Thread by @iamrana

Since most people are unaware of the significance of #Muharram or the sacrifice of Hussain please bear with me as I recite the history of #Karbala every day

#twittermajlis

Karb ( anguish) and Bala ( calamity) were the name given to the land of Nainawa where Imam Hussain and the male members of his family ( excluding an ill son) were martyred along with his companions. The ladies were imprisoned & taken to Syria
#Muharrum #Karbala #twittermajlis

When Yazid son of Mu'awiya declared himself as a ruler over the Ummah, he demanded Imam Hussain 's allegiance . Imam
flatly refused
Yezid floured the tenets of Islam as taught by the Prophet and #Hussain said,
"Someone like me, does not pledge allegiance to someone like him”.

As the representative of his grandfather Prophet Muhammad (S), Imam Husain's main concern was to safeguard and protect Islam and guide fellow Muslims.
He left for Mecca to avoid bloodshed

#Muharrum #karbala #twittermajlis

When Imam #Hussain reached Mecca he received 12,000 letters from Kufa in Iraq calling him there. Imam sent an emissary, his cousin Muslim Ibn Aqeel, to Kufa to ascertain the situation there
#Muharrum #Karbala #twittermajlis

Yezid appointed Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad as governor of Kufa to control the activities of Muslim bin Aqeel & ultimately Muslim & his sons were martyred in the city of Kufa
#Muharrum #Karbala #twittermajlis

When confrontation seemed inevitable in Mecca, Hussain left with his wives, children, sisters, sons, brothers, nephews, nieces etc for Kufa without completing his haj.
He wanted to avoid bloodshed in the holy city of Mecca

#Muharrum #Karbala
#twittermajlis

On the way to Kufa at a place called Zubalah, Hussain received the news that Muslim had been killed by Ibn Ziyad.
Hussain relayed the news to his companions & family.
They decided to continue their journey to Kufa
#Muharrum #Karbala
#twittermajlis

Imam Hussain continued with the journey along with close companions and family members until he was face to face with a regiment of Yezid's army of 1,000 horsemen led by Hurr al-Riyahi

#Muharrum #Karbala #twittermajlis

That day when Hurr stopped Imam Hussain 's army it was 1st Muharram 61 Hijri or 680 AD

Hurr's army and animals had marched a long way in the desert. Hussain ordered water to be given to all from their supply.
#Muharrum #Karbala
#twittermajlis

Hurr prevented the Imam's caravan from moving towards Kufa as per his orders.
Hussain turned the caravan away from Kufa. Hurr and his army marched parallel to the Imam. The two sides reached a village called Nainawa where the Imam pitched tents
#Muharrum #Karbala
#twittermajlis

2nd #Muharram 61 Hijri
Hurr whose army had been following #Hussain 's caravan received orders to stop the caravan near a arid land.
Hussain, wanted no confrontation so he, family and companions pitched their tents 3 miles from river #Euphrates
#Karbala #twittermajlis

Before leaving Medina #Hussain had made a will:
" I did not march out exultingly, nor recklessly, nor seeking to make corruption in the land, nor to oppress anyone. Rather, I marched out seeking to reform my grandfather's nation..."
Cont'd

"I desire to enjoin what is right and to forbid what is wrong and to follow the Sunnah of my
grandfather and of my father Ali ibn Abu Talib"

#twittermajlis

On 2nd #Muharram 680 AD #Hussain reached the dusty plains of Ninewah.
The name Karbala was later used for Ninewah
Karb(anguish)o Bala(calamity)
Land of anguish & calamity.
He bought the land where his grave now stands from the Banu Asad tribe for 60,000 dirhams.
#twittermajlis

#Hussain then turned and gave it back to them as charity on one condition: they lead people to his grave-site and host whoever visited it for three days.
To date this custom is followed and I along with other ziareen enjoyed a simple meal at the rauza of Hazrat Abbas
#karbala

The land that #Hussain
bought, was 4miles long by 4 miles wide.
Hussain knew of his martyrdom.
Once Hussain was camped there he wrote to Ibn al-Hanafiyya
saying, “It is as if this life has never been, and as if the hereafter has always been, and peace be with you"
#Muharram

On 2nd #Muharram Imam Hussain reached #Karbala and having bought the land put up his camps next to the river Euphrates
#twittermajlis

The journey that took Imam Hussain from Mecca to Karbala

On #3Muharram, Hur commander of Yezid's forces messaged
Ibn Ziyad the Umayyad governor of Kufa telling him that al-Husain was camping at Karbala

#twittermajlis

IbnZiyad wrote back threatening that till he submitted to Yazid's authority he wouldn't be left in peace.
Having read this letter, Husain
threw it away saying, “They shall never succeed those who buy the pleasure of the creatures with the price of the Creator's Wrath.”
#Karbala

Ibn Ziyad asked ibn Sa`d to march ag Hussain with 4000 men, and al-Hurr and everyone with him joined his forces.
#Hussain had only 100 people with him who were his family and friends. He had No army.
He wanted to avoid confrontation & offered to go to another city
#Karbala

The battle of #Karbala was betw Hussain grandson of the Prophet & Yazid's army. On 10 #Muharram Hussain was martyred.
Later Hussain 's son was asked
"Who won?”
“When it is time for the prayers, call the athan & iqama, and it is then that you will know who the winner is.”

4th #Muharram #Karbala
At every step #Hussain avoided confrontation.
His was a battle of right over evil.
He didn't want it to be construed as a rebellion ag a ruler.
He had pitched his tents away from the river as Yezid's commander wanted.
He agreed to their demands.
#sabr

Ibn Ziyad had a stationary army in Kufa.
Hussain didn't go to Kufa incase it's alleged that he was challenging them.
He stopped in <Karbala
By sending his army ag #Hussain Ibn Ziyad showed who was the aggressor
#Muharrum #twittermajlis

#Hussain kept doors of negotiations open.
He sent letters to the people who had invited him.
“Those who do not stand up to a tyrant and transgressor of the faith will suffer in this life and the life to come."
#Karbala #Muharrum #twittermajlis

#Hussain gathered his small group of companions and said to them
“The course which affairs have taken is manifest to you. The world has changed its colours; virtue has almost vanished. This is the age of Wrong and the followers of Right have passed away."
#twittermajlis #Karbala

#Hussain gave his followers and companions a chance to leave him as Yezid was after him personally but the steadfast band always reaffirmed their faith in the Imam.
The lesson of Karbala is:
Good over evil
Right over might
#4thMuharrum #Karbala

Abu Makhnaf, the chronicler records, in the course of two days, between the third and the fourth of Muharram, the plains of Karbala were filled with over a hundred and forty thousand warriors from Syria, Iraq, Iran and other countries to oppose #Hussain #Muharrum #twittermajlis

On 4 #Muharram, Umar bin Sa’d wanted Urwa bin Qais a prominent figure from Kufa who had repeatedly written to #Hussain inviting him to come to Kufa to ask why he had come.
an embarrassed and ashamed Urwa made excuses
#Karbala #Muharrum

Finally one Kufi agreed to meet #Hussain
Hussain said he had been invited by the people of Kufa to come & guide them in religious matters and as an Imam it was his duty to do so.
He added he was willing to return if they had changed their minds
#Karbala #Muharrum

It's important to understand #Hussain not just for those who mourn him but for others.
Hussain was about right.
Hussain was about standing against tyranny against zulm
About non violent opposition to oppression
#Karbala #Muharrum

“The most merciful person is the one who forgives when he is able to revenge”
#ImamHussain
#Karbala

"In order to keep alive justice and truth, instead of an army or weapons, success can be achieved by sacrificing lives, exactly what Imam Hussain did."
“Imam Hussain is the leader of humanity.”
“Imam Hussain will warm the coldest heart.”
#Tagore

Antoine Bara (Lebanese writer)
“No battle in the modern and past history of mankind has earned more sympathy and admiration as well as provided more lessons than the martyrdomof Husayn in the battle of Karbala.”

Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar
“Qatl-e-Hussain asl main marg-e-Yazid hai,
Islam zindaa hota hai har Karbala ke baad”

#Karbala #Muharrum

And since it's one of the biggest tragedies the word mubarak is never used with #Muharrum as it implies happiness
Mubarak : auspicious, happy, sacred etc.
Important to remember the lessons of #Karbala
Good over evil
Right over might

5th #Muharrum
Tho everyone was martyred on 10th of Muharram known as ashoora, different days have been designated to honour the sacrifices
5th is the day of 10 year old Aun & 12year old Mohammad sons of #Zainab( sister of #Hussain)

They had not accompanied Zainab when she left Madina with Imam Hussain.
Their father Abdullah bin Jafar brought them at Mecca & asked Hussain to let them be his representatives in this fight of good over evil.

#twittermajlis #muharram #Karbala

"O Imam, since you have decided to go and will not allow me to come with you, please take my two sons with you. Aun will represent his maternal grandfather [Imām] Ali and [Prophet] Mohammad will represent his paternal grandfather Hazrat Jaffer-e-Tayyār ". Said Abdullah
#karbala

He then went to his wife Janab Zainab and said:
"I have brought to you our two sons to go with you. In the time of difficulty on our Maula Hussain, give one son as sadqa from your side and the other one as sadqa from my side".

On 10th #Muharrum when Yezid's forces attacked #Hussain 's camp Hussain was very reluctant to let these two boys fight.
He kept refusing permission till Zainab & the boys overcame him

"Our grand fathers were warriors whose fame will always be remembered. Do you think we can possibly shame them? More over we are the pupils of Uncle Abbas."
#Hussain reluctantly gave permission to go to war and certain death against Yezid's army to these young boys
#twittermajlis

As they left they told their mother
"All we want from you is a promise that you will never weep for us. Or souls will never rest in peace if you grieve for us after we are gone".

Tears of joy and pride flowed down Zainab's eyes as she embraced her two boys.

Initially the boys didn't get permission for single combat as was the norm then.
Finally their pleadings were effective
"Go," said #Hussain , "Go & show the world how those as young as you can fight the injustice and oppression of Yazid!"
#twittermajlis #Karbala

The two boys rode out into the battlefield. They were pupils of Abbas.
They fought bravely. At one point Umar ibn-e-Sa'ad asked:
"Who are these two youngsters? They fight like I have seen Ali ibn Abi Talib fight."
#karbala #twittermajlis

When he was told who they were he ordered his soldiers to give up single combats and surround and kill the boys. Aun and Muhammad were attacked from all sides. Soon they were over-powered and brutally killed.
#5thMuharram #karbala #twittermajlis

When Imam Hussain & Hazrat Abbas carried the corpses of the two boys into the camp they found #Zainab in sijdah praying:

"O Allah, I thank you for accepting my sacrifice. My heart is filled with pride because my two sons have given their lives for your religion."
#karbala

The joint taboot of Aun o Muhammad from Shikarpur near Bulandshar

Aun o Muhammad ke haal par marsiya

6th #Muharrum #Karbala
#TwitterMajlis
75 year old Habib ibn Muzahhar arrived in Karbala.
He practiced virtues and observed the divine rules carefully. He had the Holy Qur'an in memory completely, and spent every night in worship and supplication to Allah.

Habib was a companion of Hazrat Ali and felt it was his duty to side with the grandson of the Prophet in this fight of good over evil.
#Hussain was on the side of truth.
Hussain was Haq ( truth)
Yezid was bail ( falsehood)
Hussain was sabr ( patience)
Yezid was jabr ( oppression

Despite being very old, Habib fought like a hero and killed 62 soldiers of Yezid's army
Truth has a great way of giving strength to frail bodies.

Just then, Buzayl bin Maryam 'Aqfani attacked him and hit him on the head with his sword.
#Karbala #Hussain #Muharrum

Another enemy hit Habib with a spear, causing him to fall off the horse and down to the ground. Then, Buzayl bin Maryam beheaded him. Habib had an underage son named Qasim, who killed Buzayl after he came of age.
#Karbala #Muharrum #Hussain

Imam #Hussain (a) came to him and said: , "O Habib! You were a virtuous person who recited the whole Qur'an in one night."
#Muharrum #Karbala

Meanwhile
On the nights of 4th &5th #Muharram, Umar bin Sa’d wanted to meet #Hussain Arrangements were made in an open space between Imam camp and Umar’s army when a long conversation ensued during which #Hussain showed hundreds of letters written by the people of Kufa

Umar bin Sa’d wrote to Ibn Ziyad, “By God’s grace, an inevitable conflict and unnecessary bloodshed has been avoided in my dialogue with al-Husayn."
This angered Ibn Ziyad who called for Shimr bin Thil Joushan to whom he gave a letter to be delivered to Umar ibn Sa’d
#Karbala

Letter said not to show mildness to #Hussain
"Now as soon as this reaches you and you read it, see that no drop of water is carried to Husayn’s camp, if you mind your own welfare. Post your men between the Euphrates and Husayn’s soldiers. Attack and destroy them."
#Karbala

The possibility of losing his command of the army as well as the riches promised by ibn Ziyad, was enough to, once again, blind Umar ibn Sa’d from the reality placed before him by Imam #Hussain during the preceding nights.
He ordered sealing of water from the Imam's camp
#Karbala

He forthwith ordered the closure of the banks of the Euphrates by posting several battalions under the command of Amr bin al-Hajjaj, and Hussayn ibn Numair with strict instructions not to allow anyone from Imam #Hussain camp to come near the river and take any water
#Karbala

7th #Muharrum #Karbala
The seventh day of Muharram is usually reserved to mourn the martyrdom of the 14 year old Qasim, the son of Imam Hasan, the elder brother of Imam Husain.

#Hussain wasn't ready to let Qasim go to war and kept refusing. When Qasim insisted he asked: "Qasim! What do you think about 'death'?"
Qasim instantly retorted "Uncle I find it sweeter than honey!"
#Karbala #7thMuharrum

7th #Muharrum the day designated to mourn Qasim
is also marked by processions of mehndi.
#Hussain 's daughter attained puberty on way to #Karbala in those days an unmarried girl could be enslaved.
Zainab, Hussain & Abbas arranged a Nikah with Qasim for widows r not enslaved

This proved true for when the family of the Prophet was brought in chains into Darbar e Yezid in Damascus, a Syrian asked for the daughter of Imam Hussain, Janab Zainab drew herself up & reminded Yezid that not only were they Rasool zaadis but also the girls was widowed.

So in memory of two children who got married just in name and a child who got widowed on the morn we fir them mourn on 7th #muharram
Mehndi being readied in Delhi 's Panja Sharif imambara
#twittermajlis
( photo from last year)

On the day of Ashura, time and again Qasim went to Husain to seek permission to go to the battlefield but Husain kept on refusing. It was only when Qasim showed the will of his late father asking him to represent him at #Karbala.
#Muharrum

It was then that Husain granted permission.
Qasim went &fought and was ultimately surrounded by the foes. He called out to his uncle for help. When Husain reached the martyr he found the corpse trampled by horses and in pieces, which he collected with great difficulty!
#Karbala

7th #Muharrum had sounds of crying children
The water stored in Imam #Hussain's camp was exhausted by the night of the sixth of #Muharram and in the extreme heat of the desert; the whole seventh day and the following night were spent by the children in crying for water

8th #Muharram is the day designated to recite about #Abbas
Abbas son of Hazrat Ali and Ummul Banin bint Hizam bin Khalid bin Rabi’a.
Abbas greatly loved #Hussain & considered himself his slave
His brothers Utsman, Ja’far and Abdullah had already attained martyrdom in #Karbala

Abbas son of Hazrat Ali and Ummul Banin bint Hizam bin Khalid bin Rabi’a.
Abbas greatly loved #Hussain & considered himself his slave
His brothers Utsman, Ja’far and Abdullah had already attained martyrdom in #Karbala #twittermajlis

In a one on one ( the norm those days) no one could have defeated #Abbas.
Yezid's army knew that
#Hussain knew that.
But Hussain was not here to wage war. He was here to prove the power of truth Haq & sacrifice
Hussain refused to give Abbas permission to fight
#Karbala

#Abbas was very attached to his niece 4 year old Sakina.
Children had been crying from thirst as Yezid's army had stopped water for past 3 days.
#Hussain didn't allow him to go to war but permitted Abbas to fetch water from the river Euphrates to quench the thirst of the kids

Abbas came out of the camp and addressed the enemy soldiers saying:

“What sin have these children committed that you seek to kill them? How do you justify denying water to children and women?"
#twittermajlis #karbala

Hearing these words, the enemy attacked Abbas from all sides. Abbas repelled the onslaught and the enemy soldiers took to their heels.

#twittermajlis #karbala #HazratAbbas

Scattering the enemy with his sword #Abbas reached the banks of the Euphrates Abbas then raised a handful of water to show to the world that he had command over the river then. He filled the leather bag with water and started towards Imam #Hussain 's camp
#twittermajlis

Fearing that water might, after all, reach #Hussain 's camp, the enemy rallied. Since they couldn't defeat him with sword the archers were called in.
While Abbas was busy avoiding the arrows, one of the soldiers came from behind and severed his right arm.

#twittermajlis

Abbas caught the leather bag by his left hand. Another vile soldier of Yazid slunk behind and cut his left hand. Abbas caught the leather bag by teeth, intent on saving the bag of water. An arrow then pierced the leather bag and water flowed out.
#twittermajlis #karbala

At that moment, an arrow struck Abbas in the eye, blinding him completely, & at same time he was clubbed from behind. Finding that his object of procuring water to Imam #Hussain 's children failed, a frustrated Abbas had no desire to live, and he fell down from his horse.

When #Hussain managed to reach his stricken brother, #Abbas pleased with him not to take his body to the camp as he could not bear to face the children whom he had failed to take water for
He was buried there on the bank of the river
#twittermajlis #karbala

That is why there is a separate Rauza for Hazrat Abbas in #Karbala
The rest of the martyrs are buried in the main Rauza of Imam #Hussain

Abbas or Chote Hazrat as he is called is lso known as Bab ul Hawaij doorway to granting of wishes for none of his were granted.
He wasn't allowed to wage war against Yezid's army
& he couldn't take water for the children
#twittermajlis

When I visited #Karbala I saw the two memorials made in places where he lost his arms & his Rauza. A big distance between all 3.
Abbas continued his fight for ages without arms. Holding mashq with his teeth
Lost hope and died only when water oozed out of the mashq
#karbala

Kis sher ki amad hai k run kaanp raha hai
Run ek taraf charkhe kohan kaanp raha hai
Rustum ka badan zere kafankaanp raha hai

Har qasre salateene zaman kaanp raha hai
Shamsheer bakaf dekh ke Haider k pisar ko
Jibreel larazte hain samete huwe par ko"
Mirza Dabeer

#HazratAbbas

9th #Muharram
Dedicated to 6 month old #AliAsghar, Imam Hussain 's son who was the youngest martyr of #Karbala

#twittermajlis

By afternoon On #ashura all the companions, friends, relatives of Hussain had been going to the battlefield of #Karbala and returning a corpse to the camp.
72 has been martyred only #Hussain was left.
He called out
"Is there any one to defend us? Is there anyone to help us?”

As soon as the 6month #AliAsghar heard this cry he twisted & turned till he fell out of the cradle
The women started wailing fearing that the infant was about to die from thirst & hunger
His mother Rabab had no milk by now to feed him as she was starving for 4days
#twittermajlis

The commotion and wailing caught Imam #Hussain attention who returned to the camp. He took the child to the bate, covered with a cloth to protect him from the scorching sun.

#twittermajlis 9th #muharram

Yezid's soldiers assumed that Imam Hussain was holding the Qur’an in his hand as a prelude to surrender. When Imam #Hussain lifted the cloth, the soldiers gasped with surprise to see an infant. The infant smiled as if taunting the enemy in the face of adversity.
#twittermajlis

#Hussain called out
"This baby has not had water for the past three days and you can see that the extreme thirst will kill him shortly. Is there anyone who would provide water to the infant?"

#twittermajlis

Several enemy soldiers were moved by the sight and a murmur of sympathy was heard. Umar ibn Sa’d realized the seriousness of the situation and said, “Beware my soldiers! Do not be beguiled by #Hussain's word. He is only tricking you into getting some water for himself.

“I only seek water for the infant, whose agony is before you. Since you fear that I may myself drink the water, I am placing this infant on the ground so that you may yourselves take the child and quench his thirst" said Hussain

The baby lying on the cloth on the burning sands of #Karbala kicked his parched lips
Hearts of the soldiers melted as most had children
#AliAsghar 's smile & parched lips were more eloquent than any sermon.
Ibn Saad panicked & ordered Hurmula to intervene

Shimr and Ibn Saad called their ace archer Hurmula who let go an arrow which pierced through AliAsghar 's throat instantly killed the baby.

Inkaar aasman ko hai razi zameen nahi,
Asghar tumhary khoo' ka thikana kahin nahin

#AliAsghar #9thMuharram #karbala #twittermajlis

Boli Baano Pyaare Asgar Shaam Bahi Ghar Aao
#Karbala #Muharrum
- Marsiya #AliAsghar

Asghar there jhoole mein
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

#ShabeAshoor , the night of Repentance and Prayers!

This year I'm unable to go home for azadari so contention myself with #twittermajlis

Husain sought one night’s reprieve to pray to his Lord and give time to the enemy to ponder over Right and Wrong.

#shabeashoor

He assembled his small band of 72 and delivered a short speech.
He advised them to leave him “for the enemy was after his blood, not theirs!”
And when they remained seated, he asked the lantern to be extinguished so that they may leave without any embarrassment.
#ShabeAshoor

But when the torches were lit again, none had stirred. They were all resolute to die for the cause!

Imam turned to 13 yo Qasim, so of brother Hasan. “Qasim what do you think of Death?” “It is sweeter than honey” replied the young Qasim.

In another tent was Zainab, the beloved sister of Husain, the second Fatima! She was heard exhorting her two young sons to sacrifice themselves over their uncle .

Nearby to the Camp of Husain but in the garrison of the enemy was Hurr, the Commander of the Yazidi contingent

Half the night he paced his tent in contemplation: what shall he do tomorrow- follow the orders to massacre Husain or....
#shabeashoor

After much deep thought he reached a conclusion. He asked his son to bind his hands and take him to Husain!

When he reached the Imam, and expressed his repentance, Husain accepted him with open arms.
#shabeashoor

Next day he was one of the first to lay down his life fighting the army which he had led till a day before!

The reports from the enemy camp tell us that the whole night, they could hear nothing from the camps of Husain but sounds of prayers!
#twittermajlis #shabeashoor

It was also the night when Jaun reached Husain and readied to fight for Truth against Evil.

Habib ibn Mazahir, a childhood friend of Husain too reached Karbalā and was received personally by Zainab!
#shabeashoor #twittermajlis

#ShabeAshoor was the last night when the the House of Prophet we’re together. The dawn as it appeared led to the first sacrifice

Ali Akbar, the Prophet 's lookalike gave azan
as Husain led morning prayers and the army of Yazid attacked many lost their lives
#twittermajlis

They stood like rock between Husain in prayers and the arrows. As Husain finished his prayers, they fell to the ground

and the Day of Ashūr dawned....

Yezid Tha
Hussain Hai

#ashur #10thMuharram
#Karbala #Muharrum

Shab e Ashur,night before certain martyrdom & Imam Hussain spent it in ibadat.
Sabr & tawakkul

A force of 30,000 was camped around the tents of Imam Hussain, with family& a few friends
&
Above all
Faith in Allah
Determination to preserve Islam as taught by his grandfather

Safar e Karbala - Documentary [HQ]

Voice Zia Mohyeddin

Mujrai Khalq Mein - Shafqat Amanat Ali (with lyrics / writeup)

When I stood on Tilla e Zainabiya
From this small hillock Janabe Zainab A.S. could see Imam Hussein A.S. when he fell from the horse during the battle and was martyred.

ziarateiraq.blogspot.com/2011/12/tilla-…

#twittermajlis #nauha #ashur

https://twitter.com/iamrana/status/1299997706346139650?s=21

https://twitter.com/iamrana/status/1299997706346139650

Tadap kar yaas o hasrat se pukaara Zainab ai Zainab
Tera Maajaaya marne ko sidhaara Zainab ai Zainab
#nauha

Sham e Gharibaan

Ghabrayegi Zainab- recited by Nasir Jahan
Written by Chunnu Lal Dilgir
Difficult to not tear up when hearing this