The 3rd, 4th, and 5th of Sha'ban

[صدى المهدي]

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th of Sha'ban are distinguished by the birth of men who became great figures in history and heroes of Islam. They are descendants of the Master of the Messengers, from the lineage of the Master of the Executors, with the first among them being their master whose blood marked the beginning of heroism. Through his stances, the faith s corrected, remaining fresh and pure. This is the Master of Martyrs, Al-Husayn ibn Ali, peace be upon him. The second is a man known for his selflessness, distinguished by bravery and great doctrinal perseverance, and famous as the gate of fulfillment of needs – Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas ibn Amir al-Mu’minin, peace be upon him.
The third is known for his worship and the beauty of Imamate. His routine s dedicated to nocturnal prayers and supplication, with a body marked by unique features and a soul deeply connected to the highest realms. He is the Imam of the Muslims, the Master of the Prostrators, and the Ornament of the Worshippers, Ali ibn al-Husayn, peace be upon them both.
The 3rd of Sha'ban: The Emergence of the Great Husayni Light
His Birth, peace be upon him:
It is widely known that Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, s born on the 3rd of Sha'ban in Medina. Sheikh al-Tusi, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated that he went to Qasim ibn al-‘Alaa al-Hamdani, the representative of Abu Muhammad (al-Hasan al-‘Askari), peace be upon him, and he said: "Our master, Husayn ibn Ali, peace be upon him, s born on a Thursday, three days before Sha'ban."
The Prophet and the Birth of Husayn:
Sheikh al-Tusi and others narrated with authentic chains from Imam al-Ridha, peace be upon him, that:
"Asma' said: When Fatimah gave birth to Husayn, peace be upon him, she s relieved of her pains with his birth, and the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, came to me and said: 'Bring me my son, Asma.’ So, I handed him to him wrapped in a white cloth, and he did with him what he had done with al-Hasan, peace be upon him. She said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, wept, then said: 'There will be a tragedy for you. May Allah curse his killer, and do not tell Fatimah about this.' She said: On the seventh day, the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, came to me and said: 'Bring me my son.' I presented him to him, and he sacrificed a pure ram on his behalf, gave the midwife the shoulder and a leg of the lamb, shaved his head, and gave in charity the weight of his hair in silver. He perfumed his head with scent, then placed him on his lap and said: 'O Aba Abdillah, it is hard for me (your killing),' and he wept. Asma’ said: 'O Prophet of Allah, you did this on this day, and you did it on the first day as well. What is this about?' He replied: 'I weep for my son, for he will be killed by a sinful and misguided group from the children of Umayyah. May Allah curse them! May they not receive my intercession on the Day of Judgment! He will be killed by a man who will distort the religion and disbelieve in the great Allah.' Then he said: 'O Allah, I ask You concerning them (al-Hasan and al-Husayn) what Ibrahim asked for his descendants. O Allah, love them both, and love those who love them, and curse those who hate them, filling the heavens and the earth.'"
(Al-Bihar, Vol. 44, p. 250, from al-Amali by al-Tusi).

Husayn is from me:
Ibn Shahr Ashub narrated that: "When Fatimah, peace be upon her, s ill after giving birth to Husayn, her milk dried up. The Prophet, peace be upon him, sought a wet nurse but could not find one, so he would come and place his thumb in Husayn's mouth, and Husayn would suckle from it. Allah provided nourishment for him through the Prophet's thumb. It is also said that the Prophet would place his tongue in Husayn's mouth and move it like a bird feeding its chick, and Allah would provide nourishment through this. This continued for forty days and nights, and Husayn's flesh g from the flesh of the Prophet, peace be upon him." (Al-Manaqib, Vol. 4, p. 50). There are many narrations with a similar meaning.
It is also narrated in Al-‘Ilal that Husayn, peace be upon him, continued in this y, and his flesh g from the flesh of the Prophet, peace be upon him, without ever nursing from Fatimah, peace be upon her, or from any other woman.
In Al-Kafi, it is narrated from Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, that he said: "Husayn did not suckle from Fatimah, peace be upon her, or from any female. He would be brought to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the Prophet would place his thumb in Husayn's mouth, and Husayn would suckle from it, enough for him for two or three days. Husayn's flesh g from the flesh of the Prophet and his blood. No child s born at six months old except for Isa ibn Maryam and Husayn ibn Ali, peace be upon them both." (Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 386, Chapter on the Birth of Husayn).
Some narrations mention Yahya (John the Baptist) instead of Isa.
As Sayyid Bahr al-‘Uloom said:
"Allah provided a suckling who never nursed from any woman,
From the breast of none but the purest of his own."
Attributes of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him:
It is narrated that Husayn, peace be upon him, resembled the Prophet, peace be upon him, in both conduct and appearance. He would sit in a dark place, and people would find him by the brightness of his forehead and neck.
In Manaqib by Ibn Shahr Ashub and others, it is narrated that Fatimah, peace be upon her, brought her two sons, al-Hasan and al-Husayn, to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and said: "Give my two sons a name." The Prophet replied: "As for al-Hasan, he has my dignity and my superiority. As for al-Husayn, he has my boldness and generosity." She said, "I am pleased with you, O Messenger of Allah."
In another narration, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "As for al-Hasan, he has been given my nobility and forbearance, and as for al-Husayn, he has been given my generosity and mercy." (Al-Khisal, Vol. 1, p. 77).
Some of his virtues, peace be upon him:
It is narrated in Arba'een al-Mu’adhin and Tarikh al-Khatib from Jabir ibn Abdullah that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Allah Almighty made the descendants of every prophet from his own loins, and He made my descendants from my loins and from the loins of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Every son of a daughter is attributed to his father, except for the children of Fatimah, for I am their father."
There are many hadiths affirming that al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be upon them, are the sons of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. In the battle of Siffin, when al-Hasan shed to fight, Amir al-Mu’minin, peace be upon him, ordered that he be prevented from going to the battle to avoid the possible killing of the Prophet’s descendants, which would have meant the discontinuation of the Prophet’s lineage.
Ibn Abi al-Hadid said: "If you ask whether it is correct to say that al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and their children, are the sons of the Prophet and his descendants, the answer is yes. Allah refers to them as ‘sons’ in His verse: (Call our sons and your sons...)" (Al-Imran 3:61). Allah also refers to Isa as the descendant of Ibrahim in the verse: (And of his descendants, David and Solomon...) (Al-An'am 6:84), and the linguistic meaning is clear that the sons of a daughter are considered part of a man’s lineage.
Go, you are free:
Ibn Shahr Ashub also narrated that a man had committed a sin during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and fled. He later found al-Hasan and al-Husayn in a secluded path and took them on his shoulders to the Prophet, peace be upon him. He said: "O Messenger of Allah, I seek refuge in Allah and in these two," and the Prophet smiled and then said to the man: "Go, and you are free." He then said to al-Hasan and al-Husayn: "I have interceded for you both on behalf of this man." And Allah revealed the verse: (If, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, O Muhammad, and asked forgiveness of Allah, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah accepting of repentance and merciful) (An-Nisa 4:64).
Ibn Shahr Ashub also narrated from Salman al-Farsi, who said: "Husayn, peace be upon him, s on the lap of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the Prophet kissed him, saying: 'You are the master, son of the master, father of the masters. You are the Imam, son of the Imam, father of the Imams. You are the Proof, son of the Proof, father of the proofs. And nine of your descendants will be Imams, the ninth of them will be the Mahdi.'"
Certainty of Perishing:
Ibn Shahr Ashub also narrated from Umm Salamah, who said: "Al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be upon them, entered upon the Prophet, peace be upon him, while Jibril s with him. They started circling around him, resembling Dhi'l-Kalbi. Jibril then gestured as if he s taking something and, in his hand, he had an apple, a quince, and a pomegranate. He handed them to the children, and their faces lit up with joy as they ran to their grandfather. They took it and smelled it, then said: 'Go to your mother with what you have and start with your father.' They did as they were told, and they did not eat until the Prophet joined them, and they ate together. Every time they ate from it, it returned to its original form. This continued until the Prophet passed ay. Husayn, peace be upon him, said: 'When Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet, passed ay, the pomegranate disappeared, and only the apple and quince remained with my father. After the martyrdom of Amir al-Mu’minin, peace be upon him, the quince also disappeared, and only the apple remained. I used to smell it when I s thirsty, and it would soothe my thirst. When the thirst became unbearable during my final moments in Karbala, I bit into it and realized that I s facing death.'"

[صدى المهدي]

Al-Abbas: A Model of Leadership and Sacrifice

His Noble Lineage: He is Al-Abbas ibn Amir al-Mu'minin Ali ibn Abi Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib.

His Mother: Fatimah, daughter of Hizam ibn Khalid ibn Rabi’ah ibn Al-Wahid ibn K’ab ibn Ammar ibn Kilab ibn Rabi'ah.

His Attributes: Al-Abbas, peace be upon him, s a unique combination of divine blessings and noble traits. He embodied the most remarkable qualities of valor, courage, nobility, and generosity. His physical appearance s as striking as his inner virtues, with a radiant face and a bright demeanor. His personality shone with a mixture of dignity, beauty, and purity, making him stand out as a figure of grandeur and distinction. His visage glowed with the light of faith, and his essence s fragrant with the scents of glory and nobility. He s known for his bright face, his smile, and the ves of charm that emanated from him, earning him the title "The Moon of Banu Hashim" (Qamar Banu Hashim), as he outshone everyone with his beauty.

It is said: "Al-Abbas s handsome and tall, riding a proud steed, with his legs nearly touching the ground. He s called 'The Moon of Banu Hashim'."

His Kunyah (Nickname): Al-Abbas, peace be upon him, s known by several nicknames, some of which became associated with him during the tragic events of Karbala, while others were attributed to him earlier in his life.

1. Abu Qurbah (Father of the Water Container): This nickname refers to his courageous role in bringing ter to the camp of his brother Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, during the Battle of Karbala, despite the siege and the enemy forces blocking the y. He defied the overwhelming numbers, armed opposition, and spears to bring ter to his family and companions.
2. Abu al-Qasim (Father of Al-Qasim): The historians and genealogists do not explicitly mention a son named Al-Qasim, but this name is attributed to him in some narrations, particularly by Jabir al-Ansari during the Arba'in pilgrimage. He addressed him as "O Abu al-Qasim, peace be upon you, O Abbas ibn Ali," indicating a special significance behind the name.
3. Abu al-Fadl (Father of Al-Fadl): He s often referred to as "Abu al-Fadl," especially since he had a son named Al-Fadl. The name also reflects his great virtues and nobility. His excellence and status are evident in the y he is remembered as one of the key supporters of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, in Karbala.

His Titles: Al-Abbas, peace be upon him, is widely recognized as "The Door to Fulfilled Needs" (Bab al-Ha'ij) due to his numerous miracles and the y he fulfilled the needs of the people. Many people turned to him for help, and it is said that no one ever turned to him in a time of need without their request being granted.

He is also called "The Moon of Banu Hashim" (Qamar Banu Hashim), referring to his radiant beauty and the y his face shone like the moon, guiding others even in the darkest of nights.

The Maternal Link: It is narrated that when Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him, nted to ensure that his son Husayn, peace be upon him, would have a brave and courageous companion during the Battle of Karbala, he asked his brother Aqil to find a woman from an honorable and courageous lineage. Aqil, a scholar of Arab genealogies, suggested Fatimah bint Hizam, a woman from a noble and valiant tribe, the Banu Kilab. This s a wise choice, as the traits of valor and bravery seen in the parents would manifest in the children. Hence, Al-Abbas s born with the heroic qualities of his mother, Umm al-Banin, and his father, Ali ibn Abi Talib.

His Birth: The universe brightened with the birth of the Moon of Banu Hashim on the 4th of Sha'ban, 26 AH. He s nourished by the principles of bravery and valor from his earliest days, growing up with the spirit of leadership and nobility. His life s intertwined with his brother, Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, and he became an embodiment of sacrifice, courage, and honor. Al-Abbas followed in the footsteps of the martyrs of Karbala, devoted to supporting the cause of justice, and upheld the principles of honor and sacrifice.

As the brother of the martyr Imam Husayn, Al-Abbas became the epitome of selflessness and heroism. His life mirrored the teachings of his family, embodying the essence of faith, bravery, and nobility, making him a shining model for all future generations. His birth s not only a blessing for his family but for all of humanity, as he became a symbol of loyalty, strength, and sacrifice.

[صدى المهدي]

Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (Zayn al-Abidin)​



The Birth of the Radiant Worshipper and Master of the Masters,

Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (Zayn al-Abidin)
His Birth: Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn, also known as Zayn al-Abidin, s born in the year 38 AH. His mother, the honored Shahbanu, s the daughter of Yazdgerd, the last king of Persia. It is also mentioned that her name s Shah Zanan. As the daughter of the last Sassanian emperor, her noble lineage reflected the dignity and heritage that would pass onto her son. It is narrated that when she s brought to Medina and entered the presence of Umar ibn al-Khattab, the women of the city were stck by her beauty, and the assembly brightened with her presence. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) gave advice regarding her marriage to Imam Husayn, saying she would give birth to a noble child — Ali ibn al-Husayn, the future Imam Zayn al-Abidin.
The Blessed Dream: Shahbanu, before arriving in Medina, had a dream in which she saw the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) visit her home, with the Prophet arranging her marriage to Imam Husayn. In the dream, she also saw Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) introduce her to Islam and promised her safety and a life of peace. When she awoke, she found herself drawn to this vision and it s only later that Imam Husayn became her husband.
Imam Zayn al-Abidin’s Titles and Seal: Imam Zayn al-Abidin s known by many titles such as Abu al-Hasan, Abu Muhammad al-Baqir, and most famously, Zayn al-Abidin (the Ornament of the Worshippers), Sayyid al-Sajidin (Master of the Prostrators), Al-Zaki (the Pure), and Al-Amin (the Tstworthy). His seal bore various in******ions, including "Al-Hamdu Lillah al-Ali" ("All praise is due to Allah, the Most High") and "Al-‘Izza Lillah" ("All honor is for Allah"). According to Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him), another in******ion on his seal read: “The disgrace and misery of the one who killed Husayn ibn Ali.”
The Practice of Prostration (Sujood): Imam Zayn al-Abidin s renowned for his unparalleled devotion in worship. His intense and frequent acts of prostration earned him the title Al-Sajjad (the One who Prostrates). It is narrated that he would make multiple prostrations during his prayers, so much so that his forehead, hands, knees, and feet developed thickened areas, known as thafnat (calluses), from the constant contact with the ground. This is where he earned the title Dhul-Thafnat (The One with the Calluses).
The term thafnat refers to the calluses that form on the camel's knees from its constant kneeling. The same term s used to describe the marks on Imam Zayn al-Abidin’s body, reflecting his deep commitment to prayer and worship.
A Noble Incident: In one of the many stories highlighting his character, Imam Zayn al-Abidin s once insulted by a man from his own family. Rather than responding angrily, he remained silent. Later, when his companions expressed their desire for him to confront the man, the Imam replied, quoting the Quranic verse: “And those who control their anger and forgive the people; and Allah loves the doers of good” (Surah Al-Imran: 134). The Imam then sought out the man, offering him an apology and forgiveness, demonstrating profound moral strength.
Another story recounts that, upon encountering a man who had insulted him, Imam Zayn al-Abidin approached the man and said: “If I have wronged you, I seek Allah’s forgiveness, but if I have not, then I forgive you.” The man, moved by the Imam’s nobility, kissed his forehead and expressed remorse.
His Worship and Devotion: Imam Zayn al-Abidin s known for his extraordinary worship. He prayed a thousand rak'ahs (units of prayer) each day and night, showing an unparalleled level of devotion. When it s time for prayer, his body would tremble, and his color would change due to his profound fear and awe of standing before Allah. He would recite verses such as “Malik yawmi-d-din” ("Master of the Day of Judgment") repeatedly, almost to the point of exhaustion, showing his deep connection with the Divine.
During Ramadan, the Imam would dedicate himself entirely to worship, refraining from speaking except to engage in prayers, supplication, and seeking forgiveness. He would also perform his prostrations on a piece of soil from the grave of his father, Imam Husayn (peace be upon him).
His Supplications: Imam Zayn al-Abidin s known for his eloquent supplications. One famous collection of his prayers is the Sahifa Sajjadiya (The Psalms of the Ahl al-Bayt), a profound compilation of prayers and supplications that reflect his deep spirituality and connection to Allah. His prayers are considered among the most beautiful and profound in Islamic literature.
A Unique Encounter: On one occasion, a traveler found himself lost in a dark valley during his journey. Seeking refuge under a tree, he noticed a young man dressed in white clothing. This young man began praying with such devotion that the traveler, moved by his presence, decided to follow him. The young man’s prayers were so filled with humility and connection to Allah that the traveler could not help but be drawn to him. After a long night of prayer, the young man revealed his identity: “I am Ali ibn al-Husayn.”
This story highlights the quiet but powerful presence of Imam Zayn al-Abidin, who practiced his faith with such sincerity that even in the darkest of times, his light shone brightly.

[محـب الحسين]

متباركين اختي الكريمة