Issue No: 180
29th November 2013
24th Muharram 1435 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
A test for the companions:
On the plains of Karbala, as the night was drawing to a close and Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram approached, Imam Husayn addressed his companions saying, "I thank Allah to the best of my ability and praise Him during the time of injury and affliction. O Lord! I thank You because You have honoured us by means of Prophethood, taught us the Qur'an, made us comprehend the religion and its commandments, granted us eyes, ears and hearts; kept us free from the pollution of polytheism and then enabled us to thank You for Your blessings.
It is a fact that I am not aware of any companions more faithful and honest than my companions and any relatives more righteous and kind than my relatives. May Allah grant all of you a good reward.
I think that the day of our fighting with this army has arrived. I permit all of you to go away. You are free to depart without any restriction and should take advantage of the darkness of night". Was this a test for the companions?
What was the response of the companions?
There is NO historian who has recorded this incident mention that any of the companions of Imam Husayn went away. All remained firmly seated.
His brothers, sons, nephews and the sons of Abdullah bin Ja'far led by Abbas bin Ali said first of all with one voice: "Should we go away to live after you? We pray to Allah that the time may not come when you may be killed and we may remain alive".
Other companions also expressed similar views.
How did the Imam respond?
Imam Husayn invoked Divine blessings for them and returned to his tent.
Point for reflection:
In one of the lines of Ziyaratul Warith, a salutation regularly recited, we fervently exclaim: Ya Laytana kunna ma’akum … Oh Imam how we long we had been with you…
Imagine being present on the day of Ashura 61 A.H. seated in the audience of companions listening to Imam Husayn delivering the above address.
What would have been ones reaction to the offer by Imam Husayn freeing one of all his allegiances to the Imam?
Would one have been strongly confident to remain with the Imam and face the impending death?
What change would one need to bring about upon oneself to be able to respond similar to the noble companions of Imam Husayn?
The key to our response to the above scenario lies in one’s commitment today in upholding the values for which Imam Husayn and his noble companions achieved martyrdom.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat