* What is Muharram ? * Quotes about Imam Hussain a.s (From Non Muslims) *The Journey of Imam Hussain a.s Hussain is a role model that all human beings can aspire to; his spirit lives on forever in the human conscience. The way he lived and the way he died show us the value he placed on morality and honour. He taught us the true purpose of our existence – the perfection of our morals and ethics. In his own words he sums it up beautifully: “Death with dignity is better than a life of humiliation” What is Muharram? Muharram (Arabic: محرم) It is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Instead of joyous celebration, Muslims mark the beginning of the New Year by taking up the black attire of sorrow and participate in mourning gatherings in which the sacrifices of Hussain and his companions are commemorated.It is one of the four months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. Muharram is so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month; the word is derived from the word ‘haram’ meaning forbidden. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan.It is the same month when Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was brutally massacred in Karbala alongside his family and friends in the year 680 CE/61 AH. Their martyrdom is a sad day for all Muslims, especially the Shi’a, who hold mourning ceremonies to recall the righteous virtues for which the valiant martyrs stood and the grave calamities that they thus had to bear. The commemoration of this brutal massacre (Battle of Karbala) begins on the first day of Muharram and reaches its climax on the 10th of Muharram, the day of the battle, known as Ashurah and continues for 40 days or 69 days. What is Ashura ? Ashura (عاشوراء transliteration: ‘Āshūrā’, Ashura, Ashoura, and other spellings) It is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram but not the Islamic month. It is also called Yaumu-l ‘Ashurah, or simply Ashura meaning, ‘the tenth day’. It is well-known because of historical significance and mourning for the martyrdom of Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala in the year 61 AH (AD 680). It is a day of speeches, public processions, and great grief. Men and women chant and weep, mourning Hussain, his family, and his followers. Speeches emphasize the importance of the values for which Hussain sacrificed himself, his family, and his followers. For centuries Shi’a pilgrims flocked here during Muharram, a practice which was severely limited under the regime of Saddam Hussain What is Karbala ? Karbala (Arabic: كربلاء; BGN: Al-Karbalā’; also spelled Karbala al-Muqaddasah) is a city in Iraq, located about 100 km (60 mi) southwest of Baghdad at 32.61°N, 44.08°E. In the time of Hussain ibn Ali’s life, the place was also known as al-Ghadiriyah, Naynawa, and Shathi’ul-Furaat.The city’s association with Shīˤa Islām have made it a centre of religious instruction as well as worship; it has more than 100 mosques and 23 religious schools, of which possibly the most famous is that of Ibn Fahid, constructed some 440 years ago. Karbala’s prominence in Shīˤī is the result of the Battle of Karbala, fought on the site of the modern city on October 10, 680.Both Hussain and his half-brother ˤAbbās ibn ˤAlī were buried by the local Banī Asad tribe at what later became known as the Mashhad Al-Hussain. Later on city grew up around the tombs. Hussain’s tomb is a place of pilgrimage for many Shīˤa Muslims, especially on the anniversary of the battle, the Day of Āshūrā. Why to Mourn ? >> Mourning/Weeping on Dead & Martyrs from Ahle Sunnah point of view On January 19, 2008, 2 million Iraqi Shia pilgrims marched through Karbala city, Iraq to celebrate Ashura. Shi’a Muslims consider Karbala to be one of their holiest cities after Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem and Najaf. The city is best known as the location of the Battle of Karbala. Battle of Karbala (Truth V/s Falsehood) Date:-October 10, 680 (Muharram 10, 61 AH) Location:-Karbala, The battlefield was a desert region located beside one of the branches of the Euphrates River, landscape about 100 kilometres south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, Reason:- Yazid l.a demanded allegiance from Hussain – he knew too well that the acceptance of the entire Muslim community was of no value without Hussain’s acceptance. In reply to this unacceptable demand, Hussain majestically replied: “a person like me can never pledge allegiance to a person like him”, thereby highlighting the universality of the principles from which his stand stemmed from. Hussain rose to restore freedom, peace, equality and justice; qualities which the Divine Message had perfected but were constantly undermined by those who hijacked religion and acted in its name. In a will which he wrote before leaving Medina, Hussain wrote; “I have risen as I seek to reform the community of my grandfather. I wish to bid the good and forbid the evil.” Result:- VICTORY OF TRUTH “The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins.”— Soren Kierkegard Umayyad military gain victory physically but within 3 years Yazid died and after a few decades the rule of Banu Umayya crumbled and came to an end. Being such a big king (of that time) there is no mark of Yazid grave & not a single follower. Hussain ibn Ali is still alive in the hearts of Humanity millions of devotees who pay homage to them and renew, through their message, their eternal struggle against humiliation and oppression by visiting the Imam Hussein Shrine regularly & especially in Muharram on the Day of Ashura, the anniversary of Hussain ibn Ali’s death. Check out largest peaceful gathering at Imam Hussain a.s Shrine The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hussain and his Companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Hussain despite his minority marvels me. Thomas Carlye Combatants:- Yazid ibn Muawiya (la)He was not physically present in the battle as he send the troops under the command of Umar ibn Sa’ad Hussain ibn Ali (The Grandson of the Last prophet Mohammad [P.B.U.H]) Commanders:- Umar ibn Sa’ad Abbas ibn Ali Strength:- On the other side were the armed forces of Yazid I, about 30 - 40,000+ men led by Umar ibn Sa’ad. Hussein ibn Ali’s group consisted of notable members of Muhammad’s close relatives, around 72 men (Which were 18 family members and 54 supporters including a 6 month old baby and elderly persons) and their women’s and children’s Casualties:- 5000 + (according to Shia tradition) 72 (including the elderly and children) Duration:- Despite the figures of 72 men against thousands, it is recorded that the battle went on from dawn to dusk. Just Imagine the courage that 72 stood in front of thousands for such a long time while being Hungry & Thirsty for more than 3 days.. Summary:- It intrigues historians that Hurr, one of the highest ranked commanders of Yazid’s army, who was the man responsible for stopping Hussein at Karbala, left the overwhelming force of thousands of soldiers and joined Hussein with his son and a slave. At the 10th of Muharram he died by Hussain’s side in the battle killing 41 soldiers. According to Arab culture, anyone accompanying women and children with him is a sign of peace. It was here that Hussain, his family and Shi’a (Partisans) were confronted by the army of Yazeed. Hussain refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant and Yazeed declared war on him. Hussain was forced to battle the army of Yazeed, but before that the army had cut off their food and water supply for more than three days. For three whole days and nights, enduring temperatures around 55°C without food or water, the males of the camp, totaling 72 (including the elderly and children) fought valiantly and were all brutally slaughtered. Hussain was forced to witness torture, murder, execution and mutilation of 17 male family members & 54 companions among them he witnessed the savage mutilation of Abbas – his brother, the callous murder of his nephew Qasim, the torture and execution of his innocent son AliAkbar (whose face was similar to the Holy Prophet [s.w.a]) and finally the depraved murder of his six month old baby boy – AliAsghar. Left alone finally in the battle filed Hussain was also attacked, his body was showered with arrows, sword, knifes and stones. His head was severed with blunt Knife/sword and the hooves of the horses of Yazeed’s cavalry trampled on his body. Hussain and their supporters were decapitated; their bodies were mutilated and trampled by horses. The aftermath of the battle led to the humiliation of the women of Hussain’s camp. Their tents were looted and burnt, leaving the women to the mercy of Yazeed’s soldiers. The aggrieved children who had lost their fathers were beaten. The captives were made to travel from Karbala to Syria – Damascus, a journey of approximately 750 miles. Their Headscarves were snatched off and they were made to trek barefoot, chained, shackled, and taken on camels without saddles, due to which many of the children fell off the camels and the women were not allowed to even stop and help their children. The graves of these children can still be seen in the desert between Karbala and Kufa. Note:- Distance between Medina and Karbala about 1,100 miles. Distance between Ibn Ziyad in Kufa and Yazid in Damascus about 750 miles. Average travel by camel per day: 30-45 miles. The heads of all the males including that of Hussain’s six -month old son were impaled on spikes (as war trophies) and paraded through the streets. On arriving at Damascus, they were paraded in the town, for all to see and shun. A barrage of stones, rubbish and verbal abuse bombarded them. They were kept in prison for over a year It is to be noted that people who did this with the family of Prophet Mohammad (P.b.u.h) were themselves called to be Muslims.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 17:45:25 +0000
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