Rare pictures of the holy tomb of Imam Hussein (A.S)
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -
Rare pictures of the tomb of Imam Hussein
www.shafaqna.com
source: Alkafeel
Biblical perspective on Imam Hussain
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Significant events in Allah's plan for delivering guidance to mankind are not sudden, unexpected and unforetold events. The tragedy of Karbala was known and announced by the Prophet (saw) long before it happened. But maybe it is mentioned even in the earlier scriptures. What follows is one line of reasoning derived from the Biblical scriptures.
The successorship of prophethood and Imamate is a history with Allah beginning with Adam (peace be upon him) and continuing to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), firmly established in a covenant between the Prophet Ibrahim and Himself. This covenant between Abraham and God as written in the existing form of the Bible apparently includes mention of the 12 imams, the third of which is Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), the champion of Karbala:
Genesis 17:10,23 "This is My covenant which ye shall keep between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised…. And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day as God had said unto him."
In Genesis 17:20, we find part of God's promise in this covenant that is signified and remembered by circumcision. "And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; Behold I have blessed him and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly: Twelve Princes shall he beget and I will make him a great nation.”
Some wording in translations of the Bible try to imply the covenant only goes through Isaac, but 17:23 above shows clearly it is between Abraham and “thy seed after thee” which includes Ishmael. The twelve princes are not descended from Isaac, so they can in no way be associated with twelve tribes of Israel nor the twelve disciples of Jesus (peace be upon him); the only people who fulfill this promise of God are the Twelve Imams (peace be upon them) descended from Ishmael.
Therefore it seems probable that the act of circumcision, the sign of this covenant between God and Abraham, is a sign for humanity of this promise of the coming of the Twelve Imams and the prophets so that we all may be aware of them, listen to them, and follow the right guidance to our own benefit and blessing. God has told us from the time of Prophet Ibrahim, then, that all the prophets including "that prophet" Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), mentioned in other verses of the Bible, and the "twelve princes" from Ishmael would come.
Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son. Prophet Ibrahim obeyed God, as did his son, and they prepared for the sacrifice. But at the last minute, Ibrahim was spared of the task, and the sacrifice of the ram was used to replace it and to become a symbol of the later Greater Sacrifice.
Qur’an 37:105-108 “O Abraham! Of course thou hast faithfully fulfilled the dream, thou art of the truthful ones, but verily it is an open test, we have substituted it with a Greater Sacrifice. We have transferred it to later generations."
Hajj commemorates many aspects of Prophet Ibrahim's life. Perhaps there is some significance that the covenant is established with Prophet Ibrahim, and it is through this covenant that Prophet Muhammad and the Imams (peace be upon them) are promised. One of the Hajj rituals centers on this test to sacrifice his son, and the Hajj rituals wind down with the reminder of the Greater Sacrifice that is in its place, via the symbol of the slaughter of an animal that is then ideally given to the needy.
What is this Greater Sacrifice transferred to later generations? The Hajj ritual? Or could it be the sacrifice of Imam Hussain in Karbala? The Islamic new year begins right after the Hajj, and the dates of the sacrifice of Imam Hussain occur. It is as if the Hajj itself is a reminder of the fulfillment of this covenant in Prophet Muhammad and the Twelve Imams (peace be upon them), and a sign of Imam Hussain’s role in this covenant that is to come very soon on the calendar.
At the time of the symbolic sacrifice of Hajj, the head is shaved. In the old scriptures, shaving the head is a symbol of mourning, as is wearing plain clothes like Hajis do. Note also the weeping and beating the breast, both of which are central in the modern practices of memoriam of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions in Karbala: in the Bible those practices are called for by God for mourning.
Isaiah 22:12 "On that Day the Lord called for weeping and beating the breast, for shaving the head and putting on sack cloth."
The Christians believe that the sacrifice that replaced the one tasked upon Abraham was that of Jesus. But the Qur'an tells us this is not the case.
Qur’an 4:157 "And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Mary, the apostle to Allah; and they did not kill him nor crucify him, but it appeared to them so and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure."
Further the Christians say that Isaac was the one to be sacrificed and thus the replacement comes from his line, in Jesus. But the earlier scriptures and the Qur’an tell us it was Prophet Ismail who was to be sacrificed, and Imam Husain (peace be upon him) is from his line.
There are numerous prophecies relayed from the Holy Prophet about the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. By contrast, in the Bible, there is no clear prophecy of the crucifixion.
But there is a prophecy that some believe is associated with the events of Karbala.
Jeremiah 46: 10 "For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries; and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood; for the Lord God of hosts has a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates."
The sacrifice is presented here as the means of the vengeance against those who reject the covenant between God and man, those who reject the prophets and Imams (peace be upon them). Or some say this verse may allude to events yet in our future, of the Imam of Our Age securing vengeance for the tragedy of Karbala according to the command of God.
Allah knows best what has been told in the prophecies and what lies in the imagination. We do not need the previous scriptures to verify the supreme importance of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom for all of humanity. But it is intriguing to consider the possibility of these connections remaining in what survives of God's previous revelations.-www.shfaqna.com/English
Source: Islaminsight
40th Imam Hussain procession in Montreal Canada : Shafaqna exclusive
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – - www.shfaqna.com/English
Photograph: Reda Issa (313 Photography)
There Is No Life Without Hussain(A.S) - English Poem/Eulogy
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association)-
There Is No Life Without Hussain(A.S) - English Poem/Eulogy
www.shafaqna.com
Biblical Perspective on Imam Hussain
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Significant events in Allah's plan for delivering guidance to mankind are not sudden, unexpected and unforetold events. The tragedy of Karbala was known and announced by the Prophet (saw) long before it happened. But maybe it is mentioned even in the earlier scriptures. What follows is one line of reasoning derived from the Biblical scriptures.
The successorship of prophethood and Imamate is a history with Allah beginning with Adam (peace be upon him) and continuing to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), firmly established in a covenant between the Prophet Ibrahim and Himself. This covenant between Abraham and God as written in the existing form of the Bible apparently includes mention of the 12 imams, the third of which is Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), the champion of Karbala:
Genesis 17:10,23 "This is My covenant which ye shall keep between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised…. And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day as God had said unto him."
In Genesis 17:20, we find part of God's promise in this covenant that is signified and remembered by circumcision. "And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; Behold I have blessed him and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly: Twelve Princes shall he beget and I will make him a great nation.”
Some wording in translations of the Bible try to imply the covenant only goes through Isaac, but 17:23 above shows clearly it is between Abraham and “thy seed after thee” which includes Ishmael. The twelve princes are not descended from Isaac, so they can in no way be associated with twelve tribes of Israel nor the twelve disciples of Jesus (peace be upon him); the only people who fulfill this promise of God are the Twelve Imams (peace be upon them) descended from Ishmael.
Therefore it seems probable that the act of circumcision, the sign of this covenant between God and Abraham, is a sign for humanity of this promise of the coming of the Twelve Imams and the prophets so that we all may be aware of them, listen to them, and follow the right guidance to our own benefit and blessing. God has told us from the time of Prophet Ibrahim, then, that all the prophets including "that prophet" Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), mentioned in other verses of the Bible, and the "twelve princes" from Ishmael would come.
Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son. Prophet Ibrahim obeyed God, as did his son, and they prepared for the sacrifice. But at the last minute, Ibrahim was spared of the task, and the sacrifice of the ram was used to replace it and to become a symbol of the later Greater Sacrifice.
Qur’an 37:105-108 “O Abraham! Of course thou hast faithfully fulfilled the dream, thou art of the truthful ones, but verily it is an open test, we have substituted it with a Greater Sacrifice. We have transferred it to later generations."
Hajj commemorates many aspects of Prophet Ibrahim's life. Perhaps there is some significance that the covenant is established with Prophet Ibrahim, and it is through this covenant that Prophet Muhammad and the Imams (peace be upon them) are promised. One of the Hajj rituals centers on this test to sacrifice his son, and the Hajj rituals wind down with the reminder of the Greater Sacrifice that is in its place, via the symbol of the slaughter of an animal that is then ideally given to the needy.
What is this Greater Sacrifice transferred to later generations? The Hajj ritual? Or could it be the sacrifice of Imam Hussain in Karbala? The Islamic new year begins right after the Hajj, and the dates of the sacrifice of Imam Hussain occur. It is as if the Hajj itself is a reminder of the fulfillment of this covenant in Prophet Muhammad and the Twelve Imams (peace be upon them), and a sign of Imam Hussain’s role in this covenant that is to come very soon on the calendar.
At the time of the symbolic sacrifice of Hajj, the head is shaved. In the old scriptures, shaving the head is a symbol of mourning, as is wearing plain clothes like Hajis do. Note also the weeping and beating the breast, both of which are central in the modern practices of memoriam of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions in Karbala: in the Bible those practices are called for by God for mourning.
Isaiah 22:12 "On that Day the Lord called for weeping and beating the breast, for shaving the head and putting on sack cloth."
The Christians believe that the sacrifice that replaced the one tasked upon Abraham was that of Jesus. But the Qur'an tells us this is not the case.
Qur’an 4:157 "And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Mary, the apostle to Allah; and they did not kill him nor crucify him, but it appeared to them so and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure."
Further the Christians say that Isaac was the one to be sacrificed and thus the replacement comes from his line, in Jesus. But the earlier scriptures and the Qur’an tell us it was Prophet Ismail who was to be sacrificed, and Imam Husain (peace be upon him) is from his line.
There are numerous prophecies relayed from the Holy Prophet about the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. By contrast, in the Bible, there is no clear prophecy of the crucifixion.
But there is a prophecy that some believe is associated with the events of Karbala.
Jeremiah 46: 10 "For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries; and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood; for the Lord God of hosts has a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates."
The sacrifice is presented here as the means of the vengeance against those who reject the covenant between God and man, those who reject the prophets and Imams (peace be upon them). Or some say this verse may allude to events yet in our future, of the Imam of Our Age securing vengeance for the tragedy of Karbala according to the command of God.
Allah knows best what has been told in the prophecies and what lies in the imagination. We do not need the previous scriptures to verify the supreme importance of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom for all of humanity. But it is intriguing to consider the possibility of these connections remaining in what survives of God's previous revelations.— www.shafaqna.com/English
Source: Islamicimnsights
Sunnis’ view of the mourning for Imam Hussain A.S
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) - The scholars of the four sects of Sunni denounced the action of Yazid and praise the work of Imam Hussein (A.S). They do not have any problems with the mourning for Imam Hussein, but they differ over how the Shiite Muharram ceremonies should be held. The difference is that the event is held with seriousness among the Shiites, but among the Sunnis very normally.
For the four sects of the Sunni-Hanafi, Shafei, Maliki, and Hanbali- the love and hatred of prophet to them, is very important. So, on the basis of the hadith says: “Hussein is from me and I am from Hussein” (Holy Prophet), they like Imam Hussein. These four sects of Sunnism have various narrations and hadiths related to uprising in Karbala. They support Imam Hussein’s movement and curse Yazid. Unfortunately with the Wahhabi sect growing infiltration in the Hanbali, there are sometimes disagreements at the face with Ashura.
Imam Hussein (A.S) and his movement in the view of western great figures
Ashura movement’s impact on non-muslims
Shiite Ashura mourning not only has a great impact on Sunnis but also Hindu, Christians, Buddhists and other religions and sects and also causes the great movements and revolutions.
Among the non-muslim great figures who were impressed by the character and personality of Imam Hussein, there were Mahatma Gandhi (Indian Great Revolution Leader), Prof. Edward Browne (famous orientalist), Washington Irving (American author and historian), Thomas Masaryk (Czechoslovak philosopher), Jeorge Jordac (Christian thinker), Anton Bara, Thomas Carlyle (Scottish author), Anton Bara (Christian thinker), Feredrich Jemes (Thinker), Maurice de Cobra (Thinker), and Charles Dickens (famous English writer).
The shrine Of Imam Hussain and Al-Abbas (Part 1)
Source: Bargah
Photo Gallery of the shrine of Imam Hussain and Abbs
Source: Bargah
Allama Riaz Hussain Najafi
SHAFAQNA (International Shia News Association)- Allama Riaz Hussain Najafi is one of the most prominent Muslim scholars and researchers. He is principal of famous alma mater of Shia sect Jamia-tul-Muntazir Lahore and has been teaching at the highest level of Islamic studies. He is also President of Federation of Shia Seminaries (Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Shia). He has authored many books and participated in a number of national and international conferences. His persistent efforts for the promotion of unity and harmony among Muslims have received acclaim from all sections of Pakistani society.
www.shafaqna.com
Raising the red flag of Imam Hussain atop Shia Muslim Husaniyyah in Zaria (Photos)
SHAFAQNA (Shia News Association) —The flag from the holy Shrine of the Imam Husain(AS), was donated to the Leader of the African Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Zakzkay in Lebanon when he attended the conference of the Unions of NGOs defending Palestinians rights in Lebanon June ending.
During the ceremony in the presence of hundreds of thousands of followers of Ahlul bayt, the flag was unveiled by Sheikh Zakzaky and it was moved around the vicinity by four men each holding to one of its edges. The flag was then raised using a flagpole and rope to reach the dome of the Husainiyyah. Sayyid Ahmad Zakzaky raised the flag on the dome in a proper manner.
The ceremony was marked with recitation of the holy Qur’an and poets of Imam Mahdi (AJ) and Imam Husain(AS) by the Guards.— www.shafaqna.com/english/
