By: M.K
(1) The sacred significance of Imam Hussain (a.s) has been mentioned
in many hadith, some of which will be explored in the following article.
The Holy Prophet (s) has said that, “Those people from amongst my
ummah, who memorize forty traditions pertaining to those issues of
religion, which they are in need of, Allah shall resurrect them on the
Day of Judgment as jurisprudents and scholars.” Here, a reference is
being made to Imam Hussain’s (a.s). The Prophet (s) says, “Surely, there
exists in the hearts of the Mu’mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of
Hussain (a.s), a heat that never subsides.” In another tradition, the
Prophet (s) makes reference to Hussain’s (a.s) martyrdom again, “O’
Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the
eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husain (a.s) for surely,
that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the
bounties and comforts of Paradise.”
The month of Muharram is a grievous month that has been dedicated to
the martyrdom of Hussain (a.s) and Imam Reza (a.s) highlights its
importance by saying, “With the advent of the month of Muharram, my
father Imam Kazim (a.s) would never be seen laughing; gloom and sadness
would overcome him for (the first) ten days of the month; and when the
tenth day of the month would dawn, it would be a day of tragedy, grief
and weeping for him.” The Imam further highlights the grief for the day
of A’ashura in particular, “The one for whom the day of A’shura is a day
of tragedy, grief and weeping, Allah The Mighty, The Glorious, shall
make the Day of Judgment, a day of joy and happiness for him.” In
addition, the Imam (a.s) has mentioned the reward of the martyred
companions of Karbala with the following words, “If you desire that for
you be the reward equivalent to that of those martyred along with
Hussain (a.s), then whenever you remember him say: ‘Oh! Would that I had
been with them! A great achievement would I have achieved.”
The customary mourning has been made reference to by the infallible
Imams (a.s) in many instances. Once, Abu Haroon al-Makfoof approached
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s) and the Imam (a.s) said to him, “Recite for me
a poetry.” When al-Makfoof recited, the Imam (a.s) said, “Not in this
manner. Recite for me as you recite poems and elegies over the grave of
Hussain (a.s).” Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) further says that, “All praise is
for Allah, who has placed amongst the people, those who arrive in our
presence, eulogizing us and reciting elegies about us” and “There is
none who recites poetry about Husain (a.s) and weeps and makes others
weep by means of it, except that Allah makes Paradise incumbent upon him
and forgives his sins.” A similar tradition to al-Makfoof has also been
displayed in another instance by the interaction between Imam Reza
(a.s) and De’bil who was a devoted poet to Ahlul-bayt (a.s). Imam (a.s)
said to De’bil one time, “I desire that you recite for me poetry, for
surely, these days (of the month of Muharram) are the days of grief and
sorrow, which have passed over us, Ahlul Bayt.” The Shi’ites therefore
spend the month of Muharram in lamentation and for this, Imam Ali (a.s)
has said that, “Surely, Allah has chosen for us followers (Shi’ites),
who assist us and are happy at our happiness and are sad in our
sadness.”
(2) Imam Hussain (a.s) acts as the perfect role model for Muslims
across the world with his character, divine knowledge and wisdom. Some
of his wise sayings that depict superior intellect will be shared in the
following section. Sinning is undoubtedly a disgraceful act in the eyes
of Almighty Allah for whom we should live our lives in piety and to
help us differentiate between the good and bad influences in our lives,
Imam Hussain (a.s) has said that, “The one who loves you will prevent
you from sin and the one who is your enemy will provoke you towards
sin.” Following this theme, the Imam again says that, “Weeping from the
fear of God delivers a person from the fire of hell.” Another element
that ties up with sinning is oppression that has been encountered by
many through out history and especially by the Imam (a.s) himself during
Karbala. Imam (a.s) says, “Beware! Do not oppress the one whose helper
is no one except God, the magnificent and the powerful” and “Beware! Do
not be among those who are concerned about the sins of others while
neglectful of their own sins.”
Imam Hussain’s attributes of generosity and kindness have been
depicted in the following words, “The most generous of the people is the
person who gives to those from whom he has no hope of return” and “The
one who relives a believer from distress, God will deliver him from the
distress of this world and hereafter.” In yet another narration by the
Imam (a.s), it has been said that, “Know that the requests of people
towards you for seeking help is among the blessings of God upon you.
Therefore, don’t grieve this blessing (by grieving those who request for
help) as it may turn into wrath.” Attaining knowledge has been a
pursuit of many, everyday individuals and scholars alike. For this,
simple yet powerful words to keep in mind by the Imam (a.s) are, “Wisdom
reaches perfection only by following truth.”
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