Shahadat (Martyrdom) of Hajarat Imam Ali (A.S.)

Today, 21st day of Lunar month of Ramadan is the gloomiest day equivalent to the martyrdom day of Imam Hussain (A.S.) in the battlefield of Karbala (Iraq) for the Shi’ite Muslims. Ramadan 21 is the day of martyrdom of Maula Ameerul Moomineen Ali Murtuza (A.S.). He was killed by Abdurrahman Ibne (s/o) Muljim (May the curses of Allah befall upon him). He hit a blow of poisonous sword on his head for the sake of marrying a wicked woman named Qutam who wanted Imam Ali (A.S.) be finished just for the revenge of her father and brother’s death while fighting against Ali’s army in Jang-e-Siffin. She hypocritically enticed Ibne Muljim towards her with her beauty and young age. She demanded her bridal right of dowry in the form of Ali’s murder first. Though Ibne Muljim was loyal to Imam Ali (A.S.) until he met her, he was entrapped under the influence of Iblees, the Devil with his weakness of mind and turned to be the enemy of Imam Ali (A.S.). He became the victim of delusional temptation of a woman and forgot that he would be caught and executed with the charge of Imam’s murder and his dream of marrying with her would never come true and besides he would have to go to Hell for ever. He was supported by Muawiyah, the Governor of Damascus then and his master minded right hand Marwan (Allah’s curses be upon them). Thus; Ibne Muljim, with his heinous most crime, besmeared his hands with the innocent blood of the Commander of the Faithful.

Hajarat Ali (A.S.) was the son of Abu Talib and cousin of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). He was born in the House of Allah, the Ka’bah on 13th of Rajab, B.H. 23. No any Prophet or Divine Personality was ever blessed with such an Honor of taking birth in such a Holy place, the Qibala (point of direction for Prayers). Ali’s mother Janabe Fatima Binte (d/o) Asad stayed in Ka’bah for three days after birth of Ali (A.S.). When she stepped out carrying the child in her arms on the fourth day, the Holy Prophet was already present there to welcome the newly born child in his anxious arms. During the first three days after birth, Ali (A.S.) kept his eyes closed; but as soon as he was lifted in arms of the Prophet, he opened his eyes and saw the face of the Prophet first and with the Divine grace, Ali (A.S.) greeted the Prophet (PBUH) in the words “As-salamo Alykum Ya Rasool-Allah” – (Salutes to you, O, the Messenger of Allah).

Hajarat Ali (A.S.) grew up in hands and company of the Prophet with great care and love. Once he announced that he (himself) and Ali were the pieces of the same Noor (Light) of Allah. Ali (A.S.) remained with the Holy Prophet for ten years so closely and inseparable that he developed his virtues already possessed by birth more flourished. He was one as resembling to the Prophet in character, knowledge, self-sacrifice, forbearance, bravery, kindness, generosity and power of eloquence. From his early infancy, he was used to pray to God along with the Holy Prophet. Every verse of the Holy Qu’ran whether revealed during night or day was first made him hear by the Prophet. Under the Divine mandate, the Prophet of Islam got his beloved daughter Fatimat-ul-Zehra (A.S.) married with him though many were eager to marry with her.

It was the late night of Ramadan 19 when Imam Ali was struck on head in mosque of Kufa but he embraced martyrdom on Ramadan 21. Who-so-ever heard the news of Ali’s death became heartbroken, but Ali’s words were as “By the Lord of Ka’bah, I have been successful!” Imam Ali’s death was the greatest loss to Humanity. He was a divine personality who had given everything to others even he gave up his meritorious position of being the immediate successor of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) just to preserve the unity of the followers of Islam and avoid the innocent bloodshed of Ummah, the Nation by raising any cause of Civil War. After the death of Hajarat Usman (RA) – the third Caliph, people insisted him to be the Caliph, but he refused. On the third day, just to honor the earnest desire of the people, he agreed for the same. As a Caliph, he re-lit the torch of Islamic learning and progress.

He was severely oppressed during his lifetime but never thought of any revenge. He forgave even his enemies and always helped the needy people. He provided shelter to the orphans and took care of widows. Such a Chosen one servant of Allah was no more on this day of Ramadan 21, leaving the followers of Shi-ite and other schools of Islamic thoughts weeping behind. Centuries have passed to this tragic episode in the history of Islam and still more till the Day of Judgment, he will be mourned and remembered. Hajarat Ali (A.S.) – Allah be pleased with him – was the lover and helper of the Prophet of Islam – Hajarat Mohammed (PBUH), the Mentor of the Universe. Ali (A.S.) was the living example of Knowledge, Love and Tolerance.

Born in the House of Allah, the Ka’bah was attacked in the mosque while he was in Prayer late at night. He was titled with the identity of the Lion of the Lord by the Prophet, the bravest hearted with tenderness as well. He devoted his whole life for the willingness of Almighty Allah and his Prophet in the services of the mankind. His spiritual and worldly ethical lessons are well expressed in his sermons collected in the form of the Book – Nahjul Balagah. In the entire history of Humankind, it is a note-worthy fact that Ali (A.S.) and his successor Imams – the sons, grand sons and great grand sons, all in number of 11 were martyred one after one either with sword or poison during the course of almost over two and half centuries. The 12th Imam Al-Mahdi (A.S.), the Just Leader of Humanity is alive with the will of Allah, but hidden in the eyes of the people and his Appearance is awaited.

To conclude, I would very politely confess that my few words in this precise Article have fallen short to give proper justice to the life and works of the Imam Ali (A.S.). I would justify my statement by quoting the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) in his Hadith (Saying) as “I am the city of knowledge, but Ali is the gate of the city and through him only my knowledge can be acquired.” How co-incidental it is that Imam Ali (A.S.) lived the age of 63 years equivalent to the age of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH)! The servant of Allah and His Prophet physically died in 40 A.H. on this day and was buried in Najaf-e-Ashraf (Iraq), but he is spiritually alive in the hearts of not only his Shias but the rest all who are familiar with his glorious life and character.

May Almighty Creator of the Universe keep his soul in Proximity of Him with His Chosen Ones in heaven.

Khuda Hafiz*

Duagir**

– Valibhai Musa

Notes:-

* Khuda Hafiz = May God protect you

** Duagir = Praying for you

@ PBUH = Peace Be Upon Him

@ A.S. = Alayhi Salam = Salutes to you

 

The Square World – IV (Final)

Click here to read in Gujarati
In my previous three parts of this cyclic Article (Part- I, II and III), I had presented some characters named as A to E. Their tragic stories are not imaginary ones, but they all are based on facts. As I had made clear formerly and hence by giving no real names, I have said what I had to. But, here, in this last and final part of my subject above, I’ll not hesitate to write openly and specifically as it is the historical fact and also known to the most of the world and particularly to Shi’ite Muslims – the tragedy of Kerbala (Martyrdom of Imam Hussein A.S. and his companions), always live in their minds and paining to their hearts even after the passing of about 14 centuries.

Volumes and volumes have been written to describe the tragic history of Kerbala; but, here in my Article, I’ll narrate in brief how a pious woman named Janabe Zainab (a.s.), with her nearest ones and the Fourth Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (a.s.) – the only male member accompanying them was imprisoned by Yazid, the most cruel enemy of Islam and the members of the family of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). It was a time when Janabe Zainab was being greeted and honored as the daughter of Hajarat Imam Ali (a.s.) and the grand daughter of the Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.). After the Martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and all his colleagues, the female relatives and the only son of him – Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (a.s.) who was sick then were brought as the captives in the Capital of Yazid’s kingdom.

The journey from Kerbala to Damascus was very terrific. The women had no veils over their heads. They were tied in ropes and seated on the bare backs of the camels without saddles. They were denied even water for the children under the burning sun and scorching sands. These were the physical tortures but the mental tortures were beyond words. The caravan was lead surrounded by the slaughtered heads of the loved ones atop the points of spears much paining them, with a group of thirstily wailing children, chained and manacled Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (a.s.) on top of all hordes of onlookers who were ridiculing at that pathetic sight. In brief to say the atmosphere was hostile and every glance was full of hatred. Edward Gibbon has noted that the tragic scene of the death of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his companions and also the oppressions made to his female family members and children are such that will awaken the sympathy of even the coldest Readers till the numerous millenniums to come.

Now, let me come to my subject of the prison and lead you to such a horrible place where these unhappy oppressed people were kept as prisoners. It was a dark under ground cell and a few stale morsels of bread and a very little water which was barely enough for every one was being served to them. The renowned historian al-Biruni has stated, “Nobody in the history of the human kind has seen such atrocities.” Thomas Carlyle, Dr. K. Sheldrake, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and many more Non – Muslim personalities of the world have expressed their views on tragedy of Kerbala, the Martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and post Ashura sufferings of women and children in their own words, but here there is no scope to present those in detail due to my limitation in this briefly summarized text.

Again, we return to the dangerous dungeon where we can see a female child named Sakina, the most beloved daughter of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and who used to sleep on the father’s chest every night and missing him the great. Janabe Zainab (a.s.) tried her best to console and stop her from crying and make her go to sleep, but all in vain. Sometimes, she herself became calm  thinking that her weeping might upset all the members in the cell and therefore she cried silently and wiped away her tears quickly. As and when she happened to be out of the prison, she stared at the flock of birds flying to their nests at sunset and asked Janabe Zainab (a.s.) whether they all would go home like those birds.

Then, on one dreadful night, the child Sakina went to bed on the cold floor of the prison. For a long time she stared into the darkness! The time for the Morning Prayer came. She was still lying with her eyes wide open. Her mother-Shahr-i-Banu and Aunt-Janabe Zainab (a.s.) called out:”Wake up, Sakina, wake up; it is time for prayers, dear child!” There was only the painful silence! The fourth Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (a.s.) walked up to where Bibi Sakina (a.s.) lay. He put his hand on her forehead. It was cold! He put his hand near the mouth and the nose. Bibi Sakina (a.s.) had stopped breathing. In between sobs, Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (a.s.) said:”Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji’oon!”(Surely, from the Almighty God we come and to Him shall we return.). All the women in the cell began to cry standing around the dead body of their beloved child.

Bibi Sakina was buried in the same dungeon. Janabe Zainab (a.s.) held the still child as Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (a.s.) dug a grave for his sister in the dungeon. Her clothes were burnt in Kerbala, and due to injuries had intermingled with her flesh. Therefore, she was buried in the same burnt, ripped clothes right there in the Dungeon of Syria (Zindan-e-Shaam). As the grave was being filled up after the burial, the mother let out a scream. All the ladies huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry, “Ya Bibi Sakina, Ya Mazloomah (O Sakina! O Oppressed one!)”. Such was the tragic end of Bibi Sakina, the young Hashemite princess. It was she whose father Imam Hussein (a.s.) was brutally killed in Kerbala. It was she whose baby brother Ali Ashgar who had an arrow shot through his neck. It was she whose beloved uncle Hajart Abbas (a.s.) had both his arms cut off.

With a heavy heart, I put an end of my Article here just with the conclusion that any kind of inhuman treatment towards not only the prisoners but all human kind is liable to be condemned if we like to be recognized ourselves as the civilized people.

May God prevent our hands from committing oppressions; May He bestow on people with dignity and peace of mind; May He confer on prisoners throughout the world with repentance, understanding of turning away from sins, freedom and peace; May He bestow upon those who are ruling with justice and kindness; and May He favor those who are ruled with just treatment and good character.*

With thanks,

– Valibhai Musa
Dtd. : 7th January, 2008

*(The content of the prayer at the end is based on a supplication that has been reported from The Twelfth Imam, Al-Qa’im Al-Mahdi (peace be upon him), the renowned descendent of the Ahl al-bayt (a.s.), The Just Leader of Humanity, The Alive but Hidden – The Imam of the Age, according to the faith of the Shi’ite Muslims.)