Ashura

Ahadith, The Traditions
1. The Inferno of Husayni Love

قال النبيٌُّ (ص):
إن لقتل الحُسين حرارةٌ في قلوب المؤمنين لا تبرد أبداً

The Holy Prophet (S) said: Surely, there exists in the hearts of the Mu’mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Husayn (A.S.), a heat that never subsides.

Mustadrak al‑Wasail vol 10 pg. 318

2. A’ashura ‑ A Day of Grief
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said:

قال الرضا (ع):
مَن كان يوم عاشوراء يوم مُصيبته وحُزنه وبُكائه يجعل الله عزَّ وجل يوم القيامة يوم فرحه وسروره

The one for whom the day of A’ashura is a day of tragedy, grief and weeping, Allah The Mighty, The Glorious, shall make the Day of Judgment, a day of joy and happiness for him.

Bihar al‑Anwar, vol. 44, pg. 284

3. Muharram ,The Month of Mourning
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said:

قال الرضا (ع):
كان أبي (ع) إذا دخل شهر المُحرَّم لا يُرى ضاحِكاً وكانت الكابة تغلب عليه حتَّى تمضي عشرة أيَّام فإذا كان يوم العاشر كان ذلك يوم مصيبَته وحُزنه وبُكائه

With the advent of the month of Muharram, my father Imam Kadhim (A.S.) would never be seen laughing; gloom and sadness would overcome him for (the first) ten days of the month; and when the tenth day of the month would dawn, it would be a day of tragedy, grief and weeping for him.

Amaali Saduq, pg. 111

4. Laughing Eyes
The Holy Prophet (S) said:

قال النبيُّ (ص):
يا فاطمة كلُّ عينٍ باكية يوم القيامة إلاَّ عينٌ بكَت على مُصاب الحُسين (ع) فإنها ضاحِكة مُستبشرة بنعيم الجنة

O’ Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husayn (A.S.) for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise.

Bihar al‑Anwar, vol. 44 pg. 193.

5. Reward of the Martyred Companions

قال الرضا (ع):
إن سرَّك أن يكون لك من الثواب مِثلُ ما لمَن استُشهد مع الحُسين فقُل متى ما ذكرته يا ليتني كُنت معهم فأفوز فوزاً عظيما

Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said (to one of his companions): If you desire that for you be the reward equivalent to that of those martyred along with Husayn (A.S.), then whenever you remember him say: ‘ Oh! Would that I had been with them! A great achievement would I have achieved’.

Wasaail al‑Shia’h, vol. 14, pg. 501.

6. The Customary Mourning
Abu Haroon al‑Makfoof said:

عن أبي هارون المكفُوف قال دخلتُ على أبي عبد اللهِ فقال لي أنشِدني فأنشدتُه فقال لا كما تُنشدون وكما ترثِيه عند قبرهِ فأنشدتهُ

I presented myself before Imam Sadiq (A.S.) whereupon he said to me: “Recite for me a poetry” and so I recited for him. He said “Not in this manner. Recite for me as you recite poems and elegies over the grave of Husayn (A.S.)” and so I recited for him (again).

Bihar al Anwar vol 44, pg. 287.

7. Reward for Reciting Poetry about Husayn (A.S.)
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصادق (ع):
ما مِن أحد قال في الحُسين شِعراً فبكى وأبكى بِه إلاَّ أوجب الله له الجنَّة وغفر لهُ

There is none who recites poetry about Husayn (A.S.) and weeps and makes others weep by means of it, except that Allah makes Paradise incumbent upon him and forgives his sins.

Rijal al‑Shaikh al‑ Tusi pg. 189.

8. People of Eulogies and Elegies
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

فقال الصادق (ع):
الحمد لله الذي جعل في الناس مَن يفِد إلينا ويمدحُنا ويرثِي لنا

All praise is for Allah, who has placed amongst the people, those who arrive in our presence, eulogizing us and reciting elegies about us.

Wasail al‑Shiah vol. 10, pg. 469.

9. Poetry Recitation During the Period of Mourning
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said (to De’bil, a poet sincerely devoted to the Ahlul Bayt):

قال الرضا (ع):
أُحب أن تُنشدني شعراً فإنَّ هذه الأيام أياَّمُ حُزنٍ كانت علينا أهل البيتِ

I desire that you recite for me poetry, for surely, these days (of the month of Muharram) are the days of grief and sorrow, which have passed over us, Ahlul Bayt.

Mustadrak al‑Wasail, vol 10, pg. 386.

10. Shiites, The Companions and Associates
Imam ‘Ali (A.S.) said:

قال عليٌّ (ع):
إنَّ الله اختار لنا شيعةً ينصُروننا ويَفرحون لِفرحِنا ويحزنون لِحُزنِنا

Surely, Allah has chosen for us followers (Shiites), who assist us and are happy at our happiness and are sad in our sadness.

Ghuraral‑Hikam vol. 1, pg. 135.

11. Paradise, The Recompense of A’zadari
Imam ‘Ali Ibn al‑Husayn (A.S.) used to say:

كان عليٌّ بن الحسين (ع) يقول:
أيٌّما مؤمن دَمعت عيناه لِقتل الحُسين (ع) ومَن معه حتَّى تسِيل على خدَّيه بوَّأه الله في الجنة غُرفاً

Every Mu’min, whose eyes shed tears upon the killing of Husayn Ibn ‘Ali (A.S.) and his companions, such that the tears roll down his cheeks, Allah shall accommodate him in the elevated rooms of Paradise.

Yanaabe’al‑Mawaddah, pg. 419.

12. In Remembrance of the Children of Fatimah (A.S.)
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) said:

قال عليٌّ بن الحُسين (ع):
إني لم أذكُر مصرَع بني فاطمة إلاَّ خنقتني لذلك عبرةٌ

Surely, I have never brought to mind the martyrdom of the children of Fatimah (A.S.) except that I have been choked with tears due to it.

Bihar al‑Anwar vol. 46, pg. 109.

13. Mourning in the Houses
For those unable to go for the ziarat of Imam Husayn (A.S.) on the day of A’ashura, Imam Baqir (A.S.) mentions the manner of performing A’zadari as follows:

قال الباقر (ع):
ثُم ليَندُب الحُسين (ع) ويَبكيه ويأمُر من في داره بالبُكاء عليه ويُقيم في داره مُصيبته بإظهار الجَزع عليه ويتلاقُون بالبُكاء بعضُهم بعضاً في البُيوت ولَيُعزِّ بعضهم بعضاً بمُصاب الحُسين (ع)

He should mourn over Husayn (A.S.), weep for him and instruct the members of the house to weep for him. He should establish the mourning ceremony in the house by exhibiting lamentations and grief over him; the people should meet one another in their homes and offer condolences and consolation to each other over the calamities which befell him.

Kaamil al‑Ziyaraat pg. 175

14. ‘Ali (A.S.) Weeps While Grieving the Martyrs of Karbala’
Imam Baqir (A.S.) said:

قال الباقر (ع):
مرَّ عليٌّ بكربلاء في اثنين مِن أصحابه قال فلماَّ مرَّ بها ترقرقت عيناه للِبُكاء ثم قال هذا مناخُ ركابهم وهذا مُلقى رِحالِهم وهاهُنا تُهراق دِماؤهم طُوبى لك مِن تُربةِ عليكِ تُهراق دماء الأحبَّة

Amirul Mu’mineen (A.S.), along with two of his companions, happened to pass by Karbala’ and as he did so, tears filled his eyes. He said (to them), “This is the resting place of their animals; and this is where their luggage shall be laid down; and it is here that their blood shall be shed. Blessed are you O’ Earth, that the blood of the beloved shall be spilled upon you.”

Bihar al Anwar, vol: 98 pg. 258.

15. Tears, Barrier of Hell
Imam Baqir (A.S.) said:

قال الباقر (ع):
ما مِن رجُل ذكرنا عنده يخرُج من عينيه ماءٌ ولو مثل جناح البعُوضة إلا بَنى الله له بيتاً في الجنة وجعل ذلك الدَّمع حِجاباً بينه وبين النار

He who remembers us, or in whose presence, we are remembered, and (as a result) tears flow from his eyes, even though they may be in the measure of a wing of a mosquito, Allah shall construct for him a house in paradise and make the tears a barrier between him and the fire (of hell).

Al‑Ghadeer vol. 2, pg. 202.

16. Twenty Years of Weeping!
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصادق (ع):
وأمَّا عليٌّ بن الحُسين (ع) فبكى على الحُسين (ع) عشرين سنةً وما وُضع بين يديه طعامٌ إلا بكى

`As for A’li Ibn al‑Husayn (A.S.), he cried over Husayn (A.S.) for twenty years (after the tragedy of Karbala’); never would any food be placed before him except that he would begin to weep.

Bihar al Anwar, vol 46, pg. 108

17. The Etiquette of Mourning
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصادق (ق):
فلمَّا مات إبراهيم ابن رسول الله (ص) هُملت عينُ رسول الله (ص) بالدُموع ثُم قال النبيُّ (ص) تدمعُ العينُ ويََحزن القلبُ ولا نقول ما يُسخِط الرَّب وإنا بِك يا إبراهيم لمَحزُونُون

When Ibrahim, the son of the Holy Prophet (S) died, tears filled the eyes of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), whereupon he said, ” The eyes are tearful and the heart is anguished (but) we shall not say anything which shall anger the Lord. Surely we, O’ Ibrahim, are grief‑stricken for you”

Bihar al‑Anwar vol: 22 , pg. : 157.

18. Tearful Eyes
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

عن أبي عبد الله (ع) قال:
مَن دُُكرنا عنده ففاضت عيناه حرَّم الله وجهه على النارِ

He in whose presence we (and our miseries) are mentioned and, as a result, his eyes pour out tears, Allah shall make his face forbidden upon the fire of hell.

Bihar al Anwar vol. 44, pg. 185.

19. Husayni Gatherings
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said to Fudhail:

قال الصادق (ع) للفضيل
تجلِسون وتُحدِّثون قُلت نعم قال تِلك المجالس أحِبُها فأحيُوا أمرنا رحِم الله مَن أحيا أمرنا

Do you sit together, talk and discuss amongst yourselves? Fudhail replied: Yes. The Imam then said: I approve of these sittings. So keep our `issue’ (Imamate) alive. May Allah exhibit mercy on those who revive our issue and mission!

Wasail al‑Shiah , vol. 10, pg. 391.

20. Invaluable Tears
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said (to Masma’, one of those who mourned over Imam Husayn (A.S.)):

قال الصادق (ع):
رَحِِمَ الله دمعَتك أما إنك مِن الذين يُعدًًًًًًًًّون مِن أهل الجَزع لنا والذين يَفرحون لفَرحنا ويَحزنون لحُزننا أما إنك سَتَرى عند موتِك حُضور أبائي لكَ

May Allah have mercy upon your tears! Do know that you are regarded as being of those who are deeply concerned about us and of those who are happy at our happiness and aggrieved at our sorrow. Do know that you shall witness the presence of my fathers near you at the time of your death.

Wasail al‑Shia, vol., 10, pg. 397

21. Scalded Hearts
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) (while sitting on the prayer mat prayed for the mourners and those going for the ziarat of the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) as follows):

قال الصادق (ص):
وارحَم تِلك الأعين التي جَرت دُموعُها رحمَةً لنا وارحم تِلك القُلوب التي جَزعت واحترقت لنا وارحَم الصًَرخة التي كانت لنا

O’ Lord, have mercy upon those eyes, which have shed tears in compassion for us; and upon those hearts, which have been restless and blistered for us; and upon those wailings, which have been for us.

Bihar al‑Anwar vol 98 , pg. 8.

22. Tears over the Oppressed State of the Shiites
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

جعفر بن مُحمد (ع) قال:
مَن دَمعت عيناه فينا دمعةً لِدمٍ سُفِك لنا أو حقٍّ لنا نُقِصناه أو عِرض انتُهِك لنا أو لأحد مِن شيعتنا بوّأه الله تعالى فيها في الجنة حُقباَ

He whose eyes shed tears for our blood which has been shed, or for our rights which have been usurped, or for the humiliation meted out to us or to one of our Shiites, Allah shall accommodate him in paradise for a long time.

Amali Sheikh al Mufid, pg. 175.

23. Weeping of the Sky
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال أبو عبد الله (ع):
يا زُرارَة إنَّ السماء بَكت على الحُسين (ع) أربعين صباحاً

O’ Zurarah! The sky had cried for forty days over (the martyrdom of) Husayn (A.S.)

Mustadrakal‑Wasail, vol 1 pg. 391

24. The Holy Prophet and Weeping over the Martyrs
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصادق (ع):
إنَّ النبيَّ (ص) حين جاءته وفاة جعفر بن أبي طالبٍ (ع) وزيد بن حارثة كان إذا دخل بيته كَثُر بُكاؤه عليهما جِداً ويقول كانا يُحدَّثاني ويُؤانِساني فذهَبا جميعاً

After the news of the martyrdom of Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib (A.S.) and Zaid Ibn Harithah reached the Holy Prophet (S), whenever he entered his house, he would weep profusely for them and say: ” They used to converse with me and were intimate with me and (now) both of them have departed together".

Man La Yahdhuruhu al‑Faqih, vol. 1, pg. 177

25. Sympathy for Ahlulbayt
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال أبو عبد الله (ع):
نفَسُ المهمُوم لِظُلمنا تسبيح وهَمُه لأمرنا عبادة وكِتمانه لِسرِّنا جهادٌ في سبيل الله ثم قال أبو عبد الله (ع) يَجِب أن يُكتب هذا الحديث بالذهَب

The breath of one who is aggrieved upon the injustice and oppression subjected to us, is tasbeeh (glorification of Allah), and his grief for us, is i’baadat (worship of Allah) and his concealing our secrets, is jihad in the path of Allah.

The Imam (A.S.) then added: This tradition ought to be written in gold.

Amaali al‑Shaikh al‑Mufid, pg. 338.

26. Mourning Angels
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصادق (ع):
وكَّل الله بِقبر الحُسين (ع) أربعة ألافٍ ملكٍ شُعثٍ غُبرٍ يبكونه إلى يوم القيامة

Allah has appointed to the grave of Imam Husayn (A.S.), four thousand anguished and grief‑stricken angels, who weep over him (and shall continue to do so) up to the Day of Judgment.

Kamil al‑ziyaraat, pg. 119.

27. Weeping over Husayn (A.S.)
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said (to Rayyan Ibn Shabib):

عن الرِّضا (ع) أنه قال:
يا ابن شبيب إن كُنت باكِياً لشئِ فابكِ لِلحُسين بن عليِّ (ع) فإنه ذُبِح كما يُذبَح الكَبشُ

O’ Son of Shabib! If you have to cry over something, then do so over Husayn Ibn ‘Ali (A.S.) for surely, he was slaughtered in the manner in which a ram is slaughtered.

Bihar al Anwar, vol. 94, pg. 286.

28. Gatherings in Remembrance of the Imams
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said:

قال الرضا (ع):
مَن جلس مجلِساً يُحيىَ فيه أمرُنا لم يَمُت قلبه يوم تمُوت القُلوب

He who sits in a gathering in which our affairs (and our path and aims) are discussed and revived, his heart shall not die on the day (Day of Judgment) when hearts shall die (of fear).

Bihar alAnwar vol 4 pg. 178.

29. Benefits of Weeping over Husayn (A.S.)
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said:

قال الرضا (ع):
فعَلى مِثل الحُسين فليبكِ الباكون فإنَّ البُكاء عليه يَحُطُّ الذنوب العِظام

Those who weep should weep over the likes of Husayn (A.S.) for surely, weeping over him does away with one’s great sins.

Bihar al‑Anwar vol: 94, pg. 184.

30. Forgiveness of Sins
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said:

قال الرضا (ع):
يا ابن شبيب إن بكيتَ على الحُسين (ع) حتَّى تصير دُموعُك على خدَّيك غفر الله لك كُلَّ ذنبٍ أذنبتَهُ صغيراً كان أو كبيراً قليلاً كان أو كثيراً

O’ Son of Shabib! Should you weep for Husayn (A.S.) in the measure that tears roll down your cheeks, Allah would forgive all the sins committed by you, whether they be the great sins or the small sins and whether they be meagre or immense.

Amali Saduq, pg. 111.

31. Intimacy with the Progeny
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said (to Ibn Shabib):

قال الرضا (ع):
يا بن شبيب إن سرَّك أن تكون معنا في الدرجات العُلى مِن الجنان فاحزن لِحُزننا وافرح لِفرحنا

O’ Son of Shabib! If it makes you happy (and you desire) to be with us in the elevated ranks of paradise, then be sad in our grief and happy at our happiness.

Wasaail al‑Shiah, vol. 14 pg. 502.

32. Day of A’ashura
Imam Ridha’ (A.S.) said:

عن الرضا (ع) قال:
مِن ترك السَّعيَ في حوائجه في يوم عاشوراء قضى الله له حوائج الدنيا والأخرة

One who refrains from seeking his (worldly) desires on the day of A’ashura, Allah shall grant him his desires of this world and the hereafter.

Wasaail al Shiah, 14, pg. 504,

33. Pilgrim of Husayn (A.S.)
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصَّادق (ع):
وإنَّ زائِره لينقلِبُ وما عليه مِن ذنبٍ

The zaair (pilgrim) of Imam Husayn (A.S.) turns back (from his pilgrimage) such that not a single sin remains upon him.

Wasaail al‑Shia’h, vol 14, pg. 412.

34. Husayn (A.S.) Seeks Forgiveness for his Pilgrims
(Regarding someone who goes for pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Husayn (A.S.)), Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصادق (ع):
وإنه ليرَى مَن يبكُيِه فيستغفر له ويَسأل أباءه (ع) أن يستغفِروا له

One who weeps for Imam Husayn (A.S.), surely, the Imam (A.S.) observes him and seeks forgiveness for him and requests his holy fathers to (also) seek forgiveness for him.

Bihar al‑Anwar vol. 44, pg. 181

35. Intercession on Day of Judgment
The Holy Prophet (S) (said to H. Fatimah (A.S.)):

قال النبيُّ (ص):
فإذا كان القيامة تشفعين أنتِ لِلنساء وأنا أشفعُ لِلرجال وكلُ مَ، بكىَ مِنهُم على مُصاب الحُسين أخذنا بيَده وأدخلناه الجنة.

On the Day of Judgment, you shall intercede for the ladies and I shall intercede for the men; every person who has wept over the tragedy of Husayn (A.S.), we shall take him by the hand and lead him into Paradise.

Bihar al‑Anwar vol. 94 pg. 192,

36. Imam Sadiq (A.S.) on Day of A’ashura
A’bdullah Ibn Sinaan says:

عن عبد الله بن سنان قال:
دخلتُ على سيِّدي أبي عبد الله جَعفر بن مُحمد (ع) في يوم عاشوراء فأفيتُه كاسفَ اللَّون ظاهر الحُزن ودُمُوعه تنحَدِر مِن عينيه كاللُّؤلُؤِ المُتساقط

I arrived in the presence of my master, Imam Sadiq (A.S.) on the day of A’ashura and found him pale and grief‑stricken, with tears streaming from his eyes like falling pearls.

Mustadrak al‑ Wasail, vol 6, pg, 279.

37. Neither Angels nor Prophets
The Holy Prophet (S) said:

عن النبيُّ (ص) إلى أن قال:
….نحن لا ملائكةُ ولا أنبياء بل نفرُ مِن فُقراء أُمَّة مُحمد (ص) فيقولون بِما نلتُم هذه الكرامة فيقُولون لم تكُن أعمالُنا شديدةً ولم نصُم الدَّهر ولم نقُم اللَّيل ولكن أقمنا على الصَّلوات الخمس وإذا سَمِعنا ذِكر مُحمدٍ (ص) فاضَت دُموعنا على خُدودنا

(On the Day of Judgment, a group would be seen in the most excellent and honourable of states. They would be asked if they were of the Angels or of the Prophets. In reply they would state): “We are‑neither Angels nor Prophets but of the indigent ones from the ummah of Muhammad (S)". They would then be asked: “How then did you achieve this lofty and honourable status?” They would reply: “We did not perform very many good deeds nor did we pass all the days in a state of fasting or all the nights in a state of worship but yes, we used to offer our (daily) prayers (regularly) and whenever we used to hear the mention of Muhammad (S), tears would roll down our cheeks".

Mustadrak al‑Wasail, vol 10, pg. 318.

38. Visiting the Shrine of Imam Husayn (A.S.)
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

قال الصادق (ع):
ويَنظر إلى زُوَّرهِ وهو أعرفُ بِهم وبأسمائهم وأسماء أبائهم ودرجاتِهم ومنزلتِهم عند الله عزَّ وجلَّ مِن أحدكم بولدِه

He (Imam Husayn) sees those, who come to his shrine and he knows them by their names, their father’s names and their ranks in the eyes of Allah, The Mighty, The Glorious, better than you know your own children!

Wasaail al Shiah vol 14, pg. 411.

39. Isa (A.S.) Weeps
Imam A’li (A.S.) said to Ibn A’bbas:

قال عليٌّ (ع) لإبن عبَّاس:
فجلس عيِسىَ وجلس الحوارِيُّون معه فبكى وبكى الحَواريُّون وهُم لا يدرون لِمَ جلس ولِمَ بكى فقالوا يا رُوحَ الله وكلمته ما يُبكيكَ قال أتعلمون أيَّ أرضٍ هذه قالوا لا قال هذه أرضُ يُقتل فيها فرخُ الرَّسول أحمد (ص)

(Once when he happened to pass by Karbala’), Isa (A.S.) sat down and began to weep. His disciples who were observing him, followed suit and began weeping too, but not comprehending the reason for this behaviour, they asked him: “O’ Spirit of God! What is it that makes you weep?” Isa (A.S.) said: “Do you know what land this is?” The disciples replied: “No.” He then said: “This is the land on, which the son of the Prophet Ahmad (S) shall be killed.

Bihar al Anwar vol 44 pg. 252.

40. All Creatures Weep over Imam Husayn (A.S.)
Abu Baseer narrates that Imam Baqir (A.S.) said:

عن أبي بصير عن أبي جعفر قال:بَكت الإنس والجِنُّ والطَّيرُ والوَحشُ على الحُسين بن عليُّ (ع)

The humans, the jinn, the birds and the wild beasts (all) mourned and wept over (the tragedy which befell) Husayn Ibn A’li (A.S.)

Kaamil al‑Ziyaaraat, pg. 79.