Ya Mahdi(AS)

Peace be on you, O the decisive argument of Allah on His earth! Peace be on you,

O the ultimate link of Allah with the mankind! Peace be on you, O the truth and enlightenment

of Allah whom the guided on the Right Path follow and imitate, and who gives heart, joy and

confidence to the faithfuls! Peace be on you, O the just, pure and refined

rendered formidable! Peace be on you, O the "Wali" (beloved favourite of Allah, a friend, a helper)

who always gives sincere advice! Peace be on you, O the means and medium of

liberation and assurance! Peace be on you, O the spring and essence of life!

Peace be on you. Blessings of Allah be on you and on your pure and pious family.

Peace be on you. May Allah fulfil, at once, in advance, the promise He made

with you-to shower mercy and make distinctly visible (your) leadership.

Peace be on you, O Loving Protector! I am your friend and follower, well aware of your priority and

ultimate purpose. I come near Allah, the Highest High, through you and your family.

I look forward to be there when you come, at your disposal for making known the truth.

I request Allah to send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of

Muhammad, and make room for me amid those who have fixed the look upon you,

who shall comply with your instructions and help you against your enemies,

and let me be present before you along with all your friends. O loving protector!

O the Man of the moment! Blessings of Allah be on you and on your family. I, O the Loving friend, in these

hours, seek your hospitality and friendship. You, O my Loving friend,

are kind and generous, a true son of the kind and generous forefathers,

always inclined by nature to be hospitable and friendly. So give me a warm welcome

and make friends with me. Blessings of Allah be on you and on your family. I, O the Loving friend, in these hours, seek your hospitality and friendship. You, O my Loving friend,

are kind and generous, a true son of the kind and generous forefathers,

always inclined by nature to be hospitable and friendly. So give me a warm welcome

and make friends with me. Blessings of Allah be on you and on your family.

Some Prophet and Ahl-ul-Bayt's Sayings abut...

Kindness to Parents

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

" The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of one's parents (in the case that it is right), and His wrath lies in their wrath."

Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 15, p. 176

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:

" Do treat kindly your parents so that your children do the same to you; and be pious unto the wives of people so that your wives remain pious."

Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 554

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said:

" Once a person came to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and asked him about good treatment to parents. Then, he (p.b.u.h.) said ` Treat kindly your mother, treat kindly your mother, and treat kindly your mother; be kind to your father, be kind to your father, and be kind to your father but begin (that kindness) with your mother before your father'."

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 162

The Rights of Children

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) told Amir-ul Mu'mineen Ali (a.s):

" O' Ali! Allah has cursed the parents who would cause their child be disobedient of them by cursing them."

Wasa'il-ush-Shi`ah, vol. 21, p. 290

Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (a.s) said:

" The right of a child upon his father is that he should give him a nice appellation, train him well and teach him the Qur'an (with its rules)."

Nahjul-Balaqah, Statement 399

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

"Honour your children and train them well, you will be forgiven by Him."

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 104, p. 95

The Hadis of Kessa

Jâber Ibn Abdollâh Ansâri I God rest his soul I recounted that:" One day, I heard this story from the daughter of our Prophet. She said:" One day, I was at home when my beloved father came to see me and said:" Greetings to you, o Fâtemeh! " I replied to him:" And to you. O beloved Father! " He said:" I feel somehow weak..."

"Dearest father, I entrust you to God, so that He takes all your weakness

away…"

He asked her:" Would you please bring me my Yemeni mantle and envelop

me in it...?"

Fâtemeh did as she was told, and enveloped her father in it.

She related:" As I was looking at my father’s sweet face, I saw that it glowed

with such a splendid Light that my gaze couldn't endure it after a while... "

Fâtemeh continued and said:" Slightly less than an hour had passed, when

Hassan, my first born, came in to the room and greeted me. I answered him

back and told him: " Greetings to you, my beloved! O, Thou, the apple of my eyes! O, the sunshine of my heart! "

My son Hassan said:" Mother, I smell a sweet fragrance here... Is it that my beloved grandfather has come to see us? "

" Yes, my son! He is envelopped in his mantle [ Abâ ]..."

Hassan went near the abâ, and after a respectful greeting to him, asked permission to join his grandfather under the mantle:" Will you permit me, O beloved grandfather to join you under your abâ...? "

The Messenger of God answered him most tenderly:" And greetings to you my beloved son! O, thou who shall be the Garden of my Fountain in Paradise, on the Day of judgment! Of course you may enter...! "

After another hour, my second born son Hosseyn, entered the room, and in response to his greetings, I said:" Greetings to you, o my beloved little one!

Thou, the sunshine of my eyes! "

He said:" I smell a wonderful fragrance in this room... Is my grandfather

here? "

I answered him:" Yes! He’s under the abâ, and your brother is also with him. "

He approached his grandfather and after his respectful greetings to him, he too asked permission to join them.

My father answered him most lovingly:" And greetings to you, my beloved son! O, thou who shall be the Interceder of my people [ Ummah ] on the Day of judgment! Of course you may join me and your brother! "

Suddenly, Hazratê Ali Ibn Abi Tâlêb [May God's Greetings reach him!] entered the room, and after asking me about my welfare, he announced:" What a beautiful fragrance I smell in here! It's as though my beloved brother and cousin, our venerable Prophet has entered in this room...! "

I answered him back and said:" Yes, you are right indeed. He is with our two sons under the abâ..."

At that moment, Ali went also near the abâ, and after a most respectful greetings to my father, asked permission to enter and join them.

The Prophet answered him back:" Greetings to you, O, my beloved brother!

Thou, who shall be my heir and successor, and who shall keep up the banner of

Islam! Of course you may join us! "

At last, it was Fâtemeh’s turn to ask permission to join her family under the

abâ. The Prophet replied:" Of course you may join us, my beloved daughter! "

When all of them were under the abâ, the Messenger of God took the hem of his abâ in his left hand, and raised his right hand in the sky and declared:

“O God! These, are from my Household, and those I love dearly and tenderly! These are from my own flesh and blood. Whatever that will make them upset, will also upset me, and whatever that shall be a burden to them, shall be my burden too... Whoever wants to challenge or oppose them has challenged or opposed me. And whoever is in peace with them and shows them his friendship, is in peace with me, and shows his friendship to me. Whoever shows them his enmity shows his enmity towards me. And at last, whoever loves them and is devoted to them, is loving me, and is devoted to me. They come from me, and I come from them...

O Merciful God! $end Thy Greetings, Favors, Bounty, Abundance, Grace

and Forgivness to me and to them, and purify them from any unholiness and

wickedness whatsoever! "

At that moment, God announced graciously:" O, Angels of mine! O, You who reside in the Heaven! I did not make the sky, I did not create Earth, I did not create the moon and the sun, I did not let the waters flow, unless for the love of these five persons who are under the abâ...! "

At that moment, the Archangel Gabriel said:" O, God! Wouldst Thou permit me to go on Earth, and be the sixth person under this abâ ? "

God granted His Archangel this wish, and said:" Thou mayest go. "

The Archangel Gabriel came down to Earth and said:" O, Messenger of God!

Greetings to you! thy God Almighty has sent His Greetings to thee. He commands that everybody should respect you, and He says:" I swear by My Magnificence and My Greatness, that I did not make the sky, did not create Earth, I did not create the moon and the sun, I did not let the waters flow, unless for the love of these five persons who are under the abâ...! "

He then granted me the permission to join you, and be one of you. Now, would you permit me to join you, o Messenger of God? "

The Prophet replied to him:" Greetings to thee, o Gabriel! O, thou who art entrusted with the Divine Revelations! I gladly permit thee to join us..."

The Archangel Gabriel then said:" Merciful God has sent thee a Revelation, and has announced:" God's Will is that all unholiness and all sins be forever out of thy family, and that you become purified and holy and free of all sins! "

At that moment, Ali asked from the Prophet:" O Messenger of God! Does our

presence under this abâ, 'has some special meaning, or some sort of a privilege

in God's Eye? "

The Prophet answered him:" I swear to God, I swear to He, Who chose me as the Prophet, that the news of our gathering under this abâ, shall not remain unnoticed in all the earthly gatherings in which all the people who love us verily and all the Shiites who are devoted to us, are participating. And everybody who listens to this story shall receive a great Reward and Favour from me. Be certain that in these gatherings, there will be many Angels, and they will ceaselessly ask Forgiveness for all the people who are present there, until the end of the gathering. "

Hazratê Ali Ibn Abi Tâlêb said then:" I swear to God Almighty that we have been saved and reached Salvation, and that God's Grace has reached us! I also swear to the God of Ka’ba that all the Shiits in this world and in the Hereafter shall be saved and forgiven! "

Then my beloved father declared:" O Ali! I swear to The Merciful God who chose me rightfully and made me His Messenger, that whenever the news of this gathering is recounted in any worldly gathering held by people who are devoted to our Household, it shall bring blessings and solace to them. And if any Shiite is affected per chance by some misfortune or sorrow, it will be taken away from him whitin the shortest time, and whatever his wishes may be, it shall be fulfilled most rapidly, and God shall free these Shiites from any problem whatsoever! "

Ali replied:" Then I swear to God, that we have been saved and received verily God's Grace! I swear to the God of Ka’ba that all the Shiites will also be saved and shall receive God's Grace! "

I truly hope that this translation has helped many Muslims who cannot read Farsi or Arabic, to have a relatively better knowledge of Hazratê Fâtemeh 's biography, and to have learned of the tribulations and sorrows that this great Lady had to suffer at the hands of her enemies...

I truly hope and wish that it has been accepted from me, as the most humble servant of this sweet, adorable, heavenly Lady among all the ladies who reside in Paradise, as a little token of my love and devotion to her...

May God bless you all, and may Hazratê Fâtemeyeh Zahrâ intercede for you all!

May God help us make the spiritual bond between us and the Household of Hazratêê Mohammê Mostafâ [Peace be upon him and his family!] ever so stronger! Goodbye dearest reader, from wherever you are...

Farideh Mahadavi-Damghani

August 2001

[ from Tir Publishing ]

Imam Khomeini Thwarted Divisive Plot of the Global Arrogance

An Englishwoman visiting the Jamaran Husayniyyah (Imam Khomeini’s residence in the north of Tehran) said that through his movement, Imam Khomeini (RA) thwarted the sinister plot of discord and dissension in the Islamic world, and vigorously fought against it.

Shabnam Rubab said, “Relying on the people’s unflinching will and unwavering fervor, Imam Khomeini formidably stood vis-à-vis the cruelty and ruthlessness of his time, and fought against the great arrogant powers such as the United States and Zionism.

Referring to the fact that the Iranian people should be proud of their late Leader, she stressed, “The majority of the people in the different countries of the world wish to have such a leader because he revived the unity and brotherhood among the world Muslims.”

Impressed by the Imam’s simple and modest way of life, Rubab added, “Anyone visiting the place where he lived and where he led and guided the Islamic world, will find out that he was not concerned with anything but Islam and the global Muslims’ dignity and wellbeing.

Lifestyle of Imam Khomeini

To get an idea of the Imam's simple living and his belief that extreme care must be taken in spending the Baitul-mall (muslim treasury), it is enough to note that, it was according to his view and emphasis that in article 142 of the constitution of the Islamic Republic, the supreme Court is obligated to investigate the assets of the leader and upper layer of responsible authorities of the Islamic Order, before and after their incumbency or assignment, to insure that, no unlawful increases have been made. Imam Khomeini was the first person to submit a list of his meagre assets to the state supreme Court.

Immediately after the Imam's ascension, his son, in a letter that was printed in the newspapers, asked the Judiciary Power to investigate the assets of the Imam again in accordance with the Constitutional law.

The result of the investigation was published in a statement dated July 2 1989 by the Supreme Court. This statement revealed that during the lapse of time, not o­nly nothing had been added to the Imam's assets, rather, a land lot that was inherited from his father was given to the indigent people of the place during his life and by his order.

The only immovable asset of Imam Khomeini is his old house in Qum, which, since his deportation in 1964, it has actually been and is available to the objectives of the movement and used as a centre for gatherings by student-clergies and public referrals and it actually lacks the appellation of personal property. The said list of assets which was prepared in 1979 and at the time of the Imam's ascension, after lawful control, revealed no addition, but reduction.

It was mentioned that the deceased had no personal assets except some books. The few rudimentary utensils necessary for simple living that was in the house, belonged to his wife. The two second hand rugs were not personal property and ought to go to the needy Seyyeds. Personal cash was zero; if any thing there was, it was religeous alms belonging to the people left with the Reference Authority for religious expenses, and the heirs could not touch such funds. And so the remaining assets of a man who had spent about 90 years of his life in utter popularity, included eye-glasses, finger-nail clippers, beads, the Qur'an, prayer-mat, turban, clergymen's clothes and some religeous books.

Those were the list of all the assets of a man who not o­nly was the leader of an oil-rich country with tens of millions of population, rather, he ruled over the hearts of many more millions, the people who, when he issued mobilization order, lined up as candidates for martyrdom. These were the people who, upon hearing of the Imam's heart illness lined up at the hospital entrance ready to offer their hearts to him. The secret of so much popularity may be searched for, only in his faith, asceticism and truthfulness.

Do productive works

imam sadegh (A.S.) said:

Cultivate and plant tree. By god, people have not done any action more lawful and pure than this.

Brief description

Man's life is based on productive works, including agriculture, and different businesses, even most of industries would not be meaningful without agriculture because they gain their raw materials from it. In addition, defraudation and trickery is not possible in agriculture as the other things. Because its basis is natural factors and means and its profits is merely the result of sincere efforts of men. On this account, cultivation and planting tree is called the most pure and pleasant work in the above tradition.

Safinatol Behar, volume 1, page 549

An introduction to the infallible “Imam Baqir” (A.S)

Birth

Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) was born on the 1st of the month of Rajab, 57th Hijrah, in the city of Madina. Because of the resemblance that he had with his grandfather he was named Mohammad and because of it that he analyzed the knowledge and manifested its secrets he became known with the title of "Baqir".

His father was Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and mother Fatimah who was one of the daughters of Imam Hassan (A.S.). He was the first Imam (A.S.) whose lineage ascended and reached the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) both from the paternal and maternal sides.

His life history can be divided into two parts

1. The period before his Imamate which is nearly 35 years and was the peaceful part of his life, led in Madina.

2. The Period of Imamate, which stretched, up to twenty years and is counted as the duration of the propagation and dissemination of Islamic knowledge and wisdom.

The Salient Features of Imam's Character

About his manners and training, it is written that he never laughed loudly and always spoke in a calm and respectable way. He never became furious and enraged and with whosoever he met he would give him respect and shook hands with him and said, "this act (shaking hands) brings the hearts close to each other and puts an end to the enmities and hostilities."

Although Imam (A.S.) wept much during his confidential conversation with God but he did not weep loudly. Whenever he spoke he would start and end his talk with the name of God.

He had gardens and fields in abundance and large number but he himself visited them like a farmer and shared the work with the cultivator and workers, took food with them, and talked to them. He was a master who had close working relations with his servants.

Whatever agricultural products he received from his gardens and fields he would give it in the name of God. He fulfilled all the needs and requirements of his workers to such extent that he was one of the most generous men of his time in Hijaz.

Sheikh Mufid writes about Imam (A.S.), "he had access to and acquaintance with all the branches of knowledge and intuitive learning. He led his life busy in the obedience of God. He was strong and balanced at the station of piety and rigidly honored his word, promises, and commitments. His piety, open heartedness, spiritual purity, and humanly conducts made all and sundry love him. And he trained them in Islamic ethics”.

Ibn-e-Hajar, who is a prejudiced Sunni scholar, writes about the character of Imam (A.S.) "Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) had a clean, pure heart. His speech and talk was harmonies and in accordance with his practice. His conduct and dealing with people was humanly and Islamic. He was a great Gnostic and unmatched worshiper. He was so very ornamented and decorated with human qualities that I do not have the means and capacity to praise him."

One of his slaves said about him, "Once I accompanied his graciousness to Mecca. When Imam (A.S.) sighted the house of God(Kaabah). He wept so much that he got feeble and nerveless I said to him, "Why do you weep so much?"

He said, "Perhaps God may become kind to me because of these tears and tomorrow (on justice day) He may bless me with salvation.

Then Imam stood for his prayers and lengthened the prostration. When he picked his head up, the place of prostration was wet with tears from his eyes."

The Knowledge Status of Imam

Sheikh Tusi writes a man from among the Syrians visited Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) and said, "Since you are a man of knowledge and learning your assembly is fruitful, valuable and worthy for me and so I attend your teaching session but I have enmity with you and your lineage." Imam did not reply him.

After a few days that man fell ill. Imam (A.S.) visited him along with his friends and sat by his bed, and enquired after his health. When the Syrian man saw this graciousness and magnanimity of the Imam he extremely repented about what he had said, and was ashamed. He did not know what response to give to the Imam (A.S.).

Imam (A.S.) gave orders about his food, treatment to his family members and prayed for him and got up. Not very long had passed that he got cured and left the ailment bed. Next day, he made it a point to reach the assembly of Imam (A.S.) and expressed repentance over what he had said and asked for apologies and became one of the permanent and everlasting friends of Imam (A.S.)

The Training mode of Imam (A.S.)

Since the knowledge and wisdom of Imam (A.S.) like the other Imams originated from the revelation therefore, he never failed to give a response. His personality of knowledge and wisdom had so graciousness greatness grandeur and magnificence that in his assembly the scholars were like children before a teacher.

Whenever Imam (A.S.) sat in the session of teaching he shed the drops of knowledge and wisdom upon the hearts of his students like a saturated cloud. Every one benefited from it according to his own capacity and capability.

In the year 106 Hijrah, Hasham (the well known poet) went to Mecca and a group of Syrians were accompanying him. After the Hajj ritual was over, he sat in a corner of Masjid-ul-Haram to relax. Suddenly, he sighted Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) sitting in a corner and people had surrounded him asking him questions about their problems and difficulties and listening to his response.

Hasham became furious and inflamed and sent Nafey, one of the wise men, to ask questions from Imam (A.S.) and according to his idea enfeeble and debilitate him, and devalue him in the eyes of the people.

The court scholar came forward, saluted and asked for his permission to make queries and interrogate him. Imam (A.S.) replied, "Do ask what ever you wish!"

Nafeh asked him, "What was the length of the duration of period between Christ Essa (A.S.) and Mohammad (P.B.U.H.). Imam said, "In our opinion Five Hundred years." Nafeh asked, "The verse of the holy Qur'an which says "va-as-al" "you ask". Who was the one Prophet interrogated? Imam (A.S.) replied, "From the God's eternal table, wherein all the things were present."

Nafeh asked, "From when and how long God has been present?"

Imam (A.S.) said, "Woe to you, God is the creator of age. He is not a body and has not been born from anything so that he might need age and time."

Nafeh was ashamed and said, "By God, you are the wisest man out of the people of your age."

A man asked a question from Abdullah Ummer, he could not reply him so he said, "This child is Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) go to him and describe your problem whatever response he gives come and let me know too. That man went near him and enquired and got the correct answer. Then he came to Abdullah Ummer and reproduced the answer of the Imam (A.S.) before him.

Abdullah Ummer replied, "These (men) are a family whom God has decorated with the ornament of knowledge and wisdom." The splendor and grandeur of the knowledge of Imam (A.S.) was so sublime and glittering that whosesoever there would be the talk about the Prophet's family. People said he is the sole heir of the knowledge and perfections of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.).

Martyrdom of Imam(A.S.)

Finally, Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) after years of troubles, grief's, labor, and service to the Islamic culture was poisoned and martyred by the order of Hasham on the 7th of Zil Hijja 114 Hijrah at the age of 57 years. His pure and sublime body was buried beside the graves of other Imams in the graveyard of Baqi.

Imam Brief Sayings

1. To lie is from the desolation and depravity of faith.

2. The faithful does not become coward, greedy and miser.

3. God is the friend of modest, tolerant and forbearing person.

4. The scholar whose existence is fruitful and useful his worth is more than seventy thousand silly, witless ascetics (worshipers).

5. God does not like the scurrilous.

6. Whosoever commits excesses over the servants of God, will not be from our Shias.

7. Avoid envying and being jealous of each other keep away from selfishness (egotism), do not adopt cruelty, be vigilant and watchful about your prayers, be the friend of oppressed ones.

An introduction to the infallible “Imam Baqir” (A.S)

Birth

Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) was born on the 1st of the month of Rajab, 57th Hijrah, in the city of Madina. Because of the resemblance that he had with his grandfather he was named Mohammad and because of it that he analyzed the knowledge and manifested its secrets he became known with the title of "Baqir".

His father was Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and mother Fatimah who was one of the daughters of Imam Hassan (A.S.). He was the first Imam (A.S.) whose lineage ascended and reached the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) both from the paternal and maternal sides.

His life history can be divided into two parts

1. The period before his Imamate which is nearly 35 years and was the peaceful part of his life, led in Madina.

2. The Period of Imamate, which stretched, up to twenty years and is counted as the duration of the propagation and dissemination of Islamic knowledge and wisdom.

The Salient Features of Imam's Character

About his manners and training, it is written that he never laughed loudly and always spoke in a calm and respectable way. He never became furious and enraged and with whosoever he met he would give him respect and shook hands with him and said, "this act (shaking hands) brings the hearts close to each other and puts an end to the enmities and hostilities."

Although Imam (A.S.) wept much during his confidential conversation with God but he did not weep loudly. Whenever he spoke he would start and end his talk with the name of God.

He had gardens and fields in abundance and large number but he himself visited them like a farmer and shared the work with the cultivator and workers, took food with them, and talked to them. He was a master who had close working relations with his servants.

Whatever agricultural products he received from his gardens and fields he would give it in the name of God. He fulfilled all the needs and requirements of his workers to such extent that he was one of the most generous men of his time in Hijaz.

Sheikh Mufid writes about Imam (A.S.), "he had access to and acquaintance with all the branches of knowledge and intuitive learning. He led his life busy in the obedience of God. He was strong and balanced at the station of piety and rigidly honored his word, promises, and commitments. His piety, open heartedness, spiritual purity, and humanly conducts made all and sundry love him. And he trained them in Islamic ethics”.

Ibn-e-Hajar, who is a prejudiced Sunni scholar, writes about the character of Imam (A.S.) "Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) had a clean, pure heart. His speech and talk was harmonies and in accordance with his practice. His conduct and dealing with people was humanly and Islamic. He was a great Gnostic and unmatched worshiper. He was so very ornamented and decorated with human qualities that I do not have the means and capacity to praise him."

One of his slaves said about him, "Once I accompanied his graciousness to Mecca. When Imam (A.S.) sighted the house of God(Kaabah). He wept so much that he got feeble and nerveless I said to him, "Why do you weep so much?"

He said, "Perhaps God may become kind to me because of these tears and tomorrow (on justice day) He may bless me with salvation.

Then Imam stood for his prayers and lengthened the prostration. When he picked his head up, the place of prostration was wet with tears from his eyes."

The Knowledge Status of Imam

Sheikh Tusi writes a man from among the Syrians visited Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) and said, "Since you are a man of knowledge and learning your assembly is fruitful, valuable and worthy for me and so I attend your teaching session but I have enmity with you and your lineage." Imam did not reply him.

After a few days that man fell ill. Imam (A.S.) visited him along with his friends and sat by his bed, and enquired after his health. When the Syrian man saw this graciousness and magnanimity of the Imam he extremely repented about what he had said, and was ashamed. He did not know what response to give to the Imam (A.S.).

Imam (A.S.) gave orders about his food, treatment to his family members and prayed for him and got up. Not very long had passed that he got cured and left the ailment bed. Next day, he made it a point to reach the assembly of Imam (A.S.) and expressed repentance over what he had said and asked for apologies and became one of the permanent and everlasting friends of Imam (A.S.)

The Training mode of Imam (A.S.)

Since the knowledge and wisdom of Imam (A.S.) like the other Imams originated from the revelation therefore, he never failed to give a response. His personality of knowledge and wisdom had so graciousness greatness grandeur and magnificence that in his assembly the scholars were like children before a teacher.

Whenever Imam (A.S.) sat in the session of teaching he shed the drops of knowledge and wisdom upon the hearts of his students like a saturated cloud. Every one benefited from it according to his own capacity and capability.

In the year 106 Hijrah, Hasham (the well known poet) went to Mecca and a group of Syrians were accompanying him. After the Hajj ritual was over, he sat in a corner of Masjid-ul-Haram to relax. Suddenly, he sighted Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) sitting in a corner and people had surrounded him asking him questions about their problems and difficulties and listening to his response.

Hasham became furious and inflamed and sent Nafey, one of the wise men, to ask questions from Imam (A.S.) and according to his idea enfeeble and debilitate him, and devalue him in the eyes of the people.

The court scholar came forward, saluted and asked for his permission to make queries and interrogate him. Imam (A.S.) replied, "Do ask what ever you wish!"

Nafeh asked him, "What was the length of the duration of period between Christ Essa (A.S.) and Mohammad (P.B.U.H.). Imam said, "In our opinion Five Hundred years." Nafeh asked, "The verse of the holy Qur'an which says "va-as-al" "you ask". Who was the one Prophet interrogated? Imam (A.S.) replied, "From the God's eternal table, wherein all the things were present."

Nafeh asked, "From when and how long God has been present?"

Imam (A.S.) said, "Woe to you, God is the creator of age. He is not a body and has not been born from anything so that he might need age and time."

Nafeh was ashamed and said, "By God, you are the wisest man out of the people of your age."

A man asked a question from Abdullah Ummer, he could not reply him so he said, "This child is Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) go to him and describe your problem whatever response he gives come and let me know too. That man went near him and enquired and got the correct answer. Then he came to Abdullah Ummer and reproduced the answer of the Imam (A.S.) before him.

Abdullah Ummer replied, "These (men) are a family whom God has decorated with the ornament of knowledge and wisdom." The splendor and grandeur of the knowledge of Imam (A.S.) was so sublime and glittering that whosesoever there would be the talk about the Prophet's family. People said he is the sole heir of the knowledge and perfections of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.).

Martyrdom of Imam(A.S.)

Finally, Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) after years of troubles, grief's, labor, and service to the Islamic culture was poisoned and martyred by the order of Hasham on the 7th of Zil Hijja 114 Hijrah at the age of 57 years. His pure and sublime body was buried beside the graves of other Imams in the graveyard of Baqi.

Imam Brief Sayings

1. To lie is from the desolation and depravity of faith.

2. The faithful does not become coward, greedy and miser.

3. God is the friend of modest, tolerant and forbearing person.

4. The scholar whose existence is fruitful and useful his worth is more than seventy thousand silly, witless ascetics (worshipers).

5. God does not like the scurrilous.

6. Whosoever commits excesses over the servants of God, will not be from our Shias.

7. Avoid envying and being jealous of each other keep away from selfishness (egotism), do not adopt cruelty, be vigilant and watchful about your prayers, be the friend of oppressed ones.

Imam Hosein (PBUH)

3rd Shiite Imam

In the house of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), a child who benefited humanity as if he was Divine Impression reflecting the earth was born on the 3rd night of the month of Sha'ban. His father was Imam Ali (PBUH), the best model of kindness towards his friends and the bravest against the enemies of Islam, and his mother was Lady Fatima (PBUH), who had as universally acknowledged, inherited the qualities of her father. When the good news of his birth reached the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he came to his daughter's house, took the newly-born child in his arms, recitedazaan andiqamah in his right and left ears respectively, and on the 7th day of his birth, named him Hossein, in compliance with Allah's command. Hasan (PBUH) and Hossein (PBUH), the two sons of the Holy Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (PBUH) and Lady Fatima (PBUH), our Lady of Light, were respected and revered as the"Leaders of the Youths of Paradise" as stated by the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Birth

On the 7th day of the birth Lady Fatima (PBUH) got a sheep slaughtered as theAqeeqa and distributed its meat among the needy and poor.

The Prophet (PBUH) quite often hugged Hossein (PBUH) taking him into his lap and used to weep bitterly, saying, "A very big tragedy will be met by my son Hossein. The brutal and bloody men of Bani Omyaide will slay my dear son. I will not intercede and mediate for them on the Day of Doom.

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 Medina gathered in a place calledSaqifatBani Saiedah which is their community meeting place and selected among them Sa'd Bin Uobadah to be the leader. The Mohajreen who migrated with Prophet Mohammad the tribe of Qoraysh 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 Mohammadwhen 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 Qoraysh.

The meeting resulted in taking allegiance toAbo Baker who was one of the Immigrants to Medina. 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.
Imam Ali hasn't submitted his allegiance until the death of Lady Fatima, 6 months later. At this time the power established well in the hands of Abo Baker andOmar and have he not doing so he may have been killed. Abo baker and Omar used Imam Ali as a consultant for them. During the reign ofOthman who was fromOmayyd family there were a lot of unrest inEgypt and Iraq and other parts due to the oppressive and unjust behaviors 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 amajor 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 Muawya 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 Kufa mosque), Muawiyah signed agreement with Ali's eldest Son Imam Hasan to stop blood shade and the power will go to Hasan after him but Muawiyah killed Imam Hasan 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 Medina 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 namedImam Hosein as one of the most important people to start with.
Yazid was arrogant, oppressive, and unjust man. His messenger to Imam Hosein in the governor of Medina asked Imam Hosein after summoning him to submit his will to Yazid. Imam Hosein knew if he does so it will be 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 Hosein then decided to leave with his family (wife, children, brothers and some others) to Iraq because he knew Yazid has 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 Medina to Mecca then across the desert towards Kufa.

Map of the rout Imam Hosein passed toward Kufa

Yazid arranged a huge army of 33,000 men very well equipped and appointed Oubiadallah Bin Ziad as the governor of Kufa. Bin Ziad was a known person for his arrogance, un-mercifulness, oppression, and every thing inhuman. He was governor on Basra. Since his arrival to Kufa worked in two ways, threat and killing and buying the people with money. Hecaptured the messenger of Imam Hosein and his cousin Muslim Bin Aqeel; 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 Hosein and his family and prevent them from changing their direction until Yazid army arrives. Imam Hosein have just over 100 with him most of them among his family. They forced Imam Hosein and his family (the family of Prophet Mohammad) to retreat to Karbala. Karbala is two phrases word; kar means anguish andbala means vexation.
Imam Hosein 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. Even on the 10th Muharram, Imam got his 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 Hosein 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.
The night before the war Imam Hosein gathered his family and followers and told them that the army wants him himself and so he told them you are free to go while it is dark, thence just a group of about 72 warriors remained. One of those who fought with him was a Christian young man called John.

On the 10th of Muharram aroundmidday Yazid army attacked Imam Hosein camp. Imam Hosein 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 Shia and Sunni manifest itself very clearly and widely. Shia means the supporters or followers of Ali and Ahl Al Biat (the family of the Prophet Mohammad).
In few hours all Imam's followers and members of family were killed in the battle and when Imam Hosein remained alone he asked loudly if there is any one protects the family of the messenger of God! Yazid's Army 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.

Hosein (PBUH) came to his death on Saturday, the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 A.H. after the time for the mid-day prayer. He was killed wrongfully, while thirsty, always showing fortitude but forced to be detained, as we have already explained. His age on that day was fifty-eight years. Of these, he spent seven with his grandfather, the Prophet, thirty-seven with his father (PBUH) and forty-seven with his brother, Hasan (PBUH). The period of his succession to Imamate after his brother was eleven years.
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 Zaynab the sister of Imam Hosein 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 Hosein and started 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. Zaynab then delivered a strong speech describing the magnitude of their crime. Bin Ziad ordered his guards to kill Ali the son of Hosein (the 4th Imam) who was a young boy and haven't joined the battle because he was ill. Zaynab 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 Zaynab insistence.

The army then took the women and children on a camel caravan to Damascus. They passed many cities and villages. They told the people that those women and children are among foreigners who were out law and refused to submit to the Caliph Yazid. Fear and Terror producing strategy. They haven't told the truth that they are the prophet's family to prevent revolt.

Before they arrive to Damascus there was aPriest 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 Imam Hosein the son of Lady 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 Qurancoming from the head!

In Damascus Yazid put them chained in a ruin before depart them to Medina. Many of the children died from starvation, diseases and beating during this long journey. The little daughter of Imam Hosein, while in the abandoned ruin in Damascus, started to cry and insisted to see her father. Zaynab 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 away.

Imam Hosein is remembered as a symbol of freedom and dignity against tyrant and slavery. Imam Hosein never bowed to tyrant and oppressive regime of Yazid. Gandhi the strongman of India said: "I learnt from Hossein how I be tyrannized and achieve victory!". A woman who was mourning in Muharram 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 Hosein is to mourn for the mankind which will never fade as far as there is tyranny and oppression and slavery.

An aero view of Karbala and Imam Hosein's Shrine

Many intellectuals wrote about Imam Hosein. Gerhard Konsilman a German journalist said that Yazid used to despise the people, salving and oppressing them and irresponsible sinful person. Imam Hosein 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 Karbala remained the symbol for freedom, dignity and rejection of the tyrants.
Merits of Pilgriming Imam Hosein's Shrine

Many reports have come down about the great merit to be acquired by visiting his grave indeed of it being necessary for everyone who accepts the Imamate of Hosein (PBUH), as being bestowed on him by God, the Mighty and High. It is reported from Imam Jafer Sadiq (PBUH) that he said: Visiting the grave of Hosein (PBUH) is equal to a hundred acceptable pilgrimages and a hundred acceptable lesser pilgrimages ('umra). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: Whoever visits the grave of Hosein (PBUH) after the latter's death, will have heaven as his reward.

The Similarity between Jesus Christ and HoseinThere are some similarities betweenJesus Christ and Hosein 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.
Marriages

Hosein 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 Shia Muslims.

Imam Hosein had married five times. The names of his wives are:

1. Shahr Banu the daughter of Yazd Gerd, the last emperor of Iran. Imam Zaynul Abedin (PBUH) our fourth Imam was her son. She died within ten days of our fourth Imam's birth.

2. Rabab was the daughter of Imra'u Al Qays the chief of the tribe of Kinda. Rabab was the mother of Sakina and the baby Abdallah (also called Ali Asghar). She was present inKarbala with Imam Hossein (PBUH) and died after one year of return toMedina after the tragedy of Karbala.

3. Layla was the daughter of Abu Murra, the son of Urwah bin Mas'ud Al Thaqafi. Her mother was Maymunah, the daughter of Abu Sufyan and thus she was the cousin of Yazid. Her aunt Umm Sa'id, daughter of Urwah was a wife of Imam Ali (PBUH). Layla was the mother of Ali Akbar. According to scholars she was not alive at the time of the Tragedy of Karbala. Her name has not been mentioned in the old books written aboutKarbala. Nor was her name mentioned in the court of Yazid and there is no account of anyone blaming Yazid for imprisoning his own cousin.
4. Umm Isaac was the daughter of Talha bin Ubaydallah Taimi and she is the mother of Fatima Kobra.

5. Quda'iyah was from the tribe of Quda'ah. She gave birth to one child Ja'far who died in Childhood.

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