English Nawhas - CD

The Jamaat takes pleasure in announcing the launch of a CD of English Nawhas and Latmiyyats, both written and recited by ELC participants. These are now on sale at the centre. The narration of the events of Karbala is of pivotal importance to the fight against oppression and tyranny and the remembrance in the form of azadari has been crucial in the passing on of the message of Islam through the generations. We all have a part to play in this process by encouraging such projects.  The CD, entitled "Narrations of Karbala - 1430/2009" contains a total of nine English Nawhas and comes with a booklet containing the words of the nawhas.  Please Click Here to Listen Online.

Hadhrat Qasim was the youngest son of Imaam Hassan (A.). Qasim was born in 47 AH, three years before his father was martyred. When Imam Hussain prepared to leave Madina in the month of Rajab 60 AH. Qasim's mother Umme-e-Farwa asked Imaam Hussain to take her and Qasim with him. Imam Hussain agreed. Hazrat Qasim, although only 13 years old, had, like his cousins Aun and Muhammad, learnt fencing from Hadhrat Abbas and Hadhrat Ali Akber. Hazrat Abbas was very fond of Hadhrat Qasim.

On the night before Ashura when Imam Hussain was passing by Umm-e-Farwa's tent he heard Qasim say to his mother, "Mother, tomorrow Uncle Abbas, Ali Akber and I will defend Imaam Hussain. Mother, if I get killed please do not weep for me." Umm-e-Farwa replied, "My son although I dearly love you, I shall not weep for you. Nothing will make me prouder than to see my son give his life for Islam". When Imaam Hussain heard this conversation he prayed to Allah to bless Hazrat Qasim and Umm-e-Farwa.

Aun and Muhammad were the sons of Bibi Zainab. They had not accompanied Bibi Zainab when she left Madina with Imaam Hussain A.S. Just before Imaam Hussain started his journey from Mecca, Hazrat Abdullah ibne Jaffer brought his two sons to Mecca and handing them over to Imaam Hussain said, "Ya Imaam, since you have decided to go and will not allow me to come with you, please take my two sons with you. Aun will represent his maternal grandfather Hazrat Ali A.S. and the other will represent his paternal grandfather Hazrat Jaffer-e-Tayyaar".

Aun and Muhammad were quite young. It is reported that Aun was about thirteen and Muhammad was a year or two younger. They had learnt the art of fencing from their uncle, Hazrat Abbas.

Bibi Zainab said to her brother: "Brother Husayn! Thousands of soldiers are gathering to fight you. We have hardly 72 men with us. Do you not have anyone to come to your help?"

"My sister Zainab, many wanted to join me during the journey from Medina to Kerbala. I politely discouraged them because their intention was not truthful. Many joined and have run away during the journey because they were scared of dying."

He continued: "Zainab! My sister! Falsehood can buy many supporters, but truth has only a few friends. The soldiers on the other side have been bought. They prefer happiness in this world than in the world hereafter. My 72 truthful men prefer happiness in the world hereafter and that is why they are with me."

That night, Imam Husayn wrote a letter to his childhood friend, Habib lbne Mazaahir, who was in Kufa.

Having heard al-Husain's speech and his plea for help, al-Hurr came to ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d and said, “Are you going to fight this man?” “Yes, by Allah,” said ‘Umar, adding, “a fight in the easiest part of which heads will roll down and hands will be cut off.” Al-Hurr asked him, “What is your objection to his offer of departure?” ‘Umar answered: “Had it been up to me, I would have accepted it, but your governor refuses.”

Al-Hurr left him and stood by the others. Beside him stood Qarrah Ibn Qays whom he asked, “Have you watered your horse today?” “No,” came the answer. “Do you then wish to do so?” was al-Hurr's question. Qarrah took that statement to imply that al-Hurr was reluctant to fight al-Husain (A) and did not wish to be seen by him defecting, so he walked away from him. Al-Hurr kept getting closer and closer to al-Husain (A). Al-Muhajir Ibn Aws asked him, “Do you want to charge at him?”

His arrival at Karbala’ took place on Muharram 2, 61 A.H/October 5, 680 A.D. _[64] He gathered his children, sisters, and other family members. He cast a look at them then burst in tears. He supplicated saying, “O Allah! We are the progeny of Your Prophet Muhammad! We have been expelled and estranged from our grandfather's sanctuary, and Banu Umayyah oppressed us. O Allah! Seek revenge on them on our behalf, and grant us victory over the oppressing people.”

He approached his companions saying, “People are the worshippers of this life, giving religion their lip-service; they uphold it as long as their livelihood is profitable. Once they are afflicted with a trial, few, indeed, will be those who uphold religion.” _[65]

Then he praised Allah and glorified Him, blessing Muhammad and his Progeny, adding,

Sharaf

Al-Husain (A) left al-’Aqaba then set up his camp at Sharaf _[28]. In the pre-dawn, he ordered his servants to fill their water bags with water. At midday, he heard a man among his companions crying, “Allahu Akbar!” Al-Husain (A) asked him about the reason. “I did so upon seeing palm-trees,” said the man, but those who were in his company denied that there could be any palm-trees in such a place, and that what he saw could have been lances and horses' ears. Al-Husain (A) said, “I am of the same view,” then he asked them whether they could shelter themselves anywhere. They suggested a place called Thu Hasam _[29] on their left side. Al-Husain (A) swiftly moved there and set up his camp.

al-Tanim

Al-Husain (A) marched on his way out of Mecca via al-Tan’im _[1] where he met a caravan laden with merchandise and clothes sent to Yazid Ibn Mu’awiyah by Bair Ibn Yasar al-imyari, his governor over Yemen. Al-Husain (A) seized it and said to those who tended to the camels, “Whoever among you wishes to join us in our march to Iraq will be paid in full, and we will keep him good company. And whoever prefers to part with us, we shall compensate him according to the distance he travelled.” Some of them parted from him, whereas others preferred his company. _[2]

As we approach the month of Muharram, we will attempt to cover the journey of Imam al-Hussain (A) from Mecca to Kerbala.  

When it came to Husain's knowledge that Yazid had appointed ‘Amr Ibn Sa’id Ibn al-’As as the head of an army, ordering him to take charge of the pilgrimage caravans and to kill al-Husain (A) wherever he could find him _[1], he decided to leave Mecca before finishing the pilgrimage and be satisfied with performing only the ‘umra because he hated that the sanctity of the House might otherwise be violated._[2]

Mecca: Al-Husain (A) delivers a Sermon

Before departing, al-Husain (A) stood up to deliver a sermon. He said:

Martyrdom: 22^nd Dhu al Hijjah 60 AH

Muhammad and Ibraheem were the two sons of Hadhrat Muslim (A). Hadhrat Muslim (A) had taken them together with him on the way to Kufa. After Hadhrat Muslim was killed, Muhammad and Ibraheem were also arrested and put into a dungeon. It is said that Muhammad was just eight years old and Ibraheem was ten years old.

On the 20^th of Dhu al Hijjah 60 AH, when the jailer came to give the children their evening meal, he saw them saying their prayers. The jailer waited until the boys had finished their prayers and asked them who they were. When the jailer found out that they were the sons of Muslim Ibne Aqeel and the grandsons of Hadhrat Ali (A), he let them escape.