A narrator narrates that,
“I went to Imam Kadhim (PBUH) and said to him,
“My wife and Ibn Marid’s wife go out to attend mourning ceremonies, and I forbid them from doing so. But my wife responds to me by saying: If this act is unlawful, then we won’t go. But if it is not, then why are you forbidding us? If one of us passes away, then no one will attend ceremonies held for us!”
The seventh Imam (peace be upon him) replied:
“You asked me about social rights. My father [Imam Sadiq Imam (PBUH)] constantly sent his mother and wives out (to the houses of people of Medina to attend their mourning ceremonies) so that he would fulfill their rights… (1)” (1- Usul Kaafi, vol. 1, p. 21)
If we reflect on this short narration, we come to realize that the words of the Imam (PBUH) contain noteworthy and deep points. For instance:
1. Attending other people’s ceremonies is a social right; therefore, we have to attend others’ mourning ceremonies to fulfill this obligation. In fact, the attendance and paying condolences are considered to be rights and obligations.
2. We need to attend other people’s ceremonies so that they would attend ours. This is among the traditions of the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT).
3. Fulfilling this social responsibility is a continuous task; because Imam Kadhim (PBUH) said,” My father [Imam Sadiq Imam (PBUH)] constantly sent his mother and wives out (to the houses of people of Medina to attend their mourning ceremonies)”.
4. We need to pay attention to the fact that Imam Sadiq Imam (PBUH) did not sent his maid to attend the ceremonies; rather he sent his mother who had that high status. This emphasizes the importance of this fact and proves the existence of social rights. It is essential that such traditions be observed by people.
So knowing that such rights exist among the people, and people were encouraged by the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) to fulfill this rights, what is our responsibility towards the mourning ceremonies of the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT)? If we want to fulfill our responsibility in this regards, what should we do?
(The above is a selection taken from,” Unsaid Facts about Ashura”, by Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Hussaini Milani)
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