Arbaeen is here...already!

As Salaam Alaikum dear readers,

My heartfelt condolences to the entire ummah as we approach Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (A.S) and prepare to give pursa to our beloved Bibi Syeda (A.S) on this sad occasion.   May Bibi accept all of our efforts in remembering the holy sacrifice by her beloved family members inshAllah.

It is hard to believe Moharram is almost over!  Arbaeen is here already! 
Our days to grieve and mourn for our beloved Imam and his progeny on a day to day basis has already passed... Despite the fact that the sorrow and grief of the supreme sacrifice stays with us all year round, I still feel our emotions naturally peak during Moharram/Safar due to the increased participation in Majaalis and Soz.  For this reason I feel sad that these months will end soon. 

I think each year, the approach of Moharram and Safar help recharge our spirituality and enable us to ground ourselves so to speak.  For me it works as a month of spiritual cleansing just like for many Ramadhan is the month to spiritually cleanse ourselves.  I believe we are blessed to have so many opportunities by Allah S.W.T to cleanse our body, mind and soul and yet we indulge in acts that hurt our souls and our hereafter!

This time of the month reminds me of the beautiful nauha that I often heard Ali Deep Rizvi recite in Baltimore: 

Yeh sada yeh fughan aur yeh majlisen...  

maatam aur noha aur gham ki yeh zeenatain...  

chahata hai yeh dil yunhi qaem rahay... 

aah bharta  hai dil kis tarhan yeh kahe.. 

Alvida Alvida Alvida ae Hussain

(Listen to audio here)

InshAllah let us comemorate the upcoming Arbaeen of our Imam (A.S) with our heart and soul and give pursa to bibi for her great loss inshAllah.

More laters,

Zehra

Shyroze Jaffer Dhalla

Assalaam Alaikum Dear Readers,

It has been a little while since I blogged.  Mainly a hectic lifestyle and unfortunate that I am unable to spend some time out of my day to revive my thoughts and mind.

A wave of fresh air passed through me as I heard Zakira Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla speak at our mosque this Moharram (1435).  It was a much needed discussion for many as I noticed.  Some taboo topics that usually no one discusses about in public.  With these topics ofcourse came the confusion from the older generation as to whether there should be discussion about etiquettes and common day-to-day manners in kids (boys and girls alike).

I say why not!?  if we dont discuss it in public, our kids will think that its a foreign topic that has no importance, therefore it is not discussed ever!  This current generation thinks and feels different and it is very obvious!  Kids today are not easily convinced, bombarded by media and they easily accept anything that makes sense to them.  I believe it is our responsibility to make "religion" make sense to them.  Unless they understand it, they will not practice it!

To make someone understand any concept in general, it is important to spark interest in that topic.  As a common analogy that most people use from back home, you can memorize all you want, but unless you understand the basics of a concept or topic, you cannot really understand the topic.  Its like a 2 year old child that speaks english and repeats every word a parent says, but unless they know the A,B and C, they dont know what english is.  They only know the words they heard which they can forget easily if you do not repeat it in front of them!

I personally think Zakira Shyrose touched on some important issues and concerns that are among everyone.  So what if she is not a fiqh student and has not studied in Hawza?  She was teaching based on her understanding of religion and her knowledge of education and psychology.  She did not touch on anything that could spark religous debate!  It was all purely logic and understanding! and best of all, the young girls could relate to her!

I hope and pray we can invite her here again and more speakers like her as well.  A community needs some new fresh breath of air to rewire their minds!

InshAllah more later... I leave you with Zakira Shyrose Jaffer's website for further understanding and some interesting articles written by her!
Definitely a woman of many talents!

Best regards,
iltimaas-e-dua
Zehra

Circle for Dua - Safety & Security of all momineen around the world

Assalaam o Alaikum,

Deep sorrow engulfs all of us with the terrible news of hate crimes and terror on a daily basis.  It has become scary to switch the tv to a news channel!  Not knowing who is the next victim of this horrible crime and hatred towards so many in Pakistan lately!  No one knows who is doing it, no one knows who to blame.  Sad situation to a point where anyone with any recognition or fame and relation to the shia sect is being tortured and martyred.

Another sad victim of this hatred was Ustaad (professor) Sibte Jaffar in Karachi, Pakistan.  An eloquent speaker and a lover of Ahlulbayt (A.S), and one who was martyred in the name of his religous sect.  Sadness everywhere, students, youth, adults... all in pain and sorrow for this loss to humanity!  No words to speak of this loss... Our condolences to his family and friends on this sad demise. 

On the same note, a thought comes to mind.  Why not pray for all those in hardships.  I decided to work with a team of youth to create a circle of prayer.  A week long prayer cycle where we pray for those in hardships.  Collecting a set of prayers for daily recitation (tasbihaat and dua as well as surahs from the quran) for the safety of all momineen around the world who are in hardships.  May Allah SWT protect them and keep them in his hifz and imaan!

Let us join in prayers... Recommended prayers are as follows:

Day 1:

Tasbih:
Recite atleast 1 tasbih

LAA H'AWLA WA LAA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAAH

There is no power nor strength with (anyone) save Allah

 

Day 2:

Recite the following verse 129 of al Bara at to remove worries:

Allah suffices me. There is no god but He. On Him do I rely, and He is the Lord of the great throne.

H'ASBIYALLAAHU LAAA ILAAHA ILLAA HUW A'LAYHI TAWAKKALTU WA HUWA RABBUL A'RSHIL A'Z'EEM.

 

 

Day 3:

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكِيْلُ

H'ASBUNALLAAHU WA NI' MAL WAKEEL 

Allah is sufficient for us; and most excellent is He (who) protects us.

 

 

Day 4:

وَ أُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِيْ إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيْرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

 

WA UFAWWIZ'U AMREE ILALLAAH INNALLAAHA BAS'EERUM BIL IBAAD

I entrust my affair to Allah, verily, Allah keeps an eye on (His) servants.

 

 

Day 5:

 

Imam Jafar bin Mohammad as Sadiq advised his followers to pray a 6 rak-at salat in sets of 2 rakat each and at the end recite the following du-a'a

O Allah, give us welfare from wheresoever You desire, as You wish and when You want. Verily You do that which You find satisfying because it pleases You.

ALLAAHUMMA AATINEE BIN A'AFIYATI MIN H'AYTHU SHI-TA WA KAYFA SHI-TA WA ANNAA SHI-TA FA-INNAKA TAF-A'LU MAA SHI-TA KAYFA SHI-TA

 

Day 6:

 

Recite Dua Al Faraj to call the Imam of Our Time to help in this unfortunate time!

 

Day 7:

Recite Dua Tawassul to ask for intercession from our masoomeen in assisting all momineen around the world

 

 

 

DAILY RECITATION:

 

1. According to Imam Jafar bin Mohammad as Sadiq, to remove worries recite (i) al Kaafiroon (ii) al Ikhlas (iii) al Falaq (iv) an Naas three times daily.

 

2. Recite atleast 1 tasbih of Ayat e Kareema each day for the entire week!

 

 3.  Recite Dua of Imam e Zamana after every prayer

 

4.  Recite 99 names of Allah SWT regularly

 

5.  Recite Ziyarat-e-Ashura on a daily basis (Amaal can also be done for a duration of 40 days.  This is proven time and time again as a proven amal for hajaat.  Please recite for the safety and security of all momineen around the world who are facing hardships in this tough times)

 

 

Last but not the least, please recite 1x Surah Fatiha and 3x Surah Ikhlaas for the departed souls and the shohda who have lost their lives in these tough times.    May Allah SWT raise them with the 14 Masoomeen and grant them a place in Jannah.  May Allah protect those who are suffering or in distress in these tough times.  Oh Allah! We need our Imam (ATF) to help save humanity! 

 

JazakAllah
Zehra

 

 

Sad situation for Shia muslims in Pakistan

Born a Pakistani, I have loved my country even though I have not lived there all my life.

Despite the crimes, despite the weather issues, load shedding etc. Pakistan was always "Pakistan", my country I have always loved and adored since it was a place that gave me recognition of who I am.  Over the years, things have changed, I agree... the country is no longer the peaceful place it was during my childhood.

Those days we would just run outside to get Kulfi (similar to ice cream) from the street vendors, or when we ran across the street to play with neighbors... we used to get excited to go visit family and then evenings devoted to playing outside with cousins!  No Fear, no scare of when a bomb will land in our back yard or when we will be blown up for being shia!

Today, I am sad to say, that my country has failed to provide its citizens with the protection that they deserve and this racial animosity has upset several of us living abroad.  At this point, I really wish there was one place this entire shia community could flee to and be safe!  This is not a new occurrence.. It has happened in the past with other minorities and yet again it happens to the shias this time.

It is sad what happened at Abbas Town this past week.  Heartbreaking news and stories are emerging.  I literally cannot swallow food down my throat listening to the reality of what is out there and how many women, children, adults and elderly are suffering.  These are people of my country, my blood, my racial sect! and I CANNOT do much sitting here.  I can only collect funds for them and we can only send assistance there.  But the mere fact that kids have lost fathers, women have lost husbands and mothers have lost children can never be fulfilled.

Sad that based on historical facts, this is being labelled as a hate crime situation, but it is not!  Despite differences, I stand firm in my belief that whoever acknowledges the religion of Islam, that Mohammad PBUH&HF was the messenger of Allah SWT, has fear in their hearts and CANNOT, absolutely cannot, create such a carnage for ANY human being!  Ahle sunnat brothers and sisters are joining forces with the shias.  This is the time to rise in peace and show the world that our country is being corrupted by those who do not want us to coexist!  This is the time to stand in unity everyone and help each other.

It is not only shias being killed!  it is everyone associated with or knowing shias.  These monsters do not consider ppl of any race as humans!  This is not Shia genocide, it is anyone who stands against "them" genocide. 
Kitnay Hussaini Maroge? Har ghar me Hussaini niklega!

The voice of Hussain and his followers has lived 1400 years, what makes you think that any amount of hate crimes will stop the word and message of Hussain?  Knowing the message of Karbala, you haters should already be aware of the fact that Shias do not back down despite torture!  Our imam was an example, and we will follow.  We will stand not only for shias, but for Humanity!  We will stand and wait for our awaited savior! 

Oh Allah this is a prayer for all suffering brothers and sisters around the world, especially those suffering in the attacks in Pakistan at present... La Ilaha Illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntum Minaz Zalimeen...

 

Relief will come soon inshAllah... Please pray for the appearance of our Imam (ATF)... we need him to help us now!!!

Please follow this page for updates on current situations around Pakistan: Against Shia Genocide Facebook Page

JazakAllah
Zehra

Maatam or Chestbeating in Islam

Assalaam Alaikum dear Brothers & Sisters...

This is a much debated & confusing topic for many youngsters today!
Alot feel it is just culture and that the practice is not needed anymore.  According to some, it only creates a bad image for the Shia and that practices like Majaalis, Nauha Khwani, Maatam, Alam holding, Taboot, Zanjeer and Kama-zani is actually against religion.

Let us gather and discuss some useful information about each of these topics:

Act	Religion or Culture?	References
Majaalis	Religion	Mentioned in the Quran per Surah 58, verse 11
Nauha	Religion	114 Nauha Khwans graduated Imam Baqir’s (A.S) class and were instructed to recite poetry about Imam Hussain (A.S) in front of  him as well as the world in their beautiful voices
Maatam	Religion	1.      Bibi Sarah, wife of Prophet Ibrahim, expressed grief upon hearing the news of her pregnancy at an old age by beating her cheeks (Surah 51, verse 29) 2.     According to Ahmed ibn Hanbal in his Musnad, vol. 6, p. 274, Number 26391 (edited by al-Arnaut), Ayesha mentions at the passing away of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HF) that she and the other wives were beating their chests and cheeks when they heard the news of Prophet (PBUH&HF) passing away! 3.     Bibi Zaynab has been found to beat her chest and cheeks on three occasions at Karbala
Alam	Religion	Ahlulbayt at Karbala carried an Alam as a symbol of Strength! It is recommended to touch the alam and even touch your faces to an alam that was once on the Grave of Holy persons since such articles have the ability to cure!  This is signified by Prophet Yusuf and his act of sending over his shirt to Prophet Yaqoob to cure his blindness
Taboot	Culture	BUT not against religion in any way! Only an act to remember Imam Hussain and the tragedy of Karbala.  It is not against religion, therefore acceptable as a rememberance!
Zanjeer Zani	Culture	A form of remembering the whipping of the children and women after the even of Karbala by the army of Yazid.  Nothing wrong with it if you wish to do it, but depends on your Maraja-e-Taqlid and their rulings on it.
Kama Zani	Culture	A form of remembering the martyrdom of Imam Ali (A.S) in Masjid-e-Kufa Rulings on this may also depend on your Maraja-e-Taqlid.

Some very interesting points of references come to knowledge with this topic.
I am further researching the exact references of Hadith to complete this table and will update them as I unveil them inshAllah...

JazakAllah,
Zehra

Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (A.S)

Assalaam o Alaikum,

Some very interesting facts and figures came to my knowledge over the last few days.  Sparked by a friends facebook status with an image from wikipedia outlining the largest peaceful gathering on Earth. It caught my attention and so I went to wikipedia and searched the same. 

SubhanAllah.. a wonderful note appeared sharing the following:

An estimated 25 million people visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq during Arba'een on 03 January 2013.
An estimated 21 million people visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq during Arba'een on 14 January 2012.
An estimated 15 million people visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq during Arba'een in 2011.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_peaceful_gatherings_in_history

SubhanAllah!!!  What a beautiful comemoration of the Arbaeen of our beloved Imam!  Its almost as if we all respond to the call of our Imams and Bibi Zainab (A.S) that we are here to mourn for your brother and your family!  No one but us, we are here!

These types of events surely make my heart long for the day I will inshAllah be invited for Ziyarat of our 14 infalliables!  inshAllah one day... and hopefully soon...  Oh how i long to go for Hajj and Ziyaraats! and my urge only getting stronger... I hope Allah does decide to call anyone who wishes to perform the holy pilgrimage with true intent and within those, hopefully call me to visit him for Hajj soon! (inshAllah)

Came across a very nice speach by Sayed Ammar Nakshawani about the History & Philosophy of Majaalis.  Outlines some social ettiquettes of congregations and majaalis!  The peaceful gatherings in Karbala each year are a great example of ettiquettes & morality within Islam! SubhanAllah

JazakAllah