(Hazrat Fatimah (s.a), the Link between Prophet Hood and Imamate (Part 1

Hazrat Fatimah (s.a), the Link between Prophet Hood and Imamate (Part 1)

Fatimah (s.a) was the only woman connecting Prophet Hood and Imamate and was the link between the two. She was the daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the wife of the first Imam (a.s) and the mother of the rest of the Imams (s.a) who descended from her and her husband Ali (a.s). Allah singled her out with this virtue and peculiarity because she was the most perfect and highest example in purity, sanctity, worship, asceticism and morals.

hijab in Islam

Through an analytical approach, the present research is an attempt to find fair answers to such questions, investigating the issue of “hijab”‌ in Islamic community and among other peoples and nations in the past as well as analyzing its philosophy by benefiting from the original sources of Islamic school of thought, thereby achieving a clear vision for the status of implementing this stable and firm value within the contemporary Iranian society.

‘Hijab’ is an Arabic word which literally means to put on, to cover, curtain, veil or covering (noun); however, among all these meanings, curtain or veil is more common and as a result it has led many people to suppose that Islam wants women to always stay at home behind the curtains and not to go out.

In this regard, the great scholar, Martyr Morteza Motahhari states: “Covering for women in Islam means that in their interactions with men, women cover their bodies and don’t try to exhibit themselves or have coquettish behavior”‌. [1]

 The related verses in Qur’an as well as jurists’ Fatwa in this regard refer to and highlight this principle. The module for covering in Islam can be achieved via Qur’an and tradition sources. In related verses, the term ‘hijab’ is not directly used.  In other words, the verses in this regard, in holy chapters of either Noor or Al-Ahzaab indirectly refer to the limitations with regard to dress code and the interaction between men and women without using the word ‘hijab’.[2]

Considering the abovementioned words, ‘Islamic hijab’ or ‘Islamic covering’ will be succinctly explained and described in the next parts of this article.

Notes:

[1]Motahhari, Morteza, 1996. Hijab.Sadra Publishing Center , 43th Edition, P. 28

[2]  Ibid

The Mahdi from among the Descendants of the Prophet

Such hadith-reports are abundant. The main idea that runs through all of them suggests that the topic about the future coming of the Mahdi and Qa’im during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) was well known. In fact the way these reports speak about the subject indicates that it was not something new which was being presented to the people. On the contrary they relate the signs and characteristics of the person who would emerge as the Mahdi as in the statement "the promised Mahdi will be among

Hazrat Zahra’s Birth and Features

When Hazrat Fatima"s (S.A.) birth was to take place, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) told Khatija (S.A.) "Jabriel has given me the good news that this child which is going to be born is a daughter and all the infallible Imams will be from her generation.

Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S.A.) was born on Friday the 20th of Jamadi ussani, the fifth year of Hijrah, when Quraish were busy in constructing the building of Khana-e-Kaabah.

Hazrat Fatima's(as) Position before God

Allama Majlisi has related in his magnum opus Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 24 that Prophet Muhammad said: "Fatima is the leader of the women of the worlds from the first to the last. When she stands in the prayer niche, twenty thousand angels greet her and address her like they addressed Mary. They say, 'O Fatima, verily God has chosen you and purified you and has chosen you above the women of the worlds.' And they are from the close angels."

 

In the same book, it is related that Prophet Muhammad was asked if Fatima is the leader of the women of this world. He replied:

"Mary, daughter of Amran, is the leader of the women of this world, my daughter Fatima is the leader of the women of all the worlds."

Once it is understood that Fatima has such a place in the universe, we will also realize that we must struggle day and night to learn about this great lady. We must learn who she was and how she lived. Then we must emulate her lifestyle, whether we are male or female. In reality, her status and lifestyle are so lofty that Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) has even said:

"In the daughter of the Messenger of God is a great example for me to emulate." (Lisan Al-Mizan, vol. 3, p. 180)

We must not overlook that the savior of the world, the one who will fill the earth with justice and equity and wipeout injustice and oppression, the one who will realize the efforts of all the prophets and their successors, the one who will establish God's government and religion on the face of the earth, meaning Imam Mahdi, even takes lessons from Fatima. Thus, can we afford to ignore or forget her?

Having said that, we will mention some of her virtues from reliable traditions.

Fatima's Position before God

In various traditions, Prophet Muhammad has said:

"Verily, God becomes angered when Fatima is angered, and He is pleased when Fatima is pleased." (Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 54)

The more we think about this statement, the more Lady Fatima's position becomes clear to us. This tradition has a world of meaning, and everyone can take from it in accordance to his/her ability and understanding. We will discuss two points in regards to it:

 

1. Human beings are naturally inclined towards position and rank. Unfortunately, most people believe that one can attain this goal through wealth and power. Therefore, they endeavor and use all of their God-given abilities and resources in order to attain more riches and more power because they foolishly believe that the more of these they have the higher status they will have. However, Islam has shown us that this path is the path of Satan.

True position and worth comes with serving and submitting to God. The more one submits to God's will, the more status he/she attains.

 It can reach a point where the servant completely surrenders him/herself to God, and God submits all that is in the heavens and earth to him/her. There are even traditions that say that a true servant of God can reach such a status that whenever he/she says "Be!" to a thing, it becomes, just as God says "Be!", and it is. Lady Fatima had surrendered herself to God so much so that God's anger and pleasure are related to her anger and pleasure.

 

2. This position of Fatima is also used to defend the leadership (Wilayah) and right of Imam Ali (peace be upon her).

In reality, Fatima is the first defender of Wilayah.

Her defense of her husband and his God-given rights eventually led to her being attacked in her own home and being martyred as a result of her injuries. Her anger with her attackers and those who usurped her husband's rights led her to request her husband to bury her at night, so that those who angered her do not attend her funeral and pray over her body.

 

In doing so, Lady Fatima left an eternal question in the hearts of all truth seekers: why was the only remaining daughter of the Prophet of Islam buried at night and why is her grave unknown?

Whoever truthfully and objectively searches out the answer to this question will, God-willing, find the truth and become a follower of the School of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them). There are numerous examples of people from various religions and schools of thought who pursued the answer to this question and found their way to the Ahlul Bayt.

 

As an example, I will mention a sister of ours who became Muslim during the time of Malcolm X. Eventually she questioned herself why is Lady Fatima's grave unknown? While searching for the answer, she found her way to the school of Ahlul Bayt. The benefits of this research were so admirable that her entire family is devoted followers and lovers of Fatima. Two of her sons have studied in Qum and are now serving Imam Mahdi.

(Merits of Hazrat Fatimah’s Tasbih (Part 1

Allahu Akbar - 34 times, Alhamdulillah - 33 times and Subhanallah - 33 times.

(This is what we call the Tasbih of Hazrat Fatimah (s.a.

The Tasbih of Hazrat Fatimah (s.a) is from the emphatically recommended acts of worship in the Islamic Shariat. It has immense significance in the eyes of the infallible Imams (a.s) and the Shiite jurists. It is a simple act of worship from the aspect of performance; however, its effect, reward and merit are abundant. This can be gauged from the fact that when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) wished to impart this act of worship to his daughter Hazrat Zahra (s.a), he declared,

‘O Fatimah! I have granted you something that is superior to a maidservant and to the world and everything in it.’ (Aasaar o Asraare Tasbih Zahra (s.a), Pg. 7

In this context Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) informs, ‘Allah is not worshipped by anything more meritorious than the Tasbih of Fatima Zahra (s.a). Had there been any worship superior to it, most surely the Holy Prophet (PBUH) would have granted it to Hazrat Fatimah (s.a).’ (Wasaaelush Shea, Vol 4 Pg. 1024)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) says about the dearness of this Tasbih in the :eyes of the Imams of the Ahl-ul-bayt (a.s)

“Reciting Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a) everyday after every Namaz is liked by me more than reciting one thousand rakats of (mustahab) namaz”. (Al-Kafi, Kitabus Salaat)

Reciting this Tasbih results in forgiveness of sins. In a tradition, Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) says:

“One, who recites the Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a) and then seeks forgiveness, will be forgiven”. (Wasaaelush Shia Vol 4, Pg. 1023)

It also results in driving Satan away and in the satisfaction of Allah as tradition from Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s) says:“(Reciting Tasbih) drives away Satan and makes results in the satisfaction of Allah”. (Wasaaelush Shia Vol 4, Pg. 1023)

Reciting Tasbih regularly delivers the reciter from adversities in this world as well as the hereafter. One of the graceful effects of the regular recitation of the Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a) is that it delivers the reciter from adversities and hardships in this world as well as the hereafter. Thus one should not ignore its benefits and effects and should not be careless and lazy in its recitation

In this connection, Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) says to one of his companions:

“You do adhere to it and be regular about its recitation, for surely one who is steadfast upon its recitation will not encounter adversity.” (Al-Kafi, Kitabus Salaat, Pg. 343)

(How to recite Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a):

According to a tradition from Imam Jafar Sadiq, one should recite Allaho Akbar 34 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Subhaanallah 33 times. (Behaarul Anwaar Vol 85, Pg. 334)

Reciting Tasbih immediately after Namaz

Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a) should be recited immediately on completion of Namaz. This entails that as soon as the reciter has finished the Namaz, he should remain seated in the same position of Tashahud without moving his feet and doing any other thing, immediately he should commence the recitation of the Tasbih. The reciting of Tasbih immediately on completion of Namaz has a special excellence, which is not there otherwise.

The above statement can be evidenced by the following tradition of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) wherein he states:

“One who recites the Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a) before even moving his feet, Allah will forgive him.” (At-Tahzeeb of Shaikh Toosi (r.a), Vol 2, Pg. 105)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) has said: “One who recites the Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a) after a wajib namaz before he stretches out his legs (i.e. he recites the Tasbih while he is in the posture of Tashahud) , then Jannat (Paradise) becomes wajib upon him” (Falaahus Saael by Ibne Taaoos (r.a.), Pg. 165)

Another tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s) says: “One who glorifies Allah after the obligatory prayer through the Tasbih of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.), and then follows it up by saying ‘Laa elaaha illallaho’, Allah will forgive his sins.” (Al-Kafi, Kitabus Salaat, Pg. 342)

Source: duas.org

Hazrat Fatima:part 2

Charity to the poor

Fatimah (A.S) was charitable and too kind to the poor and the deprived. She, her husband, and her two sons were meant by these Qur’anic verses, (And they give food out of love for Him to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. We only feed you for Allah’s sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks. 76:8-9).

Fatimah (A.S) milled wheat and barley for her poor neighbors who were unable to do that. She carried water to her weak neighbors who could not get water.

On the night of her wedding, Fatimah (A.S) had a new dress on. When she knew that a young woman from the Ansar[1] could not find a dress to put on, she took off the dress of her wedding and gave it to that young woman. Fatimah (A.S) turned away from every material pleasure and preferred the satisfaction of Allah to everything. Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari said,

‘Once, the messenger of Allah (A.S) led us in offering the Asr (afternoon) Prayer, and when he offered the nafila (a supererogatory prayer), he sat in the qibla and people sat around him. A very old man came complaining of hunger and saying, ‘O prophet of Allah, I am hungry. Feed me! And I am naked (have no clothes). Clothe me!’

The Prophet (A.S) asked the old man to go to the house of his (the Prophet) daughter Fatimah (A.S). The old nomad man went to Fatimah’s house and from behind the door he greeted her and said, ‘O daughter of Muhammad, I am naked and hungry. Would you please comfort me, may Allah have mercy on you?’

Fatimah (A.S) herself was in neediness, and she found nothing to give to the man except a sheepskin that her sons al-Hassan and al-Hussein slept on. The old man did not like it and he gave it back to her. Then, Fatimah (A.S) took a necklace, which was a present from her cousin Fatimah bint Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, off her neck and gave it to the man. 

The old man took the necklace and went back to the Prophet (A.S) saying to him, ‘Fatimah gave me this necklace and said to me, ‘Sell it! May Allah recompense you with good for it.’

The Prophet (A.S) cried and said, ‘And how does Allah not recompense you with good for it while the daughter of Muhammad, the principal of the daughters of Adam, has given it to you?’

Ammar bin Yasir asked the Prophet (A.S), ‘O messenger of Allah, do you permit me to buy this necklace?’

The Prophet (A.S) said, ‘Buy it, Ammar! If the human beings and the jinn participate in it, Allah will not punish them with Fire.’

Ammar said, ‘O Sheikh (old man), how much is the necklace?’

The old man said, ‘I sell it for a meal of bread and meat, a Yemeni garment that I cover my private parts and offer prayer for my Lord with, and a dinar that takes me to my family.’

Ammar said to him, ‘I give you twenty dinars, two hundred dirhams, a Yemeni garment, my camel to take you to your family, and a meal of wheat bread and meat.’

The old man said, ‘O man, how generous you are!’ He left delightedly saying, ‘O Allah, there is no god but You. O Allah, give Fatimah what no eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard of.’

Ammar perfumed the necklace with musk, enveloped it in Yemeni garment, and gave it one of his slaves saying to him, ‘Take this necklace to the messenger of Allah (A.S) and you will be his.’

When the slave took the necklace to the Prophet (A.S), the Prophet (A.S) asked him to take it to Fatimah (A.S) who took it and set the slave free. The slave smiled. Fatimah (A.S) asked him what made him smile and he said:

‘What made me smile was the great blessing of this necklace. It satiated a hungry one, clothed a naked one, made a poor one rich, freed a slave, and then returned to its owner.’

Taken from the book called:  THE LIFE OF FATIMAH AL-ZAHRA'

Hazrat fatima:neighbors First

The child had made it a habit to rise regularly in the small hours of the night and join his mother in her nightly prayers called Tahajjud. He observed that his mother prayed for all Muslim men and women. She remembered them by name and prayer for their prosperity and well being.

O Allah, pardon them their sins and let Your grace embrace them in all their dealings.

On this particular morning, he decided to ask. When the prayers were over, he asked:

Mother, you pray for all every day. Not a word for yourself or any one in the family

Bibi Fatima, blessings and salutations to her, said: 'O Hasan, remember one thing. Neighbors first and then the house.'

Hazrat Fatima:part 4

Devotedness

Fatimah (A.S) devoted herself to Allah and resorted to Him totally in all of her affairs. This was clear in her dua’a.

Her dua’a on turning to Allah

Fatimah (A.S) often supplicated Allah with this dua’a,

“O Allah, by Your knowing of the unseen and Your power over the creation, make me live if You know that life is better to me, and make me die if You know that death is better to me.

O Allah, I ask You for loyalty, and for the fear of You in pleasure and in anger, and for economy in wealth and poverty.

O Allah, I ask You for incessant bliss, and ask You for ceaseless delight, and ask You for satisfaction with fate, and ask You for a good life after death, and ask You for the looking at Your Face, and the eagerness to Your meeting without a harming distress or a dark sedition.

O Allah, adorn us with adornment of faith, and make us guided and guides, O You the Lord of the worlds!”

Her dua’a on resorting to Allah

She recited in this dua’a,

“O Allah, make me satisfied with what You have given to me, honor me and give me good health as long as You make me live, forgive me and have mercy on me when You make me die.

O Allah, do not afflict me with asking for what You have not determined for me, and whatever You have determined for me make it easy and accessible.

O Allah, reward my parents for me and whoever has done me a favor with the best of reward.

O Allah, take me to what You have created me for, do not make me busy with what You have already secured to me, do not punish me while I ask You to forgive me, and do not deprive me while I beg You.

O Allah, make me humble to myself, make Your standing great to me, and inspire me with Your obedience and the doing of what pleases You and avoiding what displeases You, O You the most Merciful of the merciful.

Hazrat Fatima:part 3

Chastity and veiling

Fatimah (A.S) was the highest example in chastity, honor, and veiling for all Muslim women.

Imam Ali (A.S) said, ‘Once, a blind man asked permission to visit Fatimah (A.S), but she asked him to stay behind a screen. The messenger of Allah (A.S) asked Fatimah (A.S), ‘Why did you screen him though he is blind and could not see you?’

She said, ‘He could not see me, but I could see him.’

The Prophet (A.S) said, ‘I witness that you are a part from me.’

Once, Imam Ali (A.S) asked Fatimah (A.S), ‘When is woman closer to her Lord?’

She said, ‘When she keeps to her house…’

Imam Ali (A.S) offered her answer to the Prophet (A.S) who said, ‘She is true. Fatimah is a part from me.’

Veil is beauty and honor for woman. Whenever woman adorns herself with chastity, she will be in a highest position and most honorable rank besides gaining admiration of the all. But if woman is unveiled and unchaste, she will be worthless in the society and no one will appreciate her. The veil and chastity of Fatimah (A.S) is a high example that every woman who wants to live regardable and honorable in the society.

Deep faith

Definitely, no one can suspect the unequaled faith and worship of Fatimah (A.S). She spent most of her days and nights in worshipping.

Imam Hassan (A.S) said, ‘some night, I saw my mother Fatimah (A.S) in her mihrab bow and prostrate (offer prayers) until the light of morning appeared. I heard her praying Allah for the believing men and the believing women and mentioning them by the name. She prayed Allah for them too much, but without praying for herself. I said to her, ‘Why do you not pray Allah for yourself mother?’

She said, ‘O my son, the neighbor (first) and then the house…’

Al-Hassan al-Basri said about Fatimah (A.S), ‘No one in the umma worshipped Allah more than Fatimah (A.S). She offered prayers in the night until her feet swelled.’

It was transmitted from Fatimah (A.S) her saying, ‘Whoever raises his true worship to Allah, Allah will send down to him the best of his benefit.’

Fatimah (A.S) assigned the last hours of the day of Fridays for Allah the Almighty. In the last ten days of Ramadhan, Fatimah (A.S) spent all the night in worshipping and supplicating, and she encouraged all those in her house to spend the night in worshipping and supplicating. Her feet swelled because of her long standing before Allah the Almighty.

Taken from the book called:  THE LIFE OF FATIMAH AL-ZAHRA'

Hazrat Fatima:part 1

Hazrat Fatimah (A.S) was different from all women in her high qualities and noble characteristics that took her to the highest rank of virtue and perfection. She was an example of her father’s morals and mentality. She resembled him in his deep faith in Allah the Almighty, asceticism, and refraining from pleasures of this life. Here, we talk about some of Fatimah’s characteristics:

Infallibility

Fatimah (A.S) was infallible, and this is an indisputable fact. Allah had purified her from every sin and every defect, and endowed her with all virtues to make her an example for all the women of the world. She was an ideal example in faith, worship, chastity, purity, charity, and kindness to the poor and the deprived.

Proofs on her infallibility

1. The verse of purification; Allah has said, (Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. 33:33).

The People of the House (the Ahl-ul-Bayt) were Ali, Fatimah, Imam Hassan, and Imam Hussein (A.S).

The verse clearly proves the infallibility and purity of these persons from every sin and vices. Allah had chosen these people to be examples for His people and guides to His obedience and pleasances. It is impossible for Allah to give sinners or guilty people this gift.

Infallibility, in its concept, definitely would not be far from the Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S) who were the centers of knowledge and wisdom in Islam. For forty years, I have researched and written books on them, but I could find a slip neither in their sayings nor in their doings. Even their enemies, who were full of grudge against them, did not mention any fault or any bit of deviation about them.

Imam Ali (A.S.) says, ‘By Allah, if I am given the seven districts with all that under their skies to disobey Allah in bran of a grain of barley that I deprive it of a mouth of a locust, I will never do.’

2. The Prophet (A.S) made his entire nation, through his repeated sayings, know that Fatimah (A.S) was a part from him, and that whatever pleased her would please him and whatever displeased her would displease him. That she was a part from the Prophet (A.S) means that she was infallible since the Prophet (A.S) was infallible. 

3. The true traditions that were transmitted from the Prophet (A.S.) confirmed that Allah would be pleased for the pleasure of Fatimah (A.S) and would be displeased for her displeasure. These traditions mean that Fatimah (A.S) had reached a degree of faith and piety that would take her to the same rank of the infallible prophets who sincerely obeyed Allah and knew Him as He was.

4. The Prophet (A.S.) compared his progeny to the Book of Allah as in the mutawatir (successive) tradition of “ath-Thaqalayn”, and since the Book of Allah is infallible from any falseness, so are the Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S); otherwise, the Prophet (A.S) would not compare them to the Book of Allah.

Fatimah (A.S) was at the head of the pure progeny of the Prophet (A.S) and was the mother of all the infallible imams (except Imam Ali) whom Allah had purified from all uncleanness.

A manuscript oF shahnamehe by Ferdewsi possible

he survival of a unique edition of Shahnameh, the long Persian epic poem, which is originally “hand-written” by Ferdowsi himself, is considered “possible” by some theorists, an Iranian literary expert has remarked.

Ali Akbar Pedram, an expert in Shahnameh studies, said in an interview with ISNA news agency that whereas some individuals believe that the manuscript of Shahnameh, originally inked by the poet, Ferdowsi, is destroyed, there are other theorists who stress the possibility of the survival of this pure-bred treasure. According to the latter, this firsthand manuscript is probably either kept in one of the villages in Iran, or it is still reserved in a collector’s assortment.

The oldest manuscript of Shahnameh belongs to nearly 200 years after the composition of the epic, and no earlier version has been found yet, according to Pedram, who added, “There exist merely 30 authenticated versions ofShahnameh in the entire world, and among these, the Florence manuscript in Italy is the most genuine.”

Addressing the importance of Ferdowsi's epic poem in Iranian culture, Pedram states that “Shahnameh is the biggest and richest encyclopedia of Iranian culture, and it mirrors the habits and traditions of ancient Iranians.”

Pedram, however, criticized Iranians’ current approach to Ferdowsi’s epic, noting that Shahnameh has been forgotten by the general population, and there are a few Iranians who could have memorized 10 verses of the poem.

Hakim Abulqasem Ferdowsi Tusi, the highly venerated Persian poet, was born in 940 AD in the city of Tus in northeastern Iran. He wrote his great epic work during the periods of Samanid and Ghaznavid dynasties. Shahnameh, literally translated as “The Book of the Kings,” is known as the longest epic poetry in history, composed by a single poet.

According to Ferdowsi’s own poem, he finished his masterpiece after 30 years of continuous work. Beyond being the loaded canon of purely Persian lexis,Shahnameh is the epic narration of Iranian national identity, derived from the grace of an ancient culture along with the gentility of a poetic language.

MM/SS

www.presstv.ir

(we love prophet MUHAMMAD(PBUH

we love prophet MUHAMMAD(PBUH) and prophet JESUS (PBUH

JESUS a prophet of Islan

www.welovemuhammad.org

In the name of Allah, 

All of the prophets and messengers from God have risen only for the same purpose.

There is no difference amongst of teachings of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (pbuthem).

The Extremism is absolutely condemned by every gentle and large-minded man around the world

We consider the ZIONISM, as the main enforcer of all these seditions.  

ISIS and the other similar groups are actually very useful for ZIONISOM not for ISLAM, and the function of Al- Qaeda and other similar groups is not the same with the Prophet Muhammad's character sketch

.We loathe of the ZIONISOM, in the same way, we loathe of all TAKFIRIS

.(WE ALL LOVE MUHAMMAD (pbuh

(Death with dignity is better than a life of humiliation (imamhussain

       

    Death with dignity is better than a life of humiliation

                                      In the name of god

After his death, the women and children from Hussain’s party were taken captive. His sister, Zainab, took up the mantle of leadership of the small band, and gave speech after speech condemning the actions of Yazid and his government, culminating in a confrontation in the ruler’s own court. Zainab was perhaps the first person to be inspired by Hussain’s stand, using it as a catalyst for change. She refused to be subdued and put her fear to one side so she could hold to account those responsible for the moral decay of society.Despite the pervasive sexism of society at the time, Zainab managed to lead and inspire both men and women. Hussain’s example, that one man can stand alone against an army of thousands, inspired her to the point where she castigated and berated a murderous dictator in his own palace, laying the foundations for the eventual overthrow of  the Ummayid dynasty.Today millions of people pay homage to Hussain ibn Ali for his stand and annually mourn the tragic Battle of Karbala in which Hussain, his family and loyal companions were brutally killed one by one. Pilgrims from all walks of life visit the Imam Hussain shrine to pay their respects in the city of Karbala, Iraq,

imam hussain in the final night

The final night

That night Hussain assembled his group, stressing to them that it was his life that Yazid wanted and that they might be able to escape. Again, Hussain’s selflessness shone through. There he stood, amongst his family and companions, all having been deprived of water in the scorching desert for three days, pleading with them to leave him and save themselves!

After a few days of this stalemate, the government forces were commanded to attack and kill Hussain and his companions. Hussain’s men were vastly outnumbered. One by one, they were killed, and the government forces massed .around Hussain, eventually killing him