Different Types Of Information From Infallibles

In order to be aware of the true position and status of Ziarat-e-Ashura, which is the sub- ject of this book, we need to have some prerequisite discussions discussions so that we at least know what we are talking about? There are certain things that have come down to us from the Infallibles like our traditions, traditions and the narrations, which we find in the books of traditions and narrations. Even if these books are of no concern to you, you get familiar with at least the names of the books of traditions. There are four reliable books of traditions compiled by the Shia Scholars based on the traditions of the Holy Imams (a.s) and Prophet (s.a.w.s). It is from this collection of particular traditions that topics and sub- jects relating to them have then been compiled. These sub-topics include subjects such as Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Ethics, beliefs and other specific subjects, but the main source of information are the four genuine books. The Ahle Sunnah scholars have also done a compilation of the traditions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) in a collection of six books which are known as “Sahih Sitta”. On the other hand, the books of traditions compiled by the efforts of the Shia Scholars are referred to as “Kutub-e-Arba” (Four books). One is the Usool-e-Kaafi, which was compiled by late Sheikh Kulayni;, the second book, which was compiled by Last Sheikh Sadooq is “Man La Yazharul Faqeeh”, which is a collection of traditions handed down to us from the Holy Imams;. Then there are two other books of traditions, which were compiled by Sheikh Toosi, called the “Tahzeeb wa Istibsaar” which is also a collection of the traditions of the Infallibles.

1.         Kitab al-Kafi of Kulayni (divided into Usul al-Kafi, Furu al-Kafi and Rawdat al-Kafi)

2.         Man la Yahdhuruhu’l Faqih of Shaikh Sadooq

3.         Tahdhib al-Ahkam by Abu Ja’far al-Tusi

4.         Al-Istibsar by Abu Ja’far al-Tusi

Apart from these, there are other collections that are also directly derived from the Holy Imams (a.s) like the Nahjul Balagha and other books of traditions. All these together

prove that a big treasure of narration and traditions from the Infallibles is present with us and these are termed as the collection of narrations. Amongst all these, Nahjul Balagha has its own distinct position. Another kind of sayings available from the Infallibles are compiled as Supplications (Dua) and Whispered Prayers (Munajaat) which are not under the title of narrations and traditions. In this regards too, many collections are present and Shia Scholars have taken a lot of pains in this context as well. Unlike traditions, the efforts of Shia Scholars have been greater in this context, which means that the treasure of sup- plications from the Infallibles present with Sunni Scholars is much less as compared to the volume of compilations done by Shia Scholars. There are many of these books, which includes the four well-known books, but the books of Supplications are greater than these four books. There is a book by Late Syed Ibne Taoos, “Iqbal –ul- Aamaal”, which has supplications and whispered prayers coming from the Infallibles (a.s). There is another compilation of collections of Supplications by the Infallibles (a.s) by Sheikh Bahai called the “Mafatihul Falah” (Key of Prosperity). Similarly there is a book “Misbah” compiled by Late Qummi, but topping the list is Sahifa e Sajjadia, which has come from Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s). Thus we see that there are two sets of collections; first the collection of traditions, narrations and sayings; and second the collection of Supplications (Dua’s and Munajaat).

It is important to know that there is a difference between Supplication (Dua) and Whis- pered prayers (Munajaat) though we refer to supplication (Dua), pleading (Sawaal) and Whispered prayers (Munajaat) all as “Dua”. Although we term “Dua” as “Dua” and Mu- najaat also as “Dua” and “Sawaal” (pleading) also as “Dua”; there is no harm in saying so, but we should know that they are different. Since this is not our subject of discussion you can refer to our other books where this difference has been specified.

There is also a third collection which has come to us from the Infallibles and is present amongst us. The first two collections are introduced to the Scholars, but are untouched by the people, which means for ordinary people they are still unknown. Although we like things, we do not use them, but this does not make them inexistent. We have this belief that by using things they become old and second hand. We have made full attempts to ensure that these books of traditions and collections of Supplications should not become second hand, thereby preserving it to remain first hand till date. These books are only re- ferred to by scholars and ordinary people are not allowed to touch them, as scholars cau- tion the people not to do so in order to retain their value and not become second hand.

The third collection associated with the Infallibles and this great treasure which has come from them and present with us, are the Ziarats (Testimonials for visits). This collection of Ziarats (testimonial) has been transferred to us from the Imams (a.s) and there are many Ziarats related to specific events and occasions. Some of the essential Ziarats (testimoni- als) have been emphasized upon all believers, so as to always keep them connected and concerned with the Ziarats. One is Ziarat-e-Jaame- Kabeer (The big comprehensive testi- monial) which is an excellent Ziarat.

Amongst the supplications and whispered prayers (Munajaat), there are some, which are heavily emphasized upon to be recited on various occasions, such as Dua-e-Kumayl. In the Munajaats, there is the famous Munajaat-e-Ameerul Momineen (a.s) and the Mu- najaat-e-Shabaniya both of which are present in Mafatihul-Jinan. Similarly in the Ziarats too, a very famous and well known Ziarat, Ziarat-e-Jaame-Kabeer should be read strictly on every specific occasion. This Ziarat is generally present in all the books of Ziarat and also in Mafatihul Jinan while it is also available in other separately printed formats. Then there are other Ziarat’s like Ziarat-e-Waritha, Ziarat-e-Aale Yasin, Ziarat-e-Ameenullah and Ziarat-e-Nahiya, all of which are available in common books of Ziarat’s and also as individually printed books. Also amongst all these is the Ziarat-e-Ashura which has been narrated by the Infallibles (a.s).

There are certain scholarly discussions around this subject, which is not required to be mentioned here at length, to avoid boredom. However, in certain minds these scholarly thoughts prevail, as to the authenticity of these Ziarats. What is the narration? Who was the narrator? Is the narration authentic or not? There are also certain doubts on the sub- ject matter of these Ziarats in the minds of people. These questions are also applicable for the two previously discussed collections of traditions and supplications, but since they are not our subject of discussion we won’t touch them, though it is necessary to recognize them. It is important to know how these collections of traditions and supplications came into existence. How were they compiled? What chapters are present inside them and what kind of association should we have with traditions, narrations and supplications? All these should be discussed but since our subject of discussion is Ziarat, that too specifically an exposition of Ziarat-e-Ashura I will briefly mention about this third collection so that our minds get acquainted with the atmosphere before we enter this testimonial.

Prerequisite Environment

It is necessary that we enter this atmosphere rather than bring it into our own mental atmosphere. This is because, we try to bring in many things from our environment and atmosphere and when they come into our environment a curtain falls over them, causing a layer of dust over them, turning them something totally different. In a way these become slightly like us, for instance a person speaking English with an Urdu accent will seem strange to a person who is truly English. They feel offended and disturbed when they hear their language being spoken in such an awkward manner. Similarly, if we change the style of something that was bestowed upon us by the Infallibles, the Infallibles are also of- fended in the same manner. They are hurt by our insolence, because instead of us getting into the atmosphere where the the statements were issued, we have begun to form our own interpretations of the statements with regards to our environment and given them a meaning of our own.

In this discussion, we will point out the changes we have made to these testimonials (Zi- arat) and the same goes for Supplications, traditions and even the Holy Quran. What are these changes that we have placed on these things? It is necessary for us to know what these pilgrimage testimonials (Ziarat Naama) are and for this we need to enter the envi- ronment where these were revealed.

There are different aspects of these testimonials; one dimension being the one where we recite with a specific intention whereby we have been told that whenever we pay homage to the grave or any Infallible (a.s) we should recite these testimonials, while it is also said that if we are not blessed with the visits to their graves then also on all religious occasions, events and days we should recite these sitting at home. But why should we recite them?

The Method For Preservation Of Testimonials

This is because these testimonials have been compiled with wisdom. Firstly they were compiled under a visionary wisdom, which means under a certain thought and mentality after which this visionary wisdom (Hikmat-e-Nazari) was given the face of an act of wis- dom (Hikmat-e-Amali). It was a thinking and thought process which was given a practical shape. This was done in order to protect and preserve these messages, facts and secrets of the Ahlulbayt (a.s) so that whenever a capable person came and refered to these he should be able to understand what message has been delivered to him. There are certain things that are moved with utmost precaution and protection from one place to another. Like in religious gatherings, the majority of people come on their own to attend the program but there are few who would have been sent by someone to attend these lectures and listen to what is being said. They belong to such organizations whose job is to transfer information from here to there and there to here.

Information is also of various degrees and grades, or we can say that information is classi- fied into different grade categories. Some information is ordinary, which is even relayed from the media and everyone is invited to read and know about them, but there is a second category of information, which is internal implying that it should be only known to cer- tain related personnels and not to all. The third degree of information is not even known to related persons and only an acquainted few know of it and this type of information is referred to as secret information and should not be known to everyone but only to a very special category of individuals. Then there is a fourth degree of information, which is only known to one or two persons and such kind of information is known as Top Secret things. These are things which are only known to one or two selected person of the gathering or intelligence organization, but in our country (Pakistan) every citizen is aware of the top secrets of our nation.

The Trend Of Infallibles (A.S) In Revealing Information

Allah (s) has made the Prophets and Imams of Guidance as protectors of religion, propa- gators of religion and establishers of religion. They have to take religion from Allah, invite people towards this religion, make them understand religion and then implement this religion among people. This is the duty which has been assigned by Allah (s) to the Infal-libles, to implement the values of the religion. While delivering these duties there are certain things which are common and could be known by everyone. Whether it is friends of religion, enemies of religion, believers and non believers, whoever listens and becomes aware of these things does not create any difference or causes any harm. The Infallibles should also be talked about in front of everyone. The issues of Fiqh (Jurisprudence) that is matters related to Prayers, Ablution, Tayyamum can be openly talked about, as it does not cause harm irrespective of whether friends, enemies or strangers are listening to it. Something which is not a secret and is related to everyone should reach everyone. The Infallibles had made arrangements regarding such matters so that on a one on one basis these teachings should reach everyone.

There were some other topics which did not possess such general behaviour and were not supposed to reach every individual, so instead, these were handed over to certain specific persons asking them to keep it under their custody and not be told to others. There were certain other things which were top secret, which were revealed by one Infallible to an- other Infallible and then related to a non-Infallible person. This has been a trend of the Infallibles for which evidences and proofs are also present for your affirmation. I will give a few indications of this so that we get a better understanding of this prerequisite discus- sion and enter the environment with some knowledge. There are certain things which the Infallibles (a.s) only preached to specific persons.

eligible persons, like Mehrabi? We are ready to delivery but there is no one like Mehrabi to whom we can deliver this trust and present these secrets. Imam said that if you can also develop the sense, maturity, understanding and a broad chest like Mehrabi than we can reveal the secrets to you as well.

There are many such examples present in narrations, which state that the moment certain people entered a gathering in the presence of Imams during ongoing discussions; Imam would change the topic of discussion. Sometimes the topic would change because the persons coming in would be suspicious and could be a spy of enemies, as Bani Umayyah and Bani Abbas used to send spies to the gathering of Imams (a.s). But at times even when it was assured that the person entering the gathering was a not spy and in fact was a close follower, the Imams would still change the topic of discussion. Why? This was because the person who had entered the discussion when a precise or a deep point was being ex- pressed, was not eligible for this discussion, as he did not have a broad chest and his men- tality was not prepared to the level which could absorb these deep meanings. This was the reason that Imams did not like that this discussion should reach such a person but when the same person later reached the stage of eligibility, Imam would express the same mean- ing to him. There are many such examples present, but since this will take us away from our main topic of discussion I have just pointed out one. So the basic point is that Imams would talk about certain things to only specific persons and not to all. This was because these were their secrets,not theirs in fact, these were divine secrets and were only meant to reach that person who was capable and eligible for accepting divine secrets. Every chest cannot protect the secrets and neither can every mind bear these secrets. There are many who are of loose tongue whatever they listen they talk about it; they leak out the secrets of the Infallibles. It is an obligation on everyone to conceal secrets. Just as dissimulation (Taqiya) has been mentioned about, similarly there are many traditions about Infallibles on the subject of concealing secrets (Qitman) and there are several chapters on the col- lection of these traditions in the aforementioned books of tradition. It should be clear that concealing secrets means keeping secrets under veil, it does not imply concealing or hiding truth.

Concealing Truth

The Quran has also mentioned about concealing truth and curses to those communities that hide truth. The community of Bani Israel and their priests were specifically con- demned in this matter. Imam Hussain (a.s) begins his sermon of Mina with this note that the scholars of Bani Israel were cursed because they were concealing truth. This Sermon was delivered by Imam Hussain (a.s) in Mina on the occasion of Hajj just one year before the event of Karbala. It was delivered in the presence of all Islamic scholars and elderly personalities from the Islamic world who were present there and were specifically invited by Him (a.s). He invited personalities of all type of thoughts and gathered them in a camp in Mina to deliver this sermon. Prior to Hajj, he sent messengers and letters across the Islamic world to well known personalities asking them to attend the Hajj that year. It was similar to the arrangement made by the Prophet (s) in the event of Ghadeer. He (s.a.w.s) invited all known personalities from across the Islamic world to attend the Hajj ceremony that year. In the same way the doyen of martyrs in 59 A.H invited all big personalities and specifically scholars of the Islamic world to participate in that Hajj for which many came on their own while many others participated due to this special invitation. A special tent was prepared for these personalities and scholars where they gathered and Imam Hussain (a.s) delivered a sermon to them. In one part of the Sermon Imam Hussain (a.s) said: O scholars of Islam you read the Quran and you read this verse in the Quran that Allah (s) has cursed the Jewish Rabbis (scholars). He (a.s) recited few verses of the Quran in this regards to the scholars and said that these are verses in which Allah (s) has cursed the Jewish Scholars. Then He (a.s) asked them to ponder on the reasons for these curses. Why did Allah (s) curse the Jewish Scholars? Then He (a.s) himself mentioned the reason behind this cursing. He (a.s) said that the Jewish community deviated in beliefs, their actions became evil and they transgressed and violated religious laws and were practicing evils. When all this was happening the Scholars were sitting and observing all this as silent spectators and not stopping anyone from these malpractices. They have neglected the obligation of Amr bil Maroof and Nahi Anil Munkar (Commanding towards values and prohibiting from evils) and hence these scholars were cursed prior to the people be- ing cursed. They were cursed because they were watching the people move towards evil, but did not stop them from doing so. They were in fact prohibiting “Maroof” and com- manding “Munkar” with this behaviour of theirs. This was one reason and the second reason He (a.s) mentioned for curses on Jewish scholars was their concealing of truth from people. They were aware of the truth yet they were hiding it; they were concealing truth and therefore the Quran has severely condemned them,Why do you conceal truth?  Why do you mix truth with falsehood? One reference which was very clear and history explicitly mentions, also for which these Jewish scholars became accursed was that they were very well versed with all the signs of the Last Prophet (s.a.w.s). They were informed about all the signs of the Last Prophet (s.a.w.s) but when He (s) appeared they concealed all the signs. They did not reveal these signs to their people and community and it was for this reason that the Quran cursed them.

The doyen of martyrs recited all these verses in front of all the scholars from different sects and places who considered Him (a.s) as Imam or at least considered him as a sacred respected personality. He (a.s) was telling them that these verses of curses on the Jew- ish Scholars were not because they were Jews it was because they were concealing truth. Thus any scholar irrespective of which school or sect he belongs to, whether he is Jewish, Christian or an Islamic scholar, when truth is trampled in front of him, “Maroof” (Values) are getting neglected and when evil is being practised in front of him and he remains si- lent, all these verses of curses will rise and reach his home.

Curses In Pilgrimage Testimonial

The curses do not go where we want them to reach; there are certain things which we de- sire to send somewhere but they reach elsewhere instead. If someone wants to spit on the sky; that is if someone goes on his roof top and raises his head upwards and spits towards the sky, what happens? Where does the spit go? It does not hit the sky it returns back on the face of the person spitting. The spit does not reach where we wants it to reach, in fact it reaches where it has to really reach. Whatever attempts we make, it will not go where we want it to go, but will go where it has to go. Similarly there are many things which will always go upwards, say a cigarette smoker wants the smoke to go down, it will not go down, but go upwards instead. In the same way the curses are also not in our control, which means it will not reach where we want it to reach, it will reach where it has to reach in reality.

The Pilgrimage Testimonial (Ziarat Nama) which is our subject of discussion has curses in abundance. We recite Ziarat-e-Ashura and send curses present in it but these curses go where they have to; so on whom are these curses going upon? Imam Hussain (a.s) told the scholars of the Islamic world that the curses go on those in front of whom evils are being practised but they do not stop it. Now when he is sending curses irrespective on where and on whom he sends curses, it turns back on him only. The one who refrains from doing Amr bil Maroof, the curses come back on him and those who conceal truth after being aware of it, the curses return to their homes, irrespective of whom they have sent these curses upon. When a Jew, Christian, Muslim, Sunni or Shia whoever recites these verses of curse the curses will turn back towards them if they are concealing truth and not doing Amr bil Maroof. These causes wherever present will make the person eligible for being an accursed one. This interpretation and exegesis of this verse has been done by an Infallible (a.s) hence no one can challenge and say that his interpretation is out of personal opinion. No one can say that I have a different opinion because then this different opinion will be against the interpretations of Allah and the Infallibles and it is not easy to stand against them. If someone does this, the first outcome is that he has exited from religion. Why are the Khawarij (those exited from religion) given this name? It was not because they were not offering obligatory prayers or were not fasting. It was because whatever the infallible (Imam Ali (a.s)) would say, they would not believe in it and always had their own opinion about it. They would tell the Infallible (a.s) that this is your opinion but in this matter we have another opinion of ours. Allah (s.w.t) said that you are out from religion, you are Khawarij. Even if you are doing your prayers and fasting regularly, you are out from reli- gion. Thus the Quran has cursed those who conceal truth.

Concealing Secrets

There is one more thing, concealing which is mandatory as opposed to hiding truth, which is prohibited. What is that? Keeping secrets concealed is mandatory irrespective of whose it is. It is even said in narrations that you should not tell your personal secrets to anyone. It is incorrect to reveal your secrets to others as well as those of someone else to a third person.

When Ameerul Momineen (a.s) was getting married to Lady Fatema (s.a) the marriage covenant (Aqd) was recited by Prophet (s.a.w.s). This was the first time in history and also in the future that two Infallibles were getting married; this has never happened before and will not happen again either. Apart from this, the uniqueness was that the marriage covenant for two Infallibles (a.s) was also recited by a third Infallible (a.s). This third Infal- lible is telling the Infallible husband and wife about the rights in the sermon of Marriage (Nikah). What are your rights? The first obligation is that marriage is not just the name of satisfaction or lust, in fact it is meant for the construction of life. When you are laying the foundation for creating a family and construction of a complete family life, it should be done with all etiquette. Thus both husband and wife do not have the rights to inform each other about their family secrets. The wife has no right to talk about the secrets of her fam- ily to the husband and similarly the husband has no rights to share the secrets of his family with his wife. The difficulties start from here where clashes take place within few months not matter even if you sit for your entire life on the praying mat, Allah will never reveal his secrets to a loose mouthed person. The greatest secret of Allah; Baqiyatullah (a.t.f.s), the remainder of Allah, is the greatest and the biggest secret of Allah. He (a.t.f.s) has said that during the period of major occultation anyone who claims meeting me is a liar and the biggest of all liars.

Those who fix the time of my reappearance are cursed, those who claim about my meet- ings with them are accursed and liars. Why? This is because proclaiming by tongue that I have met Him (a.t.f.s) is exposing a secret; this person is of loose mouth and Allah (s) does not allow any loose mouthed person to be aware of his secret. This does not mean that meetings with Imam (a.t.f.s) do not take place; they do happen, but with those who can keep secrets. When the meeting takes place, the lips get sealed and do not open. Every loose mouthed person cannot be told about the secrets. Baqiyatullah (a.t.f.s) is the most esteemed secret of Allah and so is reappearance. Your job is not to prophecize about reappearance, in fact your duty is to be expectant, to wait and prepare the ground for re- appearance. We have confined ourselves to just sit inside a room and predict the time for reappearance. This is the greatest secret of Allah.

Mulla Sadra was a very wise person. It can be said that after the Infallibles (a.s), if we were to count on fingers the names of few big personalitiese than Mulla Sadra would be among them. This is the capital of the Shiite and a divine gift given to Shias. So now we should also learn the ways of accepting such divine gifts. The way people have created doubts and distanced us from the Infallibles, the same has happened in regards to these personalities as well. The Infallibles (a.s) are the biggest of all gifts and bounties given to us by Allah but some people from the time of the advent of Islam till date have created continuous suspi- cions thereby keeping people away from the doors of Wilayat. A prominent Sunni scholar Imam Fakhre Raazi has written in his exegesis that ‘May Allah curse Bani Umayyah who distanced people from the doors of Wilayat’; they kept people away from the doors of Ali and this has been the biggest oppression. Thus if this can happen that by creating doubts people can be distanced from the Infallibles, it can also happen that today by creating doubts people can be kept away from non infallible representatives of Infallible Imams. This is not something astonishing because the same doubts and suspicions were used in that era to distance people from the Infallibles. Suspicions create doubts and also show their impact. They first created doubts to keep us away from the Infallibles (a.s) and then from those bounties which Allah (s) gave us through the school of Ahlulbayt (a.s). This elderly person (Mulla Sadra) is a great personality and I do not have words to express his greatness. I can just narrate when Imam Khomeini (r.a) send the invitation of Islam to Gurbachov, he did not ask him to come to Islam and read our myths (Jantri) or read our books of practical laws. He told Gurbachov that if you want to understand Islam and want to become acquainted with its righteousness then come and read Mulla Sadra. If you read about him, you will understand. Why did he say this? This was because Gurbachov was the son of Marxism and Communism. Marxism is a very complex philosophy and someone who has adopted this complex philosophy cannot accept Islam by an ordinary Muslim. Who can make him Muslim? If he is the son of a complex philosophy, then we have here the son of Quranic and divine philosophy. Imam (r.a) told him to come out of this man made complex philosophy into the laps of divine philosophy. But who will teach this? He said Mulla Sadra will teach you this. There are some people who have created doubts and conjectures about Mulla Sadra. Imam (r.a) said in a very sentimental manner that what do you know about Mulla Sadra?  α9la ”a ¹a ™'9l' ¹a 9  α9la  ”a ¹a . He isknown by the name of Mulla Sadra, his actual name is different, but he was given the title of Sadr-ul-Muttalleheen, which means Leader of divine wisdom. This elderly person has an ode about secrets and specifically about divine secrets. Since he himself is a possessor of secrets he says about keeping secrets:

Anyone who has bee.n infor.med about the secret of truth

His mouth has been shut, his lips have been stitched

After knowing the secrets of truth (divinity) a person does not betrays his lips, he has to become a possessor of secrets. Thus the Infallibles (a.s) have asked us not to waste their secrets and to conceal them. The one who has no secrets has no religion. It is mentioned in traditions that our secrets should not be leaked.

Conjectures Between Propagation Of Truth And Concealing Of Divine Secrets

This should not create a conjecture that we must not do any propagatory work. Whatever the scholars have learnt from the Infallibles should not be divulged. I will tell you a parable about the complexity related to the mentality of some theology students. It is a parable about an ant and a leaf. The ant and leaf both had problems; the leaf would fly when the wind came and the ant drowned in water. So they both got into an agreement; the ant told the leaf that when there is a storm I will help you and when there is flood you should help me. In order to sign this agreement they decided to go to a place where no theology stu- dent was present. They found an isolated place and got ready to make the pledge, wherein they asked each other what they could do for the other. The ant said, I will help you during storms and the leaf said, I will help you during rains. When they pledged this, theological students came out from the bushes and asked what would happen if both storm and flood happened at the same time?

This is a repeated question that if we have to keep the secrets of Infallibles then should we not do any propagation? Should we not invite people towards righteousness? Keep- ing secrets and inviting towards truth are two separate things. We should not hide truth it should be propagated but truth has different categories. One type of truth is known as Secret (Sirr) and this secret should not be made public. We should become protectors of this secret. What is this secret? This secret is that of the Wilayat of the Infallibles.

You should invite people towards Wilayat and truth but when revealing the secrets of Wilayat just see whether the person is eligible or not. If one is not eligible, do not hand over the secrets to him. It is also mentioned in narrations that wisdom should not be re- vealed or taught to non eligible persons because teaching wisdom to non capable persons is oppression on wisdom. And also keeping wisdom away and hidden from the eligible ones is oppression on the eligible person. You should not stop wisdom from reaching the eligible and never talk about wisdom with the ineligible. This is the character of Infal- libles. There are dozens of such instances present where Infallibles have said that so and so person does not keeps secrets, so do not bring him. People would bring others to sit in their gatherings so that others would also learn something. The Infallibles (a.s) would tell them to definitely bring them to gatherings but not to those specific ones where secrets are talked about. Let me present some famous narrations so that your level of certainty increases on this matter.

It has been narrated by Ameerul Momineen (a.s) that the Holy Prophet would teach reli- gion every day to people but not to the same level. Some people were preached religion at specific times; some were taught before the dawn prayers and some after, some near sun- rise, some during the day. These different preaching levels were made for people. It was a practice for every night that the Messenger (s.a.w.s) would have a private isolated meeting with Ameerul Momineen (a.s) and there would be no third person in this private meeting. These meetings were at times held in the chambers of one of the wives of the Prophet (s). The Prophet (s) would ask her to leave the chamber even if she raised a request to lis- ten. Some of the wives were very highly trustworthy but even they were not allowed to be present in this meeting. But Ameerul Momineen (a.s) says that when the meeting would take place in his house and the daughter of the Prophet, Lady Fatema (s.a) would desire to be present, He (s.a.w.s) would allow her to sit and never asked her to leave. These were the secrets which the Messenger (s.a.w.s) transferred to Ameerul Momineen (a.s) because for preserving secrets a firm breast is required and Ali had that secrets preserving breast in him. Then Ali (a.s) also had some secrets in his breast for which he was in pursuit of other such breasts. He told Kumayl (r.a), O Kumayl! Keep your hand on my chest.O Kumayl! This chest has a sea of knowledge whirling inside but I am in pursuit of a chest to receive this knowledge.

We wish someone had been found to take care of Ali’s knowledge. When he did not find anyone, he delivered the secrets to the water well. This was a symbolic sign that these people are not worthy of listening to my secrets; I cannot talk about this to everyone. Some people insist on knowing the secrets immediately but how can we tell them the secrets because they are of loose mouth. If secrets are told to loose mouthed persons than it remains a secret no more. It is mentioned in narrations about dissimulation (Taqiya) but these narrations of dissimulation cannot be considered as secrets because they were meant to be only hidden from enemies. Hence the secrets of Infallibles are not present in traditions. The Infallibles under a certain astonishing wisdom wrapped these secrets in specific envelopes and made attempts to get them to eligible people. These secrets remained through entire history and people kept on reading them, but they did not know that these were the secrets of the Ahlulbayt (a.s). In order to preserve these secrets the Infallibles (a.s) prepared the Pilgrimage testimonials (Ziarat Nama).

Pilgrimage Testimonials - Code Of Secrets

Ziarat-e-Jaame (Kabeer) was narrated by Imam Haadi (a.s). Imam (a.s) delivered this se- cret to a person and asked him to go and tell this to the others. But this secret was com- piled in such a manner that only those who had the deciphering code could understand the secret message inside it. It is present with everyone and inside everyone’s home and they are asked to recite it as well, but although these can be read by everyone, they cannot be understood by all.. When a doctor prescribes medicines, the patient cannot read the prescription. It can only be read by the pharmacist.. Even if the patient is well educated he is not able to understand what the prescription means. So when something in its roots itself, is compiled in a coded language, until and unless man gets that code, this secret will not unveil even if he keeps it with him for thousands of years. Ziarat-e-Jame has the secret of the System of Imamat and Ummah (Leader and nation). We have been reciting this Ziarat (testimonial) throughout our life but we could not understand the secret of Imamat (Leadership).

Ziarat-e-Ashura is also a secret of Ahlulbayt (a.s). It was given to us to recite but those who do not have the code are reciting it daily, but are not getting acquainted with the secret present in it. It has been narrated from Imam Sajjad (a.s) that the reason Allah (s) has revealed the verses of Surah Hadid and Surah Tauheed in the Quran is because in the last era a community will come and understand the secrets of these verses.

The fourth Imam (a.s) is saying that these are those secrets of Monotheism which have been written but will be only understood by a community that will come in the last era of the world. As I said before, Mulla Sadra is a big divine bounty to us. This eminent wise man had done the exegesis of Surah Hadid and had said that after he had done so, he came across the tradition of the fourth Imam. I immediately bowed down in prostration to show gratification that Allah had kept this secret concealed till the time Mulla Sadra was born. It was then that the secret of this verse was unveiled. In the same way Allah (s) instructed the Infallibles to compile a secret in the form of Ziarat-e-Ashura. The secret of Karbala, Ashura, Martyrdom, religion, Islam, Leadership and Monotheism has been packed in the form of this testimonial and handed over to everyone to recite morning and evening. Ev- eryone kept on reciting but who finally unveiled it? In the last era that person came and rose from the land of Qom and is known as Khomeini. He opened the secret of Ziarat-e- Ashura and read the code.

In these technological days, certain things have become easy for us to understand. In computing technology we say that certain thing like software is locked and cannot be opened. The computer does not lock itself it has to be locked by someone with a pass- word or locking code. This code is only known to you and not to everyone else, but there are some who are known as hackers and their interest lies only in unlocking things. They spend day and night unlocking things. When they are sitting on the computer they are not interested in looking at those files which are unlocked. Their interest lies in things which are locked and they glue themselves to the system till the time they are successful in unlocking them. They at times spend months, weeks, days and night to finally succeed in unlocking the secret code. Similarly Allah (s) said that we have also made some files on Ziarat-e-Ashura and the Infallibles have given a code lock for this. In order to open this lock we have been asked to recite day and night. You should keep on reciting so that may be someone amongst you comes out that can unlock this. But you should remember that the day this code gets unlocked the hacker will be gone. Once the code of Ziarat-e-Ashura gets unlocked for someone he cannot then live for long. There are certain things for which it is better that their secret does not gets disclosed, but the day it gets disclosed to someone, that person is gone; it is not that he will not live by himself, in fact he will not be allowed to live.

According to a literature expert he says I don’t know what kind of interpretations people do after listening to certain things.

“In what colours do the lustful beings do the commentary,

Should I praise the hairs, lips, cheeks or not, The style of era has changed,

I don’t know what the demands of the new era are, Should I emphasize on the realistic meanings or not.”

Who Unlocks This Code?

These secrets should get exposed and disclosed because they are kept for believers. These secrets were disclosed on the martyrs of Karbala. These seventy two persons were suc- cessful in opening this secret. The ones on whom these secrets are disclosed, even when the lamp is turned off on the night of Ashoora and the guarantee for entering paradise is given in writing to them, they do not care for it. Those who are always concerned about Paradise for themselves, these secrets will never get disclosed. Those whose foreheads are in prostration but have Houries in their heart, these secrets are not disclosed. Allama Iqbal says:

“O Sheikh! By abstinence you get a lofty position

If you have left the worldly desires, then leave the same desires for hereafter as well”

Abstinence means leaving worldly desires. By leaving the worldly desires you achieved a respected position in this world. So why don’t you leave the desires for the same worldly things in hereafter as well and see what all you will get. It is not that we just have to leave the desires in this world. You want to leave women, but are concerned about Houries in the hereafter. This is not abstinence. Abstinence means to come out of all these concerns. What did Ameerul Momineen (a.s) say? O Allah even if you would have not made Paradise and hell then also Ali would have worshiped you the same way.

Imam Hussain (a.s) turned off the light and said that those who want to leave can leave; I am pleased with him and my lord too. This was a sort of written attestation given by him. It was not a verdict given by a Jurist, scholar or some other leader. A verdict can go wrong, but the assurance guarantee given by the Doyen of Martyrs cannot go wrong. It was a commitment from the host and inheritor of religion. You should be ascertained that one with whom Hussain is pleased the Lord of Hussain is pleased too. But these seventy two had not come to Karbala to go to Paradise because when the lamp was turned on they were all sitting. They were asked the reason for not leaving Please leave and you can go directly to Paradise but still they did not get up. Why? This is because they had acquired the secret, they had unlocked the code and one for whom this lock gets unlocked even if he is pushed out of Karbala he would not leave. The one who can unlock this code on the night of Ashura. The nights have high virtues.

You should avail the free time in these nights. What should you be doing in these nights? Try to open the codes, unlock the codes in midnight prayers (Tahajjud), the midnight recitation of the Quran by staying awake at nights try to unveil these secrets. When the se- crets of religion are opened at night, the moment it is morning you are ready and prepared for Ashura. The night of Ashura is the night of secrets. It is my desire to get an opportu- nity from Allah (s) to express the secrets of this night. It is the night having big secrets in it and so those who were successful in unlocking these secrets when they were asked to leave, did not leave but instead replied, that this is just one life, if we are cut to thousand pieces and brought back to life again and this is repeated for thousand times, then also we will not leave without sacrificing our lives at your footsteps. These secrets are big things and one on whom it gets disclosed reaches where he has to reach. Allah is the witness of these great secrets that once revealed on someone than he can’t just live in peace.

HEART - The Receptor Of Secrets

Thus these testimonials have been delivered by the Infallibles in coded form with the ex- pectation that in the forthcoming eras some decoders would come with divine opportuni- ties to unlock the code and discover the secrets of our Imams. And they after discovering the secrets and facts present in these testimonials, will bring them back into practice. But these secrets are not opened on every mind because these secrets are related to the heart and unless the heart is prepared to receive these secrets they will not get disclosed. If there is something which is coded and once it gets unlocked on the heart than these secrets have an effect on the heart of man. And anything that gets inside the heart is not preserved by the heart, it transfers it to the limbs of the body. These secrets of the heart get manifested as actions and drips out of every limb and organ of man’s body. There is one heart which is the organ inside the body protected behind the ribs. This heart also has similar functions; it does not hold the blood inside itself instead it circulates it to all organs and limbs of the body. We take utmost care about this heart and do everything possible to keep it intact but we should also take care of the real heart of the soul which is also under constant attack. If the veins and arteries of the body get choked, what happens is that man dies but this death is just the death of the body and not a complete annihilation of his existence. But if the arteries of the heart of the soul get choked, man gets completely annihilated from his existence. This is the heart of the soul, self and heart of man; we should pay attention towards this heart. The heart of the soul also experiences heart at- tacks which occur due to love of the world, by Satan, by self love and by self interests. For this the infallibles have said that this is the throne of Allah.

The heart of the believer is the throne of the merciful lord. This is the sanctity of Allah and no one else other than Allah should be present inside it. If anyone other than Allah enters in it than divine secrets will not open on it. Hence it is necessary to prepare this heart and its preparation is to prohibit anything other than Allah from stepping into it. A heart which is full of everything other than Allah the divine, codes do not unlock on such hearts. A person has to come with a prepared heart to unveil divine secrets. The reigns of man is in the hands of the heart; wherever the heart wants it man will turn in that direction. Allama Iqbal in one of his poetic works talks about a battle between mind and heart. At times a person thinks something and does something else; these are not incidental phe- nomenon, in fact these things happen regularly with everyone. This is because thinking is a mind’s job but acting upon it is decided by the heart. Our limbs are not under the control of our mind they are under the control of our heart. Thus, when secrets are revealed on the heart, even if mind and intellect try to stop man, it won’t be successful. On the other hand if someone thinks about doing something but the heart is not prepared than even if you push him he won’t move ahead. We always try our best to convince the mind and the mind gets convinced. The method which we have learnt is merely to speak and let others listen or let it pass through their ears. For us understanding religion and preaching reli- gion is the same act of speaking and listening, which means just making the message pass through the ears. This does not help because words just passing through the ears are not effective on us. Why? It is because the location for which these words were meant, did not reach there, instead it reached some other location. It is like a person having eye pain and the doctor gives him eye drops. The patient instead of putting the eye drops in the eyes puts it in the ear. With this mistake the eye sight will not improve. Even if these drops are put a thousand times in the ears it will not affect the eyesight. We have been talking about many things which have reached the ears, some have reached our minds also but still it has left no effect on us. Why? This is because these are not picked up by the heart. The mes- sages should make an impression on the heart and not the mind. There are many scholars who do not practise religion appropriately. This is because the knowledge which they have acquired has only impacted their minds and has left no effect on their heart whereas actions are an outcome of the heart. What kinds of talks are impressive on the heart? The ones which are liked by the heart, one which touches and appeals to the heart are the im- pressive kinds. The words spoken from the mouth only reach the ears; they do not reach the heart. So what kind of talks reaches the heart?

The words that come out of the heart are effective

There are no wings in them but has the strength to fly

What are those words and statements that leave an impact on the heart and are accepted by the heart? These are words of Allah and there is need to present these words to our heart to see the outcome. The Infallibles (a.s) also say that there is no need to add spices to our talks. You should just present it as is to the people. This is because these words of ours are not delivered by our mouth they come from our heart. The words that flow from the heart of the Infallible enter the heart of the believer. And whatever enters the heart has its effect. There are some who take years and years to accept something by the heart because they are always confused and perplexed in their minds. But there are some who in one night accept the same thing in their hearts. There is a need to keep the heart prepared and ready.

Preparation Of HEART

The preparation of the heart is that it should remain preserved as the sanctity of its owner (Allah). Any non acquainted (Na Mahram) should not enter its precincts. If an unacquaint- ed being enters the heart, the secrets present inside return back. This is because secrets are not revealed to non acquainted persons, they are meant for acquainted beings only. Who is an acquainted (Mahram) being? One who does not allow any stranger to enter its precincts and is very careful, such beings are affected by the divine and sacred talks. The preaching does not impact us for two reasons; one is that the preaching is not coming from the heart. It is being delivered by the mouth in lieu of some fees. Discourses deliv- ered by taking compensations do not come from the heart it comes from the pocket. The one that comes out of the pocket enters the pocket only and does not proceed towards the heart. The Infallibles (a.s) have not expressed this religion by taking fees or compensation.

We are not taking any fees for propagating religion. It has come from our heart and you should accept it in your heart. You should vacate your heart of strangers and it should only have the remembrance of Allah, then only will the words of His (s.w.t) ambassadors enter the heart. This is the second reason that we listen to many things, but they are not effective because even though it is coming out from the heart of the speaker, the receiving heart is not prepared for it. Allah (s) says to the Prophet(s).

O Prophet! Do not take so many pains and do not get yourself tired so much, why? This is because whether you tell them or not it will have no effect on them. It is not because His (s.a.w.s) secret is not coming from the heart, but because on the receiving side we have placed seals and locked the heart. First you need to purify the heart from unacquainted strangers. And these strangers could be anyone. It could be love and attraction of someone, attraction towards something, some imagination, some belief, some thought. Till the time this unacquainted stranger is present in the heart the secrets of Allah do not reach the heart. Man has been taught certain etiquettes like that of ritual purification. Ritual purification in its outward form, is purification of the body, but in reality it is the purifica- tion of the heart. One is purification and then there is the secret behind purification. The ritualistic washing of the body is a symbolic outward act, which is meant to develop a real purification of our heart. The proof of this outward purification can be achieved either by water and if water is not available, it can even be done with sand (Tayyamum). Sand if ap- plied on face makes the first dirty but here it is said that it is giving you purification. Since washing with water or wiping with sand are both symbolic acts, purification is achieved. The actual purification is that of the heart which is essential for the words of the Infallibles (a.s) to be effective on man.

Preparation For The Event Of Ashura

This was an act of wisdom adapted by the Infallibles that they expressed their secrets in the form of Pilgrimage testimonial (Ziarat Nama). What was this secret hidden inside Zi- arat-e-Ashura ? The secret was the event of Karbala. The Infallibles (a.s) who came even before the event of Karbala, also prepared the minds of people for the event of Karbala. This statement which most of us have memorized:

I am from Hussain and Hussain is from me

The minds of people are being prepared with such type of statements for Karbala. When the Prophet (s) said this, Imam Hasan (a.s) was also present so why did he not say:

I am from Hasan and Hasan is from me

This was said specifically for Imam Hussain (a.s) because the minds were to be prepared for the event of Karbala which was specific to Hussain (a.s). There are many such state- ments found from the Infallibles, which were meant for preparing the minds of the people, getting their attention towards this big event of Karbala about to take place in the future. Ameerul Momineen (a.s) at the time of his Martyrdom when he saw Imam Hussain (a.s) aggrieved; he said “Hussain! Are you mourning for me?”

You are mourning me but your day would be the toughest.

When Imam Hasan (a.s) called Imam Hussain (a.s) at the time of his martyrdom; when blood was oozing out from his mouth due to poisoning, and pieces of his liver coming out along with it; Imam Hussain (a.s) mourned on seeing this. Imam Hasan (a.s) said: Hus- sain! You are mourning me?

Hussain your day would be full of calamities.

All these were preparations for the mind for the forthcoming event of Karbala.

The Infallible Propagators Of Ashura

All the Infallibles who came after the event of Karbala were the Propagators of the mes- sage of Karbala. They were the true propagators of the message, secret and philosophy of Karbala. In all the Ziarats the philosophy of the Ziarat of Infallibles (which we Shia’s recite on their grave), which is present, cannot be understood till date by Wahabism. They are not able to make out what is the philosophy and wisdom behind the Ziarat and specifically the recitation of these testimonials for these Imams of religion. There is a general wisdom behind the Ziarat of any Infallible (a.s) but there is also a wisdom and philosophy behind a specific Ziarat as well.

We know that when we visit the graves of Infallibles we are rewarded for it (Thawaab) and the level of this reward will be relative to the elevated grade of that Infallible (a.s). The highest grade amongst all Infallibles is that of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and there is no one equivalent to him amongst the Infallibles and non Infallibles. Then as mentioned by Infallibles (a.s) themselves, after the Prophet (s) his successor Imam Ali (a.s) has the most elevated degree amongst Infallibles. Then Imam Askari (a.s) says that we are the accomplishment of the Proof of Allah (Hujjatallah) for people and our grandmother Lady Fatema (s.a) is the accomplishment of Proof (Hujjat) on us (Infallibles). These are the different grades of Infallibles and amongst these grades the Doyen of Martyr himself says that; I wish I would be a soldier amongst the soldiers of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s). These are all the degrees of Imamat and Wilayat that are expressed by the Infallibles themselves. I have narrated one statement from few Infallibles so that you are convinced that there are different degrees in them and based on the general philosophy and wisdom behind the Ziarat (paying homage to their graves) subject to their degree and rewards, will also be equivalent to the ones blessed to visit their grave. This means the rewards for visiting the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) is the maximum because he has the highest degree.

This is where you need to pay attention that all these Infallibles have expressed the degree and significance of some other Infallible and asked the people to visit their graves. But all these Infallibles together have extremely emphasized on the Ziarat of the shrine of the Doyen of Martyrs. The emphasis on this Ziarat is so high that Late Sheikh Kashiful Gitta, Sheikh Jafar-e-Kabeer and other scholars after him including Sahibe Jawahir also present that the emphasis on the Ziarat of the Doyen of Martyrs is so high that we Jurists (Faqeeh) developed this doubt that this Ziarat is obligatory in the same way as Hajj.

The emphasis for Ziarat of any other Infallibles shrine is not done to this extent that it develops the feeling that it is obligatory. You should not develop a bad impression about these Jurists. They have not issued a verdict (Fatwa), but have just said that they were doubtful that this Ziarat deserves so much importance as if it were obligatory (Wajib). Man should at least visit Karbala once in his lifetime. Though the Ziarat of Ameerul Mo- mineen (a.s) is in Najaf, the shrine of Prophet (s) is in Medina, but still the maximum emphasis is on visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s) in Karbala. This was the arrange- ment which the Infallibles (a.s) had ensured that people visit Karbala and as part of this teaching a specific stature was given to the sand of Karbala. They have issued verdicts and given orders to prostate on the Turbah made from the sand of Karbala and several merits of the sand from the land of Karbala were mentioned by the Infallibles.

People raise this question that when the sand of Karbala is having so much significance than the sand from the shrine of Holy Prophet (s) should have more significance. They are astonished as to why we make Turbah from the sand of Karbala and not from the sand from Medina? This question might be present in our minds also. We might be thinking this because of the local authorities’ restrictions in Medina which does not allow us to bring the sand from there. This is not the case and even if there are no restrictions, the sand of Karbala has much higher significance. These were the arrangements made by In- fallibles to get special attention of people towards Karbala. We also do such things like if someone has some questions and confusions about religion we somehow try to get him in our religious gathering (Majalis) so that when the message is delivered it might enter his heart. All these arrangements were made to invite people for the Ziarat of Imam Hussain and the Infallibles have themselves also done many Ziarat’s to his shrine. The Infallibles would visit from Medina, Baghdad and wherever they were based; Why? Not for the sake of earning rewards (Thawaab). They are not like us who are always concerned about re- wards. The Infallibles are instead saying to Allah that even if Allah would not have created heaven and hell they would still have worshipped him the same way. A point to be noted is that the reward (Thawaab) is not one of the names of Allah, it is the name of the boun- ties of Allah, which means it is other than Allah. So if someone is only concerned about Rewards (Thawaab) then he is doing his worships for something other than Allah. These bounties are those that will be received by man in the hereafter. The Infallibles are sayingthat we do not worship you to acquire your bounties instead we worship so as to acquire you. I am not prostrating in front of you because I am a captive of your bounties. Allah is different and bounties of Allah are different. So why were these Infallibles visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s)? Were they visiting to fulfil some of their wishes which were not getting fulfilled from other sources? Why is one infallible coming as a visitor (Zaair) to the shrine of another Infallible? What does your heart say? Was Imam Baqir visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain to get some of his desires (Haajat’s) fulfilled? So if someone thinks that Imam Baqir(a.s) or other Imam’s desires were not getting fulfilled by their own supplications and hence they were visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s), than how can we do Tawassul for our desires through these other Imams?

Karbala-The Qiblah Of Sense(Sha’oor)

They were visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s) to make Karbala the Qiblah for hu- manity, but not the Qiblah of worships because that Qiblah is the Holy Kaaba in Mecca. If inside the Qiblah of worships idols are placed like it was at one particular time when the Prophet (s.a.w.s) was ordered to leave the custody of Kaaba and migrate to Medina. Why? It was because idols were placed inside Kaaba. Allah said, now you should migrate to Me- dina and do something over there by which you can make this Kaaba as Qiblah of worship. The Infallibles were not trying to make Karbala as another Kaaba against the Holy Kaaba in Mecca. Like one Shia brother himself said that I am getting doubtful about why we are asked to visit Karbala on the day of Arafah. Is it because we want to create a Kaaba in Karbala? Is it because we want to make another Kaaba and another Hajj? He says when I went for Hajj for the first time I was very confused at every stage and had a question as to why we have been asked to do such things. I was asked to remove my good looking dress and put on two towels, and then I was asked to recite Labbaik. When I pondered over it, Labbaik means “I have come”, but who has invited me, I can’t hear the call of anyone. Then I was asked to circle around the Stone walls of Kaaba for seven times. I was confused why seven, why not five but the answer was do just as you are asked to do. Then I was asked to run between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. What for? What am I supposed to gain after running seven times between the hills? We were taken to a desert by the name of Arafah and asked to just sit for the whole day. For what? Then we are asked to spend the night at Mashar and just collect pebbles. For what? Next morning we were taken to Mina and asked to hurl pebbles on the cement pillar which was called Satan. What was all this for? What has this pillar done to me so that I should hit it? Then I was asked to sacrifice a sheep. All the pilgrims were sacrificing sheep and where was this meat going? It was all getting wasted so what was this sacrifice for. Then I was asked to shave my head off. I did it without knowing why I had to do this and spoil my looks. The answer was just do as you are asked to do else your Hajj will be void. Then we are made to sit for three days in the tent of Mina. For what? I was confused as to what I had done this Hajj for, but later when I came across the tradition from Imam Sajjad I realized for what I was doing all this.

A companion of Imam Sajjad by the name Shibli visited him after his Hajj. Imam (a.s) asked him; Shibli when you removed your dress and put on Ihram did you intend to put off the garment of disobedience (to God) and put on a garment of obedience (to Him)? He said No, I did not. Imam (a.s) kept on asking him about every step of Hajj ritual pointing it towards the inward aspect of these rituals and Shibli’s answer was no to all. At the end Imam (a.s) said that Shibli you should do your Hajj again. This Shia man says that after I read this narration I realized that all that I was asked to do had an inward aspect of these rituals which I was not aware of , I did not have the sense (Sha’oor) to understand the inward dimension of these rituals. So those who go to Hajj without knowing the inward aspect, do not avail anything from Hajj. They just go there to benefit from Chinese prod- ucts companies and multinational hotels. Islam wanted 2.5 million Muslims to gather in one place for these many days and think about Islamic issues, come out with united plans for resolving the issues of the Muslim Ummah but these Muslims who visit Hajj just com- plete their rituals , buy Chinese products as blessings to be distributed when they have to return. These Muslims should have the sense (Sha’oor) that we have not been invited to Hajj to buy Chinese products but are called to entangle the knots of Islam and to resolve the problems of the Muslims.

Thus before going to Hajj it is necessary to develop sense (Sha’oor) and from where will this sense come? From where can we find the philosophy of Hajj? Hajj has to be done in Kaaba which is the Qiblah of worship but prior to visiting this Qiblah of worship it is essential to understand the philosophy of worship. He says as I kept on pondering on where I can get the philosophy of Hajj I remembered that the Doyen of Martyrs just one day prior to the day of Arafah (9th Zilhajj) removed his Ihram and left Mecca. He left the Hajj ceremony to go somewhere else. Where? To Karbala. I decided to follow the doyen of martyrs and see why he went to Karbala. I also reached Karbala following my Imam and when I reached Karbala I realized that anyone who does not comes to Karbala will never develop sense. And if sense is not acquired then all these circles around the Kaaba will not be of any benefit.

This is the reason the Infallibles (a.s) by their character have invited us towards Karbala because this is where you develop sense (Sha’oor). They first came to Karbala themselves as visitors and then asked the Ummah to come to Karbala. Why? Not to prostrate at Kar- bala, which should be towards Kaaba only, but from Karbala only will you develop the Sense (Sha’oor) for prostration. You have sacrificed the animal in Mina but when you come to Karbala you will understand the philosophy of sacrifice. You have to hurl pebbles on Satan in Mina but until and unless you come to Karbala you won’t be able to recognize the Satan of your era.

Karbala gifts man with sense (Sha’oor) and it is the Qiblah of Sense. This is the reason that Infallibles made Karbala as the Qiblah. They turned the faces of everyone towards Karbala. It was to inform that when religion is secure, you should go to Mecca and Mina and do sacrifices; and your worships will be complete but when religion is in danger what should you do? You should not bring sheep to Mina for sacrifice and for earning rewards, but instead take your family and come out into the field. Performing Hajj under a secure religion and presenting your children for securing religion is the sense which comes out from Karbala. From Karbala you just don’t get dates, frames of verses, shrouds but you get many things from Karbala. What do you get from Karbala? Let us ask those who took from Karbala. Who are they who took sense from Karbala and after taking sense strength- ened the religion of Allah? Come let us ask Khomeini, the foresighted leader of the Um- mah as to what can we get from Karbala and what have you taken from Karbala. Then Khomeini will answer “I have nothing other than the Doyen of Martyrs”. Rubbing the nose of enemies on dust comes from Karbala. The courage for getting enemies down on their knees comes from Karbala, bringing down the throne of the emperor comes from Karbala, sacrificing your children by raising them on your own hands comes from Kar- bala, the call for prayers with “Aliyun Waliyullah” comes from Karbala. Karbala gives sense and when this sense is acquired, your Hajj is completed. This great leader got this sense from Karbala and then called upon the pilgrims of Hajj and said that your Hajj is not complete. Why? This is because they had not acted upon the order of Allah. Which order? He said, your declaration of disassociation from the West. This is where we get the right answer as to why we should visit Karbala on the day of Arafah. Why have the Infallibles turned the direction of the Ummah towards Karbala? So that people could understand the philosophy of Hajj, prayers and Friday prayer, the philosophy of worships could be understood, the reality of religion could be recognized. They come back and say we have performed the Hajj of Ibrahim. Which Ibrahim? You should know that Hajj is following the customs of three personalities; father, mother and son i.e. Ibrahim, Haajar and Is mail. After doing the circumbulation (Tawaaf) you come and stand behind the Position of Ibrahim (Maqaam-e-Ibrahim) to offer Prayer. Do you know what Maqaam-e-Ibrahim is? If there is no Sense (Sha’oor) you will stand behind this great position and ask from Allah jobs, promotions, deals, admission in universities, Visa to West, house, marriage and car. But if there is Sense (Sha’oor) present then by standing at this position of Ibrahim you can realize who was this Ibrahim behind whom I am standing now. He is the one who at a very young age takes an axe and is waiting to get an opportunity to break the idols into pieces and preparing them to be thrown in the fire. Ibrahim knew where the idol temple was and he went there in isolation taking an axe. He crushed all the idols and left the bigger one in- tact leaving the axe in its hand? Why? This was because Ibrahim wanted to shake the sense (Sha’oor) and conscience of the Ummah (people) by this act. Now you visit Maqaam-e- Ibrahim and stand behind it, but who is going to give you the sense about the place where you are standing? Allama said that Allah ordered the Angels that O Angels

Make for me another Haram (sacred house) of sand As I am tired of these marble tiles

We need to find that Haram of Ibrahim and not get lost into the modern Haram made of marbles today. What does a person learn when standing behind Maqaam-e-Ibrahim? When in this position look in your era, look inside your town, your country and see if there are any idols temples or not. If you cannot find then Iqbal says that you are wrong, it is not just your city, country in fact the entire world has today become a temple of idols and this temple is in pursuit of its Ibrahim.

“The world is in pursuit of its Ibrahim

Where the slogan of “La Ilaha Illaha” has turned into idol temple”

This world is searching for its Ibrahim and this is the reason you, the Muslims have been invited and made to stand behind Maqaam-e-Ibrahim and see. What can you see? Do you see Ibrahim as an Idol breaker? But who will give this sense to see things in this correct manner? If you just blindly enlist your name in the Hajj Caravan and reach Mecca then you will only be interested in Chinese products and not in Ibrahim or his position in front of Kaaba. Who will provide this sense to you?

It is mentioned in Ziarat-e-Waritha ‘Peace upon you O the inheritor of Ibrahim, the Friend of Allah’. Please tell me where the position of Ibrahim (Maqaam-e-Ibrahim) is. He will reply saying that Maqaam-e-Ibrahim means getting rid of idols from temples; jump- ing into blazing flames of fire and migrating with his wife and young infant into a barren desert, leaving them alone over there. Whereas we stand behind Maqaam-e-Ibrahim and plead to Allah to grant us Visa for America. This shows that sense has not yet developed. We don’t even realize where we are standing and what we are asking; both the things are absolutely contradictory to each other.

This is the reason it is said that first visit Karbala so that you can develop sense. Ibrahim was asked to leave the fertile land of Palestine to migrate to the barren hard land of Mecca. Ibrahim went there with his wife and infant child. That land where there was no food to eat, no water to drink, no trees for shade and not even a single leaf. Ibrahim was asked to leave his wife and infant in such a place alone. Ibrahim did this without questioning Al- lah as to how my wife and this infant will get milk, who will give them water and shelter, who will save them from beasts? He did not question anything because he had the sense (Sha’oor) which told him that one who has ordered him to do this will also provide the sustenance and take care of them. Now the same infant of Ibrahim grows and becomes a teenager and Ibrahim is asked to take him to Mina to run a knife on his neck. Ibrahim asked his son that I have been instructed to do this, so what did the child reply? اااا اا ااا O my father you have nurtured me and I have been brought up by you. The one who has been brought up in the laps of Ibrahim does not question about the benefit of this act. Though this was an inhuman act, it is an order of Allah and there is blind submission to whatever has been ordered. He says, O father! God willing you will find me amongst the patient ones. This is Ibrahim.

Where will you find the position of Ibrahim when you are standing at Maqaam-e-Ibrahim? You will know this from the inheritor of Ibrahim. Hussain will teach you Ibrahim in Kar- bala. Till the time you do not understand Ibrahim you won’t understand Hajj and hence you have to ask the inheritor of Karbala. This is the reason that the Ziarat of Karbala has been given so much privilege and Karbala has been made the Qiblah of Sense. It is not for the sake of earning high rewards instead it is for the revival of religion. You should visit Karbala so that religion can be enlivened.

There are some big personalities present in Iraq who have made it a practice to visit Kar- bala (Shrine of Imam Hussain) almost every Thursday and not a single Thursday would they have missed. They would have visited Karbala thousands of times in their life but when the time comes to revive religion it is only Khomeini who speaks. He did not visit Karbala for his entire life just went once but came back with Sense (Sha’oor). Hence he revived Hajj as well as religion. Ask the inheritor of Karbala what is Hajj and this is the reason Karbala became the Qiblah of Sense (Sha’oor).

This testimonial of visit (Ziarat Nama) is a manifesto and a protocol of actions but has been written in a coded language. You should visit Karbala and if you cannot than at least sit inside your home and recite this so that you can understand the secret of Karbala. The Hajj of Ibrahim is understood from Hussain. Why? Hajj is the character of Ibrahim but can be understood through Hussain because Allah (s) put Ibrahim to test and then said to him that Ibrahim you have reached your limits and only this much was expected from you so now leave the remaining. Ibrahim supplicated to Allah and Allah said Ibrahim I have made you the Imam. Since Ibrahim wanted Imamat to continue in his progeny than Allah said Ibrahim leave some examinations also for your progeny.

The inheritor of Ibrahim is giving Sense (Sha’oor) to others in Karbala now. He is acting upon the custom of Ibrahim. The moment Hussain stood behind Maqaam-e-Ibrahim a voice came. O Hussain! You are standing behind the position of Ibrahim. The world and this era have turned into Idol worshipping temples and the biggest idol is this Taghut by the name of Yazid. O the Inheritor of the Idol breaking Ibrahim, your obligation is not just take circles around Kaaba instead you have to break the Taghut of your era. O Hussain! Get on the Taghut of your era and stone him. Who should you stone? Not just the cement pillar but Hussain stone the devil of your era. O Hussain! Do the sacrifice in Mina but not just of a sheep in Mina but instead give sacrifice of your children.

When Hussain brought his progeny to Karbala the examinations started. The test of Ibra- him was that he was thrown into the fire, but the moment he was thrown the fire was in- structed to cool down. When Ibrahim left his wife and infant in the barren desert, the child was thirsty but after his wife ran between Safa and Marwa, the child rubbed his feet on the ground and the well of ZamZam gushed out. When Ibrahim took his son for sacrifice and kept the knife on his neck, he was replaced with an animal which got sacrificed. But now look at how the inheritor and progeny of Ibrahim have been tested. This is because it is the test of Sense (Sha’oor). The progeny on the eve of the day of Ashura has their camps set on fire, now there is no command from Allah coming to the fire to cool down, because this is a more severe examination.

This is the sense (Sha’oor) which comes from Karbala which we need.

The Effects Of Secrets Not Getting Unlocked

This testimonial has a specific act of wisdom which has been discussed in a coded lan- guage. These coded secrets did not get unlocked due to which certain duties and respon- sibilities on the believers did not get delivered resulting into a lot of suffering by the Ahl- ulbayt (a.s), Progeny of Messenger (s), followers of Islam and the entire Islamic world.

The dirty hands of enemies did not remain confined to insulting the Prophet (s) but went ahead to the extent of bombarding the shrines of his grandson in Samarra. They destroyed the shrines, stampeded its sanctity and soaked the shrine with the blood of the pilgrims present there. This filthy act has been going on since long and in different forms and ways; sometimes limited to disgracing the Muslim nation, sometimes insulting the Quran, sometimes the messenger and sometimes his progeny. Everything sacred in Islam has been a target of the filthy hands of enemies. It is correct that the enemy from day one aims at destroying religion and continuously attempts to prevent the spreading of truth but in these last two decades and that too specifically in last few years it has turned towards a specific direction. The Muslim nation needs to be awakened and demonstrate cleverness against the enemy. It is essential for us to understand these acts of sacrileges.

If we would have acquired the messages present inside this testimonial of Ziarat-e-Ashura and other similar testimonials, supplications and invocations then today we would not have been witnessing the sacrilege of the Holy Prophet (s), Quran and the shrines of his progeny. But apart from this physical insults and sacrileges one more aggression and op- pression that took place on religion much before all this started was that these manifesto’s which were given to us as a syllabus of life were transformed into some other colour.

Transformation To Hymns (“Wird”)

All these Ziarat testimonials, supplications and specifically Ziarat-e-Ashura instead of be- ing considered as a charter and manifesto were turned into Hymns (known as “Wird” in Urdu and Hindi). These were manifesto’s but the day they got transformed into hymns their direction changed and instead of we unlocking these codes to find out what path has been shown to us inside, we changed the path of this manifesto itself. We did not change our course but instead changed the direction of these testimonials.

There are many things that are influential in this transformation, amongst which one is our culture and the other our civilization. Culture has left serious effects on religion and not just this, in fact culture has turned into religion and is considered more sacred than religion. In the sermon of Mina, Imam Hussain (a.s) addressed the well known person- alities present there and said that when the customs and traditions of your forefathers is trampled you do not tolerate it, but when religious values are crushed, not even a sigh comes out of your lips. When a person’s culture becomes his religion, actual religion gets cornered and kept aside in a secluded place. The culture which we are associated with is the Hindi culture and in this Hindi culture the major intervention is of hymns (oral recita- tions). In the Hindi culture the solution for every problem is Hymn (known as “Wird” in Hindi). There are hymns in place of talks, in place of cognizance (Maarifat), hymns replac- ing actions and everything. There are different names given to different types of hymns. In Hindi culture the Hymns (Wird) are divided into two categories; one is the generic collec- tive one known as “Jantar” and second is a specific one known as “Mantar”. Under certain problems they recite “Jantar” while on certain specific calamities they recite “Mantar”; and this is their worship, religion and everything. This “Jantar Manta” which was a part of Hindu civilization left a serious effect on Islam and Islamic teachings as well; as a conse- quence the manifestos and testimonials of Islam also turned into Hymns (“Wird”). They also got transformed into either “Jantar” or “Mantar”. The Islamic charters (supplica- tions, testimonials) are recited as Hymns for solving certain personal problems. When religion comes out of the state of a manifesto and actions turn into Hymns, it does not matter whether a person acts on that religion or not.

Transformation Of Quran And Character (Seerah) Into Hymns (Wird)

The Holy Quran is the first manifesto of religion which got transformed into Hymns. The Quran was not revealed for Oral recitations instead it came down for the guidance of hu- manity as a manifesto of life so that we can live our life in accordance with its principles and laws. We should begin our morning with the Quran, end the evening with the Quran, we should stand and sit as per Quran; we should should listen to and speak like the Quran. When Quran wants us to speak we should speak and when Quran asks us to remain silent we should remain silent. Quran says when the Prophet or Leader is speaking you should remain silent and listen to him. But the nation (Ummat) which has transformed the Quran into Hymns (“Wird”) does not understand this principle of Quran and speak when the Leader is speaking. They raise objections on the Leader and ask what rights this leader has to tell us not to do such and such thing. This is the outcome of the Religion of hymns (Wird) and just for the sake of formality, oral based recitations. There is a verse in the Holy Quran which says that you should not raise your voice above the voice of the Prophet (s). This is not referring to the tone, meaning that the volume of your voice should be low. When the Prophet (s) is telling you something, you can reply to him but in low voice. What this implies is that when the Prophet (s) is giving you some instructions and tell- ing you something, do not try to override him, object to him or try to make your say by subjugating his words. When you are asked by the Prophet (s) to remain silent and when the Prophet (s) asks you to stand and rise you should stand and not remain seated. When the Prophet (s) issues a command to speak, only then should you speak. Where do you have to speak?

When a person crosses the ditch (Khandaq), comes towards the army of Islam where the crusaders (Mujahideen) of Islam are present and insults the Prophet of Islam and then when the Prophet (s) addresses the entire army of Islam raising a question as to who is there who can shut the mouth of this dog? In this situation no one speaks. Now when the time has come to speak they are not speaking. How much have we heard about this Battle of Ahzab (Khandaq)? How many slogans and praises have we raised in our gatherings (Majalis) on the incidents of this Battle of Ahzab (Khandaq)? What have we learnt from this? We have turned this battle of Ahzab into hymns. Such persons should be commend- ed for their miraculous achievement whereby they have turned a battle into mere slogans of praises and hymns (Wird) and Jantar.

The Prophet (s) had come to give us salvation from these hymns and Jantri’s (a book of good, bad, evil days in astrological format), but instead of leaving these Jantri’s, we have turned the Quran also into a “Jantri”. We have turned the battles fought by the Prophet(s) into hymns. What were these battles for? Were these battle meant for an expert to come and carve stories around this battle and present these stories in different forms for the people to get excited and raise slogans? When such battles are turned into stories, even if these stories are recited for a hundred years, it won’t teach us anything. These battles deliver some lessons. We have spent our entire lives hearing about the battle of Ahzab but it has brought no difference to us. If this battle had not turned into hymns and been narrated to us as a battle, then today the enemies of Islam in the world would not have united to cross the ditch (Khandaq) and come across to challenge the Muslims.

This person crossed the ditch and raising the feet of his horse said “O Messenger (s) you have said that your Ummah (nation) is desperate for Martyrdom, when they die they go to Paradise so my sword is ready to send them to Paradise. So whoever is desirous of Para- dise come forward and let my sword send you to paradise.” He insulted and defamed the Prophet (s) and He (s) turned towards his army and said “Is there anyone who can shut the mouth of this dog?” Everyone’s eyes lowered, heads bent down as if birds were sitting on their heads, but at this instance one personality got up and said “O Messenger! I am ready to deliver this task”. The Messenger (s) asked him to sit down. Why? This is because the Prophet (s) wanted to set a criterion for the future. He (s) was presenting a generic case when an abusing creator crosses the ditch of a battle, which means a boundary or a border of war zone, of an Islamic country or the limits of the Holy book or the limits of freedom. If anyone crosses his limits and insults any element of Islam, the Prophet (s) says that I know there are big names in my Ummah (nation), but I want to see who can shut his mouth?

A community since 1400 yrs is criticizing and condemning those who remained silent with their heads bent down when the Prophet (s) called them to respond, but in front of this same community today, so many Amr bin Abdwood are crossing the limits, they are insulting the Prophet (s) by making his cartoons, they are destroying the shrines of the progeny of the Prophet (s), they abuse Islam and mock the Quran but this community is silent , so with what face are they criticizing the companions of the Prophet (s) in the battle of Ahzab when we ourselves are sitting silent with our heads bowed down when Islam is being insulted. If those who remained silent in the battle of Ahzab come out of their graves, tearing their shroud and call this Ummah “O you the nation, who is criticiz- ing us since 1400 yrs because we remained silent when the Prophet (s) was insulted, is the ditch (Khandaq) not crossed at your time? Is Islam not getting insulted in your era? Tell us how much you have stood against these insults? Even today the Messenger (s) is calling and asking who is there to shut the mouth of these dogs? If your heads are down, then what was our sin that you are condemning? Whatever was our crime, you are a victim of it too.”

So why are the Muslims not rising against these insults? What is the reason for their si- lence? It is because this religion has been turned into Hymns (Wird). They are busy in oral recitations of religion. They are busy reading Tasbeeh.

Tasbeeh(Glorification)turned Into Hymns

What is the meaning of Tasbeeh? It means glorification

O Lord! We glorify “Tasbeeh” your praise, we do your glorification. “Tasbeeh” means glorifying Allah. It means to say that the essence of Allah is not oppressive, this is “Tas- beeh”. To say Allah is not dependent is a “Tasbeeh” (glorification) of Allah. To say Allah cannot be seen, is a “Tasbeeh” of Allah. To say that Allah has no organs is a “Tasbeeh” of Allah. To say that Allah does not live inside any home is a “Tasbeeh” of Allah. To say that when Allah intends to do something, no one can change that intention is a “Tasbeeh” of Allah. To say that no one can confront the religion of Allah is a “Tasbeeh” of Allah. Thus the “Tasbeeh” of Allah in reality is the name of an act, a practice. But the community that has transformed religion into Hymns and oral recitations (“Wird”) for them “Tasbeeh” is a necklace of plastic beads. They turn around the beads with their fingers and call it is “Tasbeeh”. This is the not the religion of Allah, this is the religion of hymns (Wird). “Tasbeeh” of Allah is not a necklace of Plastic beads. It is not that you make a necklace of plastic beads and then start oral recitations. This kind of religion, which is confined to mere oral recitations, bows the head of a person and kills the heart of that person. This religion teaches us to recite on every occasion; it turns every manifesto of Islam into a hymn. This religion teaches us to turn Ziarat-e-Ashura into a hymn (Wird), make Ziarat- e-Jaame also a hymn, Surah Yasin also for oral recitation and the reciting of Ayatul Kursi also a hymn. Ayatul Kursi is not a hymn it is a manifesto of actions. It has been emphasized that the Ayatul Kursi be recited on every occasion like when you wake up, when you go to sleep and when you are sick. So why are we asked to recite the Ayatul Kursi on several occasions? It is not for the purpose of changing it into Hymns (Wird), but in fact it has been asked to be read. You should recite again and again so that you can understand what is to be done?

Reliance On Allah - Code Within Ayatul Kursi

الله لا ايلها إلا هوهايول قيوم

Recite this again and again so that when you are confronted by an enemy or any severe calamity befalls you, you should be aware that there is no one else other than Allah to help you. When “Qayyum” Allah (Self-existing Allah) is present, we should not care about anyone else. Recite Ayatul Kursi so that you know what should be done and that you learn to have reliance on Allah. When we look at enemies we get into Polytheism. How? We count the number of men the enemies have as compared to us and what resources they possess as opposed to us. We exclude Allah from this count. Count Allah (s) also in this because when you count Allah, there will be no need to count anything of the enemies. Your eyes will be only on Allah and no one else.

This is the reason why everyone was astonished when the great Khomeini from Qom chal- lenged the Emperor. His eyes were only on Allah, he was not accounting on anything or anyone else. Everyone was astonished as to whom this lecturer from Seminary was relying upon. He did not have his nation, people and even the scholars beside him. When He was asked on whom he was relying upon to take this big step, he would say Allah is with me.

When someone trusts and relies on Allah, Allah does not leave him alone. There is a tradi- tion from the sixth Imam (a.s), which says that when you leave home you should be with good persons, but you should not trust and rely even the good persons. When you travel for Hajj (Pilgrimage), do it with good people, but do not trust and rely on them either.

Then whom should we trust and rely on, only Allah. Allah (s) says, if you trust and rely on others, irrespective of whether they are good or bad, I will make those relied upon as the basis of your disgrace. On the contrary in this count if someone only counts on me then even if he is alone I will not leave him alone. I will turn the face of the world towards him. I will turn the face of my army towards him. The Religion of hymn (Wird) is the religion of Sufi Courtyards (Khangaah).

The Religion Of Sufi Courtyards (Khangaah)

Why is it that today every person has developed this courage to insult the sanctities of religion? It is not that the insult of religion starts from Denmark and ends in Samarra; in fact the sanctity of religion is trampled everyday in our country as well. They send saluta- tions to the Holy Prophet (s) and then defame the constitution of the Prophet (s). It is the same as blowing off the dome of the grandson of the Prophet (s) or bomb blasting a sect of the followers of the Prophets (s). When the constitution of Islam is defamed inside the country and there is no reaction, it is the same as the Battle of Ahzab. It is this situation of the Battle of Ahzab, which recognizes as to who sits with his head down and who stands with his head up, even if he is only one who stands up from the entire army. When the Messenger (s) bid farewell to this one person, he did with such grandeur that it created doubts in the heart of those who were sitting with their heads down. They did not like the slogan of the Prophet (s) for Ali (a.s) that, “Today the entire faith is going against Infidel- ity”. They said it was an arrogant statement but the Prophet (s) said, this is not arrogance but the truth and this is the entire faith.

The entire faith gets manifested here. Faith is not manifested by moving around “Tas- beeh” beads even for twenty four hours; the faith gets tested and demonstrated under the shadow of swords, it gets proven by cutting off the tongues of defamers. Total faith gets demonstrated only when a true deserving reply is given to those who insult religion and its sanctity. But when religion turns into a Sufi courtyard (Khangaah), these courtyards are places where people just sit and do oral recitations. Sufi courtyards are made away from people’s settlements in forests or isolated places for worshipping of Allah. These centres of worships are cut off from society and are not concerned about what is being defamed and who is being defamed since they have locked themselves in an isolated courtyard and are busy with their hymns.

This is the best way of making the Muslim nation bow down their heads because if they are explicitly asked to leave their religion, they will not leave, if they are asked to leave the Quran, they will not leave, the more they are asked to leave religion, the closer they will get to it. So what should be done? Let the Quran be with them but make it the Quran of Sufi courtyards, turn it into hymns (Wird) and let it not become a manifesto of actions.

Summarizing this poem; Satan invited his representatives from across the world for a con- ference and asked them about the state of the world in different places. He questioned everyone that he had deputed, to corrupt and misguide the entire world, to report back on what they had done? Some gave good reports, which pleased Satan but some gave un- desirable reports. These undesirable reports were that in some regions democracy and freedom were picking up speed and this was dangerous for Satanic plans. They said de- mocracy is dangerous because when democracy comes, man will get the rights to rule and he will get freedom; hence he will be out of the clutches and control of Satan. Satan said I thought my representatives were very clever but I see that your visions are only limited to the outward aspects of things. You are afraid, thinking that democracy is against Satanic conspiracies and plans. You don’t realize that democracy in reality is an attire which I have myself put over dictatorship. You should not be worried because it is the same dictator- ship which has come in the new attire of democracy. Some said that in their regions, there was a lot of noise on communism, socialism, Marxism, human rights and justice and these were threats to the Satanic mission. Satan said that again they were mistaken because these things were not a threat, the real threat came from something else as quoted in the verse of this poem below where Satan tells his disciples

“Jaanta hai! Jisse Roshan baatine ayaam

 Muzdaqiyat Farda nahi, Islam hai!”

Do you all know who has brightened the inner side

Muzdaq is not a threat for tomorrow, but it is Islam

This means every person who understands the reality from inside, it is clear to him that the ideology of Muzdaq is not a threat. Muzdaq was a person who presented the socialist vision three thousand years before it was adopted by Marx and presented in a new form as Marxism. In Iqbal’s terminology Muzdaq implies socialism.

Satan is telling his disciples that socialism is not a dissension. Socialism and democracy are no threats at all to Satan, if there is a threat, it is from Islam. But his disciples replied that, you (Satan) too do not have the right vision because the danger of Islam which you are talking about is also not a big danger. Why? This is because the nation is Muslim only for namesake. Why are you afraid of this Muslim Ummah? They do not recite the Quran, they do not follow the teachings of the Prophet (s), they do not act on the preaching of Infallibles (a.s) and they do not fulfill any religious obligations. Satan said I know that this nation is not obedient to the Quran and Prophetic (s) teachings, but still listen

“Al Hazar! Aaine Paigambari se Sau baar Al Hazar Hafize Namoose Zan, Mard Aazma, Mard Aafreen”

Beware! Hundred times from the (religious) constitution of Prophet That which protects the Women, makes man determined and perfect

I am warning you again to be alert because if there exists any threat, it is only from the constitution of Islam, the religion of the Prophet (s). Do not allow this Ummah (nation) to rise nor allow them to be awakened. Why should this Ummah not be awakened? Satan issued this manifesto and gave this formula in the parliament of his representatives. Today if you want to see the representative of Satan then see who is acting on this instruction of Satan. What were these instructions of Satan? Satan told his representatives not to ask the Ummah to leave the Quran, as they will not do it, but instead change the face of the Quran. Do not tell them to leave Salaat, let the Salaat be with them but change the face of Salaat. Do not tell them to leave mosques, let them sit inside mosques but change the face of the mosque. Do not prevent them from coming to Hussainiah and Azadari; let them come but change the face of Hussainiah and Azadari. How can the face of these things be changed?

“Mast rakho zikre fikre sob gaahi me ise

Pukhtatar kardo mizaaje khankaahi me ise”

Let him enjoy the religion of oral recitations

Strengthen his temperament of Sufi courtyards religion

The instruction of Satan to his disciples is to turn all the religious centers into Sufi Court- yards (Khangaah), turn their mosques and Hussainiah into Sufi courtyards; and even turn their Kaaba and Hajj into Sufi courtyards. What happens in these courtyards (Khangaah)? It is only the oral recitations of religious scriptures. There are no feelings, no concerned- ness, no awakening, no movement, no uprising but they just sit and keep on murmuring oral hymns.

The mosques in which only oral recitation, acts of worships are done and there is no up- rising, such mosques are nothing but Sufi courtyards. The Mehrabs (place of leader of prayer) that do not have any Harb (creating terror in the heart of enemies) are not Meh- rab’s but Sufi courtyards. Hence Satan gave instructions to turn the mosques and Islamic schools into Sufi courtyards. When religion turns in to hymns, there is no one to start an uprising. They sit in the mosques from dawn to night with a sacred supplication book in their hand and keep on reciting it. You would have seen such people sitting with Mafati- hul Jinan and even the Quran, as they are reciting their body is swirling left, right, forward and backward. This is exactly what you see in the places of worships of other religion too, where they are only concerned with oral murmuring of religious scriptures. When Azadari of a community turns into a Sufi courtyard, their Azadari is insulted, bombs are blasted in their Azadari processions and people get killed in front of the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s) and the dome of their Imam (a.s) gets blown off in Samarra, yet they remain unconcerned and it makes no difference to them. They are only concerned about visits to the mosque or Hussainiah to perform their routine oral recitations and then turn back home. There is no one to shut the mouth of the barking dogs. This is the religion of Sufis in which everything turns into oral recitations and hymns (Wird).

Ziarat-E-Ashura - Manifesto Of Actions

Ziarat-e-Ashura is a manifesto of actions which should be acted upon after recitation. Why is there so much emphasis on reciting this Ziarat? This is to make you aware of what you have to do? It is common practice that any manifesto or charter which is important is asked to be read several times. You should recite several times, but with pondering, not just for Thawaab (rewards). You will definitely get rewards but it should not be that you acquire rewards from Ziarat-e-Ashura and go home. This is an example of turning this Ziarat into a hymn (Wird) and we need to avoid doing this. Ziarat-e-Ashura was not meant to be just recited in Azadari and Hussainiah after which you go home with your heads down. Instead Ziarat-e-Ashura is meant to take you out of your bed, out of your kitchen, out of your drawing room bringing you on the streets. Ziarat-e-Ashura is not the sending of people from the streets to their homes, instead it is meant to bring people out of their homes onto the streets (to rise against injustice). It is the raising of bent heads. The way Satan issued a charter to his disciples; similarly Allah also issued a charter to his Angels. If you want to see who is busy in satanic acts, then Satanic acts are those which turn religion into Sufi courtyards. In the same poetic collection of Zarbe Kaleem by Allama Iqbal, he also talks about a charter issued by Allah to the angels. This was to raise the task of the Angels? Allah tells the Angels as narrated by Iqbal in his poem

“Utho meri dharti ke Maqeeno ko Jaga do Mere liye mitti ka haram aur bana do”

“Wake up and awaken the youths of my land Make me another sacred house of sand”

Wake up and awaken the youths of my land, wipe out their sleep, make them restless to build the sacred house (Haram) made of marble in which only hymns (Wird) are recited . I don’t need that Iqbal says, I need a Haram of sand. I don’t need that Kaaba in which people are taught to sleep. My Haram, my Kaaba is that in which man learns the lessons of rising. These are the acts of Angels; one who is sent by Allah delivers this task whereas those sent by Satan make people sleep. Now you can yourself identify who is involved in a satanic act and who is doing an Angelic act?

We think that our duty is only to express our grief in silence. It is a pity that the sanctities of the religion are insulted, defamed and we just limit ourselves to expressing grief by ar- ranging a condolence Majalis. Are we left only to this? Our duty is to amputate those legs which walk towards our sanctity, to cut those hands who sacrilege our sacred things, to chop off those tongues which insult our sanctities. If these legs keep on moving towards our sanctities, be assured that a day will come when these Sufi courtyards (Khangaah) where you are sitting peacefully making oral recitations of religious scriptures will also not remain secure. These will be ruined. These mosques and Hussainiah of ours are not more sacred than the shrine of Samarra; hence if Samarra can be blown off than the reli- gion of no Muslim remains secure. No one’s Azadari is out of danger, no religious centre is out of danger and we can see these things happening in Pakistan. This will happen if we turn our religion into hymns (Wird), turn Ziarat-e-Ashura into lullabies to make people sleep. We should recite Ziarat-e-Ashura before our Majalis and after our Majalis so that we can understand the philosophy of these Majalis, we can understand where we need to go after the Majalis. So why should we recite this Ziarat testimonial after the Majalis?

Cursing The Oppressors

O Lord! Curse the one who first oppressed. What should one do after reciting this verse? We are not asked to recite the Ziarat at the end of Majalis because there is Thawaab (re- wards) in doing so. This Ziarat testimonial teaches us to curse the oppressors, it teaches us to disassociate from oppressors. So by reciting this testimonial after the Majalis, we learn where we need to go, which direction we should turn towards? We need to move to- wards the oppressors, we need to subjugate the oppressors, we need to rub their nose on the dust and we need to bow their heads down instead of us having our heads bowed down in fear and shame. Thus when religion was turned into Sufi courtyards (Khangaah), its worships became hymns, its etiquettes turned into Sufi Courtyards (Khangaah), people were busy in oral recitations, so this poet of the East (Iqbal) again gave a manifesto of how to defend the sanctities of religion.

O Lord! Curse the one who first oppressed. What should one do after reciting this verse? We are not asked to recite the Ziarat at the end of Majalis because there is Thawaab (re- wards) in doing so. This Ziarat testimonial teaches us to curse the oppressors, it teaches us to disassociate from oppressors. So by reciting this testimonial after the Majalis, we learn where we need to go, which direction we should turn towards? We need to move to- wards the oppressors, we need to subjugate the oppressors, we need to rub their nose on the dust and we need to bow their heads down instead of us having our heads bowed down in fear and shame. Thus when religion was turned into Sufi courtyards (Khangaah), its worships became hymns, its etiquettes turned into Sufi Courtyards (Khangaah), people were busy in oral recitations, so this poet of the East (Iqbal) again gave a manifesto of how to defend the sanctities of religion.

Nikal kar Khangaaho se ada kar Rasme Shabbiri

Come out of Sufi Courtyards and deliver the customs of Shabbir

Come out of all these Sufi courtyards which you have made and turn towards the religion of Imam Hussain (s.a). What is the religion of Imam Hussain (a.s)? The religion of Shab- bir is not that the Holy Kaaba be turned into a Sufi courtyard and that Hussain sit there as a caretaking priest. It is not that the Masjid-un-Nabawi turns into a Sufi courtyard and Hussain sits there as a care taker blessing people. Instead the religion of Hussain is such that when the sacrilege of religion started at Damascus and had not yet reached Medina and Mecca, even then Imam Hussain (a.s) bid farewell to Masjid-un-Nabawi and said I am leaving to protect the sanctity of Masjid-un-Nabawi. O the house of Allah! O Kaaba! I have not come here to turn you into a Sufi courtyard instead I have come here to protect your sanctity though for this I will have to sacrifice the sanctity of my family.

Imam Hussain (a.s) did not turn Kaaba into a Sufi courtyard which some others did by taking refuge there. Abdullah ibn Zubair took refuge in Kaaba after the event of Kar- bala. Kaaba was not a Sufi courtyard where he could have taken refuge easily. The army of Yazid came and ruined the Kaaba. They destroyed it with catapults. It is astonishing that there was a day when Abraha came on an elephant to destroy Kaaba, but Allah created an army of sparrows and destroyed Abraha’s army, crushing the elephants. But now there is a day when the army of Yazid is destroying the Kaaba by hurling stones from catapults but Allah is not destroying the army of Yazid. Why did Allah allow his Kaaba to get ruined? This was because when Abraha attacked Kaaba the keys of Kaaba were not with a Sufi, they were with the great grandfather of Hussain ibn Ali (a), Abdul Muttalib. He did not take refuge inside Kaaba, but instead went to Abraha and said “Abraha you have robbed my camels and I want them back”. Abraha said I thought you have come to plead to me to leave the Kaaba secure. Abdul Muttalib replied that I don’t need to do that because the Lord of Kaaba is present who knows how to protect his Kaaba. On that day the one who intended to ruin Kaaba got destroyed but today when the army of Yazid is hurling stones on Kaaba, the Kaaba is getting destroyed but no Ababeel’s are coming, no army of birds is coming to destroy this army. This is because today a Muslim is sitting inside the Kaaba considering it as a Sufi courtyard, so a Kaaba that has been turned into a Sufi courtyard, does not get Allah’s help even if it gets destroyed. We should not turn Kaaba into a place of oral recitation of hymns.

It is the first house of Allah, Why was

Allah did not say, O Ibrahim make a courtyard, did not say make it a place of oral recita- tions, did not say make a centre where lullabies would be sung to make people sleep. O Ibrahim! Make a centre of awakening. Call people towards this centre.

It is an announcement from Allah and from his Messenger (s) for all human beings on the day of Great Hajj (Hajj-e-Akbar) that:

Allah disassociates himself from Polytheists; The Messenger (s) has also disassociated himself from Polytheists.

Kaaba is a place of “Tabarra” (disassociation). What is meant by “Tabarra”? It does not mean using foul abusive words. Those who do “Tabarra” and consider them as people of “Tabarra” should know what is meant by it. “Tabarra” (disassociation) is not foul words, it is not Lullabies, it not just cursing someone by the tongue, and so what is “Tabarra”? “Tabarra” means chopping off the hands which rise towards the sanctity of religion.

In Iraq (where daily sacrilege is done of worshippers, mosques, shrine, Azadar), which is a Muslim country with Shia majority, a Leader of Ummah, the Moosa of his era kept on telling the Ummah to rise. We will support you and Allah will support you too, the entire world will support you, just rise and topple down the throne of his transgressor (Saddam). This Leader (Imam Khomeini) kept telling his Ummah for ten years continuously, to rise; O the nation of Iraq, O the people of Iraq , rise and destroy this devil, despatch him to the hell fire, but they did not pay heed and any attention to the words of the Moosa of their time. But today a Saamri has come from twenty thousand kms away with the Calf of freedom and democracy. When this Saamri kept the calf of elections and democracy in front of this nation, the entire Ummah started circling this calf. This is what is meant by the religion of Sufi courtyards. Hence we should not be surprised when the sanctities of this Ummah gets ruined every day. They all responded to the calf of Saamri in the name of democracy, election and freedom but when the Moosa of their time (Imam Khomeini (r.a)) kept on calling them to rise they did not pay heed to him. At times the attitude of Ummah becomes astonishing.

Bani Israel was also an astonishing Ummah (nation) and they taught an astonishing form of religion to the world. Who was Moosa? Moosa was the one who gave them respite from Pharaoh, one who drowned Pharaoh in front of their eyes, the same Moosa who demon- strated miracles to them at every step, one who protected their women from immodesty, the Moosa who secured their infants from being assassinated. The same Moosa who gave them salvation and brought them to the other side of the Nile said that I am going in occul- tation for forty days but when he returned after forty days the entire Ummah was following Saamri. It is an astonishing Ummah (nation) that Moosa shows them miracles, but they do not understand whereas Saamri makes a calf and they all go behind it. If Muslims learn such kind of religiousness, who will bring them freedom from such calves?

They dance around the calf of Saamri but pay no attention to the voice of Moosa. There are no justifications from the occupiers accepted on these sacrileges which happen in Iraq. Iraq is under their control, they have power over entire Iraq and they have thousands of armed forces in Iraq so even if a glass breaks in Iraq they are responsible for it. They want to start a Shia Sunni sectarian civil war in which they are not totally successful but if they achieve success than this war will be much bloodier than what is happening in Pakistan today. They want Muslims to fight with each other in Iraq; these fights will neither benefit the Shias nor the Sunnis instead the benefit will be to this Saamri who has come with this calf of democracy. They want an insecure Iraq so that they can loot it, so that they can establish their feet firmly in Iraq and stay there forever making it a beginning of the capture of the entire Islamic world (Middle East).

They (Americans) are responsible for every drop of blood of the Muslim that drops in Iraq. They can take the names of any groups like Al Qaeda but the responsibility is on these American. All these name sake groups are also made by them only. Who made Tali- ban in Afghanistan? Who made Al Qaeda? They made these groups because tomorrow when they play with the blood of Muslims there should be someone whom they can blame this upon. But we know that all this tyranny is from them only (Americans).

If a scholarly leader like Baqir ul Hakim gets martyred here, you are responsible for it, if blasts happen in Karbala and the pilgrims are martyred, it is your own their blood, if mosques are blown off you are responsible, if Azadars are attacked you are responsible, if the shrine of an infallible is blown off you are responsible for it. You are sitting with an army of tens of thousands in a country, you have the most advanced technology, you can go to street level satellite imaging to even track the number plates of vehicles, but then the dome of Samarra gets blown off, you don’t know anything about it? Samarra and Kazmain are under your control.

They came and got the Shias behind their calf and are ruining the sacred places of Shias and their religion. What we need here, is a Moosa of the time who desires from Allah to guide these followers of Saamri and his calf, one who takes the reigns of control from the hands of this Saamri into his own hand. Today that Haroon is present, if not in Iraq but present as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Ummah. But these people do not pay heed to his words. He is calling and telling them that whatever these Americans are saying is not accepted at all, whatever work they do you should not accept it. The Leader is telling that we cannot accept anything as goodness from Americans in Iraq because they are the enemies of Muslims in Palestine and they are the enemies of Shias in Lebanon. How is it possible that they are enemies of Shias in Iran, but are supporters of Shias in Iraq? They like Shiite in one place and do not like them in another place? Islam is liked in one place and disliked in the other. But who is there to find the stains of blood on the sleeves of this tyrant? Who will question them? Who will challenge them? It can only be done by that nation which leaves the religion of Sufi Courtyard (sitting inside places of worship doing oral recitations and remaining unconcerned with the affairs of Muslims) and comes onto the Religion of Imam Hussain (a.s). With Azadari and with this Ziarat-e-Ashura we have to teach the world that the religion of silent worshippers and the religion of Imam Hussain (a.s) is different.

Defending The Sanctities Of Religion

How are sanctities of religion defended? It cannot be defended by heads bowed down, not just by reading news of these insults and attacks, not only by expressing grief and remain- ing silent and not by organizing sessions of oral recitations. If you want to see how the sanctity of religion is defended then come to Damascus (Shaam) and witness this scene which made Imam Sajjad (a.s) mourn throughout his life.

When Imam Sajjad (a.s) would be asked where he suffered the most in this event, he would say Damascus (Shaam). What happened in Damascus? Many things happened there but foremost were the insult of the sanctity of religion. The women of the family of the Prophet(s) were walked through a decorated market in a gathering of drunkards, why? This was to defame and insult them. They began to insult and look at the scene wherein the defender of sanctities is also present and in this state of brutally wounded, chained, shackled and roped, he defends the sanctity of Islam. This is the Religion of Imam Hussain (s.a). How did they insult the sanctity? They kept a tray in front of Yazid on which there was a cloth. When the cloth was lifted a chaos took place in the courtyard, there were sighs coming from the family of the Prophet (s). The head of Hussain (a.s) was under the cloth and Yazid started the sacrilege with a stick in his hand. He started to beat the head with his stick; sometimes he would hit on the hairs, sometimes he would hit on the cheeks. A time came when this accursed Yazid crossed all limits by hitting the stick on the teeth of the doyen of martyrs. At this instance the defender of the sanctities of religion, the inheritor of Ziarat-e-Ashura yelled at him, in a state of anger. With her hands tied behind her neck she yelled at Yazid and said O accursed being do you know what you are trying to do? You are playing with the heaven of Allah (s).

These are the teachings of Ziarat-e-Ashura. It teaches us to disassociate ourselves from the oppressors, transgressors by reciting these curses present in the testimonial. And this disassociation means raising your voice, standing and rising against any and all Yazid’s of our era. Then only can we deliver the rights and expectations of this Ziarat.

If pondered over closely, this is just a recitation testimonial in its exterior, but from inside it is a manifesto of secrets from Ahlulbayt (a.s) and specifically a secret manifesto of Kar- bala. These teachings and compilations done by the Infallibles were in a specific era and the specialty of that era is not like that of today when despite of all calamities, atrocities and hardships we are still free to perform the remembrance of Ahlulbayt (a.s) with free- dom. Today if we cannot present the secrets of these compilations than it is our deficiency and crime. In that era people were scared to come in the presence of the Infallibles be- cause the environment was such that even with the Infallibles present, approaching them was not easy. There were many dangers present as regards to the teachings of Ahlulbayt (a.s) amongst which the foremost was from the government of that time specifically from Bani Umayyah and Bani Abbas. The period of all the Infallibles had an impact of Bani Umayyah and Bani Abbas. They had complete control and sensitivity towards what the Imams were teaching and preaching, what message were they transferring to their fol- lowers, what thoughts they were possessing and what plans they had? They were always alert and eager to know about these plans and to do so they would send their spies to the Infallibles, they would keep a close watch on those persons who were frequently visiting the Infallibles. On the other hand the Infallibles had kept a specific focus on Karbala and declared it as the Qiblah of Sense (Sha’oor) for the Muslim Ummah. A special significance and distinction was given by them to Karbala and pilgrimage to Karbala.

Emphasis was laid on visiting Karbala and if someone cannot do so, he can be at his place and be privileged. For this the Infallibles compiled this testimonial and under this testi- monial the practice and Sense (Sha’oor) which was supposed to be derived from Karbala by the Muslim Ummah was expressed by the Imams until Qayamat. Along with this the Ummah was made to understand about a specific class of Ummah and why the incident of Karbala took place and who were its actual motivators? What were the elements active in this?

We will express few guiding points about this Ziarat e Ashura so that it becomes the ba- sis and scale for you to later understand and ponder over the other elements inside this Ziarat. With these guidelines we should be able to grasp the direction which the Infallibles want to give to the Ummah and what level of sense they want to develop inside the nation. Then we should see till date after continuously reciting Ziarat-e-Ashura whether that sense got developed or not. If not then there is a need to change the vision, to change the mentality. If we keep reciting with the same mentality then the changes have not come and will not happen either and it is possible that later also it will not happen.

The testimonial starts with these words. You have the Ziarat Nama present in Mafateeh and other books but the translation present in these books is not very precise and hence we should not consider that the translation is really expressing the meaning. We can say that this needs a more precise translation than what is present today in our books.

Peace Upon You O Abu Abdillah

This testimonial has a few topics of discussions amongst which, the first is the introduc- tion of the Doyen of Martyrs which is with these words.

First is the hereditary introduction which tells the genealogy and the family he belongs to. This was not an ordinary family because the members of this family are a big bounty and favor of Allah (s) on the Ummah. Hence one by one the name of the members of his genealogy was discussed.

Kuniyah

(Aba Abdillah) is the Kuniyah of Imam Hussain (a.s). The Arab culture is different from that of ours. In our culture we call each other by their name but Arabs don’t do that. Even if we see today, in ordinary talks too, Arabs don’t call by names and not even by titles but by Kuniyah. If we look at the Iranian culture they call each other by titles (like Agha) but Arabs don’t do this they always call by Kuniyah. Kuniyah refers to the name which is used to remember someone by associating him with his children or parents or forefathers. Just like Abu Abdallah or Abul Qasim or Abu Mohammad are all Kuniyah. These are all with Umm or Ibn or binte. Like Umm something, binte something, Ibne something. The Kuniyah of the Doyen of Martyrs was Abu Abdallah; two Infallibles are well known with this Kuniyah of Abu Abdillah. The Kuniyah of Imam Sadiq (a.s) is also Abu Abdillah. If we look into the book of traditions most of the traditions starts with this:

These traditions are associated with the Sixth Imam and not Imam Hussain. The famous Kuniyah by which people used to call the Doyen of Martyrs was not Hussain it was Abu Abdillah. The effective personalities of that time also used to call him by the title of Abu Abdillah. Even if you look at the exchange of letters which happened in the journey of Karbala, the letters written by Kufis were all addressed with Abu Abdillah. It is not neces- sary that this type of Kuniyah can only be used if a person has a son by this name. At times a child by that name is present while sometime it might not be present. Those persons who do not have any children are also remembered by some Kuniyah and that is because of some specific traits in them. This means that at times a person possesses such an evi- dent attribute in him that it becomes his Kuniyah and he is remembered by this name. It is like Lady Zainab (s.a), who is referred to as Ummul Masaib. Now Masaib was not the name of a daughter or son of hers. Ummul Masaib means mother of calamities. She witnessed and suffered so many calamities and hardships that her title became Ummul Masaib. At times it also happens that due to a specific trait or attribute, this trait becomes the Kuniyah. In the same manner, Abu Abdillah does not imply that Imam Hussain (a.s) had a son by this name; it means the servant of God. One who is always present in worship and bondage of Allah (s) is Abdillah.

Abdullah - Servant Of Allah

It is related to the Holy Prophet (s) that people used to visit him and ask him by what title should they address him, a title which he liked the most? Like we also do it, if someone’s name is Ahmed we can either call him “Ahmed” or even respectfully we can call him, Mr. Ahmed so that the person is pleased and likes it. So the Arabs also would come and ask him as to what name they should address him with so that his heart is pleased and the name is such that he likes it. He (s) said that call me by the name “Abdullah”, this is the name I like the most. Call me as Abd of Allah which means Servant of Allah.

Now there is a difference between Servant of Allah and Servant of attributes of Allah. There is a difference between servitude of Allah and being the servant of the bounties of Allah. There are many who keep their names as Abdul Razzaq., Abdur Raheem, Abdul Rahman and all these also come in the category of servants of Allah. All these are the attributes of Allah but there is a big difference between Abdullah and Abdul Rahman, Abdur Raheem and Abdul Razzaq. This is because in these names the attributes of Allah is also involved. Like in Rahman, Allah’s compassion is present, in Raheem Allah’s mercy is present and in Razzaq Allah’s sustenance is present. In these names the attributes of Allah are also present and these attributes are the signs of Allah’s actions or affairs. These attributes are derived from the affairs and acts of Allah. Compassion (Rahmat) is amongst the actions of Allah and this attribute of Rahmat has been derived from this legislative act of Allah. And this compassion and mercy has been declared as the attribute and name of Allah. When a person calls himself Abdul Rahman aur Abdur Raheem than those who are highly and purely monotheists understand this very well that if we associate our name with one of the names of Allah, this becomes a monotheistic name. But what is that purely monotheistic name?

Man has many expectations from Allah; he calls Allah for the fulfillment of his desires. He calls Allah by his attributes. Man likes the Rahmat (Compassion) of Allah more than Allah. He likes the bounties of Allah more than Allah; he likes the things given by Allah more than Allah. If someone becomes sick and when the essence of Allah cures him he likes the cure more than Allah. He says Allah Allah but in these words of Allah Allah, cure is present or in other words he is saying Cure Cure, he is saying O Allah give me Cure. He is seeking the thing which he is in need of. He hardly calls Allah. He takes the name of Allah but calls for his bounties always. When man is hungry and he demands food from Allah, he says Allah Allah but what is intended by Allah over here is food. This means he seeks food more than Allah. This is because he knows that sustenance (Rizq) is with Allah and hence he calls Allah, but if he comes to know that sustenance (Rizq) is present with someone else he will first go to that person to get sustenance and when he fails and realizes that he cannot get it from anywhere else, he turns towards Allah for seeking Rizq. It is Rizq which is behind the name of Allah which he is taking. He is a servant of the bounties of Allah. He is the servant of the Rahmat of Allah, sustenance of Allah and not of Allah alone. The true servant of Allah is one who seeks Allah above his compassion (Rahmat), who seeks Allah above his bounties. He does Allah Allah and when Allah asks him what do you need, he does not ask for any of his bounties but says I need you.

O Messenger when my servant questions you about me. There are very few who question you about me. Most of them question about the bounties of Allah. They remember Allah definitely but do not ask for Allah and question about the whereabouts of Allah. All their questions are related to their needs only. But there are some who will come and will only question you about me and not about my Rahmat and Nemat. They are only concerned about me and not with my Thawaab. So what should you reply to them? Tell them

Allah did not say Qul, means O Prophet tell them about my whereabouts. Like when someone asks about something from you, you don’t reply directly but instead you ask your child or servant to go and give them the reply. But at times such personalities come to your door and even if someone else like your child or servant goes to open the doors, you stop him and go yourself to greet him on the door itself. If your teacher, a scholar or your favorite personality is at your doorstep you tell your child or servant that you will go out to greet him. For a certain class of people it has been said to the Messenger that

O Messenger you tell the Infidels

O Messenger you tell the people

Why is Allah asking the Prophet to say this? This is because there are certain persons whom Allah does not even consider worthy to speak to directly. He does not like to talk to them and hence tells the Prophet to tell them as He does not want to speak to them. This is a sign of being unpleased and upset with someone. Allah does not like to speak directly to Infidels and general public because he is upset with them, but when he talks about his servants

When His servant comes and asks about Him, Allah does not tell the Prophet that you reply and tell him that I am near you. Instead when His servant comes asking about Him, Allah himself comes forward and answers, saying:

My servant you are asking my Messenger about me, I will myself answer you. I will tell you about my whereabouts. I will tell where I am? I am very close to you; you don’t believe how close I am? You just call and see.

When my servant calls me, I answer. If he is my servant asking about me then I am very close to him. If you don’t believe than call and see because one who is close can only lis- ten. How close is Allah? How close to us is the essence of truth? He says

Allah is closer than your Jugular Vein. It is not that your creator has just created you and left you on your own. He is near and that too very near you. Just call and see how close it is, there is no need to search for Allah in forests, there is no need for Sufi ruins to find Allah. If you want to find Allah (s.w.t) then turn towards your own self.

One who understands Self Hood, will understand Allah. One who finds his own address will find the address of Allah. Why? Because he is very near. But this nearness is one sided; only Allah is near to his servants but they are not near. Now they are being ordered to acquire nearness to Allah. There are certain proximities which are two sided like if I am near the wall, the wall is also near to me. But there are certain proximities which are one sided. Like the nearness between a mother and disobedient son. The mother is close to her son but the son does not care about her. Mother is close to her but he is not close to his mother. Allah is near to man but man is not near to Allah. This close man is being told by Allah that when I am near you why are you away from me. Are you upset with me? If you are not why don’t you take my name? You are committing sins so I should be upset with you but I am still near you so why are you not taking my name? Why don’t you do Allah Allah? Why don’t you take my name? O my Lord! How can I come near? Then he is told the way to come near me, whatever action you perform you do it with the intention of acquiring my proximity, that I am taking this step for “Qurbatan Ilallaha”, that is to seek the nearness of Allah. So there are some whom Allah has accepted in his servantship and said that he is “Ibadi”, but for others he has said that they are the servants of my bounties. He says they are Abdur Rahman, Abdur Raheem, they are the servants and slaves of my Rahmat and mercy. There are some who are slaves of Allah and some who are slaves of the bounties of Allah. Those who are slaves of the bounties of Allah, get the bounties but don’t get Allah, but those who are slaves of Allah only get Allah and also his bounties.

The Bond Between Allah And Hussain

Look at Dua e Arafah and see what the Doyen of Martyrs says?

O My Lord! One who found you what did he loose. One who lost you what did he find? Some people are in pursuit of understanding Allah. Allah is not someone who could be understood, he cannot enter your minds because he is near your jugular vein. He is some- one to found and not understood. Who is saying this?

This is said by Abdallah, the slave of Allah. He is not the servant of Allah’s bounties. These words are being said by the servant of Allah. O Aba Abdillah, means the Father of the slaves of Allah. One who’s Kuniyah itself is Abdullah, how did he get this Kuniyah? This is because he has never been in need of anything other than Allah. He does not like anyone else, thus Allah orders him. Allah asks people to come to His Paradise. Which Paradise? The one you were desirous of and struggling for, The Paradise of Houries. If you desire the Paradise of Houries, I will give you that, if you want a paradise of Trees and gardens I will give you that, if you want paradise of milk and honey I will give you that too, but re- member that even after going into this Paradise you will still not be in peace, you will still be restless and not contented, why?

Peace and contentment is found in the remembrance of Allah, thus when the turn comes for the slave of Allah and not for the slaves of bounties of Allah. How does Allah calls him?

Why? How did this self become contented? Because he never desired anything other than Allah, he never wished or demanded for anything else. He only desired and wanted Allah

Come amongst my slaves. This paradise of gardens is not your worth; you are much above this paradise of milk and honey. Why? Because you are the slave of Allah alone, you have become contented, you have acquired the status of contentment and satisfaction. And now since you have acquired this position you should come into my exclusive paradise.

This is the paradise of his essence and against his Paradise is a hell which is known as the Hell of Harman, means the Hell of deprivation. One is the hell of fire and flames, whereas other is the Hell of deprivation. Look at Dua e Kumayl. That master of ours who himself says that I am independent of Hell and heaven says that O Allah! I do not worship you for Jannat and neither in fear.

I can tolerate the flames of your hell

But how can I tolerate the separation from your grandeur.

These are instances for which the Quran says that there will be some whom Allah will put in hell fire but there are some to whom it is said:

Allah will not talk to them on the day of Qayamat.

Hussain- The Pinnacle Of Abd Allah

O the slave of Allah, O the slave of only Allah whose eyes did not like anyone other than Allah. Where did he demonstrate the pinnacle of his servitude? It was demonstrated below the dagger. Who is Abdallah? You would have heard about his father? When Ali (a.s) had an arrow stuck in his feet, the companions asked the Prophet (s), how should we remove it, He (s.a.w.s) said that remove it in the state of prayers, because when in Salaat Allah’s attention is towards no one other than Allah. This is servitude and bondage. Now look at the servantship and bondage of the son. The son is in prostration, Shimr has mounted on his back, has the knife running on his neck from behind, slaughtering him, now what is there on Hussain’s lips in prostration? What did he say? Whatever you have heard till now remove it from your mind. His attention and mind was neither towards the knife nor towards Shimr. What were the last words which came out from his sacred lips and got recorded in history and are present in Maqtal? What were the words coming out from the lips of Abdallah?

MISSING VERSE

When the voice came, O the contented soul, come to me. His reply was “Labbaik”, I am here, and I have come. There is no one other than you my lord. I am submitting to your commands, I am accepting your destiny for me. He is remembering Allah right below the dagger, his eyes are neither on the sword nor on Shimr, why because he is the slave of Allah.

MISSING VERSE

This is the first part of the Ziarat, though every sentence in this deserves an interpretation but we will leave these and go to its second paragraph now.

Meaning Of Thaur

I have seen that the translators are confused and bewildered over here. Just by learning Arabic a person cannot learn the testimonials. It is not that one who knows Arabic knows Ziarat-e-Ashura. It is not that those who know Arabic know and understand the Quran. In order to understand Ziarat-e-Ashura you should know Arabic and should also know Ashura. He should be acquainted with both then only will he understand what is meant by ‘Tharallah’.

What is the meaning of ‘Tharallah’? It means the blood of Allah. The blood that has been spilled and has come out gushing. “Thaar” means arousing. “Thaur” means revolution. In Arabic Thaur means revolution. That spring which gushes out is “Thaur”. That which flows at peace is not Thaur, one that comes out with passion is Thaur.

In the first sermon of Nahjul Balagha while mentioning about Bethat of the Prophets it is said that Allah aroused the Prophets, but for what purpose?

So that the wisdom of the people can be raised and the wisdom of humanity can be raised and aroused. There is a difference between things which are raised, elevated and aroused as compared to things which are sitting silent. Water flows in two forms. In a stream it flows very peacefully but if you see it in a river it runs in an aroused form. If you go to mountainous places you will see springs of water. The water coming from these springs flows in a gushing form. This state of gushing and rising is known as “Thaur”. But if the same water accumulates in a pond or runs slowly in a stream or lake, it will be referred to as silent and stagnant water.

Wisdom of man sometimes sits down and sometimes becomes passionate. The thoughts of man become passionate and gush out, when this happens than this is Thaura of human intellect.

Difference Between Community (Kaum) And Ummah (Nation)

When the Ummah calms and sits down then it does not remain as an Ummah, it becomes a herd. The one that is sitting is not called an Ummah it is called a Community. From where did this word “Kaum” came out? When we are traveling or on route to some place, we halt at some place, we call this place as Qayam; we have done Qayam over here. Qayam in this instance means we have become stationary and are not in movement. Like when we are travelling and we are in a state of movement but now we have halted and are stationary, this is Qayam. There is one more Qayam which is opposite to Qaood, which means sit- ting. This Qayam means rising up. The Qayam from which the word Community comes out is the Qayam in opposition to movement. If a group of people are moving than this is known as Ummah but if the same group stops, camps at some place it is known as Qaum, Community. Qaum means halted and stationary beings who have camped at some place. Some place could be a land where you are camped and become a community, you camp on some thoughts and you become a community, you camp on your forefathers customs and you become a community.

But those who don’t stop till they reach their destination are called Ummah. Why? This is because a community means stationary and camped crowd, whereas a moving, aroused collection is called an Ummah. What is the work of an Imam? It is to perform a guidance and leadership of someone moving and not make arrangements for something sitting si- lent. By becoming a community and sitting and doing Al Ajal Al Ajal, no one will come, because an Imam does not come to communities. Eleven Infallibles came to the commu- nities, they were halted and even made the Imam’s get calm and sit down. Allah said now I am going to preserve my treasure, I will not send my treasure till the time you do not become an Ummah; I will not send my treasure inside a community. So the communities sit silent at times or rise, when the communities rise than this is a revolution or Thaura.

Blood Of Allah

The blood which flows in the way of Allah is not Thaarallah which means blood spilled in the way of Allah. Certain things acquire such stature that the essence of Allah associates them with his essence. They get such an elevated position which means that the spirit inside them becomes so strong that Allah associates them with his essence. Just as said before, some persons become Abdullah and some are Abdur Raheem, those who get that much proximity and status, become slaves of Allah and not servants of Allah’s Rahmat.

There is a tradition, which is known as Qurb-e-Nawafil. The meaning of Qurb was said that Allah is near man but man is not near Him. He is asked to come near. So now, when man starts this journey of proximity, the Infallibles say that man starts to achieve proxim- ity and gets closer and closer to Allah and then a stage comes when he becomes so close to Allah that now whatever this man does Allah associates it to himself and says I have done this. This is the pinnacle of proximity, whereby whatever he does; Allah says it is done by me. So whatever they do Allah says that this is not done by him but done by me. Look inside the Quran and you will see exactly the same interpretation.

A person, a slave of Allah gets up and throws an arrow or a pebble. For this hurling of a pebble by the Messenger, Allah says that O Messenger you have not shot this arrow we have done this.

There are many homes made of bricks and stones. But there are certain places and homes which acquire such a status that Allah says that this house is mine, this land is mine, this is Baitullah, and this is the house of Allah.

There is some blood which is spilled on the way of Allah, and it very evident that it has flown in the way of Allah and not for anyone else. For this blood also which is spilled on the path of Allah, He does not say that this is my blood. Spilling blood on the way of Allah is esteemed but it is different because Allah says that this blood was spilled on my way but does not say this is my blood. It is being said for some people.

Salutations on you, the blood of Allah and the son of the blood of Allah. But how was this blood of Allah spilled? How was this spilled on the path of Allah? How was this spilled for Allah? This is not the blood on which you should just come and put your offerings. What kind of blood is this? This is Thaarallah. Thaar means something that gushes out. This is the blood which has roused so much; it has so much elevation that if you try to suppress it,it won’t be suppressed. Why? Because this blood is Thaur. This blood won’t subside with suppression and not just this, the level of rising which this blood has will become means of arousing and raising the blood of others.

The Holy Prophet has said:

The blood of Hussain, the assassination of Doyen of Martyrs has such a burning pain present in it, such a rising inside it and such warmth inside that it will keep on heating the hearts of believers. This is not the blood which seeks mercy and compassion; this is not the blood which is asking for tears from others. This is the blood that arouses tears, which raises tears. This is the blood which first creates a Thaur, a revolution inside man. This does not allow man to sit quiet; it does not allow man to sit comfortably. This is why I said if you want to understand Ziarat Ashura than along with Arabic you should also have an understanding of Ashura.

The Effects Of Thaarallah

This blood does not allow man to sit firm, this blood has no comfort in it, no rest in it. It raises, it makes us stand. But the condition is that man has to come near this blood. If he manages to come near this blood then it is not possible that he can return without Thaur, without a revolution.

If we go ask one who established Islamic Thaur, Islamic revolution and ask him O Khomei- ni these same books were read by others also but from where did you get this revolution?

This Thaur has been gifted by Thaarallah. This is that Thaar of Allah, just come near this and see. Anyone who comes near this cannot sit in peace. People say, how can this be the blood of Allah when Allah has no body. There are certain lands which are so highly statured and elevated that Allah has said that this is the land of Allah. Certain lands are so elevated that Allah has referred to them Arsh Allah, there are some houses whose status are so high that Allah has said that do not associate them with anything else other than me, they are Baitullah. Similarly this blood is such an eminent and great blood, that it is Thaar and Thaura, it has so much rising in it, that it should not be associated with anyone else other than Allah. If you do so its merits and greatness won’t get expressed.

Allah’s essence has no body or blood, so why did he say that this is the blood of Allah? Be- cause this blood is so great and prestigious that till the time it was in the pure and sacred body of Doyen of Martyrs it was restless and had to rise. When it was inside his body that time too it was gushing. The entire media of that time was busy making him understand that O the son of Allah, O the grandson of Prophet, what has happened to you? The entire Islamic world is silent, why are you rising all alone? He replied, that I have been fed on the milk in those laps, that when entire Medina was sleeping my mother alone came out. My blood has been made from that milk. This is the milk of Revolution.

Imam Khomeini (r.a) was asked where are those revolutionaries on whose support you have started this movement? He replied that they are in the laps of their mothers suckling milk. Which mothers? It is those mothers who were going to the Majalis of Ashura with their infants and breast feeding infants. They were listening to the remembrance of Hus- sain and at the same time feeding milk to their infant. That remembrance and name of Hussain got instilled inside the milk; it became part of their blood. If this remembrance gets inside milk and becomes part of the blood than this blood will never allow the person to sit comfortably. The entire medina was silent, and the daughter of the Prophet (s) came out, the big personalities were silent and it was this lady who came out. Today who are we remembering and what are we doing?

Today when the Prophet (s) is insulted we have to go and plead in front of others to come out and raise their voices, do a protest and defend our Prophet? The dome and minarets of the son of this Pure Lady Zahra (s.a) is bombarded and blown off and we have to request people to come out in rallies and protests. Whose followers are we? You are the followers of Pure Zahra (s.a). She came out into Medina and knocked every door. You are narrators of traditions, you are commentators of Quran, you are Jurist of religion, you are a scholar,you were the writers of Quran, you were present in Ghadeer, and they replied that we don’t have time, our memories are weak, and it is not the right thing that people will get divided. When she heard all this, she came out alone in Medina. So how is it possible that the son of this mother can sit silently in Medina. He cannot sit silently; He is the Thaura, the Thaar, the blood of Allah.

Say this, not because that this should earn you Thawaab (rewards). Recite Ziarat Ashura and recite it with this name of Hussain and send salutations on him, in the name of “ Thaarallah” so that you can also develop Thaur inside you. This is the secret code in- side these words. It could have been said to recite salutations with some other names also, why this name, he could have been referred to as Madani, Makki or something else. The Ziarat Nama starts from here, where the genealogy ends. Recite Ziarat-e-Ashura again and again. When you recite it again and again what will you understand? You will understand that the entire Medina is trying to make Hussain understand not to go but still insists on an encounter with Yazid.

Even today there are people; one deviated being from Pakistan. He on a TV program, where astonishingly our Shia Scholars were also present, said something insulting. The host asked him that so many companions of the Prophet were present and the sons of the Prophets were present and Yazeed came into power so why did they all not rise, why did only Hussain speak out. He was told and explained that he should not go, then why did he leave. When a person becomes adulterated in thoughts and deviated see than what hap- pens and what reply he gives. When the soul of man gets adulterated then what happens? What did this rascal reply? He replied in a highly oppressive statement. He said it was his temperamental stubbornness. Where all will we get insulted? We will only realize that we have been insulted only after they blow off the domes of our shrines or make cartoons of our Holy Prophet (s)? Why are we not sensitive about our religion? Till the time they don’t blow off the shrine in Karbala won’t we consider these things as an insult? He said it was temperamental stubbornness. O you fool! It was not stubbornness, it was something else? It was the milk of Zahra and it was the blood made out of Zahra’s milk. It was the arousing of this blood, this was Thaura, this was Thaarallah, and Saarallah does not permit to sit. When religion is in danger Saarallah does not allow you to sit. This was the Thaur of temperament and not stubbornness. This was the arousing of temperament. An attack on religion develops Zeal inside man.

What should we do after reciting Ziarat-e-Ashura?

Recite Ziarat-e-Ashura, after reciting Ziarat-e-Ashura what should you do? If by reciting Ziarat-e-Ashura you are able to understand the secret code inside Ziarat-e-Ashura , the code unveils itself and there is only one option left, the only path which becomes clearly visible. Which Path is that? It is the path from Ashura to Revolution, the same path which this great Leader Imam (r.a) undertook. The moment this lecturer of Qom understood Ashura, he no more remained a lecturer, a Jurist, he turned into a Leader of the nation. He became a guide. He said there is nothing from me, nothing has come out from my mind, and whatever I have is from the Doyen of Martyrs. Whatever I have is from Mohurrum and Safar. If man understands Ashura than it does not allows man to sit quiet.

Al Witral Mautroor:The Loneliest One

After Thaarallah comes the phrase of “Witrat Mautoor”, which is very painful. You recite this in Ziarat but would not have paid attention to its meaning. What is meant by Witral Mautoor? It means all alone. In Salaat e Shab (midnight prayers) the last unit is known as Salaatul Witr. Why is it called Salaatul Witr? This is because it is one unit, because it is one unit and is all alone and not with something, it is known as Witr.

O the loneliest one. You are also alone and your path is also lonely. His religion is also lonely and his mission is also lonely. This is the code. What is the infallible saying? Now you realize? Why was he martyred in Karbala? It was because he was isolated and made lonely. He was left alone. They were all busy in their rituals. Some were busy in Ziarat in Medina, some in Hajj in Mecca, some busy in their businesses, and the people of Kufa were busy in their betrayals, some busy in their pragmatism. All were busy with some ex- cuses, but why was the son of Zahra martyred in Karbala lonely? Who left him alone? Not the enemies, in fact enemies had surrounded him, there were people around him. So who left him alone? Those who were supposed to be with him on this path, are the ones who left him alone. This means the nation, the Ummah left him alone, the Ummah made him Witral Mautoor. Karbala came into existence because he became Witral Mautoor. What is the infallible saying? Recite Ziarat-e-Ashura, Recite again and again so that you will understand why Karbala came into existence. We should also read this so that it should not happen that we are also included in those who left him alone. There is no need to show sympathy towards Hussain by sitting in Medina. People sympathized but left him alone. Leaving Hussain alone and then sitting in Medina to cry? The Kufi’s left Hussain alone and then mourned on him, when the ladies entered Kufa they saw the Kufis crying on their roof tops. Lady Zainab saw that these people had left Thaarallah alone in Karbala and now they were mourning. What did she tell them?

Lady is telling, you are crying for my brother, may you weep because people like you should weep throughout. Why should they weep forever? This is because when it was time to come out into the battlefield they did not come out and now they are sitting and crying in grief. These tears of grief have no benefits now. I wish instead of these tears of grief you had come to Karbala and given just one drop of blood and not left my brother alone. You should not have become spectators only and cry in grief.

Some say that I wish I was in Karbala. What would you have done if you were present in Karbala? Whatever you are doing today you would have done the same thing then also? What have we done today? If today we leave the path of Hussain ibn Ali alone and just be contented by sitting inside homes and Hussainiah and just make crying our slogan then if we would have been present in Karbala we would have done the same there as well. We would have just sat and mourned, not going to help Hussain. If you want to prove that we are not like those treacherous Kufis and we would have been amongst the seventy two , amongst the martyrs of Karbala than we have to practically prove this by not leaving the path of Hussain ibn Ali alone.

You should not leave Hussain alone. What did the Lady say? Keep on crying, but remem- ber the place where you are sitting and crying is not the place to cry, come in our place and then cry, it is our position to cry. Why are you crying? There is no head from amongst you on a spear? If you want to cry and if you had no head on a lance than at least one of your shoulders should have been tied up with ropes. The women and children were all crying, but where? They were not sitting on roof tops and crying, it was not the tears of specta- tors, it was not tears of shame; it was not tears of mercy on the captives, what were their tears for? O you people who seek and desire intercession from Hussain, you seek rewards from Hussain, today Hussain has been martyred alone.

The Infallible has mentioned in the Ziarat Nama (testimonial) that you should curse a specific category, which is that category, say Curse on those who left Hussain alone. If we had been in Karbala, we would have been in the same position in 61 A.H Karbala, as we are in today. Where are we standing today? There was a person who took the oath of the governance of Ray, but when he struck the first arrow, he told the people to be a witness to the fact that he was the first person to strike an arrow on Hussain’s tents. It is mentioned about him in Ziarat-e-Ashura, that we should curse him, Laanallah ho Umar ibn Saad. O Allah! Curse Umar ibn Saad, curse him in every era. So who is the Umar ibn Saad of every era? One who for the sake of power, for the sake of the chair, for the sake of position, strikes arrows on the camps of Hussain or the Purpose of Hussain.

This Ziarat Nama (testimonial) unveils curtains and masks from faces. It exposes the faces of history and tells you to turn around after reciting the ZA and look to see if you can find Umar Ibn Saad somewhere. Do not go back home after reciting Ziarat-e-Ashura because after reciting the Ziarat-e-Ashura a person gets a Baseerat (foresight). Do not try to hunt for jobs by reciting the Ziarat-e-Ashura or ask for the world or for a Visa or to solve your small problems. After reciting the Ziarat-e-Ashura supplicate to Allah that, O my Lord grant me that foresighted vision (Baseerat) so that I can see the Umar e Saad of my time.

Just praising Mukhtar –e-Saqafi and raising slogans that he has taken revenge from the enemies of Hussain is not enough? Why? Mukhtar e Saqafi got all the necks beheaded, but still the revenge is not accomplished. Why? This is because the Infallible himself is saying, but not the martyred Infallible. It is the Imam of our era who is saying this. Just read the elegy of the Imam and see what he is saying?

He is saying that O people! Till date the revenge of the murderers of Karbala has not been taken. Who is the revenger of the blood of the Ahlulbayt (a.s)? Mukhtar got all the necks beheaded but the Imam is saying that the revenge has not yet been taken. Why? Because even though few necks which were present in Karbala were beheaded but their generation is still alive, their children are still alive, their followers are still remaining. Till the time they are moving freely on earth Imam Zamana’s (a.t.f.s) voice will keep on moving around seeking the revengers of Karbala? We say Al Ajal, O my master come, whereas our Imam is sitting there and saying?

Where are the revengers of Karbala? Imam e Zamana (a.t.f.s) is searching for them. So Witral Mautoor means the loneliest Hussain. Do not leave Hussain alone, do not leave his path alone, do not leave Thaarallah alone, do not leave Hussainiat alone, it is not that by taking his name one becomes his companion. This is because the Kufi’s were also taking his name, they had not denied the name, so they did not disrespect him, but they were not willing to come together, they did not walk together and therefore left him alone, despite the respect in their hearts. If the path of Hussain requires, do not cause delay, if you delay for any reason you will once again make Hussain “Witral Mautoor”

Understanding Religion Needs Sense (Sha’oor)

As mentioned briefly before, the manifesto of Imamat and Wilayat, compiled by an Infal- lible, has been coded for us to understand that the secret, which they wanted their eligible followers to receive was preserved from getting destroyed by the enemies.

In its outward, it is just a simple Ziarat testimonial for recitation but written in coded form. These were those essential points and sensitive issues which the Infallibles wanted to inform their effective Ummah (nation) about, but were experiencing difficulties in do- ing so. Hence the Infallibles compiled these points and issues in the form of encoded Zi- arat testimonials thereby preserving them forever. This wise act proved effective because distortions had taken place in the narrations of Infallibles. People had carved narrations of their own and then associated them to the Infallibles presenting it to others. Thus in order to understand religion we need knowledge, Jurisprudence and thinking because without knowledge man cannot figure out what religion is or is not. This tradition has been pre- sented several times that understanding religion is not so simple.

Religion is finer than a single strand of hair and sharper than a sword.

It is not easy to understand something that is so fine and thin; a person who has a micro- scopic vision can only understand it. A person who is well versed with some skill and talent does not imply that he also understands religion. It is not that every talented person or an artist comes out to express religion. A person has to spend his entire life understanding religion and those who have little weakness in their vision, things which are fine and thin get lost from their sight; instead of religion he starts to gather something else considering it as religion. There is a parable in Arabic known as “Hatib-ul-Layl” (wood-fuel collec- tor). “Hatib” comes from the word “Hatab” which means wood and specifically that wood which is used as fuel for burning. The Holy Quran has also used this word; in Surah Lahab the Quran addresses the wife of Abu Lahab as the wife of wood-fuel collector.

“Hammala” in this verse is the lady who collects and “Hatab” means wood used as fuel. “Hatib-ul-Layl” now specifically refers to one who goes out at night for collecting wood for fuel. Today we have gas, kerosene and other means of energy but in the past only wood was used as the source for generating energy. People would collect wood and tree branch- es and burn it for cooking. They would go out at night to collect wood because it was comfortable at night, considering the scorching heat in the dessert at night. There was one person who would go out to collect fuel at night. This fuel would be camel dung, left over pieces of ropes and wood stems from the Bedouins caravan that would have camped at some place. When the Bedouin caravans were on their long journey, they would halt at a place and when they left that place they would leave behind the rope pieces, mats, palm leaves and wood etc, which would be used as fuel by these collectors. This person would go at night to these halting places of Caravans to collect fuel. He would pick anything in the darkness that resembled a rope or a wood piece in his sack and carry it home. A snake is also like a rope and specifically during winter the body of the snake gets cold and it becomes still. This person while collecting fuel at night got his hand on a snake, picked and dropped it inside his sack carrying it home. When he reached home and untied the sack the snake came out with the other things. Being inside the sack the snake has warmed up and got into movement. The moment he got the fuel out of the sack the moving snake struck him, biting him to death and hence this parable is associated with him. “Hatib-ul- Layl” means one who collects fuel at night. He could not differentiate in the darkness of night between a rope and a snake. He picked up a poisonous snake with his own hand, resulting with his death.

This parable is presented for those who without thinking and pondering accept every- thing. It is presented to him as religion in the dark nights. From this same religion a poi- sonous thing such as a snake will come out that will assassinate his world. Thus religion is not as simple, everything starts to express religion. Those who spent nearly three decades of their lives understanding and recognizing religion should be questioned as to why they spent their entire life just understanding religion? This is because it has been mentioned about religion that it is finer than a single strand of hair.

It is very difficult to find a single strand of your own hair if dropped on a floor. If someone is asked to find a single strand of hair dropped on a carpet it will be very difficult for him to do so. If the same hair is dropped in a stack of straw and hay, how much more difficult it will be to find it? When layers of straw have come over it, it becomes much more dif- ficult to find it. Now you would be thinking what kind of straw and hay are these in which religion has got lost? These straws are of culture, local customs, mischief, evil habits, forefather’s religion; self carved visions of man, superstitions and innovations (Biddah). When religion gets lost in these piles of straws even thirty years are not enough to find religion, which is finer than a strand of hair, from these piles of straw and then present it to people.

Religion is so fine and thin that understanding it has been resembled with a hair strand; hence what is required to understand religion is sense (Sha’oor). In Arabic “Sha’ar” means hair and from it is derived the word “Sha’oor” (sense). “Sha’oor” is Sense, which is a word used by the Quran saying that some people do not have sense (Sha’oor)

These people do not possess sense. What is meant by Sense (Sha’oor)? Sense is that power of understanding which can grasp and pick very fine, thin and complex things. Some people understand big, fat and clearly explicit things but are not able to grasp fine, precise and complex things. When the discussions are direct and explicit they understand, but when the same discussions turn into something fine, precise and complex they start to look at doors and windows, which means they are not able to understand what is being talked about. Why does this happen? This is because they lack “Sha’oor” (Sense). Since hair is “Sha’ar” and the faculty which Allah has given to understand things are finer and thinner than hair, is “Sha’oor”; one who lacks this sense cannot understand such things. Thus we can realize that if religion is finer than hair, it won’t be understood without hav- ing sense (Sha’oor).

Why is a person not bound to perform religious duties before puberty and maturity? This is because till this time he has not developed Sense (Sha’oor). Religion has not come to cause you fatigue with acts of worship. Religion wants you to wait till the time you develop sense (Sha’oor) and then deliver your rights of worship, due to Allah. But if a person on turning sixty still does not develop sense and remains senseless, he will never understand religion. Thus man should have sense and using this sense he should find the right re- ligion; and it is not sufficient to just find religion, he should then act upon it. When he starts to act upon it, he realizes that it is not so easy to act upon religion. Why? This is be- cause there are many other ways other than religion; there are many crossroads through which man has to travel and religion amongst these roads is the path, which is sharper than the edge of a sword. This is the reason why the hearts of those who are aquainted with the Quran, shiver, their bodies tremble and they faint when they read this verse. For those who do not read the Quran, the biggest benefit for not reading the Quran is that they do not develop the fear of Allah in their heart. If you want to develop fear of Allah in your heart and you want that fear and humbleness to increase then you should read the Quran. The verse listed below is amongst those verses which develop fear in the heart of believers and makes them tremble.

The majority of those who brought faith are adulterated with polytheism.

This implies that most of the people who brought faith, did not have pure faith, it was adul- terated with Polytheism (Shirk). In Nahjul Balagha, Ameerul Momineen says that polythe- ism is not something with a heavy body that can be easily seen and felt. The resemblance of polytheism is like a black ant walking on a black smooth stone in a dark night. Now you can imagine; first of all an ant as such cannot be felt and He (a.s) says that a black ant walking on a smooth stone, means no sensation at all. So now when this ant passes over this smooth black stone in the dark night it does not leave any footsteps passing through without being felt by anyone. This is how polytheism passes through the heart of man and he does not even feel, sense or realizes it.

When someone heard this verse he got disturbed and came in the presence of Imam (a.s) and questioned as to what this verse is talking about? If a majority of people’s faith is adulterated with polytheism then what kind of polytheism (Shirk) is this that comes over faith causing it to be adulterated and impure? Imam (a.s) replied that when people quote, first he or she and then Allah; when they hand over something to someone like leaving your child in someone elses custody for taking care, you say, please take care of him and than after Allah I trust you. Imam (a.s) said all these statements depict Polytheism (Shirk) because Allah (s) is not that first who has someone as second (or after him).

He is the first and he is the last, so do not say that first Allah and then you or someone else. Allah comes first as well as thereafter. So we know how difficult this valley of monothe- ism is; it is sharper than a sword. You may have seen on motorways that there are tracks made for traffic and for driving safety of yourself and others. It is essential to drive in your track, but the people in India and Pakistan do not understand why these tracks are made; they think that may be the government had extra money so they painted these roads with these white lines. Hence they do not care about these lanes and just cross left and right. For them it is something very ordinary to swirl around tracks. Since we are used to go- ing left and right across these traffic lanes we very easily cross the lines made by Allah (s) for religion. Sometimes we go left, sometimes right and very easily keep on crossing the lines of religion and this is Polytheism (Shirk). The Infallible Imams (a.s) have expressed and made us understand religion; they have informed us about the preciseness of religion and have coded these minute and fine lines of religion in an encoded language (of these testimonials). They have established these codes for us and now we have to unlock these codes.

A point worth quoting as an example to this would be about an Egyptian writer who writes in his book that the history of Shia Imam’s have lots of ups and downs. Then he talks about what he implies by these ups and downs; and says. Their first Imam took interest in  politics, second Imam also took interest in politics and their third Imam also indulged in politics but was severely crushed and got out of politics thus their fourth Imam cornered himself from politics living a solitary life. Then came their fifth Imam, who realized that this life of solitude is not good and man should do something, since there was no room in politics, he stepped into the field of knowledge. He made schools, universities and made students whom he taught Islam, religion, Jurisprudence, history and other sciences. The sixth Imam also continued on the same path and broadened the field of knowledge. But when their seventh Imam came he found opposition in the field of knowledge as well and that was taken from him. Thus if you look at the seventh Imam of Shias you will not find any political or intellectual field of work. After him even political power was presented to the eighth Imam but he refused to accept it. He says that the reason the eightth Imam refused, was because he had the memories of his forefathers that first when they entered politics, they were severely crushed hence the eight Imam also did not wanted to step into the world of politics. Then after the eight Imam we see silence and stillness; no intellec- tual or political activity is seen. This is the analysis done by an Egyptian author under the light of history.

People think and ask as about the history of the Infallible Imams because whenever we talk about them we only talk about the life of one Imam; we don’t know what the others did. Hence when we are not aware of the history, such kinds of interpretations come out. It is evident when a person tries to understand with a liberal or a secular mind he cannot understand religion. Man should not become so liberal that he exits out of religion and neglects the criteria’s of religion. There are some who did historical analysis, but they committed severe mistakes and distortions in their analysis which was accepted as truth by others who came after them; amongst these historians was Ibne Khaldoon. There is no doubt that Ibne Khaldoon is a famous historian who has brought a revolution in history and that too specifically in the Philosophy of History, but at the same time it also happens that one who does big things also commits big mistakes. He also committed mistakes which were accepted by others coming from him as truth. Since we are not used to reading books, we do not reckon such blunders being made by famous historians. We are used to listening to anything delivered from the pulpits and consider these as words carved on stones, which would never ever fade.

Thus at times, such historical analyses are done that create big difficulties in the future. Ibne Khaldoon did the same thing by his analysis that the history of Shia Imams is full of ups and downs. If he had seriously pondered with an unbiased view and not a prejudiced analysis, he would have known how the Shiite Imams understood religion. They made people understand it, they defended religion and presented it to the world so that it could be transferred to further generations in coded language.

Ziarat-e-Ashura is this coded manuscript and so is Ziarat-e-Jame a coded testimonial, but it is necessary that this code gets unlocked for us. The Psalms of Imam Sajjad (Sahifa-e- Sajjadia) is not a book of mere recitation of earning rewards; it is a book of coded mes- sages. What kind of Psalms are these? If these Psalms are recited by man he will be able to understand the religion of Imam Hussain (a.s). How?

There is a very close interconnection between these Psalms (Sahifa-e-Sajjadia) and Kar- bala. We have done very briefly the exegesis of two verses of this Ziarat. Though I have not done enough justice with these statements and kept it brief only, each and every sentence of this Ziarat carries a deep meaning inside it. The messages embedded inside the verses of this testimonial are very deep and precise; hence we need to dive deep inside it. It is common principle that pearls are found in the sea bed, hence in order to acquire pearls from the sea, you need to dive and therefore just knowing to swim is not enough. What is there on the surface of the sea, is only bubbles of foam. These bubbles look like pearls, but when you take it in your hands, there is nothing. So if you remain on the surface you will only get air bubbles but if you desire the pearls, you need to dive deep down. In order to dive deep you need strength, courage, perseverance and long breath. We are not used to these things because we always look for shortcuts. Those who use short cuts, run out of breath and cannot dive deep inside the ocean holding their breath for long. For diving man needs time, he needs a strong self so that he can dive in this ocean. Ashura is the name of an ocean and we have not even reached the shore of this deep ocean.

In the next statement of Ziarat-e-Ashura it is mentioned:

Salutations on you and those souls who sacrificed their lives in your presence! This refers to the companions and supporters of Imam Hussain (a.s). These are those seventy two companions, but they were more than 72. They were more than 100, around 102 or 103 who left their homes and came along with the Doyen of martyrs. The number of seventy two has become famous some how but they were more than seventy two but in any case even if you consider them as 72 the point over here is that they were not ignored in this testimonial. This testimonial sends salutations on the blood of Allah (Thaarallah), sends salutations on the loneliest one (Witral Mautoor) and then sends salutations on

Salutations on those souls who sacrificed themselves at your feet and gave everything they had on the path of Imam Hussain (a.s). Salutations are sent on them even if they were 72 or 102. The question which comes up over here is that in such a big Islamic world which had a city like Medina, where big personalities were present, a city like Mecca where big names were present; there was Egypt, Khorasan and Kufa, all of which were Islamic prov- inces; then how come only these 72 came to Karbala?

Why did only these seventy two reach Karbala and why not others? The people of Medina instead of coming along with Imam Hussain (a.s) stopped him from going and expressed their sympathies towards him. On 8th Zilhajj when people put on their Ihram for Hajj, the doyen of martyrs expressed his intention of going to Kufa. He informed them that he was leaving for Kufa the next day and asked them to join him, but also warned them that anyone who goes with him will get martyred. Everyone remained busy with their Hajj rituals and did not join him. The big and famed personalities did not join him and then on his journey from Mecca, all along he kept inviting people as and when he met them. He sent messengers to some towns with invitations to join him, certain places he despatched letters and invited all Muslims to join in this uprising of truth. These people did not come with him except those these seventy two to whom this testimonial refers to as.

Why Only 72 In Karbala - Unlocking This Code

These were the ones who were privileged to be martyred with the Doyen of Martyrs. We should see, look and ponder over these two categories of people; one is that majority who remained inside their homes and second was that minority who came to Karbala; what was the difference between them? It was not that those who came to Karbala were differ- ent types of human beings with different needs as compared to those who did not come. Whatever these seventy two possessed others also had the same. It was not that the needs and living necessities for those who did not come was far more than these who came. It was not that those who did not come had families whereas these seventy two did not; even they had family, they had children and old parents who were being cared for by them. They also had employments, businesses, occupancies and other commitments just like others. So the situation and the circumstances were the same for both the categories; those who came and those who did not come. This is the code which we need to unlock over here as to why this majority did not come to Karbala that too on specific invitations by Aba Abdil- lah (a.s). When we unlock this code and come to know the reason as to why this majority did not come to Karbala, we will know the secret behind this verse as to why such a glori- fied salutation has been sent on these seventy two with the words:

O Aba Abdillah! We send salutations on you and those companions of yours who sacri- ficed their lives in your company and were martyred along with you. This is the code, a secret which we need to unlock and unveil to find out why only such a small number came to Karbala. Was this majority not able to understand what Imam Hussain (a.s) was talk- ing about? Was their intelligence and wisdom not working? In the Sermon of the Pious present in Nahjul Balagha it is mentioned that one of the traits of pious beings is that they do such things which are above the level of understanding of common man and the com- mon world. They take such steps which are beyond the level of understanding of ordinary beings. Since what they do is not understood by the people; people accuse them of being insane and crazy. The worldly people call them insane and crazy. The mystical and pas- sionate poets are also the same, what they write is not understood by people and people call them crazy. One such mystical poets says that there is no need for us to live in moun- tains and forests to be termed as insane; we are insane in the cities and towns itself.

There are some people who are insane while living in towns because they are doing things which are not understood by others. People question them about what problems they have, what kind of pain they are going through? Why are you doing such absurd (for them) things? They say that these people have lost their senses; they do not understand things, they have become crazy and are doing such things out of craziness. According to Allama Iqbal the things done by the heart are such that the mind (Aql) considers it as passion. Intelligence sees it as madness, what the heart considers to be the right path (Seerat-e-Mustaqeem). Hence when the heart is on the Right path, till the time you don’t do things which the world calls crazy do not think you are on the right path. The people of the world should question you about your craziness.

Death is in front of their eyes, Martyrdom is guaranteed, their children will become or- phans, their wives will become widows, the worldly life is in front of them, but still they have closed their eyes to all these facts and are moving towards their creator. Those who are worldly think of this step as madness only. They say these persons are passionate, mad and extremist minded. Why did they come to Karbala? What dragged them to Karbala? The behaviour of such communities is analyzed in history as to why this community behaved differently from the majority. When Iraq was attacked the Americans thought that the entire Iraqi nation would give them a warm welcome, put garlands around their necks because they had brought salvation to the nation from Saddam. They were surprised when they saw the opposite happening. The majority of the Iraqi nation began to demand them to leave their country. The Americans were surprised and questioned as to what had hap- pened to this community? Are they insane, mad? Why are they behaving like this? We have given them salvation and freedom from a tyrant and rather than thanking us they are asking us to leave.

Similarly when elections took place in Palestine, the Palestinians did not cast their votes for the agents of America and Israel but instead voted in full majority to Hamas. They immediately said that these Palestinians had gone crazy and mad. Hamas is only going to bring for them more difficulties, so why are they selecting this path? When the Iranian nation re-elected President Ahmedinjad, they again said that these people are mad, they are once again electing a President who is confronting the world. They said Iranians are insane, they need a leader who is wise, compromising, diplomatic and who thinks about economy whereas they have elected a person who only talks about God, faith and revolu- tion. The historians analyze such things but unfortunately most of the time they come out with incorrect conclusions.

Once Imam Khomeini (r.a) was a little sick and he did not give a speech and neither did he come on the Television for a few days. A rumour was spread that Imam (r.a) has passed away and the government has concealed his body and was not declaring it. Then after some days Imam (r.a) recovered from his sickness and came on TV to deliver a speech. In this speech he said that I saw in the news and also read in newspapers that this news was being spread that Khomeini has passed away and there were some who were feeling very happy about it. They were thinking that with the death of Khomeini their difficulties will go away and they will breathe peaceful. Imam (r.a) told that you should scrub you intel- ligence and realize that your difficulty is not Khomeini, it is Allah. Hence you should pray that Allah should die but this will not happen, because Allah can never die. Hence do not celebrate on the news of the death of Khomeini because your problem is Allah. Till the time Allah is present you will have to live in problems because Allah will bring someone or the other in your opposition. Allah does not lack this. Some people think that we have no one to help us. They do not read the Quran to see what Allah (s) says:

The treasure of everything is in our hands but we dispose it within limits. The treasures of Allah are full and you just need to be prepared. If you are prepared then there is an abundance in the treasure of Allah.

Similarly Pharaoh used to say that this Moosa is a strange person. He has a community who does not understand what he says and what others say but still this Moosa is confront- ing me with just a stick in his hand. Imam Khomeini (r.a) was greatly inspired by the char- acter of Prophet Moosa. Imam (r.a) would say in his speech that those who get involved with the issues of means and resources thinking that first they should have the means then they will do something should open the Quran and read inside it. The Quran was revealed on the Holy Prophet (s) but the maximum discussion is about Prophet Moosa. The name of the Holy Prophet (s) is only mentioned twice whereas the name of this past Prophet has come several times. This was because this Prophet was presented as an ideal to tell us that even if you are confronting Pharaoh without anything and just have a stick in your hand; Allah will turn this stick into a weapon.

Those who are sitting and waiting for big means to be made available for them should look into these ideals the Quran has set for us. Even if you don’t have anything you can at least break the branch of a tree and get a stick for yourself. If you trust Allah then these sticks would turn into weapons but if you trust weapons then these weapons will turn into sticks. This stick will not just turn into an ordinary weapon that would break the head of a person in fact it will drown a complete devilish system. But to do so the stick also needs a hand. Something like all the magnificence was in the stick, but it was not in the stick because if anyone else would have picked the same stick other than Moosa he would not be able to do what Moosa did with this stick. Why? This was because the effectiveness was not of the stick it was of the hand in which this stick was placed.

Once a great warrior presented a very sharp sword to a King. The king wanted to try this sword on a pumpkin but he could not cut the pumpkin with a stroke of this sword. He wrote a letter to the warrior and said what kind of sword have you gifted me? You had so many praises for this sword which has beheaded so many enemies but this cannot even cut a pumpkin. The warrior replied to him and said that I have sent you a sword but this sword alone cannot do anything because it needs the shoulder that makes a sword work. Some of us think that all the miracles were of Zulfiqar (the name of the sword of Imam Ali (a.s)) but this power of Zulfiqar has come from that hand in which this Zulfiqar was held.

If there is trust on Allah then even sticks can turn into big weapons but on contrary if there is no trust on Allah then even weapons turn into sticks. It is the trust of Allah that turns mud in the peaks of Ababil (sparrows) into bombs crushing down elephants. But if there is no trust of Allah then even after making Atom bombs and preserving them in laboratories your feet tremble. Why? If they are causing aggression to the world because they are atomic powers then you (people of Pakistan) also have atomic power with you; at least look into the eyes of these aggressors and speak. Tell them that if you are an atomic power, we are too. But we can’t. Why? This is because the difference is that there is no faith on Allah. Why did these seventy two only come to Karbala and why not the others? If you want to know the secret behind this, you have to ask Imam Sajjad (a.s) as to what the secret was?

Fear - The Obstacle In The Path Of Karbala

The secret behind this majority not coming towards Karbala is one thing which is most ef- fective on man; that is Fear. Fear for man’s abilities is like rust for iron. The way rust eats off iron, fear eats off the abilities of man. A person in the state of fear looses his senses; he looses his ability to even think. If you ask a person his name while he is in a state of fear, he cannot even remember his name. You can experiment this and for sure you would have also been in this state at some point. You ask simple things to this person in a state of fear; he cannot answer and will say that I will tell you later. Women are generally afraid of cockroaches; so when you ask them something in that terrified state, they will say I don’t know I will tell you later. When fear enters the heart of man he looses all his abilities; the ability to think and to take a decision is also lost.

This is that weakness of man which has been picked up by the enemy of man and the en- emy of religion. It is a very difficult stage when someone’s weakness gets into the hands of someone else because they will take advantage of this weakness. The enemy of man is lowly and the enemy of Islam is also lowly; and he has to show his lowliness. They take advantage of the weakness of Muslims. A fearful person is non existence; his presence and absence is the same. If you bring a fearful person to catch a thief, he can’t do anything. Now if you bring two fearful persons to catch one thief, still they will not be able to do it. Even if you bring ten such fearful persons to catch one thief, they will not be ready to do this. This is because this one person, two person or ten persons are all non-existing due to fear in their hearts. Fear turns the existence of man as non existent. A few dacoits when they enter a house, everyone is afraid and they take advantage of this fear to rob them. The enemies are aware about this weakness of man. Hence the enemy first gets man into a state of fear and after this they can do whatever they want to do with this person. Now this scared being will not respond, will not give any reply and will not show any reaction.

p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify">Why did the entire Islamic world not rise with Imam Hussain (a.s)? Why the people of Kufa did not support the Doyen of Martyrs? They invited Imam (a.s) then why did they not fulfil their commitments of support? This was because when they invited him, it was not with sincerity of heart, they invited him out of greed and hence when fear prevailed over them they lost their senses and did not support him. I will give you an example of what happens in the world today also. There are political parties who contest elections and they select candidates in different areas to stand in elections from their party. There are certain personalities in different regions who are well known and respected. These political parties invite these personalities to stand in the elections for them. Now even though this personality might not be of the same belief or agenda of this party, they still want him to contest the election from their party. This is because when this person wins the election their party will benefit from this and their party will also win and come into power. This is the worldly vision, which was the same as that of the people of Kufa. The people of Kufa saw that the Doyen of Martyrs is a respected and leading personality of the Muslim Ummah and under him they could meet their objectives. They invited him for the sake of their personal gains to acquire power, but left him alone out of fear. It was not just Kufa who said we will not support you due to fear of Ibne Ziad; in fact the entire Muslim world of that era was a victim of fear.

The Biggest Fear

Fear does not permit man to do anything; does not allow him to enter any field. If an Ummah is scared and afraid they become non existent. So why did the majority not come besides the seventy two? This was because these seventy two had no fear in their heart. The biggest of all fears in the heart of man is of death. When the fear of death exits from the heart, man is not afraid of anything else. When the people of Karbala were asked what they thought of death, a young lad replied that Death is sweeter than honey. The same reply came from Ali ibn Hussain (a.s) that whether we fall on death or death falls on us it makes no difference. The hearts from which the fear of death exits can never be killed by anyone and even death cannot kill them, instead they kill death. Why could death not kill the martyrs of Karbala? If death would have killed them, then today they would not have been remembered. But if you look around every corner of the world you will see Hussain and his companions being remembered. This implies that death has not killed them, it is they who have killed death.

There is a very nice example to understand this subject of Fear. Someone asked me, do you know how monkeys are trained? He said I have heard it from an expert and I am nar- rating it to you. He says that these roadside monkey jugglers who do roadside shows with monkeys to entertain people and get some money have a task of training the monkey so that the monkey can do whatever they want on their instruction. In order to train the mon- key they take a small baby monkey and along with it also take a small puppy. The intention is to train the monkey but they use this puppy as the means to train the monkey. Since monkey is an animal and is not willing to dance on the instructions of man, the only way is to make this monkey fearful. So the juggler will ask the monkey to do something, like stand on two feet, but the monkey does not respond to him. Now instead of bashing the monkey, the juggler starts to bash the puppy with the stick. The puppy yells out in pain as he is beaten up while the monkey is watching this scene, fear begins to develop in the heart of the monkey. It starts to tremble. Now the monkey out of fear starts to do every- thing which the Juggler wants him to do. This expert then says that when all the tricks are being taught to the monkey, one last thing is done by the Juggler. The Juggler now cuts the neck of the puppy with a dagger in front of the monkey and then puts the blood soaked dagger inside a cloth bag in front of the monkey. This is the height of fear which this mon- key experiences in this scene and this completes his training. Now you would have seen that when this juggler brings the monkey in public to run a show and instructs the monkey to do a certain act, at the same time he also puts his hand in the bag. The monkey immedi- ately starts to do acrobatics. Why? This is because this monkey has seen the puppy being bashed and then beheaded in front of him. He has experienced the scene of death and fear is residing in his heart. The heart in which fear resides becomes a pet of others.

Now let us see in a circus where you have a lion. A lion is an example of courage, valour and an icon for bravery but this same creature has turned into a kitten in front of man. He is now performing acrobatics and doing acts like a cat, for the sake of entertaining people. Allah has not created this lion to do such things; he has created the lion as a fe- rocious animal to pounce, grab and tear apart other creations. So why is this lion doing these acrobatics. This is because some other animal was beaten so badly in front of this lion that the lion lost his courage and turned into a tamed circus animal. A tamed animal of circus, irrespective of how sharp its teeth and paws are, begins doing acrobatics on one small instruction from its trainer. An elephant is such a huge animal that if it steps on a person the person will get crushed, but the same elephant has been tamed by man to perform in a circus.. Sometimes the ring master makes him sit like a chair or stand on two feet. Whatever act they want they can make the elephant do it? The question is how have they tamed such a big animal? They have tamed it by creating fear. When fear gets to it, the elephant no more remains an elephant; when fear grips a lion it no more remains a lion. Similarly when fear is created in the hearts of Muslims they no more remain Muslims. What have they done?

You would have seen the pictures of Abu Ghraib’s prison, the pictures of Guantanamo and the pictures of Basra and other places. These pictures have come from a secret prison where secret services are present, so how come the pictures of these top secret things have become public, that too not one or two but hundreds of images? In these prisons not even a fly can enter so how can a cameraman get inside and that too of their TV channel? This was all done intentionally whereby they created such scenes inside these places and then cameramen were invited to come and take very clear, explicit and good pictures which they should broadcast on international media. This is because this is similar to beating the puppy. They are bashing the puppy and creating fear in the hearts of one billion Muslims. And the extent to which they have created fear in the hearts of the Muslims is that the Holy Prophet (s) of Muslims gets insulted but no one cares about it.

Fear turns an elephant into a coward and it turns a lion into a cat. How big a country is Denmark? It is a very small country equivalent to one division of the state of Punjab and with a population of a few hundred thousand. They are teasing one billion Muslims and the Muslims are silent. So what kind of Muslims are these who are scared and afraid? Fear is fear, irrespective of the fact that the number of people being scared is one or one bil- lion. If a person is afraid, he is nothing, if ten are afraid then also they can’t do anything and even if one billion are present but in a state of fear they can’t do anything. But the hearts from which fear has vanished look at them; they don’t have anything but still con- front tanks with stones in their hand. The enemy is pleading now to seek refuge from these fearless beings. Fear weakens the human being. It turns a Muslim man into a non Muslim. It makes man senseless snatching away all feelings from him.

So now you know why the majority did not come to Karbala? Everyone came with their own self carved excuses. Even if you ask the lion as to why he is doing acrobatics at the circus; the lion will reply I am providing service to the creation of Allah. Whatever name you give to this act it still remains a matter of shame. It does not suit a lion and this posi- tion is not worthy of him that he comes in front of men like a cat. This lion was created to pounce and tear apart people, but he was beaten so badly that he has now developed fear in its heart.

When Ubaidullah ibn Ziad entered Kufa the people of Kufa came forward to greet him and demanded from him to bring his hand forward so that they can do allegiance because they were thinking that the Imam had come. When he removed the veil from his face im- mediately a terror and fear developed in the hearts of people. This fear was such that spar- rows were not feeding on their heads, they all immediately turned back home.

Salutations On The Companions Of Imam Hussain (A.S)

Why has the Doyen of Martyrs said that the companions which I had were not given to anyone else by Allah (s)? They were not ordinary companions and this is the reason they have been addressed in a prestigious and privileged manner in this testimonial.

O Hussain! We send salutations to you and your companions who were martyred in your presence. This is because they were not ordinary beings. Their bravery and valour was such that no one could tame and subjugate them. The lamp was turned off on the night of Ashura and they were asked to leave; it was said to them that I am also pleased and my Lord is also pleased with you. Every Muslim believes that one with whom Hussain is pleased the lord of Hussain is also pleased with him and that person will never go to hell. These persons who were certified that their Lord was pleased with them were asked to leave and by Allah if they would have left they would not have gone to hell, for sure Paradise was committed to them. However, when the lamp was turned on again everyone was sitting there. Why did they not leave? The Doyen of Martyr’s had said that tomorrow is the day of Ashura, everyone will be martyred, beheaded and there will only be death. Imam was showing them the mirror of death in the night of Ashura. According to Allama Iqbal, A true Imam shows the people the mirror of death. As Allama Iqbal says:

“Tune Poochi hai Imamat ki Haqeeqat mujh se,

Haaq tujhe meri tarah saahibe Asraar kare”

You have asked me the reality of Imamat,

May truth make you a companion of its secrets like me

“Hai wohi tere zamane ka imame bar haqq, Jo Tujhe Haaziro Maujood se bezaar kare”.

He is the Imam of your age truly,

One who frustrates you from the materialistic world

“Maut ke Aine me dikhakar rukhe dost,

 Zindagi tere liye aur bhi dushwar kare”

He shows you the face of your beloved in the mirror of death,

Thus making your lives more difficult and miserable

We look for an Imam who can provide facilities to us. What kind of Imam do we want? One who can get our captives released from courts, one who gets our youths out of pris- ons, one who controls commodity inflation, one who assists us in getting jobs, on who gets us promotions, one who can get us free admission in hospitals, get us admission in colleges, resolve our routine problems because what we are after is not an Imam but a problem solver. Iqbal says that an Imam is one who creates difficulties for the nation (Um- mah). He gathers the entire Ummah and tells them to be prepared for an encounter with ferocious enemies.

“Maut ke Aine me dikhakar rukhe dost,

Zindagi tere liye aur bhi dushwar kare”

He shows you the face of your beloved in the mirror of death,

 Thus making your lives more difficult and miserable

Imam creates calamities for us. We seek and ask the Doyen of Martyrs to pray to Allah forour security and safety whereas what kind of safety and security does He (a.s) get for us? He gets us in his army and takes us to Karbala. He tells us that this is your station. Why are we sending salutations on these fearless companions of Aba Abdillah? When the lamp was turned off and they were asked to leave; after which when the lamp was turned on again, everyone stood up and said.O Hussain! This is just one life; if Allah even grants us thousand lives and every time we are cut into pieces and brought back to life again and the same is repeated one thousand times then also all our lives will be sacrificed in your presence. What was the thing which made them speak like this? The thing was, there was no fear in their hearts. So how do we remove fear from our hearts? Ask Ali Ibn Hussain (a.s) (Imam Sajjad (a.s)).

He (a.s) is the same Imam whom someone refers to as sick, someone talks of him as one who lived in illness; so now let us ask this same Imam as to how fear is removed from the hearts of the nation (Ummah)? Imam Sajjad (a.s) says that since Fear enters the heart of man we should see first what the Quran says about this? The Holy Quran says that a per- son who fears Allah does not fear anyone else whereas a person who does not fear Allah fears everyone else.

Those who fear Allah are true scholars.

Those whose hearts have fear of Allah are scholars, but how do we know if someone has the fear of Allah or not in his heart? The Quran says:

Those who propagate the religion of Allah, the religion brought by the Messenger (s.a.w.s) and propagate the divine revelations do not fear anyone other than Allah. This is the reason the Quran addressed the Prophet (s) and said:

Do not fear them! Fear me. This implies that people must come forward in His way with only His fear in their hearts. Hence the heart in which the fear of Allah develops the fear of those other than Allah gets away. How does fear get out of our heart? Take the formula from Imam Sajjad (a.s). He (a.s) witnessed the reason for these seventy two coming to Karbala and the majority not coming and not rising. The reason for their not coming was not that they did not understand the subject matter; the sole reason was that they did not have fear of Allah in their hearts. They were not afraid of Allah (s) but were afraid of the creation of Allah. If someone is afraid of others, he does not have fear of Allah in his heart and the one who has fear of Allah in his heart will never be afraid of anyone else. As such for name sake everyone says that we have the fear of Allah in our hearts; but the fear of Allah has an identification sign. And this sign is that one who has the fear of Allah in his heart will never be seen as scared or afraid of anyone else. So when does the fear of Allah develop in the heart? It comes with the cognizance (Maarifat) of Allah(s).

Thus Imam Sajjad (a.s) witnessed that when my father called the entire Muslim nation to come forward to confront Yazid and uproot him out of power, no one came forward except for these seventy two. This was because they were not afraid of anyone else other than Allah, and the reason for this was that they had the cognizance (Maarifat) of Allah (s). Thus Imam Sajjad (a.s) wrote a formula in the form of these Psalms (Sahifa e Sajjadia) and Munajaat (whispered prayers). When someone reads this he will develop cognizance (Maarifat) of Allah, when he recognizes Allah, it will create the fear of Allah in his heart and when this fear of Allah enters his heart the fear of everyone else will get out of his heart and then no human being will sit silent against any Yazidiat.

This fear is due to distancing from Allah; this is because we are from Allah. Hence let us open this Sahifa (Psalms) of Ali ibn Hussain (a.s) and first of all realize that this Sahifa is not a book of recitation for rewards (Thawaab), this is not a book of hymns which should just be verbally recited in the form of Sufism. This is the manuscript of the fear of Al- lah and hence we should read with this vision. After reciting Sahifa-e-Sajjadia only one ground remains in front of man; that is the field of Ashura and Karbala; and not the field of silence, stagnancy and stillness. Imam Sajjad (a.s) whom we consider as a weak, sick and isolated personality did this esteemed task of getting fear out of the hearts of people. He gave the nations (Ummah) the formula of fearlessness.

Why Was Imam Khomeini (R.A) Not Afraid Of Anyone?

In one of my preaching trips I visited the house of the head of the Balochs tribe. He was not a religious person forget about being Shia or Sunni. He was a tribal head running a tribal feudal system. When I went to his house I saw the picture of Imam Khomeini (r.a) hanging on his wall. This Balochs chieftain asked me if I was be astonished to see this pic- ture hanging on the wall of his house. I said yes it is a matter of astonishment only because I do not see any form of association between you and this great personality Imam (r.a). He replied that you are right because I have not hung his picture on my wall considering him as a Jurist (Faqeeh) or a Research Scholar (Mujtahid) of the Shia’s, neither have I hung the picture in relevance to the great titles you Shia refer him with. I asked him then what is the reason for this picture on your wall? He said we are people living in tribes and all these tribes have a lot of enmity amongst each other. We are continuously at war with each other and death hovers over our heads day and night; and our entire life is spent like this. If fear and cowardliness enters our hearts, we cannot manage this kind of life style. Hence when I get up in the morning and come to this room the first thing I see is this picture. After looking at this picture I develop feelings of courage. Why? Because in this entire world I cannot find a person as courageous as this man (Khomeini).

Now go and ask this man in this picture (Imam Khomeini) why is he not afraid of anyone? The answer will not be that I am not afraid of anyone, instead he will say I am afraid of Allah and since I am afraid of Allah hence I am not afraid of anyone other than Allah. The way to live for the Muslim Ummah is to live with the fear of Allah so that the fear of everyone else other than Allah gets out of their hearts. Then only would they live a life of dignity, honour and self respect. The Doyen of Martyrs (a.s) said that I have been placed on a two way crossroad; the crossroad of dignity and humiliation. This crossroad comes from every community when at times they have to select one path amongst the two paths of dignity and humiliation. The Doyen of Martyrs (a.s) is the role model for the selection of this path.

He says that these path options have been set for me whereby one path is of humiliation and the other of dignity. If we select the path of dignity then I have to die and if I select the path of humiliation then I will survive, but for me one day of life on the path of dignity is better than a thousand centuries of life spent in humiliation.

I prefer a privileged death over a life spent with oppressors.

A Muslim and fear! A believer and fear! According to Allama Iqbal:

Fatwa hai Sheikh kaYe Zamana kalam ka hai

The verdict of the Sheikh is that this era is of a pen (not of Jihad)

Allama says that do not give these verdicts and teachings of denying Jihad to those who are not afraid of anyone. On the other hand there is no need to tell those who are afraid of everyone that Jihad is something incorrect. One who is afraid of everyone, for him all these talks are immaterial.

Kafir ki Maut se bhi Larazta ho Jiska Dil

Kahta hai Kaun use Musalman ki Maut Mar

One whose heart shivers on the news of the death of an Infidel Who is asking him to die as a Muslim?

Allama meant to say that, how is it possible that fear and Muslims can gather together? Karbala and Ashura are the name of fearlessness. So now we understand why these are salutations sent on the companions in Ziarat-e-Ashura?

It was these pure souls who when they sacrificed their lives, the Doyen of Masters became lonely (Witral Mautoor)