RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi, chief of the Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya has said that ‘Lalkaar’ (challenge) of Hazrat Mukhtar Saqafi (R.A.) is the strongest weapon of the oppressed world for protection from international colonial powers.

He stated this in a special message issued on the occasion of “Mukhtar-e-Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.) Day” that is being observed with religious fervour, spirit and faithful devotion on Tuesday (Rabi-ul-Awwal 9). He said Prophets and Messengers introduced humanity to guidance and preached the method of spending human life through ‘Wahi’ and ‘Ilham’ which if followed, could lead to elevation. He said same is the Sirat-e-Mustaqeem (straight path), and the religion commandment to adopt which has been given, is Islam.

He said the Holy Prophet (SAW) introduced Quran and Ahle Bait (A.S.) for the protection and defence of Islam which is the beacon of light and guidance for the universe.

Agha Moosavi said Ahle Bait (A.S.) share the secrets of Rasool-e-Khuda (SAW), are refuge of commandments of holy Prophet (SAW), trusted place of his knowledge, shelter of wisdom, and strong rock for protection of heavenly books and path of Allah. They straightened the curved back of the religion and shattering of arm of Islam was checked courtesy these personalities.

On the basis of this, their love has been considered obligatory. “Qul La As’alokum Alaihe Ajran Il’lal mawadda Fil Qurba” (Sura Ash-Shura). He said the enemies of religion and Shariat sowed the seed of disobedience, groomed it with cheating and forgery, then earned destruction for themselves by reaping that harvest.

Therefore, he said, on the day of Ashoor, Nawasa-e-Rasool Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) achieved supremacy for religion and Shariat and ensured protection of human dignity by presenting the invaluable sacrifice along with his 72 faithful supporters and near and dear ones. He said after the martyrdom, Mukhaderat-e-Ismat and Taharat of Khanwada-e-Ahle Bait and their Maula Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.) through their great addresses in the streets of Kufa and Shaam and in the courts of Ibne Ziad and Yazid declared on the enemies of religion and Shariat who have turned into Yazidiyyat that only we are the foundation and pillars of faith, belief and calmness.

The TNFJ chief said Hazrat Mukhtar Saqafi (R.A.) jumped into the practical arena to fulfill the promise of Allah for the destruction of enemies of religion and Shariat and according to Tareekh Tabri, the first thing Mukhtar (R.A.) did that he not only saved Abdullah ibne Zubair when attacked by Haseen bin Numair on the Yazidi orders but also saved the sanctity of Ka’aba thwarting the Yazidi attack on Bait-Ullah.

He said Mukhtar Saqafi (R.A.) used to shed tears on the oppression and brutality against the Ahle Bait (A.S.) and on the martyrdom of Nawasa-e-Rasool (A.S.). Traditions from history books indicate that Hazrat Mukhtar’s reason to take revenge was Rasool-e-Khuda’s (SAW) letter addressed to Mukhtar Saqafi (Tareekh-e-Islam, vol. 5, page 621, published Delhi).

A tradition from She’bi says that one day, I was sitting with Hazrat Mukhtar (R.A.) when a person appeared all of a sudden and handed over a sealed letter to Mukhtar after paying Salam to him and said, it is a letter from Rasool-e-Kainaat (SAW) that had been handed over to me by Amirul Momineen (A.S.) as an ‘Amanat’ (trust) saying that this should be delivered to Mukhtar. Therefore, Mukhtar (R.A.) broke the seal of the letter in which after Bismillah had written that Oh, Mukhtar! Allah has poured love of our Ahle Bait in your heart, you will take revenge from the enemies of our Ahle Bait (A.S.) soon, you should not worry on that occasion and should perform your duty with unison. After getting this letter, Mukhtar became strong-hearted (Tazkira Mukhtar Bint-ul-Huda, reference Roza-tus-Safa, vol. 3, page 75, Noor-ul-Absaar page 83, Majalis-ul-Momineen vol. 2, page 347, Mukhtar Aal-e-Muhammad page 137).

Agha Moosavi said, Mukhtar, therefore, took Bai’at from all tribes on four things: 1. Book of Allah, 2. Sunnah of Rasool, 3. Revenge of Syed-us-Shuhada and Ahle Bait (A.S.), 4. Defence of the oppressed and the have-nots. Hazrat Mukhtar Saqafi (R.A.) made Kharooj in the first Ashra of Rabiul Awwal in 66 Hijra.

The Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi said entering happiness in the heart of a Momin (believer) is worship and one who made the heart of Rasool (SAW) and Aal-e-Rasool (A.S.) happy is placed at the acme of blessings, therefore, Hazrat Mukhtar (R.A.) took revenge from the killers of Hussain, one by one, shattering Yazidiyyat into pieces.

Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.) prayed for Mukhtar “Jazallahu Mukhtar Kheyran”. He said for high status of Hazrat Mukhtar Saqafi, it is enough that his pious grave in Kufa Mosque is Marja-e-Khalaiq even today.

He said the whole humanity is surrounded by oppression, brutality, and suppression. Kashmir, Palestine and oppressed nations are being targeted. Not only massacre is going on the holiest soil of Iraq rather the signs of Allah termed as Sha’a’ir-Ullah are being trampled.

In this situation, he said, the whole Islamic World will have to inculcate the spirit of Mukhtar in them for independence of Kashmir and Palestine, achievement of Al-Quds Ash-Sharif and for pullout of allied forces from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Presenting greetings to holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) on this august occasion of Youm-e-Mukhtar-e-Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.), he reiterated his resolve to offer any big-to-big sacrifice for the promotion and supremacy of religion and Shariat.