In one of the letters he has written to an orator specializing in preaching about Imam al-Husayn (as), Abu Sharif says, “One day, I was holding a small portable radio in my hands and searching for a Cairo radio frequency to listen to. I was alone in my room and I was tuning my radio in search of the frequency. Suddenly, I heard a pleasant and touching voice. I kept the tuner of my radio on that frequency.
This voice was unique and different from all the voices I had previously heard. Gradually, my whole attention was absorbed by it. When I paid careful attention, I found out that a man was talking about Imam al-Husayn (as). He was recounting the bitter events which came to pass at Karbala in detail. I do not know for sure what month that was, but I guess it was the month of Muharram.
Up to that day, I had not understood the issue of crying for Imam al-Husayn (as). However, when I heard a part of the events of ‘Ashura, I cried bitterly. Tears flowed from my eyes spontaneously.
The tears I shed were hot and intense. I cried with such bitterness like I have never cried before in all my life. My tears continued to flow to the last words of the preacher. This condition overwhelmed me and affected my whole being…”
Continuing his narrative he said, “… After this experience, new and wide horizons were opened to me regarding the issue of shedding tears for the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (as).”24
After this occurrence, he converted to the Shi‘ism and moved to Iran where he became a television presenter.
This voice was unique and different from all the voices I had previously heard. Gradually, my whole attention was absorbed by it. When I paid careful attention, I found out that a man was talking about Imam al-Husayn (as). He was recounting the bitter events which came to pass at Karbala in detail. I do not know for sure what month that was, but I guess it was the month of Muharram.
Up to that day, I had not understood the issue of crying for Imam al-Husayn (as). However, when I heard a part of the events of ‘Ashura, I cried bitterly. Tears flowed from my eyes spontaneously.
The tears I shed were hot and intense. I cried with such bitterness like I have never cried before in all my life. My tears continued to flow to the last words of the preacher. This condition overwhelmed me and affected my whole being…”
Continuing his narrative he said, “… After this experience, new and wide horizons were opened to me regarding the issue of shedding tears for the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (as).”24
After this occurrence, he converted to the Shi‘ism and moved to Iran where he became a television presenter.
Notes:
24. Dr. Muqaddasi, Dawr al-Manbar al-Husayni fi al-Taw‘iyah al-Islamiyyah, pp. 112-113.
