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Sermons
Imam Husayn's Farwell in Medina
Imam Husayn's farewell to his relatives in Medina before he sets out to
Mecca.
"Whoever joins us will be martyred but whoever remains behind will
miss the victory"
At the time of Imam Husayn's departure, he made a testament to his brother
Muhammad bin Al-Hanafiya in which he declared,
"This movement of mine is not on account of stubbornness, rebellion,
worldly passions or instigation by Satan. It is also not my object to create
any trouble or oppress anyone. The only thing which invites me to this great
movement is that I should reform the affairs of the followers of my grandfather,
eradicate corruption, undertake enjoining to do good and restraining from
evil, and follow the tradition of grandfather, the Prophet of Allah and
my father Ali".
Imam Husayn writes to Basrah people
Before setting off from Mecca on his journey to Kufa, Imam Husayn writes
to the People of Basrah
"God chose Muhammad, peace and blessings on him, over all other creatures.
He distinguished him with prophethood and selected him to convey his message.
After admonishing his servants and conveying his message, god took his soul
back. We are from his family and those entrusted with his authority.
We are his trustees and his inheritors. We have greater right than anyone
else to execute the Prophet's functions. Instead, the people have arrogated
to themselves our rights. We did not protest because we detested causing
division and wanted the best for the community. But we knew that we were
more entitled to that station than those who have usurped it."
Excerpt from The Massacre of Karbala by Ali hussain Jalali
On the second day of Muharram, the Imam Husayn gathered all of his relatives
and family and said, "O God! We, the family of the Prophet Muhammad
were chased out of our homes in the city of our Prophet (Median). The children
of Umayya harmed us. O Lord! Secure our rights for us and help us againts
the unjust people". Then he said " All of you know what has happened
to us, and you know how the world has changed its face towards.
The good is now considered bad and no more good except for a little. You
see that truth is not acted upon and the wrong is not prevented. Indeed,
a believer does not wish anything but to meet his Lord. Indeed, I do not
see death (for freedom) as but happiness, and life with unjust people as
nothing but grief"
Sermon of Imam Husayn on the eve of Ashura
On the 9th night, the eve of Ashura the Imam Husayn gathered his followers
around him and said the following,
"I know of no followers more superior and righteous than my followers,
or of a family more pious and closely knit than my family. May God bestow
you with the best of rewards.
I believe, tomorrow will be our last day that will be brought about by these
enemies. I have given thought to your situation.
You are all justified to leave you are absolved of your obligation to me.
Use this cover of night to escape. Let each one of you take the hand of
a person from my family. Then spread about in different towns until God
rescues you. The people pursue me only, and once they seize me, they will
stop pursuing anyone else."
Sermon of Imam Husayn on the morning of Ashura
On the 10th day, 'Ashura' the Imam Husayn addressed the camp of 'Umar b.
Sa'd:
"People listen to what I have to say and do not rush me, that I may
admonish you your duties toward me and explain to you the reason why I came
to you. If you accept my explanation, verify my truthfulness and deal with
me with justice. Perhaps then you will attain prosperity rather than pursue
me.
Should you reject my explanation and deny me fair treatment then agree upon
your affair and call your associates. Let not your affair remain dubious
to you. Then carry it out against me and delay no more.
Trace my descent and reflect upon who I am. Then look towards yourself and
be self-critical. Do you think it is lawful to kill me and violate my sanctity?
Am I not the son of the daughter of your Prophet and his cousin the first
one to believe in God and embrace what his Messenger brought from his Lord?
Is Hamzah, lord of martyrs, not my uncle? Do you not testify to the famous
statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, about me and
my brother: 'these are the lords of the youths of paradise."
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