Issue No: 293
29th September 2017
8th Muharram 1439 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Imam Husayn- the grandson of the Noble Prophet s.a.w.w.- was faced with only two choices: either submit to Yazid son of Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan who was demanding allegiance or face certain death. His reply to the challenge was clear: "If the religion propagated by Muhammad cannot survive unless I am killed, then O' swords! come and take me."
What will be your choice?
Many times, in life one is faced with situations that requires one to make a choice: Either to devotedly practise Islam or submit to the luring of Shaytan. What will you choose? Will it be the path to honour Imam Husayn by devotedly living Islam or will it be to forsake teachings of Islam and be humiliated? Make a smart choice.
Ashura: 10th Muharram 1439 A.H./ Sunday 1st October, 2017
Day of intense grief:
"He for whom the Day of Ashura is a day of grief, sorrow and crying, Allah Mighty and Exalted, will make the day of resurrection a day of joy and happiness for him." (Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha a.s.)
Therefore, it behoves one not to be involved in worldly business on the Day of Ashura, but to be engrossed in sorrow and weeping and instruct members of household to mourn the Imam a.s. It should be as though one is mourning for one's dearest child or relative. One must not accumulate things for the home or laugh or indulge in fun or play.
On Ashura day:
- When greeting extend commiserations:
Ahlul Bayt a.s. have advised us to condole muminin in the following words:
??????? ????? ????????? ? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?
A'adhamallahu ujurana wa ujurakum bi musaabina bil Husayn alayhis salaam
May Allah make great our reward and your reward, for our grief on Husayn a.s. - Recite Suratul Ikhlas 1000 times or as many times as possible. According to hadith, Allah SWT looks with mercy at a person who recites Suratul Ikhlas on the day of Ashura.
- Condemn the killers: Recite 1000 times:
Allaahummal'an Qatalatal Husayn alayhis salaam
O Allah condemn and curse be upon the killers of Husayn a.s. - Recite salawat in abundance.
- Perform A'mal of Ashura including Ziyarate Ashura.
Merits of Reciting Ziyarate Ashura:
- "O Safwan! Allah has sworn that one who recites my grandfather's (Imam Husayn) ziyarat from near or afar, and raises his hands to seek his desires after reciting this ziyarat, shall find Allah fulfilling his desires. Allah, on account of this ziyarat, shall not let disappointment and dejection befall his servant. Allah will bestow him with nothing less than Paradise and immunise him from the Fire. His stature shall be elevated manifold, so that he will be bestowed with powers of intercession on the day of resurrection." (Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir a.s.)
- "O Safwaan! Reciting Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (a.s) is equal to Ziyarat of Allah at the Arsh (throne)." (Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir a.s.)
- "When you are confronted with some adversity, then seek redress of your grievances from Imam Al Husayn with this ziyarat and Allah never reneges on His word" (Imam J'afar Al Sadiq a.s.)
Remember each other in duas:
Whilst presenting our hajat, during the A'mal of Ashura, kindly remember to pray for the Maraje taqlid, Ulama, parents, family, community, Ummah, oppressed, deprived, sick, widows, orphans, refugees, the suffering due to conflict and oppression, those struggling to seek livelihood, beloved departed souls and for all to have their hajat-desires- fulfilled.
??????? ????? ????????? ? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?
May Allah make great our reward and your reward, for our grief on Husayn a.s. May He place us and you from those who help his cause with His representative, the guided Imam from the family of Muhammad, S.A.W.W.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat