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Ya Sakina Ya Abbas – 547 viewsThis is a chant that rips through the air on Aathvi after burying the Chup tazia, and along with Ya Hussain Ya Hussain the Azreens do an unforgettable Matam.. and for me it was tough shooting this event because of a stream of crowds that would wade into my path , and I was shooting with the F100 and the digital disaster D70 .. which with a gret relief I musyt mention I have given it to Subash Solanki of Subash electronics to sell it of for me.

I used it for 2and a half years , bought on a bank loan from Standard Chartered , and it had gone thrice to Intrfoto the authorised Nikon technicians, shamelessly my next camera too will be a Nikon because of the lenses that I already possess , and Nikon is one company that does not care a wee bit about customer satisfaction..

Well this is also the scene at Kazmain, limping on my burnt feet I shot these pictures .

And for once I thank Bloggers for the Beta , the best gift to a blogger No1 and for the records perfectly Islamically cut.. but Indian heart soul and sinker.

Assalamo Alaka Ya Hazrat Bibi Sakina (A.S)

Bibi Sakina was the youngest daughter of Imaam Hussain. She was a vivacious child, full of love and happiness. Everyone loved Sakina. She was also a very religious girl. She enjoyed reading the Holy Quraan and never missed her prayers. From the age of two she took great care to make sure that her head and face were properly covered when in public.

Sakina was Imaam Hussain's most beloved child. Our Imaam was often heard to say, "A house without Sakina would not be worth living in!" She always had a sweet and cheerful smile and a very friendly nature. Other children sought her company as much as the grown ups did. She was very generous and always shared whatever she had with others.

There was a special bond between Hazrat Abbas and Sakina. He loved her more than he did his own children. If Sakina requested for anything, Abbas would not rest until he satisfied her request. There was nothing that Abbas would not do to make Sakina happy.

During the journey from Madina to Mecca and then Mecca to Kerbala, Abbas was often seen riding up to the mehmil in which Sakina sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Sakina loved her uncle just as much. While in Madina she would, several times a day, visit the house in which Hazrat Abbas lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Baneen.

Like any other four-five year old when Sakina went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Imaam Hussain would tell her stories of the prophets and of the battles fought by her grand-father Ali. She would rest her head on her father's chest and Hussain would not move from her until she fell asleep. When from the second of Muharram the armies of Yezid began to gather at Kerbala, Hussain said to his sister Zainab, "The time has come for you to get Sakina used to going to sleep without my being there !". Sakina would follow her father at night and Hussain had to gently take her to Zainab or Rubaab.

At Kerbala when from the seventh Muharram water became scarce Sakina shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Sakina hopefully, and because she could not help them she would have tears in her eyes. Sakina's lips were parched with thirst

On the Ashura day, she gave her Mashk to Hazrat Abbas. He went to get water for her. The children gathered round Sakina with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Hazrat Abbas brought any water, Sakina would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. When Sakina saw Imaam Hussain bringing the blood drenched 'alam she knew that her uncle Abbas had been killed. From that day on Sakina never complained of thirst.

Then came the time when the earth shook and Sakina became an orphan! But even then she always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Ali Asghar and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Sakina would put her little arms around her.

Yes Sakina never again asked anyone for water. Bibi Zainab would persuade her to take a few sips, but she herself would never ask for water or complain of thirst!!!!

From the time when Imaam Hussain fell in the battle field, Sakina forgot to smile! Kufa saw her as a sombre little girl lost in thought. Quite often she would sit up at night. When asked if she wanted anything, she would say, "I just heard a baby cry? Is it Asghar? He must be calling out for me!"

Knowing that her weeping upset her mother, Sakina would cry silently and quickly wipe away her tears! In the prison in Shaam she would stare at the flock of birds flying to their nests at sunset and innocently ask Bibi Zainab, "Will Sakina be going home like those birds flying to their homes?"

Then one dreadful night Sakina went to bed on the cold floor of the prison. For a long time she stared into the darkness! The time for the morning prayers came. Sakina was still lying with her eyes wide open. Her mother called out: "Wake up, Sakina! Wake up, it is time for prayers, my child!" There was only the painful silence! Our fourth Imaam walked up to where Sakina lay. He put his hand on her forehead. It was cold! He put his hand near the mouth and the nose. Sakina had stopped breathing. In between sobs Imaam Zain ul 'Abideen said

INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAAJI'OON!"

How was Sakina buried? Zainab held the still child as Imaam Zain ul 'Abideen dug a grave in the cell. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream! How could anyone console Bibi Rubaab? What could they say? They huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry: "YA SAKINA, YA MAZLOOMAH!!" Bibi Rubaab put her cheek on Sakina's grave and cried out: "Speak to me, Sakina! Only a word, my child! Speak to me!!"

BY ABBAS SHAHID BAQIR

http://www.islamicdigest.net/v61/content/view/1697/40/
Tags: chup tazia[x], lucknow[x]

Ya Hussain Al Vida – 195 views

YA HUSSAIN – 57 viewsFifth Infallible Description:

Name: Al-Hussain Title: Sayyid-ush-Shohada
Designation: 3rd Imam Kunyat: Abu Abdullah
Father: Ali Ibne Abu Talib Mother: Fatima Bint-e-Muhammad
Born: 3rd Sha’aban 4 AH (626 AD) Died: 10th Muharram 61AH (680AD)
Martyred by: Sword on Ashura Buried: Karbala, Iraq
Lived: 57 years Details1 Details2

Fifth Infallible Sayings:

O Allah what did he finds who lost you, and what did he loose who found you.
On his way to Karbala, Imam Hussain(A.S.) said: This world has changed, snubbed, and its good has turned tail. Nothing has remained from it except a thing that is as scanty as the leftover of a cup and a mean life that is like a noxious grazing. Have you not noticed that the right is ignored and the evil is not forbidden? This is sufficient for making the believer’s desire for meeting Allah rightfully. I consider death as happiness and life with the wrongdoers as boredom. People are certainly the slaves of this world. The religion is only a slaver on their tongues. They turn it wherever their livelihood demands. If they are examined by misfortunes, the religious will be very little.
Imam Hussain(A.S.) said to a man who backbit another before him. O you, stop backbiting, for it is the daily meal of the dogs of Hell.
Before Imam Hussain(A.S.), a man said that favors are worthless if they are done to other than its people. The Imam Hussain(A.S.) commented: No, this is in accurate. Favors should be like the heavy rain that covers the pious and the sinful.
Whenever Allah seizes the power of somebody, He will surely free him from acts of obedience to Him, and whenever He seizes the ability of somebody, He will surely save his from the burdens.
Some people worshipped Allah for the purpose of gaining His gifts. This is the worship of the merchants. Some worshipped Him for the purpose of avoiding His punishment. This is the worship of the slaves. Some worshipped Him as showing gratitude to Him. This is the worship of the genuine ones. It is the best worship.
A man received Imam Hussain(A.S.) saying, “How are you? Allah may grant you good health.” The Imam Hussain(A.S.) instructed him: Salaam-greeting-should precede wording. Allah may grant you good health. Do not permit anybody before he says salaam.
There are seventy advantages for the greeting. Sixty-nine are given to the one who greets first and one is given to the one who responds to the greeting.
When Allah wills to lead a servant to destruction gradually, He bestows upon him with graces and does not favor him with showing gratitude for these graces.
Imam Hussain(A.S.) said to a man who begged him: Asking for financial help is acceptable only in big loss, extreme poverty, or horrible guarantee. The man said: Because of one of these I came. Hence, the Imam Hussain(A.S.) ordered to be given one hundred dinars.
Imam Hussain(A.S.) said to his son Ali(A.S.): O son, beware of wronging him who does not have a supporter except Allah the Majestic.
A man from Ansar wanted to ask Imam Hussain(A.S.) for financial help, but the Imam Hussain(A.S.) said: O brother of Ansar, protect your face from the humility of seeking others help. You may write your need in a paper and I will respond to it pleasantly, God willing. The man wrote to the Imam (A.S.) that he owed a certain individual five hundred dinars and that man insisted on receiving his money soon. He also asked the Imam Hussain(A.S.) to speak to persuade that man to grant him a respite until he becomes able to defray the sum. As Imam Hussain(A.S.) read the paper, he entered his house to take out a bale containing one thousand dinars. He handed them to the man and said: You may defray the debt and use the other five hundred dinars for settling your financial problems. “Do not say your need to anybody except three, a religious, a chivalrous, or a highborn individual. The religious will try to keep his religion pure, the chivalrous will be embarrassed by his chivalry, and the highborn will feel that you have not kept your face from asking for your need; therefore, he will protect your face against disappointing you.”
Sitting with the intelligent is a sign of successfulness. Disputation with other than the disbelievers is a sign of ignorance. A sign of a scholar is his self-criticism of his sayings and his acquaintance with the various hypotheses.
Beware of things for which you apologize. The true believer should not make mistakes and should not apologize. The hypocrite makes mistakes and apologizes everyday.
The true stingy is that who refrains from greeting.
He who tries to achieve something through acting disobediently to Allah will miss what he expects and fall in what he fears.

Karbala

“Think not of those who are slain in God’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.” (Chapter, The family of Imran 3:169)

ISLAMICOCCASIONS.COM presents “The Karbala: Story of sacrifice to save humanity from extinction,” is an e-book, which contain details about “The great tragedy of Karbala,” which occurred on the land of Karbala / Iraq. This book is compiled specifically for dawah purposes to non Muslims as well as Muslims. And hence it is very unique in its way of presentation, along with small illustrations to explain the subject very easy to understand, with the following chapters.

Islam the Universal Religion for Mankind
To Destroy Islam is to Destroy Humanity
Lineage or Family Tree
The Nearest Ancestry of the Promised Prophet (pbuh)
Conspiracy to Assassinate the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
Beginning of Hijra Calendar
Parents of Imam Hussain/Abu Abd Allah (pbuh)
The Funeral of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
History repeats itself
The Love of the World - Maddens Man
Karbala’s Foundation laid
The Caliphate thrust upon Imam Ali (pbuh)
Imam Hassan (pbuh) become the Caliph
Imam Hassan’s Body shot at
Yazid succeeded the Caliph at Damascus
The Call from the Governor
Situation demanded another ‘Muhammad’ to rescue the faith
Imam Hussain (pbuh) decides to leave Madina
Muslim son of Aqeel - the Holy Imam’s Deputy to Kufa
Son of Aqeel sends out His Children with Message to the Imam
Muslim son of Aqeel Arrested and Martyred
Children of Muslim son of Aqeel Martyred
No Refuge for the Holy Imam Even in the Holy Kaaba
Imam Hussain’s Sermon at Mina
Imam Hussain saves the Sanctity of the Great Sanctuary
Important stops on Imam Journey and complete Route
The Prophesied Desert of Karbala
Imam Hussain (pbuh) purchases the site for the Graves
Arrival of Yazid’s Forces
No room for any criticism left
Imam Hussain (pbuh) besieged at Karbala
Water supply to Imam Hussain’s camp cut off
Enemy decides to attack
The Holy Imam and Umar son of Saad confer
The night before the tenth Muharram
The final shifting
Abbas the Brave, Guard the Camp
The night in the Yazidian Camp
The Holy Imam’s last prayer with his devotees on Earth
Graphical representation of Karbala
Sermon of the Holy Imam on the day of Ashura
Hurr joins the Holy Imam
The Battle of Truth against Falsehood
Wahab and his Family
Salat al-Khawf/Prayer of Fear
Aun and Muhammad
Qasim son of Imam Hassan (pbuh)
Abu al-Fadl Abbas - The Standard Bearer/Flagman
The Hashimite Prince Ali Akbar’s Martyrdom
Baby Ali Asgher (Abd Allah) comes into Battlefield
The parting advice to Zainab and Kulthoom
Hussain hands over the charge of the Imamate
The last call of the Holy Imam in the way of the lord
Imam Hussain in the Battlefield to offer the greatest sacrifice
The unique unparalleled prayer (Namaz)
Shaam-e-Gareeba, the night of homeless
Attention of Zainab towards Zainul Abideen during the Journey
Ahlul Bayt (pbut) in the Court of Yazid
Speech of Zainab (pbuh) in the Court of Yazid
Speech of Imam Zainul Abideen (pbuh) in the Court of Yazid
Demise of Sakina (pbuh)
Our Responsibility and Mission
Imam Hussain (pbuh) in the Holy Quran
Hence, download a copy for yourself and learn from the example of “The Lord of The Martyrs.” And make sure to spread this information among your family and friends.

May 8th, 2007

Why this Self Flagellation? – 65 views

waiting in vain – 101 viewsDate: 10/30/2005 Time: 03:47 AM Visits: 56
Waiting in vain
I shot this kid in Lucknow India during a segment of the Moharam feast which is called 8TH Rabilawwal which brings Moharam mourning to an end.
The Chup Tazia procession that starts from Nakhas close to my in laws house a sight of sadness , it is a send off toImam Hussain the Holy Prophets grandson,they recite marsiyas,and through narrow lanes reach Kazmain , the taboots are finally buried in the sands at Kazmain.
The atmosphere is tense all the Anjumans come and lay down the Alams , they cry at the replica of the Imams tomb.
The crying and the howling wails reechoing is a sight to see and shoot, in the morning at about 3 am Moharam gets over the festivities begin called Navi or Eid E Zehra.
The Shias throw away there black mourning garbs, wear red and celebrate and curse the killers of Imam Hussain.
This is the only day all Shias let down their hair and use abusive curses don’t spare the majority Muslim community..
They burn the effigy of the accursed killers and after it is lit the children throw rocks and stones, when the fires subside the little children remove their peckers and let off steam.
The sweets that are distributed whole heartedly to everyone is known as Gul Gule..
You will see everywhere gatherings of a sea of red and groups reciting poetry, cursing the killers of the Imam and the Imams family.
The most famous poet at these events is the incorrigible wit Syed Pidvi,..he is the Star of every gathering , people just want to see him, he uses his hands and gestures to animate and bring his poetry to life.
Lucknow Navi is another must see occasion..

Waiting for the Chup Tazia – 273 viewsThis was a scene on Aathvi in Lucknow , in the wee hours of the morning a Juloos that has traditionally walked with elephants , camels and known as Amari moves from the Shia Girls college in Lucknow , meandering its way through Nakhaas the old city s commercial arterial road , with people weeping inconsolably, as this journey is the last day that Imam Hussain will stay with the people of Lucknow and Azadari will come to an end.Two months eight days over in a few hours, the Taazias will be bought through the tiny congested lanes near the Shia Orphanage and put to rest in a huge pit, and on the pit , the people of Lucknow give the aakhri salaam, and beat their chests, wail, and than a few hours rest and all join in the Anjumans that will keep coming to the Imams Roza at Kazmain.
At the Roza is enacted the most heart rending scenes , people cry let loose all emotions , and each Anjuman does the hand matam, and leaves, the alams now are made Thanda , meaning they are now retired till next Moharram.
In the morning at 4am the last majlis by Maulana Ashfaque Mirza , and that brings Moharram to a close.
And a red flag makes it appearance and the Shias of Lucknow start rejoicing, thowing Lanats to the killers of Imam Hussain.
At about 11.30am the effigies of the three calipha and Ayesha is burnt and the entire day is a visual tapestry of red clothes.. and every house burns Omar the Caliph, and distribute sweets made at home called Gul Gule ..this is one day in the Shia calendar that abusing the killers in the most offensive bad words is excused, there is dancing and singing at homes.
My mother in law leads the pack in her area.. and her poems are what people die to hear on this day of a feast called Navi or 9th Rabbilawal
Tags: 9th rabbilawwal[x], aathvi[x], chup taazia[x], lucknow[x], navi[x]

Wa Waila Sad Wa Waila – 145 views

Unveiled Face..Photographerno1 – 195 viewsUnveiled Face..Photographerno1
Guddu shot the picture each one of them, and this is a classic as he has captured the essence of my faith, I could have not done better.
And this period that brings Moharram to an end is called 8 rabbilawwal and all night till the early hours of the 9th morning is weeping , wailing and all the standards or alams are finally put away with a matam beating the chest with the chant of ya hussain.
On the 9th morning of Rabbilawwal is Navi and entire Kazmain reverbrates with curses to the three caliphs, Abubaker, Umar, and Usman and Ayesha the daughter of Caliph Abubaker who had caused lot of mischief and harm to the progeny of Bibi Fatima the Daughter of the Holy Prophet and his son in law Hazrat.Ali..
At Kazmain they burn the effigy of Umar, and recite abusive verses and for the Sunnis this day is the worst of their lives.. as every house curses the killers of Imam Hussain..that is Yazid, Shimr Harmullah and Yazids father Muawiyah and his accursed grandfather Abu Sufiyan..
The Shias wear red clothes, and this time the kids did not piddle on the effigy of Umar foir a change as it was very late ..and after the burning the crowd left for a session of poetry from house to house, and really abusive ..

Under the Shadow of Hazrat Abbas – 209 viewsA moment of self retrospection.

Symbol of sacrifice

CHENNAI, SEPT.27. Hazrath Abbas (a.s.), son of Hazrath Ali (a.s.) was born in Medina on 4th Shaban 26 A.H. His mother was Fathima Binte Hazam bin Khalid. Hazrath Abbas, whose 1400th birth anniversary is being celebrated worldwide this month, was the brother of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain, the grandsons of Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.s.). Hazrath Abbas’ life is a multi-dimensional history of ancestry, honourable lineage, knowledge, clemency, courage, munificence, adoration, asceticism, nobility and virtues. It was the desire of Hazrath Ali that this son whom he named Abbas (meaning a dauntless lion) would accomplish the same deeds of valour like him and follow his teachings without fear. It was also his wish that Abbas would be a constant companion of Imam Hussain and be his standard bearer at Karbala.

Hazrath Ali who was also known as the “Lion of God” and the “Gateway of knowledge” brought up Hazrath Abbas and ably guided him till he was 14 years old. The next 10 years were spent under the careful eye of Imam Hassan and the last 10 years with Imam Hussain. Thus it was not surprising that Hazrat Abbas acquired perfection in so many spheres of life. Hazrat Abbas helped the poor and the needy, and discharged his duties towards his fellow beings according to the precepts of Islam. He was pure in his thought, word and deed, lest any of these should displease God. He lived strictly in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet. The occasion for the supreme sacrifice came on the battlefield of Karbala when Imam Hussain was poised against Yezid’s forces. It was a battle of good against evil and right against wrong. And, in the history of Islam the battle of Karbala has become an important landmark of supreme sacrifice, great courage and dedication to a just cause.

The life of Hazrath Abbas is an example of unflinching loyalty and love for a brother. It is also the story of a warrior who sacrificed his life for the cause of Islam. It is almost 1400 years since this tragedy occurred at Karbala and still pilgrims keep coming there to pay their respects to the gallant “Moon of the Hashimites” at his magnificent mausoleum. They offer salutations and pray to God seeking his intercession for this is a place where so many vows have been fulfilled and so many miracles are still taking place.

Mir Zahid Hussain,

Chennai.

Chennai.

sourced from

http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/27/stories/2004092700620900.htm

Umar s Effigy – 202 viewsUmar s Effigy
The poetry session over and its unbearably hot, but that does not bother the crowd today is a big day for the Shias and nobody messes with them at all.. and these guys are fiercly bold in their body language and their beliefs..they have mourned, shed their bloods and now its time to release the latent energy.. and so all rush over to burn the effigy of Caliph Umar..and the entire area resounds with lanat or curses hurled on Abubaker, Usman, Umar and Ayesha..Bin Laden, Mullah Oomar, Saddam Hussain The Talibans and a new War cry lannat or curses on Bush and Blair
Buzzwords: bin laden, blair, bush, effigy, eid e zahra, lucknow, mullah oomar, navi, saddam hussain, talibans, umar

Tillawat e Koran Maksade Hussain – 481 viewsIt is said that when the Kafila the women members and children of Imam Hussains family reached Sham or Damascus in Syria , as prisoners in Yazid s Darbar , along with Zainul Abedeen the fourth and sickly surviving son of the Imam whose life had been spared , as killing of the sick and the wounded in war is condemned in Islam, the decapitated heads of the Martyrs were displayed on spears , and Imam Hussains head it is believed was reading the verses of the Koran, known as Tilawat e Koran.
And it is here Bibi Zainab gave here famous Kutbas , and the veils of the Holy Prophets families were forcibly removed , this was the blackest spot in the Hisory of a Glorious Islam.
This is something the majority does not want to be reminded of , and to justify this by the Ummayad Caliphate , false reasoning, and spurious thoughts on Karbala have been desseminated by the wahabbis and Tabblikis.
And that is why even when Shia and Kurds were killed in large numbers by Saddam, Hussain the rest of the Moslem world watched happy that another modern Shimr was carrying on their forefathers work of culling the Heart . of Islam.
It disgusts me this impotent silence of Kings , Emirs and Sultans who just want nothing to blast their kingdoms out of existence, and what would these minions do without the power of United States they condemn and yet are happy to sleep with..yes this politicis of survival in a modern mans incongruous world.
And yet come Moharram and the chant of Ya Hussain reverbrates with a greater force shattering the window panes of the dead and numb consciousness of Sunnie Islam the one that propogates puritanism at the expense of Truth.
And Shiasm cannot go away by the click of a mouse , or by any magical wand, calling us heretics because we believe in Allah , His Rasool , His Ahle Bait , does not change the course of the history of our undying Pain.
And I am not a fanatic , a modern Muslim, who lives life with others believing in the concept of Live and Let others Live too..and I am proud to be called a Heretic it brings me closer to God and my believes.
A Islam distorted and manipulated from the minarets of Saudi Arabia is not what I pay allegiance too, yes I forfeit the right to Haj if I can visit Karbala once in my life time to see the blood splatteed pages of Koran.. and be reminded of the atrocities to those who defended Faith and gave away all they had..
Yes I am a Shia and I am proud of my Bloodright.
And I shed my blood to prove it so, like others of my community.,
And my chant of Ya Hussain is the chant that is carried away into the heart of the children of our unborn race..yes the wombs of our women folk carry the Word of God.
Maksade Fatima that is a Maksade Hussain.
We were a race born to cry out the pain of Imam Hussain.
Tags: maksade fatima[x], maksade hussain[x], tabblikis[x], tilawt e koran[x], wahhabis[x]

Through the Cyber Cafe – 39 views

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