SHAFAQNA

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- According to the different meanings the words "Thar" and "Witr" have, the phrase " السلام علیک یا ثارالله و ابن ثاره و الوتر الموتور " can have different meanings, but the most appropriate meaning would be: "Greetings to you! Oh martyr who Allah seeks vengeance on his murderer, and son of the person who Allah seeks vengeance on his murderer, and Oh lonely one who's relatives were killed." Taking revenge and having a grudge against someone, can…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- I n order for us to understand the significance and philosophy of mourning for Imam Hussein (a.s.), it is necessary to take notice of the following points: 1. The Holy Quran (a.s.) has emphasized through many different verses on maintaining and reviving lofty virtues and traits of great men and noble religious leaders. 2. The great Shia Imams, peace be upon them, have encouraged us to keep the memory of the event of Karbala alive…

Those whom this passage is referring to are the martyrs who were killed along with the imam in Karbala, the reason being: 1) Usually, live people who visit the shrines of the imams aren't referred to as ‘Arwah’ (souls). 2) This passage is read by the pilgrim himself, so he can't be the one being addressed by it at the same time. 3) In all of the ziyarats of Imam Husein (as), never have the pilgrims of his shrine been…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) --Has Imam Hussein discriminated between Arabs and Non-Arabs in a hadith and has he scorned Ajams? The hadith you mentioned was from Abu Abdillah (pb), which refers to Imam Sadiq (not Imam Hussein) in which he says: "We are from the Quraysh and our Shias are Arabs and our enemies are Ajams." If we are considering the literal meaning of the hadith (in which the words Arab, Quraysh and Ajam have their regular meanings), one…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- Some sources have mentioned that the Imam's surname (Aba Abdellah) is because of the name of his infant child named Abdullah that was only six months old and was martyred in Karbala.[1] There is of course a different viewpoint that such nicknames were used even if one did not have a child by that name, for example the nickname of Imam Mahdi is Aba Saleh (the father of Saleh) or the nickname of Imam Ali…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) --The events which have taken place in the history of every society hold valuable experiences and lessons that have been achieved with great pain and at a heavy price. Those experiences and lessons are assets that can have a great impact on the destiny and future of that society which has gained them. In order for these assets to be utilized properly, it is necessary that those events be reviewed, reconstructed and preserved. One of those…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- Imam Hussain (as) is the example for the self-conscious, uncompromising revolutionary, the one who advocated the rights of the oppressed. He is one of the near relatives of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) whom Almighty God orders us to love: Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives; and whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein; surely God is Forgiving, Grateful. (42:23) Imam…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Millions of Muslims are heading to the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate the religious ceremony of Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after the martyrdom of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hossein (PBUH). Iraqi authorities have heightened security measures as millions of Shia pilgrims from all over the world are gradually arriving in the holy city, 80 kilometers south of Baghdad. Scores of people have been martyred in recent weeks across Iraq…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- 20th Safar is the day of Arba"een, the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s.), his friends and relatives in Karbala on 10th Muharram.   According to Imam Hassan al-Askari (A) today it is highly desirable to:   1. Pray 51 Rakat namaz during the 24 hours of the day of Arba"een, (17 rakats in Wajib (obligatory) and 34 rakats in Naafilah Salaats.)   2. Be in Karbala for Ziyarat of Imam Husain (A) and…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- We condolence on the Arbaeen anniversary, marking end of a 40-day mourning period after the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Hussein ibn Ali (AS), the third Imam of prophet Mohammad"s (SAWA) infallible household. Number forty is mystic in Theosophy. According to the Islamic culture if someone practices a good deed constantly during forty days, it would be his inseparable attribute and lead to descending of God"s blessing. In some religions forty days and forty nights praying has been…