We are created for the lament-e-Hussain (AS)- a tradition of Holy Prophet (Hazrat Muhammad S.A.W) (For Non Muslims) 

By: Shia Unity Forum

You may be wondering why this demonstration is taking place. We have gathered here today in black dresses, holding banners/standards (Alams), performing mourning rituals and even having a horse with us! An explanation of the ritual parts is included in the appendix overleaf.

"As a reminder of the blood stained field of Kerbala …. yearly on the 10th Muharram, the tragedy is (remembered) wherever a shi' ite community or colony exists … the wailing chant, the sobbing multitudes, the white raiment red with blood from self inflicted wounds, the intoxication of grief and sympathy" 
( Brown ' A Literary History of Persia )

In the month of Muharram2 61AH (20th October 680) an event took place in Kerbala, on the banks of the Euphrates, which was to become a beacon and an inspiration for future generations. A large army, which had been mobilized by the Umayyad regime, besieged a group of less handful men, wom en and children and put them under pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph, YazidLA(3), and submit to his authority. Resistance resulted in the deaths of Imam HussainAS, grandson of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and 72 of his companions, including his six-month-old son on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura).

"The best lesson we get from Kerbala is that HussainAS(4) and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood" ( Thomas Carlyle)

Imam HussainAS was the leader of the house of the Prophet (PBUH). He looked after the religious needs of the people and was recognised for his knowledge, piety and generosity. YazidLA, whose grandfather was the arch-enemy of the Prophet (SAW), openly indulged in sinful acts. When Yazid became a ruler Imam HussainAS could never pledge allegiance to such a man. As he himself stated, "I am not going out with the objective of mutiny, war or battle, neither is my objective to spread riot or commit oppression and excess. I have come out just to correct the Ummat (followers) of my grandfather. My objective is to invite people towards the traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAW)". Islam would surely not have survived had it not been for the efforts of Imam HussainAS and, after his martyrdom, the efforts of his sister who continued to spread the true message of Islam, despite being a prisoner on her forced journey to the court of YazidLA.

The commemoration of Ashura on the 10th of Muharram serves to remind us of the sacrifices of the family of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Our procession is peaceful and is held simply to keep alive the message of Kerbala, one that shows Islam to be a peace loving religion that avoids war to the utmost degree, and certainly never initiates the aggression. It is not simply a religion, but a way of life and unreservedly condemns atrocities against innocents, regardless of their origin. Imam HussainAS showed us that a struggle against the aggressor should only take place IN SELF DEFENCE and only when all other means of negotiation and compromise fail. Even then, only if the other party initiates the aggression 

"If HussainAS fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason, therefore, that he sacrificed purely for Islam." (Charles Dickens)

Generation after generation, we will continue reviving Imam Hussain's ultimate sacrifice, until his successor, and our saviour, (Imam MehdiAS 9th from Hussain'sAS bloodline) reappears. Upon his return, assisted by four Prophets (Jesus ChristAS-IsaAS, IdariasAS, IliyasAS and Khizer-AS, he will eliminate all the injustice and vice in the world, and bring back Allah's law and order - An eternal victory for us all. 

May Allah bring closer our Savior's return and allow us to assist him in his Noble cause, Amen!

APPENDIX
Standards (Alams) are the model of the holy flag, which was given by the Holy Prophet (MuhammadSAW) to his successor (Imam AliAS) during all Jihads (holy wars). Later in Kerbala, it was presented to Hazrat AbbasAS by Imam HussainAS. Hazrat AbbasAS. guarded this Alam (a symbol of the Imam's strength) more than his own life, until finally he was surrounded by enemies from all sides and martyred. 

(Matam)5, its just sign of natural grief, every time we raise our hands and bring them down on our chest in lament, we mean: 'Alas, we were not present, at that time, to support you and die with you, our ImamAS'. 

Horse, the name of Imam Hussain's horse has been quoted as Tho Al-Janah (Zuljinah) or Murtajiz, white in colour, Zuljinah took an active part in the Jihad remaining faithful while being attacked from all directions. When Yazids' armyLA injured Imam HussainAS he brought the ImamAS to the ground as gently as he could and started encircling him in order to save him from his attackers, until the sad moment of Shimr'sLA cowardly attack while the ImamAS was prostrating himself to Allah. Shimr'sLA blunt dagger struck Imam HussainAS through the back of his neck. Zuljinah stained his face with the Imam's blood and went back to the tents of his household to break the tragic news. He was screaming and showing the blood of ImamAS to his daughter, SakainaAS. It is said that he later went to the Furat (Euphrates) river and disappeared therein. 

As part of our commemorations, we have produced a replica of Zuljinah, which serves to remind us of the martyred Imam (AS). The name of this horse is 'Shaer Ali'. He was acquired from Belgium when he was only 14 month old and, since then, has been looked after by Mr. Rizvi at a stable near Slough. Sometimes, some of us touch it with great affection and young ones go underneath Zuljinah. This is a mark of the respect we hold for the original Zuljinah, and is a similar concept to a believer kissing the cover of Holy book (Quran) or the Holy Kaa'ba in Mecca. These are called signs of Allah 'Shair Allah'.6 Any commemoration of Kerbala would be incomplete without Zuljinah.

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1 Duwa-e-Fatimah (A.S)-Prayer of Hazrat Fatimah (A.S) for the creation of a nation who would mourn on the brutal murder of her son and family members, when this sad incident was revealed to her by her father, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W- O Allah! Send your blessings to the Muhammad and his pure and cleansed progeny)
2 1st month of the Islamic year
3 (LA - Lanat Ullah)- May Allah's curse be upon him
4 ((A.S) -Alahe Salam)-May Allah' blessings be upon him
5 Matam with Khama and zanjeers, is also of substantial reward by Allah Subaha-n-ho (while observing certain precautions during matam, e.g., not to permanently damage a body limb etc.)-for Fatawas by Marajas Syed Ali Seestani and Mohammad Hussian Shirazi, respectively: post@najaf.org, center@real-islam.org.uk

6 A famous tradition by Holy prophet (Hazart Muhammad S.AW): A Muslim visited Holy Prophet and asked him what shall he do-he has taken an oath that he will kiss a Woor and the door-step of the heavens? Prophet asked him to go and kiss the graves of his deceased father and mother and if he could not find their graves, create two fresh ones and then kiss them. 

Shia Unity Forum (for contact: tahir@cinar.co.uk) F1, 51 Augustus Road, London SW19 6 LW

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