- BOOK ID
- point
- Foreword
- Imam al-Husayn’s Personality
- Imam al-Husayn (as) in Sunni Books
- Imam al-Husayn’s (as) birth
- Imam al-Husayn’s (as) acts of worship
- Imam al-Husayn’s (as) forbearance
- Imam al-Husayn’s (as) virtues in the words of the Prophet (S)
- Al-Husayn (as) as described by the Prophet’s (S) companions
- Imam al-Husayn (as) in the words of the tabi‘in
- Imam al-Husayn (as) from the viewpoint of Sunni scholars
- The martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn
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- Imam al-Husayn (as), the Leader of the Youths of Paradise
- Hadith
- Stipulation of the correctness and authenticity of this hadith
- Alterations and Distortions
- The First Alteration: The exception of Jesus Christ (as) and John the Baptist (as)
- The Second alteration: distortion of the hadiths in favor of the Shaykhayn (Abu Bakr and ‘Umar)
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- 1. The hadiths recounted by al-Tirmidhi
- 2. The hadith recounted by Ibn Majah
- 3. The hadith narrated by Haythami
- 4. The hadith recounted by Dulabi
- 5. The hadith recounted by ‘Abd Allah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal
- 6. The hadiths recounted by Khatib Baghdadi
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- The first chain of transmission
- The second chain of transmission
- The third chain of transmission
- The fourth chain of transmission
- The hadith recounted by Ibn Hajar
- The hadith recounted by Ibn al-Najjar
- The hadith recounted by Ibn ‘Asakir
- The hadith recounted by Ibn Abi Shaybah
- The hadith recounted by Tahawi
- The first chain of transmission
- The second chain of transmission
- The third chain of transmission
- The fourth chain of transmission
- The hadith recounted by Ibn Abi Hatam
- The hadith narrated by Tabarani
- The first chain of transmission
- The second chain of transmission
- The hadith narrated by Ibn Qutaybah
- Conclusion
- Yazid and His Household
- Abu Sufiyan, Yazid’s Grandfather
- Mu‘awiyah, Yazid’s Father
- Mu‘awiyah before accepting Islam
- Mu‘awiyah’s antagonism against Islam
- Mu‘awiyah and his great [kabirah] sins
- Mu‘awiyah dranked alcoholic beverages
- Mu‘awiyah engaged in usury
- Mu‘awiyah altered the practice of obligatory rituals
- Failure to recite the traveler’s prayer on journeys
- Friday Congregational Prayers done on Wednesday
- Mu‘awiyah provides verdict opposed to the Qur’an
- Innovations due to enmity with Imam ‘Ali (as)
- Mu‘awiyah and abandonment of divine limits
- Mu‘awiyah wore clothing that was prohibited
- Ziyad attributed to Abu Sufiyan
- Coercion used to get allegiance for Yazid
- Mu‘awiyah’s rebellion against the righteous leader
- Mu‘awiyah’s heinous crimes against the Shi‘ahs
- Mu‘awiyah’s crimes after the peace settlement
- Mu‘awiyah himself cursed Imam ‘Ali (as)
- Mu‘awiyah’s purpose for annihilating Bani Hashim
- The Holy Prophet (S) forbade the cursing ‘Ali (as)
- The judgment for anyone who curses Imam ‘Ali (as)
- The Illegitimacy of Yazid’s Caliphate
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- Evidence regarding the illegitimacy of Yazid’s caliphate
- 1. The Imamate of Husayn ibn ‘Ali (as)
- 2. Imam al-Husayn’s (as) infallibility
- 3. Allah’s Prophet (S) is pleased with al-Husayn (as)
- 4. al-Husayn (as), the master of the youths of Paradise
- 5. The continuity and stability of the Prophet’s (S) mission depended heavily on al-Husayn’s (as) uprising
- 6. Peace treaty with Imam al-Hasan and the caliphate
- 7. Mu‘awiyah himself was not the legitimate caliph
- 8. The absence of allegiance for Yazid
- The supporters of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) uprising
- Yazid, Instigator of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) Death
- Ibn Taymiyyah’s defence of Yazid
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- 1. Yazid appointed Ibn Ziyad governor of Kufah
- 2. Yazid and Ibn Ziyad were in constant contact
- 3. Yazid’s order: allegiance or death
- 4. Yazid’s second letter to Walid ibn ‘Aqabah
- 5. Exposing Imam al-Husayn (as) to death
- 6. While in Mecca, Imam al-Husayn (as) foretold that the enemies of Allah were planning to kill him
- 7. Yazid issued the order to put Imam al-Husayn (as) to death
- 8. Ibn Ziyad’s letter to Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 9. Ibn ‘Abbas’s letter to Yazid
- 10. Yazid publicly boasted about killing Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 11. Ibn Ziyad, highly regarded after killing al-Husayn (as)
- 12. Declaration of one present in Yazid’s court
- 13. Yazid was informed about everything
- 14. Yazid’s son admitted his father’s guilt
- 15. Ibn Ziyad was not censured for killing Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 16. Ibn Ziyad retained his high governmental post
- 17. Yazid sent rewards for ‘Ubayd Allah in Ziyad
- 18. Yazid protected ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad from criticism
- 19. ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad was Yazid’s courtier and advisor
- 20. Choosing one of two options
- 21. Imam al-Sajjad (as) made the truth clear
- 22. Yazid expressed pleasure at killing Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 23. Yazid’s actions correspond with his personality
- 24. Yazid in the viewpoint of Sunni scholars [‘ulama’]
- Responses to doubts
- Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah and the Massacre of the People of Medina
- Mourning and Lamentation
- Mourning and Paying Homage to Allah’s Awliya’
- Different types of religious rites and ceremonies
- Reasons for the preference for holding ceremonies
- Implementation according to common sense and wisdom
- Responses to doubts
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- 1. Only the Divine Legislator can originate laws
- 2. The necessity of delegation of auhtority by Allah
- 3. The halal (lawful) will be mistaken to be haram (unlawful) and vice versa
- 4. This amounts to playing with basic doctrines of shari‘ah
- 5. Extension of the concept to all instances
- 6. Desecration of fundamentals of Islam and pillars of the shari‘ah
- 7. Some rites and rituals are harmful
- 8. Ridiculing the shari‘ah
- Mourning from the Viewpoint of Reason
- Mourning as a Manifestation of Love and Hatred
- The Psychology of Mourning
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- The stages of mourning
- Mourning ceremonies and depression
- The Religious Verdict Concerning Attending Mourning Ceremonies for the Awliya’ of Allah
- Holding Mourning Ceremonies in the Interest of Unity
- Beating the Chest to Mourn Imam al-Husayn (as)
- Examination of the reasoning of opponents
- Wearing Black Clothes
- Reciting Elegies
- Reciting Elegies in the Form of Prose
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- A. Reciting mournful songs for the awliya’ of Allah
- B. Reciting elegies when mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as)
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- 1. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose for Imam al-Husayn (as) even before the birth of Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 2. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose for Imam al-Husayn (as) in the Mosque after the birth of Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 3. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose for Imam al-Husayn (as) in the house of Umm Salamah
- 4. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose in the house of ‘A’ishah
- 5. The Holy Prophet (S) recited elegies in the form of prose after the death of Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 6. Imam ‘Ali (as) recited elegies for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 7. Imam al-Sadiq (as) recited elegies in the form of prose
- 8. Umm al-Banin recited elegies in the form of prose
- 9. Zaynab (as) recited elegies in the form of prose
- 10. Ibn ‘Abbas recited elegies in the form of prose
- 11. Zayd ibn Arqam recited elegies in the form of prose
- 12. Hasan Basri recited elegies in the form of prose
- Reciting elegies in the form of poetry
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- Reasoning regarding the recitation of poetic elegies
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- 1. The precept of permissibility [ibahah]
- 2. Exalting and venerating the mottos [sha‘a’ir] of religion
- 3. The poetic elegies of Prophet Adam (as)
- 4. Poetic elegies recited for the Holy Prophet (S)
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- A. Poetic elegies of Fatimah al-Zahra (as)
- B. Poetic elegies of the daughter of ‘Abd al-Muttalib
- C. Poetic elegies of Hassan ibn Thabit
- D. Poetic elegies of Abu Sufiyan ibn Harith
- E. Poetic elegies of Abi Dhu’ayb ibn Hadhali
- F. Poetic elegies of Abi al-Haytham ibn Tayyahan
- G. Poetic elegies of Umm Ra‘lah Qushayriyyah
- H. Poetic elegies of ‘Amir ibn Tufayl
- I. Poetic elegies of Suad ibn Qarib
- 5. Recitation of poetic elegies before the Holy Prophet (S)
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- A. Poetic elegies for Hamzah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib
- B. Poetic elegies for ‘Ubaydah ibn Harith ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, one of the martyrs of the Battle of Badr
- C. Elegies for Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib and those Martyred with him
- D. Poetic elegies for those killed on the day of Raji‘
- E. Poetic elegies of Na‘am when grieving over her husband who was one of the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud
- F. Elegies for Sa‘d ibn Ma‘adh, wounded at Khandaq
- G. Elegies for the martyrs of the Well of Ma‘unah
- H. Poetic elegies for ‘Uthman ibn Maz‘un
- I. Poetic elegies for Walid ibn Walid ibn Mughayrah
- J. Elegies for Zayd ibn ‘Umar ibn Khattab
- K. Poetic elegies of Imam ‘Ali (as) grieving Fatimah (as)
- Poetic elegies recited for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- Crying
- Crying from the Viewpoint of the Holy Qur’an and Traditions
- The Effects of Crying
- The Reasoning behind Crying about the Sufferings of the awliya’ of Allah
- A Historical View of Crying for the Sufferings of Allah’s Awliya’
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- 1. Prophet Adam (as) cried for Abel
- 2. Jacob (as) cried due to separation from Joseph
- 3. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for Hamzah
- 4. The Noble Prophet (S) cried for his progeny
- 5. The Prophet (S) cried for his grandfather, ‘Abd al-Muttalib
- 6. The Prophet (S) cried for martyrs of the War of Mu’tah
- 7. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for Ja‘far
- 8. The Noble Prophet (S) cried for his mother
- 9. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for Fatimah bint Asad
- 10. The Noble Prophet (S) cried for ‘Uthman ibn Maz‘un
- 11. The Holy Prophet (S) cried for his child Ibrahim (as)
- 12. The Noble Prophet (S) gave permission to cry
- 13. Amir al-Mu’minin ‘Ali (as) cried mourning Fatimah
- 14. Amir al-Mu’minin (as) cried mourning over ‘Ammar
- 15. Imam ‘Ali (as) cried mourning for Hashim ibn ‘Utbah
- 16. Imam ‘Ali (as) cried for Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr
- 17. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for her father (as)
- 18. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for her mother
- 19. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for Ruqayyah
- 20. Fatimah al-Zahra (as) cried for Ja‘far
- 21. Al-Hasan (as) and people of Kufah cried for Imam ‘Ali (as)
- 22. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for his brother ‘Abbas (as)
- 23. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for Muslim ibn ‘Aqil
- 24. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for his breastfeeding newborn
- 25. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for Qays ibn Musahhar
- 26. Imam al-Husayn (as) cried for Hurr ibn Yazid Riyahi
- 27. The people of Medina cried mourning the Prophet (S)
- 28. The people of Medina cried for Imam al-Hasan (as)
- 29. Abu Hurayrah cried for Imam al-Hasan (as)
- 30. Sa‘id ibn ‘As cried while mourning Imam al-Hasan (as)
- 31. Muhammad ibn Hanafiyyah cried for Imam al-Hasan (as)
- 32. People of Medina cried remembering the Prophet (S)
- Crying while Mourning for Imam al-Husayn
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- 1. The Prophet (S) cried mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 2. Imam ‘Ali (as) cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 3. Imam al-Sajjad (as) cried in mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 4. Imam al-Sadiq (as) cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 5. Ibn ‘Abbas cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 6. Anas ibn Malik cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 7. Zayd ibn Arqam cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 8. Umm Salamah cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 9. Hasan ibn Abi al-Hasan Basri cried for al-Husayn (as)
- 10. Rabi‘ ibn Khuthaym cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 11. The people of Kufah cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- 12. The generation that came after the Prophet’s companions cried for Imam al-Husayn (as)
- Examining Opposing Claims
- Pretending to Cry while Mourning for the Awliya’ of Allah
- The Effects of Ashura
- ‘Ashura from the Viewpoint of Great Thinkers of the World
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- The English author and explorer, Freya Stark
- Proffessor Edward Granville Browne (1862-1926)
- Charles Dickens
- Thomas Masaryk
- Justice A. Russell
- Captain H. Niblet
- Gibbon, the English historian (1737-1794)
- Morris Duxbury
- Borris Salama
- Gabriel Dankiri
- George Jordaq
- Doctor Joseph
- Claudine Rulu
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Sawir Jiny Naid
- Irunick
- Al-Jamili
- The German researcher Martin
- Jurji Zaydan
- Nicholson
- ‘Ashura and Religious Transformation
- ‘Ashura from the Viewpoint of Great Thinkers of the World
- Prostration on the Soil of Karbala (The Land of Imam al-Husayn’s Martyrdom)
- Responses to Doubts
- Who Killed Imam al-Husayn (as)?
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- The different aspects of the Shi‘ah Islam
- Who is a real Shi‘ah?
- The Shi‘ism of the people of Kufah
- The exile of religious and pious Shi‘ahs from Kufah
- The Shi‘ahs from Kufah joined Imam al-Husayn (as)
- Martyrs who carried messages
- The forerunners of martyrdom
- The presence of Khawarij in Kufah
- The presence of followers of Abu Sufiyan in Sa‘d’s army
- Did Imam al-Husayn (as) have Prior Information about his Martyrdom?
- Did Allah Leave Imam al-Husayn (as) Unaided?
- Why Did Imam al-Husayn (as) Bring his Family to Karbala?
- Why did Imam al-Husayn (as) give his Companions Permission to Leave?
- Why did Muslim ibn ‘Aqil not kill ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad in Hani’s House?
- Why Didn’t Abu al-Fadl Drink Water?
- Is Obeying a Tyranical Ruler Incumbent upon Muslims?
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- Religious edicts [fatwas] issued by the Sunnis about obeying a corrupt and oppressive ruler
- Edicts regarding illegality of rising up against a tyrant
- Reasons put forward by the Sunnis
- Incongruities in this argument
- A. Response regarding traditions
- point
- 1. Opposition with the explicit wording of the Holy Qur’an
- 2. These hadiths are opposed to Qur’anic verses which prove that it is forbidden to follow and obey sinners
- 3. These hadiths are opposed to the Qur’anic verses which prove that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is incumbent upon Muslims
- 4. These hadiths are opposed to other hadiths narrated by the Sunnis themselves
- 5. These hadiths are opposed to hadiths of the Ahl al-Bayt (as)
- Who is Imam al-Husayn (as)?
- The reality behind hadiths that permit obeying a corrupt ruler
- B. Response to the false claim that it is binding upon all Muslims to preserve the system
- A. Response regarding traditions
- Why did Imam al-Hasan (as) Make Peace while Imam al-Husayn (as) Rose up in Arms?
- What is the Ruling Regarding the Fast of ‘Ashura?
- point
- Enacting and enforcing the fast of ‘Ashura before the fast of the holy month of Ramadan
- Opinions put forth by Shi‘ah scholars
- The opinions of Sunni jurisprudents
- A critique of ‘Asqalani’s statements
- The verdict of fasting on the day of ‘Ashura
- Hadiths which prevent fasting on the day of ‘Ashura
- Preference for traditions which prevent fasting on ‘Ashura
- The aversion of fasting on the day of ‘Ashura
- ‘Ashura, a festival for Bani Umayyah
- Accounting for hadiths which oppose each other
and their suggestions and constructive criticism in this area.
We also invite scholars, translators and other institutions to assist us in propagating the genuine Islamic teachings as preached by the Prophet Muhammad (S).
We beseech God, the Most High, to accept our humble efforts and to enable us to enhance them under the auspices of Imam al-Mahdi, His vicegerent on the earth (may Allah expedite his advent).
We express our gratitude to Mr. ‘Ali Asghar Ridwani, the author of the present book, and Mr. Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Aziz), its translator. We also thank our colleagues who have participated in producing this work, especially the staff of the Translation Office.
Cultural Affairs Department
The Ahl al-Bayt (as) World Assembly
Imam al-Husayn’s Personality
Imam al-Husayn (as) in Sunni Books
With recourse to Sunni books of tradition [hadith] and biography, it can be seen that most Sunni scholars hold Imam al-Husayn (as) in great esteem and high respect.
We will now refer to certain parts of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) history according to narratives which have been recorded in Sunni books of hadith.
Imam al-Husayn’s (as) birth
1. Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr writes, “Al-Husayn (as) is the son of ‘Ali ibn Abu Ṭalib (as) and Fatimah (as), the Prophet’s (S) daughter. His nickname is Aba ‘Abd Allah. He was born on the 5th of Sha‘ban in either the third or fourth year of the Islamic calendar [hijrah]. This is the popular opinion which is held by a majority of his companions.”(1)
2. It is thus recounted in the book entitled, “Akhbar al-Duwal”, “When al-Husayn was born, the Prophet (S) was informed about this
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