The month of Muharram is the month of sadness for the Ahl al-Bayt and their followers. In this respect, Imam al-Ridha is reported to have said, “With the beginning of Muharram, my father would never smile at all. He would be dominated by depression for ten days. The tenth of this month would be the day of his misfortune, sadness, and weeping. He used to say that on this day Imam al-Hussein was slain.”

اعلم انّ هذا الشّهر هو شهر حُزن أهل البيت (عليهم السلام) وشيعتهم وعن الرّضا (عليه السلام) قال: كان أبي صلوات الله عليه اذ دخل شهر المحرّم لم ير ضاحكاً وكانت كابته تغلب عليه حتّى يمضي منه عشرة أيّام فاذا كان اليوم العاشِر كان ذلك اليوم يوم مصيبته وحُزنه وبكائه ويقول هذا اليوم الذي قتل فيه الحسين (عليه السلام)

The first night of Muharram

اللّيلة الأولى

Sayyid Ibn Tawus, in Iqbal al-Aʿmal, has mentioned that a number of prayers should be advisably offered at this night:

روى لها السّيد في الاقبال عدّة صلوات

First Prayer: A one hundred unit prayer with Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Tawhid.

الأولى: مائة ركعة يقرأ في كلّ ركعة الحمد والتّوحيد

Second Prayer: A two unit prayer at the first of which Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Anʿam are recited and at the second unit Surah al-Fatihah and Surah Yasin.

الثّانية: ركعتان في الأولى منها الحمد وسورة الأنعام وفي الثّانية الحمد وسورة يس

Third Prayer: A two unit prayer at each of which Surah al-Fatihah is recited once and Surah al-Tawhid is repeated eleven times is offered.

الثّالث: ركعتان في كلّ منهما الحمد واحدى عشرة مرّة قُلْ هُوَ اللهُ أَحَدٌ

The Holy Prophet is reported to have said that whoever offers this prayer at this night and observes fasting the next day, which is the first day in the new year, the new year will be wholly good for him, and he will be saved throughout the year, and if he dies, he will be allowed Paradise.

في الحديث عن النّبي 4 قال: من أدّى هذه الصّلاة في هذه اللّيلة وصام صبيحتها وهو أوّل يوم من السّنة فهو كمن يدوم على الخير سنة ولا يزال محفوظاً من السّنة الى قابل فإِن ماتَ قبل ذلك صار الى الجنّة

Sayyid Ibn Tawus has also mentioned a lengthy supplicatory prayer to be said at the sight of the new moon of Muharram.

وأورد السيّد أيضاً دعاء مبسُوطاً يدعى به عند رؤية الهلال في هذه اللّيلة

The first day of Muharram

اليوم الأوّل

Being the first day in the new year, there are two acts that are advisably practiced on the first of Muharram.

اعلم انّ غرّة محرّم هو اوّل السّنة وفيه عملان

First: It is recommended to observe fasting on this day. Rayyan ibn Shabib has reported that Imam al-Ridha said, “Just as He responded to the prayer of Prophet Zachariah, Almighty Allah shall respond the prayer of one who observes fasting on this day and prays Him.”

الأوّل: الصّيام ، وفي رواية ريّان بن شبيب عن الرّضا صلوات الله وسلامه عليه انّه قال: من صام هذا اليوم ودعا الله استجاب الله دعاءه كما استجاب لزكريّا

Second: Imam al-Ridha is reported to have said that the Holy Prophet, on the first of Muharram, used to offer a two unit prayer. When he finished, he would raise his hands towards the heavens and repeat the following supplicatory prayer three times:

الثّاني: عن الرّضا (عليه السلام) انّه كان النّبي 4 يصلّي اوّل يوم من محرّم ركعتين فاذا فرغ رفع يديه ودعا بهذا الدّعاء ثلاث مرّات

O Allah, You are the Eternal God and this is a new year; I therefore request Your safety from Satan, control over my own self, which is inclined to sinning, engagement in all that which draws me near You, O All-generous! O Lord of majesty and honor! O Supporter of him who has no supporter! O Provider of him who has no provisions! O Shelter of him who has no shelter! O He who comes to help him who has no hope of help! O Reliance for him who has no one to lean upon! O Treasure of him who has nothing in the purse! O He who knows well how to put to test and trial! O Ultimate Hope! O Strength of the weak! O Rescuer of the drowning! O He who saves from destruction! O All-benefactor! O All-munificent! O All-favorer! O All-benevolent! You are He before Whom prostrate in adoration the blackness of the night and the brightness of the day, the moonlight, the sunlight, the ripple of the water, and the rustling of the trees! O Allah! There is no associate with You! O Allah! (Please do) cause us to be better than what they think of us! Forgive us that which they do not know! Do not blame us for what they say! Sufficient is Allah (for me). There is no god save Him, On Him do I rely, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne. We believe in it! It is all from our Lord! None do mind except those having understanding. Our Lord, make not our hearts deviate after You have guided us aright, and grant us mercy from You; surely, You are the most liberal Giver.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الإِلٰهُ الْقَدِيمُ وَهٰذِهِ سَنَةٌ جَدِيدَةٌ  فَأَسْأَلُكَ فِيهَا الْعِصْمَةَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَالْقُوَّةَ عَلَىٰ هٰذِهِ النَّفْسِ الأَمَّارَةِ بِالسُّوءِ وَالاِﹾشْتِغَالَ بِمَا يُقَرِّبُنِي إِلَيْكَ يَا كَرِيمُ يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ يَا عِمَادَ مَنْ لاَ عِمَادَ لَهُ يَا ذَخِيرَةَ مَنْ لا ذَخِيرَةَ لَهُ يَا حِرْزَ مَنْ لاَ حِرْزَ لَهُ يَا غِيَاثَ مَنْ لاَ غِيَاثَ لَهُ يَا سَنَدَ مَنْ لاَ سَنَدَ لَهُ يَا كَنْزَ مَنْ لاَ كَنْزَ لَهُ يَا حَسَنَ الْبَلاَءِ يَا عَظِيمَ الرَّجَاءِ يَا عِزَّ الضُّعَفَاءِ يَا مُنْقِذَ الْغَرْقَىٰ يَا مُنْجِيَ الْهَلْكَىٰ يَا مُنْعِمُ يَا مُجْمِلُ يَا مُفْضِلُ يَا مُحْسِنُ أَنْتَ الَّذِي سَجَدَ لَكَ سَوَادُ اللَّيْلِ وَنُورُ النَّهَارِ وَضَوْءُ الْقَمَرِ وَشُعَاعُ الشَّمْسِ وَدَوِيُّ الْمَاءِ وَحَفِيفُ الشَّجَرِ يَا اللَّهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا خَيْراً مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا مَا لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَلاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا بِمَا يَقُولُونَ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنَا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُوْلُوا الأَلْبَابِ رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Sheikh al-Tusi: It is recommended to observe fasting on the first nine days of Muharram. On the tenth of Muharram, it is recommended to abstain from eating and drinking up to afternoon. After that, one may eat a little of the dust of Imam al-Hussein’s tomb. Sayyid Ibn Tawus mentioned the merits of observing fasting during the whole month of Muharram adding that such a deed protects against committing any sin.

قال الشّيخ الطّوسي: يستحبّ صيام الأيّام المتسعة من اوّل محرّم وفي اليوم العاشر يمسك عن الطّعام والشّراب الى بعد العصر ثمّ يفطر من تربة الحسين (عليه السلام) وروى السّيد فضلا لصوم شهر المحرّم كلّه وانّه يعصم سائمه من كلّ سيّئة

The third of Muharram

اليوم الثّالث

On this day, Prophet Joseph was freed from his prison. Hence, if one observes fasting on this day, Almighty Allah will make easy any difficulty he may face and will relieve any trouble that may face him. According to a narration reported from the Holy Prophet, Almighty Allah will respond to the prayer of him who observes fasting on this day.

فيه كان خلاص يُوسف (عليه السلام) من السِّجن فمن صامه يسّر الله له الصّعب وفرّج عنه الكرب وفي الحديث النبوي 4انّه استجيب دعوته

The ninth of Muharram

اليوم التّاسع

The ninth of Muharram is called Tasua⁽[1]⁾. Imam al-Sadiq is reported to have said, “On the ninth of Muharram, Imam al-Hussein, along with his companions, was besieged in Karbala’ when the Syrian horsemen surrounded him leaving for him but a narrow area. Son of Marjanah (i.e. Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad) and Umar ibn Saʿd were delighted due to the great numbers of the horsemen who participated in that encounter against Imam al-Hussein. Thus, the enemy became sure that no supporter would join the army of Imam al-Hussein and the people of Iraq, in particular, would not back him.” Imam al-Sadiq then added, “May I sacrifice my father for the weak and the stranger (i.e. Imam al-Hussein).”

يوم التّاسوعاء. عن الصّادق (عليه السلام) قال: تاسُوعا يوم حُوصر فيه الحسين (عليه السلام) وأصحابه بكربلاء واجتمع عليه خيل أهل الشّام وأناخوا عليه وفرح ابن مرجانة وعمر بن سعد بتوافر الخيل وكثرتها واستضعفوا فيهِ الحسين (عليه السلام) وأصحابه وأيقَنوا انّه لا يأتي الحسين (عليه السلام) ناصر ولا يمدّه أهل العراق ثمّ قال بأبي المستضعف الغريب

The tenth night of Muharram; the Ashura Night

اللّيلة العاشرة؛ ليلة عاشوراء

Sayyid Ibn Tawus, in Iqbal al-Aʿmal, has mentioned a number of supplicatory prayers and a big number of prayers that are advisably said and offered at this tenth night of Muharram. He has also cited the big rewards of saying and offering these supplications and prayers. For instance, it is recommended to offer a one hundred unit prayer with Surah al-Fatihah once and Surah al-Tawhid three times. After accomplishment, the doxological statements are repeated seventy times:

وقد أورد السّيد في الاقبال لهذه اللّيلة أدعية وصلوات كثيرة بما لها من وافر الفضل منها الصّلاة مائة ركعة كلّ ركعة بالحمد وقُلْ هُوَ اللهُ أَحَدٌ ثلاث مرّات ويقول بعد الفراغ من الجميz

All glory be to Allah, all praise be to Allah, there is no god save Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and there is neither might nor power save with Allah, the All-high the All-great.

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ

According to another narration, one should implore for Almighty Allah’s forgiveness after the previously mentioned statements. It is also recommended to offer a four unit prayer at the last of this night, reciting Surah al-Fatihah once and repeating Ayah al-Kursi and Surah al-Tawhid, Surah al-Falaq, and Surah al-Nas ten times each. After accomplishment, Surah al-Tawhid is repeated one hundred times.

وقد ورد الاستغفار ايضاً بعد كلمة (الْعَلىِّ الْعَظيمِ) في رواية أخرى ومنها الصّلاة أربع ركعات في آخر اللّيل يقرأ في كلّ ركعة بعد الحمد كلا من آية الكرسي والتّوحيد والفلق والنّاس عشر مرّات ويقرأ التّوحيد بعد السّلام مائة مرّة

It is also recommended to offer a four unit prayer with Surah al-Fatihah once and Surah al-Tawhid fifty times.

Matching the prayer of Imam Ali Amir al-Mu’minin, which brings about a tremendous reward, Sayyid Ibn Tawus says after citing this prayer, “When you finish the fourth units, you may mention Almighty Allah, invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household, and curse their enemies as many times as possible. As regarding the reward of spending this whole night with acts of worship, it has been narrated that one who does so shall be considered having worshipped Almighty Allah with the worship of all the angels.”

ومنها الصّلاة أربع ركعات يقرأ في كلّ ركعة الحمد والتّوحيد خمسين مرّة وهذه الصّلاة تطابق صلاة أمير المؤمنين صلوات الله وسلامه عليه ذات الفضل العظيم

وقال السّيد بعد ذكر هذه الصّلاة: فاذا سلّمت من الرّابعة فأكثر ذكر الله تعالى والصّلاة على رسوله واللّعن على اعدائهم ما استطعت وروي في فضل احياء هذه اللّيلة انّ من أحياها فكأنّما عبد الله عبادة جميع الملائكة

To practice acts of worship at this night is equal to seventy-year worship. Moreover, as for one who succeeds to visit the tomb of Imam al-Hussein at this night and spends the whole night there up to morning, Almighty Allah shall resurrect him, on the Judgment Day, spotted with the blood of Imam al-Hussein in the group of those who were martyred with him.

وأجر العامل فيها يعدل سبعين سنة ومن وفّق في هذه اللّيلة لزيارة الحُسين (عليه السلام) بكربلاء والمبيت عنده حتى يصبح حشره الله يوم القيامة ملطّخاً بدم الحسين (عليه السلام) في جملة الشّهداء معه (عليه السلام)

The tenth of Muharram; the Ashura Day

اليَوم العاشر

On this day, Imam al-Hussein was martyred. It is indeed the day of the calamitous misfortune and the day of grief for the Holy Imams and their adherents. Thus, Shia Muslims are required to stop earning any worldly benefit, stop storing anything in their houses, and devote themselves to weeping and mourning the misfortunes of Imam al-Hussein. They are thus required to hold consolation ceremonies in the same way as they do for their dead sons and relatives. They are also required to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Hussein with the Ziyarat Ashura salutatory prayer that will be later on cited in this book. They are also required to invoke curse upon the enemies and slayers of Imam al-Hussein and to express sympathy to each other, saying,

يوم استشهد فيه الحسين (عليه السلام) وهو يوم المُصيبة والحُزن للائمة (عليهم السلام) وشيعتهم وينبغي للشّيعة أن يمسكوا فيه عن السّعي في حوائج دُنياهم وأن لا يدّخروا فيه شيئاً لمنازلهم وأن يتفرّغوا فيه للبكاء والنّياح وذكر المصائب وأن يقيمُوا ماتم الحسين (عليه السلام) كمنا يقيمُونه لأعزّ أولادهم وأقاربهم وأن يزوروه بزيارة عاشوراء الآتية ان شاء الله تعالى وأن يجتهدوا في سبّ قاتليه ولعنهم وليعزّ بعضهم بعضاً قائلاً

May Allah double up our rewards on account of our sorrow for (the martyrdom of) al-Hussein and may He include you and us with those who shall take revenge upon his killers with his blood-claimer; Imam al-Mahdi, who belongs to the Household of Muhammad, peace be upon them all.

أَعْظَمَ اللَّهُ أُجُورَنَا بِمُصَابِنَا بِالْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَجَعَلَنَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ مِنَ الطَّالِبِينَ بِثَأْرِهِ مَعَ وَلِيِّهِ الإِمَامِ الْمَهْدِيِّ مِنَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ

Devotees of Imam al-Hussein should confer the martyrdom of their Imam and should weep for him.

وينبغي أن يتذاكروا فيه مقتل الحسين (عليه السلام) فيستبكي بعضهم بعضاً

It is narrated that when Prophet Moses was ordered to meet al-Khedir,⁽[2]⁾ the first matter they discussed was the misfortune that the Household of Prophet Muhammad would face. They therefore wept heavily for these misfortunes.

وروى انّه لمّا أمر موسى (عليه السلام) بلقاء خضر (عليه السلام) والتّعلّم منه كان أوّل ما تذاكروا فيه هو انّ العالم حدّث موسى (عليه السلام)بمصائب آل محمّد (عليهم السلام) فبكيا واشتدّ بكاؤهما

Ibn Abbas is reported to have said, “When I accompanied Imam Ali in Dhi-Qar, he took out a paper comprising the dictations of the Holy Prophet and handwritten by Imam Ali himself. He read some segments of that paper and I heard. It contained the story of Imam al-Hussein’s martyrdom with full details of the way he would be killed, the person who would kill him, those who would support him, and those who would be martyred with him. Imam Ali then wept heavily and caused me to weep.”

وعن ابن عبّاس قال: حضرت في ذيقار عند أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام) فأخرج صحيفة بخطّه واملاء النّبي 4 وقرأ في من تلك الصّحيفة وكان فيها مقتل الحسين صلوات الله وسلامه عليه وانّه كيف يقتل ومن الذي يقتله ومن ينصره ومن يستشهد معه ثمّ بكى بكاءً شديداً وأبكاني

There is not enough space in this book to mention a part of the story of Imam al-Hussein’s martyrdom; therefore, the complete story can be seen in the books specified for this respect. These books are called maqtal.

فمن شاء فليطالع كتب الخاصّة في المقتل

At any rate, if one offers water to people on this day at the holy tomb of Imam al-Hussein, his reward will be similar to the reward of one who offered water to the companions of Imam al-Hussein at Karbala.

وعلى أيّ حال فمن سقى النّار عند قبر الحسين (عليه السلام) في هذا اليوم كان كمن سقى أعوانه (عليه السلام) في كربلاء

A great reward is also recorded for one who repeats Surah al-Tawhid one thousand times on this day.

ولقراءة التّوحيد ألف مرّة في هذا اليوم فضل

It is narrated that Almighty Allah shall have a merciful look at one who repeats this Surah one thousand times on this day.

وروي انّ الله تعالى ينظر الى من قرأ هذه السورة ألف مرة هذا اليوم نظر الرّحمة

Sayyid Ibn Tawus has mentioned a supplicatory prayer similar to the Dua al-Asharat supplicatory prayer to be said on this day. More specifically, this supplicatory prayer seems to be the same as the Dua al-Asharat prayer but according to another narration.

وقد روى السّيد لهذا اليوم دعاء يشابه دعاء العشرات بل الظّاهر انّه نفس الدّعاء على بعض رواياتها

Sheikh al-Tusi has mentioned that Abdullah ibn Sinan reported from Imam al-Sadiq a four unit prayer and a supplicatory prayer to be offered and said at the first hours of this day; but on account of briefness, they will not be cited in this book. They, however, can be seen in Zad al-Maʿad.

وقد روى الشّيخ عن عبد الله بن سنان عن الصّادق (عليه السلام)صلاة ذات ركعات ودعاء يؤدّى غدوة ولم نوردها اختصاراً (من شاء فليطلبها من زاد المعاد)

Loyalists of Imam al-Hussein are required not to eat or drink anything on this day, but not in the intention of ritual fasting, and to break this abstention from food and drink with a meal that is usually offered to the unfortunate people, such as yoghurt, milk, or the like meals; and that should be at the last hour of this day after the afternoon time. In other words, they should avoid having rich or delicious meals on this day, for it is a day of misfortune. They are also required to put on clean dresses and to unfasten the buttons and raise their sleeves just like the misfortune-stricken people.

وينبغي ايضاً للشيعة الامساك عن الطعام والشّراب في هذا اليوم من دُون نيّة للصّيام وأن يفطُروا في آخر النّهار بعد العصر بما يقتات به أهل المصائب كاللّبن الخاثر والحليب ونظائرهما لا بالأغذية اللّذيذة وأن يلبسوا ثياباً نظيفة ويحلّوا الأزرار ويكشطوا الأكمام على هيئة اصحاب العزاء

In Zad al-Maʿad, Allamah al-Majlisi says that it is preferable not to observe fasting on the ninth and tenth of Muharram because the Umayyad ruling authorities used to observe fasting on these two days in order to express delight for and to gloat over the martyrdom of Imam al-Hussein.

وقال العلامة المجلسي في زاد المعاد: والأحسن أن لا يصام اليوم التّاسع والعاشر فانّ بني اميّة كانت تصومها شماتة بالحسين (عليه السلام)

Having seen a good omen in the killing of Imam al-Hussein, the Umayyad ruling authorities fabricated many lies against the Holy Prophet and falsely ascribed to him that he mentioned many merits to be the reward for observing fasting on these two days.

وتبرّكاً بقتله وقد افتروا على رسول الله (عليه السلام) احاديث كثيرة وضعوها في فضل هذين اليومين وفضل صيامهما

On the other hand, the Holy Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt are reported to have warned against observing fasting on these two days in general and on the tenth of Muhammad, the Day of Ashura’, in particular. The Umayyad authorities—may Allah curse them—used to store up their annual nutriment in their houses on the tenth of Muharram; accordingly, Imam al-Ridha is reported to have said, “If one refrains from arranging for any worldly benefit on the tenth of Muharram, Almighty Allah will grant him all his needs for this world and the world to come. If one considers the tenth of Muharram to be the day of his misfortune, sadness, and weeping, Almighty Allah will make the Resurrection Day the day of his delight and happiness; and he will be delighted by us in Paradise. If one considers the tenth of Muharram to be a blessed day and he thus stores up any annual nutriment on that day, Almighty Allah will not bless that which he stored up and will add him to the gang of Yazid, Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad, and Umar ibn Saʿd—may Allah curse them all.”

وقد روي من طريق أهل البيت (عليهم السلام)احاديث كثيرة في ذمّ الصّوم فيهما لا سيّما في يوم عاشوراء وكانت أيضاً بنو أميّة لعنة الله عليهم تدّخر في الدّار قُوت سنتها في يوم عاشوراء ولذلك روي عن الامام الرّضا صلوات الله وسلامه عليه ، قال: من ترك السّعي في حوائجه يوم عاشوراء قضى الله له حوائج الدّنيا والآخرة ومن كان يوم عاشوراء يوم مصيبته وحُزنه وبكائه جعل الله يوم القيامة يوم فرحه وسروره وقرّت بنا في الجنّة عينه ومن سمّى يوم عاشوراء يوم بركة وادّخر لمنزله فيه شيئاً لم يبارك له فيما ادّخر وحشر يوم القيامة مع يزيد وعبيد الله بن زياد وعمر بن سعد لعنهم الله

In conclusion, it is required to suspend any worldly activity on this day and to devote oneself to weeping, mourning the martyrdom of Imam al-Hussein, recalling his misfortunes, and ordering one’s family members to hold a consolation ceremony in the same way as one may hold for his dearest people. It is also required to abstain from eating and drinking up to the last hour of the day at which one may break the abstention with a drink of water at least, without intending ritual fasting, since to observe fasting on this day is discommended except in cases of obligatory fasting, such as vow fasting and the like. It is also required not to store up anything in the houses, not to laugh, not to entertain oneself, and not to play.

فينبغي أن يكفّ المرء فيه عن أعمال دنياه ويتجرّد للبكاء والنّياحة وذكر المصائب ويأمر أهله بأقامة المأتم كما يقام لأعزّ الأولاد والأقارب وأن يمسك في هذا اليوم من الطّعام والشّراب من دون قصد الصّيام ويفطر آخر النّهار بعد العصر ولو بشربة من الماء ولا يصوم فيه الّا اذا أوجب عليه صومه بنذر أو شبهه ولا يدّخر فيه شيئاً لمنزله ولا يضحك ولا يقبل على اللّهو واللّعب

It is recommended, on this day, to invoke Almighty Allah to lay curse on the slayers of Imam al-Hussein one thousand times by saying:

ويلعن قاتلي الحسين (عليه السلام) ألف مرّة قائلا

O Allah, (please do) curse the slayers of al-Hussein, peace be upon him.

اللَّهُمَّ الْعَنْ قَتَلَةَ الْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ

The summary of the aforementioned worthy essay of Allamah al-Majlisi is that the reports forged against the Holy Prophet concerning the merits of the tenth of Muharram, the Day of Ashura, are all in all fabricated. This topic has been discussed at length by the author of Shifa’ al-Sudur⁽[3]⁾ at explaining the Ziyarat Ashura salutatory prayer and, precisely, the statement that reads, “O Allah, verily, the descendants of Umayyah saw a good omen in this day… etc.”

يظهر من كلامه الشّريف انّ ما يروى في فضل يوم عاشوراء من الأحاديث مجعولة مفتراة على رسول الله 4 وقد بسط القول مؤلّف كتاب شفاء الصّدور عند شرح هذه الفقرة من زيارة عاشوراء اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هذا يَوْمٌ تَبَرَّكَتْ بِهِ بَنُوأُمَيَّةَ

The summary of the author’s explanation is as follows: The Umayyad authorities used to regard this day as good omen and they thus used to do many things on it.

وملخّص ما قال: انّ بني اميّة كانت تتبرّك بهذا اليوم بصور عديدة

(1) They betook as custom on this day storing up the annual nutriment considering such to achieve happiness, good livelihood, and luxury up to the next year. In order to deny this bad habit, the Holy Imams warned against it in many narrations.

منها: انّها كانت تستن ادّخار القوت فيه وتعتبر ذلك القوت مجلبة للسّعادة وسعة الرّزق ورغد العيش الى العام القادم وقد وردت أحاديث كثيرة عن أهل البيت (عليهم السلام) في النّهي عن ذلك تعرّضاً لهم

(2) They considered the tenth of Muharram a feast day on which they would commit to the manners of celebration, such as conferring upon the family members with whatever they need, procuring new clothes, having one’s mustache cut, trimming the nails, and shaking hands with each other as well as other norms.

ومنها: عدّهم هذا اليوم عيداً والتّأدّب فيه بآداب العيد من التّوسعة على العيال وتجديد الملابس وقصّ الشّارب وتقليم الأظفار والمصافحة وغير ذلك ممّا جرى على طريقة بني اميّة وأتباعهم

(3) They and their fans have been observing fasting on the tenth of Muharram after they have fabricated numerous traditions entailing the significance of observing fasting on this day.

ومنها: الالتزام بصيامه وقد وضعوا في ذلك اخباراً كثيرة وهم ملتزمون بالصّوم فيه

(4) They and their fans have declared that it is recommended to supplicate Almighty Allah on this day. In order to confirm this forgery, they have invented many merits for this day, included them with fabricated supplications, and taught them to the miscreants of the nation so that they would confuse people and make the matter ambiguous for them. The pro-Umayyad orators used to declare before people that a good event occurred to each Prophet on this day, such as that the fire that Nimrod the tyrannical ruler provoked in order to throw Prophet Abraham there was extinguished on the tenth of Muharram! Pharaoh who chased Prophet Moses was drowned on the tenth of Muharram! Prophet Jesus was saved from crucifixion on the tenth of Muharram!⁽[4]⁾

الرّابع: من وجوه التّبرّك بيوم عاشوراء ذهابهم الى استحباب الدّعاء والمسألة فيه ولأجل ذلك قد اقتروا مناقب وفضائل لهذا اليوم ضمنوها ادعية لفقوها فعلّموها العصاة من الأمة ليلتبس الأمر ويشتبه على النّاس وهم يذكرون فيما يخطبون به في هذا اليوم في بلادهم شرفاً ووسيلة لكلّ نبيّ من الأنبياء في هذا اليوم كاخماد نار نمرود واقرار سفينة نوح على الجودي واغراق فرعون وانجاء عيسى (عليه السلام) من صليب اليهود

Supporting this, Sheikh al-Saduq has reported that Jibillah al-Makkiyyah said that she heard Maytham al-Tammar—may Allah sanctify his soul—saying, “By Allah I swear, this nation will kill the grandson of their Prophet on the tenth of Muharram. The enemies of Allah will betake that day as blessed day. This shall inevitably take place, because it has been already cited in the eternal knowledge of Almighty Allah. I knew these facts from my master and the commander of the believers (namely, Imam Ali ibn Abi-Talib).”

كما روى الشّيخ الصّجدوق عن جبلة المكيّة قالت: سمعت ميثماً التّمار قدّس الله روحه يقول: والله لتقتل هذه الأمّة ابن نبيّها في المحرّم لعشرة تمضي منه وليتّخذنّ اعداء الله ذلك اليوم يوم بركة وانّ ذلك لكائن قد سبق في علم الله تعالى أعلم ذلك بعهد عهده الى مولاي أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)

Jibillah (the reporter) then said that she asked Maytham, “How come that the people will betake the day on which al-Hussein will be slain as blessed day?”

الى أن قال جبلة: فقلت: يا ميثم وكيف يتّخذ النّاس ذلك اليوم الذي يقتل فيه الحسين (عليه السلام) يوم بركة؟

As he wept, Maytham answered, “They will fabricate traditions and will falsely claim that Almighty Allah accepted the repentance of Prophet Adam on the tenth of Muharram. The truth about this is that Almighty Allah accepted the repentance of Prophet Adam in Dhi’l-Hijjah. They will falsely claim that Almighty Allah saved Prophet Jonah from the fish that had swallowed him on the tenth of Muharram. The truth about this is that the event was in Dhi’l-Qaʿdah. They will falsely claim that the Ark of Prophet Noah rested on Mount Judi on the tenth of Muharram. The truth about this is that the Ark rested on the tenth of Dhi’l-Hijjah. They will falsely claim that Almighty Allah split the river for Prophet Moses to cross on the tenth of Muharram. The truth about this is that the event occurred in Rabiʿ al-Awwal… etc.”

فبكى ميثم (رضي الله عنه) ثمّ قال: سيزعمون لحديث يضعُونه انّه اليوم الّذي تاب الله فيه على آدم وانّما تاب الله على آدم (عليه السلام) في ذي الحجة ويزعمون انّه اليوم الذي استوت فيه سفينة نوح (عليه السلام)على الجودي وانّما استوت في العاشر من ذي الحجّة ويزعمون انّه اليوم الذي فلق الله فيه البحر لموسى (عليه السلام) وانما كان ذلك في ربيع الأوّل

This narration of Maytham al-Tammar has, openly and plainly, confirmed that such traditions were invented and fabricated against the Infallible Imams.

وحديث ميثم هذا كما رأيت قد صرّح فيه تصريحاً وأكّد تأكيداً انّ هذه الأحاديث مجعولة مفتراة على المعصومين (عليهم السلام)

It is also one of the signs indicating the true Prophethood of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and the true Divinely commissioned leadership of the Holy Imams. Finally, it acts as one of the proofs on the veracity and honesty of the sect of Shia Muslims. In this narration, Imam Ali undoubtedly predicted that which we have been experiencing and witnessing, which is the fabrications and the forgery of lies against the Infallible Imams.

وهذا الحديث هو امارة من امارات النبوّة والامامة ودليل من الأدلّة على صدق مذهب الشّيعة وطريقتهم فالامام (عليه السلام) قد نبّأ فيه جزماً وقطعاً بما شاهدنا حدوثه حقّاً فيما بعد من الفرية والكذب رأى العين

Despite all that, the most surprising thing is to notice that some people contrive a supplicatory prayer comprising the aforementioned lies and some unskilled and inexpert writers add such a fabricated supplication to their books that take their way to the publics who will then recite it, although it is surely forbidden to believe in such a false supplication, because it is fabricated. Beginning with statements of praise and glorification of Almighty Allah, this false supplication comprises statements such as “O He Who accepted the repentance of Adam on the Day of Ashura’! O He Who raised Idris to the heavens on the Day of Ashura’! O He Who made the Ark of Noah rest on Mount Judi on the Day of Ashura’! O He Who saved Abraham from fire on the Day of Ashura’… etc.”

فالعجب أن يلفق مع ذلك دعاء يضمّن هذه الأكاذيب فيورده في كتابه بعض من ليس من ذوي الخبرة والاطّلاع من الغافلين فينشر الكتاب بين العوام من النّاس. وقراءة ذلك الدّعاء لا شكّ انّها بدعة محرّمة والدّعاء هو: يا قابِلَ تَوْبَةَ آدَمَ يَوْمَ عاشُوراءَ يا رافِعَ إِدْريسَ إِلَى السَّماءِ يَوْمَ عاشُوراءَ يا مُسْكِنَ سَفينَةِ نُوح عَلَى الْجُودِىِّ يَوْمَ عاشُوراءَ يا غِياثَ إِبْرهيمَ مِنَ النّارِ يَوْمَ عاشُوراءَ الخ

Undoubtedly, this supplication was invented by the Nawasib⁽[5]⁾ of Medina, the Khawarij of Muscat, or their likes who imitated the Umayyad ruling authorities in their wrongdoings against the Household of the Holy Prophet.

ولا شكّ انّ هذا الدّعاء قد وضعه بعض نواصب المدينة أو خوارج المسقط أو أمثالهم متمّماً به ظلم بني اميّة

Devotional Acts on the Ashura Day

أعمال يوم عاشوراء

At the last hours of the Day of Ashura, it is necessary to bring to mind the situation of Imam al-Hussein’s family at those hours when they were taken as captives in Karbala while they were unimaginably depressed and unfortunate that they could do nothing but weeping. No author can ever describe the actual manner of Imam al-Hussein’s daughters and children at these hours since the misfortunes that they had to encounter had never stricken any human being on this earth. Referring to this meaning, a poet says:

تمّ ملخصّاً ما ذكره مؤلّف شفاء الصّدُور وعلى كلّ حال فجدير أن تذكر في آخر النّهار حال حرم الحسين (عليه السلام)حينئذ وبناته وأطفاله وهُم أُسارى بكربلاء حَزينات باكيات مُصابات بما لم يخطر ببال أحد من الخلق ولا يطيق اليراع شرحه ولقد أجاد من قال

It is a calamity indeed! If I try to write it down in whole,
so as to remain an example,
my tears will flow and thus block the way between my eyes and the papers.
And my heart will beg me to spare its life, for it is not created from stone (to bear that) wept for that disaster both the earth and the skies and whatever is between them in bleeding tears.

فاجِعَةٌ إِنْ أَرَدْتُ أَكْتُبُها مُجْمَلَةً ذِكْرَةً لِمُدِّكِر

جَرَتْ دُمُوعى فِحالَ حامِلُها ما بَيْنَ لَحْظِ الْجُفُونِ وَالزُّبُرِ

وَقالَ قَلْبى بُقْيا عَلَىَّ فَلا  وَاللهِ ما قَدْ طُبِعْتُ مِنْ حَجِر

بَكَتْ لَهَا الاَرْضُ وَالسَّماءُ وَما  بَيْنَهُما مِدامِعٌ حُمُر

After that, it is recommended to stand up and address and offer condolences to the Holy Prophet, Imam Ali, Lady Fatima al-Zahra, Imam al-Hassan, and the Holy Imams from the offspring of Imam al-Hussein—the chief of martyrs—on these astounding misfortunes with passionate heart and teary eyes. Then, it is recommended to address them with the following salutatory prayer:

ثمّ قُم وسلّم على رسول الله وعليّ المرتضى وفاطمة الزّهرآء والحَسن المجتبى وسائر الأئمة من ذُرّيّة سيّد الشّهداء (عليهم السلام)وعزهم على هذه المصائب العظيمة بمهجة حرّى وعين عبرى وزر بهذه الزّيارة

Peace be on you, O inheritor of Adam, the select of Allah! Peace be on you, O inheritor of Noah, the prophet of Allah! Peace be on you, O inheritor of Abraham, the intimate friend of Allah! Peace be on you, O inheritor of Moses, who received direct communication from Allah! Peace be on you, O inheritor of Jesus, the Spirit of Allah! Peace be on you, O inheritor of Muhammad, the most beloved by Allah! Peace be on you, O inheritor of Ali, the Commander of the Believers and the intimate servant of Allah! Peace be on you, O inheritor of al-Hassan, the martyr and grandson of Allah’s Messenger! Peace be on you, O son of Allah’s Messenger! Peace be on you, O son of the bringer of glad tidings and the warner and son of the chief of the prophets’ successors! Peace be on you, O son of Fatima, the chief of the women of the world! Peace be on you, O Abu-Abdullah! Peace be on you, O select of Allah and the son of His select ones! Peace be on you, O revenge of Allah and the son of His revenge! Peace be on you, O unique (in suffering tribulations) and the oppressed! Peace be on you, O guide, pure leader! and on the souls of those who presented themselves in your camp, resided in your vicinity, and came with the visitors of you. (Incessant) peace be upon you, from me, as long as I am alive and as long as there are day and night. Verily, astounding has been the calamity for us and unbearable has been the adversity for the believers, Muslims, for all the inhabitants of the heavens, and for the inhabitants of the layers of the earth. So, we are Allah’s and verily unto Him we return. And Allah’s peace, blessings, and benedictions be upon you, upon your forefathers; the pure, the pious, and the elite, and upon their offspring; the guides and well-guided. Peace be upon you O my master, upon them, upon your soul, upon their souls, upon the soil in which you are buried, and upon the soil in which they are buried. O Allah, (please do) shed over them mercy, pleasure (of You), happiness, and bounty. Peace be upon you, my master Abu-Abdullah; O Son of the Seal of the Prophets, son of the Chief of the Prophets’ successors, and son of the chief of the women of the world. Peace be upon you, O martyr, son of the martyr, brother of the martyr, and father of the martyrs. O Allah, (please do) convey to him on behalf of me at this hour, on this day, at this moment, and at all time abundant greetings and salutations. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, O son of the master of the nations, and upon those whom were martyred with you by such incessant greetings  that endure as long as there are day and night. Peace be upon al-Hussein, the son of Ali, the martyr. Peace be upon Ali, the son of al-Hussein, the martyr. Peace be upon al-Abbas, the son of the Commander of the Believers, the martyr. Peace be upon the martyrs from among the descendants of the Commander of the Believers. Peace be upon the martyrs from among the descendants of al-Hassan. Peace be upon the martyrs from among the descendants of al-Hussein. Peace be upon the martyrs from among the descendants of Jaʿfar and Aqil. Peace be upon all the believers whom were martyred with them. O Allah, (please do) send blessings to Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad and convey to them abundant greetings and salutations on behalf of me. Peace be upon you, O Allah’s Messenger! May Allah confer upon you excellent consolation concerning the (tragedy) of al-Hussein, your son. Peace be upon you, O Fatima! May Allah confer upon you excellent consolation concerning the (tragedy) of al-Hussein, your son. Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Believers! May Allah confer upon you excellent consolation concerning the (tragedy) of al-Hussein, your son. Peace be upon you, Abu-Muhammad al-Hassan! May Allah confer upon you excellent consolation concerning the (tragedy) of al-Hussein, your son. O my master, Abu-Abdullah! I am now Allah’s and your guest and Allah’s and your neighbor! Each guest and neighbor must receive hospitality! My hospitality at this time is that you may beseech Almighty Allah to release me from Hellfire. Verily, He is Hearer of prayers, Nigh, and Responsive.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ آدَمَ صِفْوَةِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ نُوحٍ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ إِبْرَاهيمَ خَليلِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُوسَىٰ كَلِيمِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ عِيسَىٰ رُوحِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَبِيبِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ عَلِيٍّ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنينَ وَلِيِّ اللّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ الْحَسَنِ الشَّهيدِ سِبْطِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بْنَ الْبَشِيرِ النَّذِيرِ وَابْنَ سَيِّدِ الْوَصِيِّينَ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بْنَ فَاطِمَةَ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يا خِيَرَةَ اللَّهِ وَابْنَ خِيَرَتِهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يا ثَارَ اللَّهِ وَابْنَ ثَارِهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا الْوِتْرُ الْمَوْتُورُ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا الإِمَامُ الْهَادِي الزَّكِيُّ وَعَلىٰ أَرْوَاحٍ حَلَّتْ بِفِنَائِكَ وَأَقَامَتْ فِي جِوَارِكَ وَوَفَدَتْ مَعَ زُوَّارِكَ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ مِنِّي مَا بَقيتُ وَبَقِيَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ فَلَقَدْ عَظُمَتْ بِكَ الرَّزِيَّةُ وَجَلَّ الْمُصَابُ فِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ وَفِي أَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ أَجْمَعِينَ وَفِي سُكَّانِ الأَرَضِينَ فَإِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ وَصَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ وَتَحِيَّاتُهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آبَائِكَ الطَّاهِرِينَ الطَّيِّبِينَ الْمُنْتَجَبِينَ وَعَلىٰ ذَرَارِيهِمُ الْهُدَاةِ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَوْلايَ وَعَلَيْهِمْ وَعَلَىٰ رُوحِكَ وَعَلَىٰ أَرْوَاحِهِمْ وَعَلَىٰ تُرْبَتِكَ وَعَلَىٰ تُرْبَتِهِمْ اللَّهُمَّ لَقِّهِمْ رَحْمَةً وَرِضْوَاناً وَرَوْحاً وَرَيْحَاناً اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَوْلاَيَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَا بْنَ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَيَا بْنَ سَيِّدِ الْوَصِيِّينَ وَيَا بْنَ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمينَ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا شَهِيدُ يَا بْنَ الشَّهِيدِ يَا أَخَا الشَّهيدِ يَا أَبَا الشُّهَدَاءِ اللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْهُ عَنِّي فِي هٰذِهِ السَّاعَةِ وَفِي هٰذَا الْيَوْمِ وَفِي هٰذَا الْوَقْتِ وَفِي كُلِّ وَقْتٍ تَحِيَّةً كَثيرَةً وَسَلاماً سَلاَمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكِ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ يَا بْنَ سَيِّدِ الْعَالَمِينَ وَعَلَىٰ الْمُسْتَشْهَدِينَ مَعَكَ سَلاَماً مُتَّصِلاً مَا اتَّصَلَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهارُ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الشَّهِيدِ السَّلامُ عَلَىٰ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ الشَّهِيدِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الشَّهِيدِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ الشُّهَداءِ مِنْ وُلْدِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ الشُّهَداءِ مِنْ وُلْدِ الْحَسَنِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ الشُّهَداءِ مِنْ وُلْدِ الْحُسَيْنِ السَّلامُ عَلَىٰ الشُّهَداءِ مِنْ وُلْدِ جَعْفَرٍ وَعَقِيلٍ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ مُسْتَشْهَدٍ مَعَهُمْ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَبَلِّغْهُمْ عَنِّي تَحِيَّةً كَثِيرَةً وَسَلاَماً اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ لَكَ الْعَزَاءَ فِي وَلَدِكَ الْحُسَيْنِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكِ يَا فَاطِمَةُ أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ لَكِ الْعَزَاءَ فِي وَلَدِكَ الْحُسَيْنِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ لَكَ الْعَزَاءَ فِي وَلَدِكَ الْحُسَيْنِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنُ أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ لَكَ الْعَزَاءَ فِي أَخِيكَ الْحُسَيْنِ يَا مَوْلاَيَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَنَا َضَيْفُ اللَّهِ وَضَيْفُكَ وَجَارُ اللَّهِ وَجَارُكَ وَلِكُلِّ ضَيْفٍ وَجَارٍ قِرَىً وَقِرَايَ فِي هٰذَا الْوَقْتِ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي فَكَاكَ رَقَبَتِي مِنَ النَّارِ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ قَرِيبٌ مُجِيبٌ

The twenty-fifth of Muharram

اليَوم الخامِس والعشرون

Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein Zayn al-Abidin departed life on the twenty-fifth of Muharram, AH 94, or on the twelfth of Muharram AH 95, which was called the Year of Scholars

في هذا اليوم مِن السّنة الرّابِعة والتّسعين أو في اليوم الثّاني عشر من السّنة الخامسة والتّسعين وكانت تسمّى سنة الفقهاء توفّى الامام زين العابدين (عليه السلام)