Imam Hussein

Taken from Kitab-al Irshad by Shaykh Al-Mufid Imam Hussain (as) sets out on his Journey Al Hussain, the blessings of God be on him, set out from Mecca to Iraq on the day of Muslim's (attempted) rising in Kufa, that is the day of Tarwiya, after staying in Mecca for the rest of Shaban, the month of Rmadhan, Shawwal and Dhu al Qada and eight days of Dhu- al-Hijja in the year 60 A.H. (680). During his stay in Mecca, peace be on him, a number of Hijazis and Basrans had gathered around

"And whoever disputes with you concerning him (Jesus) that has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and ourselves and yourselves, then let us pray for the curse of Allah on the liars" Al-Quran 3:61. The above verse refers to 5 personalties, which were regarded by the Almighty, who were trusted by His lordship as his representatives, unanimously agreed by all sects of Muslims, capable of cursing the liers. History tells the

Imam Hussein (A.S.) did not possess the necessary force that would enable him to win; he did not even rely on those who wrote to him from Kaufa. For he declared his revolution before he received their letters and delegates. Al-Hijaz too did not give him enough support to be able to stand against the Ummayads. Therefore he decided to leave to Iraq for the sole reason of preventing any blood shedding in the Holy City of Mekkah. Moreover, he knew that he was destined to die, yet he went

(This is) an account of the Imam after al-Hasan b. Ali, peace be on him, (giving) the date of his birth, the evidence of his Imamate, the age he reached, the period of his succession (khalifa), the time and cause of his death, and the place of his grave. (It also provides) a selection from the (historical) reports about him. The Imam after al-Hasan b. Ali was his brother, al-Husayn b. Ali (who was) the son of Fatima, daughter of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, through

Al-Imam al-Husayn (a.s) was a man of faith and action. During nights, he worshipped Allah in privacy while during the day he worked hard and guided the people. He was constantly mindful of the poor and the needy, and he used to visit them and cheer them up. He used to tell his followers: "Be always in touch with the needy, for Allah does not love the arrogant". Al-Imam al-Husayn (a.s) always helped the poor as much as he could. at night he would carry sacks of food to the houses of the

The Concept of Martyrdom in Islam A. Ezzati, Tehran University, Al-Serat, Vol XII (1986) Islam as an all inclusive systematic religion is an interrelated set of ideals and realities covering the entire area of human notion and action, beliefs and practices, thought, word, and deed. Islamic principles and concepts cannot be fully and properly appreciated unless they are analysed and realized within the framework of Islam as a whole.1 The concept of martyrdom (shahada) in Islam can only

He, peace be on him, died, (a man desperately) thirsty, yet still striving and showing fortitude, (a man) forced to be detained, (a man) oppressed. The pledge of allegiance to him was revoked. The respect due to him was ignored. The covenant to him was not fulfilled nor the responsibility of the agreement made with him honoured. (He died) a martyr as his father and brother, peace be on them, had done before him. A Sample of the Outstanding Virtues of al-Husayn b. 'Ali Peace be on Him

I still remember the deep impression which the first Persian poem I ever read in connection with the tragic events of Karbala' left on me. It was Qaani's elegy which begins with the words: What is raining? Blood. Who? The eyes. How? Day and night. Why? From grief. Grief for whom? Grief for the king of Karbala' This poem, in its marvellous style of question and answer, conveys much of the dramatic events and of the feelings a pious Muslim experiences when thinking of the

Al-Husayn ibn 'Ali Sayyidu'sh-Shuhada (Peace be Upon him) Name: al-Husayn. Title: Sayyidu'sh-Shuhada'. Agnomen: Abu 'Abdillah. Father' s name: 'Ali Amir al-Mu'minin. Mother's name:Fatimah (Daughter of the Holy Prophet). Birth: In Medina on Thursday, 3rd Sha'ban 4 AH. Death: Martyred in Karbala' (Iraq) at the age of 57, on Friday, 10th Muharram 61 AH and buried there. In the House of the Holy Prophet, which presented the best image of both the worlds - the heaven and the

The shifting sand dunes of Karbala were smeared with blood. Near one of wash dunes, on the bank of Alkoma, lay the prostrate figure of a youth with blood gushing out from innumerable wounds. The crimson life-tide was ebbing fast. Even so, it seemed as if he was anxiously expecting somebody to come to him, to be near him before he breathed his last. Through his starched throat he was feebly calling somebody. Yes, Abbas was anxiously expecting his master to come to him before he parted with his