By: Ayatullah Shaheed Syed Abdul Husayn Dastaghaib Shirazi
Each and every duty or responsibility, which Islam has established is mainly for the benefit of Muslims themselves. Nothing is meant for its founder or the Holy Prophet; so much so that even the Khums (one-fifth), which is made obligatory too is such. Curse of God on those who have thought that Muhammad has done so for the benefit of his progeny and has sought only their profit. Actually Khums is prescribed with the aim that the hearts and wealth of Muslims should become pure and their connection or relation with Muhammad be stronger and closer, not that, through this God has provided sustenance for the progeny of Muhammad. O rich Muslims! What are you to give anything to them?
A Bahraini man once brought the Khums of his jewels to Medina and he sat in such a manner as if he had done something great by bringing something more for the Imam. The Imam signaled his servant to bring a vessel lying in a corner. When they brought the tray, Imam recited some prayer on it (perhaps there was sand in it). The Imam turned that dish upside down before the man from Bahrain. So many gold coins poured therefrom that it formed a heap between the slave and the Bahraini. Then the Imam said, “We are not in need of your Khums. You should not think in this way. You have not done anything great. What need do we have? It is our favor to you that we accept what you bring as Khums in order to make you clean and pure.”
This is your Khums, O Man! Tomorrow on the Day of Judgment, a caller will call out on behalf of the Prophet of God: Anyone who has to collect from Muhammad anything may get up. On that Day, all will await such a call.
The Day of Judgment is an extremely hard day. Everyone will be burning and trembling hoping that an intercessor comes up to help him or her; that someone should arise to save him or her. It is very terrible. How nice when you will hear those words! The grand gathering will ask, “What does this mean?” Muhammad has right on everyone! The caller will explain, “Everyone who, during his worldly life, did good to the progeny of Muhammad, repaid their loans, gave respect to them, fulfilled their needs, helped them may arise to get his right from Muhammad.” On that Day, O Zakat-payer! What a delight and benefit you will taste! All these commands are for you, only for your own benefit. So much so that even the recommended deeds, like Ziyarat of Imam Husain are for the benefit of the Shias, both in the world and in the Hereafter. But, in the worldly life, the Ziyarat of the Imam results in a long life and expansion in sustenance and fulfillment of needs. It is mentioned in narrations and also experienced by many, and, in the Hereafter, it will result in the forgiveness of sins and getting intercession of the messenger of God and nearness to his Holy being.
They have quoted a tradition in Kamiluz Ziyarah according to which the Holy Prophet had foretold the martyrdom of all the Ahle Bait on several occasions. Imam Husain asked, “Our graves will be at different places on earth and also at a distance from one another. How one can make Ziyarat of our graves?” The Prophet replied, “Groups from my followers will come to your graves for my sake. Now, it is my responsibility that in exchange, I may hold their hands on the day of the Judgment, help them and protect them from the fears and fright of that Day so that God may admit them to Paradise.”
Again, in the same book, in the chapter of the merits of Kerbala there is a tradition through Umme Aiman from the Holy Prophet, that he said, “And they build, on the grave of Husain, a sign and symbol, that is a shrine, which will last and will not become old. In times leaders of disbelief and followers of deviation will try to obliterate the signs of Husain but they will not be able to do so. Rather its height and manifestation will increase day by day.” This tradition is one of the news from the unseen given by the Holy Prophet. Whatever efforts the Bani Abbas, especially Mutawakkil the cursed made, he could not succeed in demolishing the grave of Husain. The tomb of Husain ever since is a venue for many visitors.
Shaykh Shustari says in Khasais, “The beauty of this high and lofty dome will go on multiplying with the passage of time.” We see that the construction of Ka’ba and all the Holy structures do end but the construction and expansion of the shrine and courtyard of the mausoleum of Husain, the chief of martyrs does not stop. Rather, ever since the cursed Mutawakkil demolished it, every year the caliphs of Bani Abbas and kings following them have given importance to its reconstruction. Ever since I was five year old till today when I am above sixty, not a day has passed when I did not see addition or renovation of its design and beautification. It appears it will be so till the Judgment Day.
In the translation of Khasais, the late Shahristani says, “I have observed the construction and renovation of the new dome and the widening of the courtyard in the upward direction, the construction of the Nasiri courtyard and its basement, its stone floor and engraving on its walls. This work still continues.”
I had the honor to visit the Najaf-e-Ashraf in 1360 when I saw that they were expanding the shrine of Imam Husain and fixing marbles on its walls. Till last year (97) whenever I went there I did not see that such construction or renovation had ever ended. It is also mentioned in the same tradition of Umme Aiman that the Holy Prophet said, “Angels are writing in ink of Noor (Radiance), on the foreheads of the visitors to the tomb of Husain, ‘Haa Zaairal Husain’ (This person has visited Husain) and, on the Day of Gathering this will dazzle the eyes of all and they (the visitors of Husain) will be known to all by this radiance.”
And if they wait patiently until you come out to them, it would certainly be better for them, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (49:5)
In this Holy verse, it is necessary to remember two points. It was mentioned yesterday also but since it is important, for emphasis, here is another mention: Had these nomadic Arabs (not made such reckless noise in haste without discipline and), showed respect (and) remained silent and had they submitted their say when the Holy Prophet, of his own, came out (of his room) such respect and patience, instead of the said indiscipline would have been better for them. These orders are for showing respect to the Holy Prophet. The Muslims must consider Muhammad greater and higher than themselves. Should give respect and honor to him so much so that they should never raise their voice higher than his voice in his gatherings. They must never take themselves ahead of him. These orders are only for their own good.