Ever since the tragedy of Karbala, the followers of the Ahlulbayt (a.s) during the month of Muharram express their grief for the sufferings of the Progeny (a.s) of the Prophet (saw) and his companions (r.a), in their own ways according to the customs of their own countries. During this mourning period, the mourners men, women and children generally dress in black, and give up every kind of rejoicing. The mourning is observed through organised congregations called 'Majalis-e-Aza'.
The Month Of Muharram A Time Of Grief
Sheikh Al-Sadooq:
Muhammad ibn Alee Majiluwayh (r.a) narrated that Alee ibn Ibraheem ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of al-Rayyan ibn Shabeeb, “I went to see Al-Reza (a.s) on the first day of the (Arabic) month of Muharram. The Imam (a.s) said, ‘O Ibn Shabeeb! Are you fasting?’ I answered, ‘No.’ The Imam (a.s) said, ‘Today is the day on which Zakariya prayed to his Lord - the Honourable the Exalted, ‘There did Zakariya pray to his Lord, saying, ‘O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure: for Thou art He that heareth prayer!’’ {3:38} And God fulfilled his prayer and ordered the angels to call Zakariya ‘While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him, ‘(Allah) doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a Prophet, of the (goodly) company of the righteous.’’ {3:39} Therefore, just as God fulfilled the prayers of Zakariya, the Honorable the Exalted God will fulfil the prayers of whoever fasts on this day, and asks God for something.’ The Imam (a.s) then added,
‘O Ibn Shabeeb! Muharram is the month in which the people of the Age of Ignorance had forbidden committing any oppression and fighting in. However, this nation did not recognize the honor of this month or the honor of their own Prophet (saw). In this month, they killed the Prophet’s offspring (a.s), they enslaved the women, and took their belongings as booty. God will never forgive them.
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you wish to cry, then cry for Al-Hussain ibn Alee ibn Abi Talib (a.s) who was slaughtered like a sheep, and was killed along with the members of his household. Eighteen people were martyred along with Al-Hussain (a.s) who had no equal on Earth. The seven heavens and the Earths mourned for his martyrdom. Four thousand angels descended to the Earth to assist him (Imam Hussain) (a.s). However, Al-Hussain (a.s) was destined to be martyred. They will remain at his shrine with wrinkled hair until the Riser (Imam al-Mahdi) (ajf) rises. Then they will be among those who will assist him (a.s). Their slogan will be 'Ya li tharat Al-Hussain' (Revenge for Al-Hussain’s blood!)
O Ibn Shabeeb! My father narrated that his father (a.s) quoted on the authority of his grandfather (a.s) that when they murdered my grandfather Al-Hussain (a.s), the heavens cried (dark) red blood and dirt.
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you cry for Al-Hussain (a.s) in such a way that tears flow down your cheeks, then God will forgive all the sins that you have committed whether they be minor or major, whether they be a few instances or a lot.
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to meet the Honorable the Exalted God without having any sins then go to visit (the Shrine of) Al-Hussain (a.s).
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to accompany the Prophet (saw) in the rooms of Paradise, then damn the murderers of Al-Hussain (a.s).
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to be rewarded just as those who were martyred along with Al-Hussain ibn Alee (a.s), whenever you remember Al-Hussain (a.s) say, ‘I wish I was with them and could achieve the great prosperity.’
O Ibn Shabeeb! If you would like to be in the same high ranks in Paradise with us, then be sad when we are sad and be happy when we are happy, and I advise you to have us since the Honorable the Exalted God will resurrect whoever even likes a rock with that same rock on the Resurrection Day.”“
Source: Uyoon Akhbaar Al-Reza. Vol. 1 Pg. # 268 - 269.
Sheikh Hadi Al-Najafi:
Al-Sadooq has narrated it through a Hasan (Reliable) like Saheeh (Authentic) chain from Rayyan Ibn Shabeeb.
Source: Rawdhatul Muttaqeen, Vol. 5 Pg. # 383
Sheikh Hadi Al-Najafi:
The chain of this narration is reliable (Mu'tabar).
Source: Mawsu'atu Ahadith Ahlulbayt (a.s). Vol. 2 Pg. # 78.
Visiting The Grave Of Imam Hussain (a.s)
And with this chain (i.e. My father and Muhammad ibn Abdullah and Alee ibn Al-Hussain and Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan, may Allah (swt) be pleased with them all, from Abdullah ibn Ja'far Al-Himyari) from Musa ibn Umar from Hassan Al-Basri from Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab who said: I asked permission to meet Imam Sadiq (a.s), someone said to me: "Come in." When I entered, I found him on his prayer mat in his house praying. I waited until he finished his prayers and then I heard him recite the following supplication:
"O Allah (swt)! O one who has chosen us for honour, promised us right of intercession, chosen us as successors, gave us the knowledge of the past and that which is to come and made the hearts of people inclined for us! Forgive me and my brothers who perform the Ziyarat of my grandfather Imam Hussain (a.s), and those who spend their wealth to travel, put their bodies to trouble seeking our pleasure in hope of the reward You have kept for associating with us. They perform the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) to make Your Prophet (saw) happy, to obey our commands and to antagonize our enemies. By this, they want to please You, so reward them on our behalf by Rizwan, protect them day and night, compensate their families and children whom they left behind in the best way and befriend them, keep them away from the harm of every insolent tyrant and every weak or strong one from Your creation. Keep them away from the evil of every devil from among men and Jinn, grant them the best of that which they have requested while they are away from their homes for having preferred us over their families, children and relatives.
O Allah (swt)! Our enemies have criticized them for going to our Ziyarat but that did not restrain them from coming to us and they went against our opponents. So have mercy on faces changed by the Sun in our love. Have mercy on faces which were kept on the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s). Have mercy on those eyes which shed tears on us with sympathy. Have mercy on those hearts which have become restless and distressed for us and have mercy on their lamentations for us. O Allah (swt)! I entrust these bodies and souls to you till the day of great thirst when you will quench their thirst with Haud-e-Kauthar (The Pond of Abundance).
Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab continued: Imam (a.s) continued this supplication in prostration. When he finished, I said: "May I be sacrificed on you! I think that if this supplication is in favour of even those who don't know Allah (swt), the Mighty and Sublime, I think that Hellfire will not touch them! By Allah (swt)! I wish I had gone to the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) instead of going to Hajj." Imam (a.s.) said, "You live so close. What prevents you from his Ziyarat? O Mu'awiyah! Don't forsake it?" I replied, "May I be sacrificed on you! I did not think that it was so important and it had such great rewards." The Imam (a.s.) said, "Mu'awiyah! Those who pray for the visitors of Imam Hussain (a.s) in the heavens are more than those who pray for them on earth."
And also narrated to me Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Ja'far Al-Himyari from Alee ibn Muhammad ibn Salim from Abdullah ibn Himad Al-Basri from Abdullah ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Asam from Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab who said: "I asked permission to meet Imam Sadiq (a.s.).." and he mentioned like the above narration.
Source: Kamil Al-Ziyarat. Ch. # 40, H. # 2, Pg. # 228 - 230.
Sheikh Al-Kulayni:
Muhammad ibn Yahya and others narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad and Muhammad ibn Al-Hussain all of them from Musa ibn Umar from Ghassan Al-Basri from Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab, and also Alee ibn Ibraheem from his father from some of our companions from Ibraheem ibn Uqba from Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab who said: When I entered, I found him on his prayer mat in his house praying. I waited until he finished his prayers and then I heard him recite the following supplication:
"O Allah (swt)! O one who has chosen us for honour, promised us right of intercession, chosen us as successors, gave us the knowledge of the past and that which is to come and made the hearts of people inclined for us! Forgive me and my brothers who perform the Ziyarat of my grandfather Imam Hussain (a.s), and those who spend their wealth to travel, put their bodies to trouble seeking our pleasure in hope of the reward You have kept for associating with us. They perform the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) to make Your Prophet (saw) happy, to obey our commands and to antagonize our enemies. By this, they want to please You, so reward them on our behalf by Rizwan, protect them day and night, compensate their families and children whom they left behind in the best way and befriend them, keep them away from the harm of every insolent tyrant and every weak or strong one from Your creation. Keep them away from the evil of every devil from among men and Jinn, grant them the best of that which they have requested while they are away from their homes for having preferred us over their families, children and relatives.
O Allah (swt)! Our enemies have criticized them for going to our Ziyarat but that did not restrain them from coming to us and they went against our opponents. So have mercy on faces changed by the Sun in our love. Have mercy on faces which were kept on the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s). Have mercy on those eyes which shed tears on us with sympathy. Have mercy on those hearts which have become restless and distressed for us and have mercy on their lamentations for us. O Allah (swt)! I entrust these bodies and souls to you till the day of great thirst when you will quench their thirst with Haud-e-Kauthar (The Pond of Abundance).
Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab continued: Imam (a.s) continued this supplication in prostration. When he finished, I said: "May I be sacrificed on you! I think that if this supplication is in favour of even those who don't know Allah (swt), the Mighty and Sublime, I think that Hellfire will not touch them! By Allah (swt)! I wish I had gone to the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) instead of going to Hajj." Imam (a.s.) said, "You live so close. What prevents you from his Ziyarat? O Mu'awiyah! Don't forsake it?" I replied, "May I be sacrificed on you! I did not think that it was so important and it had such great rewards." The Imam (a.s.) said, "Mu'awiyah! Those who pray for the visitors of Imam Hussain (a.s) in the heavens are more than those who pray for them on earth."
Source: Al-Kafi. Vol. 4, H. 11. Pg. # 332.
Sheikh Al-Sadooq narrates the same narration with a complete authentic chain.
Sheikh Al-Sadooq:
Narrated my father from Sa'd ibn Abdullah from Yaqoub ibn Yazeed from Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr from Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab who said:I entered upon Imam Sadiq (a.s), I found him on his prayer mat in his house praying. I waited until he finished his prayers and then I heard him recite the following supplication:
"O Allah (swt)! O one who has chosen us for honour, promised us right of intercession, and gave us the authority and made us the heir of prophets and made us the seal of the previous nations and chosen us as successors, gave us the knowledge of the past and that which is to come and made the hearts of people inclined for us! Forgive me and my brothers who perform the Ziyarat of my grandfather Imam Hussain (a.s), and those who spend their wealth to travel, put their bodies to trouble seeking our pleasure in hope of the reward You have kept for associating with us. They perform the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) to make Your Prophet (saw) happy, to obey our commands and to antagonize our enemies. By this, they want to please You, so reward them on our behalf by Rizwan, protect them day and night, compensate their families and children whom they left behind in the best way and befriend them, keep them away from the harm of every insolent tyrant and every weak or strong one from Your creation. Keep them away from the evil of every devil from among men and Jinn, grant them the best of that which they have requested while they are away from their homes for having preferred us over their families, children and relatives.
O Allah (swt)! Our enemies have criticized them for going to our Ziyarat but that did not restrain them from standing and coming to us and they went against our opponents. So have mercy on faces changed by the Sun in our love. Have mercy on faces which were kept on the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s). Have mercy on those eyes which shed tears on us with sympathy. Have mercy on those hearts which have become restless and distressed for us and have mercy on their lamentations for us. O Allah (swt)! I entrust these bodies and souls to you till the day of great thirst when you will quench their thirst with Haud-e-Kauthar (The Pond of Abundance).
Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab continued: Imam (a.s) continued this supplication in prostration. When he finished, I said: "May I be sacrificed on you! I think that if this supplication is in favour of even those who don't know Allah (swt), the Mighty and Sublime, I think that Hellfire will not touch them! By Allah (swt)! I wish I had gone to the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) instead of going to Hajj." Imam (a.s.) said, "You live so close. What prevents you from his Ziyarat? O Mu'awiyah! Don't forsake it?" I replied, "May I be sacrificed on you! I did not think that it was so important and it had such great rewards." The Imam (a.s.) said, "Mu'awiyah! Those who pray for the visitors of Imam Hussain (a.s) in the heavens are more than those who pray for them on earth. do not forsake it due to fear of anyone, whoever forsakes it due to fear will regret it to the extent that he would wish to have killed himself, don't you like that Allah sees you and your figure among those for whom the Messenger of Allah(saw) prays? don't you want to be one of those who will be embraced by the angels? don't you like to be of those who have no sin to be stopped for in the day of judgement? don't you like to be of those who are embraced by the Messenger of Allah(saw)?"
Source: Thawaab Al-A'maal. Pg. # 122 - 123.
Sheikh Al-Sadooq:
Narrated my father from Sa'd ibn Abdullah from Yaqoub ibn Yazeed from Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr from Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab who said:I entered upon Imam Sadiq (a.s), I found him on his prayer mat in his house praying. I waited until he finished his prayers and then I heard him recite the following supplication:
"O Allah (swt)! O one who has chosen us for honour, promised us right of intercession, and gave us the authority and made us the heir of prophets and made us the seal of the previous nations and chosen us as successors, gave us the knowledge of the past and that which is to come and made the hearts of people inclined for us! Forgive me and my brothers who perform the Ziyarat of my grandfather Imam Hussain (a.s), and those who spend their wealth to travel, put their bodies to trouble seeking our pleasure in hope of the reward You have kept for associating with us. They perform the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) to make Your Prophet (saw) happy, to obey our commands and to antagonize our enemies. By this, they want to please You, so reward them on our behalf by Rizwan, protect them day and night, compensate their families and children whom they left behind in the best way and befriend them, keep them away from the harm of every insolent tyrant and every weak or strong one from Your creation. Keep them away from the evil of every devil from among men and Jinn, grant them the best of that which they have requested while they are away from their homes for having preferred us over their families, children and relatives.
O Allah (swt)! Our enemies have criticized them for going to our Ziyarat but that did not restrain them from standing and coming to us and they went against our opponents. So have mercy on faces changed by the Sun in our love. Have mercy on faces which were kept on the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s). Have mercy on those eyes which shed tears on us with sympathy. Have mercy on those hearts which have become restless and distressed for us and have mercy on their lamentations for us. O Allah (swt)! I entrust these bodies and souls to you till the day of great thirst when you will quench their thirst with Haud-e-Kauthar (The Pond of Abundance).
Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab continued: Imam (a.s) continued this supplication in prostration. When he finished, I said: "May I be sacrificed on you! I think that if this supplication is in favour of even those who don't know Allah (swt), the Mighty and Sublime, I think that Hellfire will not touch them! By Allah (swt)! I wish I had gone to the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s) instead of going to Hajj." Imam (a.s.) said, "You live so close. What prevents you from his Ziyarat? O Mu'awiyah! Don't forsake it?" I replied, "May I be sacrificed on you! I did not think that it was so important and it had such great rewards." The Imam (a.s.) said, "Mu'awiyah! Those who pray for the visitors of Imam Hussain (a.s) in the heavens are more than those who pray for them on earth. do not forsake it due to fear of anyone, whoever forsakes it due to fear will regret it to the extent that he would wish to have killed himself, don't you like that Allah sees you and your figure among those for whom the Messenger of Allah(saw) prays? don't you want to be one of those who will be embraced by the angels? don't you like to be of those who have no sin to be stopped for in the day of judgement? don't you like to be of those who are embraced by the Messenger of Allah(saw)?"
Source: Thawaab Al-A'maal. Pg. # 122 - 123.
Muhammad Taqi Al-Majilsi
Al-Kulayni through two strong chains and Al-Sadooq through an authentic chain have narrated from Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab.
Source: Rawdhatul Muttaqeen. Vol. 5, Pg. # 370.
Shedding Tears During Times Of Grief
وَتَوَلَّى عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا أَسَفَى عَلَى يُوسُفَ وَابْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْحُزْنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
And he (Yaqoob) turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor.
Holy Qur'aan {12:84}
History stands as clear proof on how Prophets (a.s) have wept and cried during situations of calamity and catastrophe. The Prophets (a.s) and the Holy Imams of the Ahlulbayt (a.s) not only mourned for the death of Imam Hussain (a.s) but encouraged others to mourn over them (a.s). Some of these mourning gatherings included role play and eulogies. The general rule for mourning is that it is not permitted for more than three days, however the Ahlulbayt (a.s) are given an exception to this rule. This is according to other supporting evidences which we shall look at later. An example given to the exception of mourning more than three days can be understood from a widow mourning over her husband who is permitted to grieve for more than three months.
Sheikh Al-Kulayni:
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Alee ibn al-Hakam from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad al-Wasitiy who has said the following: “Aboo ‘Abd Allah, (Imam Ja'far) peace be upon him has said, ‘Ibraheem, (a.s) prayed to his Lord to give him a daughter who will weep and mourn for him after his death.’”
Al-Majlisi I: It's chain is Qawi (strong) like Saheeh (Authentic) in Rawdhatul Muttaqeen. Vol. 8 Pg. # 595.
Source: Al-Kafi. Vol. 6, H. 3. Pg. # 7.
A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Alee ibn al-Hakam from Yunus ibn Ya’qub who has said the following: “Aboo ‘Abd Allah, (a.s), has said, ‘My father said to me (Muhammad Baqir peace be upon him) said ‘O Ja‘far, assign a certain amount from my so and so properties as endowment, so payments can be made to people who will eulogize to mourn for me in Mina for ten years.’”
Al-Majlisi II: It is Muwathaq (Reliable) Mir'atul Uqool. Vol. 19, Pg. # 77
Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Alee ibn al-Hakam from Malik ibn ‘Atiyah from Aboo Hamzah who has said the following: “Aboo Ja‘far, (a.s) has said, ‘When al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah i.e (Walid ibn al Walid) died, ‘Umm Salamah (s.a) asked the Holy Prophet, for permission. She said, “The family of al-Mughirah has organized a gathering to mourn for al-Walid. Can I also attend their gathering?” The Holy Prophet granted her permission. She dressed up. She was beautiful like a fairy. When standing she released her hairs and it covered her body. She tied her khalkhal on both sides. She then eulogized her cousin before the Messenger of Allah saying: “I announce passing away of al-Walid ibn al-Walid, Aboo al-Walid, the young man of the family, protector of truth, with glory and rising for good manners. He was a thirst-quenching rain for years, a crystal clear brook and supplies.”’ He (the narrator) has said that the Holy Prophet did not disapprove her eulogies and did not say anything.”
Al-Majlisi II: It is Saheeh (Authentic) in Mir'atul Uqool. Vol. 19, Pg. # 77
Source: Al-Kafi. Vol. 5, H. 1 - 2. Pg. # 70.
Allamah Majlisi II:
It has been narrated in few books of trustworthy contemporaries that: “When Prophet Muhammad (saw) informed her daughter Sayeda Faatima (s.a) about the killing of her son Hussain (a.s) and the tribulations that will fall upon him, Faatima (s.a) started to cry and cried severely and said, “O Father, when will it happen?”. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied, “In the time in which I, You and Alee (a.s) will not be there”. (Hearing this) She cried more severely and said, “O Father, who will cry over him? And who will be committed to establish Azadari for him?. Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “O Faatima (s.a), verily the women of my nation will cry over the women of my Ahlulbayt (a.s), the men of my nation will cry over the men of my Ahlulbayt (a.s). And will continue/renew the Azadari generation after generation every year. And on the day of Qayamat, You intercede for the women and I will intercede for the men. And all those from amongst them who wept over the suffering of Hussain (a.s), will take them by their hand and enter them in heaven. O Faatima (s.a), Every eye will cry on the day of judgement, except for the eye which cried over the suffering of Hussain (a.s) for they will be happy/laughing in seeing the blessings of paradise."
Source: Bihar Al-Anwaar. Vol. 44 . 292 - 293.
Narrated to me Al-Hassan ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from his father from Al-Hassan ibn Mahboub from Al-Alaa ibn Razeen from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Abi Ja'far (a.s) that Alee ibn Al-Hussain Imam Sajjad (a.s.) used to say: "Any believer who weeps over Imam Hussain (a.s) with a single tear will be rewarded by Allah (swt) for it; he will be made to dwell in rooms in Paradise for a long period. And any believer who cries over us with even a single tear because of his grief over the way in which our enemies hurt us in this life, will be rewarded by Allah (swt) for it; he will be made to dwell in good settlements in Paradise. And any believer, who cries with a single tear, because of his suffering from the pain of being hurt in our way, will be kept away from the difficulties of Judgement Day by Allah (swt), and will be safe from Allah's (swt) wrath and Hell fire.
Source: Kamil Al-Ziyarat. Ch. 32, H. # 1, Pg. # 201.
Sheikh Al-Sadooq (r.a) narrates the same narration through another chain from Al-Hassan ibn Mahboub.
Sheikh Al-Sadooq
Muhammad ibn Musa ibn Al-Mutawakkil, may Allah (swt) be pleased with him, narrated to us from Abdullah ibn Ja'far Al-Himyari from Ahmad and Abdullah the sons of Muhammad ibn Isa from Al-Hassan ibn Mahboub from Al-Alaa ibn Razeen from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Abi Ja'far (a.s) that Alee ibn Al-Hussain Imam Sajjad (a.s) used to say: "Any believer who weeps over Imam Hussain (a.s) with a single tear will be rewarded by Allah (swt) for it; he will be made to dwell in rooms in Paradise for a long period. And any believer who cries over us with even a single tear because of his grief over the way in which our enemies hurt us in this life, will be rewarded by Allah (swt) for it; he will be made to dwell in good settlements in Paradise. And any believer, who cries with a single tear, because of his suffering from the pain of being hurt in our way, will be kept away from the difficulties of Judgement Day by Allah (swt) and will be safe from Allah's (swt) wrath and Hellfire.
Source: Thawab Al-A'maal. Pg. # 110 - 111.
Alee ibn Ibraheem Al-Qummi (r.a) narrates the same narration through another chain from Al-Hassan ibn Mahboub.
Alee ibn Ibraheem Al-Qummi
Narrated my father from Al-Hassan ibn Mahboub from Al-Alaa from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Abi Ja'far (a.s) that Alee ibn Al-Hussain Imam Sajjad (a.s.) used to say: "Any believer who weeps over Imam Hussain (a.s) with a single tear will be rewarded by Allah (swt) for it; he will be made to dwell in rooms in Paradise for a long period. And any believer who cries over us with even a single tear because of his grief over the way in which our enemies hurt us in this life, will be rewarded by Allah (swt) for it; he will be made to dwell in good settlements in Paradise. And any believer, who cries with a single tear, because of his suffering from the pain of being hurt in our way, will be kept away from the difficulties of Judgement Day by Allah (swt) and will be safe from Allah's (swt) wrath and Hellfire.
Source: Tafseer Al-Qummi. Vol. 2, Pg. # 291 - 292.
Al-Barqi:
Narrated (Ahmad ibn Mohammad ibn Khalid) from Yaqoub ibn Yazeed from Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr from Bakr ibn Muhammad from Fudhayl ibn Yasaar from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) who said: "The sins of whoever weeps, even as less as the wing of a mosquito, when we are mentioned before him, will be forgiven, even if his sins are greater than the foam of the ocean."
Source: Al-Mahasin Al-Barqi. Pg. 63.
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sanad:
Narrated (Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid) from Yaqoub ibn Yazeed (of the trustworthy and great scholars) from Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr (he is one of the As'haab Al-Ijmaa, about whom there is consensus) from Bakr ibn Muhammad Al-Azdi (who is trustworthy, he is Azdi because Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr narrates from him) from Fudhayl Ibn Yasaar (of the Fuqaha about whom there is consensus among our scholars) from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) who said: "The sins of whoever weeps, even as less as the wing of a mosquito, when we are mentioned before him, will be forgiven, even if his sins are greater than the foam of the ocean." And this narration's chain is Saheeh (Authentic).
Source: Sha'ahir Al-Hussainiyyah Bayn Al-Isala Wa Tajdeed. Vol. 1, Pg. # 327 - 328.
Sheikh ibn Qulawaih
Narrated to me Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Saffar from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid Al-Barqi from Aban Al-Ahmar from Muhammad ibn Al-Hussain Al-Khazzar from Harun Ibn Kharija from Imam Sadiq (a.s), he said: we were sitting with him and we mentioned Al-Hussain (a.s), so he (a.s) cried and we also cried and then he (a.s) raised his head and said: Imam Hussain (a.s) said, “I am the martyrs of tears. No believer remembers me unless that he weeps." and then he mentioned the hadeeth.
Source: Kamil Al-Ziyaraat. Ch. # 36 H. # 6 Pg. # 216.
Sheikh Hadi Al-Najafi:
The chain of this narration is Saheeh (Authentic).
Source: Mawsu'atu Ahadith Ahlulbayt (a.s). Vol. 7 Pg. # 55.
And in the authentic narration of Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab, that we narrate it from the chapter of Mazaar of Wasa'il Al-Shia, in it Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s) supplicates: "So have mercy on faces changed by the Sun in our love. Have mercy on faces which were kept on the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s). Have mercy on those eyes which shed tears on us with sympathy. Have mercy on those hearts which have become restless and distressed for us (a.s) and have mercy on their lamentations for us."
Source: Sha'ahir Al-Hussainiyyah Bayn Al-Isala Wa Tajdeed. Vol. 1, Pg. # 261 - 262.
Sheikh Al-Tusi:
From Mu'awiyah bin Wahab said: I was sitting with Ja'far bin Muhammad (a.s) when a Shaykh (an old man) who was bent from being old came. So he (the old man said) said: "Assalaamu'alayka Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh!" So Aboo Abdullah (a.s) said to him: "Wa Alayka Assalaam Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh O Shaykh come to me." So the old man came to him (a.s) and kissed his (a.s) hand and cried. So Aboo Abdullah (a.s) said to him: "O Shaykh! Why are you crying?" He (the old man) said to him: "O son of the Messenger of Allah (saw)! I have been wishing to be with you for about 100 years. I (kept) saying (to myself): 'This is the year, this is the month, this is the day, and I did not see you. And (now) you censure/stop me from crying?!' He (the narrator) said: Aboo Abdullah (a.s) started to cry and then said: "O Shaykh! You will be with us. And that you will hurry to be with the weight (thaqal) of the Messenger of Allah (saw) on the Day of Judgment." So the Shaykh said: "I will take heed and after today I wlll not (cry) O son of the Messenger of Allah (saw)." So Aboo Abdullah (a.s) said: "O Shaykh! The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: 'Verily, I am leaving with you two weighty things (thaqalayn), and if you hold on to them you will never go astray: (they are) The Book of Allah (swt) revealed, and My Itratee, the Ahlulbayt (a.s). I will come and you will be with us on the Day of Judgment.' He (a.s) said: "O Shaykh! I do not think that you are of the people of Kufa? He (the Shaykh) said: "No." He (a.s) said: "Then where are you from?" He (the Shaykh) said: "May I be sacrificed for you! From Sawaaduhaa" He (a.s) said: "Where are you (in regards) to my oppressed grandfather's grave, Al-Hussain (a.s)?" He (the Shaykh): "I am close to it (the grave)." He (a.s) said: "How (often) do you go to him (grave of Al-Hussain)?" He (the Shaykh) said: "I go there frequently." He (a.s) said: "O Shaykh! Allah (swt) will seek the blood of him (Al-Hussain), there is no calamity for the children of Sayeda Faatima (s.a) like the calamity of Al-Hussain (a.s). And 17 members of his Ahlulbayt (a.s) (i.e. family) were killed. They have patiently (strove) on the side of Allah (swt). And he (a.s) has rewarded them the best of rewards for the patient ones. And when the day of judgement (arrives), the Messenger of Allah (saw) will come with Al-Hussain (a.s), and his (saw) hand on his (a.s) head dripping with blood. Then he (a.s) will say: 'O Lord! Ask my Ummah (nation) why did they kill my son?' And he (a.s) said: "Every grief / sadness (Ja'za' ) and crying is makrooh (disliked) except the grief/sadness (Ja'za' ) and crying upon Al-Hussain (a.s)."
Hadeeth Grading:
Muhammad Hassan Al-Najafi said this hadeeth is Hasan (Reliable) in Jawaahir Al-Kalam. Vol. 4, Pg. # 371.
Al-Tabrizi said this hadeeth is Saheeh (Authentic) Siraat al-Najaat. Vol. 3, Pg. # 443.
Al-Khoei said this hadeeth is Hasan (Reliable) Mawsoo'ah Al-Imaam Al-Khoei. Vol. 9, Pg. # 342.
Source: Al-Amali. Majlis # 7, Pg. # 253 - 254, H. # 20.
Narrated to me Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Saffar from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid Al-Barqi from Aban Al-Ahmar from Muhammad ibn Al-Hussain Al-Khazzar from Harun Ibn Kharija from Imam Sadiq (a.s), he said: we were sitting with him and we mentioned Al-Hussain (a.s), so he (a.s) cried and we also cried and then he (a.s) raised his head and said: Imam Hussain (a.s) said, “I am the martyrs of tears. No believer remembers me unless that he weeps." and then he mentioned the hadeeth.
Source: Kamil Al-Ziyaraat. Ch. # 36 H. # 6 Pg. # 216.
Sheikh Hadi Al-Najafi:
The chain of this narration is Saheeh (Authentic).
Source: Mawsu'atu Ahadith Ahlulbayt (a.s). Vol. 7 Pg. # 55.
Ja'za (Grief With Restlessness)
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sanad:
And in the authentic narration of Mu'awiyah ibn Wahab, that we narrate it from the chapter of Mazaar of Wasa'il Al-Shia, in it Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s) supplicates: "So have mercy on faces changed by the Sun in our love. Have mercy on faces which were kept on the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s). Have mercy on those eyes which shed tears on us with sympathy. Have mercy on those hearts which have become restless and distressed for us (a.s) and have mercy on their lamentations for us."
These narrations have several chains and are Saheeh (Authentic), and some of them are Muwaththaq (Reliable) and the restlessness is one of the examples of crying.
Source: Sha'ahir Al-Hussainiyyah Bayn Al-Isala Wa Tajdeed. Vol. 1, Pg. # 261 - 262.
From Mu'awiyah bin Wahab said: I was sitting with Ja'far bin Muhammad (a.s) when a Shaykh (an old man) who was bent from being old came. So he (the old man said) said: "Assalaamu'alayka Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh!" So Aboo Abdullah (a.s) said to him: "Wa Alayka Assalaam Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh O Shaykh come to me." So the old man came to him (a.s) and kissed his (a.s) hand and cried. So Aboo Abdullah (a.s) said to him: "O Shaykh! Why are you crying?" He (the old man) said to him: "O son of the Messenger of Allah (saw)! I have been wishing to be with you for about 100 years. I (kept) saying (to myself): 'This is the year, this is the month, this is the day, and I did not see you. And (now) you censure/stop me from crying?!' He (the narrator) said: Aboo Abdullah (a.s) started to cry and then said: "O Shaykh! You will be with us. And that you will hurry to be with the weight (thaqal) of the Messenger of Allah (saw) on the Day of Judgment." So the Shaykh said: "I will take heed and after today I wlll not (cry) O son of the Messenger of Allah (saw)." So Aboo Abdullah (a.s) said: "O Shaykh! The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: 'Verily, I am leaving with you two weighty things (thaqalayn), and if you hold on to them you will never go astray: (they are) The Book of Allah (swt) revealed, and My Itratee, the Ahlulbayt (a.s). I will come and you will be with us on the Day of Judgment.' He (a.s) said: "O Shaykh! I do not think that you are of the people of Kufa? He (the Shaykh) said: "No." He (a.s) said: "Then where are you from?" He (the Shaykh) said: "May I be sacrificed for you! From Sawaaduhaa" He (a.s) said: "Where are you (in regards) to my oppressed grandfather's grave, Al-Hussain (a.s)?" He (the Shaykh): "I am close to it (the grave)." He (a.s) said: "How (often) do you go to him (grave of Al-Hussain)?" He (the Shaykh) said: "I go there frequently." He (a.s) said: "O Shaykh! Allah (swt) will seek the blood of him (Al-Hussain), there is no calamity for the children of Sayeda Faatima (s.a) like the calamity of Al-Hussain (a.s). And 17 members of his Ahlulbayt (a.s) (i.e. family) were killed. They have patiently (strove) on the side of Allah (swt). And he (a.s) has rewarded them the best of rewards for the patient ones. And when the day of judgement (arrives), the Messenger of Allah (saw) will come with Al-Hussain (a.s), and his (saw) hand on his (a.s) head dripping with blood. Then he (a.s) will say: 'O Lord! Ask my Ummah (nation) why did they kill my son?' And he (a.s) said: "Every grief / sadness (Ja'za' ) and crying is makrooh (disliked) except the grief/sadness (Ja'za' ) and crying upon Al-Hussain (a.s)."
Hadeeth Grading:
Muhammad Hassan Al-Najafi said this hadeeth is Hasan (Reliable) in Jawaahir Al-Kalam. Vol. 4, Pg. # 371.
Al-Tabrizi said this hadeeth is Saheeh (Authentic) Siraat al-Najaat. Vol. 3, Pg. # 443.
Al-Khoei said this hadeeth is Hasan (Reliable) Mawsoo'ah Al-Imaam Al-Khoei. Vol. 9, Pg. # 342.
Source: Al-Amali. Majlis # 7, Pg. # 253 - 254, H. # 20.
Mirza Jawad Al-Tabrizi:
"Every grief / sadness (Ja'za) and crying is makrooh (disliked) except the grief/sadness and crying upon Al-Hussain (a.s)."
Question: what is your opinion about the narration of Muawiyah ibn Wahab from Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s) that "Every grief / sadness (Ja'za) and crying is makrooh (disliked) except the grief/sadness (Ja'za) and crying upon Al-Hussain (a.s)." both about its chain and its content.?
Answer: By the name of Allah: this narration's content is correct and it is Saheeh (Authentic) in its chain. and Allah knows best.
Source: Al-Anwaar Al-Ilahiyya Fi Masahil Al-Aqaediyya. Pg. # 202.
Hassan ibn Muhammad Al-Najafi:
And what has been reported about the action of Fatimiyyat (women of Ahlulbayt (a.s)), as it is mentioned at the end of the narration of Khalid ibn Sadir from Al-Sadiq (a.s), and it might be said that it is Mutawatir and it might be said that it is based on their action without their fathers and brothers, but based on the knowledge of Alee ibn Al-Hussain (a.s) about it and his confirmation of their action, it can be concluded that he was content with it and to prove the opposite is very difficult. And also it can be an exception for the Prophets (a.s) and Imams (a.s), or it might be an exception only for our Master Al-Hussain ibn Alee (a.s) as the previous narration shows, and also some other narrations like the Hasan (reliable) narration of Mu'awiyah from Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s) mentions: "Every grief /restlessness and crying is makrooh (disliked) except the grief /restlessness and crying upon martyrdom of Al-Hussain (a.s)." The meaning of this is what the person who grieves manifests, like beating the face and chest and screaming and alike. And another narration that indicates the meaning is the narration of Jabir from Al-Baqir (a.s): "The most intense grief is screaming with restlessness and hitting the face and the chest and dishevelling the hair." Until the end of it about the decree on beating oneself and screaming and alike which are certainly Haram (unlawful) for other than him (a.s), so one should think about it.
Source: Jawahir Al-Kalaam. Vol. 4, Pg. # 371.
Sheikh Al-Tusi:
Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Dawood Al-Qummi in his Nawadir from Muhammad ibn Isa from his brother Ja'far ibn Isa from Khalid ibn Sadir, the brother of Hanan ibn Sadir. He said: I asked Aboo Abdullah (a.s) about a man who rends his collar upon (the death of) his father or upon his mother or upon his brother or upon a relation of his. So he said: "There is no harm with rending the garments. And Musa ibn Imran (a.s) had rended his garment upon his brother Harun (a.s). And the father should not render upon his son, and the husband should not render upon his wife. And the wife can rend upon her husband. And when a husband renders upon his wife or a father upon his son, then its (his or her) Kaffara (compensation) is that of breaking an oath (hanath Al-Yameen), and their Salaah is not accepted until they give Kaffara (compensation) or they repent from that. So when the woman scratches her face, or cuts her hair or tears it out, then in the cutting of the hair there is freeing of a slave (as Kaffara) or fasting two consecutive months or feeding sixty indigents, and in the scratching, if she causes bleeding, and in the tearing out, there is the Kaffara of breaking an oath. And there is nothing in beating the cheeks other than seeking forgiveness and repentance. And the Fatimiyyat woman (women of Ahlulbayt (a.s)) did rending of the garment and beating the cheeks upon Al-Hussain ibn Alee (a.s), and upon someone like him (a.s) the cheeks are slapped and the garments are rendered.
Source: Tahdheeb Al-Ahkaam. Vol. 8, Pg. # 325.
Al-Shaykh Muhammad Mahdi al-Najafi:
Upon this occasion, since I have quoted my grandfather Ayatallah al-`Udhman al-Shaykh Zain al-`Abideen al-Najafi (r.a) who was a pious man of many blessings. I want to narrate this specific incident story from his life on the authority of some of the pious scholars, which said:
The inhabitants of Iran, Azerbijan, and Caucasus asked from the Hawza, and Ulamah of Najaf about drums which are used in the Rituals of Imam al-Hussain (a.s), as well as the hitting on the head with swords [Tatbir], and the acting of plays of the tragedies upon Imam Hussain (a.s). They asked are these Rituals [Sha’air] permissible.
Each individual sent a separate letter to the Marj`e of Taqleed that the follow, and sent it via a messenger to the City of Najaf. They all agreed that if an answer does arrive, that they are placed in a sealed envelope with the stamp of the Marj`ah, and that they are not to be opened until the arrive in the Mosque of al-Shah, which is known as the Mosque of Imam al-Khomeini because of his presence in Tehran at the time. They are than to be read in the community so each individual which does Taqleed to the specific Marj`ah would get there answer.
This was at the same time as the Marj`a Ayatallah al-`Uzma Sahab al-`Urwah (r.a). The Messenger from Najaf came back to Mosque of al-Shah with the sealed letters that have the answers from the Mar'jah in Najaf. The community gathered in the mosque in order to hear what there Marj`ah has given as an answer. They started to read out the answers of the scholars, and each had a different answer, such as: Some said that it is not permissible, while some said that the hitting of the heads with the swords is permissible if it does cause harm to the body, if it does than it is not-permissible, and some merley said it is permissible until the opened the letter of the deceased grandfather, Ayatallah al-`Uzma al-Shaykh Zain al-`Abideen (r.a), which said:
In the Name of God,
I came to stop when it came to this question, and couldn’t find an answer for it. Should I give a fatwa in its permissibility or its non-permissibility? So I went to the al-Sahla Mosque and I was able to serve my Imam al-Hujjah b. al-Imam al-Hassan (may Allah hasten his appearance), and was able to see him and ask him this same question. He gave me his answer, which was “Ja’za” permissible, so I give my Fatwa in accordance of my Master Imam al-Zaman (ajf) in that it is permissible.
When everyone heard the answer of Ayatullah al-`Uzma al-Shaykh Zain al-`Abideen (r.a), they said: We need not the Fatwa’s of the other Maraj`e, and this Fatwa is more than enough for us.
This story is more than enough in showing how he [my grandfather] would be at service for the Imam (ajf), and that he would ask him various questions and receive answers. If we are to come talk about my grandfathers blessings we would need to publish a book, like what his son Ayatullah al-`Uzma al-Shaykh Hadayah’t al-Gharawi has done.
Source: Bayaan al-Ammiah, al-Waq`at al-Gharibyah wa al-Israr al-`Ajebah, Vol.2, Pg. # 461 - 462.
Al-Majlisi II:
It has been narrated in Mursal that: "When Adam was sent down to the Earth, he did not see Eve, so he began to circle around in it, then he went through Karbala, and he became grieved and upset without any reason, and he stumbled on the spot where Hussain (a.s) was killed until blood flew out from his leg. Then he raised his head towards the sky and said: "My God, have I performed another sin which you have punished me for? for I have circled around the whole Earth and have not been subject to such damage like how I have been in this land! Then Allah revealed to him: O Adam (a.s), no sin has come from you, however, your son, Hussain (a.s), will be killed oppressively in this land, so your blood flew out in accordance to his blood!"
It is narrated that: "Ibraheem (a.s) went through Karbala while he was riding a horse. Then it stumbled with him, and Ibraheem felt and his head was cut and his blood began to flow, then he began to ask for forgiveness, and said: My God, what have I performed? then Jibra'eel (a.s) went down to him and said: O Ibraheem (a.s), you have not performed any sin. However, the grandson of the Seal of the Prophets and son of the Seal of the Successors will be killed here, so your blood flew in accordance to his blood."
It is narrated that: "One day, Musa (a.s) was walking with Yusha', the son of Nun (a.s), when he came to the land of Karbala, his sandal were torn apart and his bootlace was cut, and thorns went into his legs, and his blood flew. Then he said: My God, what have I performed? Then He revealed to him: Here Hussain (a.s) will be killed, and here his blood will be shed, so your blood flew in accordance to his blood!"
Source: Bihar Al-Anwaar. Vol. 44 Pg. # 242 - 244.
It has been narrated in Mursal that: "When Adam was sent down to the Earth, he did not see Eve, so he began to circle around in it, then he went through Karbala, and he became grieved and upset without any reason, and he stumbled on the spot where Hussain (a.s) was killed until blood flew out from his leg. Then he raised his head towards the sky and said: "My God, have I performed another sin which you have punished me for? for I have circled around the whole Earth and have not been subject to such damage like how I have been in this land! Then Allah revealed to him: O Adam (a.s), no sin has come from you, however, your son, Hussain (a.s), will be killed oppressively in this land, so your blood flew out in accordance to his blood!"
It is narrated that: "Ibraheem (a.s) went through Karbala while he was riding a horse. Then it stumbled with him, and Ibraheem felt and his head was cut and his blood began to flow, then he began to ask for forgiveness, and said: My God, what have I performed? then Jibra'eel (a.s) went down to him and said: O Ibraheem (a.s), you have not performed any sin. However, the grandson of the Seal of the Prophets and son of the Seal of the Successors will be killed here, so your blood flew in accordance to his blood."
It is narrated that: "One day, Musa (a.s) was walking with Yusha', the son of Nun (a.s), when he came to the land of Karbala, his sandal were torn apart and his bootlace was cut, and thorns went into his legs, and his blood flew. Then he said: My God, what have I performed? Then He revealed to him: Here Hussain (a.s) will be killed, and here his blood will be shed, so your blood flew in accordance to his blood!"
Source: Bihar Al-Anwaar. Vol. 44 Pg. # 242 - 244.
Amongst the first individuals to perform ‘Ja'za' (Grief With Restlessness) was Sayeda Zaynab bint Alee (s.a). The family and supporters of Imam Hussain (a.s) were and being paraded as prisoners in Kufa, when they started parading the head of Imam Hussain (a.s), to show her anguish Sayeda Zaynab (s.a) hit her head against the rod of the cabin she was travelling in. She (s.a) therefore laid the foundations of shedding of blood in grief of Imam Hussain (a.s). While they are some who cast doubts upon the incident, we have provided sufficient evidence Ja'za (Grief With Restlessness) is lawful according to the school of the Ahlulbayt (a.s)
Al-Majlisi II:
I (Allamah Majlisi II) read in some reliable books, that it is narrated in Mursal form from Muslim Al-Jassas, the plasterer, that he said, that (Ubaydullah) ibn Ziyad had summoned me to Kufa for the repair of the Royal Palace. While I was plastering the doors, suddenly voices of wailing arose from the surroundings of Kufa. A servant who was supervising us came and I asked him, "What is the news that I hear hue and cry in Kufa?" He answered, "The severed head of a rebel has been brought in, who revolted against Yazid". I asked him as to who he was and he replied that he was Hussain bin Alee (a.s). I waited until the servant had left, then I hit upon my face with my wrist (with such force) and feared lest my eyes would have come out. I washed my hands and came out from the back of the palace until I reached the open ground of Kufa. I stood there while men were awaiting the arrival of the captives and the heads. Suddenly nearly forty litters upon forty Camels drew near wherein were women, family and children of Faatimah (s.a), while Imam Alee (Zainul Abideen) was seated upon a Camel without a litter. Blood was dripping from his legs and he was weeping in this state and said,
"O evil nation! May you never be satiated! O the nation who did not respect us in consideration of our grandfather (saw)! What will you answer on the day of Qiyamah when we shall be joined along with our grandfather? You made us sit upon bare litters as though it is not us who had strengthened the foundations of Religion. O Bani Umayyah! Until when shall you keep oppressing us or refuse to respond to the call of our proclaimer? O those who clap your hands rejoicing upon our misfortunes and slander us upon the earth, is not my grandfather the Prophet of Allah (swt), Woe be to you, who guides abundantly than the path of the misguide? O event of Taff (Karbala)! You have made me the heir of grief and sorrow. By Allah (swt)! The veils will be pulled off the faces of those who have treated us badly".
The people of Kufa started distributing dates, bread and walnuts to the captivated children seated upon the litters. Seeing this Umme Kulthum (s.a) called out, "O Kufans! Charity is unlawful for us". She took it away from the hands and mouths of the children and threw it upon the ground. It is said that when she uttered these words, people wept on account of this unpleasant event.
Umme Kulthum (s.a) peeped out from the litter and said, "Quite O Kufans! Your men kill us while your women weep upon us? Allah (swt) is the Judge on the day of Judgment between you and us". When she said this, the voice of wailing increased and the heads were brought forth. The head of Imam Hussain (a.s) was in the fore-front, it seemed similar to the Venus and moon and bore resemblance to the Prophet of Allah (saw) more than anyone else. His beard bore the mark of dye, while his face was glowing like a disc of the moon, while the wind was whirling it (the beard) to the left and right. Sayedah Zainab (a.s) lifted her head and saw the face of her brother and hit her head upon the wooden pillar of the litter. We saw with our own eyes that blood started flowing from under her veil and she started uttering with a broken heart,
"O crescent who did not even rise when it was eclipsed and it set! O piece of my heart! I had not presumed that the pen of destiny would have written this. O brother! Speak to the young Faatimah (s.a) so that her heart may find solace. O brother! What has happened to the heart that was merciful and kind towards us, that it has hardened? O brother! I wish you would look at Alee (Zain ul Abideen) when he was being captivated while he was also orphaned. He possessed no strength to retaliate; when he was being flogged he was calling out to you helplessly, while his tears were flowing. O brother! Take him into your fold and bring him close to you and offer solace to his frightened heart, what a disgrace for an orphan when he calls out to his father and receives no answer from him".
Source: Bihar Al-Anwaar. Vol. 45 Pg. # 114 - 115.
Hussain Nuri Al-Tabarsi the famous author of Mustadrakul Wasahil in his book narrates a incident concerning a Christian who visited Imam Al-Sajjad (a.s) to share his experience concerning why he converted to Islam.
Al-Muhhadith Al-Nuri:
It has come is some of the compilations of the later scholars that is narrated regarding Alee bin al-Hussain (a.s), that on one day some food and drink was placed in front of him, so He remembered the hunger of His father al-Hussain (a.s) and His thirst on the day of Taf in Karbala, as a result He choked with tears and wept severely such that his dress became wet due to severe crying and sadness for his father al-Hussain (a.s). Then he asked the food to be taken away from him.
Then a christian man came inside and greeted Him with Salam and said, "O' son of Prophet of Allah, extend Your hand, verily I testify that there is no God but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad (saw) is the Prophet of Allah (swt) and that Alee Amir al-Mumineen (a.s) is the Wali of Allah (swt) and His proof upon His creations, and You my Master are the proof of Allah (swt) upon His creations, and verily the truth (Haq) is in You and with You and towards You.
Then Alee bin al-Husain (as) said, "What has aroused you and brought you out of your religion and the nature of your fore-fathers and the religion of your companions?"
The christian man said, "O my Master, I saw a vision in my dream." The christian man then starts narration his dream to Imam Hussain (a.s). And when he finishes narrating his dream...
The Narrator said, "When Alee bin al-Hussain (a.s) heard that Imam Hussain's (a.s) head fell in the lap of the Holy lady (Zaynab), He (a.s) stood up full length and thrust the wall of the house with his face, as a result breaking his nose and split opening his head and blood flowing onto his chest. And He fell unconscious from the severity of sadness and crying."
Source: Dar al-Salam. Vol. 2 Pg. # 200.
It has been narrated in some reliable books in Mursal form from Muslim Al-Jassas, the plasterer, that he said, that (Ubaydullah) ibn Ziyad had summoned me to Kufa for the repair of the Royal Palace. While I was plastering the doors, suddenly voices of wailing arose from the surroundings of Kufa. A servant who was supervising us came and I asked him, "What is the news that I hear hue and cry in Kufa?" He answered, "The severed head of a rebel has been brought in, who revolted against Yazid". I asked him as to who he was and he replied that he was Hussain bin Alee (a.s). I waited until the servant had left, then I hit upon my face with my wrist (with such force) and feared lest my eyes would have come out. I washed my hands and came out from the back of the palace until I reached the open ground of Kufa. I stood there while men were awaiting the arrival of the captives and the heads. Suddenly nearly forty litters upon forty Camels drew near wherein were women, family and children of Faatimah (s.a), while Imam Alee (Zainul Abideen) was seated upon a Camel without a litter. Blood was dripping from his legs and he was weeping in this state and said,
"O evil nation! May you never be satiated! O the nation who did not respect us in consideration of our grandfather (saw)! What will you answer on the day of Qiyamah when we shall be joined along with our grandfather? You made us sit upon bare litters as though it is not us who had strengthened the foundations of Religion. O Bani Umayyah! Until when shall you keep oppressing us or refuse to respond to the call of our proclaimer? O those who clap your hands rejoicing upon our misfortunes and slander us upon the earth, is not my grandfather the Prophet of Allah (swt), Woe be to you, who guides abundantly than the path of the misguide? O event of Taff (Karbala)! You have made me the heir of grief and sorrow. By Allah (swt)! The veils will be pulled off the faces of those who have treated us badly".
The people of Kufa started distributing dates, bread and walnuts to the captivated children seated upon the litters. Seeing this Umme Kulthum (s.a) called out, "O Kufans! Charity is unlawful for us". She took it away from the hands and mouths of the children and threw it upon the ground. It is said that when she uttered these words, people wept on account of this unpleasant event.
Umme Kulthum (s.a) peeped out from the litter and said, "Quite O Kufans! Your men kill us while your women weep upon us? Allah (swt) is the Judge on the day of Judgement between you and us". When she said this, the voice of wailing increased and the heads were brought forth. The head of Imam Hussain (a.s) was in the fore-front, it seemed similar to the Venus and moon and bore resemblance to the Prophet of Allah (saw) more than anyone else. His beard bore the mark of dye, while his face was glowing like a disc of the moon, while the wind was whirling it (the beard) to the left and right. Sayedah Zainab (a.s) lifted her head and saw the face of her brother and hit her head upon the wooden pillar of the litter. We saw with our own eyes that blood started flowing from under her veil and she started uttering with a broken heart,
"O crescent who did not even rise when it was eclipsed and it set! O piece of my heart! I had not presumed that the pen of destiny would have written this. O brother! Speak to the young Faatimah (s.a) so that her heart may find solace. O brother! What has happened to the heart that was merciful and kind towards us, that it has hardened? O brother! I wish you would look at Alee (Zain ul Abideen) when he was being captivated while he was also orphaned. He possessed no strength to retaliate; when he was being flogged he was calling out to you helplessly, while his tears were flowing. O brother! Take him into your fold and bring him close to you and offer solace to his frightened heart, what a disgrace for an orphan when he calls out to his father and receives no answer from him".
Source: Jala Al-Uyoon. Pg. # 496 - 497."O evil nation! May you never be satiated! O the nation who did not respect us in consideration of our grandfather (saw)! What will you answer on the day of Qiyamah when we shall be joined along with our grandfather? You made us sit upon bare litters as though it is not us who had strengthened the foundations of Religion. O Bani Umayyah! Until when shall you keep oppressing us or refuse to respond to the call of our proclaimer? O those who clap your hands rejoicing upon our misfortunes and slander us upon the earth, is not my grandfather the Prophet of Allah (swt), Woe be to you, who guides abundantly than the path of the misguide? O event of Taff (Karbala)! You have made me the heir of grief and sorrow. By Allah (swt)! The veils will be pulled off the faces of those who have treated us badly".
The people of Kufa started distributing dates, bread and walnuts to the captivated children seated upon the litters. Seeing this Umme Kulthum (s.a) called out, "O Kufans! Charity is unlawful for us". She took it away from the hands and mouths of the children and threw it upon the ground. It is said that when she uttered these words, people wept on account of this unpleasant event.
Umme Kulthum (s.a) peeped out from the litter and said, "Quite O Kufans! Your men kill us while your women weep upon us? Allah (swt) is the Judge on the day of Judgement between you and us". When she said this, the voice of wailing increased and the heads were brought forth. The head of Imam Hussain (a.s) was in the fore-front, it seemed similar to the Venus and moon and bore resemblance to the Prophet of Allah (saw) more than anyone else. His beard bore the mark of dye, while his face was glowing like a disc of the moon, while the wind was whirling it (the beard) to the left and right. Sayedah Zainab (a.s) lifted her head and saw the face of her brother and hit her head upon the wooden pillar of the litter. We saw with our own eyes that blood started flowing from under her veil and she started uttering with a broken heart,
"O crescent who did not even rise when it was eclipsed and it set! O piece of my heart! I had not presumed that the pen of destiny would have written this. O brother! Speak to the young Faatimah (s.a) so that her heart may find solace. O brother! What has happened to the heart that was merciful and kind towards us, that it has hardened? O brother! I wish you would look at Alee (Zain ul Abideen) when he was being captivated while he was also orphaned. He possessed no strength to retaliate; when he was being flogged he was calling out to you helplessly, while his tears were flowing. O brother! Take him into your fold and bring him close to you and offer solace to his frightened heart, what a disgrace for an orphan when he calls out to his father and receives no answer from him".
Imam Reza (a.s) speaking of the reaction of Ahlubayt (a.s), to the events of Ashura, and the actions they resorted to in mourning the affliction of Imam Hussain (a.s) states in a long narration: “Indeed the day of Hussain (a.s) has wounded our eyelids, . . and our grief and sorrow are perpetual until the Day of Resurrection.”. This hadeeth points to the prolonged wailing and weeping for Hussain (a.s) that result in their eyelids been damaged. This statement by Imam Reza (a.s) reveals that all the Imams of the Ahlulbayt (a.s) exercised Ja'za. Furthermore, Imam Reza (a.s) reveals that this practice is not limited to the times of the Imams (a.s), but rather it continues until the Day of Judgement.
Sheikh Al-Saduq:
Narrated Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Masroor from Al-Hussain ibn Muhammad ibn Aamir from his uncle Abdullah ibn Aamir from Ibraheem ibn Abi Mahmood who said: Imam Al-Reza (a.s) said:" On the month of Muharram, even the people of Jahilya used to forbid fighting, yet, on this month, our blood was desecrated, our sanctity was violated, our descendants and women were taken captives, our great tents were burned with fire, and all our belongings within it were stolen. The sanctity of the Messenger of Allah (saw) wasn't reverenced through our matter. The day of Al-Hussain (a.s) has blistered our eyelids, shed our tears, disgraced our proud ones in the land of adversity and affliction (Karbala), and made us inherit adversity and affliction until the Day of the End. For someone like Al-Hussain (a.s), indeed let the weepers weep, for this weeping eradicates great sins," and then He (a.s) said:" My father (a.s) was never seen laughing when the month of Muharram used to arrive and depression used to overwhelm him until the first ten days pass and when the tenth day comes, this day used to be the day of his calamity, grief and weeping, and he used to say:" This is the day when Al-Hussain (a.s) was killed.
Source: Al-Amali. Pg. # 101.
Sayyid ibn Tawus:
One of the reasonable narrations from A'imma (a.s) that the reason confirms what has been reported, is what we have narrated through several chains from Abi Ja'far ibn Alee ibn Babawaih in his Amaali through his chain from Ibraheem ibn Abi Mahmoud from Imam Al-Reza (a.s).
Source: Iqbaal Al-A'maal. Vol. 3 Pg. # 28.
Ziyarat al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa is one of the several prescribed supplications of Imam al-Hussain (a.s), and recited by our living Imam al-Mahdi (ajf) and reached us through one of his four special deputies (a.s). One of the most important features of this Ziyarat is that in different phrases, Imam al-Mahdi (ajf) graphically describes the events of Ashura and the agony that Imam al-Hussain (a.s) and his family (a.s) faced on that horrific and ominous day. The Imam (ajf) states how he mourns the death of Imam Hussain (a.s) by cries blood in place of tears.
Al-Majlisi II:
"But as I (Imam Mehdi) have been hindered by the course of time, and (Allah’s swt) decree has prevented me from helping you, and as I could not fight those who fought you, and was not able to show hostility to those who showed hostility to you, I will, therefore, lament you morning and evening, and will weep blood in place of tears, out of my anguish for you and my sorrow for all that befell you.until I meet death from the pain of the catastrophe and the choking grief."
Source: Bihar Al-Anwaar. Vol. 101 Pg. # 320.
Narrated Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Masroor from Al-Hussain ibn Muhammad ibn Aamir from his uncle Abdullah ibn Aamir from Ibraheem ibn Abi Mahmood who said: Imam Al-Reza (a.s) said:" On the month of Muharram, even the people of Jahilya used to forbid fighting, yet, on this month, our blood was desecrated, our sanctity was violated, our descendants and women were taken captives, our great tents were burned with fire, and all our belongings within it were stolen. The sanctity of the Messenger of Allah (saw) wasn't reverenced through our matter. The day of Al-Hussain (a.s) has blistered our eyelids, shed our tears, disgraced our proud ones in the land of adversity and affliction (Karbala), and made us inherit adversity and affliction until the Day of the End. For someone like Al-Hussain (a.s), indeed let the weepers weep, for this weeping eradicates great sins," and then He (a.s) said:" My father (a.s) was never seen laughing when the month of Muharram used to arrive and depression used to overwhelm him until the first ten days pass and when the tenth day comes, this day used to be the day of his calamity, grief and weeping, and he used to say:" This is the day when Al-Hussain (a.s) was killed.
Source: Al-Amali. Pg. # 101.
Sayyid ibn Tawus:
One of the reasonable narrations from A'imma (a.s) that the reason confirms what has been reported, is what we have narrated through several chains from Abi Ja'far ibn Alee ibn Babawaih in his Amaali through his chain from Ibraheem ibn Abi Mahmoud from Imam Al-Reza (a.s).
Source: Iqbaal Al-A'maal. Vol. 3 Pg. # 28.
Ziyarat al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa is one of the several prescribed supplications of Imam al-Hussain (a.s), and recited by our living Imam al-Mahdi (ajf) and reached us through one of his four special deputies (a.s). One of the most important features of this Ziyarat is that in different phrases, Imam al-Mahdi (ajf) graphically describes the events of Ashura and the agony that Imam al-Hussain (a.s) and his family (a.s) faced on that horrific and ominous day. The Imam (ajf) states how he mourns the death of Imam Hussain (a.s) by cries blood in place of tears.
Al-Majlisi II:
"But as I (Imam Mehdi) have been hindered by the course of time, and (Allah’s swt) decree has prevented me from helping you, and as I could not fight those who fought you, and was not able to show hostility to those who showed hostility to you, I will, therefore, lament you morning and evening, and will weep blood in place of tears, out of my anguish for you and my sorrow for all that befell you.until I meet death from the pain of the catastrophe and the choking grief."
Source: Bihar Al-Anwaar. Vol. 101 Pg. # 320.
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sanad:
And also the Ziyarat Al-Nahiyah Al-Muqaddasa that the author of Bihar has narrated and it is according to Imam Al-Hujjah (ajf): "I will, therefore, lament you morning and evening, and will weep blood in place of tears, out of my anguish for you and my sorrow for all that befell you." and this form of severe lamentation is not condemned, it is rather praised and recommended.
Source: Sha'ahir Al-Hussainiyyah Bayn Al-Isala Wa Tajdeed. Vol. 1, Pg. # 301 - 302.
And also the Ziyarat Al-Nahiyah Al-Muqaddasa that the author of Bihar has narrated and it is according to Imam Al-Hujjah (ajf): "I will, therefore, lament you morning and evening, and will weep blood in place of tears, out of my anguish for you and my sorrow for all that befell you." and this form of severe lamentation is not condemned, it is rather praised and recommended.
Source: Sha'ahir Al-Hussainiyyah Bayn Al-Isala Wa Tajdeed. Vol. 1, Pg. # 301 - 302.
Marjah Taqlid Ayatollah Muhammad Jawad Fazel Lankrani:
"Therefore, we conclude that Ziyarat al-Nahiya al- Muqaddasa is an authentic ziyarat and it is highly unlikely that it may have been issued by a normal individual. The content of the Ziyarat well indicates that it should have been issued by someone who must have been well aware of the general and particular features of Ashura and the incidents that took place then and there. God knows best!"
For further details concerning the authenticity of this narrations please read the following link;
For further details concerning the authenticity of this narrations please read the following link;
Does Mourning Rituals Give Islam A Bad Image?
وَلَن تَرْضَى عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلاَ النَّصَـرَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَآءَهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَآءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ
Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, the guidance of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) guidance. And if you were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur'aan), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (protector or guardian) nor any helper.
Holy Qur'aan {2:120}
Due to the widespread Islamophobia, some Muslims go as far as calling for such programs to be stopped, in their opinions these programs “give bad image of Islam and Muslims”. Though mourning practices don't top the list of things to tarnish the image of Muslims they are far wider practices including Hadeeth literature and Fatwas which would do quiet that!
Sheikh Al-Sadooq:
Chapter: "The Meaning Of The Bloodletting Practices: Al-Nafi'a, Al-Mughitha and Al-Munqidha"
Narrated my father from Sa'd ibn Abdullah from Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah in Marfu' form from Abi Abdullah Ja'far ibn Muhammad (a.s) from his father (a.s) who said: "The Prophet (saw) performed bloodletting on three places of his body: his head, between his shoulders and his back, he named the first one 'Al-Nafi'a', the second one 'Al-Mughitha' and the third one 'Al-Munqidha'".
And with this chain from Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah from Al-Hassan ibn Alee from Ahmad Ibn A'idh from ibn Salama and he is Aboo Khadija and his name is Salim ibn Mukrim from Abi Abdullah (a.s) who said: "The bloodletting on head is one span above the nose and with the distance like between the two eyebrows and the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to call it Al-Munqidha." and in another narration he said: "The Messenger of Allah (saw) performed bloodletting on his head and called it Al-Mughitha or Al-Munqidha."
Source: Ma'ani Al-Akhbaar. Pg. # 247 - 248.
Bloodletting is a form of traditional medicine, where blood is drawn from all over the body. In Islam the practice of Hijama (cupping) is highly recommended by Prophet Muhammad (saw). The process involves placing a cup or horn on the skin, a small piece of paper or cotton is placed inside, so that the mouth of the cup (horn) clings on. After a few moments bruises appear and the cups are released. Several incisions are made in these bruises and then the blood trickles till it clots. In some cases the cups (horns) are applied on again to draw out even more blood.
Tatbir (generally a desirable act) and cupping resemble each other (though one is done in grief Ja'za) and therefore can bring about healing. As Tatbir draws blood from the head which is one of the body-parts recommended by the Prophet (saw) for cupping. The act of drawing blood also imitates Sayeda Zaynab (saw), who was the first to perform bloody forms of self flagellation out of grief over losing her brother Imam Hussain (a.s). In both practices (cupping/Tatbir) bad blood is released from the body, which purifies and heals the body.
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