AUCKLAND, New Zealand: As the crescent of Muharram
gave its emergence, mourners of Hazrat Imam Hussain bin Ali Ibn-e-Abi
Talib (A.S.) the world over wore black mourning dresses, spread
mourning carpets in Imambargahs, Imambaras, Ashour-Khanas, Aza-Khanas,
Hussainiyaat and Islamic centers, decorated relics, and hoisted Alam
(standards) of Hazrat Abbas (A.S.) paying rich homage to Hazrat Imam
Hussain (A.S.) and his 72 companions.
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“Ya Hussain and Wa Hussaina” are being heard from every nook and
corner and tears are being gushed out of every eye with intense grief
over the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) along with his near
and dear ones in the burning plain of Karbala at the hands of Yazid
(L.A.) in 61 AH.
Crescent of Muharram – that dignified month which became the kernel
and fountainhead of defensive front for the protection of religion &
Shariah by matchless and unparalleled sacrifices rendered by Imam
Hussain (A.S.) along with his companions and lofty family -was sighted
on January 29 in some countries while in some others on January 30.
According to traditions the Chief of Martyrs Imam Hussain (A.S.), holy
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.W.)’s grandson, had sighted the crescent of
Muharram 61 AH when he reached “Manzil-e-Ashraf” passing through
different places after he departed the holy city of Makkah for Iraq.
Hazrat Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S.) says: “When crescent of Muharram
appears the angels show blood-soaked shirt of Al-Hussain (A.S.), we
see it and those wo love us, we see it with baseerah (discernment) and
not with sight.”
Whenever Hazrat Imam Sadiq (A.S.) sighted the Muharram crescent, his
grief increased. People used to come to him for condolence,
consolation and matam.
A saying of Imam Reza (A.S.) goes: “In the month of Muharram nobody
had ever seen my father (A.S.) happy and merry. During this month he
remained in continuous grief and pain and on the 10th of this month he
was used to say, ‘Today Imam Hussain (A.S.) was martyred brutally’.”
In previous times in Indian city of Lucknow, as the
Muharram crescent was sighted, the brood and youth were prohibited
from laughing; married women even newly married weds were asked to
smash their bangles; wear out red outfits. Mouth-watering dishes were
prevented till the 40th day of Imam (A.S.)’s martyrdom on Safar 20
rather for 2 months and 8 days; Desserts were not prepared; Sweet
dishes were put on the table on Rabi-ul-Awwal 9; fish was also not
allowed. Cold drink was considered the best tabarruk in majalis even
in the winters and patients after drinking it became healthy. The word
of drink (sharbat) is found in the original words of Imam Hussain (A.S.)
“Shiati in sharibtum maa azbun...” (O friends! when you drink sweet
water remind my thirst…).
