Every day is Ashura/Every Land is Karbala
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Topic: Every day is Ashura/Every Land is Karbala
Posted By: hat2010
Subject: Every day is Ashura/Every Land is Karbala
Date Posted: 28 January 2007 at 12:37am
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A wiki is preferable is so many matters since it plays it down the middle -
but seekshidayath did such an awesome comp job on one aspect of ashura in another post that I thought to include this. It seems that really the two observations of Ashura are totally unrelated except in name. Copied from http://www.ashura.com/ What is Ashura ? In the month of Muharram 61 AH (approx. 20 October 680 AD), an event took place in Iraq at a place known as Kerbala on the bank of the river Euphrates. It seemed in those days insignificant from the historical point of view. A large army which had been mobilised by the Umayyad regime besieged a group of persons numbering less than a hundred and put them under pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph of the time and submit to his authority. The small group resisted and a severe battle took place in which they were all killed. It appeared at that time that like hundreds of similar events, this battle would be recorded in history and forgotten in time. However, the events that occurred on the 10th day of Muharram in Kerbala were to become a beacon and an inspiration for future generations. In this article, we shall examine briefly the principal adversaries. Who is Hussain ? The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Kerbala was none other than Husain (A), son of Ali bin Abi Talib (A) and grandson of the Holy Prophet (S). Who was Husain? He was the son of Fatima (A) for whom the Holy Prophet (S) said, "Husain is from me and I am from Husain. May God love whoever loves Husain." [1] With the passing away of his brother Hasan(A) in 50 AH, Husain (A) became the leader of the household of the Holy Prophet (S). He respected the agreement of peace signed by Hasan (A) and Muawiya, and, despite the urging of his followers, he did not undertake any activity that threatened the political status quo. Rather he continued with the responsibility of looking after the religious needs of the people and was recognised for his knowledge, piety and generosity. An example of the depth of his perception can be seen in his beautiful du'a on the day of Arafat, wherein he begins by explaining the qualities of Allah, saying: " (Oh Allah) How could an argument be given about Your Existence by a being whose total and complete existence is in need of you? When did you ever disappear so that you might need an evidence and logic to lead (the people) towards You? And when did You ever become away and distant so that your signs and effects made the people get in touch with you? Blind be the eye which does not see You (whereas) You are observing him. What did the one who missed You find? And what does the one who finds You lack? Certainly, the one who got pleased and inclined toward other than You, came to nothingness (failed)." On the other hand, we have Yazid, whose father (Muawiya) and grandfather (Abu Sufyan - the arch-enemy of the Prophet) had always tried to sabotage the mission of the Holy Prophet, and who showed his true colour by stating in a poem, "Bani Hashim had staged a play to obtain kingdom, there was neither any news from God nor any revelation." [2] Mas'udi writes that Yazid was a pleasure-seeking person, given to wine drinking and playing with pets. It is no wonder that Husain's response to Yazid's governor, when asked to pay allegiance to Yazid was, "We are the household of the prophethood, the source of messengership, the descending-place of the angels, through us Allah had began (showering His favours) and with us He has perfected (His favours), whereas Yazid is a sinful person, a drunkard, the killer of innocent people and one who openly indulges in sinful acts. A person like me can never pledge allegiance to a person like him ..." [3] The revolution of Husain (A) was an Islamic movement spearheaded by one of the great leaders of Islam. The principles and laws of Islam demanded that Husain (A) act to warn the Ummah of the evil situation which it was in, and to stand in the way of the deviating ruler. As Husain (A) himself remarked when he left Madina for the last time, "I am not rising (against Yazid) as an insolent or an arrogant person, or a mischief- monger or tyrant. I have risen (against Yazid) as I seek to reform the Ummah of my grandfather. I wish to bid the good and forbid the evil." [4] Hussain (A) was killed on the battlefield as he did Sajdah. His head was removed from his body on the plains of Kerbala, mounted on a spear, and paraded through villages and towns as it was taken to Damascus and presented at the feet of Yazid. Why remember Ashura ? Why is Husain (A) regarded as the "leader of the martyrs" ? It is because he was not just the victim of an ambitious ruler. There is no doubt that the tragedy of Kerbala, when ascribed to the killers, is a criminal and terrible act. However when ascribed to Husain (A) himself, it represents a conscious confrontation and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The whole nation had failed to stand up to Yazid. They had succumbed to his will, and deviation and regression towards the pre-Islamic ways were increasing. Passiveness by Husain (A) in this situation would have meant the end of Islam as we know it. Thus Husain (A) took upon himself the responsibility of the whole nation. The greatest tragedy was that one who stood up for the noblest of causes, the defence of Islam, was cut down in so cruel a manner. It is for this reason that the sacrifice of Husain (A) is commemorated annually throughout the Muslim world. Our sorrow never abates as we relive the tragedy. As Allama Iqbal says in his Baqiyat (in Urdu): Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main, Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujhey I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of Kerbala Won't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser (Imam Ali (A)) The commemoration of Ashura on the 10th of Muharram every year serves to remind us of the sacrifices of the family of the Prophet (S). It also makes us aware of the people, then and now, who tried to destroy Islam and the family of the Prophet (S) and all that they stood for - as well as those who watched, listened and did nothing. References: [1] Ibn Majah: Sunan, Hadith 144. [2] Ibn Jarir: Tarikhu'l Umam wa'l Muluk, vol.13, p.2174. [3] Sayyid ibn Ta'us: Maqtalu'l Husain, pp.10-11 [4] Al-Khatid al-Khuwarazmi: Maqtalu'l Husain ,vol.1, p.88. |
Replies:
Posted By: seekshidayath
Date Posted: 28 January 2007 at 1:38am
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As'salamualaikum, Your post did not have an exact answer to 'What is Ashoora?" We wait for this 10th day of Muharram to fast that particular day and a day before/after. Some other people attribute the sanctity of Ashurah to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain during his battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of Ashurah cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashurah was established during the days of the Holy Prophet Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main, I doubt if these lines are of Allama Iqbal. Is it? ------------- Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: �All the descendants of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent." |
much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain.- {Islamicity}Posted By: hat2010
Date Posted: 28 January 2007 at 6:28am
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Peace...
...in fact, there was an exact answer in the original post as far a Shia would be concerned. But if there are any Shias on IC they would be better suited to continue where I could only fail, barely knowing enough of the vast ocean which is Islam. The 'other people' (Shia) observe it devoutly for the reasons posted above mentioned (and more...). I wasn't qualifying one observance or the other by my paste-up job - just thought I'd include the minority report. **** "I doubt if these lines are of Allama Iqbal. Is it?" seekshidayath, I wish I knew the correct answer to that - I saw that it is posted several places including a wiki, but all have the same wording with no variation (as well as no page numbers, etc.) Good cause for doubt. There is his complete (urdu) Baqiyat online... God help us... J |
Posted By: Sign*Reader
Date Posted: 28 January 2007 at 10:04pm
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Jamal Morelli: I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of Kerbala Won't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser (Imam Ali (A)) This (IC) is a Sunni Islam site and the copy paste of this article from a Shiite site wasn't a commendable exercise. The Shiite are so shameless that they will interpret any thing and everything to justify their creed. Take the translation of Iqbal's verse-the keeper of the Kauser is the Prophet(pbuh) not Ali(R) Surah Kauser was not revealed for Ali, was it? The lunar calender was selected for the religious rituals like fasting or Hajj, so it could rotate in all seasons not become a burden for future believers in northern or southern hemispheres around the globe. To understand clearly compare the length of fast in say in Toronto vs Capetown, you will know what I am getting at. So if you want to celebrate say a death anniversary (say in this case of Hussain(r) what I have heard all my life that it happened in middle of the burning summer heat and the water access to Euphrates was cut off by the enemies. What the heck are we talking about it in the middle of the winter season in Iraq? But if it is sunnah to fast on the 10th of Muharram i.e. Ashura that is altogether a different matter. The ignorance of the Muslims in general and the moronic creedal attitude of the Shiites in particular has brought the disaster which is Iraq today. No wonder the Muslims are under the heels of the west with this this kind of backwardness. These are bunch of sick people and I think Allah is marked them for the elimination from the earth. If the Quraan or Prophet (pbuh) did not put some rule in place nobody has the authority to add a new bidah as part of religious practices. These folks are closer to Christians than Muslims in mode of their redemption rituals of self flagellation like the say the Catholics. I know the shiite think by doing this act their sins are forgiven like the blood of Jesus in the passion of Christ thing. The practice Takkiyah (dissimulation) against other Muslims which bring them close to hypocrites. ------------- Kismet Domino: Faith/Courage/Liberty/Abundance/Selfishness/Immorality/Apathy/Bondage or extinction. |
Posted By: seekshidayath
Date Posted: 28 January 2007 at 10:47pm
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As'salamualaikum, Brother Jamal Morelli , to understand islam we need not first divide it into sects and know the views of each. Instead, we need to hold to the only rope as mentioned in the VERSE - and this rope is Quran and the hadith. Coming to the Ashura- irrespective of shia or sunni , it was a festival celebrated earlier - during the days of our prophet {Sallal lahu alaihi wa sallam} . Even today it is to be treated with the same intention, as mentioned in the hadith. Whereas today it is remembered only for the matyr of Hussain alai salaam. Being influenced by these people majority of the muslims especially in sub-continents introduced many bidahs on this day, which led to forget the importance of this day. When we apply our sense here we question ourselves that why shud we cry on the death of a martyr. ? Anyways without goig deep into the topic {as it may create unnecessary arguments} , i would like to conclude that this secretarinism and hatred for eachother would give us nothing but a vey live example of todays burning Iraq. Lets try to grasp the real message of this day forgetting meaningless hatred. ------------- Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: �All the descendants of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent." |
Posted By: hat2010
Date Posted: 29 January 2007 at 8:11am
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"This (IC) is a Sunni Islam site and the copy paste of this article from a
Shiite site wasn't a commendable exercise." Darn. I was looking forward to a commendation for my exercise. No wonder I'm getting a little pudgy. "These are bunch of sick people and I think Allah is marked them for the elimination from the earth." Sign*Reader, you need to rest. If you are fasting (as we are here today) fill yourself with communal and spiritual bliss of your faith... calm down in the essence of submission. Peace Seekshidayath - I don't see my posts as a division of sects at all. I found it interesting, really, as I don't know any Shia's personally. And just that somewhere right now, a minority of Muslim people, whose hearts are as full with the love of Allah and his Prophet are celebrating Ashura in a radically different way. If there is a question "why should we cry on the death of a martyr?"- the answer may be: 'we' shouldn't, but some do - "la koom deenakom walla ydeen" ... No one will ask us our opinions of the Shia's behavior on the Day of Judgement. God bless us all - and have a spiritually rich fast, everyone (I still have about an hour and a half before breaking it...) Jamal Morelli |