As Salam-o-alaikum,
The 24th of ZilHijjah marks the anniversary of the auspicious occasion
of Mubahila – a challenge of religious debate and invoking Allah’s
curse on liars. The historical event of Mubahila also reveals the
exalted status of the Ahlul Bayt(a.s.). This is the day of victory of
Muslims over Christians and was such an important event that ever
since it is celebrated as a day of Eid by muslims.
The event of Mubahila occurred in the 10th of Hijrah.
Historical perspective of Eid-e-Mubahila
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Najran was a fertile land located in the Northern mountainous region
of Yemen about 20 Kms from Sanaa. About 40,000 Christians inhabited
the land divided into 73 small towns. They were idol worshipers
historically just like the Arabs but a priest named Femeon, a
constructor by profession, preached Christianity in the area of Najran
and soon all the population converted to Christianity and Najran
became a powerful center of activities of Christians. They also
constructed a church and named it 'Kaba-e-Najran'. They prayed and
offered various offerings there which resulted in an annual income of
about two hundred thousand Dinars which was used for the priest who
lived and studied there.
After the conquest of Makkah when Islam started spreading rapidly and
the warring groups came under the flag of Islam, the Holy
Prophet(sawaw) starting sending emissaries to the tribes who had not
yet accepted Islam. In 10 A.H. a similar message was sent to the
Christians of Najran and they were offered either to accept the
teachings of Islam or live in the protection of Muslims and give
'Jazia' - a kind of fee for protection services. When the Bishop of
Najran received this message, he invited all the scholars and
influential people of Najran and asked them to think and find a
solution to this situation. This news spread rapidly among the masses
and some people got infuriated as well but the Bishop of Najran
pacified them and advised them to be mindful of the military might of
the Islamic regime and try to find a peaceful solution.
Christian mission heads to Madina
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After deliberations, it was finally decided to send a mission to
Madina and have a dialog with the Muslims. A 14 member deligation
headed by Aqib Saidawar and Abu Harisa started off for Makkah. Abu
Harisa was considered as the greatest Bishop and scholar of the
Christian world at that time and Aqib Saidawar was the biggest
strategist and negotiator of the time. When the delegation reached
Madina, the people got impressed by their lavish dressing and pomp and
show since it was the first time that a mission had arrived in such a
manner.
When they entered the Masjid-e-Nabawi, the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw)
looked at the precious stones, gold and silk clothes that they were
wearing and turned away his face and did not pay any attention to
them. After a while when no one noticed their pomp and show, they got
out of the Masjid-e-Nabawi and met Hazrat Usman and Ubaid-ur-Rehman
outside and asked them as to why they were invited by the Muslims and
then treated in this manner. Hazrat Usman mentioned that he did not
have a clue about that but if they consult Imam Ali(a.s.), he would be
able to tell them what was going on. They took the delegation with
them and arrived at the house of Imam Ali(a.s.) and mentioned about
the whole incidence to him. Imam Ali(a.s.) said to the delegation that
they were wearing dresses of silk and ornaments of gold which depicted
their superior mentality and that they should take them off and dress
simply. Only then the Prophet(sawaw) would allow them to visit him and
entertain them. When they followed the instructions of Imam Ali(a.s.),
they were allowed to visit the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) after the
Prayers of Asar and have discussions with him.
Proposal of Mubahila
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After exchange of views on several issues, the delegation did not seem
to be willing to accept the observations about the incorrect beliefs
of Christianity and the logical explanations proving the incorrectness
of their beliefs. At that time Allah(swt) send down the famous Ayat-e-
Mubahila of the Quran:
Glorious Quran Chapter 3 Verse 61:
And unto him who disputeth with thee therein after the knowledge hath
come unto thee, Say ! ( O' Our Apostle Muhammad ! ) ( Unto them ) come
ye, let us summon our sons, and ( ye summon ) your sons, and ( we
summon ) our women and ( ye ) your women, and ( we summon ) ourselves
and then let us invoke the curse of God on the liars !
Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) recited this Ayat and invited them for
Mubahila - praying to God(swt) to destroy and banish the liars.
Mubahila became necessary since the Christian delegation was adamant
to accept the truth. After some hesitations the delegations asked to
be given one day to reconsider their options and then accepted to have
the Mubahila after two days. In their consultations among themselves,
the grand Bishop Abu Harisa told his companions that if tomorrow,
Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) brings his companions and his tribesmen and
military might with him for Mubahila then they should accept the
challenge without fear but if he brings only the members of his
family, then never accept the challenge.
Whom did the Prophet(sawaw) take with him
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) selected a place close to Madina for the
Mubahila which was then cleaned and prepared by Hazrat Salman
Farsi(r.a.) and the next day the Christian delegation reached the
designated place. A number of muhajirren and ansaar also gathered at
the site. The Holy Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) took with him Imam
Hasan(a.s.), Imam Hussain(a.s.), Bibi Fatima(s.a.) and Imam Ali(a.s.)
and headed towards the site in a manner that Prophet Mohammad(sawaw)
was leading the group holding Imam Hasan(a.s.) and Imam Hussain(a.s.)
and Bibi Fatima(s.a.) was behind him and Imam Ali(a.s.) was behind
Bibi Fatima(s.a.).
Saad bin Abi Waqas relates that when the Ayat-e-Mubahila was sent
down, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) called Imam Ali(a.s.), Bibi
Fatima(s.a.), Imam Hasan(a.s.) and Imam Hussain(a.s.) and said "O my
Allah(swt), these are my Ahl-e-Bait" . (Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, Page
287).
Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) sat down under a tree with these weighty
personalities and said that when I pray to God, you all should say
'Ameen'. When the Christian delegation saw a woman, two children and
only one man with the Prophet(sawaw), they got scared and worried and
Abu Harisa chanted "O my christian friends, I am seeing such bright
faces that if they pray that God move this mountain from its place
then the mountain will be moved. I warn you, do not have Mubahila
with them or you all will be destroyed and banished."
The Christian delegation was still amazed and frightened when the
brother of Abu Harisa, Karz ibn-e-Alqama stated that "O my fellows, it
appears that Mohammad(sawaw) is the same last apostle and prophet that
has been mentioned in our sacred books. We should not have Mubahila
with them because anyone who had Mubahila with the prophets in the
past as well was destroyed. Look around you and observe that the signs
of your destruction are appearing." When they looked around, they
observed that the entire atmosphere had changed and it appeared that a
furious storm is in offing.
Result of the Mubahila
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Witnessing this, they backed off from the contest and requested that
their friendship be accepted. Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) accepted their
request and asked Imam Ali(a.s.) to write the agreement according to
which the Najran tribes accepted to pay 'Jazia' and live under the
protection of the Muslims.
This victory is a unique one in the history of this world.
WA-SALAAM!
As Salam-o-alaikum,
22nd ZilHijjah 1431 A.H. - Martyrdom of Hazrat Meesam-e-Tammar(a.r.) -
a freed slave of Imam Ali(a.s.) and his close associate. This is also
the day of martyrdom of the sons of Hazrat Muslim ibn-e-Aqeel(a.s.)
who were brutally killed in Kufa.
Hazrat Meesam-e-Tammar(a.r.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He was a slave of a woman of bani-Asad. Imam Ali(a.s.) bought and then
freed him. He was a man of high character and a true lover of
Allah(swt), Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) and his Ahl-e-Bait(a.s.).
He name was Meesam. He used to sell dates and therefore his name
became Meesam-e-Tammar. Imam Ali(a.s.) taught him many branches of
knowledge which included ilm-e-manaya wal balaya (the knowledge of
death and future calamities) and ilm-e-Taweel (Interpretation and
exegesis of Quran). There are several instance quoted in history where
Hazrat Meesam(a.r.) foretold events and even his own manner of death
as taught to him by Imam Ali(a.s.). Famous narrator of Quranic
traditions, Abdullah ibn-e-Abbas(a.r.) used to consult and take notes
from Meesam(a.r.).
Once Meesam(a.r.) was informed by Imam Ali(a.s.) that in his final
days he would be asked by the cruel governor of Kufa Ubaidullah ibn-e-
Ziyad(la) to denounce Imam Ali(a.s.) and talk bad of him. Meesam said
he would never do it. Imam Ali(a.s.) informed him that if he does so,
his hands and feet will be cut off and he will be hanged and finally
his tongue will be cut off as well and he will die as a consequence
after two days. Meesam said if that all was due to the love of Imam
Ali(a.s.) and for the sake of Allah(swt) then he would not hesitate in
accepting it and it seemed easy for him.
Months and years passed by. Imam Ali(a.s.) was martyred then Imam
Hassan(a.s.) was martyred and Meesam kept waiting for the time.
Finally came 60 A.H. when Ubaid-ullah ibn-e-Ziyad was appointed
governor of Kufa. He called for all supporters and lovers of Ahl-e-
Bait(a.s.) and Meesam’s name was among the top. He summoned Meesam and
asked him to dissociate himself from Imam Ali(a.s) and talk bad about
him. Meesam plainly refused. The governor told him that he would cut
his hand and feet and would hang him. Meesam said my Mawla already had
informed me that a cruel man whose mother will be of bad character
would cut my hand and feet and would cut off my tongue before killing
me. Ibn-e-Ziyad(la) said that you are both liars and I will cut off
you hand and feet but will leave your tongue intact to prove that your
Mowla lied (naozo billah).
When Meesam’s hand and feet were cut off and he was hanged upside down
on the date tree that Imam Ali(a.s.) identified, Meesam called with a
loud voice that people gather around him and he will relate traditions
about excellence of Imam Ali(a.s.) and his secret ahadith. Many
people gathered and Meesam started relating ahadith of Prophet
Mohammad(sawaw) about the excellence of Imam Ali(a.s.). When ibn-e-
Ziyad(la) got this news he ordered the tongue of Meesam be cut for
fear that people might rise up against him. Finally as predicted by
Imam Ali(a.s.), Meesam’s tongue was cut off and due to extensive
bleeding, he was martyred on 22nd ZilHijjah after having been hung
upside down for two days.
Inna lillahe wa inna ilehe rajeoon.
Martyrdom of Children of Hazrat Muslim ibn-e-Aqeel(a.s.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) had taken with him his two sons Muhammad and
Ibraheem. After Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) was martyred, Muhammad and
Ibraheem were also arrested and put into a dungeon. It is said that
Muhammad was just eight years old and Ibraheem was ten years old.
On the 22nd of ZilHijjah when the jailer came to give the children
their evening meal, he saw them saying their prayers. The jailer
waited. When the boys had finished their prayers, he asked them who
they were. When the jailer learnt that they were the sons of Muslim
Ibne Aqeel and the grandsons of Imam Ali(a.s.), he let them escape.
The children came out of the prison.
It was a dark night. Their first thought was to go to Imaam
Hussain(a.s.) and warn him not to go to Kufa. Everywhere they went,
they found the roads blocked by Ibne Ziyad soldiers. It was impossible
to get out of Kufa. Now it was almost day-break. Where could these two
young boys go?
They found themselves by the side of the river Euphrates. They drank
some water from the river and then went up a tree to hide for the day.
Just then a woman came to the river to get water. She saw the two
young boys and asked them who they were. Ibraheem said, "We are two
orphans, could you please leave us alone and not tell any one that you
have seen us?" The woman asked them to accompany her to her mistress
who would help them.
The woman's mistress was a kind lady. After talking to the boys for a
while she realized who they were. She gave them food and said to them,
"You can spend the day here and I will try to help you. Unfortunately
my husband Harith is working for Ibne Ziyad. He is out at the moment.
You can rest in the spare room but make no noise otherwise when he
comes back, he will find out you are here".
The children said their prayers and went to sleep. In the evening
Muhammad woke up and started crying. Ibraheem asked him why he was
crying. Muhammad said "I saw our father in a dream. He was calling out
for us". Ibraheem said, "Brother, be patient. I also saw our father in
a dream beckoning us to him". They both started weeping. Harith, who
had come back heard the children crying. He opened the door and asked
the children who they were. On learning they were the sons of Muslim
Ibne Aqeel, he tied both the boys to a pillar. Harith's wife tried to
stop him, but he beat her up. Harith wanted to collect the reward
which Ibne Ziyad had offered to anyone capturing the children.
The children spent the whole night tied to the pillar. In the morning
Harith dragged them to the river-bank. He took out his sword. Ibraheem
asked him, "Harith, are you going to kill us?". Harith said "Yes !".
Ibraheem said, "In that case give us time to finish our morning
prayers". The two boys said their prayers. They raised their hands and
cried out "Inna Lillaah wa Inna IIay-hi Rajeeoon! O Allah we are
coming to you. Give our mother courage when she hears of our death and
judge between us and our killers!!". Muhammad cried that he be killed
first since he was younger and was scared to see his brother killed in
front of him. Ibrahim said the same since he did not want to see his
younger brother killed in front of him. Finally the two innocent
brothers embraced each other and the sword of Harith slashed them both
dead. Their bodies were thrown in the water but Harith witnessed that
the two head quashed bodes came floating close to each other and the
two brothers embraced each other once again.
Ala lanatullahe alal qaum-iz zalimeen. May Allah curse the cruel tribe
which committed atrocities on Aal-e-Mohammad(pbut).
wa-salaam!
ASSALAMU-ALAIKUM,
18th ZilHijjah 1431 A.H. - Eid-e-Ghadeer - the celebration of the
nomination of Imam Ali(a.s.) as the successor of Prophet
Mohammad(sawaw) and the Caliph and Imam of all Momineen and Mominaat.
Eid-e-Ghadeer has been described by Imam Jafer Sadiq(a.s.) as the day
that will be the brightest day on the day of judgment and will be
presented among other days just like moon among stars. Imam Ali
Riza(a.s.) has described this day as a day of great virtues and
special Aamal (prayers and duas) have been instructed for Momineen and
Mominaat.
Here is the summary of special aamal:
====================================
- Take bath
- Observer fast
- Recite special Ziarat given above
- Recite Ziarat Ameenallah
- Recite Ziarat Nudba
- Offer 2 Rakat namaz eid-e-Ghadeer as follows:
After Sura Hamd recite 10 times each Sura Ahad, Sura Qadr and Ayatul
Kursi
WA-SALAAM!
ASSALAMU-ALAIKUM,
15th of ZilHijjah 1431 A.H. - Birth anniversary of the 10th Holy Imam,
Imam Ali Naqi al-Hadi(a.s.). Another tradition relates his date of
birth to be 5th of Rajab 214 A.H.
On this occasion of happiness in the house of Ahl-e-Bait(a.s.), I wish
to extend my felicitations and greetings to Prophet Mohammad(sawaw),
Imam-e-Zamana(a.s.), the Ahl-e-Bait(a.s.) and to all the Momineen and
Mominaat.
WA-SALAAM!
As Salam-o-alaikum,
9th Zil-Hijjah 1431 A.H. - Martyrdom anniversary of Safeer-e-Imam
Hussain(a.s.), Hazrat Muslim ibn-e-Aqeel(a.s.) and day of Arafa.
This is the first martyrdom from amongst the family of the Holy
Prophet(sawaw) directly related to the tragedy of Karbala. On this
occasion of sadness and grief in the family of the Holy Prophet(sawaw)
and his Ahl-e-Bait(a.s.), I wish to offer my condolences to the
Prophet Mohammad(sawaw), Imam-e-Zaman(a.s.), Ahl-e-Bait(a.s.) and to
all Momineen and Mominaat.
<< Day of Arafa, fasting and special aamal>>
============================================
The 9th of ZilHajj is also the day of Arfa. There are special bounties
for observing fast of this day. Therefore, all momineen and mominaat
are encouraged to observer fast on this day. Of special significance
is the recitation of Dua-e-Arfa on this day.
<< History >>
=============
When Imam Hussain(a.s.) left Madina on 28th Rajab, 60 A.H. for Makkah
(for his final journey towards Karbala), Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) (his
cousin), also accompanied him with his wife and children. They
arrived in Makkah on 3rd Shabaan, 60 A.H.
During Imam Hussain(a.s.)'s stay in Makkah, Imam(a.s.) received many
invitations from Kufa, to go there and lead and guide them towards
real Islam - the religion endorsed by Allah(swt). Imam(a.s.) decided
to send Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) as his emissary with a mandate to go and
check the situation of Kufa and make arrangements for Imam's arrival.
Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) left Makkah with his 2 sons, Hazrat Muhammad(a.s.)
and Hazrat Ibrahim(a.s.) and arrived in Kufa towards the end of 60
A.H. He was welcomed by multitudes and the whole atmosphere seemed
congenial for Imam(a.s.)'s arrival. Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) wrote to
Imam Hussain(a.s.) and invited him to proceed towards Kufa. However,
when the ruler of the time, Yazid(laeen) came to know about this, he
immediately dispatched Ibne Ziyad(laeen), his trusted advisor and
commander of the army, to Kufa, to capture Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) and in
the event of worsening situation, to kill him.
Ibne Ziyad(laeen) tried to capture Hazrat Muslim(a.s.). There was a
ferocious battle - Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) on one side, all alone, and
over 500 soldiers on the other side, who were fully armed. Kufa had
never seen such a battle before - single handed Hazrat Muslim(a.s.)
defeated the army of 500. More troops were called and it was decided
that it would be impossible to capture Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) unless he
is tricked. A pit was dug and covered with leaves. While fighting,
Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) fell into the pit and was captured.
He was mercilessly killed on 9th of ZilHijjah, 60 A.H. , the day when
Muslims were getting ready to celebrate the festivities of Eid ul
Adha. Thus he became the first martyr of the epic battle of
Karbala. He is buried in Kufa and thousands of people go annually to
visit his grave and pay their respect.
<< A few words of Masaib >>
===========================
On the 8th of ZilHajjah Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) was left alone and
wandered in the streets of Kufa – a place where 18,000 men had taken
oath of his support just a few days earlier but then all but a few
abandoned him. He went to a house in the darkness of the night and
requested some water to quench his thirst. A lady named Tau’aa gave
him water and when she knew who he was, she invited Hazrat
Muslim(a.s.) inside for shelter.
When the son of Tau’aa came home, he knew about Hazrat Muslim(a.s.)
and immediately reported to ibn-e-Ziyad who sent a big force of men to
capture Hazrat Muslim(a.s.). Hazrat Muslim(a.s) realized the danger
to the house of Tau’aa and came out with his sword in his hand and
started fighting the challenging men. He pushed them back 3 times
killing about 150 men. His attacks were so fierce that people thought
he would kill everyone of them but then the fighters of ibn-e-Ziyad
dug a trench and tricked Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) who was already very
tired and severely hurt into the trench. All of a sudden about 50 men
pounced on him and he was captured in chains and brought to the court
of ibn-e-ziyad who ordered his execution after a dialog. Hazrat
Muslim(a.s.) was brought to the roof of dar-ul-amara. He was reciting
Allahu Akbar all the way.
Imam Hussain(a.s.) was on his way from Makkah to Kufa when at one
stage, he said “Wa alaikas salam”. Hazrat Abbas(a.s.) inquired who
was he answering and he said, “My brother Muslim has sent his last
salam to me from the roof of dar-ul-amara”. Then Imam(a.s.) asked
Hazrat Abbas(a.s.) to see between his fingers and Hazrat Abbas(a.s.)
saw that Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) was about to be executed. He held out his
sword and asked Imam Hussain(a.s.) that he sends him by his powers of
Imamat to Kufa to help Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) but Imam(a.s.) said that
this was the will of Allah(swt) and that Muslim(a.s.) was not alone
there.
Hazrat Abbas(a.s.) saw that as the head of Hazrat Muslim(a.s) was
chooped and his body was falling on the ground, a lady clad in black
was standing at the footsteps of dar-al-amara and Hazrat
Muslim(a.s.)’s head fell on her lap. Imam Hussain(a.s.) said, Abbas
do you know who that lady is? It is my mother Zahra(s.a.) who has
gone to Kufa to be with my brother at the time of his martyrdom.
Imam Hussain(a.s.) called the daughter of Hazrat Muslim(a.s.) and
started caressing her. She asked what was so special that Imam(a.s.)
was treating her like an orphan is treated. Imam Hussain(a.s.) gave
her the tragic news and the little girl started weeping. Everyone
hugged her, kissed her and caressed her.
The 4 year old Sakina bint-e-Hussain(a.s.) was also watching this and
gathered an idea in her mind that the orphans are treated in this
special way. When she became orphan on the day of ashura – she had
expected the same but what she got from the cruel army of Yazid(l.a.)
was slaps and torture and unending cruelties.
Ala lanat ullahe ala qaum-iz-zalimeen (May Allah curse the cruel tribe
who commited atrocities on aal-e-Mohammad(a.s.))
WA-SALAAM!
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