|
Imam Husain (A.S.) is the Beacon of Guidance and the Ark of Salvation
The 3rd of Sha’ban, the blessed birth anniversary of the person who revived Islam and all humanitarian values through the immortal saga of martyrdom on the plain of Karbala.
Now we have a special feature on Imam Husain (AS), the younger grandson and Third Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) on the day that is celebrated in the Islamic Republic of Iran as Rouz-e Pasdaar or Day of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in honour of their steadfast dedication to the person who gave his lifeblood to make Islam immortal.
"The Imams are from his descent, healing lies in the soil of his shrine, and triumph will be with him and the legatees of his line at his return, after their Qa'em and his occultation, until they take vengeance and avenge the blood of the martyrs, pleasing God and being the best of helpers. May Allah’s blessings be upon them as long as night and day follow one another."
The passage that we recited to you is from a unique supplication in the Divine Court that believers normally recite on the 3rd of Sha'ban. It is self-explanatory. It is obvious that the person being referred here is not an ordinary human being. His greatness is clear from the fact that he is the ancestor of a line of Imams that comes down to the Qa'em, or the one who will rise in the end times by the command of God, to avenge the blood of martyrs in order to materialize God’s decree of the global government of peace and justice. It means he was martyred in a most cruel manner in the path of God, and as a reward the Almighty Creator granted curative properties to the soil of his grave. Yes, he is none other than the Immortal Martyr of Karbala, who was born in Medina on this day in the year 4 AH, and at whose birth, his grandfather, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), foretold the role he would play to make Islam and all humanitarian values triumphant forever.
That was the reason the Prophet expressed that famous statement recorded by all denominations of Islam: "Husainun minni wa ana min Husain(which means Husain is from me and I am from Husain)." The Seal of Prophet also said: "Inn al-Husain Misbah al-Huda wa Safinat an-Najah (which means, Indeed Husain is the Beacon of Guidance and the Ark of Salvation)." He also hailed Imam Husain (AS), and his elder brother, Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS), as the Twin Leaders of the Youths of Paradise. The Messenger of Mercy did not limit himself to mere words but practically showed his companions the exalted position of his two grandsons, especially of the younger one, who was destined to be martyred in the most heartrending manner in history. The books of history and hadith bear testimony that as per the Will of God Almighty, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) – who as the holy Qur’an says in the opening ayahs of Surah Najm, does not err nor speaks out of desire and neither does he mix his personal feelings in the discharge of his duties – once while performing acts of worship, did not raise his head from prostration during an obligatory congregational prayer and kept on reciting Subhan Rabbi al-A'la (which means Praised be God the Most High) at least seventy times until the toddler Husain (AS) voluntarily got off the back of his grandfather.
Then how come, Muslims so conveniently forgot the words and acts of the Prophet, and allowed a libertine and infidel like Yazid – grandson of the Prophet's archenemies Abu Sufyan and Hend the Liver-Chewer – to not just masquerade as caliph of the Islamic state but order the brutal slaughter of the 57-year old Imam Husain (AS)? The answer is painful, but nonetheless an undeniable fact. It was because of the treason of a group of 'Sahaba' or the Prophet’s companions, who, no sooner did the Prophet pass away, openly disobeyed his orders and in blatant violation of God's commandment in the holy Qur'an on the Day of Ghadeer (18th Zilhijja 10 AH), held the scandalous gathering of Saqifa Bani Sa'da to hijack the rule of the Muslim state in order to deprive Husain's father, Imam Ali (AS), of his right of political leadership. This sad turn of events made the caliphate the most disgraceful institution in Islamic history. Thus, in order to salvage Islam and the teachings of his grandfather, Imam Husain (AS) decided to drink the elixir of martyrdom. In reward for this greatest ever sacrifice, Almighty Allah not just granted the soil of his grave the element of healing but ensured that the Imamate or Divinely-Decreed authority over mankind, will continue in the lineal descent of Imam Husain (AS), culminating in the Mahdi al-Qa'em (AS), the Redeemer of mankind.
Time does not allow us to refer to that memorable incident on the 3rd of Sha'ban in Medina in 4 AH, when the Almighty Creator restored to the fallen angel, Fotrous, its wings as he supplicated in the Divine Court by invoking the exalted status of the newborn Husain (AS). And when, along with Archangel Gabriel and other angels, he flew back to the heavens fully energized and exuberant after circumambulating the cradle of the Prophet’s grandson, the words on his lips were: I am yet again a freed person, thanks to Imam Husain (AS). No doubt, in response to the illegal and illegitimate demands of the Godless hordes for submission to the tyrant Yazid, the Imam expressed those famous words: “If you do not have religion, at least be freemen in your worldly affairs.” It means we learn the real meaning of freedom, liberty, dignity, and humanitarian values by following the brilliant path blazed out by the Immortal Martyr Karbala. So on the occasion of his blessed birthday, let us pray to God to hasten the reappearance of the Lord of the Age, the Prophet's 12th and Last Infallible Successor, Imam Mahdi (AS) for establishing the global government of peace, prosperity and justice. And here is another part of the special supplication for the 3rd of Sha'ban, which you heard at the beginning of programme, and which reads: "O Allah, just as You honoured us with our knowledge of him (Husain), honour us also with nearness to him, grant us his companionship and precedence. Appoint us to among those who submit to his command, invoke much blessings on him when he is mentioned, as well as on all his successors and his elect, made by You Twelve in number, the bright stars and Your testaments to all mankind.”
Here we present you an interesting piece of poetry on Imam Husain (AS) by Iran’s English language poet, Dr. Hasan Najafi:
O Infant, sacred, what a daring spirit
Wakes you the Prophet to inherit,
Good is underneath your feet and you far above the great
And whosoever follows you is safe from vulgar fate.
Of your martyred blood and your mourners’ tears,
Turn into paradise all unpleasant fears
Your head scatters hope to the wounded by dismay
Becomes a pilgrimage who wounds to your grave his way
Your blood still flows in a speechless trance.
Reflects to the mourners your glorious glance,
One’s best companions: virtue and worship
This is the best riches you to us equip.
“I am from Husain,” such the Prophet’s embrace
Love in each look, tears in each eye, such you grace.
The never failing brook of your blood
Sweeps away tyranny by turning into a flood,
How to shun the inglorious Saqifa
Only by treading the path of the Martyr of Karbala,
You fed on the thumb of the Prophet
Hence, all the prophetic properties you inherit.
In your veins flows the blood of Muhammad
And you are Lord of Martyrs because of his blood.
In you is summarized the divine Mission
To overlook you, tantamount to all Prophets’ omission,
Husain means Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad,
You are their Heir and the Verse of Eternity is your blood.
What the Messengers they did throughout their lifetime
You did in Karbala on Ashura’s brief clime.
The fruits of their missions, not so obvious
But you – still today speaks your success.
Peoples’ needs you still attend
No matter whether a foe or friend,
Intent on high designs yours thoughtful band
Unsullied their like, fresh from nature’s hand,
Ardent in their native hardiness of soul
True to truth and truthful beyond control,
In you are these charms that dazzle and endear
Whoever mourns in your love his fate to him is clear.
Stern over each bosom you hold your state
With daring aims you stand eternally great.
We are beggars of your glance, our days to cheer
We boast one splendid tear though once a year.
What the beloved loved was your desire
To please the Beloved at any cost you aspire.
Although in existence but you gave up the self
Who knows who owes to whom, who in whose self?
“O Gratified Soul, return to your Lord”
This we hear from heaven; perhaps a reward.
If a reward, how little it is!
No, further we hear the voice:
“Mingle with My servants then enter My Paradise.”
See what an Elevation!
Who, besides you, has attained such a station!
There is no ceiling to Husain’s elevation.
He is in the first person pronoun “MY” – a passion.
This day beyond its term my fate extends
Life is ended when your love ends.
|
