According to history and the Ahadith\nnarrated from the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), all the Shia Imams’ (PBUT) lives ended in\nmartyrdom (1). Based on this, and considering the fact that the Holy Quran\nstates that the martyrs are alive and prohibits Muslims from reckoning them as dead, it is concluded that\nour Imams (PBUT) are always alive, and even after their martyrdom, their\nattention towards this world is not reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is why Prophet Muhammad\n(PBUH&HP) stated that visiting him during his life and after his death were\nidentical, and mentioned the same in regards to the Imams (PBUT) (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on these teachings, it is\nevident that visiting the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) after their martyrdom has numerous\neffects and blessings. For instance, the Imams (PBUT) understand our sayings\nand respond to the needs of their visitors. (4) Moreover, such a visit is\nconstructive and educational for the visitor (pilgrim), and offers him\/her\nenormous rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, visiting Imam Hussain\n(PBUH) in Karbala has been emphasized more than any other of the Imams (PBUT).\nThe outstanding point about visiting Imam Hussain (PBUH) is the enormous and\nastonishing rewards for it, as described in the Hadiths narrated from the Ahl\nal-Bayt (PBUT). What is the reason for this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look carefully, we realize that\nImam Hussain (PBUH) gave everything he had in the way of Allah (SWT), and by\nthis means, he revived Islam and guaranteed its permanence. As such, the\nreligion of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) was preserved by Imam Hussain (PBUH),\nas he has stated himself, “If the firmness and perseverance of my\ngrandfather’s religion requires my death, then embrace me O swords! (5)”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this basis, the tone and wording of\nthe Ahadith related to visiting Imam Hussain (PBUH) indicate an amazing glory,\nand are filled with emphasis. For example, once Imam Sadiq (PBUH) asked one of\nthe Shiites named “Sudair”:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-Do you visit\nHussain (PBUH) everyday?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-No!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-What an\noppressor you are! Do you do it every Friday?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-No!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-What about\nevery month?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-No!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-What about\nevery year?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-Sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, the Imam (PBUH) said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-O Sudair! What\nan oppressor you are to Hussain (PBUH)! O Sudair! Knowing that thousands of\ncrying and dusty angels visit Hussain (PBUH) everyday and do not get tired of\nit! Why do you not visit him five times a week or once a day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sudair replied, “May I sacrifice\nmy life for you! There is a lot of distance between us.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this moment, Imam Sadiq (PBUH)\nsaid, “Go on top of your roof and say “Peace be upon you O Aba\nAbdillah! Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah (SWT)”.\nThis act of yours is considered as a visit, and you will get the reward of\ndoing Hajj and Umrah (6).”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nonetheless, throughout history, the\noppressive rulers and their ignorant followers have intended to eradicate and\neliminate a belief, school of thought, or religion when they fail to oppose and\ncombat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH) in\nKarbala has witnessed such extravagances and misconceptions several times,\nwhich continue to happen today. The oppressive and ignorant people intend to\neliminate Imam Hussain (PBUH) from the memories of people by restraining them,\npreventing them from visiting Imam Hussain (PBUH), applying various pressures,\nand even destroying the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH); however, although\nthe shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH) has been disrespected and destroyed on\nseveral occasions,(7) the Shiites have always paid special attention to\nvisiting of Imam Hussain (PBUH), since the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) have advised them\nto do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, do these people think that\nthey can extract the love of Imam Hussain (PBUH) from the hearts of his lovers\nby treating them harshly? Is it possible to take away the people’s belief and\nfaith in the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) by destroying their shrines?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what are they intending to do?…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Selection taken\nfrom “Karbala, the Ka’ba of Hearts”, by Hujjat al-Islam Jawad\nMuhaddithi (with some changes))<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Roshd Website congratulates all\nMuslims, especially you dear friend, upon the 3rd of Sha’ban, the birthday\nanniversary of the master of the youth of Paradise, the deposit of the\nMessenger of Allah (PBUH&HP),<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imam Hussain ibn Ali (PBUH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Footnotes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Imam Reza\n(PBUH) has said,”There is no one amongst us that has not been killed or\nwon’t be killed ” (Wasail al-Shia, vol. 4, p. 568)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. “And\nreckon not those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead; nay, they are alive\n(and) are provided sustenance from their Lord.” The Holy Quran, (3:169)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Mustadrak\nal-Wasail, vol. 10, p. 182<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Based on the\nentrance permission we recite when entering the shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt\n(PBUT), they see us, hear our voices, and reply to us; however, our perception\nof their response depends on our capability and capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Al-Sahih min\nal-Sirah, vol. 3, p. 112<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Usul al-Kafi,\nvol. 4, p. 598- Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, vol. 2, p. 599 (with some\ndifferences in wording)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. For example,\nat the time of Harun or Mutawakkil, the shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH) was\ndestroyed 17 times. For further information, please refer to the chapter of\n“The oppression of rulers against his holy shrine” from Bihar\nal-Anwar, vol. 45, p. 390.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
According to history and the Ahadith narrated from the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), all the Shia Imams’ (PBUT) lives ended in martyrdom (1). Based on this, and considering the fact that the Holy Quran states that the martyrs are alive and prohibits Muslims from reckoning them as dead, it is concluded that our Imams (PBUT) are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28248],"tags":[19980,19981,19979,18914,18565,17892,22,18418,17873],"class_list":["post-4181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-occasional-letters","tag-2007-08-17","tag-ahadith","tag-haven-of-angels","tag-history","tag-holy-quran","tag-imam-hussain","tag-muslims","tag-occasion-letters","tag-shia"],"yoast_head":"\n