Karbala Origin & Meaning There are many opinions among different investigators, as to the origin of the word Karbala. Some have pointed out that Karbala has a connection to the Karbalato language, while others attempt to derive the meaning of word Karbala by analysing its spelling and language. They conclude that it originates from the Arabic word Kar Babel which was a group of ancient Babylonian villages that included Nainawa, Al-Ghadiriyya, Karbella, Al-Nawaweess, and Al-Heer. This last name is today known as Al-Hair and is where Imam Husayns [a] grave is located. The investigator Yaqut al-Hamawy had pointed out that the meaning of Karbala could have several explanations, one of which is that the place where Imam Husayn [a] was killed is made of soft earth - Al-Karbalat. Other writers made the connection between the name and the disastrous event which painted the desert with blood, and so the word Karbala was said to compose of two Arabic words: Karb meaning grief and sorrow, and Balaa meaning affliction. Such a connection, in fact, has no scientific evidence, since Karbala was known as such even before the arrival of Imam Husain, peace be upon him. Martyrdom and popularity Karbala was at first an uninhabited place and did not witness any construction activity, although it was rich in water and its soil fertile. Following the tenth of Muharram 61 AH (680 AD), after the martyrdom of Imam Husain [a], people from far as well as tribes living nearby started visiting the holy grave. A lot of those who came, stayed behind and/or asked their relatives to bury them there after their demise. Despite many attempts by successive rulers, such as Al-Rashid and Al-Mutawakkil, to put a restriction on the development of this area, it has nonetheless spread with time to become a city. Bounty of visiting Imam Husayn [a] There is a lot of benefit and great spiritual reward in visiting the grave of Imam Husain [a]. The Prophet [s] has said of his grandson Imam Husain [a]: Husain is of me and I am of him. Several narrations mention that visiting the grave of Imam Husain [a] relieves one of worldly afflictions as well as those after death. Believers, therefore, come from all parts of the world all year round to receive the honour of visiting Imam Husain [a], particularly during the first ten days of Muharram (Ashura) and the twentieth of Safar (the fourtieth). One common Iraqi custom during that season is to go walking from Najaf to Karbala, reflecting their strong adhesion to and adoption of the morals and principles for which Imam Husain [a] struggled and attained martyrdom. Mausoleum of Imam Husain, peace be upon him The historian Ibn Kuluwayh mentioned that those who buried Imam Husain [a], made a special and rigid construction with signs above the grave. Higher and bigger constructions above the grave started during the ruling of Al-Saffah, but Harun al-Rashid later on, put heavy restrictions to prevent people from visiting the grave. At the time of Al-Mamun, construction around the grave resumed until the year 236 AH when Al-Mutawakkil ordered the destruction and digging of the grave, and then filling the pit with water. His son, who succeeded him, allowed people to visit the grave site, and since then building the precinct to the grave increased and developed step by step. On the other hand, the historian Ibn Al-Athir, stated that in the year 371 AH, Aadod Al-Dawla Al-Boowayhi became the first to largely lay the foundations for large scale construction, and generously decorated the place. He also built houses and markets around the precinct, and surrounded Karbala with a high boundary wall turning it into a strong castle. In the year 407 AH, the precinct caught fire due to the dropping of two large candles on the wooden decorations, but Hasan ibn Fadl (the state minister) rebuilt the damaged sections. History has recorded the names of several rulers who shared the honour of widening, decorating or keeping the precinct in good condition. Amongst them is Fateh Ali al-Qajari, who in 1250 AH ordered the construction of two domes. One over Imam Husains [a] grave and the other over his brother Abu al-Fadl Abbas [a]. The first dome is 27 meters high and completely covered with gold. At the bottom, it is surrounded with 12 windows, each of which is about 1.25 m away from the other, from the inside, and 1.30 m from the outside. The mausoleum has an area of 59 m / 75 m with ten gates, and about 65 rooms (I wans), well decorated from the inside and outside, used as classrooms for studying. As for the grave itself, in the middle of the precinct, it is called the Rawda or garden and it has several doors. The most famous one is called Al-Qibla or Bab al-Dhahab. When it is entered, one can see the tomb of Habib ibn Madhahir al-Asadi, to the right hand side. Habib was a friend and companion of Imam Husain [a] since their childhood. He was one of those who was honoured with martrdom at the Battle of Karbala. The resting place of Abbas b. Ali, peace be upon him Abu al-Fadl Abbas, peace be upon him, was the brother of Imam Hasain [a] and Imam Husayn [a] and the standard-bearer of Imam Husain [a] in the Battle of Karbala. He is well known in history for his valour, loyalty and similarity to his father, the Lion of God, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be upon him. The grave of Abbas [a] received similar attention as that of Imam Husain [a]. In the year 1032 AH, the King Tahmaseb ordered the decoration of the graves dome. He built a window on the darih around the grave and organized the precinct. Other similar activities were done by other rulers. As a matter of fact, Karbala contains, besides the grave of Imam Husain [a] and his brother, the grave of all the 72 martyrs of Karbala. They were buried in a mass grave which was then covered with soil to the ground level. This mass grave is at the foot of Imam Husains [a] grave. In particular, besides Imam Husains grave are the graves of his two sons Ali Akbar and 6-month old Ali Asgher. The Day of Islamic Revolutions Guards Corps We wish we could be with you! We wish we were a soldier as well! We wish we could maintain the bloods, which were shed and the epics. When it is decided that the followers of Imamates path and the pilgrims of sanctuary of sainthood would be taught the lesson of Holy war (Jihad), resistance and love, they would be encouraged by injecting the jewelry of humanity and eagerness and enthusiasm and passing the Gods path and the path of evolution and elevation and they would be motivated to start the task. But how must these believers of school of sainthood be taught about the lesson of passing the Gods path? How could the fire of eagerness and resistance and Jihad and seeking for martyrdom be waged in their bodies? Which way would be appropriate for keeping the torch of humanity and virtue to shine forever? Isnt it true that the school of sainthood is the crystallization of values, genuineness and purity? Isnt it true that the life of Imam Hossain (Pbuh) is the center, of epic, Jihad and resistance? Doesnt the love Zam-Zam, the purity of sincerity and greatness of devotion in Kowthar of light and knowledge [Imam Hossein (Pbuh)] shine? Yes, this is Hossain (Pbuh), the volcano of anger and thunder bolt of death on the head of Islams and humanitys blood thirsty and arrogant enemies! This is Hossain (Pbuh), the source of generosity, honor, the revolutionary pride and politic authority! This is Hossain (Pbuh), the resource of all of goodness and the axis of humankinds salvation. Surely, one must be bound to him in order to learn from him! And like the dried pipe on the invisible lips, which whispers the story of separation, one must cry for the time of reaching to him so eagerly: “ We wish we were with you!” ”We wish we could achieve the great salvation of the Jihad and martyrdom while guarding the religion, like you.” And with this nice melody, one would motivate the sad and icy souls, make them so lively and warm and cause them to move, so that they rise as well just like Imam Hossain (Pbuh) in order to keep and guard the religion. And like him sacrifice themselves. They must be bound to those ideals and high aims of that honorable Imam to the extent that they would never be reluctant to give this holy link up. The one which has created a nice ascent for them. And in this way they would never enter the despised world. Yes! One must learn the principles of guarding from Hossain (Pbuh). One must link the guarding with Imam Hosain (Pbuh)! And what an auspicious bound it is! The guard corps day is Imam Hossain (Pbuh)‘s day. The day on which one steps into Imam Hossains school of thought. Isnt it true that the school of sainthood, needs the followers who always go in the path of humans evolution and they should have the eagerness and enthusiasm of the Jihad and fighting for the sake of Allah in their minds? And in this way Imam Hossain (Pbuh)s birthday is guard corps day so that the watchmen of the religion for ever and as long as the history lives would rise to defend the religion like him and this boiling blood would flow in the historys arteries for ever. Knowing this fact and embodiment of it in humans body will really place him among the followers of path of sainthood. Yes! One must whisper so continuously and eternally: “We wish we were with you too” “ We wish we were soldier as well!” “ We wish we would enjoy the salvation of martyrdom with you!
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:46:42 +0000
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