Misbah-uz-Zulam; Roots of the Karbala’ Tragedy
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| Author | Imdad Imam Asar |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Ansariyan Publications |
| Pages | 368 |
The book Misbah-uz-Zulam; Roots of the Karbala’ Tragedy discusses the causes of the tragedy of Karbala and it will also throw light on numerous other matters, which are yet unknown to the vast majority of Muslims.
About the author[edit | edit source]
Imdad Imam Asar was born on 17 August, 1849, in a prominent family of scholars at Karapar Sarai in Patna district of Bihar. He had received his early education from Syed Mohammad Mohsin Benarasi. On completing his formal education, he became a lawyer and later joined Patna College as professor of History and Arabic. He also held the position of Madar-ul-Masaam in the state of Surajpur in Shahjehanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Asar was a sound scholar of Eastern and Western literatures and literary cultures. In recognition of his scholarship and wide-ranging services, he also received the title of Shams-ul-Ulema, and also of Nawab from the British government. Imdad Imam Asar had the distinction of being a poet, a novelist and a critic. Asar was a well-known Urdu poet, primarily of the Ghazal form, but also of Nazm. He used unique diction for his remarkable expressions regarding life and society. Asar passed away on 17 October, 1934.
About the book[edit | edit source]
The present book published in Ansariyan Publications – Qum is written by Sayyid Imdad Imam and translated by Sayyid Athar Husayn S.H. Rizvi. It has 368 pages and gathers the roots of the Kerbala tragedy history and narrative of Imam Hussain and his followers on the Day of Ashura.
Abstract of chapters[edit | edit source]
This book is divided into many chapters, and here we introduce some of them:
Arab Civilization on the Eve of the Prophet’s Arrival[edit | edit source]
In this chapter a comparison is made between Abu Sufyan and Abdul Muttalib, between the behaviors of Bani Hashim and Bani Umayyah, and the difference between good and evil.
Beginning Of Imamiyah and Non-Imamiyah Ways and a Brief Description Of Both[edit | edit source]
In this chapter the author examines the root cause of sectarian difference among Muslims and he believes that it is this phrase of “We have the Book of Allah…” If these words had not been uttered by Umar after the demise of the Holy Prophet, Muslims would have equally clung to the Holy Quran and the holy Progeny as per the Prophet’s command, but these words took a large number of Muslims away from the holy Progeny and very few Muslims acted according to the Prophet’s tradition.
A Glance at the Religious Leadership of Muhammad’s Progeny[edit | edit source]
The writer in this chapter tries to mention the points that show the worldly loss of honor of Muhammad’s Progeny. He mentions the religious aspects that caused decrease in the respect of Muhammad’s Progeny, as a result of which, a major part of the Islamic world remained deprived of their leadership.
Fadak Affair[edit | edit source]
Fadak was the property of Fatima, but Umar bin Abdul Aziz as well as other Caliphs of Bani Abbas had taken it from her several times and returned it. In such circumstances, if Lady Fatima became displeased and angry with Abu Bakr, it was not out of place, because whenever someone is angry with anybody, he or she expresses his or her anger and does not become ashamed!
Inappropriate Titles That Decreased The Respect Of Muhammad’s Progeny[edit | edit source]
Here the author lists the fourth example of decrease in the respectability of Muhammad’s Progeny. He believes that one of the causes of insult to Muhammad’s Progeny is the transferring of the titles of thousand. And the majority of Muslims do not once remember His Eminence, Ali with these titles. Rather, only one or two from a hundred thousand Muslims may be aware that these titles belong specially to His Eminence, Ali.
Belief in The Holy Five is The Exclusive Belief Of Shias[edit | edit source]
Now the writer discusses the difference between the sects regarding the five holy personages (Panjetan Paak).
We should know that the belief of the Purified five is the belief of only Shias and Ahlul Sunnat are not in any way connected with it.
The Greater Battle Of Badr[edit | edit source]
This chapter describes the well-known Battle of Badr which is equal to the Battle of Bridge of the time of Constantine. the Battle of Badr was that on which depended the future of Islam. If Islam had been defeated, it would have been destroyed completely. Then neither had there been Islam after this nor had there been Caliphs of the Holy Prophet.
The Tragedy of Karbala’ Is the Natural Consequence of Some Unnatural Factors[edit | edit source]
The author reminds the readers that the tragedy of Karbala is the natural consequence of some unnatural factors that the Ahlul Bayt had to face from the last moments of the Holy Prophet. He showed in previous chapters what the tradition of Two Heavy things (Thaqalayn) demanded and why the change in this command distanced Bani Hashim from rulership, which caused their worldly leadership to be lost and finally their religious leadership was also gone. But here also, he mentions in brief, the account of Bani Umayyah’s rise to power.
Philosophy of Karbala’ Tragedy And Distribution Of Wisdom[edit | edit source]
The author introduces the wisdom in two kinds: religious and practical. Then explains that practical wisdom is of three types:
- Good manners
- Determination
- Diplomacy
The first of these is the personal trait of every person. The second is applicable to his relationship with his family members and the third is concerned with the affairs of the nation. The author discusses all three of them with relation to the tragedy of Karbala.
A Close Look At The Present Situation Of The World[edit | edit source]
On this point, the writer advises that a rational person should look with a critical mind, anything that is related to religion, politics and poetry or any other art. He must not be biased or bigoted. For if he sees the world through these eyes, he would not able to see the truth. There are very few truth-loving people in the world. Such are very few who could form an independent opinion. Most of the people can only follow blindly. The results of blind following do not need to be mentioned. The duty of man is to always try to unravel the truth.
Verse Of The Cave[edit | edit source]
The verse of the cave is a verse presented by Ahlul Sunnat to support the Caliphate of Abu Bakr. Ahlul Sunnat people prove various merits of Abu Bakr from this verse. Even the Caliphate and rulership of Abu Bakr could be derived from this verse. The Imamites say that leave alone Caliphate, it does not prove any special quality of Abu Bakr. Rather, it seems to be just the opposite. To know the truth, the author in this chapter examines this verse, there are many portions of this verse that are points of contention.
Types Of Sunni Traditions[edit | edit source]
In this part the different kinds of Sunni traditions are described from the following books: Such as Lumaat, Sharh Qastalani, Sharh Noodi and Risala Saiyad Sharif. Then the author examines the similarity of circumstances of the Prophet’s family with that of Moosa and Isa.
Fifteen Traditions That Prove the Caliphate and Imamate of the Twelve Imams[edit | edit source]
The author notes that there are fifteen traditions mentioned in Nusoos in which the Caliphate of the Twelve Shiite Imams is proved. A few traditions are mentioned in this chapter.
Verses Proving The Caliphate Of Three Caliphs[edit | edit source]
There are several verses of Quran that Sunnis use to prove the Caliphate of the three Caliphs. In this chapter the writer expresses his opinion on every verse and requests people love justice to peruse this discussion with attention. Then he mentions the causes that compelled the Imamiyah sect to adopt dissimulation.
Faith And Jurisprudence Of Abu Hanifah[edit | edit source]
The author in this chapter provides some information about the faith and jurisprudence of Abu Hanifah that he learnt through research.
The Author’s Dreams[edit | edit source]
Whatever the writer has written so far, was based on solid research and consisted of matter available in books. Now he presents some points that are not concerned with any written book or document, but they are concerned with divine commands and they have changed the writer’s life to a religious life in which the love of the family of Prophet increases every moment, reaching to deliverance.
Important Points Regarding Dreams[edit | edit source]
In this chapter the author mentions some points regarding dreams that have religious and spiritual aspects. He believes that the world of dream is strange. Everyone can see true dreams, whether one is an ascetic or a sinner, pious or hypocrite. Such as Prophet Yusuf had seen eleven stars, the sun and the moon prostrating in his dream; and the ruler of Egypt saw seven fat and seven feeble cows in his dream. But the spiritual aspect of dreams is such a matter that no wise and learned men of any religion can investigate it.