A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim

    Allah has made the relationship of the Muslim to a Muslim more sacred than any relationship, even that of blood, culture or nation. He has united us into one ummah, the Muslim ummah, and has made us responsible for each other. The relationship between the Muslims is a sacred one:

    ...A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him. The piety is here, (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother Muslim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith; his blood, his wealth and his honor. Sahih Muslim Book 31, Number 6219.

    We have special responsibilities towards our brothers and sisters in Islam that we do not have towards the non-Muslim, and the rights of Allah come first, and the rights of Allah include the treatment we give to our brothers and sisters in Islam. We are to consider the Muslim, first and foremost, regardless of our relationships. The Muslim is sacred for us in his faith, his blood and his honor. The act of looking down upon a Muslim brother or sister is a serious sin in Islam. Think about this. How many times do we look down to the Muslim for his or her position in life. For instance, a brother refuses to consider a woman for marriage because she is a maid, or a sister refuses to consider a brother because he has not finished college. Yet, these people are great in their deen and their manners. This is a serious offense, to look down upon a Muslim because his or her social status does not suit us. We must also not assume the worst about people. Many Muslims from overseas come here having been warned that the African American Muslims are not good. They are dangerous. They are not "real" Muslims. Shame on us for accepting such a thing before we have even a chance to meet one of them! Based on such presumptions, many of us would prefer to assist a non-Muslim in need, while ignoring our brothers and sisters. The ties of Islam must be stronger than all other ties. The most vivid example of this is that of the prophet Noah and his son.

    Allah tells us; And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: "O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!" He said: O Noah! Lo! he is not of thy household; lo! he is of evil conduct, so ask not of Me that whereof thou hast no knowledge. I admonish thee lest thou be among the ignorant. 11:45-46

    Here was the prophet's own son, and Allah was telling him that the son's disobedience had effectively removed him from the family unit and from Allah's protection. How did Noah react to this?

    Noah said: "O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!" 11:47

    and

    Noah said: "This day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom He hath mercy! 11:43

    The Prophet was true to his character, recognizing the wisdom of Allah over his own judgement, and he sought forgiveness for his assumption.

    Another example of this is Prophet Lut. He fled his city by Allah's command, and tried to save his family, but this was not the will of Allah, for his wife was not of the believers. "But we saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who lagged behind" 7:83 Here we see that Allah did not save the wife of the Prophet. He had to choose between obeying Allah and saving his wife, he had no choice, he obeyed Allah. He knew that the only relationships that exist are those for the sake of Allah - seeking His Great Pleasure.

    We are supposed to love each other for the sake of Allah, no other reason. If we do this, the rewards are so great:

    For example:

    Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: Verily, Allah would say on the Day of Resurrection: Where are those who have mutual love for My Glory's sake? Today I shall shelter them in My shadow when there is no other shadow but the shadow of Mine. Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6225.

    and

    Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: A person visited his brother in another town and Allah deputed an Angel to wait for him on his way and when he came to him he said: Where do you intend to go? He said: I intend to go to my brother in this town. He said: Have you done any favour to him (the repayment of which you intend to get)? He said: No, excepting this that I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. Thereupon he said: I am a Messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake). Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6226.

    We can not hold enmity/hatred for our fellow Muslims. Too often I hear Muslims talking about other Muslims because they are from a particular race or nation. How many times have you heard Arabs insulted or Pakistanis or Indians, for what is perceived to be a flaw in their deen or character as a race? Too often. It is easy to argue that Saudi or the other Arab nations are not living up to their duties as Muslim nations, and in the same breath, we praise America for what it does. Brothers and sisters: I am here to tell you that the worst of the Muslim states: the worst Muslim ruler: the worst Muslim on this earth is better in the sight of Allah than the best kafir! Do not doubt this.

    Allah says:

    And remember Moses said to his people: "O my people! Ye have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: So turn (in repentance) to your Maker, and slay yourselves (the wrong-doers); that will be better for you in the sight of your Maker." Then He turned towards you (in forgiveness): For He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. 2:54

    The Muslim has rights upon us, and we must fulfill these rights first. then we can help others, but we can not go to a non-Muslim when a Muslim needs. The fact of belief in Allah is what makes the Muslim's life sacred. The Muslim servant of Allah can not be ignored, for serving/helping him is equal to serving/helping Allah.

    Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said, Verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit Me. He will say: O my Lord, how could I visit Thee when Thou art the Lord of the worlds? Thereupon He will say: Didn't you know that a certain servant of Mine was sick but you did not visit him, and were you not aware that if you had visited him, you would have found Me by him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food but you did not feed Me. He will say: My Lord, how could I feed Thee when Thou art the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Didn't you know that a certain servant of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed him, and were you not aware that if you had fed him you would have found him by My side? (The Lord will again say:) O son of Adam, I asked you for something to drink but you did not provide Me with any. He will say: My Lord, how could I provide Thee with something to drink when Thou art the Lord of the worlds? Thereupon He will say: A certain servant of Mine asked you for a drink but you did not provide him with one, and had you provided him with a drink you would have found him near Me. Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6232.

    How far does this go? How far does the ties go? When the ansar welcomed the muhajireen, they shared everything with them. They divided their property in half. They even offered their wives to be wives the Muhajireen. They became brothers in the true sense of the word.

    I remember an example of a story I read of how a man took his shahadah. He was in a hospital. He was sharing a room with a Muslim man. One day some people came to visit the Muslim. They came in, hugged the Muslim brother, kissed him, greeted him with love and affection. They visited with this brother for a period, and shared a closeness that was true and unbound. After they left, the man asked the Muslim if these were his brothers who had visited him. The Muslim said, "No, they learned that I was sick today, at the Friday prayer, and they came to visit me. I just met them today." This shocked the man. These people had not acted in that awkward stranger fashion. They had acted like true brothers. This led the man to ask questions and finally accept Al Islam. This duty, visiting the sick had the special blessings from Allah, and this time had the extra blessing of serving as a vehicle to guide a man to Islam.

    Narrated Thawban: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: The one who visits the sick is in fact like one who is in the fruit garden of Paradise so long as he does not return. Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6227

    We expect too much from each other. We want everyone to be perfect just because he or she is Muslim. We go to the Muslim countries expecting a nation of angels. It does not exist. We have to stop thinking that the Muslim must be perfect because he/she has accepted Allah. None of us is perfect. Even in the Prophet's time, there were hypocrites, drunks, adulterers, thieves and slanderers. And these were the companions! We must recognize that we are imperfect creatures, and Allah wants us that way. If we were not of those who sin and return to our Lord in repentance, He would destroy us and bring about a nation that is. We have to be patient with each other and avoid anger.

    Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: The strong man is not one who wrestles well but the strong man is one who controls himself when he is in a fit of rage. Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6313.

    We have to forgive each other our sins against each other:

    Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: It is not permissible for a Muslim to have estranged relations with his brother beyond three days. Muslim: Book 31, Number 6212.

    We have to be kind to each other:

    Narrated Aisha: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: Aisha, verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else besides it (kindness). Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6273:

    and

    Narrated Aisha: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective. Sahih muslim: Book 31, Number 6274.

    We have to guard our tongues against backbiting him/her:

    Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: Do you know who is poor? They (the Companions of the Prophet said: A poor man amongst us is one who has neither dirham with him nor wealth. He (the Prophet) said: The poor of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with prayers and fasts and Zakat but (he would find himself bankrupt on that day as he would have exhausted his funds of virtues) since he hurled abuses upon others, brought calumny against others and unlawfully consumed the wealth of others and shed the blood of others and beat others, and his virtues would be credited to the account of one (who suffered at his hand). And if his good deeds fall short to clear the account, then his sins would be entered in (his account) and he would be thrown in the Hell-Fire. Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6251.

    Letr us not forget, while we are being patient with each other's faults that we have a special obligation of advising each other:

    Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience 103:3

    We have to not take allies except from the Muslims, especailly against each other:

    O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people. 5:51

    Last but not least, I beg you, brothers and sisters, to be careful in what you say and feel for your fellow Muslims. We are not perfect, but we all share a common bond, love for Allah and His messenger. Even the worst of Muslims will fight to the death to defend his Lord, his Messenger and His deen. May Allah give us all increased faith, knowledge and love for each other. Ameen.

Allahu-Akbar

Allahu-Akbar. Allah is the greatest.

    These are the first words a Muslim child hears after entering this world. The father makes the call to prayer in his or her ears as the welcome-to-this-world message. The same call is heard wherever there are Muslims, five times a day. The prayers also begin with this pronouncement. Certainly this is the emblem of the Islamic faith. There is no power in the world equal to the power of the One God. Allah is the greatest.

    This has been the Islamic message right from the beginning. The very first surah or chapter to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was surah Mudathir. And it contains the command: "And Thy Lord, do thou magnify." The Arabic word is kabbir. Declare Allahu-Akbar. Announce that Allah is the greatest.

    The pagans of Arabia did not like it. The Jews and Christians were not happy with it either. The irony is that at the same time all of them professed belief in the statement. The pagans believed in many gods, but did believe in the Supreme God too. They claimed authority for their smaller gods, but did not claim them to be bigger than Allah. Jews and Christians clearly believed in God, the Creator and Lord of the universe. With the exception of a small group of atheists, that remains valid till today, as the U.S. dollar bill announces to the whole world: "In God we trust." The question is, then, why should anyone have problem with Allahu-Akbar. Why feel uneasy with it or feel threatened by it? Is it not saying the same thing that they already agree with? The answer lies in the Islamic concept of God.

    In the western literature, God is presented as a wise man. (To the feminists He is increasingly a She). To the mathematician-philosopher, He may be a super mathematician or even a differential-equation. To the scientist, He is the First cause, that jump started the automobile of this universe that is now running on its own. To all of them, He is a good subject for a hobby but is irrelevant to our day to day affairs. As one scientist puts it: "I subscribe to Einstein's religion. It's an oceanic feeling; there's that great big thing out there that's pretty marvelous." Thing?

    Einstein, who reportedly considered himself spiritual but not religious, said: "I want to know how God created this world." The implication is that He did it once. I am studying and conquering His universe now. But for intellectual curiosity it will be good to learn a little more about Him. "He may have created the laws of nature but since creation He has left them pretty much alone. He does not come in and tweak them any more."

    A people's concept of God is the first place to look for, to get an idea of the corruption that their religion has gone through. Now let's compare the above confusions with Islam's declaration of an All Knowing, All Powerful God who created the Universe and who is running it every second. His attributes are best described in the well-known ayatul-kursi. Look at this marvelously profound declaration, that is beyond any human's capacity to declare but within everyone's ability to feel:

    "Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal, Supporter of all. Neither slumber nor sleep can seize Him. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is he that intercedes with Him except by His leave? He knows that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Most High, the Supreme." [Al-Baqarah 2:255]

    What a tremendously empowering creed! From the smallest to the largest, everything in the universe depends on Him. He depends on none. All other powers are illusory. His is the only real Power. When He is on our side, we need not fear anyone. If He is not pleased with us, the support of the whole world for us will be for naught. Worldly powers try to manipulate people by telling them what they can do for them and what they can do to them. But a person informed by Allahu-Akbar will not be tempted by the first or intimidated by the second. The power of "world powers" evaporates before the shouts of Allahu-Akbar. In fact there is no empowerment outside this belief, and no enslavement to other humans with it! We can see why the claimants to power in this world may be threatened by it.

    What a tremendously liberating creed! It liberates us from slavery to our own desires also. His knowledge is unlimited. Ours is extremely limited. What can we do except follow His commands? He is watching us all the time. We cannot get away with disobedience because of His oversight. He will judge us and no one will be able to intercede on our behalf except with His permission. We can see why those who are afraid of accountability may be threatened by it.

    What a tremendously humbling creed! It reminds us of our humble station in life with respect to God. As the Qur'an says at another place,

    "Those who dispute about the Signs of Allah without any authority bestowed on them, there is nothing in their breasts except the quest of greatness, which they will never attain..." [Mumin, 40:56].

    We can see why those with arrogance may be threatened by it.

    This includes the arrogance of science. We see it in the scientist who declares that there is no need to invoke a spiritual hand of God since everything has a rational basis. Or the medical doctor who thinks that he can control the biological processes. (Look at all the pronouncements of the genetic engineering pundits, euthanasia advocates, and population control gurus). On the other hand, a scientist free of such sickness looks at the workings of this universe; the great design in it; the tremendous purpose in every creation; and he finds himself compelled to say: Subhan-Allah.

    Allahu-Akbar. Glory be to Allah. Allah is the greatest. Similarly a medical doctor constantly finds the Hand of God in the life and death struggles of his patients; some succumb to minor problems, others survive major ones. Allahu-Akbar!

    Allahu-Akbar is the weapon that gives us the courage to challenge all subjugation, political or intellectual. It makes us turn our attention to the Creator and ignore other creations like ourselves. In the jihads in Afghanistan, Kashmir, or Bosnia, as elsewhere, the power of this weapon has been felt by people on both sides of the conflict. In every conflict the shouts of Allahu-Akbar instilled fear in the hearts of the oppressors. It boasted the morale of the mujahideen with new levels of hope and courage. And that is the way it should be. Because Allah is the Greatest.

Good Muslim, Good Human Being

at Iman (faith) has seventy-seven branches. The highest one is the declaration that there is no God except Allah and the lowest one is the removal of harmful objects from the path. This is consideration. And obviously, there is no trace of Iman below this.

We see this consideration for others throughout the life of the Prophet Muhammad Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Of course, such an attitude shows itself in "minor" details. For example, whenever the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam visited a group were some people were asleep and others were not, he would greet them with a low enough voice so those awake could hear him while those asleep would not be disturbed. Every night when he used to get up for Tahajjud (midnight prayer)---a voluntary prayer for the rest of us---he would walk out of the bed very quietly so as not to disturb his sleeping wife.

Whenever he saw someone commit a wrong that needed to be corrected in public for the education of others, he would mention it in general terms, not naming the person who did it. This last practice also shows the two extremes in this regard that must be avoided. On the one hand is the temptation to compromise on the issue of right and wrong to avoid hurt feelings. On the other is the temptation to correct the wrong with total disregard to the fact that one might be insulting or injuring the other person. While we may see these extreme attitudes in people who seem to be poles apart in terms of their practice of religion, both stem from the same narrow vision of religion that holds our dealings with others as worldly affairs, outside the realm of Islam!

It is good to remember that Islam is a way of life. We must submit our whole life, not a small subset of our choosing, to the commands and teachings of Allah and His Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Our commitment to Islam must not only be life-long but also life-wide.

H I J A B: MUSLIM WOMEN'S HEAD COVERING

The Quran, the Muslim's holy scripture, clearly enjoins Muslim men and women to dress and behave modestly. Muslim women are specifically instructed to cover their heads when in the presence of non-mahrem (potentially marriageable) men:

    . Surah Al-Nur (the Light) (24:31) in the Quran states: "They (the believing women) should draw their head coverings over their bosoms...". . Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59) states: "O Prophet [PBUH] Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should put on their outer garments; that is most convenient in order that THEY MAY BE RECOGNIZED (as Muslims) and not be molested."

[MY COMMENT: This is an effective rebuttal to the argument some Muslim women have against wearing Hijab, that by wearing it they will be recognized and will be attacked. Allah clearly wants Muslims to be recognized in whatever community they live in. Their lives lived as Muslims will get other people interested in them and that will be a way of spreading the message of Islam. People will approach them and ask them why they dress like that, why they are different. Their curiousity will automatically draw them towards Islam. Allah is the most supreme starategist of the universe. He blessed us with the message of Islam (Islam means peace and security and told us strategies to spread the message which only benefits us and not Allah. Allah is beyond all needs.

Allah says in Quran that if the whole world gets united against a Muslim and want to harm him, they won't except if Allah wills, and if the whole world unites to benefit a Muslim, it won't except for Allah's will. Therefore security comes from Allah. Allah is the protector of believers. One should NEVER FEAR ANYONE BUT ALLAH and then all of his/her fears will be erased from the heart. Those who bow before Allah, bow to no one in the world - no one. As great poet of the east Dr. Allama Iqbal said (in Urdu) :

    yeh Aik sijda jesay tu garaaN samajhta hai hazar sijdooN say daita hai aadmi ko nijat Translation: This one bow (to Allah) which is so hard for you,is the bow that saves you from thousands of other bows.

END OF MY COMMENT]

Both of the above Quranic references instruct the Muslim woman to cover herself with a large, loose overcoat (jilbab) and full head covering (khimar) so that no provocative part of her body will be visible. Her modest appearance would MAKE IT CLEAR TO EVERYONE THAT SHE IS A CHASTE, BELIEVING WOMAN, and no one is to molest her or sexually exploit her [My Comment: This is an effective solution to the problem of sexual harassment because a Muslim woman's modest appearance is a social statement that she is not to be messed with!!].
THE BENEFITS OF HIJAB (COVERING) FOR WOMEN

. For Muslim women, COVERING THE HEAD IS NOT THE SIGN OF DEGRADATION or oppression. It is a commandment from Allah, who is not male or female, and thus, would not discriminate against women, a segment of His creation.

. Rather, HEAD-COVERING IS A SIGN OF PURITY AND DIGNITY. It highlights the Muslim woman as a pure, chaste woman and sets her apart from the immoral behavior associated with women who dress immodestly.

. The HIJAB IS A SORT OF "SCREEN" BETWEEN THE CHASTE MUSLIM WOMAN AND THE EVIL THAT EXISTS IN THE WORLD. When a woman wears a hijab she is less likely to be harassed by men with lusty motives; SHE IS LESS LIKELY TO BE EXPLOITED FOR HER BEAUTY AND FEMINITY.

. The Hijab allows a woman to move about outside the confines of her home WITH HER ATTENTION ON THE TASKS SHE HAS SET OUT TO DO. The Muslim woman does not try to impress anyone but Allah when outside of her home. She is not concerned if men find her attractive, or if people are impressed because she has the latest fashions, or the newest hairstyle. She leaves her home as a SELF-CONFIDENT PART OF HUMAN RACE, not as a fashion-plate seeking stares and adoration in order to gain self-esteem.

. The hijab cuts down on competition among women. How many people in the West sacrifice financial savings and health in order to have plastic surgery - in a desperate attempt to meet up to an unrealistic standard of beauty. IN ISLAM, WOMEN ARE APPRECIATED FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE, PIETY AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY. When women wear hijab one finds that the most beautiful women are not necessarily the most popular. Rather, a woman is assessed for her mind, and not just superficial physical traits.

What are the advantages of wearing hijab?

There are many advantages, even cosmetically!
I 'll tell u only. what i feel as:
1- Bad guys usually don't try to tease u.
2- You can protect yourself from unnecessary attention from
males, esp, when going for shopping or in crowdy areas.
3- As we know that our whole body plus face and hair are covered so we don't spend too much time on them before going somewhere........more time saved :-)
4- People generally respect women wid hijab and try to help them whenever they ask ( i noticed it in my college, where boys usually tease the girls who are not in Hijab or don't cover them properly, while they show extra respect towards those who wear hijab and try to help them.......just my experience).
5- Cosmetically, hijab protects our skin and hair from side effects of sun exposure......so better skin, better hair, no need to spend extra money on sun blocks and hair conditioners :-)
6- As you wear hijab so you have to dress modestly and if you cover yourself wid abaya or gown, then less money and time spent on designing and buying of your clothes....money saved :-)
7- Some times we just keep ourself from doing something wrong (despite the strong urge to do) just because it will not match our appearance.......our Iman strengthens as people expect us to be more religious than normal girls who don't wear hijab, so it causes stimulus to keep us on right track.
8- Non- muslims will know our religion and faith, even without being introduced......so it spread message of Islam. While u can't differentiate b/w non-muslims that from what religion they belong.
9- Girls will become less conscious of there appearance and physique in co-gatherings., so it also promotes confidence in personality.

Well you may laugh on some of advantages what i feel, but yeah you can't deny it. So what i want to convey is that Hijab not only strengthen our faith but it is also very usefull in other things also, so promote Hijab.......there are not any disadvantages of it, and lots of lots of advantages, religious as well as cosmetic :-)

HIJAB; the Reasons and the Advantages

Allah SWT has commanded us with every action that is good for us and prohibited us from performing every action that is bad for us. Allah SWT orders the Muslim woman to wear the Hijab when she steps out of the security of her home or when in the presence of strange men. So to wear the Hijab is a source of great good for you – the Muslim woman - for many reasons. Among them:


   1. You please Allah. You are obeying the commands of your Lord when you wear the Hijab and you can expect great rewards in return.
   2. It is Allah’s protection of your natural beauty. You are too precious to be "on display" for each man to see.
   3. It is Allah’s preservation of your chastity.
   4. Allah purifies your heart and mind through the Hijab.
   5. Allah beautifies your inner and outer countenance with Hijab. Outwardly your Hijab reflects innocence, purity, modesty, shyness, serenity, contentment and obedience to your Lord. Inwardly you cultivate the same.
   6. Allah defines your femininity through the Hijab. You are a woman who respects her womanhood. Allah wants you to be respected by others, and for you to respect yourself.
   7. Allah raises your dignity through the Hijab. When a strange man looks at you, he respects you because he sees that you respect yourself.
   8. Allah protects your honour 100% through your Hijab. Men do not gaze at you in a sensual way, they do not approach you in a sensual way, and neither do they speak to you in a sensual way. Rather, a man holds you in high esteem and that is just by one glance at you!
   9. Allah gives you nobility through the Hijab. You are noble not degraded because you are covered not naked.
  10. Allah demonstrates your equality as a Muslim woman through the Hijab. Your Lord bestows upon you equal worth as your male counterpart, and gives you a host of beautiful rights and liberties. You express your acceptance of these unique rights by putting on the Hijab.
  11. Allah defines your role as a Muslim woman through the Hijab. You are a someone with important duties. You are a reflection of a woman of action not idle pursuits. You display your sense of direction and purpose through your Hijab. You are someone that people take seriously.
  12. Allah expresses your independence through the Hijab. You are stating clearly that you are an obedient servant of the Greatest Master. You will obey no one else and follow no other way. You are not a slave to any man, nor a slave to any nation. You are free and independent from all man-made systems.
  13. Allah gives you the freedom of movement and expression through the Hijab. You are able to move about and communicate without fear of harassment. Your Hijab gives you a unique confidence.
  14. Allah wants others to treat you – a Muslim woman - with kindness. And the Hijab brings about the best treatment of men towards you.
  15. Allah wants your beauty to be preserved and saved for just one man to enjoy – your husband.
  16. Allah helps you to enjoy a successful marriage through wearing Hijab. Because you reserve your beauty for one man alone, your husband’s love for you increases, he cherishes you more, he respects you more and he honours you more. So your Hijab contributes to a successful and lasting marriage relationship.
  17. Allah brings about peace and stability in the society through the Hijab! Yes this is true! Men do not cause corruption by forming illegal relationships because you - the Muslim woman - calm their passions. When a man looks at you, he feels at ease, not tempted to fornicate…

So a Muslim woman in Hijab is dignified, not dishonoured, noble, not degraded, liberated, not subjugated, purified, not sullied, independent, not a slave, protected, not exposed, respected, not laughed at, confident, not insecure, obedient, not a sinner, a guarded pearl, not a prostitute…

Dear Muslim sister! Come towards the gates of Paradise with us! Fulfil your duties towards Allah SWT, put on your adornment - put on your Hijab and race towards Jannah (Paradise) by doing all good actions. You should agree by now that wearing Hijab is extremely beneficial – it must be - because Allah only commands what is good… and believe me dear sister, it is good to obey the commands of your Lord…

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Short History of Hajj

Hajj literally means 'to set out for a place'. Islamically however it refers to the annual pilgrimage that Muslims make to Makkah with the intention of performing certain religious rites in accordance with the method prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad .

Hajj and its rites were first ordained by Allah in the time of the Prophet lbrahim [Abraham] and he was the one who was entrusted by Allah to build the Kaba - the House of Allah - along with his son Ismail [Ishmael] at Makkah. Allah described the Kaba and its building as follows:

"And remember when We showed Ibrahim the site of the [Sacred] House [saying]: Associate not anything [in worship with Me and purify My House for those who circumambulate it [i.e. perform tawaaf] and those who stand up for prayer and those who bow down and make prostration [in prayer etc.]."
[Surah Al-Hajj 22:26]

After building the Kaba, Prophet Ibrahim would come to Makkah to perform Hajj every year, and after his death, this practice was continued by his son. However, gradually with the passage of time, both the form and the goal of the Hajj rites were changed. As idolatry spread throughout Arabia, the Kaba lost its purity and idols were placed inside it. Its walls became covered with poems and paintings, including one of Jesus and his mother Maryam and eventually over 360 idols came to be placed around the Kaba.
During the Hajj period itself, the atmosphere around the sacred precincts of the Kaba was like a circus. Men and women would go round the Kaba naked, arguing that they should present themselves before Allah in the same condition they were born. Their prayer became devoid of all sincere remembrance of Allah and was instead reduced to a series of hand clapping, whistling and the blowing of horns. Even the talbiah [1] was distorted by them with the following additions: 'No one is Your partner except one who is permitted by you. You are his Master and the Master of what he possesses'.
Sacrifices were also made in the name of God. However, the blood of the sacrificed animals was poured onto the walls of the Kaba and the flesh was hung from pillars around the Kaba, in the belief that Allah demanded the flesh and blood of these animals.
Singing, drinking, adultery and other acts of immorality was rife amongst the pilgrims and the poetry competitions, which were held, were a major part of the whole Hajj event. In these competitions, poets would praise the bravery and splendor of their own tribesmen and tell exaggerated tales of the cowardice and miserliness of other tribes. Competitions in generosity were also staged where the chief of each tribe would set up huge cauldrons and feed the pilgrims, only so that they could become well-known for their extreme generosity.
Thus the people had totally abandoned the teachings of their forefather and leader Prophet Ibrahim. The House that he had made pure for the worship of Allah alone, had been totally desecrated by the pagans and the rites which he had established were completely distorted by them. This sad state of affairs continued for nearly two and a half thousand years. But then after this long period, the time came for the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim to be answered:

"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them your aayaat (verses) and instruct them in the book and the Wisdom and sanctify them. Verily you are the 'Azeezul-Hakeem [the All-Mighty, the All-Wise]."
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2:129]

Sure enough, a man by the name of Muhammad ibn 'Abdullaah was born in the very city that Prophet Ibrahim had made this supplication centuries earlier. For twenty-three years, Prophet Muhammad spread the message of Tawheed [true monotheism] - the same message that Prophet Ibrahim and all the other Prophets came with - and established the law of Allah upon the land. He expended every effort into making the word of Allah supreme and his victory over falsehood culminated in the smashing of the idols inside the Kaba which once again became the universal center for the worshippers of the one True God.
Not only did the Prophet rid the Kaba of all its impurities, but he also reinstated all the rites of Hajj which were established by Allah's Permission, in the time of Prophet Ibrahim. Specific injunctions in the Quran were revealed in order to eliminate all the false rites which had become rampant in the pre-Islamic period. All indecent and shameful acts were strictly banned in Allah's statement:
"There is to be no lewdness nor wrangles during Hajj."

 [Surah al-Baqarah 2:197]
Competitions among poets in the exaltations of their forefathers and their tribesmen's achievements were all stopped. Instead, Allah told them:

"And when you have completed your rites [of Hajj] then remember Allah as you remember your forefathers; nay with a more vigorous remembrance."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:200]

Competitions in generosity were also prohibited. Of course, the feeding of the poor pilgrims was still encouraged as this was done during the time of Prophet Ibrahim but Allah commanded that the slaughtering of the animals which was done for this purpose should be done seeking the pleasure of Allah rather than fame and the praise of the people. He said:

"So mention the name of Allah over these animals when they are drawn up in lines. Then, when they are drawn on their sides [after the slaughter], eat thereof and feed the beggar who does not ask, and the beggar who asks."
[Surah al-Hajj 22:36]

As for the deplorable practice of spattering blood of the sacrificed animals on the walls of the Kaba and hanging their flesh on alters, then Allah clearly informed them that:

"It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is Taqwaa (piety) from you that reaches Him."
[Surah al-Hajj 22:37]

The Prophet also put a stop to the practice of circling the Kaba in a state of nudity and the argument that the pagans put forward to justify this ritual was sharply rebutted in Allah's question:

"Say: Who has forbidden the adornment [i.e. clothes] given by Allah which He has produced for His Slaves?"
[Surah al-A'raaf 7:32]

Another custom which was prohibited through the Quran was that of setting off for Hajj without taking any provisions for the journey. In the pre-Islamic period, some people who claimed to be mutawakkiloon (those having complete trust in Allah) would travel to perform Hajj begging for food through the whole journey. They considered this form of behavior a sign of piety and an indication of how much faith they had in Allah. However Allah told mankind that to have sufficient provisions for the journey was one of the preconditions for making Hajj. He said:

"And take a provision [with you] for the journey, but the best provision is at-Taqwaa (piety)."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:197]

In this way, all the pre-Islamic practices, which were based on ignorance, were abolished and Hajj was once more made a model of piety, fear of Allah, purity, simplicity and austerity. Now, when the pilgrims reach the Kaba, they no longer find the carnivals and the frolic and frivolity that had once occupied the minds of the pilgrims there before. Now, there is the remembrance of Allah at every step and every action and every sacrifice was devoted to Him alone. It was this kind of Hajj that was worthy of the reward of paradise, as the Prophet said: "The reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing less than paradise."
May Allah grant us all the ability to visit His House and perform the Hajj in the manner of the Prophet Muhammad . Aameen.

Sayings of Imam Hussain

1 - How can a thing the existence of which is dependent on you be taken as a proof for your existence? Is there anything more evident than your "self" disclose you? Are you hidden to need a guide to find you? Surely you are not. Are you far-away to need your footprints to find you? Surely you are not! Blind may the eyes be which do not see you watching and guarding your "self" (Arafa prayer; Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 98 , P. 226)

2 - He who has you , has everything , and he who has deprived himself of you is the poorest in the world. Loser is the one who chooses and be content with anyone or anything other than you. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 98 , P. 228)

3 - Never will be salvaged the people who win the consent of the creature at the cost of the dissatisfaction of the creator. (Maktal Khawarazmi , Vol. 1 , P. 239)

4 - No one will feel secured on the Resurrection Day except those who feared God in this world. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 192)

5 - The Almighty God said : "The believing men and the believing women , they are guardians of each other , enjoin good and forbid evil... "God attaches primary importance to enjoining good and forbidding evil " as a duty for men and women. For he knows that if it were fulfilled all the other duties , easy or hard , will be accomplished. That is because "enjoining good and forbidding evil" is a call for Islam , it regains the rights of the oppressed and opposes tyrants. (Tohaf-al- Uqoul , P. 237)

6 - O' people , the Messenger of God said : Whoever sees an aggressive tyrant legalizes the forbiddens of God , breeches divine laws , opposes the tradition of the Prophet , oppresses the worshippers of God , but does not concede his opposition to God in word or in deed , surely Allah will place that tyrant ( in the Hell ) where he deserves. (Maktal Khawarazmi , Vol. 1 , P. 234)

7 - People are slaves to the world , and as long as they live favorable and comfortable lives , they are loyal to religious principles. However , at hard times , the times of trials , true religious people are scarce. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 117)

8 - One who pursues a goal through sinful ways , will ironically distance himself from that goal , and will approach what he was afraid of. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 120)

9 - Don't you see that the right is not conveyed and the wrong is not prohibited. Let believers wish to die and righteously meet their God. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 117)

10 - To me , death is nothing but happiness, and living under tyrants nothing but living in a hell. (Tohaf-al- Uqoul , P. 245)

11 - Your difficulties are worse than others , because you were deprived of the rank of the scholars - considering your legitimacy and merit -(These difficulties are) because administering the affairs of the society and conveying the ( religious ) rules must be done by scholars who truly believe in God and know what is permitted and what is forbidden by God. But you were deprived from this position and rank for you withdrew from (supporting) the truth. You changed the tradition of the prophet ,despite the clear and disclosed proofs. If you had withstood and were patient against the torture and annoyance ( of the tyrants ) for the sake of God , then the divine affairs would have stayed in your hands , and you were the ones to whom would be referred. But you made the tyrants dominant on you and left the divine affairs in their hands, while they shamelessly do the forbidden and notoriously live a licentious life. Your (fear) from death and attachment to this world have encouraged the tyrants to establish dominance over you. (Tohaf-al- Uqoul , P. 238)

12 - O' God! Surely you know that whatever we did was not a competition to gain worldly positions and not for the worthless physical attractions of the world. But to show the signs of religious ways and to remove corruption from your lands , so that the oppressed feel secured and act according to your traditions and rules. (Tohaf-al- Uqoul, P. 239)

13 - I never revolted in vain, as a rebel or as a tyrant, but I rose seeking reformation for the nation of my grandfather Mohammad. I intend to enjoin good and forbid evil, to act according to the traditions of my grandfather, and my father Ali Ibn Abi-Talib. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 329)

14 - If the world is counted valuable; surely the house of God's rewards is higher and more worthy. If bodies were created for death; surely being killed with swords in the way of God is a more honorable death. If the share of daily sustenance, of each creature is provided by the creator, surely it is not decent for man to be greedy for gaining and eating too much. If wealth is amassed for one day to be left. Then why a free man becomes so miser on something he has to leave. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 374)

15 - If you don't believe in any religion and don't fear the Resurrection Day, at least be free in this world. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 45, P. 51)

16 - Those who worship God for the hope of gaining , they're not real worshippers ,they're merchants. Those who worship God out of fear ( of punishment ) , they're slaves. And those who worship God to be grateful towards their creator , they are the free people , and their worship is a real one. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 117)

17 - Beware that the need of people to you is among the blessings of God to you. So do not scare away the needy people when they come to you, as the God’s blessings will return and go elsewhere. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 121)

18 - O' people take a lesson from the advice that God gave to His true believers, among which reproaching the Jewish scholars where he said:" Why do Jewish scholars not prohibit their people from saying sinful words? "And also (the Almighty) said:" Those who turned into atheists, from among the descendants of Israel, were cursed”... his Almighty added:" certainly evil was that which they did. "Surely the God criticized them for they turned a blind eye to what they saw of evil and corruption from the tyrants of their time out of greed or fear. The Almighty God says: " Do not fear people, rather, fear me! “The Almighty said: “The believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil.” (Tohaf-al- Uqoul , P. 237)

19 - Whoever seeks the satisfaction of people through disobedience of God; Then God subjects him to people. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 126)

20 - Avoid oppressing the one who does not have any supporter against you, other than the Almighty God. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 118)

21 - One who reveals your faults to you like a mirror is your true friend, and one who flatters you and covers up your faults is your enemy. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 128)

22 - Wisdom will not be complete except by following the truth. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 127)

23 - Associating with corrupt people makes you subject to suspicion. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 122)

24 - Crying out of fear from God is salvation from the hellfire. (Mustadrak al- Wasael, Vol. 11, P. 245)

25 - A man came to Imam Hussain (Master of the martyrs) and said: I am a sinful man and can't avoid doing sin, please advise me. Imam (as) said: If you can do these five things, then commit sin as much you like. First of all: don’t eat the sustenance of God and commit sin as much you like. Second: go beyond the domain of God and commit sin as much you like. Third: seek a site where God can not observe you and commit sin as much you like. Fourth :if the Angel of death comes to you to take away your soul, expel him away from yourself and commit sin as much you like. Fifth: If the Angel of Hell was about to throw you into the hell-fire, stop him and commit sin as much you like. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 126)

26 - Avoid doing what makes you obliged to apologize for it. True believers never do anything for which they have to apologize. Fake believers , on the contrary , keep doing wrong and say they are sorry in the aftermath. (Tohaf-al- Uqoul , P. 248)

27 - Hastiness is foolishness. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 122)

28 - Do not permit anybody (to come in) before saying Salam (greetings). (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 117)

29 - Among the signs of ignorance is arguing with irrational people. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 119)

30 - Among the signs of a learned man is criticising his own words and being informed of various viewpoints. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 119)

31 - Imam Hussain (as) was asked: O 'the son of the prophet how is life going on? Imam replied: Life is going on , in such a way that I have a God over me, the hell-fire in front of me , death is looking for me, there is no escape of the Day of Judgement, I am taken as a hostage by my own deeds, things do not turn out to be the way I like , I cannot repel what I hate, the affairs are in someone else's hands. He tortures me if he likes and he forgives if he wishes. Therefore, is there anybody poorer than me? (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 116)

32 - Whoever becomes generous becomes a noble; and whoever becomes stingy becomes vicious and mean-spirited. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

33 - The most generous person is the one who offers help to those who do not expect him to help. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

34 - Whoever sorts out a problem of a believer, God sorts out his difficulties of this world and the here-after. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122)

35 - If you heard a person discredits the dignity and the honour of people ,then try not to get introduced to him. (Balagatol Hussain ( as ) , P. 284)

36 - Never raise your need except to three ( kinds of people ): to a religious , to a brave man or to a nobleman. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 118)

37 - Seventy rewards are for Salam ( Islamic greeting ) ; sixty nine for the starter and one for the one who replies. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 120)

38 - Act like the one who believes in punishment for sin and reward for good deeds. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 127)

39 - Should poverty , illness , and death not exist , man would not bow to anything. (Nozhatol Nadher wa Tanbeehel Al - Khatir , P. 80)

40 - You deserve the Paradise , don't sell yourself for anything less. Whoever is content to the worldly pleasures , has sufficed to something base and low. (Balagatol Hussain ( as ) , P. 308)

41 - Being thankful for a grace of God makes God reward you with another grace. (Nozhatol Nadher wa Tanbeehel Khatir , P. 80)

42 - Never trust anybody but those who fear God. (Balagatol Hussain ( as ) , P. 292)

43 - Imam (as) was asked: What causes noble & eminent personality. He replied : " controlling your tongue and doing good deeds. (Balagatol Hussain ( as ) , P. 332)

44 - O' people do compete in good deeds and haste in grabbing the good chances. By delaying good deeds , you reduce their value. By gaining victory win the respect and praise of others , and do not let others blame you for being lazy. If one does a favour to another but he does not thank him for it , be sure that God will reward him instead , and surely God's reward is greater and more generous. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

45 - Beware that the need of people for you is among the graces of God, so do not neglect the needy as the graces will turn into difficulties. Do know Good deeds bring you people's respect and praise and God's rewards. If you could personify and visualise good deeds as a human being you would see him as kind and good looking , whose sight is pleasant for everyone to see. And if you could picture evil acts , you would see him ugly and disgusting , hearts detesting him , and eyes closing to his sight. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

46 - The most merciful person is the one who forgives when he is able to revenge. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

47 - Your best relation is the one who comes to you and helps you when you have severed relations with him. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

48 - Whoever sorts out the difficulty of a believer God will sort out his difficulties in this world and in the hereafter. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122)

49 - Tolerance is man's ornament , keeping promises is a sign of nobility , and bonding with others is a grace. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122)

50 - Arrogance is a sign of selfishness rashness is a sign of foolishness and foolishness is a sign of weakness and exaggeration causes destruction. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122)

51 - Thinking of war is spine-chilling and its taste is extremely unpleasant. A true warrior is one who steps into the scene of war, fully armed, with no fear of the enemy. Whoever starts fighting at an inappropriate time , or when he is not fully equipped and prepared , or without having made plans about it , he will not be helpful for his people and he will die in vain. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 32 , P. 405)

52 - I advise you to keep piety and chastity and warn you of the days of Resurrection and death , and hoist you his ( threatening ) flags : Imagine death with its terrible frightening looks , its unwanted arrival, and its bitter taste has clawn at your soul and has made an obstacle between you and your deeds. Still you care more about your body ( rather than soul ). I can see the calamity of death grabs you suddenly and drags you from the surface of the earth to its depth and from the heights of the earth to its lower places and from the joy and familiarity of the earth to the horror of the grave , from the prosperity and illumination of earth to the darkness and pitch blackness of the grave and from the vastness of the earth to the tightness of the grave. It takes you to that prison to which your nearest relative is not allowed to visit you , to a place where patients have no right to be visited , to a place where there is no response to any cry or scream. May the Almighty God save us from the difficulties and problems of this day and salvage both we and you from the punishment of that day , and makes us deserving his great rewards. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol.78 , P.120)

53 - I advise you to keep the divine piety. Surely the God has ensured for the one who keeps his piety to transfer him from what he dislikes to what he likes ;and provides him with sustenance form an unexpected way. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

54 - Beware not to be among those who fear that people might face punishment for their sins but they feel secured from their own sins. Surely the glorious God can not be cheated and no reward can be achieved from him except by his obedience ; God willing. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 121)

55 - O' the son of Adam ! Think for a while and ask yourself : Where are the kings and emperors of the world ? Where are those who re-built the ruins , dug ditches and wells , planted trees and set up habitable towns ? Where are those who gathered wealth ? They had to part with their wealth and properties and leave them to other reluctantly. We, too, will have the same fate. (Ershadol Kuloob , Vol. 1 , P. 29)

56 - O' the son of Adam! lmagine your death bed , your grave , imagine the Day of Judgement when all parts of your body will testify against you ; the day when knees will tremble , hearts will be squeezed inside tight chests ;the day secrets will be disclosed , people will be unmasked , some will come out victorious and dignified and some will be disgraced , and the divine justice will gauge people's deeds. (Ershadol Kuloob , Vol. 1 , P. 29)

57 - O' the son of Adam! Remember the death of your fathers and your children ,where they were , and to where they went. I can foresee that you , too ,will join them very soon and provide a lesson for others. (Ershadol Kuloob , Vol. 1 , P. 29)

58 - We are the victorious party of God , we are the household of the Messenger of God and the relatives of him. We are the dignified and chaste family of the prophet , we are one of the two great weights of which the prophet of God has appointed us as the second to the book of God ( which is the first of the two weights ).The book in which there are explanations for everything. There is no wrong init. The Holy Koran for which we have been trusted to interpret. We will never be helpless in its interpretation. In our interpretation , we follow the facts of the Holly Quran. O' people do obey us, because obeying us is compulsory for you, and is tantamount to obeying God and his Messenger. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 205)

59 - A person asked Imam Hussain (as): " O' the son of the messenger of God, how can we know God Almighty? " Imam replied : " By knowing and obeying the Imam of your time. "(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 5 , P. 312)

60 - Divine laws and Islamic principles must be carried out only by us Imams , the divine scholars , who have thorough knowledge of the permitted and forbidden things by God. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 97 , P. 80)

61 - O' God! , you know my revolt against the rule of Bani Omayah did not stem from any greed for power, or for taking revenge. I stood against the tyrant of my time to reveal the genuine image of your divine religion , and to make social reforms in order to save the oppressed and pave the way for them to act according to your rules. And you people ! If you don't support us and treat us fairly , tyrants and oppressors will dominate you to blow out divine illumination. Surely God Almighty is our strong supporter , upon whom we rely , from whom we seek help , and towards whom is our return. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 97 , P. 80)

62 - Thanks to God , whatever God wills will happen , there is no power except stemming from Allah ( God ). Death has been written on the son of Adam( human being ) in such a suitable way like the elegance of a necklace around the neck of a young girl. I am so eager to meet my ancestors like the enthusiasm of Jacob to see Joseph. The divine fate has destined for me a place of killing to which I have to go. As if ( I can see ) my body parts and members are torn by the hungry wolves of a district between Nawawis and Karbala to quench there thirst and hanger by killing me. There is no escape from such a divine fate. We , the household of the Prophet , are subservient to whatever God has destined us. We will be patient on this calamity which he has planned for us. Of course his Almighty will give us the reward of the patients. We are ( as ) the body parts of the Prophet and his body parts will not separate from him. We will be surrounding the Prophet in the Paradise. By our departure from this world the Prophet will be delighted. The promises that have been given to us will be fulfilled. Now , whoever among us is ready for martyrdom and has prepared himself for death and is fond of meeting God , will move with us. We will set out tomorrow ; God willing. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 366)

63 - O' people do know that this world is a mortal/house. (Nasikh At'tareekh , Vol. 6 , Part. 2 , P. 243)

64 - I do not know companions more loyal and better than my companions ,neither do I know a household more honourable and passionate than my household. May the Almighty rewards you for the favors you have done me. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 392)

65 - The Almighty God elevates His worshippers for their patience in enduring difficulties. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 45 , P. 90)

66 - Know that Surely the world's sweetness and bitterness are all ( nothing but )dreams. Awareness is solely in the hereafter. The winner is the one who wins the other world and the wretched is the one who becomes wretched in it ( the hereafter ). (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 45 , P. 91)

67 - Praise to God who created the world and made it a mortal, unstable and uncertain house the residents of which keep changing and under going ups and downs , wretched and miserable are those who are deceived by the fleeting and transient pleasures and attractions of this world. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 45 , P. 5)

68 - No way ! By God I will never surrender to them like a humiliated person and never pledge allegiance to them like slaves." I seek refuge to my God from you stoning me to death ". " I seek refuge to my God and your God from any arrogant who does not believe in the day of Resurrection ". (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 45 , P. 7)

69 - Be patient O ' the son of the nobles. Death is only a bridge which takes you from misery and loss to the vast Paradise and the eternal graces. Then , is there anyone among you who dislikes to be transferred from a prison to a palace? For your enemies death is the opposite , it is like being transferred from a palace to a prison to be tortured. As my father quoted the Prophet assaying : " Surely, this world is a prison for the believer and a Paradise for the infidel." Death is a bridge to take some to their Paradise and some to their hell. I have never told lies and never was told lies. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 297)

70 - Yazid , the natural son of an illegitimate has placed me in a dilemma , drawing my sword and fighting or being humiliated by allegiance to him. But it is impossible for us to be humiliated , God , his messenger , the believers, my respectable family would not prefer obedience to mean people. To dying with glory. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 45 , P. 83)

71 - Those who seek to win God's favor and satisfaction, no matter if it evokes people's wrath , God will make them dispense with people. But those who win contentment of people at the cost of enraging God , the Almighty will make them dependent upon people. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 126)

72 - Best of wealth is that with which one protects his fame and dignity. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 195)

73 - Swear by God , I did not rise against the tyrannical rule of Bani Omayah out of selfishness or with the aim of oppression or corruption. My revolt only aimed at reviving the religion of my grandfather , the holy Mohammad and the traditions of my father Ali ibn-Abi Talib , to enjoy good and forbid evil. So, whoever accepts me by accepting the truth , surely God rewards him for supporting the truth. And whoever rejects me , I will be patient until God judges between me and these people justly. Surely , His Almighty is the Best Judge of the judges. (Bihar al- Anwar Vol. 44 ", P 329)

74 - ( Since the world is mortal,) imagine as if there has been no world from the beginning ; and ( since the here after is eternal ) as if it has ever been existing. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 45 , P. 87)

75 - Swearing by my own soul : Imam can be nobody except the one who rules according to Koran , rises for justice, affiliates to the true religion and contains himself to all that for the sake of God. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 334)

76 - Those who worship God sincerely will be rewarded far more than what they had wished and even more than what they deserve. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 71 , P. 184)

77 - Association with the wicked people is evilness , and association with the corrupted people brings doubts to oneself. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 122)

78 - Imam Hussain(as) said : " whoever comes to us will find at least one of these four : he will hear sound reasoning , will see fair judgement , will face a helpful brother , and will enjoy the company of learned men."(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 195)

79 - Imam Hussain (as) said to a man who was backbiting someone in Imam's presence : " Stop this evil act , for your backbiting will be the food of dogs in the hell." (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 117)

80 - Sometimes God Almighty showers a man with grace and favor , instead depriving him of the blessing of being grateful , this is how God tests his mortals. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 117)

81 - "Those stingy people who economize on even greeting are real misers." (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 120)

82 - Addressing his son Ali, Imam Hussain said : " O ' my son be afraid of oppressing the one who has no defender except God. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 118)

83 - A man from the Ansaar group came to Imam. He had a request. Imam told him to write his request if he was too shy to say it. The man wrote :" I owe someone 500 dinars and he is pressuring me for returning it. Please talk to him and ask him to give me more time. " When Imam read the request , he bestowed the man a purse. The purse contained 1000 dinars. He said , " 500 to pay your debts , and the rest for improving your living conditions. "Then Imam said , " Avoid asking for help from anyone but three types of people : the religions , the generous , and the noble ;The religions for their fear of God , the generous for their charitability ,and the noble for their dignity, will not let you down. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 118)

84 - Among the signs of having won the approval & acceptance of God Almighty is keeping the company of the learned. Among the signs of ignorance is fighting with true believers. And among the signs of a learned person is his thinking before saying, and his being well informed of the scientific facts of his day. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 119)

85 - Avoid doing what you might later be asked to apologise for it! Because the believer does not harm and does not ask for apology , while the hypocrite always harms and apologizes. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 120)

86 - When a poor man begs for your help , his pride is hurt. Then you don’t deal another blow to his pride by letting him down. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 197)

87 - Imam(as) said : "Whoever likes us for the sake of God , we will join the Prophet(pbuh) together like these two ( and stuck two of his fingers together ). And whoever likes us for this world he will be rewarded only in this world which contains both good and evil people." (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 27 , P. 84)

88 - When you are frustrated and do not know a way out , only flexibility and moderation towards difficulties will save you. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 128)

89 - Shifter are the orphans of Mohammad's household. Whoever takes an orphan of ours under his protection and guides him , the Almighty God Will tell him , O My generous mortal , you deserve my grace. Then he will order his angels to give him one thousand palace , for each word he how taught. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 2 , P. 4)

90 - If it were not the realization of the Moslem brothers' rights , for whatever evil you did ; you would have been punished. But the glorified God says :" Whatever affliction befalls you , it is on account , of what your hands have wrought , and (yet) He pardons most (of your faults)". (Bihar al- Anwar Vol. 75 , P. 415)

91 - A man told Imam Hussain: O' the son of the Prophet! I am your Shi’a (follower)! Imam replied: "Fear God and don't claim this, otherwise God will tell you : You are a liar in what you claimed. Surely our Shi’as ( followers ) are those whose hearts are pure and free from insincerity and treason , you had better say you are an admirer and friend". (Bihar al- Anwar Vol. 68 , P. 156)

92 - Brothers are of four kinds : A brother who cares both about you and about himself , a brother who is only concerned about you , a brother who is only after harming you , and a brother who benefits neither you nor himself. When asked to clarify this , Imam said , " A brother , who cares about you and himself , is beneficial for both you and himself. such a brother maintains friendship with you , as in a perfect friendship , the two friends live together happily , but in a deficient one relations sour soon. The brother who is only concerned about you, he does not seek any material gains in his friendship with you. Rather , he will make every effort to help , and that is true friendship. The brother who constantly seeks to harm you : such a brother is in fact an enemy disguised and masked. He looks for an opportunity to harm you. He cleverly hides his real face from you. He lies about you in your absence , and he is jealous of you. May he suffer eternal damnation : And the brother who benefits neither you nor himself , he is a truly stupid person. Avoid making friends with his type. Such a friend seeks superiority to you and plots to possess whatever you have. (Bihar al- Anwar Vol. 78 , P 119)

93 - Imam Hussain (as) said to one of his followers : Which one is preferred to you? Saving the life of a weak man who is being killed by an oppressor , or saving a poor believer from among our Shi’as , who is being misled by an unbeliever and an enemy to the household of the prophet , through false reasoning and arguing ?Then Imam himself replied : Certainly saving the poor believer , as God Almighty says. " Reviving a misguided man by enlightening him , is tantamount to reviving all the world's people. "(Tafseer Al - Askari or Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 2 , P. 9)

94 - For a king , the worst characteristics are three :fearing enemies , oppressing the weak , and being ungenerous. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 189)

95 - "Avoid embarking on a task that is beyond your tolerance."(Aaian Ashi'a , Vol. 1 , P. 621)

96 - " Do not try for what you cannot win. "(Aaian Ashi'a , Vol. 1 , P. 621)

97 - " Spend as much as you earn , not more. "(Aaian Ashi'a , Vol. 1, P. 621)

98 - "Do not expect to be rewarded more than you deserve." (Aaian Ashi'a , Vol. 1 , P. 621)

99 - Do not be pleased save to what you have got of Allah's obedience. (Aaian Ashi'a , Vol. 1 , P. 621)

100 - Do not assume responsibility for a task , unless you are sure you can handle it competently. (Aaian Ashi'a , Vol. 1 , P. 621)

101 - Do not prescribe a medicine for a king , because if it cures him he will not thank you , and if it worsens his condition, he will blame you. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 127)

102 - Referring to a follower who had refrained from joining a war and then had apologized for it and sought to bring an excuse to justify it , Imam said :Apologizing for a sin committed consciously is worse than the sin itself. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 128)

103 - If you gather wealth but do not use it , you are not the owner of your wealth , rather , you are owned by it. So benefit from your possessions and do not let them benefit from you. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 127)

104 - Whoever accepts your grant , he has helped you with your generosity. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 127)

105 - Telling the truth brings about honor. (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf prees , P. 246 , line 9)


106 - Telling lies , is a sign of weakness. (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf prees , P. 246 , line 9)

107 - " People's secrets are properties held in trust with you." (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf prees , P. 246 , line 9)

108 - "Your neighbours are like your relatives." (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf prees , P. 246 , line 9)

109 - Aiding ( others ) is ( a sign of ) truthfulness. (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf prees , P. 246 , line 9)

110 - " Working grants you experience. "(History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf press , P. 246)

111 - Good manner is ( counted as ) a worship. (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf press , P. 246 , Line 9)

112 - Silence is an ornament ( for man ) (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , P. 246)

113 - Greediness is poverty. (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , P. 246)

114 - Generosity is prosperity. (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , P. 246)

115 - Moderation is wisdom. (History of Yakoobi , Vol. 2 , Najaf press , P. 246 , Line 9)

116 - Once Imam(as) advised Ibn- Abbas :" Do not talk about something which does not concern you , because I fear that you commit a sin , and do not talk in what concerns you unless there is an occasion for it. Very often a speaker is criticized for telling the truth (for it was not on the right occasion.) (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 127)

117 - Do not argue with two types of people : the patient and the stupid; the former will beat you , and the latter will bother you. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 127)

118 - In your friend's absence , speak of him the way that you like him to speak of you in your absence. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 127)

119 - Death with dignity is better than life with humility. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 192)

120 - Continuous experience increases intellect , honour and piety. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 128)

121 - Contentment causes the comfort of body. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 128 , Line 9)

122 - Imam (as) was asked why the Almighty God made it compulsory to fast. He replied. " To make the rich taste hunger and be merciful towards the needy. "(Manakib Aal Abi-Talib by Ibn Shahrashoob , Vol. 4 , P. 68)

123 - Imam Hussain (as) was asked : How great your fear of God is? He said : "Nobody will be safe in the Day of Judgement except those who fear God in this world. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 192)

124 - Imam was asked about Jihad, striving in the way of God, recommended or compulsory ? He said , " Jihad in Islam is of four kinds : two of them on compulsory , one of them is recommended but cannot be performed except with a compulsory one , and one is solely recommended. One of the first two compulsory ones is striving of a man with himself to avoid committing sins which is greatest kind of Jihad. The second compulsory Jihad is fighting infidels. The third kind of Jihad which is recommended but cannot be carried out unless with a compulsory Jihad , is Jihad of the Islamic nation against their enemy which is compulsory on all the Muslim nation. If they live it away ,God's punishment will come , and this is a sort of nation punishment. But this Jihad is recommended for the Imam , leader of the Muslims , alone.
He is to come to the nation , and they together. Go for striving against the enemy. The fourth Jihad which is recommended is when a good tradition is initiated or revived by a person who strives for safeguarding it or improving it. This is among the best deeds , as it is reviving a good tradition. Surely , the Prophet( Peace be Upon Him and his Family ) said , " Whoever establishes a good tradition , he will be rewarded for it , and in addition , he will be rewarded for every other individual who has followed his tradition. (Tohaf-al- Uqoul , P 243)

125 - O' the son of Adam ! Your life comprises of passing days , with each day passing , a part of you goes away for good. "(Ershadol Kuloob by Dailami , P. 40)


126 - The Holy book of the Almighty contains four items : words , implications, esoteric points, and realities. Words for common people , implications for special people , esoteric points for divine leaders, and realities for the prophets ( May peace be upon them all )(Jame-ol Akhbar by Sadook , P. 47)

127 - Those who are reduced to tears after hearing sufferings of my family , their tears will protect them from hell and God will place them up in Paradise. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 44 , P. 279)

128 - Tears of the eyes and fear of the hearts are among graces of the Almighty God. (Mustadrak al- Wasael vol. 11 , P. 245)

129 - Do not try to find fault with others. Instead , when someone makes a small blunder , try to cover up for him and justify his mistake. (Nozhatol - Nodhir wa Tanbihol - Khater , P. 80)

130 - Endure difficulties when you walk on a divine path , and resist the temptation of worldly pleasures. (Nozhatol - Nadher wa Tanbihol - Khater , P. 85)

131 - Aban Ibn Taglib said he once heard the martyred Imam (as) as saying:" Whoever likes us ( the household of the Prophet ) he becomes from us the house hold " ( of the prophet ).He had asked Imam: " From you the household ? " Imam answered," From us the household," and repeated it three times. Then Imam went on to say, "Did you not hear the saying of the prophet Ibraham( in the Holy Koran ) : " And whoever follows me , he is from me? "(Nozhatol Nadhir wa Tanbihol - Khatar , P. 40)

132 - Nothing is more disgraceful for old people than being slaves to their worldly desires. (Kefayatol Athar fi An - nass Ala Al - Aemma Al - Ethnai - Ashar , P. 233)

133 - Nothing is more disgraceful for rulers than treating their subordinates cruelly. (Kefayatol Athar fi Al - Nas Ala Al - Aemma Al - Ethnai Ashar , P. 233)

134 - Nothing is more disgraceful for noble people than telling lies. (Kefayatol Athar fi Al - Nass Ala - Al - Aemma Al - Ethnai Ashar , p. 233)

135 - Nothing is more disgraceful for the learned than greed. (Kefayatol Athar fi Al - Nass Ala Al - Aemma Al - Ethnai Ashar , P.233)

136 - Amir al-Mo'menin ( leader of believers ) asked his son Hussain :" O' son ! what is being honorable " ?He replied : " Benevolence to family members , and bearing their losses. "(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 102)

137 - Imam (as) was once asked : what is affluence ?He said : " Decreasing your wishes , and being satisfied with what is enough for you. "(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 102)


138 - What is poverty ?" Being covetous and hopeless. "(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 102)

139 - What is being low and base ?" Saving yourself but leaving your spouse to grapple with difficulties at hard times. "(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 102)

140 - What is stupidity? " Hostility to one's powerful and efficient commander , or to someone who can harm you or benefit you." (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P.102)

141 - A man told Imam Hussain (as): "I have built a new house. I like you to enter it and pray to God for me. Imam accepted. After entering the house, Imam had a look at it and said,” You have demolished your house and have built a larger and more luxurious house. People on the earth admire you and respect you for that house , while those up in the Heavens despise you. (Mustadrak al- Wasael , Vol. 3 , P. 467)

142 - The Holy Koran has an elegant outward and a profound inward (Jame- ol Akhbar by Sadook , P. 47)

143 - The intelligence of Muawiyah was being discussed when Imam said :" Man's intelligence would not be perfect unless truth is followed". (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 127)

144 - Imam Hussain (as) said : " Our enemy is the enemy of my grandfather Mohammad "(Ihqaqol Haq , Vol , 11 , P. 592)

145 - Habeeb Ibn Madaher narrated that once he asked Imam Hussain : "What were you before the creation of Adam ? ". Imam replied : " We were spiritual lights orbiting the highest Heaven , and teaching the angels praising and glorification. "(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 60, P. 311)

146 - Twelve Mahdis are to be from us. First of them is Amir al-Mo'menin Ali Ibn Abi Talib , and the last is the Imam who rises by justice. Through him, God will revive the earth after its death , and let the real belief overcome other beliefs , in spite of the polytheists' dislike. He has a long occultation ,during which some will abandon their faith , and some will firmly stay in their belief. Then, they will be annoyed and asked : " When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are telling the truth ? " Truly , whoever withstands annoyance and denial of others during the occultation of Mahdi is like the one who fights by sword alongside the Prophet (pbuh ). (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 51, p. 133)

147 - Imam (as) was asked what virtue is. He said : " Holding your tongue, and good deed." Then he was asked what defect is. He said : " Involving yourself in a futile task." (Mustadrak al-Wasael , vol. 9 , P. 24)

The Story of Imam Hussein

Every year on the 10th of Muharam the Shia Muslims all over the world commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The commemoration start from the first day and the peak reached on the 10th day. Today is the first day of Muharam.

Imam Hussein is the grand son of Prophet Mohammad from his daughter Fatima and his cousin and son in law Ali Bin Abi Talib. Prophet Mohammad used to call him and his brother Hassan as his beloved sons. He is the one who chose their names after they born. They grow in the environment of Bano Hashem, the tribe of Mohammad and Ali. Unlike Bano Omaiyah, Bano Hashem rejects corruption, oppression and racial discrimination. Bano Omaiyah considers themselves above the others and the Arabs above the non Arabs. This discrimination reached its peak during the reign of Maawiyah Bin Abo Sofiyan and his son Yazid in Damascus in Syria. One of the major causes for Imam Hussein to reject the leadership of Maawiyah and Yazid is because of their corruption, oppression, slavery and injustice.

It is very difficult to elaborate about the history in details but will try to write very briefly about the main points.

After the death of Prophet Mohammad and before his burial a new era of struggle for power started. Al Insars who were the inhabitants of Madinah gathered in a place called Saqefat Bani Saiedah which is their community meeting place and selected among them Saad Bin Uobadah to be the leader. The Mohajreen who migrated with Prophet Mohammad the tribe of Koriesh heard this. They left the body of the Prophet and want to the same place. The two sides clashed and argued about who should be the leader. The scene was chaotic with threats from both sides. Ali and the family of Prophet haven't attended and have been ignored. Ali was adopted by Mohammad when he was a boy to help his uncle Abi Talib during economical crises. He was the son in law of the Prophet, his cousin, and brother by choice and the first one to embrace Islam after the prophet and his deputy at least according to many Muslims at that time. Ali was poor and he was disliked by the rich aristocrats of Qurishis.  

The meeting resulted in taking allegiance to Abo Baker who was one of the Immigrants to Madenah. Some Muslims rejected and some asked to wait until Ali and the prophet kinsmen finished from his burial but the matter moved forward by some. That was a breakthrough point in the history of division in Islam.
Soon after this many Muslims refused to pay charity to Abo Baker and that was suppressed by force led by Khaled Bin Alwaled who killed the leader of the region Malek Bin Nowerah and married his beautiful wife on the same day!

Ali (the father of Hussein) hasn't submitted his allegiance until the death of Fatima 6 months later. At this time the power established well in the hands of Abo Baker and Omar and have he not doing so he may have been killed. Abo baker and Omar used Ali as a consultant for them. During the reign of Othman who is from Bano Omayiah there were a lot of unrest in Egypt and Iraq and other parts due to the oppressive and unjust behaviours of the local leaders. Othman appointed leaders among his family and some of them are arrogant to the people. The unrest resulted in surrounding Othman house and Ali tried to stop things but was unable so the revolted people killed Othman. This was a major point in the history of Islam. Here the division started to take a different shape.

Now Ali has been selected by the people to lead and he refused initially but the revolted people and others convinced him that they need his leadership now! He accepted but Muawyaih in Damascus who was the cousin of Othman refused that and entered into many wars with Ali. After the death of Ali (killed during prayer in Kuffa mosque), Maawiyah signed agreement with Ali's eldest Son Hassan to stop blood shade and the power will go to Al Hassan after him but Maawiyah killed Al Hassan by putting poison in his honey. He then forced every one to give allegiance to his son Yazid after him. After his death Yazid sent for Madenah to ask the people to recognize him as the leader. He instructed his army if any one refused to give allegiance to be killed and named Al Hussein as one of the most important people to start with.

Yazid was arrogant, oppressive, and unjust man. His messenger to Al Hussein in the governor of Al Madenah HQ asked Al Hussein after summoning him to submit his will to Yazid. Imam Hussein knew if he does so it means the end of the moral aspects in the religion and the acceptance of the slavery dictatorship of Yazid. He refused and asked the messenger to wait for a while. Imam Hussein then decided to leave with his family (wife, children, brothers and some others) to Iraq because he knew Yazid already planned to assassinate him. He took his family because if he leaves them Yazid will take them as captives. The followers of his father and grand father in Iraq have written to him before to go there and provide him with protection. He then made his mind and went from Madenah to Makkah then across the desert towards Kuffa. 

Yazid arranged a huge army of 33,000 men very well equipped and appointed Oubiad Alla Bi Ziad as the governor of Kuffa. Bin Ziad was a known person for his arrogance, un-mercifulness, oppression, and every thing inhuman. He was governor on Basrah. Since his arrival to Kuffa worked in two ways, threat and killing and buying the people with money. He captured the messenger of Imam Hussein and his cousin Muslim Bin Akeel; beating him and throws him from the roof of the palace then crucified him with Hani Bin Urowa his hostess. 

Yazid sent his strongest army while Bin Ziad sent an army to surround Imam Hussein and his family and prevent them from changing their direction until Yazid army arrives. Imam Hussein have just over 100 with him most of them among his family.They forced Imam Hussein and his family (the family of Prophet Mohammad) to retreat to Kerbala. Kerbala is two phrases word; ker means anguish and bala means vexation.

Imam Hussein debated with them that they are themselves send for him to come and tried to convince them that they are in actual fact surrounding the women and children of their Prophet but they refused to let him to go. They said that he has to submit completely his will to Bin Ziad and then Yazid or he will face his fate. He showed them more than 500 letters that they sent but they denied it!
After a long journey through the desert his children were thirsty as well as the women and the men. They prevent him from the Euphrates water. He got a 6 months old baby who was crying aggressively for water and he took him to the army asking for water just for this baby, instead they throw the baby with a dart which strike him on his neck and killed him instantly. Imam Hussein then took the blood of his baby in his hand and throw it to heaven asking God to witness what these people done to a baby belong to the family of their prophet.

On the 10th of Muharam around midday Yazid army attacked Imam Hussein camp. Imam Hussein first advised them saying that we are until now one nation but if the sword happened between us then we became two nations; you are one and we are different. From that time the practical division between Shias and Sunni manifest itself very clearly and widely. Shia means the supporters or followers of, and here it means the supporters of Ali and Ahil Al Biat which means the family of the Prophet Mohammad.

The night before the war Imam Hussein gathered his family and followers and told them that the army want him himself and so he told them you are free to go while it is dark but all of them refused. One of those who fought with him was a Christian young man called John.

In few hours they killed every one and when Imam Hussein remained alone he asked loudly if there is any one protects the family of the messenger of God! They attacked him and then racked him with the feet of their horses when he tumbled. They then cut his head and the heads of his brothers and followers and raise them on spears.
After this they attacked the women and put the tents in fire. The children escaped in all directions and the women tried to protect them. They beaten the children and women by the whips and ripped off their belonging. Then they took them as captives!!! Children and women!! Among them was Zainab the sister of Imam Hussein who witnessed the massacre of her sons, brothers, nephews and other relatives in the bloodiest way of barbaric killing. 

Bin Ziad looked to the head of Imam Hussein and start to strike his mouth with a cane, feeling the joy and happiness filling his sadistic inhuman personality. He then turned to humiliate the women of the family of Prophet Mohammad. Zainab then delivered a strong speech describing the magnitude of their crime. Bin Ziad ordered his guards to kill Ali the son of Hussein who was a young boy and haven't joined the battle because he was ill. Zainab throw her self over the boy and said if you want to kill him you have to kill me first before him. Bin Ziad withdraws his devilish wish after Zainab insistence. 

Before they arrive to Damascus there was a Priest in his remote chapel he spotted the caravan from a distance and saw a light shining from the head of Hussein up to the sky. The Priest stopped them and asked them who is that head for? They refused to tell him. After he gave them money they told him that the head belongs to Al Hussein the son of Fatima the daughter of Prophet Mohammad. He got some money with him and asked them to take it and let the head with him for a while. They took the money and gave him the head. The Priest washed it and heard recitation of the holly Quran coming from the head!

In Damascus Yazid put them chained in a ruin before depart them to Madenah. Many of the children died from starvation, diseases and beating during this long journey. The little daughter of Imam Hussein while in the abandond ruin in Damascus start to cry and insisted to see her father. Zainab tried to please her but she never stopped crying. Then they brought the head and told her this is your father. She hugged the head and took a deep sigh and passed.

Imam Hussein remembered as a symbol of freedom and dignity against tyrant and slavery. Hussein never bowed to tyrant and oppressive regime of Yazid. This is why the similar tyrant like Saddam prevents the commemoration because of its symbolic state which rejects not only Yazid but every tyrant in history like Saddam. Ghandi the strongman of India said (I learnt from Hussein how I be tyrannized and achieve victory!). A woman who was mourning in Muharam has been asked about it. She said to mourn for a beloved one is a personal thing which will fade with time but to mourn for Imam Hussein is to mourn for the mankind which will never fade as far as there is tyranny and oppression and slavery.
Imam Hussein said; dignified death is better than humiliating life.

Many intellectuals wrote about Imam Hussein. Gerhard Konsilman a German journalist said that Yazid used to despise the people, salving and oppressing them and irresponsible sinful person. Imam Hussein by his realistic personality and death defeated the tyrant. His revolt was the ignition for the end of Umayyad density. Konsilman added that the dead Hussein was more dangerous on Yazid than the live Hussein. The martyrdom of Hussein in Kerbala remained the symbol for freedom, dignity and rejection of the tyrants.

There are some similarities between Jesus Christ and Hussein in that both of them rejected tyrant and wrongful and gave themselves in the way of freedom, salvation, dignity and righteous aspect of life. Their path is one and their salvation is by following their path of peace and justice. Before them Moses and Aaron defied the tyranny of Pharaoh and Aaron was deemed weak by his own people when Moses left to receive the Ten Commandments.

Al Hussein will remain as a revolution against all tyrants and oppressors. He will continue as a symbol for dignity and freedom for all the mankind and not only the Shias Muslims.