gathering of Hosseini(AS)- Loving Babies in Qom,(Feb. 10, 2008)

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Bahrain

Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn

Abdullah (Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn) (Tenth of Rajab, 60 AH - Tenth of Muharram, 61 AH) was the youngest child of Husayn ibn Ali (the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia Imam) and Rubab (the daughter of the chief of the Kinda Imra al-Qays tribe). He is honored by Muslims, particularly Shi'a Muslims, as the youngest person killed in the Battle of Karbala.

[edit] Life
Abdullah (Ali al-Asghar) ibn Husayn was born in Medina. He was one of the three sons of Imam Husayn. The other two were Ali ibn Husayn, the fourth Shia Imam, and Ali Akbar ibn Husayn, who Yazid's forces also killed in the Battle of Karbala. Ali Asghar was also adored by his sister Sukayna bint Husayn.

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On the day of October 10, 680,(Muharram 10 61AH) which is known as Ashura when all companions of Imam Husayn were killed at Karbala, Imam raised his voice and said, “Hal min nasir yansuruna” ("Is there anyone from among you who will help us?"). Responding to the voice, Ali Asghar made himself fall from his cradle. Rubab told Husayn what had happened, so the Imam lifted his infant son from the cradle and decided to try and appeal to their humanity. He took him in his hands under covers towards the army of Yazid. As Imam Husayn reached the battlefield, the army murmured with the assumption that he was carrying the Quran.citation needed

Walking up to Yazid's army, while uncovering the infant, Husayn said, "This child has done you no harm. He is dying of thirst and I am asking only for a few drops of water for him." There was stillness in Yazid's army. Then the Imam said to his son, "Asghar! My son, show them how thirsty you are." Asghar turned his head towards the soldiers, smiled and opened his mouth. He brought out his dry tongue and moved it over his dry lips. The soldiers, many who had left their own families behind, were affected so much by this that they could be heard sobbing.

"Yeh Jihad-e-Ali Asghar mein Nudrat Dekhi" " Ladnen aiye Hain magar Haath mein Talwar nahi"This lovely urdu couplet by Kamaal Lahnavi epitomises the unique martyrdom of Ali Asghar in the battlefield of Karbala.

Umar ibn Sa'ad began to worry with this softened mood in his ranks. It seemed that Imam Husayn’s 6-month old son was emerging victorious against the might of Yazid. Umar Sa'ad looked at Hurmala ibn Kahel Azdi (a famous archer) and ordered him, "Silence Husayn!"

Hurmala, said to have quivering arms, lifted his bow and made Ali Asghar the target of his arrow which was used to kill horses. He took aim and immediately shot Ali Asghar with an arrow that pierced the infant's neck.[1] Ali Asghar is said to have smiled and kissed martyrdom while still in the hands of his father. Imam Husayn caught the blood of his son in the palm of his hands and wanted to throw it into the sky. At once, a heavenly voice said, "Husayn, don’t throw it towards the sky, otherwise it will not rain for ever till the Day of Judgment." Then Imam Husayn wanted to pour it on the earth but a heavenly voice said, "Husayn don’t pour it on the earth otherwise nothing will grow on the earth till the day of resurrection." So Imam Husayn rubbed the blood on his face and beard and exclaimed, "Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raje'oon" ("From God We Come and To Him We Return").

The Imam looking at the sky and prayed “O Allah, give me courage in this most difficult moment of my life." Then the Imam walked towards the tent of his wife Rubab. As he approached near he saw her standing at the entrance to her tent with anxiety, the hope, the fear and the restlessness in her eyes. Imam took seven steps back the tent saying Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajeoon (To Allah we belong and to Him we return). He again took seven steps forwards saying Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajeoon. Once again he walked backwards repeating the same ayat. Imam Husayn did this seven times. At last, Imam Husayn went to Rubab with their dead infant and said: “Rubab! This is a test from Allah, which no mother has ever been asked to go through.”[2] Superscript text

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The martyrdom of Imam Husayn (A) and Ali Asghar(A)

Some of Imam’s followers were alive till noon in Ashura and performed a group prayer. Since morning, each of the followers who was martyred, Imam put him in the martyrs’ tent and went to the injured ones and even tried to solace his family at that time of crisis. Umar Sads army, seeing Imam’s sadness for losing his followers found that Imam could not fight with these great sadness and grief and they would be able to attack him easily.

It is quoted that Imm saw 72 of his followers martyred. He called “Sakineh, Fatemeh, Um Kulthum Salute to you”. The women started crying. Imam asked them to be quiet. Then told necessary matters to Imam Sajad, and asked Zeinab (A) to bring the infant to him to farewell. He embraced the six months old infant to kiss him but at the moment Harmaleh-Ibn-Kahel Asadi shot an arrow to his throat. Imam gave the infant to his sister, Zeinab, and spread his blood, which was running from his body, to the sky. Then he dug a tomb and buried Ali Asghar. Then farewelled the women. Sakineh who was so dear for Imam ran to him. Imam embraced her and said “after my death you will cry a lot so do not make me sad by your tears now”.

Then Imam went to the battle and killed a lot of enemies. Umar Sad, seeing the situation shouted “you are fighting with Ali’son who killed the brave Arabs. I swear by God that he has got his father’s spirit,” so “attack him as a group”. They attacked Imam who was thirsty, tired, hungry and had faced such great grief and sorrows.

He did not go far from the tents for two reasons: 1. He was aware that the enemy was so nasty that they might attack the women therefore, he wanted to be near the tents as long as he could. So that nobody could bother the women and children. 2. He wanted his family know that the was alive and be mitigated. He advised them not to go out of the tents till he is alive. The enemy army encircled him and some of them went towards the tents. Imam cried out thee Abi Sufyan’s followers, if you do not have a religion, be aware of the dooms day, and be magnanimous. Shimr said “What do you mean, Fatima’s son?” Imam said I am fighting you, prevent your rebellious men’s invasion to the women till I am alive.

Shimr shouted at the army to convert form the tents and attack him. He fought bravely so that because of thirst, he went to Furat river. Umar Sad tried to block him but he could reach the river through the enemies. He tried to give water to his horse. At the same time that one called “you are drinking water while the enemy attacks your family”. He moved towards the tents without drinking water but found that it was a trick so that he could not drink water to be fresh, but they were not aware that he would not drink as his followers were martyred thirsty.

He farewelled his family once more and asked them to be patient and reminded them of the good rewards in the promised world. He told them to be ready for the disaster. He also said “God will protect you and preserves you from the enemy (He was sure that his family would be safe), you will be lucky and your enemy will suffer the tortures, so do not complain”.

He turned to the enemy and they attacked him by arrows. A man called Abulutfash shot an arrow to his majesty’s forehead. He took it out and as the blood was running on his face he continued fighting and said “God you see what they are doing to me, so do not forgive them”. He said the enemy “I hope God will bestow me martyrdom and make you inferiors and make you enemies for each other and offer you a great torture.” His prayer was accomplished and they fought each other as Kufa which was a glorious city got ruined and Mokhtar could revenge them.

He fought while having so many injuries, two of them were serious scares. He fainted and at this time, a stone hit his forehead and then a three pointed arrow fierced his chest, he pulled the arrow out and let his hand fill with the blood and said “I will meet the prophet with these hands and let him know they killed me”. Malek-Ibn-Sar hit his forehead by a sword as swearing him. The blood was running from his head. His majesty bandaged the scar with a piece of cloth. Then asked his family to bring him extra clothes to wear under his clothes so that if they tried to take his clothes after his death he wont be naked. Even in this condition he tried to fight the enemy and Shimr ordered them to fire Sauad. Zeinab who saw the scene shouted at Umar Sad “Owe to you they are killing Husayn(A) and you are watching” It is quoted that he turned his face away form Zeinab. Zeinab told the enemy “Is not there a Muslim among you?” At this moment Saleh-Ibn Vahab-Al-Yazani hit him by a spear. Imam fell down from the horse and hit the ground but could stand up. Zeinab cried out “My brother, my master, my family I wished the sky would ruin and collapse on the ground, I wished the mountains would scatter and spread on the desert. Shimr asked his men to kill him, but the enemy was afraid of him and thought it might be a trick. They tried to check the issue. So some of them went towards the tents and some called “Are you alive Husayn? They attacked your tents.” They were aware that if it were a trick his majesty could not bear it and be quiet. He could stand up with difficulty and said “Thee Abn Sufyan followers, if you do not believe in the doomsday, and are not religious, you may be liberates.”

Being sure that Imam has really fallen on the ground, they attacked him. Umar Sad asked Khuli to behead him but he was trembling, so Shimr beheaded Imam. Then the enemy took his clothes out. The sky was really dark as if an immediate disaster was going to happen.

They put Imam’s head on top of a spear and moved in the cities among the people, although they knew he was one of the prophet’s family.

As quoted by Imam Bagher “They killed the prophet’s son by arrow, sword, and stone and rode on their horses on his body “That, you are prohibited to do with the animals.

Imam Husayn visited the tents after the last farewell so his family were still waiting for him to come and hear his voice and see his face, but suddenly they heard his horse’s (Zoljaneh) sound. They thought his majesty has come again but they saw it’s saddle was hanging. It was smeared itself with Imam’s blood, neighed and hit the ground. It is quoted it did so utill it died.


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Worldwide Commemoration of Ali Asghar (a.s.)

Get together of Hussayni Infants
Large Circles of Hussayni Children
Iran:
Tehran, Karaj, Kermanshah, Ardakan, Kerman, Kashan, Shadgan, Mashhad, Yazd, Qom, Khatam, Tabas, Shiraz, Taft, Ahwaz, Shahrood, Abarkooh, Varamin, Hamedan, Bafgh, Mahallat, Saveh, Azna, Semnan, Arak, Sadoogh, Ghazvin, Rafsanjan, Zanjan, Mehriz, Seerjan, Isfahan, Gorgan, Ardebil, Maybud, Tabriz, Oroomieh…

Saudia Arabia:
Ehsaa, Ghateef, Sayahat, Awammieh, Ojam, Safwa, Taroot, Ghodeyah, and the cities around Ehsaa and Ghateef

Iraq:
Karbala, Najaf, Koofeh, Baghdad, Kazemayn, Madinat-u-Sadr, Masjid Boratha, Nasseriah, Towirij, Koot, Samawah, Basrah, Helleh, and the central and southern cities

England:
London

Bahrain:
Manameh, Mohragh, Bani Jamarah, Jonoosan, Setrah Wadian, Ma’amir, Belad-ul-Ghadim, Naiim, Al-Kurah…
Kuwait:
Baneed Al-Ghar, Al-Da’eeyah…

Pakistan:
Karachi and other cities

India:
Lucknow and other cities

Canada:
Toronto, Montreal


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Worldwide Commemoration of Ali Asghar (a.s.): Bab ul-Hawaej

He smiled, and the world cried in return

Introduction:

What better evidence is there to reveal the oppression and injustice imposed on Imam Hussayn other than the killing of his infant son? Who can hear about this painful event and not weep in sorrow? Who can truly comprehend the immensity of the tragedy and remain at ease?

We have had the honor of crying out his name and what has happened to him for four years.

The first year: Mahdieh of Tehran: Mothers participated in the ceremony and held their own infants and mourned Ali Asghar's innocence. We asked Allah for a deeper understanding of the Ashoora Movement.

The second year: In addition to Mahdieh of Tehran, the following cities joined us in our services: Qom, Mashhad, Maname (Bahrain), London, Karbala, Najaf, Helleh (Iraq). We raised our hands in prayer for the expansion and acceptance of our actions.

The third year: As well as Mahdieh of Tehran, the ceremony was held in more than 50 cities throughout Iran. In cities such as Karaj, Isfehan, Mashhad, Yazd, Zanjan, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Kashan, Hamedan, Semnan, Shadgan, Mahallat, Urumieh, Ahwaz, and Bandar Abbas, mothers and their infants mourned in memory of the innocence of the precious infant of Imam Hussayn.

The fourth year: With the grace of God, the ceremony took place in Mahdieh of Tehran, Bilal Masjid (IRIB), more than 60 cities in Iran and 37 cities around the world. Mothers around the world held their infants and cried for the same purpose at the same time.

The agenda of the ceremony for the upcoming year is summarized in the following section. We hope that Allah will give us strength and accept our deeds.

Goals:
- Identifying possible centers for the ceremony
- Preparing the centers in terms of quality and quantity
- Unifying thoughts and motivations
- Activating the potential tendencies for Hussayni actions
- Expressing various aspects of the Ashoora Movement: heroic, emotional and logical
- Raising questions in the minds of free and broad-minded people of the world



What did he do to deserve such a death?!
Program:
All of the programs are to begin at the same time, in the same way, with the same goal all over the world.

Time/Date:
Every year: the first Friday of Moharram

Agenda:
- When the participating mothers enter with their children, they will be given green Arabian-style clothing for their infants to wear, along with a red headband with “Be ayye zhanben ghotelat”, meaning “For what crime was he killed?”
- The inauguration of the program is a recitation of the Holy Quran (the beginning verses of the Sura Maryam).

Content of speeches:
1. Provoke emotions of the Shia
2. Inspire the feeling of standing up against injustice
3. Lead the way to a comprehension of Imam Mehdi

Content of mourning:
Concentrating the minds and emotions on the oppression Imam Hussayn and his family suffered. The session also concerns the grieving for the cruel loss of the family of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h.).

Accommodations needed for the ceremony:
- 75000 outfits including a green Arabian cover-up and a red headband will be distributed to the locations holding the ceremonies.
- 75 symbolic cradles will be sent to the cities holding the ceremonies.
- Complete television coverage of the ceremony from stations in Iran and abroad will be made possible.
- Coordinating 3000 internet sites to inform the public
- Television teasers in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and English will be produced and broadcast from domestic and foreign channels.
- Over thirty thousand posters and invitations will be distributed.

Accommodations needed for the ceremony:

- In 2003, six thousand children’s outfits, a cradle and a painting 200 meters square were used at Mahdieh of Tehran.
- In 2004, eight thousand children’s outfits, eight cradles and another painting were used. Thirty thousand posters were presented in Persian and Arabic and distributed in Iran and Iraq.
- In 2005 seventy-five thousand children’s outfits, seventy-five symbolic cradles and more than 70 background paintings were distributed.
- In 2007 a hundred thousand children’s outfits, seventy-five symbolic cradles and more than 300 background paintings were distributed. Thirty thousand posters were printed in Persian and Arabic and distributed in Iran and Iraq.
- In 2008, a hundred thousand children’s outfits, 110 symbolic cradles and more than 350 background paintings were distributed.

Worldwide Commemoration of Ali Asghar (a.s.)


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Articles - Aliasghar Ibn Hossein

Articles

In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful
Worldwide Commemoration of Ali Asghar (a.s.)
Get together of Hussayni Infants
Large Circles of Hussayni Children

Our rendezvous: the first Friday of every Moharram
Oh Greetings to the Nourrisson!
Oh Greetings to the Son of Hussayn!
Salam upon the slit throat of Ali Asghar

He smiled, and the world cried in return
Author: Hojatol Islam Seyyed Jafar Ghazanfari Khansari, Qom

Among the companions of Imam Hussayn (a. s.), there were various types of people on the day of Ashoora. They all gave a final warning to the people of the world in their own way. Noblemen and servants together, people of different races, even some who joined Imam Hussayn’s side the very morning of Ashoora, hand in hand fought the battle with Imam Hussayn. An old man, an eighteen-year-old, and a six-month-old…
It’s true, in the fight against evil there was an infant who played a significant role. He is the son of Imam Hussayn, Ali Asghar.
In no religion or sect is the permission granted to murder an innocent six-month-old child. In no war or battle has it been documented that an army face a child and slaughter him in his father’s hands. There were many a time when Imam Hussayn could have caused similar pain to the enemy, but this would have been against his principles. He had principles of freedom, liberty, humanity and compassion which would be in opposition to such cruel behavior. But what did a parched six-month-old do to deserve such treatment?

After Ashoora, Mokhtar Thaghafi (p. b. u. h.) sought revenge for the killing of Imam Hussayn (a. s.) and the news spread to Imam Sajjad (a. s.). They told him that Mokhtar rose up and killed all of those who killed your father and his companions; they were all punished for their actions. Imam Sajjad asked about Harmala. His companions asked why he was so interested in Harmala among all the other enemies. He answered: “You don’t know what this Harmala did to us! When my father, Imam Hussayn (a. s.) was holding my small brother in his arms and walking toward the enemy and saying: “Can’t you see how much this child is in need of water?” Like a fish out of water, after a while, it doesn't have energy to move. It can only move its lips, showing its need for water. At this point, even if you give him water, he won't live. He called out to them: “Give Ali Asghar a drop of water so at least he won’t die parched!”
If you are at war with me
Be at war with me
Take my child and give him water
Give him something to drink
Imam Sajjad (a. s.) says: “My father was in the middle of uttering such words when Harmala fired a three-headed arrow towards my brother and slit his precious throat.”
For what crime was he killed?
He is but a child, but he is not small. His hands seem small, but everyone wishes that those hands will help them.
The first Friday of Moharram is named the Worldwide Commemoration of Ali Asghar (a. s.). We are honored to take part in the ceremonies commemorating Ali Asghar (a. s.). We hereby invite all heartbroken mothers to join us with their infants in memory of Imam Hussayn and his infant. Throughout the years, there have been many mothers who have received what their hearts desired due to their presence and support in these ceremonies.


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Special Edition: Ali Asghar: From birth to martyrdom

Special Edition
Ali Asghar: From birth to martyrdom
We celebrate the tenth of Rajab, the birthday of the youngest companion of Ashoora and Bab ul-Hawaej (the door to all desires), Imam Hussayn’s six-month-old, Ali Asghar (a.s.)
It’s the tenth of Rajab, the year 60 (After Hejra, lunar calendar). The house of Imam Hussayn is filled with light once again. Medina’s sky is lit once again. The entire world is lit up. Tears of joy and excitement fall on the infant’s cheek. The tears of his father were like morning dew on the newly emerged bud. Allah has given his servant, Imam Hussayn a son to whom the rich and the poor turn to for help.
He named him Ali, just as he had named his other two sons, demonstrating his love for his great father Imam Ali. He said that if Allah were to give him one thousand sons, he would name them all Ali. The infant too, had the great name Ali: the name more magnificent than the sky and more splendid than the sea.
Abdullah, the nourrisson, is also known as Ali Asghar; the son of Imam Hussayn, Seyyede Shohadda; the son of Robab, the daughter of Emra Al-Gheys bin Uday (famous pre-Islamic poet).
Imam Hussayn held his newborn in his arms and cried. Ali Asghar is the six-month-old of Karbala, the infant of Ashoora. Ali Asghar, you came to be the traveling companion of Karbala. You came to leave your Hajj unfinished.
When you were born, everyone’s happiness came to a stop. It’s such a shame. All that you experienced in life was pain, thirst and martyrdom. You came to give more value to the concept of martyrdom. You are the smallest sacrifice made in the name of Allah. Although small, what you did is huge. Your name is on the list of the ones who sacrificed everything for Ashoora and Islam. Assalamo aleik, oh Ali Asghar. Your name is repeated by all who seek divine help.
Name: Hussayn, Father of Ali Asghar (p.b.u.h.)
Nick name: Aba Abdullah, Abol Masakeen ( Father of the Miserable)
Honorific title: Seyyede Shohadda (master of martyrs)
Father: Ali (p.b.u.h.)
Mother: Fatemeh Zahra (p.b.u.h.)
Birthdate: 3 Shaban, 4 (Lunar Hejri)
Place of martyrdom: Karbala
Name of murderer: Shemr bin Zil Joshan
Period of leadership as Imam: 11 years, 11 months, and 3 days
Life: 57 years, 7 months and 7 days
The holy city of Karbala
This city is located south of Baghdad, 80 kilometers northwest of Najaf, near Forat River. It is 455 kilometers away from the city of Kermanshah in Iran.
What does Karbala mean?
Karbala is a place that God considers to be holy. When Imam Hussayn reached this city, he asked what the name of the city was. They said it was Karbala. His eyes were filled with tears and he said:
“Allahoma enni a’uzo beka menal karbo val bala.”
He knew that this was the land where he and his companions were to be killed. He said: “This is the land of suffering and problems, this is where we go down and our blood will be shed.” There are many narrations about the land of Karbala; we will only mention three.
1. The prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) says: “My (grand)son (Hussayn) will be buried in a place called Karbala. Karbala is where a dome is.”
2. Imam Reza (a.s.) says: “The Torbat (the dust that accumulates on the shrine) will cure all illnesses and give protection from all worries and phobias.
3. The prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) says: “Any wish made under the dome of the shrine of Imam Hussayn will be granted. His torbat will cure and the generations of imams are from his progeny.
Ali Asghar
Be ayye zanbun ghotelat?
One of Imam Hussayn’s sons, an infant, was wiggling with thirst on the day of Ashoora. Imam called out to the enemy and said: “This infant is the only one left from my sons and companions. Can’t you see how desperate thirst has made him?" In the book Nafsul Mahmum it is said that he calls out: “If you won’t have mercy on me, at least have mercy on this child!” While he was talking, Harmala loosed an arrow that slit the six-month-old’s throat. Imam Hussayn took some of the gushing blood from his son’s throat and threw it up in the air.
In Maghtal books, there is reference to Ali Asghar and The Nourrossion. No clear consensus exists whether it is one child or two.
One might think that Ali Asghar was only an infant on Ashoora, and he didn’t play an important role. But this is not the case at all. He had an extremely important emotional and sentimental role. When he was killed so cruelly, the people who had the slightest humanity left in them realized just how cold-blooded and barbaric the enemy was. The enemy didn’t even take mercy on an innocent infant!
In Ziarah of Nahie Moghadassa, we send our salam to the infant. In one version of Ziarah of Ashoora he is referred to as Imam Hussayn’s son, Ali Asghar. There are many names for Ali Asghar: The Infant, The Six-Month-Old, Bab al-Hawaej, the Deliverer of Our Desires and the cradle is a symbol that represents the Infant of Karbala.

What is there to do for the infant but smile
The one who laughed at death, was your child
“Ali Asghar is the brightest face of Karbala, the greatest proof of oppression… Through the eyes of history, there has never been a more influential role for martyrdom.” (Bahar al-Anwar Vol.45, p.660) They call Ali Asghar “Bab al-Hawaej”, meaning the door to all desires, even though he is only a small child.
The door of the garden of martyrdom
Is unlocked by the small key of Ali Asghar


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