With a view to making the rich culture of Shi'ism more profoundly known around the globe, the DAR AL-SADEGHAIN Cultural and Publishing Institute, in accordance with the aims of its Council of Founders, established an International Centre for this purpose in March 1998.
In fulfilling our responsibilities to this end, we feel duty-bound to provide the Shi'ite communities of the world with easier access to sources of knowledge on landmarks in the history of Islam. Hence, we have been engaged in researching, compiling and translating these valuable writings on Shi'ism.
Our first publication is this book "With the Caravan of Light" by Husayn Ansarian, a wellknown cleric and religious orator. The book gives a short account of the personality of the companions of Imam Husayn (a), the third Imam of Shi'ite Islam.
We would like to express our thanks to all the scholars and erudite personalities for their comments and suggestions.
M. J. Al-Yazdy
Managing Director
Notes:who is who?
`Ubaydullah, son of Ziad ibn-Abih: The young governor of Iraq, appointed by Yazid ibnMuawiyah. He was a faithless, aggressive and blood-thirsty oppressor of low birth who never abided by his promises. His mission was to hold Imam Husayn(a) prisoner or to kill him by whatever means he could. With an army of three thousand men, this fiendish man initiated the tragic event of Karbala and has remained cursed and detested by all pious people for ever.
Abdullah ibn Umeir and Amr ibn-Jinada: Both companions of Imam Husayn(a) and martyred in Karbala. Their murderers flung their decapitated heads towards the Imam(a).
Abu Ja' far Tabari: An eminent Shi'ite personality whose trustworthiness, dignity, eloquence and profound knowledge was known to all. Abul Aswad Da' ali: A loyal companion ofHadrat Ali(a) who learned syntax and the rules for the correct pronunciation of Arabic words from him. Abul Hatuf ibn-Harath and Sa'd ibn-Harath: They were brothers from the Ansar tribe of Medina. For twenty years they were members of the group that had revolted against Hadrat Ali(a) and were notorious for being his bitter enemies. Feeling sympathetic towards Imam Husayn(a) for being so tyrannically oppressed, they abandoned Yazid and fought for the Imam's holy cause and were martyred.
Aqilian: They were of the family of Aqil, the brother of Amir al-Mu'minin(a). They were martyred in the battle of Karbala.
Ahl-e Manteq: The logicians.
Ahl-i-Ussul: Scholars versed in Islamic law and canonical doctrines namely Scripture, Sunna, the Consenus of Opinion and Deduction of legal rulings. A philosopher is the the person who, through using scientific laws, thought, reason and purification ofhi s soul investigates the true nature of things in existence.
Aqaba ibn-Sam'an: He had the letters from the people ofKufa inviting Imam Husayn(a) to come to their city. When addressing the Kufans, the Imam(a) told Sam'an to produce these letters.
Aqilian: They were of the family of Aqil, the brother of Amir al-Mu'minin (a). They were martyred in the battle of Karbala. Ayatullah Haj Aqa Rahim Arbab: A learned figure in the Theological Seminary in Isfahan. He taught theosophy, philosophy and Islamic Law and its principles. He was endowed with fine moral qualities.
Bani Hashim: Among the most famous tribes of Qureish from which came famous personalities including Abd al-Muttalib, Abu Talib, Ali's(a) father and Abdullah, the Prophet's(s) father.
Barir and Sa'id: Both companions of Imam Husayn(a). The former was martyred while fighting and the latter during the noon prayers. Fadl ibn-Shadhan: Ail erudite Shiite from Nishabur, He was a great author, unequalled thinker and free of temporal attachments. His tomb is visited by men with heart, understanding and knowledge.
Habib ibn-Mazahir Asadi: A prominent companion of Imam Husayn(a) who left Kufa for Karbala at the request ofthe Imam. He was an old man but spiritedly put up a good fight and was martyred. Hafhaf ibn-1Vlasruq: A companion of Imam Husayn(a) who accompanied the Imam(a) to Karbala. He called out the times of prayer and on the day of Ashura was martyred.
Hani ibn-'Urwah: a prominent Shi'ite known for his devotion who acted for a short while as host of Muslim ibn-Aqil, Imam Husayn's(a) messenger to Kufa. He was apprehended by Ubeidullah ibn-Ziad and then killed because he refused to give information about Muslim's whereabouts.
Hashim Ilahi Qumsha'i: An outstanding figure in the Theological Seminary as well as in the University. He was pious, and a mystic, free of temporal attachments. His book of poems with more than twelve hundred pages is always within reach for men who are on the path of mystical experience of the truth. He has commented on Ibn Farabi's Fusus and has written a two-volume book on the Philosophy of Illumination.
Hurr ibn-Yazid Riahi: He was from a well known Arab tribe and a commander in Yazid's army in Iraq. He was ordered by Ubeidullah ibn Ziad to hold Imam Husayn(a) prisoner. On the day of Ashura, however, the pricks of conscience made him turn away from Yazid and repent. He joined Imam Husayn(a) in the battle and was martyred.
Husayn ibn-Ali Baghdadi: A historian in the tenth century A. H. , the author of Jawharah alThamin.
Ibn Bashir Hadrami: A prominent figure among the companions of Imam Husayn(a). On the night of Ashura he got the sad news that his son was taken prisoner. Although the Imam(a) permitted him to leave the camp to free his son, he insisted on staying with the Imam(a) and was martyred. Luqman: A sage free of temporal attachments, pure in soul and inspired with divine wisdom. A Surah of the Qur'an is named after him in which reference is made to some of his wise sayings.
Mariqin: Those who revolted against Hadrat Ali(a) and fought him in Nahrawan, a town near Baghdad. Miqdad ibn-Aswad, Abudhar Ghaffari and Salman Farsi: Three distinguished Companions of the Prophet(s) and were recognised by God and His Messenger(s) for their devotion, righteous deeds and morality.
Muawiyah ibn-Wahab: A companion Of Imam Sadiq(a) and a reliable and learned narrator.
Muslim ibn-Aqil: Imam Husayn's(a) cousin and emissary to Kufa. The Kufans betrayed him and he was taken prisoner and killed by the order of Ubeidullah Ziad.
Nakithin: Those who broke their pledge of allegiance to Hadrat Ali(a) and brought about the battle of Jamal.
Qasitin: Those who pledged allegiance to Muawiyah and fought Imam Husayn(a).
Saravi-Muhammad ibn-Ali ibn Shahr Ashub: From Sari, Tabaristan (Mazandaran). He was an outstanding Shi'ite traditionalist and biogragher. The author of some very important books including "Manaqib Ali bin Abi Talib (The Virtues of the Family of Abi Talib)."
Sayyid ibn Tawus: A great Shi'ite scholar from Hellah in Iraq. He was exemplary in virtue and religious devotion. He wrote the book "Lahuf' on the history ofKarbala and the tragic martyrdom of Imam Husayn(a) and his companions.
Shimr ibn-Dhul Jowshan: Ofthe Arab tribe of the Bani Kilab. He was once a companion of Amir al-Mu'minin(a). At the time of the Arbitration, a group ofpeople inNahrawan had revolted against Hadrat `Ali(a) during his caliphate. Shimr was a member of that group and then later he joined the Umayyad party. Years later he went to Karbala as ordered by Ubeidullah ibn Ziad and fought in the battle. He volunteered to kill Imam Husayn(a) and subsequently beheaded the Imam(a). He was doomed to be treated as a contemptible outcast in this world and condemned to apainful punishment in the fire.
The Fourteen Sinless Ones: The Prophet of Islam(s), his daughter Fatimah Zahra, his son-inlaw, Amir al-Mu'minin and their eleven descendents(a) all of whom held the position of Imamate.
The Late Akhund Mulla Muhammad Kashi: A man of great learning. At the time of the Qajar Dynasty he taught philosophy, theosophy, mysticism and ethics at the Theological Seminary in Isfahan. The Late Haj Sayyid Rida Sadr: An eminent comtemporary theologian and author whose works in the realm of Islamic law, ethics and history are well known.
Umayyad Caliphs: Irreligious individuals of low birth, steeped in lusts and typical throwbacks to the pagan culture of the early years of Islam. They ruled over the oppressed Muslims for one thousand months committing innumerable atrocities during their rule. Wahab ibn-Abdullah: A young man from the tribe of Kilab. He had been newly-wed when he came to Karbala with his mother and wife to join Imam Husayn(a). He and his wife were martyred for the cause of Allah.
Wahab ibn-Manbah: A popular individual in the days of the Umayyad Caliphate. He claimed he had knowledge of the Torah, the Gospel and seventy-two other scriptures especially about the prophets. The Shi'ah authorities do not believe him and refute his claims and statements because he was a rank liar.
Zahir ibn-Qin Bajali: He was a distinguished man ofKufa and a follower of the Caliph Uthman. On his way from Mecca to Karbala he met Imam Husayn(a) and became attracted to his divine, sublime personality. He fought bravely to protect the Imam's life and was killed.
Ziad ibn-Abi Sufyan or Ziad ibn-Abih: father of Ubeidullah whose faith and religion Muawiyah bought for a mere trifle. Because his mother Sumayyah was promiscuous, it is not known who Abu Sufyan's father was. Muawiyah, alleging that his father Abi Sufyan had had an affair with Ziad's mother, declared Ziad his brother.
Notes:Battles
Nahrawan: The battle brought about by the Khawarij-those who revolted against Ali(a). They were completely defeated. Siffin: The battle waged against Amir alMu'minin(a) by Muawiyah. The war ended through an arbitration maliciously plotted by Muawiyah and Amr A' as to the detriment of the believers.
The Battle of Jamal: The battle brought about by Ayisha, Talha and Zubeir against Ali ibn-Abi Talib(a), the rightful Caliph immediately after the Prophet(s). Hadrat All(a) was victorious in the battle. The triple battles: Jamal, Siffin and Nahrawan.
Notes:Books
`Unsur Shuja'at: An eight-volume book that discusses the personality ofImam Husayn(a) and his loyal companions by Mirza Khalil Kamarah' i, the great philosopher and celebrated theologian.
A1 Rijal: A biographical work by Shaykh Tusi about the narrators of the Sunna of the Prophet and of the People of his Household. Amali-e-Saduq: A book by Shaykh Saduq discussing ethical traditions and narrations.
Arba'in Qazi: A research work by Shahid Qazi Tabataba' i, Imam of the Juma prayers in Tabriz, discussing the return of the Household of the Prophet(s) who were held prisoners for forty days after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn(a).
Bahr al-Ma' aruf: Abook onthe subject ofmystical and moral issues, by Mulla Abd al-Samad Hamadami. Bihar al-Anwar or the Encyclopedia of Shi'ism: A book in 110 volumes, by Mullah Muhammad Baqir Majlisi. Dar al-Salam: A scholarly book, by Haj Mirza Husayn Nouri, a Shi'ite scholar.
Farsan al-Hija: A book about the companions of Imam Husayn(a) by Haj Shaykh Dhabihulla Mahallati, a learned traditionalist. Ilal al-Sharayi: A valuable book onthephilosophy of Islamic tenets and doctrines by Shaykh Saduq. Kamil al-Ziarat: A very important book concerning the religious traditions and narrations about the martyrdom of the Sinless Imams(a), eulogies about them and about visits to their holy shrines.
Kanz al-Amal: A sixteen-volume book about the Sunna of the Prophet(s), by Muttaqi Hindi, a Sunnite learned man. Kanz al-Fawa' id: A book about divine teachings, prophetic traditions and narrations, by the late scholar Karajaki. Kharaj-e-Ravandi: Avaluable work bythe Shi'ite scholar, the late Ravandi.
Ma'am al-Akhbar: A scholarly book explaining the narrations of the people of the Household of the Prophet(s). Manaqib: A book in four volumes, by Ibn Shahr Ashub Saravi.
Maqtal Khwarizmi: A book about the history of the martyrs, by A1 Khwarizmi, a famous scholar. Pishva-e-Shahidan: Aresearch work ontheevent o1'Karbala, by Ayatullah Sayyid Rida Sadr. Rijal-e-Kashi: A biographical book about the companions of the Prophet(s) and of the Sinless Imams(a), by the late Kashi. Sahuf: A book about the event of Karbala, by Sayyid ibn-Tawus, a Shi'ite learned man.
Sharh-e-Nahj ul Balagha: A twenty-volume book expounding upon the wise sayings of Hadrat Ali(a), by Ibn Abi al-Hadid, a great Sunnite scholar. Sharh Shafia: An important work of Ibn Faras.
Sharh-e-Nahjul Balagha: A book in Persian in more than thirty volumes by Allama Muhammad Taqi Ja'fari. Tadhkerah: A book about Islamic facts by Ibn Jouzi, the Sunnite scholar. Tafsir Tha'labi: A book commenting on the Qur'an by Tha'labi, a great scholar.
Thawab al-A' amal and Iqab al-A' amal (Rewards and Punishments for one's Deeds): A book by Shaykh Saduq, a major Shi'ite traditionalist. The Miracle of History: A book in eight volumes of `Unsur Shuj a' at, discussing the event ofKarbala and the martyrdom of Imam Husayn(a), by the late Mirza Khalil Kamarah'i.
Notes:geographical Areas Basra and Ctesiphon: Cities in Iraq.
Hamun: A plain.
Isfahan: A famous city in Iran noted for Islamic and historical monuments.
Karbala: A famous city in Iraq, where Imam Husayn(a) and his companions are buried. It is a Qiblah for pious and true lovers of that sinless and yet oppressed Imam.
Kufa: A city in Iraq, whose inhabitants were notorious for breaking their allegiance to Imam Husayn(a).
Kufan: Inhabitant of Kufa.
Madressa-e-Sadr: A school in Isfahan forreligious studies attended by many shi'ite scholars.
Shamian: Inhabitant of Sham (Syria).
The Ka'aba: The Muslim holy shrine, The Inviolable House of God in Mecca.
More Notes
Hunut: Annointing dead bodies with camphor. Force and Matter: This subject comprises a philosophical question discussed by many philosophers in their writings. Iftar: The breaking of the fast at the end of each day during the month of Ramadan.
Jami and Mani' : A definition meaning the whole and only truth of something or about someone with no distortion whatsoever. Mukashifa: The mystical spiritual ecstasy that saints experience in which they realize spiritual and divine truths.
Qa'imiat: A prayer quoted from Hadrat Mahdi which gives a good account of the companions and children of Imam Husayn(a). Tasua and Ashura: Refer respectively to the 9th and 1 Oth day of the month of Muharram during which Yazid declared a state of war against Imam Husayn(a). Consequently the warring parties went out to battle in which the Imam and his companions were martyred.
The Preserved Tablet (Lawh-e-Mahfuz): Men of heart believe that the preserved tablet represents God's knowledge. It is a divine tablet on which all that God decrees is recorded.
Zakat: The poor-rate, i. e., a legal rate on wealth that is used for relief and support of the poor. Ziarat: Paying a visit to the holy shrines of the Prophet(s) and of the sinless Imams(a).
Ziarat-e-Nahiah: A text containing prayers for the fallen in the battle of Karbala, composed by the 12th Imam(a). Ziarat-e-Warith: A prayer rich in subtleties of language, quoted from the Sinless Imams. It is said on Friday nights as a homage paid to the memory of Hadrat Husayn(a).
A Unique Event
We will speak here about those who effected a unique event on the face of the globe, a great tragic occurrence that has served as a lesson for all-all ages and lives- an incomparable fact and an overwhelming source of advice and admonition. Spiritual and worldly people alike would see such an event only but once, for never again will heaven and earth witness such a panorama.
Two tribes had clashed in battle in the desert of Karbala: one a tribe of pure divines; and the other totally corrupt and worldly. The first was Godcentric, seeking nothing but for the love of Truth, striving to win His favour, to hoist the banner of reality, and to maintain the light of virtue; they endeavoured to overthrow despots and despotism, to uproot the tree of evil and keep green the tree of piety. The other group was centered around false deities-the pleasures of the flesh and the passion and worldly riches and blatantly disregarded morality.
divines beyond Comparison
These angelic figures, seventy two in number, under the leadership of Husayn(a) pitched the camp of magnanimity, honour and faith and constancy in the arena desert of Karbala. They were human in body but angels in soul. The Prophet(s) is reported to have said:
The Believers are dearer to God than the angels nearest to Him.
(Kanz al-'Amal. vol. 1 p. 164) And in another narration he(s) said:
They deserve greater respect than the Ka 'aba. (Bihar al-Anwar vol. 68 p. 16)
And which believer could be more superior or praiseworthy than those who in watering the tree of religion, in preserving the culture of Divine unity, and in safeguarding the efforts of the previous prophets and saints with an unspeakable zeal, shed their precious blood in Jihad for the cause of Allah?
Never once did they fear their wicked enemies and, at the side of The Chief of the Martyrs(a), fought them to pay their debt to t he Truth and to steer the storm-stricken ship of humanityto thepeaceful shore of salvation. They were taught the Book of Revelation by the Messenger of Allah and by the People of his Household and with perfect sincerity practiced all that they were taught. As far as magnanimity and deep insight were concerned, they were second to none. They were perfect symbols of purity of soul, brightness of heart, unflagging faith, moral perfection, impeccable conduct and unstinting self-sacrifice.
Never did they stumble under the heavy burden ofresponsibility. They reflected the quintessence of Truth, standard bearers ofnobility, geniuses in creation and doyens of all virtues; and graces. Those who wanted to harm them did them good and those who put them to the sword kept their memory alive. They stood and fought side by side with the Imam(a) to the bitter end, withstanding the enemy's attacks and impervious to any offer to abandon their leader. There were a veritable sea of endurance, constancy, honour religious zeal and purity of heart, never succumbing to the fiendish temptations of their enemies.
One base fellow, under the command of the son of S'ad was asked as to why had he been so ready to kill a descendant ofthe Prophet Muhammad(s). He retorted that if others had themselves seen what he had seen, they certainly would have done exactly as he did, adding that they had won the day only by force of numbers.