Majlis 7 Hazrat Qasim
Tonight is the night of 7th Moharram. Our Moharram majaalis continues. We shall shed more tears for Kerbala. We will continue our matam. We will give money in the name of Hazrat Qasim. Volunteers will serve the mourners of Kerbala.TEARS! MATAM! DONATIONS! VOLUNTEERS!
Bibi Fatemah is watching all of us. Everyone will be rewarded on the Day of Judgement.
Our tears, our matam, our donations, and our volunteer work for Husayn will not be wasted. Husayn will reward us. Bibi Fatemah will protect us. Allah will be pleased with us.
Husayn, his companions and his family are in Kerbala.
The 7th of Moharram is a very tragic day in the event of Kerbala.
On this day, water was stopped from reaching Husayn's camp. It was very hot in Kerbala. As the days went by, the children became very thirsty.
The cry of, "AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH!" became more frequent.
Tonight is the night of SHAH QASIM, the 13 year old son of Imam Hassan and Umme Farwah.
Ashura came to the land of Kerbala.
Ali Akber gave the Fajr Adhan. Everyone prayed the Fajr Namaaz.
One-by-one Husayn's companions went to the battlefield and gave their life for Islam. They all became MARTYRS! SHAHEED! SHAHEED-E- KERBALA!
By Zuhr time, Imam Husayn was left with only his family, Auno-Mohammed. Qasim, Ali Akber and Abbas.
The companions of Imam Husayn whilst they were alive did not let Imam Husayn's family go to the battlefield.
No one was left now.
Auno - Mohammed were keen to help their uncle save Islam. They went to the battlefield and never returned.
Qasim took permission from his mother, Umme Farwah, to fight.
Then he went to his uncle, Husayn to ask for his permission to fight.
How can Husayn give permission to his brother's son to die? How can he allow a young child to die?
"Qasim, you are young. You are the only child of your mother. Qasim, you are my brother's son. I have promised my brother to look after you. My darling Qasim, you are the image of my brother. You remind me of Hassan. No, Qasim, no. I cannot allow you to die."
Qasim was very disappointed. He went to his mother for help. His mother reminded him of the taveez his father had tied to his arm.
Qasim opened the taveez, and placed inside found a letter for Husayn. Qasim was pleased to see the letter. He took the letter to his uncle, Husayn.
Husayn read the letter from his brother, Hassan:
"Brother Husayn, a day will come when Islam will need to be saved by sacrifice. Husayn, I will not be alive on that day, however my son, Qasim will be there. It is my wish that Qasim should represent me on that day."
"My dearest Qasim how can I stop you now. Go, Qasim, go." He took Qasim to Bibi Zainab.
"Zainab, bring me Hassan's abaa and his turban." Husayn dressed Qasim with Hassan's abaa (cloak) and turban.
"Zainab! Look at Qasim, doesn't he look handsome? He looks just like our brother Hassan."
Tears flowed from Husayn's and Zainab's eyes as they remembered their brother.
Husayn then dressed Qasim with the battlefield uniform and gave him the weapons.
A young child with adult weapons! Qasim was so young that his sword touched the ground as he walked.
He could not mount his horse on his own. Abbas, his uncle helped him mount the horse.
The young fighter Qasim rode to the battlefield. A rider whose feet did not reach the stirrups, the foot straps on the horse, but he was keen to save Islam.
He was the young son of Hasan, the grandson of Ali and he was trained by Abbas.
Qasim fought gallantly, he fought a battle history will never forget. The enemy could not overpower him. One of Yazid's cowardly soldiers came from behind and hit Qasim on the head with a sword.
Qasim was covered in blood.
The young Qasim, thirsty for three days, could not take it anymore. He fell from his horse. As he fell he cried out;
"O, UNCLE! COME QUICKLY. HELP ME, UNCLE!"
Husayn and Abbas rushed to the battlefield.
Dreadful events then took place. The enemies of Islam thought that Husayn and Abbas were coming to attack them. They got scared. There was confusion.
Horses ran from one side to another, from here to there! From there to here!
The horses ran over Qasim, who was lying wounded on the ground. He got trampled on.
Husayn and Abbas were searching for Qasim.
My darling Qasim, where are you? Qasim! speak to your uncle. Qasim! Qasim! Where are you my son?"
Qasim could not reply. Qasim had stopped breathing.
When the enemies withdraw, what did Husayn see?
Qasim was not in one piece. The horses had trodden on him and torn him to pieces.
Imagine Husayn's feelings! His brother, Hasan's son lying trampled into pieces.
ALLAHO AKBER! ALLAHO AKBER!
What shall Husayn do now? What shall Husayn do now'?
Qasim torn into pieces! His arms and legs scattered on the sand of Kerbala.
Husayn took off his abaa and spread it on the ground. He gathered the pieces of Qasim’s body and placed them on his abaa.
He then tied the abaa into a bundle.
Abbas helped Husayn carry Qasim's trampled body.
When Husayn reached the camp, he cried out:
"Z-A-I-N-A-B! HELP ME ZAINAB. My heart is broken, Zainab. I have no strength left to carry Qasim's body to the tent. Zainab, ask Amma Fizza to help you take Qasim to the tent."
The ladies cried and did matam for Qasim.
"WA QASIMA! WA QASIMA! WA QASIMA!"
INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHI RAJEOON!
MATAM-E-HUSAYN!
Majlis 8 Hazrat Abbas
Tonight is the night of 8th of Moharram.Surely tonight, we will shed more tears. We will do more matam.
Tonight is a very tragic night, it is the night of Hazrat Abbas.
Abbas! Who was Abbas?
Abbas, the Captain; Abbas, the Commander; Abbas, the brave and strong warrior; Abbas, the Alamder - flag bearer; Abbas, the faithful brother; Abbas, the guardian of Umme Kulthoom and Bibi Zainab; Abbas, Sakina's dearest uncle; Abbas, son of Ummul Baneen; Abbas, the lion son of Ali.
Abbas was like his father, Ali. He had all the qualities of his great father. Abbas was brave, strong, wise, loving, obedient and faithful.
His father, Ali, on his dying bed, gave Abbas' hand to Husayn said:
My son Abbas, Husayn is the son of Bibi Fatemah. Abbas, you are my son. Abbas, Husayn is your master. You are Husayn’s slave. Abbas, take care of Husayn."
Since that day, Abbas had fulfilled Husayn's every wish like a faithful slave.
Abbas treated Husayn like his master.
He always treated Bibi Kulthoom and Bibi Zainab with great respect.
He followed Husayn like a shadow.
Abbas was with Husayn in Kerbala.
Husayn knew Abbas was like their father, Ali, a brave and strong warrior.
He would tell Abbas:
"My brother Abbas keep your sword in its place. Don't take your sword out to fight. We have come to save Islam. Abbas, we have come to teach true Islam. We will teach Islam - not with our swords but with our character. Patience Abbas, patience"
When Yazid's men pulled out Husayn's tents from the river bank, Abbas became very angry. He pulled out his sword and wanted to fight there and then. Husayn said:
"No Abbas, no! Be patient. We have not come here to fight, Abbas.
Imagine a warrior like Abbas, asked not to pull his sword out, after being treated so badly. That needs great patience.
Ashura came. Ali Akber gave his last Adhan. Everyone in Husayn's camp prayed Fajr Namaaz.
The battle of Kerbala began. One-by-one, Husayn's companions went to the battlefield and were martyred.
Everytime a body was brought to the tent, Abbas went to Husayn and said:
Master, now allow me to go to the battlefield. Enough, Master, enough. Let me go and fight those beastly men, Master."
Every time, Husayn calmed Abbas down by saying:
"No Abbas, no! How can I let you go? You are the captain of my army. You are my right hand man, Abbas. You are mu support, Abbas. Where would I be without you, Abbas? No Abbas, no."
Abbas' three brothers went to the battlefield and were martyred.
Auno - Mohammed went to the battlefield and were martyred.
Qasim went. His body was trampled and torn to pieces,
Abbas became very restless and could not take it anymore. Somehow, he must get permission.
Abbas walked to Umme Kulthoom and Zainab's tent and then turned back.
He knew they won't let him go.
Abbas walked to Husayn's tent several times and back again. How could he persuade Husayn to let him go?
Abbas is restless. Abbas wants permission to fight.
Just then, little Sakina, with her mashk, came to Abbas. "Uncle Abbas, look at my mashk. It is very dry. AL-ATASH, uncle. Sakina is very thirsty, uncle Abbas."
Abbas thought of a way to get permission from Husayn.
He picked up little Sakina and went to Husayn's tent.
Abbas sat in front of Husayn, with Sakina on his lap.
Abbas didn’t have to say anything.
Husayn looked at Abbas and then at Sakina and her mashk.
Husayn understood Abbas' expression.
"Abbas, how can I say no, now? You have brought Sakina with you. Go Abbas, go. Go and fill Sakina’s mashk with water.
One request, Abbas, leave your sword with me!
Remember, Abbas, you are not going to the fight. You are just going to get water for Sakina."
Abbas gave his sword to Husayn. He kissed Sakina and put her down. He said:
"Sakina, pray for me, pray that I get water for you."
Abbas then went to Zainab.
"Sister Zainab, give me permission to go to the battlefield."
"Brother Abbas, I used to hear that my hijab would be looted. Abbas, I used to say, how dare could anyone snatch my hijab when I have eighteen brothers. Now Abbas, that you are going, I believe that my hijab will really be looted."
Abbas went to the battlefield.
In one hand Abbas carried the Alam of Husayn's army and in the other he held a spear and Sakina's mashk. He had no sword to fight but had a spear for protection. He headed for River Furaat.
Yazid's soldiers saw Abbas coming. They had seen Abbas fight and knew he was like his father, Ali. They were scared, The few who dared to attack Abbas were killed by his spear.
Abbas reached the river and filled Sakina's mashk.
He then asked his faithful horse to drink water. The horse looked towards Husayn's camp and seemed to say:
"Master, are you sure that the water will reach Sakina? Master, how can I drink when Sakina and Ali Asghar are thirsty? Let us first give them water, and then I will drink some."
Abbas, with his Alam in one hand and his spear and Sakina's water-filled mashk in the other, rode back.
Umar Saad, Yazid's commander, ordered his men to stop Abbas taking water to Husayn's tents.
The enemies surrounded Abbas. They fired arrows from all directions.
Abbas was hit with many arrows. He was bleeding.
Just then, a soldier came from behind and struck his sword on Abbas' shoulder. Abbas gripped the mashk with his teeth, as his arm and spear fell to the ground.
Another soldier came and struck his sword into Abbas' other shoulder. The Alam and the other arm fell to the ground.
Imagine, Abbas on his horse - No arms - holding Sakina's mashk between his teeth.
Water must reach Sakina. Abbas, still had the strength to go on.
Sakina’s mashk is still filled with water.
An arrow was shot. It hit Sakina's mashk. The water began to pour out.
Poor Abbas lost all his strength as the water poured out from Sakina's mashk. He fell from his horse and cried out:
"Master, come to me. Master let me see you for the last time."
Husayn heard Abbas. He was heartbroken. With his hands on his back he cried out:
"Son, Ali Akber, my back is gone. My support is gone. My Alamdar is gone."
Husayn and Ali Akber rushed to the battlefield.
Husayn saw his brother lying on the ground.
Imagine how Husayn felt when he saw his brother lying on the ground - covered with blood, both arms severed.
He placed Abbas' head on his lap.
My brother, Abbas? You are leaving me too. Abbas, what will I do without you? My support, Abbas, I am finished without you. My brother Abbas, can I do anything for you?"
"Yes, Master. When I came to this world, I saw your face first. Now, as I am going from this world, Master, I would like to see your face for the last time."
'Abbas, why can't you see me?"
"Master, my eyes are covered with blood."
Imam Husayn cleaned Abbas' eyes. Abbas gazed at Husayn.
"Abbas, I have a wish too. All your life you have called me Master. Once, brother Abbas, just once, call me brother." Abbas said:
"Husayn, my brother, do not take my body to the tents. I am ashamed of myself. I don't want Sakina to see me. I don't want my sisters Kulthoom and Zainab to see me like this. I don't want Kulthoom and Zainab to cry."
Abbas took his last breath and died on Husayn's lap.
Poor Husayn? What should he do now?
Husayn picked up the Alam and tied Sakina's mashk to it.
Sakina saw the Alam coming. She shouted:
"Children, come children. My uncle Abbas is coming with water. I will give all of you water. Come children, come."
Husayn reached the tent. He cried out:
"Z-A-l-N-A-B ... .... Help me, Zainab ... ....The Alam has come ... ...But the Alamdar has not ..."
INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHI RAJEOON!
MATAM-E-HUSAYN!
Majlis 9 Hazrat Ali Akber
Tonight is the night of 9th Moharram.It is the second night without water.
It is very hot in Kerbala. Children cannot sleep.
How can they? They are very thirsty and hungry.
The sound of "AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH!" breaks Husayn's heart.
What can Husayn do? He is patient.
For the sake of Allah, he is bearing it all.
More is to come. Husayn's patience and sacrifice will be tested further.
On Ashura day ... ....Husayn sacrificed all his faithful friends but remained patient.
Auno - Mohammed were killled. Yet Husayn remained patient.
Qasim was torn to pieces. Yet Husayn remained patient.
Abbas' arms were severed. Yet Husayn remained patient.
How much can Husayn bear? How much more can he sacrifice?
My fellow Husayni for the sake of Islam, Husayn, our Imam, sacrificed the most precious thing in his life - HIS TEENAGE SON - HIS 18 YEAR OLD SON - ALl AKBER!
Tonight, my fellow Husayni, we will cry more and we will do more matam.
Bibi Fatemah will cry with us. Mawla Ali will join us. Husayn will pray with us. Husayn and Zainab will cry with us.
Tonight, is the night of the teenage son of Husayn, the life of Husayn, the darling of Zainab and Umme Laila, the image of the Holy Prophet - Tonight is the night of Ali Akber!
The day of Ashura unfolded on the land of Kerbala. It was Fajr time. Husayn called his son, Ali Akber.
"My son, Ali Akber, go and give the Adhan. Ali Akber I want to hear the voice of my grandfather. Ali Akber, you sound so much like your great grandfather, the Holy Prophet."
"ALLAHO-AKBER, ALLAHO-AKBER ..."
Ali Akber's Adhan echoed through the land of Kerbala.
Ali Akber's last Adhan ... ... It was no ordinary Adhan ... ...
It was filled with emotion ...
Husayn began to cry. He remembered his grandfather.
All the ladies in the tents began to cry. Zainab burst into tears.
Everyone prayed Fajr Namaaz.
Soon after, the battle of Kerbala began.
One-by-one, Husayn's companions went to the battlefield and were martyred.
Auno - Mohammed went. They were martyred too.
Qasim went. He was torn to pieces.
Ali Akber and Abbas helped Husayn, carry the bodies to the tent.
Sakina was thirsty. Abbas went to get water. Abbas did not come back.
Husayn is alone with Ali Akber.
Heartbroken. Full of grief! So many dead in one day.
How much can Husayn take? Enough - enough - enough.
No, my fellow Husayni more is to come. The greatest sacrifice in history, is to come ... ...
Ali Akber - the life of Husayn - the teenage son of Husayn - the darling of Husayn - came to his father and said:
"Father, may I now have permission to go for Jehad?"
Allaho Akber! My fellow Husayni, imagine the scene! Put your hand on your heart and think of what is happening?
A teenage son has come to his old father for permission to DIE! How does a father allow his teenage son - 18 years old - to die?
Poor Husayn! What does he do now? How does he allow his teenage darling son to die?
Husayn is helpless. His promise to Allah had to be honoured.
"My son, Ali Akber, go, you have my permission, but Akber, my darling, go and ask permission from your mother. Go and ask permission from Zainab, your auntie who has brought you up. Go, son, go."
Ali Akber took permission from his mother, Umme Laila.
Ali Akber then went to his auntie, Zainab.
"Auntie Zainab, tell me one thing. Whose life is more important? Your Ali Akber's, or Bibi Fatemah's son, Husayn's?"
"My son, Ali Akber, I would sacrifice a thousand lives to save Bibi Fatemah's son - Husayn's life.
Then auntie, do not stop me. Grant me permission. No one is left to save Husayn. Let me go, auntie, let me go."
"Bismillah, my son. Go my Ali Akber, go."
Ali Akber mounted his horse.
Husayn was crying. Umme Laila was crying. Bibi Kulthoom was crying. Zainab was crying.
"KHUDA - HAFIZ, mother. KHUDA - HAFIZ, father. KHUDA -HAFIZ, auntie Kulthoom. KHUDA - HAFIZ, auntie Zainab."
Ali Akber rode to the battlefield.
He heard footsteps following him. He stopped and looked back. What did he see?
His father Husayn, was following him.
With his hands on his back, Husayn was running behind Ali Akber.
"Father, where are you going? Please father, go back to the tent."
"My son Ali Akber, I want to see you as long as I can. I will stop here, my son, but promise me, you will keep on looking back after every few steps. Akber, my darling, your old father wants to see you as long as he can."
Ali Akber continued ... ... He looked back every few seconds. Husayn was there watching him.
He reached the battlefield.
Ali Akber fought bravely. He killed many well-known warriors.
Ali Akber came back to his father.
"Father, did you see me fight? I wish uncle Abbas was here to see me. Father, a few drops of water ... ..., father, I am very thirsty. If I could just have a little water, I would send the entire army of Yazid to Hell."
"My son. come near me. Touch my tongue. See if you can get some comfort from me."
Ali Akber touched Husayn's tongue.
"Father, your mouth is much drier than mine. Father, you must be more thirsty than myself."
Ali Akber returned to the battlefield.
Umar Saad ordered his soldiers to kill Ali Akber.
While a few soldiers together attacked Ali Akber, one crept up to him and thrust a spear into Ali Akber's chest.
Allaho Akber! The spear penetrated Akber's chest. The handle broke. A sharp blade stuck into Akber's heart. He felt faint.
Ali Akber fell off his horse. He cried out:
"O Father, accept my last salaam to you."
Ali Akber did not call his father to come to see him.
Husayn was alone and Ali Akber did not want to bother his old father.
Husayn rushed to the battlefield.
"My son, my darling, my Ali Akber, where are you? Speak to your father, my son. Akber..... Akber.... My darling ... Where are you?"
Husayn saw his son, Ali Akber. His son was lying on the sands of Kerbala with both his hands on his chest.
Ali Akber was taking his last breaths.
Poor Husayn! What shall Husayn do now? A father facing his teenage son, dying!
He placed Ali Akber's head on his lap.
"My son, Ali Akber, my darling, Ali Akber, why are you covering your chest? My son, is your chest hurting? Let me look at it, my son."
"No, father, no! Don't remove my hands from my chest. You will not be able to bear it, father."
Husayn gently moved Ali Akber's hands.
Allaho Akber, Allaho Akber! What did Husayn see?
What did a father see?
The blade of the spear stuck deep into Ali Akber's chest. Ali Akber was in a lot of pain.
What shall Husayn do now? What shall Husayn do now?
Husayn put both his hands on the blade and looked towards Najaf. He cried out loudly:
"BABA, YA MUSHKIL KHUSHA! HELP ME! ... BABA! It was easy for you to pull out the gates of Khyber ... BABA! It is difficult for me to pull out the blade from my son's chest ... ... BABA! Help me, Baba!"
With a cry of "YA ALl", Husayn pulled the blade out.
Blood gushed out of Ali Akber's chest. Husayn was covered with his son, Ali Akber's blood.
Ali Akber took his last breath.
What does Husayn do now?
"Auno - Mohammed, help me carry your brother's body. Qasim, help me. Abbas, I need your help. Where are you, Abbas?"
Husayn was alone. How does he carry Ali Akber's body?
Husayn alone could not carry Ali Akber's body.
He put Ali Akber's hands around his neck ...
Husayn carried his 18 year old son's body with great difficulty.
Ali Akber's feet dangled, touching the sand of Kerbala.
Poor Husayn! So much patience! So much sacrifice!
As he reached the tent ... ... he cried out:
"Z-A - I - N - A – B ... ... HELP ME, ZAINAB. TAKE YOUR ALl AKBER."
"U-M-M-E - L-A-l-L-A ... ... HELP ME. TAKE YOUR DARLING ....
INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHI RAJEOON!
MATAM-E-HUSAYN!
