then next day leaves to Iraq without performing Haj

Du’aa Arafah by Al-Husain • Having stayed in Mecca for three months, Haj time draws near. • On Day of Arafah just before Haj • Al-Husain delivers his most moving Du’aa, called Al-Husain’s Du’aa on day of Arafah • People around him were moved to tears • Al-Husain left next morning without performing Haj • He left toward Iraq along with family and devotees • He was preceded to Iraq by his cousin Muslim ibn Aqeel

Jabal al-Rahmah in Mecca, Nowadays

Route Taken by Al-Husain to Karbala

الحسـن والحسـين سـيدا شـباب اهل الجنه مََنٍ أحبَّ الحسـنَ والحسـين فقد أحبَّنِي ومَنٍ أبغَضَـهُما فقد أبغَضَني أنا سِلمٌ لِمَن سالمـتم، وحربٌُ لِمَن حاربتُم Al-Hasan and Al-Husain are each a prince over the youthful in heaven". The one who loves Hasan and Husain will also have loved me, and he who detests them, will have detested me. "In peace I am with him whom you are in peace with and in battle I am with him whom you are in battle with Husain and what the Prophet Says of him

In sermon 154, page 215Ali About the Lofty Status of Ahlul Bayt:

Seven Selections from Du’aa Arafat • In Praise of God • In Allah’s Attributes • In Glorifying God • Entreating God • Imploring God • In Calling unto Allah • Al-Husain Supplicates

Al-Husain in Praise of God

Supplicating with Tears in his Eyes

Invoking Allah’s Attributes

Al-Husain in calling unto Allah

In Glorifying Almighty God

Imploring God supplicating

Al-Husain Entreats God

About Al-Husain's Sayings • People were seekers of Al-Husain’s sayings and advice • Most such sayings were before going to Karbala • Be it in Masjid al-Nabawi • Mecca during Haj • Various other Occasions • The following are select such sayings:

Select Sayings #1 • Never will be salvaged the people who win the consent of the creature at the cost of the dissatisfaction of the Lord, the Creator. (Maktal Khawarazmi , Vol. 1 , P. 239) • No one will feel secure on the Resurrection Day except those who had the fear of God in this world. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 192) • God the Almighty said : • "The believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other, enjoin good and forbid evil... “ • God attaches primary importance to enjoining good and forbidding evil as a duty for men and women. • For he knows that if this is to be fulfilled, then all other duties, be they easy or hard, will be accomplished. That is because "enjoining good and forbidding evil" is a call for Islam, it regains the rights of the oppressed and opposes tyrants. (Tuhaf-al- Uqoul

Select Sayings #2 • O' God! Surely you know that whatever we did was not a competition to gain worldly positions nor for the petty physical attractions of the world. • But to show the Ways of religious • And to remove corruption from Thy lands, • So that the oppressed feel secured and act according to Thy teachings and rules. (Tuhaf-al- Uqoul, P. 239) • I never revolted in vain, as a rebel or as a tyrant, but • I rose to seek reform for the nation of my grandfather Muhammad. • I intend to enjoin good and forbid evil, • To act according to the traditions of my grandfather, and my father Ali Ibn Abi-Talib. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 329)

Select Sayings #3 • If the world is counted valuable; surely the house of God's rewards is higher and ever more worthy. • If bodies were created for death; surely being killed with swords in the way of God is a most honorable death. • If the share of daily sustenance of each creature is provided by the Creator, then it is not decent for man to be in greed as to gain or to be voracious. • If wealth is amassed for one day then to be left (following his death), then why should a free man become so miser about something he has to leave. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 374)

Select Sayings #4 • Beware that the need of people to you is among the blessings of God to you. So do not scare away the needy people when they come to you, lest God’s blessings will go elsewhere.(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 121) • Whoever seeks the satisfaction of people by way of disobeying God, then God subjects him to those very people.(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 126) • Avoid oppressing the one who does not have any supporters against you other than God the Almighty.(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 118) • The one who reveals your faults to you like a mirror is your true friend, and the one who flatters you and covers up your faults is your enemy.(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 128) • Wisdom will not be complete except by following the truth.(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 127) • Associating with corrupt people makes you subject to suspicion. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 122)

Select Sayings #5 • Whoever becomes generous becomes a noble man; and whoever becomes stingy becomes a mean-spirited man. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121) • The most generous person is the one who offers help to those who do not expect him to help. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121) • Whoever sorts out a problem of a believer, God sorts out for him the difficulties of this world and the Hereafter. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122) • If you hear a person discredits the dignity and honor of people, then avoid getting introduced to him. (Balagatul Husain ( as ) , P. 284) • Never raise your need except to three (kinds of people): • to a religious, • to a brave man or • to a nobleman. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 118) • Seventy rewards are for Salaam (Islamic greeting); sixty nine for the starter and one for the one who replies. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 120)

Select Sayings #6 • A man came to Imam Al-Husain and said: I am a sinful man and can't avoid committing sin, please advise me. Imam replied: If you can do these five things, then do commit sin as much you like: • First of all: Don’t eat the sustenance of God and commit sin as much you like. • Second: Go beyond the domain of God and commit sin as much you like. • Third: Seek a site where God can not observe you and commit sin as much you like. • Fourth: If the Angel of death comes to take away your soul, expel him away from yourself and commit sin as much you like. • Fifth: If the Angel of Hell is about to throw you into the hell-fire, stop him and commit sin as much you like. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 126)

Select Sayings #7 • Should poverty, illness, or death not exist, man would not bow to anything. (Nozhatul Nadhar wa Tanbeehel Al - Khatir , P. 80) • You deserve Paradise, so don't sell yourself for anything less. Whoever is content with the worldly pleasures, has sufficed himself to something base and low. (Balagatul Husain (as) , P. 308) • Being thankful for a grace of God makes God reward you with another grace. (Nozhatul Nadhar wa Tanbeehel Khatir , P. 80) • Never trust anybody but those who fear God. (Balagatul Husain ( as ) , P. 292) • Imam (as) was asked: What causes noble & eminent personality? He replied : "controlling your tongue and doing good deeds. (Balagatul Husain ( as ) , P. 332)

Select Sayings #8 • Beware that the need of people for you is among the graces of God, so do not neglect the needy as the graces will turn into difficulties. • Do know that Good Deeds bring you people's respect and praise and God's rewards. • If you can personify or visualize good deeds as a human being, you would see him as kind and good looking, whose sight is pleasant for everyone to see. • And if you could picture or personify evil acts, you would see him ugly and disgusting, hearts detesting him, and eyes closing so not to see him. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121) • The most merciful person is the one who forgives when he is able to revenge.(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121

Select Sayings #9 • Your best relation is the one who comes to you and helps you when you have severed relations with him. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121) • Whoever sorts out the difficulty of a believer God will sort out his difficulties in this world and in the hereafter. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122) • Tolerance is man's ornament, keeping promises is a sign of nobility, and bonding with others is a grace. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122) • Arrogance is a sign of selfishness • Rashness is a sign of foolishness and • Foolishness is a sign of weakness and • Exaggeration causes destruction. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122)

Select Sayings #10 • I advise you toward piety. Surely God has ensured for the one who keeps in piety to transfer him from what he dislikes to that which he likes, and provides him with sustenance from an unexpected way. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121) • Beware not to be among those who fear that others might face punishment for their sins, yet they feel secure from their own sins. Surely God, the glorious, can not be cheated. No reward can be achieved from Him except through His obedience; God willing. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121) • O' Son of Adam! Remember the death of your fathers and your children, where they were and to where they went. I can foresee that you, too, will join them soon and provide a lesson for others. (Ershadul Kuloob , Vol. 1 , P. 29)

Select Sayings #11 • O' son of Adam! Think for a while and ask yourself: • Where are the kings and emperors of the world? • Where are those who re-built the ruins, dug ditches and wells, planted trees and set up habitable towns? • Where are those who gathered wealth? • They all had to part with their wealth and properties and leave them reluctantly to others. We, too, will have the same fate. (Ershadul Kuloob , Vol. 1 , P. 29) • You deserve Paradise, so don't sell yourself for anything less. Whoever is content with the worldly pleasures, has sufficed himself to something base and low.(Balagatul Husain (as) , P. 308)

O' LORD! MAY I ASK YOU TO TAKE AWAY YOUR BOUNTY FROM THESE PEOPLE! AND IF YOU, LORD, ALLOW THEM A RESPITE, MAY I ASK YOU TO SOW DIFFERENCE AMONG THEM AND LET THEM BE DIVIDED! In Karbala:Al-Husain supplicates facing the enemy

Ziyarah (Visitation) of Al-Husain • اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ‏ • السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا خِيَرَةَ اللَّهِ وَابْنَ خِيَرَتِه • السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَابْنَ سَيِّدِ الْوَصِيِّينَ‏ • السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ فَاطِمَةَ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ‏ • السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ثَارَ اللَّهِ وَابْنَ ثَارِهِ وَالْوِتْرَ الْمَوْتُورَ • السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى الْأَرْوَاحِ الَّتِي حَلَّتْ بِفِنَائِكَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنِّي جَمِيعاً سَلاَمُ اللَّهِ أَبَداً مَا بَقِيتُ وَبَقِيَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ …..

Ziyarah (Visitation) of Al-Husain • Peace be on you, O Aba Abdillah! Peace be on you, O son of the Messenger of Allah! • Peace be upon you, O the Finest of God’s Creatures and the son of the Finest of God’s Creatures! • Peace be on you, O son of the Commander of the Faithful and the forebear of the Prophet's successors! • Peace be on you, O son of Fatima, the choicest among the women of the worlds! • Peace be on you, who was martyred while fighting in the cause of Allah, and the son of Allah's fearless warrior, who was attacked with a vengeance! • Peace be on you and on those souls which had gathered in your camp, in your journey. • To all of you I pray Allah to be in Peace as long as I live, and as long as nights follow the days.

Al-Husain in the heart of People

Al-Husain Says

Al-Husain: Endurance

Shrine of Al-Husain: Karbala

In Conclusion • Al-Husain is the symbol of hope in the hearts of people • Accentuated Islam and revived it • Exposed oppression of Yazid • Is celebrated all over the World • His Du’aas and Sayings are the guiding light • He calls unto us to follow his way

Finally let us read Surah Al-Asr together

Be in Allah’s Care Thank you and may Allah bless you Dr. Hashim

Al-Husain: Anecdotes and Sayings