Tabut of Imam Ali (a.s.) at Zainabia Imambargaah

Shahadat of Imam Ali (a.s.)

21st Ramadhan, the day of Shahadat of Imam Ali (a.s.) in Kufa Masjid, Iraq.The assasin was Abdur Rahman ibne Muljim. He struck the sword on Imam's head while he was in Sajdah of morning prayer. 

This Day,13th Rajab,The Birth Date of Imam Ali ibne Abi Taalib

Hujr Ibne Adii

Before demolition

"Hujr ibn Adii Al Kindi [ra] was a pious companion of the Prophet (saws) and played a vital role in the correction of the Ummah. During Muawiyah's reign when the custom of cursing Imam Ali (a.s.) {the best companion and son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.)} from the pulpit's of Mosques began, hearts of the Muslims were being bled dry but people bit their tongues fearing death. In Kufa Hujr ibn Adi could not remain silent and he began to praise Ali (a.s) and condemn Muawiyah.
Until Mughaira remained the Governor of Kufa, he adopted a lenient attitude towards this, but when Ziyad's Governorship of Basra was extended to include Kufa, serious altercations arose. He would curse Ali (a.s) during the khutbah and Hujar would refute him.
On one occasion he (Hujr) warned Ziyad for being late for Friday prayers. Ziyad then arrested him along with twelve of his companions on false accusations of forming an opposition group to overthrow the Khalifa and was cursing the Khalifa. He also gathered witnesses to testify against them alleging that they claimed that khilafat was the exclusive right of the lineage of `Ali ibne Abi Talib and further accused them of creating an uproar, throwing out the commander and of supporting `Abu Turab Ali, of sending blessings upon him and hating his enemies. From amongst these witnesses, Qadi Shudhri's testimony was used. He later wrote to Muawiyah that the blood and property of people who said they offered Salaah, paid zakaat, and performed Hajj and Umrah, preached right and declared that evil was haram, however if you want to kill them so be it, otherwise forgive them.
The accused were sent to Muawiyah and he sentenced them to death. A condition was placed that if they cursed `Ali (a.s) and showed their hatred to him they would be pardoned. They refused and Hujr ibn Adii said `I will not say that thing that will displease Allah'.
Finally Hujr ibn Adii, his son Humaan ibn Hujar and his seven companions were murdered. From amongst them Abdur Rahman bin Hasan was sent back to return with a written instruction that he be murdered in the worst possible manner, Ziyad buried him alive."
-Sunni scholar Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi in his book Caliphs and Kings (Khilafat-o-Mulookiyat).

By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am Successful : Imam Ali (a.s.)

The Kharijis had been defeated at Nehrwan, and most of them had perished in the battle but a few had escaped. Abdur Rahman bin Muljam was one of those who had escaped. He was consumed with the desire to kill Ali, and was in quest of an opportunity to do so. By a coincidence, he met a Kharji woman, one Qattama, whose father and brothers had also been killed in Nehrwan, and she too had nursed an undying hatred of Ali.
Abdur Rahman fell in love with Qattama, and proposed marriage to her. She told him that the price of her hand was the head of Ali ibn Abi Talib. This only strengthened Abdur Rahman in his resolution. He promised his inamorata the moon if she asked for it, but she said that nothing was of interest to her if she could not get the head of Ali ibn Abi Talib!
Abdur Rahman bin Muljam carefully worked out his plans to kill Ali. A few other trusted Kharjis also volunteered their services to him, and together they rehearsed the assassination. Abdur Rahman bin Muljam took one extra precaution – he put his sword in deadly poison, and let it soak in it for three days.
On the morning of the 19th of Ramadan of the year 40 A.H., Ali came into the Great Mosque of Kufa, and called Adhan (the call to prayer). He took his place in the alcove, and moments later, the worshippers began to arrive. They stood behind him in serried ranks, and the prayer began. Standing in the front row, with other worshippers, were Abdur Rahman bin Muljam and his confederates. They were watching Ali's movements. In the folds of their cloaks, they were carrying swords burnished to a high sheen, and soaked in poison.
Just when Ali touched the ground with his forehead for sajda, Abdur Rahman bin Muljam stepped out of his row, and crept into the alcove. And just when Ali lifted his head from the ground, ibn Muljam struck the fatal blow at his forehead with such deadly force that it split open.
Blood squirted from Ali's forehead in several jets, and he exclaimed:
"By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am successful!"  Read Full Article

Laylatul Qadr A'maal in Mumbai

19th Ramadhan is one of the saddest day in the Islamic history. This day Imam Ali ibn Abu-Taalib,  the cousin & son-in-law of the messenger of Allah was was struck with a lethal poisonous sword  while he was in a state of prostration in Masjid al-Kufah, Najaf  by the wretched and accursed ibne Muljam and Qutaam. It was a plot of Muawiyah the son of Abu Sufiyan and father of accursed Yazeed.
Hadhrat Ali (a.s.) was fatally wounded by the poisoned sword, he breath his last on the 21st of Ramadhan. In all the Masajid and Imambadas of Mumbai Mumbai city, momineen are awake the whole night and perform specific shabe qadr a'amaal. People also gather at their relatives or friends homes and spend their night in reading holy Qur'an, specific duas, prayers etc. and remember their Maola Imam Ali (a.s.). Mourn on him by arranging Majalis and Nauha khaani.
This year Hojjatul Islam Maulana Sayed Ehtesham Rizvi has been invited from Qom to be lead the prayers at Zainabia Imambada. He gives short lectures daily from 6.45 PM till namaaz of Maghrib. He will also help the believers in performing A'amaal for all the Three nights i.e. 19, 21 & 23 Ramadhan.
On 21st Ramadhan, replica of the Taboot of Hadhrat Ali (a.s.) is also carried from Zainabia to Moghal Masjid during Sahr and before morning prayers.

SILENT FUNERAL OF THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF HOLY PROPHET (PBUH)

In the darkness of the jet-black night, when eyes were asleep and voices were silent, a Heavenly procession left Ali's house while carrying the Messenger of Allah's daughter to her final abode.
This was on the night of the third (3rd) of Jamadi Al-Thani (the second), 11 A.H.
The heartbreaking procession moved towards an unknown location followed by a small number of devoted ones. They were Ali , Hasan, Husain, Zainab and Um Kulthum... Abu Dhar, Ammar, Miqdad, and Salman were following them. Where are the thousands who inhabited Medina?
One asks, and the answer came: Fatima (A.S) requested that they may not be present at her funeral! The family and their friends hurry to bury Fatima…then they rush back to their own homes so that no one would know where Fatima was buried!
At sunrise people gathered to participate in Fatima's funeral, but they were informed that the darling of Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H.) had been secretly buried during the night.
Meanwhile, Ali (AS) made the shapes of four fresh graves in Baqi' so as to conceal the location where Fatima was buried. When the people entered the graveyard, they were confused as to which spot was actually Hazrat Fatima Zahra's grave; the people turned towards each other and with feelings of guilt said:
"Our Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has not left behind but one daughter, yet she has died and was buried without our participation in the funeral or the prayer rituals. We do not even realize the place where she has been buried!"
Noticing that a revolt might be ignited because of the emotional atmosphere this event created, the governing party announced:
"Select a group of Muslim women and ask them to dig these graves so that we may find Fatima and perform prayers on her."
Yes! They attempted to execute the plan, violating Fatima's will and causing Ali's (AS) attempts to hide the grave to lie vainly.
Have they forgotten Ali's sharp sword and his well-known courage!!
Did they really think that Ali would remain indifferent to their outrageous actions up to the point of letting them dig Fatima's grave?
Imam Ali (A.S) did not fight back after the Prophet's (PBUH) death because he considered the Muslim's unity and overall interests. Yet, this did not mean that he would ignore their villainous crimes against Fatima even after her death. In other words, Ali (A.S) was asked by the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) to have patience, but only to a certain extent; when Ali (P.B.U.H.) received the news of the about-to-be-executed plot, he put on his fighting gear and rushed towards Baqi'.
A man from among the people called out:
"This is Ali Ibn Abu Talib leveling his sword and saying:
'If anyone moves even a mere stone from these graves, I shall strike even the "back of the last follower of the unjust.”
People, who realized Ali's seriousness, took his threats with complete belief that he would do just as he said if anyone were to oppose him.
Yet, a man from the governing ones addressed Ali (A.S) by saying:
"What is the matter, Abu Al-Hasan? By Allah, we shall dig her grave out and perform prayers on her."
Ali (A.S) then grabbed the man by his clothes shook him and threw him to the ground and said;
“Son of the Sawada! I have abandoned my right to prevent people from forsaking their faith, but as regards Fatima’s grave, by Him in whose hand is my soul if you and your followers attempt to do anything to it, I will irrigate the ground with your blood!"
At this, Abu Bakr said;
'Abu Al-Hasan, I ask you by the right of Allah's Messenger and by Him who is above the Throne: leave him alone and we will not do anything, which you would not approve of.

Eid-e-Ghadeer Mubarak

Today, 18th Zilhajj Day of Ghadeer when holy Prophet (saawaw) declared Ali as his succesor while returning to Madina after performing his last Hajj 1421 years back.

Wonderful Experience of Pilgrimage to Syria, Iraq & Iran

Shrine of Janabe Zainab (a.s.)

The Pilgrimage to the Shrines in Syria, Iraq and Iran was wonderful. The weather was favorable and the co-passengers were caring and co-operative with each other. We are 46 pilgrims, all from different regions of India. Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bulandshaher, Lucknow, Ajmer and Mumbai. They were all excited to be in front of the holy shrines. Ayyame Faatemi coincided our visit to Sayyedah Zainab, at the Shrine of Zainabe Kubra, the elder daughter of Amirul Mo'mineen Imam Ali (a.s.).
It took us 30 hrs. to reach Damascus from Mumbai. The flight of Saudi Airlines was supposed to take-off from Sahaar Airport at 6.35 AM on Friday 15th April, delayed for 14 hrs. and were in transit at Riyadh Airport for another 8 hrs. while normally it takes 9 hrs. including transit, to travel from Mumbai to Damascus. The reason for delay was sandstorm in Madina and in the northern part of Saudi Arabia.
Most of the tour operators to save money travel by Air Arabia, a low fare airline. The airline does not serve free meals or water in the aircraft. Even a bottle of water comes at a cost. Passengers are not allowed to carry water in the aircraft due to security reasons. Syrian government issues paper visa to the visitors coming in groups or caravans.
We stayed at the Hotel Bina al-Qasim at Sayyeda Zainab, just 200 away metres from the holy shrine.

Today, 15th Rabiul Awwal, First Masjid of Islam came into Existence

Masjid-e-Quba 

This was the first Masjid that the Prophet of Allah (SAW) built on his arrival from Makkah. Its foundations were laid by the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and he spent more than 20 nights here (after migrating) praying qasr while waiting for Imam Ali [a]. It is mentioned in the Qur'an as the mosque founded on piety and devoutness.

It is narrated that the Prophet of heard saying that if you say two Rak'ats Salaat in this Masjid you will get the sawaab of one Umrah.
May Allah give us opportunity to perform Umrah and Hajj and we pray in this historical Masjid.

Martyrdom of the Unborn Child, Mohsin

Two days after Hadhrat Muhammad's (s.a.) death(28th Safar), Hadhrat Umar al-Khattab led a party of armed men to Hadhrat Ali's (a.s.) house. They called for the men of the house to come out and swear allegiance to Hadhrat Abu Bakr, and also threatened to burn the house down. No one came out, so the armed men pushed their way into the house. Hadhrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.), who was pregnant at the time, was standing behind the door. Umar al Khattab pushed Fatima behind the burning door. He broke her ribs and wrist. Later, she miscarried a boy child, who was called Al Mohsin or Mushabbar. Fatima (s.a.) was gravely injured in the attack and died of her injuries some time later. One Can refer to LEsan Al Mizan Written by Ibne Hajar Al Asghalani, Then Mizan Al I'tedaal written by Al Zhahaby. Please also refer to the writings of Al Nazaam and #Al saffadi. The statement seen is "Umar Kicked Fatima until she miscarraiged her Son AL-Mohsin); About this Topic there was a discussion in Al Mustaqila TV as well, lasted for 90mins and the Sunni Ulema had afterwards no further comments to add and defend their claim.
The Shi'a believe that both Abu Bakr and Umar were responsible for killing both, Muhammad's daughter and grandson. For this section please refer to the Book Al Imamiah Val Siyasiyah by Ibn Qutaiba Deinevari, where we clearly see reference to Fatima condemning and Cursing the two.
As Fatima was dying, she asked Imam Ali to bury her in secret; she did not want Abu Bakr and Umar at her funeral.
Some Shi'a believe that Fatima was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery, in Medina, and that her grave there is now marked.[2] Others believe that she might have been buried in other locations in Medina and that Shi'a should pray at all three locations to be sure of honoring her grave. [3]
Mohsin b. Ali's (a.s.) martyrdom is widely documented by renowned scholars across eras of both the sects as..........read more

We give our condolences to the Imam of the time, hadhrat Hujjat (a.t.f.s.) on the martyrdom of Mohsin, the unborn child of the only daughter of the holy Prophet of Islam, the mercy to the mankind.

Stage Background of Ghadeer Function

The following was the stage backgound at the Ghadeer function held at Zainabia Imambada on Saturday, 27th November.

Sermon of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) Delivered on the Day of Eid al-Fitr

"O people! Verily this day of yours is the day when the righteous are awarded and the wretched are losers. It is a day which is similar to the one on which you shall be standing (before your Lord). Therefore, when you come out of your homes to go to places of your prayer, remind yourselves about the day when you (your souls) shall come out of your bodies to go to your Lord. When you stand on places of your prayer, remind yourselves of your standing in presence of your Lord (on the day of Judgement). And when you return to your homes (after prayer), remind yourselves about your returning to your homes in Paradise." (Nahjul-Balaghah)

The Special Distinction of the Day of Eid

Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Azha prayers are obligatory during the time of Imam (A.S.), and it is necessary to offer them in congregation. However during the present times when the Holy Imam is in Occultation, these prayers are Mustahab, and may be offered individually as well as in congregation. The time for Eid prayers is from sunrise till Zuhr. Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) delivered on the day of Eid al-Fitr, in which he said: "O people! Verily this day of yours is the day when the righteous are awarded and the wretched are losers. It is a day which is similar to the one on which you shall be standing (before your Lord). Therefore, when you come out of your homes to go to places of your prayer, remind yourselves about the day when you (your souls) shall come out of your bodies to go to your Lord. When you stand on places of your prayer, remind yourselves of your standing in presence of your Lord (on the day of Judgement). And when you return to your homes (after prayer), remind yourselves about your returning to your homes in Paradise.(Nahjul-Balaghah)
That is why It is recommended that Eid prayers be performed in the open fields, to walk barefooted to attend Eid prayers and to perform Sajdah on earth and to do Ghusl before namaz, and to place a white turban on one's head.

What is the actual meaning of Eid? At first, it may be proper to seek the meaning of Eid in the books of the scholars. (1) Eid is the day of special attention of Allah (SWT) to His servants, recalling them to His presence and the day of loving Him. Eid is the day of activeness, happiness, and granting of servant's requests. This day, is the day of awarding and writing a secure chit from hellfire for servants. Further it is the time one may gather things that benefit him in the hereafter.Eid is a day, which Allah (SWT) showers His servants with His blessings and generosity. So at this time that the merciful Allah (SWT) extended his generosity, how great it would be for pious people and sinners to confess (their defects and faults), and hope for receiving His grants. Surely they won't be dispossessed from Allah's (SWT) grace.Now on this Holy day that we have returned to our Lord, how should we talk to Him and call Him? What is better than accompanying with our kind Master when he is calling his Lord in a caring manner? it!

(thanks abbas lalani)

The Fateful 19th of Ramadhan

On the 19th of Ramadhan Hazrat Ali came to the mosque in Kufa for his morning prayers. Ali gave the call for prayer and became engaged in leading the congregation. Abdur Rahman Muljim pretending to pray, stood just behind Ali, and when Ali was in a state of prostration, Abdur Rahman dealt a heavy stroke with his sword, inflicting a deep wound on Ali's head.
The Holy Prophet(S.A.W) had prophesied the assassination of Ali and his issues. Regarding Ali he had said, "O Ali! I see before my eyes thy beard dyed with the blood of thy forehead."
His last moments His blood-drenched lips parted into a thanksgiving prayer and he said, "Lord! I thank Thee for rewarding me with martyrdom; how kind art thou and how gracious. May thy mercy further lead me to the realm of Thy grace and benevolence." The murderer was caught and brought before him. When Hazrat Ali saw that the ropes with which his murderer was tied were cutting into his flesh, he forgot his own agony, and requested that he be untied and treated more humanely. Touched by these words the murderer started to weep. A smile played on Hazrat Ali's lips and in a faint voice he said, "It is too late to repent now, you have done your deed. Was I a bad Imam or an unkind Ruler?" He expressly ordered that no harshness should be shown towards his murderer. He should not be tortured before his execution, his body should not be mutilated, and members of his family should not be made to suffer on account of his crime and his property should not be confiscated. Ali's justice was always tempered with mercy, even to the worst of his own enemies.
Ali was taken home from the mosque, and lay mortally wounded, yet he was answering all questions put to him. His sons Hasan and Husain were given the last advice, and finally Ali told them that his coffin was to be lifted only from behind, as the front would of itself be automatically carried, and they would have to take the route guided by the coffin itself. At the place where the coffin would stop, they would find a grave already dug for him. Hazrat Ali also requested his sons that he should be buried secretly, because he feared that his enemies would desecrate his grave. The coffin stopped at Najaf, which is about four miles from Kufa.

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) and Holy War:

Islam is the religion of peace and tranquility and does not like killing, plundering, and bloodshed. But if some one kills another without any reason then Islam has strong punishment to deal with him.

Of course, if an enemy attacks the Muslims then by the standards of wits, common sense, and religious law, self defense which as a form of Jihad/Jehad becomes essential and indispensable.

All the battles of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in which Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) fought armed and truthfully were defensive battles.

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) was such a brave, faithful, holy warrior who never got frustrated and upset and tired of the fighting and battles. He was afraid of no one except God. He used to say "By God if I see that on one side is the truth and on the other side all the rest of the people I, without caring and paying heed to those reproaching me, will fight all alone with my sword, on the way and path of the right, against them.

Nasa: Sunrise from the West

The science of astronomy states that the speed of planet Mars has been decreasing in its course toward the Eastern direction during May 2003 to the level the “waver” can be noticed between the East and the West. However, in the end of July 2003 the planet movement stopped going towards the Eastern direction.

In the months of August and September the red planet Mars changed its course in the opposite direction to the West and that until the end of September. Which means that the sun has already arose from west on that planet. These weird phenomena of the opposite movement called “Retrograde Motion,” most Scientists state that all the planets will go through the same, once at least, and our planet Earth is one of them. Planet Earth will move in the opposite direction some day and the Sun will rise from the West.

In science words, it will change eastward course to westward, and ONLY once.. then back to its normal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrograde_motion

http://www.lasalle.edu/~smithsc/Astronomy/retrograd.html

http://www.astro.illinois.edu/projects/data/Retrograde/

Imam Ali (a.s.) has narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), "It is essential that these ten things should occur before the "hour" and there is no other alternative: Sufyani, Dajjal, Smoke, Depression (of land), advent of Mahdi (a.s.),Sunrise from the west, descent of Isa (a.s.), the destruction of the east, The Destruction of the Arabian Island, The fire from Aden which would herd the people towards the day of Judgment.

(Behaarul Anwaar, vol., 52 pg. 209,vol. 10, Mustadrak al-Wasail vol. 12, pg 200)

(thanks Md Abbas Parekh)

Nawroz Mubarak

I wish happy Nawroz to the Iranians as it is their New Year. And also those who celebrate outside Iran. US president, Barack Obama has also wished them officially to improve the relations.
Though, there were attempts by some scholars to mark this day with some Islamic significance. Anyway we should share other people's sorrow and happiness unless that is not out of the boundries of shariat.
The colour and animal on Nawroz are irrelevant and has no Islamic significance.
Also, Hadhrat Imam Ali (a.s.) said that a day when a man does not commit a sin, that day is the day of Eid for him.

The following anecdote is sufficient to explain Nawroz:
One Nawroz day, Mansur Dawaaniqi, the Abbasid Caliph who took over the caliphate after his brother Abu al-A’bbas Saffaah, ordered Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s.) to present himself in the gathering of the Eid of Nawroz. This was so that the people could come and greet him and offer their gifts to him, which he should accept.
The Imam (a.s.) told Mansur, “Nawroz is the customary Eid of the Iranians and nothing has been said about it in Islam.”
To which Mansur replied, “This act is politically motivated and is intended to keep my soldiers happy. I place you under the oath of the Great God that you accept my request and present yourself at that gathering.”
The Imam (a.s.) agreed and arrived at the assembly. The army generals, nobles and the common masses arrived in his august presence, greeted him, and presented their gifts to him.
In the meantime, Mansur had ordered one of his slaves to position himself near the Imam (a.s.) and maintain a record of the money and gifts presented to him. The last person who had come to meet the Imam (a.s.) was an old man, who said to him:
“O’ Son of the Messenger of Allah! I am an impoverished person and lack the money to present you with gifts, but my gift for you today are three verses of elegy, which my grandfather had composed for your grandfather, Husain Ibn A'li(a.s.).”
Having said this, he then recited the verses.
The Imam (a.s.) responded appreciatively, saying, “I have accepted your gift,” after which he prayed for the man.
Then, turning to the slave, he instructed, “Go to Mansur, inform him of these gifts and ask him what has to be done about them?”
The slave did as he was told and upon returning, said to the Imam (a.s.):
“The Caliph has said: I have given them to you (Imam Musa Kadhim) as gifts. Spend them as you desire.”
The Imam (a.s.) told the old man, “Take these riches and gifts, for I am giving them all to you as gifts.”