When discussing the companions of Imam Hussain (AS), the most significant aspect to consider is their actions and decisions in specific circumstances where they had to make choices. While reading history, it might seem ordinary to us that when faced with oppression and injustice, any rational human being would stand against it. However, before making decisions, people need to be sure if their resistance is worthwhile.
Throughout history, many people fought and died for what they believed to be the truth, only to find out they were supporting evil.
In this text, we will delve into some of the most astonishing characteristics of the companions of Imam Hussain (AS) that made them so special in history.
The outcome of faith is guidance:
“Whoever has faith in Allah, He guides his heart.” (64: 11)
However, this guidance is achievable through obedience:
“O you who have faith! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority among you.” (4: 59)
The most vital trait of the companions of Imam Hussain (AS) was their faith and reliance on Allah, and their obedience to Him, His messenger, and their leader - Imam Hussain (AS).
On the night of Ashura, Imam Hussain (AS) gathered his companions and said “I release you from the allegiance and oath you’ve taken from me. The darkness of the night surrounds you, so break free from the turmoil hidden in the darkness waves. Then each of you may hold of the hand of my family members and disperse into the villages and cities until Allah grants you relief .” The companions, one by one, replied “By Allah! We shall not abandon you. In fact, we are ready to sacrifice our lives for yours. We shall defend you with our necks, faces and hands. We will fulfill our duty even if it costs our lives.” [1]
The situation in the year 61 AH during the battle of Karbala was perplexing. People had to differentiate between the truth among two groups both claiming to fight for Islam. Imam Hussain (AS) left Medina as he knew Yazid, the son and the successor of the late caliph, disregarded Islamic principles. However, since Yazid and his ministers presented themselves with an Islamic facade, it was challenging for ordinary people to discern the correct side. Consequently, most Muslims were deceived by their hypocritical behavior, or they were threatened by Yazid’s ministers due to fears of losing material gains, causing them to join Yazid’s army.
It this context, Yazid managed to amass of over thirty thousand soldiers, while only few individuals - less than a hundred – chose to stand with Imam Hussain (AS). This fact highlights the great wisdom and bravery of Imam Hussain’s (AS) companions, and this wisdom, as the Quran mentioned, arises from steadfast faith:
“O you who have faith! If you are wary of Allah, He shall appoint a criterion for you, and absolve you of your misdeeds...” (8:29)
The Arabic term translated as “criterion” in the above verse is Furqan. Furqan is the power to distinguish right from wrong, a type of wisdom and insight bestowed by Allah upon His pious servants, which is not dependent on knowledge, literacy, or information. [1]
Based on this criterion granted by Almighty Allah, the companions of Imam Hussain (AS), coming from diverse ages and social, cultural and religious backgrounds, were all able to differentiate between right from wrong. It is regrettable that only a few comprehend this distinction!
“… But most of them do not know the truth, and so they are disregardful.” (21: 24)
Even among the faithful, some chose not to oppose Imam Hussain (AS) in the battle of Karbala. They remained silent and withheld their support for the Imam. The status of these believers differs from those who sacrificed their possessions and lives for the sake of Allah (SWT). Allah says in the
Quran:
“Not equal are those of the faithful who sit back—excepting those who suffer from some disability—and those who wage jihad in the way of Allah with their possession and their persons. Allah has graced those who wage jihad with their possessions and their persons by a degree over those who sit back…” (4: 95)
Allah describes the relationship between Him and His pious servants as a mutual bond of love, with Allah (SWT) being the first to express love. In a beautiful Quranic verse Allah portrays His faithful, courageous, and humble servants as individuals loved by Him:
“O you who have faith! Should any of you desert his religion, Allah will soon bring a people whom He loves and who love Him, [who will be] humble towards the faithful, stern towards the faithless, waging jihad in the way of Allah, not fearing the blame of any blamer. That is Allah’s grace, which He grants to whomever He wishes, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.” (5: 54)
This verse underscores that these individuals may face criticism and blame from due to their decisions, but it will not make them turn away from their spiritual path.
Another important characteristic of Imam Hussain’s (AS) companions was their selfless sacrifice in upholding the religion and tradition of the Prophet (PBUH&HP). It takes a noble soul to make sacrifices for others, and even more so when sacrificing one’s life to preserve the religion of Allah (SWT). This is why in the loving relationship that the companions of Imam had with their Lord, they presented their body and soul in defending the truth.
“And among the people is he who sells his soul seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is most kind to [His] servants.” (2:207)
References:
- Qummi, A. Nafassul Mahmoum
- Qara’ati, M. Tafseer-e Nour, vol. 3, p. 305
This world is a bridge, pass it and don't get attached.
Sheikh al-Mufid, Al-Amali, p.43.
Everyone is after the reward [that comes at the end], and no one will get it except through hard work.
Mizan al-Hikma, hadith no. 22083.
Good for the ones who pray at the heart of the night; those are the ones who will inherit a lasting light.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.510.
A tree is perfected only through giving fruit, as faithfulness is only accomplished through avoiding what is forbidden (Haram).
Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.511.
Be careful about what you are looking at since the mere act of looking [at something inappropriate] will put the seed of desire in your heart, which would later turn into a disaster.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.502.
Good for the ones who make amends among people; those are the most cherished on the Day of Judgement.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.501.
O' servants of the world! You are like a lamp that gives light to people and burns itself instead.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500324.
As you present modesty and humbleness among people in public, be modest and humble with regard to God in private.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500325.
Verily, planting is only possible on arable land, not a barren one. Similarly, wisdom only grows in a humble and ready heart, not an arrogant and prejudiced one.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500332.
Everyone looks upon the stars, but none finds his/her way using them, except the one who knows their places and how they work. Similarly, you will learn wisdom, but only the one who practices wisdom will be guided.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500336.
Any offensive and inappropriate word that you say today will be responded later on the Day of Judgement.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500341.
Water puts the fire out, just as patience calms anger down.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500347.
Water and soil are the determining factors for a good harvest, just as knowledge and manner are the keys to perfect faith.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500350.
The one who is only after this world is like a person drinking seawater; the more he drinks, the more he gets thirsty and finally will bring him death.
Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.149.
Jesus Christ (PBUH) said to the apostles: "As much as you get tired in this world, you will rest in the other world, and as much as you rest in this world, you'll get exhausted on the world that is to come."
Ismaiil Jawuhari Farabi, Al-Sahah, vol.1, p.225.
Beware that the root of all evil lies in loving this world extremely.
Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.129.
Loving this world and striving for the other world cannot come together in a believer's heart, as water and fire cannot be put together on a plate.
Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.131.
If you want to be among God's friends and chosen ones, be kind to the one who does you wrong, and forgive the one who has done you an injustice, and greet the one who turns his face from you.
Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.503.
Whoever knows and brings what he knows into practice and teaches others, is considered a magnificent person in Allah's regard.
Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.82.
The most wretched among you is the one who is only known by his/her knowledge, not his/her deeds.
Bihar al-Anvar, vol.2, p.52.
The month of Ramadan is one of the essential occasions in the Islamic calendar. It’s the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), it’s the month in which the most important nights of the Islamic year, the Qadr nights, or the nights of ordainment, are. It’s the month in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) used to pray a lot. It’s the month in which practicing Muslims fast, keeping themselves from sins, evil acts, and their worldly desires. But why this month has a significant role in the Islamic calendar, and how does it play a role in the life of Muslims? Here, we are going to discuss this matter.
Fasting is not a thing just belonging to Islam. It’s been in the former religions, and it’s been referred to in other holy books. The Quran refers to the time when Allah ordered Mary not to speak to anyone, as a form of fast:
Eat, drink, and be comforted. Then if you see any human, say, ‘‘Indeed I have vowed a fast to the All-beneficent, so I will not speak to any human today. (19:26)
“Muslims are asked to be fasting in the month of Ramadan: O you who have faith! Prescribed for you is fasting as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may be God-wary.” (2:183)
Also, Allah promises a great reward for both men and women who fast:
“Indeed, the Muslim men and the Muslim women, the faithful men and the faithful women… the men who fast and the women who fast, the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, the men who remember Allah greatly and the women who remember [Allah greatly]—Allah holds in store for them forgiveness and a great reward.”(33:35)
As a result, the month of Ramadan is when Muslims begin to have a close relation with Allah and practice preserving themselves from evil acts, temptations, human passions, etc. In response, Allah promises to reward those who do so, with the best rewards.
As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) said, “The Month of Ramadan starts with mercy, goes on with forgiveness and ends with redemption.” [1] Therefore, this month is a chance for Muslims to ponder on their deeds, find where they have gone wrong, and ask Allah’s help and forgiveness to fix those mistakes and become a better version of themselves. Allah’s mercy includes everyone, at any time and anywhere. Yet, the month of Ramadan is when He pours down His blessings upon His creatures more than ever and is an excellent opportunity for the ones who are willing to benefit from it.
Qadr Night or the Night of Ordainment is highly sacred in Islam. On 19th, 21st, 23rd or 27th of Ramadan, Allah inspired the holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), and it refers to this fact:
Indeed We sent it down on the Night of Ordainment. And what will show you what is the Night of Ordainment? The Night of Ordainment is better than a thousand months. In it, the angels and the Spirit descend, by the leave of their Lord, with every command. It is peaceful until the rising of the dawn. (97:1-5)
So, one of the significances of this night is the inspiration of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP).
The other significance of this night, according to the Imams (AS), is being known as the night of destiny. Imam Sadiq (AS) calls it the heart of Ramadan [2]. He also says that in the night of ordainment, everything, from death to life, is predestined. So Muslims usually stay awake during that night, praying to Allah to excuse their sins, and they pray for their earthly and unearthly wishes. That is the night in which Allah has said He does listen to the prayers of His servants. That is the night when one can change his/her fate for better, praying and asking Allah to do so.
The month of Ramadan is a chance for anyone who wants to be closer to Allah, a better person, and a guided human being. There are many divine purposes for this holy month, and especially the ritual of fasting, which will be discussed in another article.
References:
- Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 93, p.342.
- Bihar al Anvaar, vol 58, p 376.