By Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
According to the Ahl al-Sunnah, the Day of Ashura is a day of joy because of the salvation of Sayyiduna Musa. There is no doubt that it is also a day of sadness since it was the day on which Sayyiduna al-Husayn was martyred along with his relatives and some of the Ansar. Continue reading VIDEO: Joy and Sadness for Sayyiduna al-Husayn
Narrated by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him).
When Sayyiduna Ja’far’s right hand was cut off, he seized the standard with his left hand until that too was cut off. He then clasped the standard with both arms until he was mortally wounded. His companions took the standard from him and took him to the side. They found that he had been struck eighty times (by swords, spears and arrows) but all these wounds were on the front part of his body, not on his back or his side. This was because he remained firm and did not for a moment turn his back to the enemy. He was offered water but he refused to drink it, saying that he was fasting. Continue reading Sayyiduna Ja’far: A Tale of Love and Sacrifice
The Battle of Mu’tah, in modern-day Jordan, took place in Jumada al-Ula in the eighth year of the Hijrah. The Prophet ﷺ had sent al-Harith bin ‘Umayr Al-Azdi with a letter for the ruler of Busra in Syria. On his way, however, he was intercepted and killed by Shurahbil bin ‘Amr Al-Ghassani. As a result, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent an army to discipline the transgressors. He appointed Sayyiduna Zayd bin Harithah to lead the army and gave him the standard. Sayyiduna Ja’far bin Abi Talib would replace him if he was killed, and Sayyiduna `Abdullah bin Rawahah would succeed Ja’far in case the latter fell. These were among the greatest of the Companions. Continue reading Martyrs of Mu’tah
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What should we do if our Shia friends invite us to one of their gatherings on Ashura?
We tell them that there are sunnahs which the grandfather of Sayyiduna al-Husayn taught us to implement on this day. If there is anything prohibited that takes place in the gathering, such as people hitting themselves or cursing the Companions, then we cannot attend. Continue reading On Ashura Gatherings
