The Paradox of Ashara & Pursuit of Happiness

“Khuda Taala mumineen ne KHUSH o khurram raakhe. Hussain na GHAM siwa koi gham na dekhaawe”

Mumineen erupt in matam and are engulfed in tears even before Moula finishes the dua above. Yet this dua is pregnant with meaning and invites one to ponder over the seemingly inexplicable contradiction inherent in it.

Traditionally we think of Ashara as a time to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain. We endeavour to expend our utmost in matam and strive to shed countless tears so that some infinitesimal fraction of our gratitude to him can be repaid. But is that it? Do we just go back to our daily grind as soon as Ashura is over? Or does something change? What is Ashara really about?

I like to think of Ashara as the pursuit of happiness. Ask any mumin, young, old, man, woman or child, what they feel after crying and doing matam and they will say “Sukoon” or “Khush” or words to that effect. It is a deep seated elation which isn’t quite summed up by the word ‘happiness’. The act of shedding a tear is cathartic, a purging of the body and soul of their ills. Through these salty drops of warm water, we quite literally, flush our systems of all their excesses.

The zikr of Imam Hussain is an epic tale of sacrifice and commitment, of unparalleled courage and perseverance in the face of unimaginable adversity. Yet, Ashara goes far, far beyond just a congregation responding emotionally and expressing their sorrow when recounting the fate of 72 at the hands of thousands of Yazidi soldiers. It is the constitution of life.

When Moula does the above dua, it does not necessarily mean that mishap or misfortune will not befall a mumin. The operative word in this dua is ‘dekhaawe’; in other words, it is about ‘seeing’ the gham of Imam Hussain and ‘not seeing’ any other gham. Life is about perception and, how we perceive the world around us, is precisely what dictates whether or not we are happy. People talk of ‘finding’ happiness; what we don’t realise is that happiness is not something lost that can be found, but rather it is intrinsically intertwined with our own existence. It lies within.

We all ‘see’ our surrounding world through different lenses. The same circumstance, the same situation, can be viewed entirely different by two different people. There is no such thing as a ‘good’ day or a ‘bad’ day – we just choose to see it that way. Some define ‘natural’ happiness as getting what we expect. But some choose to be happy even if they don’t get what they expect. If we change the lens, we acquire the power to change every outcome in our entire lives and consequently choose to be happy. The gham of Imam Hussain is therefore the lens with which we view the world that shapes our reality. It changes our short-sightedness into foresight.

But we need to understand what happiness really is before we can understand how this gham is that lens. Many mistake pleasure for happiness. Take the instance of food. The ‘joy’ experienced by consuming a feast laden with tantalising dishes is really the symptomatic relief from ailments which plague all humans, in this case, hunger. Once satiated, even the most sumptuous meal will sicken us. Amirul Jamea once explained that happiness, true happiness is found in that which is ‘perpetual, unchanging and eternal’. It is not dependent on variables. It permeates regardless. If there is any change, it is only within.

The mumin, whose heart weeps for Imam Hussain, comes to possess something that converts poverty into riches, adversity to prosperity. Fortune can play any card it wants, yet a mumin remains unscathed. He has, what some psychologists term – to use their jargon – a ‘psychological immune system’. We have often heard Moula say that the buka and matam of Imam Hussain is a baktar, a piece of armour, a defence mechanism which fends off the onslaught of post-Enlightenment ideologies, of misconstrued scientific enquiry, of regressive social trends and unethical consumerist economics. Crucially, it doesn’t get rid of it;  the onslaught will continuously evolve and adapt with each decade, but a mumin, through remembering Imam Hussain is empowered and emboldened to remain intact and not be obliterated by it.

He discovers that true joy is in the acceptance of what Allah has decided for him. When Imam Hussain asked Jibrail “Khuda ni mardhi su che?” it was a call to every mumin, which will resonate till the end of time, to accept and be happy with what Allah has given us and consequently, he will be truly happy. Referring to the earlier definition of natural happiness, we can choose to be happy by not getting what we expect but accepting what Allah expects from us. Amongst the countless invaluable lessons drawn from the events of Karbala, perhaps this is the most pertinent to our time.

In the last few months, Mufaddal Moula, being the catalyst of change that he is, has called mumineen around the world to reconsider what their priorities are. Instead of slaving away single-mindedly in acquiring wealth, he’s shown how one should spend each day. That schedule is based on understanding that happiness is being happy with and being content with, what has already been divinely dispensed with. Hence, focus on your family, yours and their betterment, your hereafter, your ibadat and in doing that, true peace and calm can be found.

So, as a mumin hears and crucially, sees, his Moula, retelling the Shahadat of Imam Hussain, something transformative is happening within him. He undergoes a transition from worldly to spiritual. In his heart, he starts to make sense of the apparently senseless slaughtering of Rasulullah’s loved ones.

WHY was Imam Hussain, his family and his companions deprived of even a sip of water or a morsel of food for three days?

WHY did a brother, as he saw his brother make the ultimate sacrifice with severed limbs, the contents of his vessel spilling over into the sand, have to steady himself from the torrent of emotion which overcame him?
WHY did a father have to lend his parched tongue to quench the burning thirst of his young son and then lay his hand over the gaping wound in his chest to stem the blood as he gasped his final breath?

WHY was a father made to witness the blood of his six month old son gushing into his hands and then laying him to rest after digging a small grave with the sheath of his sword?

WHY were Zainab, Umme Kulsum and the rest of the Haram forced to ride unsaddled camels across the fiery sands of Iraq all the while having to bear the sight of Imam Hussain’s Ras Mubarak atop a bloodied spear?

WHY did our Moula Hussain sheath his sword the moment Jibrail conveyed Allah’s will to him and allow himself to be beheaded as he offered his last dua for the salvation of every mumin?

As the answer to all these ‘why’s’ come to him, a tidal wave of emotion hits him and he weeps inconsolably, because he understands that every moment in Karbala was a sacrifice for his happiness. For every drop of blood shed by Imam Hussain, Ahle Bait and Ashaab, an infinite number of sorrow filled tears were spared for every mumin. They experienced the worst of this earthly realm and its inhabitants, so that we wouldn’t have to.

That is the paradox of Ashara – the metamorphosis of mourning, where we exponentially become happier with every tear we shed, realising the power of Moula’s dua Mubarak: “Khuda tamne KHUSH o khuram raakhe, Hussain na GHAM siwa koi GHAM na dikhaawe”. A mumin is truly happy in remembering Imam Hussain. May this dua be answered in every mumin today, tomorrow and forever. 

Dua ma khaas yaad......
Abde Syedna wa Mansoosehi TUS
Adnan Abidali
Jamea Nairobi

Riwayat reflections and thoughts on Thali

The riwayat of the camel - 'Mubaraka' of Nabi (SA) when he first entered Medina is well known, as the bayan has been heard, many times in Vaaz.

The residents of Medina were all eager to have Nabi (SA) to take up residence in their home, a singular honor for them. All the leading Ansaars were clamoring to get this sharaf.

Nabi (SA) told them, that he is not holding the reins of his camel, and where ever the his camel Mubaraka stops, in his house Nabi (SA) will take up his temporary residence, till the first Nabawi Masjid and his house is constructed.

Mubaraka stops at the house of Abu Ayub Ansari of the tribe of Bani Najjar.

Would request readers, to pause and reflect as to what made Mubaraka, a she camel of Nabi (SA)stop at the door of Abu Ayub Ansari ?  

Did she just stopped ? Or was she guided ? Was there some hikmat ?

Every act of Nabi (SA) is an act based on Allah's Commandment.

Allah is the All Knowing.

The following historical facts will bear the above truth.

Salma the mother of Moulana Abdul Muttalib ( the grandfather of Nabi (SA) ) belonged to the tribe of Bani Najjar, the same tribe to which Abu Ayub Ansari belonged.

Now are you getting to understand the connection ? Interesting ? Read on......

By the end of the riwayat, you will come to know .....

Moulana Hashim - the great grandfather of Nabi (SA) married Salma a widow of Bani Najjar at Nabit a place on the way to Yasrib (old name of Medina) After a few days stay with her, Moulana Hashim went away to Syria, where he fell sick and died.

Salma who was pregnant gave birth to Moulana Abdul Muttalib, but the Hashimites, who all lived in Makkah, were not aware of the marriage and birth of the child.

It was only when Sabit Ibne Manzar ( father of the poet Hasan bin Sabit ) came to Makkah for pilgrimage, that he met Moulana Muttalib and informed him of the marriage and the birth of a son to Moulana Hashim.

Moulana Muttalib on knowing this, immediately set out for Yasrib and persuaded Salma and her tribesmen to give him, his late brother's child, who was now grown up and a true picture of Moulana Hashim.

So dear readers. Now you can understand the connection.

Now you can reflect and see that after many years, Nabi (SA) was destined to migrate to Medinah and his camel Mubaraka came and stopped at the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari who belonged to the tribe and was related to Salma the great grand mother of Nabi (SA)

Lesson learnt on reflection of the riwayat and the historical facts.

There is a synchronicity and purpose behind every aspect of our lives. More so in the actions of Awliya Kirams, whose every action, are infused with hikmats, which we ordinary mortals, with limited knowledge fail to comprehend.

Their actions have far reaching benefits. The FMB (Thali) mauhim likewise has been started with a purpose, which only Aqa Moula (TUS) and A’li Qdr Muffadal Moula (TUS) are privy to. 

We can at best, comprehend the apparent benefits, but deep down the lasting benefits, the far reaching effects, we will never be able to fully understand.

One thing is certain, it is more about caring and sharing, than about money.

Agreed we may have reservations and opinion about the hygiene, the distribution, and other sundry matters, but that concerns, are principally localized. Over a period of time, if you have been a keen observer, having a positive attitude, you will surely agree that, much improvements have been made. 

The lesson I learnt on reflection of the riwayat, in the context of FMB mauhim, is crystal clear that, the Thali is not only about making a habit of eating simple and nutritious food, but has some deep hidden benefits for both our body and soul, and for our generation to come.  

I am dedicating this post to Shk: Yusufbhai Rajkotwala - a FMB khidmatguzar of Singapore, who is working hard to ensure that the barakat of Thali reaches all mumineen households. This is my humble contribution to his efforts.  

Wayne W. Dyer Ph.D

This is the second in the 'tribute series' of modern thinkers, whose Books and talks has helped in the journey of personal transformation and understanding of human nature.

Short Introduction:
Dr. Wayne Dyer is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self development. He is the author of over 30 Books, and has created many audio/ video programs, and has appeared in numerous television and radio shows. He is affectionately called the ' father of motivation'.

He overcame the adversity of growing up in foster homes to become an internationally renowned author and speaker, in the field of personal development.

First Book published in 1976.

QUOTES :

Begin to see your self as a soul with a body rather than a body with a soul. 

Our intentions create our reality. 

A true barometer of intelligence is an effective , happy life lived each day and each present moment of each day. 

Disagreements, conflicts and compromises, are a part of what it means to be human. Similarly money, growing old, sickness, death, natural disasters etc: 

But some people are able to avoid immobilization, dejection and unhappiness despite such occurrences  while others collapse, become inert or have nervous breakdowns.

Being healthy is a natural state, and this means, achieving it are within the grasp of each one of us. I believe that judicious mixture of hard work, clear thinking, humor and self confidence are the ingredients of effective living. 

Turning your NOW into total fulfillment  is the touch stone of effective living and virtually all self defeating behavior ( erroneous zones) are efforts at living in a moment than the current one. 

You must trust in your own ability to feel emotionally, whatever you choose to feel at any time of your life. This is a radical notion. 

Feelings are not just emotions that happen to you. Feelings are reactions you choose to have.  If you are in charge of your emotions, you don't have to choose self defeating reactions. 

BOOK : THE POWER OF INTENTIONS 

Say to your self : I am here on purpose, I can accomplish anything I desire, and I do it by being in harmony with all pervading creative force in the Universe.

Make your self available for success, and know and trust in the invisible force that's all providing. 

Remind your self to be kind towards your self in all choices you make about your daily life. 

Remember that every single modern advancement you see and take for  granted was created by some one contemplating what they intended  to manifest.

Place positive affirmations in strategic places, where you'll notice and read them. 

Kindness extended, received or observed beneficially impacts physical health and feelings of everyone involved. 

Quietly retreat from loud, bellicose, opinionated people. Send them a silent blessing and then unobtrusively move along. 

When you are in a middle of an argument, ask your self - Do I want to be right or be happy ?  When you choose the joyous, loving, spiritual mode, your connection to intentions is strengthened.  

Feeling abundant, surpasses the money in your Bank account and transcends what others may think of you. 

View obstacles as opportunities to circulate the power of your unbending intent. Unbending means just what it says. Intend to stay connected to the Source and thereby gain power form the Source. This means, being at peace, detaching your self from the circumstances, and seeing your self as an observer rather than a victim - than turning it all over to your Source and knowing that you you'll receive the guidance and assistance you require.  ( In our Deen - one word to summarize the above TAWAKKUL)

Being in a state of gratitude actually creates magnetism, and good flows in to your life. In contrast, a state of ingratitude, stops the flow of abundance and health. 

People who receive the most approval, are unconcerned about it. So if you really want approval, stop thinking about your self, and focus on reaching out and helping others. 

Seven steps for overcoming Ego's Hold on you. 

1. Stop being offended - that which offends you weakens you. 

2. Let go your need to win - Ego loves to divide us into winners and losers. 

3. Let go your need to be right - ask your self, do I want to be right or happy. 

4. Let go your need to be superior - we all emanate from the same creative life force. 

5. Let go your need to have more -  Ego is never satisfied, you'll find your self in a perpetual state of striving. 

6. Let go identifying your self on basis of your achievement - a difficult concept to implement. Your Ego will be up in arms, but try always to be tuned to this idea that everything comes from the Source (ALLAH)

7. Let go your reputation - your reputation is not located in you. It resides in the minds of others, so you have no control over it. 

BOOK : INSPIRATION - YOUR ULTIMATE CALLING 

CARROTS, EGGS AND COFFEE

A young woman complained to her mother about hardships and difficulties in her life. She didn't know how she was going to continue and wanted to give up. The young woman said : " I am tired of fighting and struggling. It seems that as soon as one problem is solved, a new one appears." In responce, the mother took her to the kitchen and filled three pots with water, placing each one on the stove over a high flame. 

Soon the water came to boil. In the first pot she placed carrots, in the second eggs, and in the third, she placed grounded coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about 20 minutes, she turned off the burners. The mother than took out the carrots and placed them in a bowl. She did the same with the eggs and the coffee. Turning to her daughter, she said: ' Tell me what you see." 

"Carrots, eggs and coffee" the daughter replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take the egg and break it. After peeling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich flavor. 

The daughter than asked, " What does it mean, Mother ?"

Her mother explained that each of these items had faced the same adversity - boiling water, and each had reacted differently. The carrot went in strong , hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile, its thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior, but after the boiling water, its inside became hardened. But the grounded coffee beans were unique - after they were in the boiling water, they'd changed the water itself. 

The message ? Stay in Spirit and change adversity into a component of a new, great, and wonderful world, just as the coffee did. 

Wishing you a happy journey of personal transformation. 

ECKHART TOLLE

This is the first in my 'tribute series'  of modern thinkers, whose Books and Talks have influenced me greatly. It is my journey of personal transformation and understanding of human nature,  and I share the same with my readers. 

Why share ? I understand that every one seeks personal transformation but are so preoccupied with their day to day living, that in spite of their best intentions, they are not able to devote much time, or the inclination and urge is not there. 

But I am confident, that if just excerpts are shared, and just a few of the nuggets read may make an impact on some of my readers, I will consider it as a befitting tribute to the modern thinkers.  

The nuggets of wisdom  that I have managed to pick up -  the 'Aha' moments may also help you my readers in better and compassionate understanding of life, and bring about  personal transformation.  

Short Introduction: 
 Eckhart Tolle is regarded as one of the most spiritually influential person.

 His two most influential Books - The Power of Now ( 3 million copies sold till 2009) A New Earth ( 5 million copies sold till 2009) and approx: 35 million people around the world participated in a series of 10 web seminars held with Oprah Winfrey.   

His childhood and growing up years were far from ideal, and he was depressed and had contemplated suicide, until one night at the age of 29 he experienced 'inner transformation'   followed by wanderings, "in a deep state of bliss". 

QUOTES :

You are here to enable a divine purpose of the Universe to unfold - That is how important you are.

Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.

The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but thought about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the situation, which is always neutral. It is as it is.

As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love - even the most simple action

In today's rush we all think too much, seek too much, want too much and forget about the joy of just Being.

Be at least as interested in what goes on inside you as what happens outside. If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.

Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally.

Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be.

Power over others is weakness disguised as strength. True power if within, and it is available to you now.

The truth is: you don't have a life, you are life. The One Life, the one consciousness that pervades the entire universe and takes temporary form to experience itself as a stone or blade of grass, as an animal, a person, a star or a galaxy.

Death is not the opposite of life.  Life has no opposite.  The opposite of death is birth.  Life is eternal.

Death is a stripping away of all that is not you. The secret of life is to "die before you die" — and find that there is no death.

QUOTES :

Fear, anxiety, anger, bearing grudge, sadness, hatred or intense dislike, jealousy, envy - all disrupt the energy flow through the body, affect the heart, the immune system, digestion, production of hormones and so on. 

Cleverness pursues its own little aims. Intelligence sees the larger whole in which all things are connected. Cleverness is motivated by self interest, and is extremely shortsighted. Cleverness divides, intelligence includes. 

A genuine relationship is one that is not dominated by ego, which is image making and self seeking. In genuine relationship, there is an outward flow of open, alert attention towards the other person, in which there is no wanting whatsoever. 

Whatever tragic loss occurs, you either resist or you yield. Some people become bitter or deeply resentful; others become compassionate, wise and loving. Yielding means inner acceptance of what is.

The small me that seeks security or fulfillment in things that are transient and gets anxious or angry because it fails to find it. Well at least now you know, who you really think you are. 

The ego's unconscious core feeling of 'not enough' causes it to react to someone else's success as if that success had taken something away from me. 

"One day I will be free of the ego" Who is talking ? The ego. To become free of the ego is not a big job but a small one. All you need to do is to be aware of your thoughts and emotions - as they happen. This is not 'doing' but an alert 'seeing'. When that shift happens, which is shift from thinking to awareness, an intelligence far greater that the ego's cleverness begins to operate in your life.   

The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it. 

Give up defining yourself - to yourself or to others. You won't die. You will come to life. And don't be concerned with how others define you. When they define you, they are limiting themselves, so it's their problem. Whenever you interact with people, don't be there primarily as a function or a role, but as the field of conscious Presence. You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are.

Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.

You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are.

Living up to an image that you have of yourself or that other people have of you is inauthentic living.

What a liberation to realize that the “voice in my head” is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.

In the proximity of death, the whole concept of ownership stands revealed as ultimately meaningless. 

CARRYING THE PAST :

The inability or rather unwillingness of human mind 'to let go' of the past is beautifully illustrated in the story of two Zen monks - Tanzan and Ekido, who were walking long the country road that had become extremely muddy after heavy rains.

Near a village, they came upon a young woman who was trying to cross the road, but the mud was so deep that it would have ruined the silk kimono she was wearing. Tanzan at once picked her up and carried her to the other side. 

The monks walked in silence. Five hours later, as they approached their lodging, Ekido could not restrain himself any longer. " Why did you carry that girl across the road ? he asked. " We monks are not supposed to do things like that" 

"I put the girl down hours ago" said Tanzan. " Are you still carrying her ?" 

Now imagine what life would be like for someone who lived like Ekido all the time, unable or unwilling to let go internally of situations, accumulating more and more ' stuff' inside, and you get a sense of what life is like for the majority of people on our planet. What a heavy burden of past they carry around with them in their minds. 

For readers who may be interested to read further, I share the following links from my earlier posts, based on my reading and reflection of modern thinkers. 


http://mindmints.blogspot.in/2010/10/no-mind-in-namaz-natural-state-of-felt.html

http://mindmints.blogspot.in/2010/10/healing-code-abundance-in-our-deen.html

The Tragedy of Karbala - The journey from Makkah to Karbala

Excerpts from :

 Kitab Maqtal al - Husain by Abu Mikhnaf  (Lut bin Yahya bin Said - Died in 157 AH)

Yahya bin Said - the father of Abu Mikhnaf was a companion of Moulana Ali (SA)

The martyrdom of Muslim b Aquil took place in Kufa on Sunday 8th Dhulhijjah 60 A.H. Imam Hussain (SA) left Makkah on the very same day. 

At Shifa (approx: 12 kms from Makkah) Imam Hussain (SA) met Farazdaq b Ghalib, a noted poet, who recited the following: 
' The hearts of the people are with you, but their swords are with Banu Ummayah
The decree will come from Heaven and Allah will do whatever He desires' 

Imam Hussain replied : ' You have said the truth. The decree belongs to Allah and He will do what He desires. Every day Our Lord has dominion over all affairs. If the decree that He sends down is what we desire, then we praise Allah for his blessings. He is the One whose help is sought, the One who is worthy of thanksgiving. But should the decree turn out differently from what we desire : those whose intention is truth and whose hearts are righteous, do not rebel against Allah.'

At Hajir Imam Hussain (SA) dispatched Qays b Mushir Saydawi with letter to the Chiefs of Kufa, stating that he is arriving shortly. At Qadisiyah he was seized by Hasin b Tamim and sent to Ubaydallah b Ziyad. Qays climbed on top of the Palace and said : ' O people, this Hussain b Ali is the best of Allah's creatures. He is the son of Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet. I am his messenger to you. I left him at Hajir. Respond to his call' He then cursed Ibn Ziyad, and was thrown down from the top and his body shattered.

At Khuzamiyah - a watering place Zuhayr b Qayn joins the caravan of Imam Hussain (SA)

At Talabiyah (51 kms from Khuzamiyah) Imam Hussain (SA) received the news of the martyrdom of  Muslim b Aquil and Hani. 

At Zubalah Imam Hussain read out aloud to the people and informed them about the death of Muslim and Hani and Abdullah b Yaqtur. He said : ' Our Shiah have abandoned us. Thus those who wish to part company with us are free to go, without any sense of obligation. People began to scatter away in all directions, only those remained who had joined in from Medinah. 

Readers are requested to pause here and reflect. 

At many places along the way, well wishers requested Imam Hussain (SA)  not to proceed to Kufah. 

At Batin al Aqabah to one well wisher Imam Hussain (SA) replied : ' Servant of Allah, sound decisions are not concealed from me - but the Decree of Allah prevails' 

Please pause and reflect. 

When they saw the approaching cavalry Imam Hussain (SA) changed course and managed to arrive at Dhu Husam before the arriving cavalry, and set up tents. 

The cavalry of 1000 horsemen under Hurr b Yazid Tamim came to a halt facing the tents set up by Imam Hussain (SA) Two saddle bags filled with letters from Kufah were brought out and shown to them.  Hurr agreed to a temporary compromise and awaited instructions from Ibn Ziyad. 

He rode alongside the caravan of Imam Hussain (SA) away from the road leading to Kufah and leading towards Qadisiyah. 

At Nainawah Imam Hussain (SA) stopped and dismounted. 

Tragedy of Karbala - Events in Kufa

Excerpts from :

 Kitab Maqtal al - Husain by Abu Mikhnaf  (Lut bin Yahya bin Said - Died in 157 AH)

Yahya bin Said - the father of Abu Mikhnaf was a companion of Moulana Ali (SA) 

Numan bin Bashir - the Governor of Kufa was considered weak by the partisans of Banu Umayyah. Abdullah bin Muslim b Sa'ad was the first among them to write a letter to Yazid, stating that he should send a more powerful Governor , if he wishes to control the Shih uprising lead by Muslim bin Aquil. Others also wrote in similar vain. 

Yazid consults Sarjun a mawla of Mu'awiyah, who advises that he should appoint Ubaydallah bin Ziyad, who was the Governor of Basra. Ubaydallah enters Kufa with his entourage, having his face covered, enters the Palace and confronts Numan bin Bashir, and replaces him. 

On getting this news of the arrival of Ubaydallah and his appointment as Governor, Muslim b Aquil moves from the house of Mukhtar to the house of Hani b Urwah Muradi. It is reported that 18,000 Shih pledged alliance to Imam Husain (SA). Muslim writes to Imam Husain (SA) to come in haste to Kufa.

Ibn Ziyad is keen to find the whereabouts of Muslim bin Aquil, and he gives Ma'quil a spy 3000 dirhams to penetrate the Shih group and report the developments. Ma'quil manages to convince Muslim b Awsaja, and finally manages to meet Muslim b Aquil and gives 3000 dirhams and pledges alliance. Thus the Ummayah mole, passes all the secrets to Ibn Ziyad. 

Here I would like my readers to reflect - do taffakur on the development that happens in the following two incidents. 

Ubaydallah comes to pay a visit to Hani b Urwah a very prominent leader of Kufa and the powerful Madhhij clan. Hani was recuperating from an illness. The leaders of Shih requested permission from  Hani to kill the tyrant - but Arab honor prevented Hani from doing such a deed.  " I do not want him to be killed in my house"

Ubaydallah once again came to visit Sharik b A'war who Ibn Ziyad and other Governors, held in high esteem, although he was a staunch Shi'ite. Sharik told Muslim b Aquil to kill the tyrant. Once again Arab honor prevailed, and Hani disapproved and ubaydallah walked safe. 

Do reflect on the above historical incident. Had Ubaydallah been killed, the course of history would definitely have been different. Imam Husain (SA) would have entered Kufa in triumph, the tragedy of Karbala would not have happened. 

True - but reflect again - what about the promise Imam Husain (SA) gave to Nana Nabi (SA) to free the debt of Ummah till Kayamah ? What about the emancipation of souls of the followers of Ahalabait (SA) till the day of Kayamah ? 

A lesson learnt. All historical events transpire with a premeditated design, and have a deep and hidden purpose, and it is good for the humanity at large, which we ordinary people fail to comprehend. ALLAH KNOWS BEST. I have shared the historical event that transpired in Kufa, so that readers may reflect.

Hani is summoned by Ibn Ziyad. Ma'quil the spy confronts Hani and Ibn Ziyad commands Hani to bring Muslim b Aquil, to which Hani the ever proud Arab retorts : " No by Allah I will never bring him to you. Do you expect me to bring my guest for you to kill ? He offers  guarantees and securities, that Muslim b Aquil means no harm to the Governor, but will not offer his guest to be killed. 

When Muslim b Amr Bahili tries to meditate Hani replies : " I have numerous followers, but even if I was alone, I will die fighting to protect my guest." 

Ibn Ziyad becomes furious and starts hitting Hani with a stick, so much so, that the flesh from his cheeks and forehead was splattered over his beard, and the cane broke. The Madhhij clan, of which Hani was the leader, surrounds the palace. 

Abdullah bin Khazim was the first eyewitness to report the development to Muslim b Aquil. Of the 18000 who had pledged alliance, nearly 4000 were nereby , who assembled to fight. 

Ubaydallah b Amr was entrusted with the command of Kindah group. Muslim b Awsajah was given command over the Asadi and Madhhij group. Abu Thumamah commanded the Tamim and Hamdan group, and Abbas b Jadah the Medina group. They all marched towards the Palace. 

Ibn Ziyad on the other hand summoned leaders close to him, and sent them out to their respective tribes, and told them to convince the members to desist from the attack, or else they will face severe consequences. All these Umamayah partisans managed to cajole and threaten their respective clan members. 

The womenfolk of Kufa played a decisive role and convinced their husbands, sons and brothers to desist from fighting the Governor. 

This than was another turning point in the events of Kufa, which had a direct result on the Tragedy of Karbala.

This is how Abbas Jadali reports : When we left with Muslim b Aquil marching towards the Palace, we were 4000 strong. When we approached the Palace, we had shrunk to 300 men. By evening only 30 were with Muslim b Aquil who offered asr namaz in the masjid. 

None the less he marched towards the Palace gate, and people started deserting him, from 10 supporters, he was left all alone, when he left the gate of Kindah. 

Here I would request my readers to pause and reflect on the events that unfolded within hours.

Muslim b Aquil seeks water to quench his thirst and a woman named Tawah offers him water, and gives him shelter. 

At nightfall Ibn Ziyad commands everyone to be present for the Isa namaz. If any one fails to turn up, they will loose protection and security. 

Bilal the son of Tawah confides the secret to Abd al Rahmn Ash'ath, who informs Ibn Ziyad of the hiding place of Muslim b Aquil. 

Sixty/seventy people from the tribe of Qays go out to catch Muslim b Aquil. Muslim b Aquil comes out alone to fight. When Muhammad b Ash'ath approaches him and said : " O young man, you can have a guarantee of security. Do not cause your self to perish."

Muslim b Aquil continues to attack reciting: 

" I swear that I will not be killed except as a free person

Though I consider death something repulsive

Every person will one day confront evil

And the cold will be mixed with bitter hot

The soul will become tranquil and free of any fear

I suspect that I will be deceived and duped "

But Ash'ath manages to convince Muslim that he would not be cheated or betrayed and he need not fear , as the Umayyads were his cousins. 

They betrayed him, and Muslim b Aquil was helpless. He requested Ash'ath to despatch a letter to his family and Imam Husain (SA) of the events that have transpired. 'The Kufans have lied to you and to me ' he wrote.

Extremely thirsty he was denied to drink water by one Muslim b Amr Bahli. 

The martyrdom of Muslim b Aquil took place on Sunday 8th Dhulhijjah 60 A.H. Imam Hussain (SA) left Makkah on the very same day. 

Posted as an act of Hamd and Shukr on the joyous occasion of home coming of  Aqa Moula (TUS)  after a long recuperating medical stay at Saifee Hospital for more than 4 months.
10 Rajab ul Asab 1433 H