Shia Muslims watch a reenactment of the centuries-old battle of Karbala during which Imam Hussein, grandson of Islam’s founding prophet, Muhammad, was slain, as part of Ashura commemorations on Jan. 31, 2007, in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Banners on the walls praise Hussein. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) |
The Shia rejected the authority of the Umayyad dynasty, claiming that the Umayyads were usurpers and demanding that leadership go to the direct descendants of the Prophet. The Shia rose in the city of al-Kufah (south of Karbala, in present-day Iraq) and, in 680 A.D., invited Ali’s son Hussein to join them and be their leader. Hussein left Mecca with his family and supporters, but was met at Karbala by an army sent by the Umayyad caliph Yazid. Hussein mustered 72 fighting men against the opposing force of thousands. The result was a massacre in which Hussein and all of his family and supporters were killed and then mutilated.
In observance of the massacre, Sunni and Shia alike regard the 10th day of the month of Muharram as “Ashura,” a day of mourning. For the Sunni the day is merely an optionally observed fast, but for the Shia, it is among the most significant days of observance. The massacre of Hussein added a significant passion element to the Shia tradition, similar to the Christian reverence for Christ’s passion on the cross. Hussein, to the Shia, is a martyr of resistance in the face of oppression, while Yazid represents that oppression. As an often-persecuted minority throughout history, the Shia made these concepts central to their tradition.
Ashura is marked with passion plays and public expressions of grief. All Shia who are capable are expected to make a pilgrimage to Karbala, where Hussein is buried, at some point in their lives to mark the day of Ashura.
- Previous: Sunni and Shia
- Next: Hidden Imam
(1 votes)
Loading ...
Every effort regarding creativity should be appreciated. Excellent work too need attention for improvement. Nice job. Keep the zeal and zest high.
In the name of ALLAH, Most Compassionate, the Merciful
I wish to get your help on two points :
Firtstly, would you kindly send me some email IDs of Ulema and scholars of Iran and Iraq, who are considered authorities on the Battle of Karbala and who welcome quries from reseachers and could respond to my queries in English.
SEcondly, would you kindly go through the following points and reply me URGENTLY to enable me to correct the proof pending with me. May not be each and every query but maxuim possible points :
1. What is by road distance today i. Madina to Mecca, ii. Madina to Kufa, iii. Mecca to Karbala, iv. Karbala to Kufa, v.Kufa to Damascus, vi. Damascus to Karbala, vii. Karbala to Madina, viii. Kufa to Nakheela and ix. Nakheela to Karbala. Please mention in Kilo Miters or miles.
2. What distance Farsakh and what quantity Qur means.
3.Has any information about the distances of the in those time when no roads were constructed. If so, Kindly send me.
4. Has a map ever been drawn regarding journey route of Imam Huain(as) from Mecca to Karbala . Similarly, regarding Aseeran-i-Karbala from Karbala to Kufa and Kufa to Damascus and Damascus to Karbala and Karbala to Madina. If so, kindly send the copy of it.
5. A map of Karbala today mentioning places of pilgrimages.
6. Maps of the holy mausoleums of Imam Huasin (as) and Hazrat Abbas.
7. Has any map of the Battle Field of Karbala ever drawn. If so, Kindly furnish a copy of it.
8. What were the dates of arrival and departure of Aseeran-i-Karbala at Kufa and the Damascus.
9. Has any one calculated the period of Aseeri at Kufa and Damascus.
10. Kindly resolved the confusions regarding names :
i. Hazrat Wahab Kalbi’s father’s name : Khabab or Habab or Abdullah.
ii. Hazrat Abdullah-bin-Omair Kalbi is also mentioned as Abu Wahab.
Is any link with Hazrat Wahab Kalbi.
iii. A name as Hazrat Obaidullah-bin-Omair Kalbi is also mentioned.
Is any link with Hazrat Abdullah-bin-Omair Kalbi.
iv. Who is the martyr of Karbala : Nafie-bin- Hilal or Hilal-bin-Nafie
or both.
v. What is the name of the son of Hazrat Hurr : Ali or Bakeer.
vi. What is the correct : Shabs-bin-Ribae or Shees-bin-Ribae.
vii. What is the correct : Hissin-bin-Nomair or Hissin-bin-Tameem.
11. Maqatil and Bihar-ul-Anwar tells regarding the sacrifices of Hazrat Wahab Kalbi, his mother and wife, but the same incidents have been mentioned by Maulana Saiyed Ali Naqi Naqavi in his famous Urdu book ‘Shaheed-i-Insaniyat’ ( pages 397-01) as the sacrifices of Hazrat Abu Wahab Abdullah-bin-Omair Kalbi, his mother and wife. He has not mentioned any Shaheed as Hazrat Wahab Kalabi. What is the fact. Are Hazrat Wahab Kalbi and Hazrat Abu Wahab Abdullah-bin-Omair Kalbi are the same person. If so, their life stories are quit deffernt.
12. What was the age of Imam Zain-ul-Abidin at the martyrdom of Karbala. How long he lived afterward.
13. Are Hazrat Ruqqaiyya whose mausoleum is at Damascus and Hazrat Sukaina-bint-Husain is the same person. Hazrat Sukaina’s date of death is said to be 5th. of Rabi I. How could it be possible at Damascus.
14. keeping in view the distance between Karbala and Madina, is it possible to complete the journey in 12-15 days by the
I am sure that you would kindly accord TOP PRIORITY to my queries.
Khuda- Hafiz,
Saiyed Jafar Reza
In tha name of God
Dear Brother in Faith,
You are doing marvellous job by providing a forum for dicussions on various academic issues. I am glad to see my queries here. But sorry to note that no comment as yet. Please help me. Khuda Hafiz SJR
In tha name of God
Dear Brother in Faith,
Now Ihave resolved the points raised on 21.4.2009, so kindly drop the item. Thank you again. Khuda Hafiz
Saiyed Jafar Reza