Today, we discuss how the mourning ceremonies for the Martyrs of Karbala, after taking root in Hijaz and Iraq, spread to Iran and beyond.

Imam Reza (AS), the 8^th Infallible Successor of the Prophet, continued the tradition of his forefathers in promoting the life-inspiring mourning ceremonies for his ancestor, Imam Husain (AS). He would say: “The day of calamity that befell Imam Husain (AS) has injured our eyes and has caused tears to pour out.”  What better way to commemorate Muharram than to understand the following incident from the life of Imam Reza (AS). His companion Rayyan ibn Shabib has narrated that once when on the first day of Muharram he went to see Imam Reza (AS), he was asked: ‘O Son of Shabib! Are you fasting?’ I answered, ‘No.’

The Imam said, ‘Today is the day on which Prophet Zechariah prayed to God Almighty, as the Qur’an says in ayah 38 and 39 of Surah Aal-e Imran:

“Thereat Zechariah supplicated his Lord. He said, ‘My Lord! Grant me a good offspring from You! Indeed You hear all supplications.’

“Then the angels called out to him, as he stood praying in the sanctuary: ‘Allah gives you the good news of John (Yahya), as a confirmer of a Word of Allah,1 eminent and chaste, a prophet, among the righteous.”’

Imam Reza (AS) then said: Therefore, just as God fulfilled the prayers of Zechariah He the Exalted will fulfill the prayers of whoever fasts on this day (i.e. the 1^st of Muharram) and asks God for something.

Imam Reza (AS) continued his discourse, saying: O Son of Shabib! Muharram is a month in which even the people of the former age of ignorance forbade oppression and bloodshed due to its sanctity. However, this nation did not honour the sanctity of this month nor did they honour the sanctity of their Prophet. In this month, they killed the Prophet’s progeny, plundered their belongings, and made captives the noble women and children of his household. May Allah never forgive them for these crimes!

O Son of Shabib! If you wish to cry for anything or anyone, cry for (Imam) Husain ibn Ali (AS) for he was slaughtered like a sheep. Eighteen members from his family who were unparalleled on earth were also killed along with him. Certainly, the seven heavens and earths cried because of the murder of Husain (AS). Four thousand Angels had descended on earth to aid him, but (when they were allowed to reach there) they found him martyred. So they remained at his grave, disheveled and dusty, and will remain there until the rising of al-Qa’im (Imam al-Mahdi), whereupon they will aid him. Their slogan will be, ‘Vengeance for the blood of Husain.’

O Son of Shabib! My father related to me from his father, who related from his grandfather that when my ancestor Imam Husain (AS) was martyred, the sky rained blood and red sands.

O Son of Shabib! When you weep over the afflictions of Husain (AS) so that tears flow from your eyes onto your cheeks, Allah will forgive all your sins, big or small, few or numerous. O Son of Shabib! If you wish to meet Allah, the mighty and the majestic, free of sin, then perform the Ziyarat of (Imam) Husain (AS).

O Son of Shabib! If you wish to abide in the palaces of Paradise in company of the Prophet and his progeny, then invoke Allah’s curse upon the murderers of Imam Husain (AS). O Son of Shabib! If you wish to earn the reward of those who were martyred with Husain (AS), then whenever you remember him, say, ‘If only I had been with them so that I would have attained the great felicity.’

O Son of Shabib! If you desire to be with us in the highest degree of Paradise, then grieve in our sorrows and rejoice in our happiness. Remain attached to our love, for even if a person loves a stone, Allah shall resurrect him with it on the Day of Judgment.”

This hadith is mentioned in the famous book “Uyun Akhbar ar-Reza”, volume 1, Chapter 28, compiled by the Iranian hadith scholar Shaikh Sadouq over a thousand years ago.

When Imam Reza (AS) was forced to come to Khorasan in Iraq by the crafty Abbasid caliph, he got the opportunity to spread the teachings of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt in Iran, including the mourning tradition for the martyrs of Karbala. Once during a meeting with the celebrated poet, De’bil-e Khuzai, the 8^th Imam mentioned the benefit of reciting poems in honour of Imam Husain (AS) and weeping over the martyrdom of his ancestor. The Imam said: O De’bil! One who cries for my grandfather, Allah will forgive his sins.

Then a curtain was drawn between the ladies of the house and those present, so that people could express grief on the calamities of Imam Husain (AS). Imam Reza (AS) then told De’bil: Recite a poem on Imam Husain (AS).Till the time you are alive you are our helper and narrator of our praise. Till the time you have strength, do not fall short in helping us.

Tears appeared in eyes of De’bil while he recited several couplets, making the 8^th Imam and the whole audience cry.

The Imam gave him a hundred Razawi Dinars that were minted in his name on his forcible proclamation as Heir Apparent by Mamoun. De’bil politely declined, saying he had not composed these verses for money, but for the love of the Ahl al-Bayt. He requested the Imam to give him one of his garments. The Imam obliged, but gave him the hundred Razawi Dinars as well, insisting he will one day need the money.

MD/AS/SS