Category Archives: Ahle Bayt
A Tribute to the Beloved of the Beloved of Allah
https://www.iecrcna.org/site/classes/the-history-of-karbala-english/
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“Your best friend is your Din (religion)â€
“We live for others and not for ourselves.”
— Hazrat Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu
Hazrat Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu’s martyrdom on the 10th of Muharram is the ultimate tribute to sacrificing oneself for the sake of the greater good. When Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu was confronted with the call for pledging allegiance to Yazid, the ruler at that time, he radi Allahu anhu refused on account of the fact that Yazid was a tyrant and transgressor. Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu’s confrontation with Yazid was a call for justice and restoration of the Shari’ah. Yazid had done many anti-Shari’ah acts just one of which was that he had committed the sacrilegious act of tying horses to the Mosque of the Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam, and they had soiled the blessed mosque. Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu exhorted and warned Yazid three times to give up his tyrannical and blasphemous ways and to pledge allegiance to the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam. However, this call for rectification fell on deaf ears.
Some 72 lovers of the Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam were forced to take on the huge army of Yazid that had laid siege upon them. The martyrdom of Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu and the rest of the martyrs of Karbala was the price paid for the fortification and safeguarding of Islam and the guarantor for this religion having reached us today.
Seventy thousand angels alighted in the grave of Imam al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali (may Allah Almighty be pleased with them both) on the day when he was mortally wounded, and they will continue to weep over him until the day of Resurrection. [Al-Ghunya li-Talibi]
Allah, The Most Exalted chose martyrdom for the grandson of our Beloved Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam on the most noble of all days, the most glorious of them, the most majestic of them, and the most exalted of them in His sight. In doing so, the purpose of Allah Almighty was to grant our great Imam radi Allahu anhu increased elevation in degrees and tokens of special favor over and above the special favor he already enjoyed. By way of martyrdom, He Almighty caused him radi Allahu anhu to reach the stations of the rightly guided Khalifas, who died as martyrs. [Al-Ghunya li-Talibi]
Like the angels, those who have love in their hearts for Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu weep tears and feel pain on this sad day. However, it must not be observed as a day of tragic misfortune. Instead it must be regarded as an remarkable day full of blessings and opportunities to reap plentiful rewards from the Merciful One, The Most Exalted and attempt to perform as many righteous deeds as possible.
If it had ever been permissible to observe this day as the day of tragic misfortune, the Noble Companions and Successors (may Allah be pleased with them all) would have observed it as such, because they were more closely in touch with it than we are, and better qualified to understand its true significance. In actual fact, as we know from traditional reports about them that they used to urge people to treat their dependants with special generosity on that day and to observe it as a day of fasting. [Al-Ghunya li-Talibi]
It is highly recommended to fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Ali Sher-e-Khuda aap ke hain pidar
Kar de Aaqa karam ki hum par ek nazar
Ummat-e-Naana aaj badi pareshan hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Syeda Fatima ki aankhon ki thandak hain aap
Hazrat Hasan ke Mubarak bhai hain aap
Us Panjtan Pak ke chamakte sitaare hain aap
Jinki muhabbat is Ummat par farz hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Aapne haq Karbala ka ada kar diya
Is Ummat par azeem ehsaan kar diya
Haq-o-baatil mein vaaze furqaan kar diya
Is Ummat ko aap par bada naaz hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Raah-e-Haq mein aapne apni jaan di
Raaza-e-Ilahi pe har cheez qurban ki
Istiqamat-o-sabr ki aala taaleem di
Is Ummat ke aap pesh-o-imam hain
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Naazil huay farishte sattar hazaar
Chali jab us pak gardan par talvaar
Bahaate hain aansoo vo zaar-o-qattaar
Har sachche Ummati ka bhi yahi haal hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
De Aaqa karam ki hum par ek nazarÂ
Radi Allahu anhu!
Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them all) – Part 2
The Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) daughters are our great legacy in Islam, for they showed patience and endurance regardless of their situations. Hazrat Fatima (radiallahu anha) was the youngest daughter of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and the most cherished. She was knowledgeable in almost every form of Fiqh (Jurisprudence). It is said that her every action is akin to her Father’s (Peace Be Upon Him) and therefore she acquired the reputation of the most knowledgeable and esteemed. Hazrat Ruqayya (radiallahu anha) was a very patient and enduring woman. During the time of the battle of Uhud, she became fatally sick. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) asked Hazrat Uthman (radiallahu anhu) to tend to her instead of going to battle. She died the day the battle was won. Hazrat Zainab (radiallahu anha) was the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) oldest daughter. She was extremely obedient and dutiful. When she was asked by her father to make the journey to Mecca, the unbelievers showed no leniency in their persecution of her. When she decided to leave as her father had instructed her to do, they attacked her with a piercing arrow. The shock of it was so severe that she passed out. She was the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) most responsible and trustworthy of daughters.
The women who became the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) associates were many in number and each had a special skill that she conducted with fortitude and valor. Hazrat Asma (radiallahu anha) used to love the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) so much that she would have sacrificed anything for him. Relationships, old and new were important to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).  The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had a special relationship with all of Hazrat Khadija’s (radiallahu anha) friends. Hazrat Hala (radiallahu anha) who was Hazrat Khadija’s (radiallahu anha) younger sister would frequent the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) house. When He (Peace Be Upon Him) would hear her voice, He (Peace Be Upon Him) would rush to open the door being reminded of his wife Hazrat Khadija (radiallahu anha).
Some of the women who became associates of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) were slaves. Hazrat Labina (radiallahu anha), a slave, was beaten incessantly, and tortured but her tenacity for Islam was more powerful than the villains who persecuted her. Hazrat Zarya (radiallahu anha) was also a slave. She was tortured until she became blind, then her persecutors taunted her about her blindness with “now where is your faith and your leader?â€Â At that point, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) prayed for her and her sight was restored to her, leaving her enemies bewildered. Hazrat Nadia (radiallahu anha) was also a slave and she too showed unrelenting courage as a Muslim to her violent torturers. Hazrat Sameeya (radiallahu anha) was forbidden by Abu Jahal to read the kalma. In her passion and zeal for Islam, she read the kalma out loud and was pierced with an arrow. The most sorrowful state was that of Hazrat Umm-e-Abeed (radiallahu anha) who was a Muslim slave girl. She was tortured under conditions unimaginable to man. She was burned and torn in every part of her body. Her worst nightmare was when her persecutors would drown her in the ocean and when death became imminent, they would raise her up again only to repeat the process. This only gave her more tenacity in her faith.
The associates lived their lives according to the Sunnah, i.e., the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). They were hard working and their examples should be our most perfect role models. Hazrat Fatima (radiallahu anha) who was Hazrat Umar’s (radiallahu anhu) sister was the cause of Hazrat Umar (radiallahu anhu) converting to Islam. It was her valor and love for Islam that changed Hazrat Umar (radiallahu anhu). Hazrat Haleema was the wet-nurse to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).  When He (Peace Be Upon Him) declared Jihad in Taif, out of respect for the mother who nursed him, he laid down his cloak on the bare ground for her to sit. Hazrat Safia (radiallahu anha) is known for her valor. She was a dauntless woman who gathered all the women to safety at the battle of Khandaq and watched over them at night. When the enemy appeared to attack sword in hand, thinking women were defenseless, she hid behind the tent and not only killed the intruder, but de-capitated his head and threw it for the opposing army to see. They ran for fear of their lives. Hazrat Shifa (radiallahu anha) loved the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) so much that she had a special bed made for him and no one else was allowed to sit on it. Hazrat Umm-e-Atiya (radiallahu anha) fed and nursed soldiers on the battlefield. Hazrat Umm-e-Darda (radiallahu anha), wife of the famous associate spent most of her time in worship. She was a very wise woman and the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had taught her methods of spiritual healing. Hazrat Umm-e-Khalid (radiallahu anha) was born in Africa. As a child, she was given an ornamented shawl by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) who said “wear it and tear it.â€Â This was symbolic of a long life. She had the longest life of all the associates. The famous incident is that of Hazrat Umm-e-Sulaim (radiallahu anha) whose husband was the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) servant, Hazrat Anees (radiallahu anhu). Her child was sick and when her husband went to work, the child died. When her husband returned from work, she first gave him dinner and completed all the rituals of an evening as a married couple. Then she told him about the death of the child. He went to complain to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). He (Peace Be Upon Him) said of her that it was complete faith that made her put her own feelings aside for the welfare of her husband and Allah, The Most Exalted, will reward her for it. Even though Hazrat Umm-al-Fazl (radiallahu anha) could not perform migration, but wanted it desperately, she was given the reward of a migration. Hazrat Umm-e-Roman (radiallahu anha), the wife of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) is said to have had a lasting influence on the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). He (Peace Be Upon Him) referred to her as the spiritual light. She was honored in both life and death. Hazrat Rabiya (radiallahu anha) daughter of Nazar was a devout Muslim and when her son was martyred, she told the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) that if her son is in heaven she could endure his death. Hazrat Umm-e-Sulaith (radiallahu anha) was known to have fed soldiers during war time and fought courageously. Hazrat Umm-e-Haram’s (radiallahu anha) wish was to die a martyr. She was trampled upon as the army was heading toward a ship to go to war. Hazrat Umm-e-Amarah (radiallahu anha) entered every battle field to physically defend the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) from harm. She would rush toward the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) when he was about to be attacked and stand in between the attacker and the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).  She ended up with 13 wounds, but before she was fatally stabbed in the stomach, she killed two more men who were heading toward the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
History reveals that the world of Islam is rife with women who contributed both socially and spiritually. We need to only look at the examples left behind for us and will find that our role models have been set aside for us to emulate. Hazrat Kibsha (rahmatullahi alayha) was a famous saint who was from the Ansar tribe. She is considered to be our very spiritual mother. It is said that she loved the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) so much that when He (Peace Be Upon Him) drank from her vessel, she cut out that opening and kept it as a keepsake. Hazrat Amina Ramila (rahmatullahi alayha) was a saint and a waliya. She was respected by the most well known saints who anxiously waited for her prayers. Hazrat Fatima Nisha Poori (rahmatullahi alayha) spent most of her time praying.  Her famous saying is that ignorance leads to sin and impetuousness is the action of a sinner and one who is careful in life is a believer. Khwaja Baa Yazid Bustami (may Allah have mercy on him) has said about her that “no greater saint lived amongst the women.â€Â Hazrat Khansa (rahmatullahi alayha) was a saint and a prolific poet. She is considered to be the greatest poet of Arabia and her work is still extant. Hazrat Mehmoona Saooda (rahmatullahi alayha) was a deeply spiritual mother who could see beyond the physical eye. Hazrat Muaza Adwaya (radiallahu anha) was Hazrat Aysha’s (radiallahu anha) teacher and had an awesome fear of Allah, The Most Exalted, that she would not look up at the sky. She spent all her time in worship. Hazrat Rabia Basree (rahmatullahi alayha) would cry all night out of fear for Allah The Most Exalted. Hazrat Saida Aysha (rahmatullahi alayha) was the paternal aunt of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him). She was spiritually gifted and when there was a drought, she raised her broom to the sky and prayed and rain came down. Hazrat Umm-e-Saib (rahmatullahi alayha) was blind, but when she was told that her son had died, she cried and begged God to make him alive. The son was restored to life. Hazrat Umm-e-Sharyak (rahmatullahi alayha) is known to have the title of The Miracle of Associates. She was endowed with spiritual light and once when she was fasting, she was imprisoned by a Jew who refused to allow her to open her fast. She prayed and she found food. She could blow into a vessel and it would become butter. Hazrat Umm-e-Warqa (rahmatullahi alayha) desperately wanted to die a martyr and the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) told her to remain in her home. She was murdered by her two servants. Hazrat Umar (radiallahu anhu) had them executed, which was the first execution amongst Muslims. He said “the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) always spoke the truth.â€
Women should take a good lesson from all of our mothers’ examples. Our mothers lived simple lives, yet each one was knowledgeable in some aspect of Islam. There was not a single mother whose life was not illustrated with examples of bravery, integrity, and hard work. When she felt some situation to be unjustified, she immediately reported it to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Thus, all the matters were resolved harmoniously. Today, we find that many Muslim women are confused and scattered in their thoughts. Frequently, they adopt roles that they think are worth emulating, but they know that those roles are not inherently acceptable to them. We must all learn form our mothers in Islam. Even though they lived in a different culture, there is nothing that has changed for women. They fought hard for what they believed was right and did not divulge or compromise their integrity. Their lives are symbolic of roles for women of all ages, of all times, and of all cultures. Our mothers are beside us. We need to remember their loving roles and their valor and tenacity in life. Let us look back to them at their guidance, and tenacious principles in life and death, and their fortitude. Their lives are not so different from ours, for we women will always belong to that same culture: the culture where truth and integrity are the governing roles of individuals and where nothing is impossible as long we follow their path, for that will be the path that our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) chose for all Muslims.
Khalida Kareemi
Ms. Kareemi is a Bay Area resident and she enjoys writing.
Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them all) – Part 1
August 16, 2003 / Jamad-uth-Thani 1424
Volume 1, Issue 2 (Part 2)
At the inception of Islam, our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) developed a community of men and women who became the legacy of our inheritors of Islam. The religion could not have gained that kind of momentum and fervor without all of the active participants in the community. However, we should ask ourselves why did Rasul Allah (peace be upon him) develop this community? Why were men and women equally responsible and active in the glorious religion that became Islam? The answer is simple. Men and women were targets of persecution, how could they not respond to a leader who brought a religion of mercy and compassion? So it would only be natural to include both genders in the promotion of Islam. This could not be achieved without the active role of women. In Islam, almost every woman contributed her time and energies. However, the most important contributions were made by our dearly beloved Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wives, daughters, associates, and saints.
Today, women have regressed in their community and civic duties in the Muslim world. The reason is because many are unaware of the important role a woman makes in the community. In nascent Islam, it was the women who fought valiantly for their religion because they were zealous about Islam. However, their fervor was not based on emotions alone but on their intellect and common wisdom. For example Hazrat Khadija, the first wife of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was not only his closest companion, she was an intelligent and wise woman whose decisions were timely and judicious. When Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), she was the first to embrace it. Furthermore, the domestic life that she provided the Prophet (peace be upon him), was filled with love and devotion. This allowed him to devote all his energies to his mission: Islam. In a quote from the Hadeeth the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) told Hazrat Aysha (radi allahoo anha) that it was Hazrat Khadija who stood by him in every bleak moment. He said: “when everyone rejected me, she accepted me. When no one had faith, she embraced Islam and when people turned me into a liar, she proved to the world that I was a man of truth” (Saheeh Bukhari).Â
 She is considered to be one of the four women who are gifted by Allah (subhana wa ta’alah) to have a special place in Heaven. Her place in Islam is further established by the fact that when our Prophet (peace be upon him) would receive divine revelations, the angel Gabriel (salutations upon him) would say to the Prophet “Allah sends his Salam to Hazrat Khadija.â€Â What other testimony is more relevant than Allah’s (subhana wa ta’alah)?
All of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wives had some special quality and strength that gave Islam its powerful and sublime qualities. It is known that Hazrat Aysha (radi allahoo anha) is well known for her knowledge and wisdom. In fact, great scholars of Islam would consult her on important issues. She knew more sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) than anyone else. In addition, she was a humble and selfless woman. She fasted continuously and when it was time to open her fast, she would first think of the indigent. Similarly, Hazrat Sauda (radi allahoo anha) became the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wife soon after she became a widow. Incidentally, it was a time when the Prophet was mourning for Hazrat Khadija. When he married Hazrat Sauda (radi allahoo anha) his domestic life was restored. Hazrat Aysha (radi allahoo anha) said of Hazrat Sauda that “her generosity and kind-heartedness made me so much in awe of her that I found myself wanting to be more like her.” Hazrat Zainab (radi allahoo anha) also became the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) after her husband Abdullah bin Jesh (radi allahoo anhu)became a martyr. She is well known for her humbleness and kindness. She died within three months of her marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him); however, she had a great affect over him. Hazrat Umme Habiba (radi allahoo anha) married the Prophet (peace be upon him) soon after her husband who had become a victim of alcoholism died. Her respect for the Prophet (peace be upon him) was symbolic of her actions, for she never allowed anyone to sit on his bed. Once when her father, who was not a Muslim came to visit her, she did not allow him to sit on the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) bed. Hazrat Umme Salma (radi allahoo anha) was a learned mother and had knowledge on Hadeeth and Fiqh. It is said that she could remember 78 to 80 different Ahadeeth. She spent all her time on the scholarship of religion. Hazrat Safia (radi allahoo anha) was born Jewish, but when she married the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), she embraced Islam. In fact, her entire tribe was saved from bondage because of her marriage. Hazrat Maimoona (radi allahoo anha) was married to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) for one year, but she died within that year. However, during her marriage, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) admired her for her good nature.
(To be continued insha Allah …)
Khalida Kareemi
Ms. Kareemi is a Bay Area resident and she enjoys writing.