Safar-ul-Muzaffar Compiled by: Syeda Bint-e-Zahra,President

Safar is the 2nd month of Islamic Clender Azadari-e-Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) remain continue in it as in Muharram-ul-Haram. The best amal (deed) during this month is to.
· Lament, mourn and weep over the great sufferings (masa'ib) of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), Hazrat Zainab (A.S), Hazrat Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S), Ahle Haram (children and womenfolk) and shuhada-e-karbala;
· Hold majalis and Azadari processions.

On the Ist of safar in the year 61 A.H, the Holy Head of Hazrat Imam Hussain bin Ali (A.S) along with Ahle Haram (children & womenfolk) reached yazeed laeen's palace in Damascus. At that moment when Shareeka-tul-Hussain Hazrat Zainab binte Ali entered the door of palace she heard:" Assalam-o-alaiki ya binte Rasool-lillah". She wondered that who might be he. At that time she saw the Holy Head of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel (A.S), the envoy of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) to Kufa, who was brutally killed by ibne ziyad (may Allah curse him), was saying Salam while it was hanged on the door.

War of safeen was also commenced on the same date in year 37 AH.

3rd safar is the day when 4 years old Hazrat Sakeena bintul Hussain(A.S) kissed martyrdom in Zindaan-e-Shaam (Prison of Syria) and was buried by her brother Hazrat Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S) in the same zindaan reports indicate that this masoom daughter of Hussain was buried while she was wearing the same blood-stained shirt. She was very dear to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and was used to sleep on the Holy chest of her father (A.S). A very famous saying of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) about Hazrat Sakeena (A.S), which indicates His great love for Her, is: "without Sakeena no place is liked by me". It is reported that in darbar-e-yazeed laeen (may Allah curse him & be the pit of hell for him) when sakeena asked the Holy Head of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) to come to her lap from tasht ( a tray in which Holy Head of Imam (A.S) was placed), it raised and came to in Her lap.

It was 7th safar when Hazrat Imam Musa-e-kazim bin Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S), the 7th successor of Holy prophet (P.b.U.H and His Aal) was born in Abwa, a place situated between Makkah and Medina, in the year 128 A.H. His Holy mausoleum is in kazmain sharifain, Iraq. Recitation of Ziarat-e-Jamia in this day is mustahab (desirable)(mafateehul jinnan may be consulted for Ziarat.)

Hazrat Imam Ali Raza bin musa-e-kazim(A.S), the 8th successor of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.b.U.H and His Aal) was martyred on 17th of safar (ba rawayate) in the year 203 AH in Tous in the land of khurasaan. At that time he was 55 years of age. His Holy Shrine is in Tous (Mesh'had) Iran. To recite Ziarat-e-Jamia in this day is mustahab (desirable).

20th Safar is the chehlum day of syed-ush-shuhada Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and Shuhada-e-Karbala. This was also the day when Haram-e- (children,womenfolk) Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) come back to Medina from Syria after their release from its zindaan.

Hazrat Jabir-bin-Abdullah, the companion of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.b.U.H an his Aal), to whom Holy Prophet gave this news:" Jabir you will get the period of my 5th successor Hazrat Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S) bin Hazrat Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S). When you meet Him, pay my salam to Him (A.S)," arrived in karbala to visit Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S). He has the honour of being the first who visited Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S).

It is reported from Hazrat Imam Hassan Askari (A.S) that 5 things are the emblems of a momin:


(i) Performing 51 rakaat prayer (salat) (17 rakat wajib + 34 rakat nafal) during 24 hours;
(ii) Reciting ziarat-e-Arba'een;
(iii) Wearing Aqeeq-ring in right hand;
(iv) To prostrate (sajda) on khak-e-shafa;
(v) To recite Bismillahirahmaaniraheem audibly in prayers (salat).

Two Ziaraat of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) of Roze-Arba'een (chehlum) have been reported:

(a) Sheikh has reported in Tehzeeb and Misbah from safwan jamal, he said that my maula Hazrat Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S) said to me to recite following ziarat on Arba'een day:



"Peace be upon the wali of Allah and His favourite, peace be upon khaleel-lillah and the one chosen by Him, peace be upon the pure person of Allah and the son of His pure person, Peace be upon Hussain (A.S) who is mazloom (oppressed) and shaheed (martyr), Peace be upon one who was imprisoned by sufferings and the slain of cries and lamentation. Oh Allah I bear witness that He is your wali and the son of your wali and your chosen one and the son of your chosen one and is appointed and fixed with your grace. You have honoured him with martyrdom and have particularized Him with blessings and selected him with cleanliness and purity of birth and made him master from among the masters and leader from among the leaders and defender of Islam from among the defenders of Islam and granted Him the heritage of Prophets and placed Him Hujjat (proof) upon your creatures from among the ausiya (testamentary successors) so He removed the excuse from Ummah in itmaam-e-Hujjat (completion of proof) and accomplished to advice Ummah and caused His blood to shed in your way to save your beings from that of ignorance and going astray while he was oppressed by the one who was made arrogant by the world and who exchanged his share of Aakhira for mean and base world and sold his Aakhira for a very low price and caused oppression and tyranny and he was ruined in his self desires, and made you and your Prophet angry and obeyed callous, hypocrites and sinfuls from among Your servants who deserve hell. So he made Holy war (Jehad) in your way to these oppressors with patience and sincerity to this degree that His blood was caused to shed in your obedience, and disgrace of his sanctity was regarded as lawful (mubah). Oh Allah curse these cruels with severity, and give them terrible punishment, peace be upon you oh the son of prophet of Allah, peace be upon you oh the son of the master of Ausiya (testamentary successors). I bear witness that you are trustee (ameen) of Allah and the son of his trustee, you have spent your whole life in obedience and passed away in a praise worthy way and died as a matchless and oppressed martyr. I bear witness that Allah will fulfill what He has promised to you and will ruin who has left you and punish who has killed you, and I bear witness that you have fulfilled the promise of Allah and made Holy war (jehad) in His way up to this that you died. May Allah curse him who has killed you, and may the curse of Allah be upon him who oppressed you, and may Allah curse the ummah which heard all this and remained agree to this. Oh Allah I make you witness that I am friend of their (A.S) friends and enemy of their enemies. May my parents ransom you, oh the son of Holy Prophet of Allah. I bear witness that you was refulgence ad light in the elevated spines and loins, and in the womb of pure and chaste mothers, the evil influences and dirt of ignorance did not reach you, the dark dress of ignorance did not come on your body. And I bear witness that you are the pillar of religion, the base of Muslim constitution and the protector of momeneen (faithfuls) and I bear witness that you are pious, virtuous, Allah's favourite, pure, true guide and guided Imam, and I bear witness that the Imams from your offspring are the soul of piety and signs of guidance, and strong relation of Emaan and proof over those who live in the world, and I bear witness that I believe you and believe in your raj'at (return) with the laws of my religion and completion of my deed, and my heart is entirely submissive to yours and my command in obeys yours, and my help for you is ready thus for Allah permit you hence we are with you, not with your foes may the blessings of Allah upon you and your souls and your bodies and your appearance and your absence and your outside & your inside. Fulfil my dua'a (prayer) Lord of the universe".

After the recitation of this Ziarat, two rakaat prayer (salat) is to be offered and then pray (dua'a) for his wishes and needs. Insha Allah his wishes/needs will be fulfilled.

(b) 2nd Ziarat-e-Arba'een is that which has been reported by Ata from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah please with him): He said that" I was with Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah on 20th safar. Hazrat Jabir used the water of Euphrates (farat) for ghusl (bath) when we reached Ghazaria. After it he (Hazrat Jabir) departed for the Holy grave of Imam Hussain (A.S) bare-footed. There he stood at the head part of the Holy grave and recited Allaho Akbar three times and became senseless and faint with grief and deep sorrow. I heard he was reciting the following ziarat when he came in his senses:



" Peace be upon You oh Aal Allah, peace be upon You oh the chosen by Allah, peace be upon you oh the best creature of Allah, peace be upon you oh the lord of Lords, Peace be upon you oh the brave lions, Peace be upon you oh the boats of liberation, peace be upon you oh aba Abdillahil Hussain (A.S), peace be upon you oh the successor of the knowledge of Prophets and may the blessings of Allah upon you, peace be upon you oh the successor of Adam (AS) safi illah (God's elected), peace be upon you oh the successor of Noah (A.S) nabi illah (the Prophet of Allah), peace be upon you oh the successor of Ibraham (A.S) Khaleel illah (The friend of Allah), peace be upon You oh the successor of Moses (A.S) Kaleem illah, peace be upon You oh the successor of Christ Rooh illah, peace be upon You oh the successor of Muhammad Habib illah ( the friend and favourite of Allah), peace be upon you oh the son of Muhammed-e-Mustafa ,peace be upon you oh the son of Ali-e-Murtaza ,peace be upon you oh the son of Fatimah tuz-zahra, peace be upon you oh the son of Khadeeja-tul-kubra, peace be upon you oh martyr - the son of martyr, peace be upon You oh who has been killed in the way of Allah - the son of who has been killed in the way of Allah, peace be upon You oh the wali of Allah - the son of His wali, peace be upon You oh the proof of Allah - the son of his proof upon His creatures, I bear witness that you established the salat (prayer), and gave zakat (charity) & ordered for good, and prohibited from evil, and grieved in your father's sufferings, and made Holy war (Jehad) against your enemy, and I bear witness that you listen our words and also reply, and that you are the friend of Allah, and His Khaleel and His najeeb and His elected and the son of His elected, oh my maula, and the son of my maula I visit you with passion and fondness so be my intercessor to Allah oh my master, and I want the intercession of your grandfather - the master of Prophets, and of your father - the Lord of Ausiya (testamentary successors) , and of your mother Fatimah - the mistress of the ladies of the world. May the curse of Allah be upon Your killers and upon those who oppressed you, may Allah curse those who seized your right and deprived you of it from among the first and the last, and may the blessings of Allah be upon our master Muhammad and His pure and chaste Aal (offspring)."

It is reported in the fazeelat and merit of Ziarat-e-Imam Hussain (A.S) that Allah show His special favour to the visitor of Hussain (A.S) in every Shab-e-Jum'a (the night between Thursday and Friday). Ibne Qolveya reported from Hazrat Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S) that "he who visits Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) will be with Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) in Bahisht (Heaven).

24th Safar (according to a report) is the martyrdom day of Shareeka-tul-Hussain (A,S) Hazrat Zainab bint-e-Ali (A.S). Her Holy Shrine is in Domascus, Syria. Her (A.S) great addresses shaked the bases of Yazeediyyat. Zainab (A.S) was she who caused to bring Hussainiyyat towards zinda-bad and yazeediyyat to murda-bad. Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) provided protection to the aim of Allah and Prophets, and aim of Hussain (A.S) which is an expression of Hussainiyyat had been thrived by Zainab. This saying of late Allama Azher Hasan Zaidi (maghfoor) deserves to be written in golden words: " if Hussain (AS) would not there, then there would be no Islam and if Zainab (A.S) would not there, there would have been no name of Hussain (A.S)." it is reported that when Hazrat Zainab (A.S) was born, Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.b.U.H and His Aal) took her in his lap, kissed her and named her Zainab (Zainab is made of two words: 'Zain' and 'ab', means 'the grace and beauty of father'). Then Rasool Allah's eyes started following with tears. When he was asked for the reason of his weeping and lamenting He replied: "my this grand daughter would face great sufferings".

On 28 th Safar Syed-ul-Anbia, Khatmur Rusul, Habeeb-e-Khuda Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (P.b.U.H & His Aal) passed away in the year 10.A.H. He was 63 years of age at that time. Hazrat Ali murtaza (A.S) under took the washing and shrouding of His (P.b.U.H & His Aal) holy body and performed funeral prayer. His Holy shrine is in Madina almunawwara. Hazrat Fatimah tuz Zahra Bint-e-Rasool's heart rending cries over the sad demise of her father shaked each and every nook and corner of medina. Hazrat Fizza reported: "I have never seen Ahle Haram, raising such heartrending cries except on three occasions:

(i) Over the sad demise of Holy Prophet (P.b.U.H & His Aal);
(ii) When Imam Hussain (A.S) departed from medina;
(iii) When Bint-e-Zahra returned back to medina from Syria."

Hazrat Imam Hassan (A.S), the grand son of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.b.U.H & His Aal) the son of Ameer-ul-momeneen Hazrat Ali ibne Abi Talib (A.S) and of the mistress of the women of the worlds, Fatimah Zahra, daughter of Hazrat Muhammad (P.b.U.H & His Aal), Lord of messengers, was also kissed martyrdom on Safar 28 in the year 50 AH. At that time his age was 47 years. His brother Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) under took the washing and shrouding of His (A.S) holy body and buried him in the cementery of Al-Baqi near his mother Hazrat Fatimah-tuz-Zahra binte Muhammad. Recitation of Ziarat-e-Jamia in this day is mustahab (desirable).

Threek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya has this honour that it announces the observation of all these days with fervour and respect

Unlike any other city, Karbala has its named engraved in the memory of generations, and in the expanse of the Muslim world...

Believers remember that name with sorrow and distress, for they remember the history of the master of all martyrs, Imam Husayn, peace be upon him, and his sacrifice for Islam.

The wave of visitors never stopped coming to Karbala, from the time the Umayyad and Abbaside caliphs prevented the construction of the shrines to the time the believers were able to build the precinct, despite the hardships and difficulties imposed on them.

And today, since Karbala is witnessing new calamities, and the mausoleums of Imam Husayn [a] and his companions are subjected to destruction and neglect, and visitors are prevented from reaching that place, it is suitable to familiarise ourselves with Karbala...


Two main roads lead the visitor to Karbala. One is from the Iraqi capital Baghdad, through Al-Musails, and the other is from the holy city of Najaf. However, either one excites the visitor with its greenish scenery along the sides.

Upon reaching Karbala, the holy place would draw the visitor's attention to its glorious minarets and domes shining due to the light of its lord.

At the city's entrance, the visitor finds a row of houses decorated with wooden columns, and while proceeding further towards the holy mausoleum, he sees architechture similar, to some extent, to modern ones.

Upon reaching the holy shrine, one finds himself in front of a boundary wall that surrounds wooden gates covered with glass decorations, and when one enters one of those gates, he enters a precinct surrounded by small rooms called "I wans".


The holy grave is located in the middle of the precinct, surrounded by square shaped structures called "Rawaq".

The grave itself is located in the middle of the grave site with golden windows around it, with beautiful illumination. It really is something great to see.

"Karbala" Origin & Meaning

There are many opinions among different investigators, as to the origin of the word "Karbala".

Some have pointed out that "Karbala" has a connection to the "Karbalato" language, while others attempt to derive the meaning of word "Karbala" by analysing its spelling and language. They conclude that it originates from the Arabic word "Kar Babel" which was a group of ancient Babylonian villages that included Nainawa, Al-Ghadiriyya, Karbella, Al-Nawaweess, and Al-Heer. This last name is today known as Al-Hair and is where Imam Husayn's [a] grave is located.

The investigator Yaqut al-Hamawy had pointed out that the meaning of "Karbala" could have several explanations, one of which is that the place where Imam Husayn [a] was killed is made of soft earth - "Al-Karbalat".

Other writers made the connection between the name and the disastrous event which painted the desert with blood, and so the word "Karbala" was said to compose of two Arabic words: "Karb" meaning grief and sorrow, and "Balaa" meaning affliction. Such a connection, in fact, has no scientific evidence, since Karbala was known as such even before the arrival of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him.

Martyrdom and popularity

Karbala was at first an uninhabited place and did not witness any construction activity, although it was rich in water and its soil fertile.

Following the tenth of Muharram 61 AH (680 AD), after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn [a], people from far as well as tribes living nearby started visiting the holy grave.

A lot of those who came, stayed behind and/or asked their relatives to bury them there after their demise.

Despite many attempts by successive rulers, such as Al-Rashid and Al-Mutawakkil, to put a restriction on the development of this area, it has nonetheless spread with time to become a city.

Bounty of visiting Imam Husayn [a]

There is a lot of benefit and great spiritual reward in visiting the grave of Imam Husayn [a]. The Prophet [s] has said of his grandson Imam Husayn [a]: "Husayn is of me and I am of him". Several narrations mention that visiting the grave of Imam Husayn [a] relieves one of worldly afflictions as well as those after death.

Believers, therefore, come from all parts of the world all year round to receive the honour of visiting Imam Husayn [a], particularly during the first ten days of Muharram (Ashura) and the twentieth of Safar (the fourtieth).

One common Iraqi custom during that season is to go walking from Najaf to Karbala, reflecting their strong adhesion to and adoption of the morals and principles for which Imam Husayn [a] struggled and attained martyrdom.

Mausoleum of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him

The historian Ibn Kuluwayh mentioned that those who buried Imam Husayn [a], made a special and rigid construction with signs above the grave.

Higher and bigger constructions above the grave started during the ruling of Al-Saffah, but Harun al-Rashid later on, put heavy restrictions to prevent people from visiting the grave.

At the time of Al-Mamun, construction around the grave resumed until the year 236 AH when Al-Mutawakkil ordered the destruction and digging of the grave, and then filling the pit with water. His son, who succeeded him, allowed people to visit the grave site, and since then building the precinct to the grave increased and developed step by step.

On the other hand, the historian Ibn Al-Athir, stated that in the year 371 AH, Aadod Al-Dawla Al-Boowayhi became the first to largely lay the foundations for large scale construction, and generously decorated the place. He also built houses and markets around the precinct, and surrounded Karbala with a high boundary wall turning it into a strong castle.

In the year 407 AH, the precinct caught fire due to the dropping of two large candles on the wooden decorations, but Hasan ibn Fadl (the state minister) rebuilt the damaged sections.

History has recorded the names of several rulers who shared the honour of widening, decorating or keeping the precinct in good condition. Amongst them is Fateh Ali al-Qajari, who in 1250 AH ordered the construction of two domes. One over Imam Husayn's [a] grave and the other over his brother Abu al-Fadl Abbas [a].

The first dome is 27 meters high and completely covered with gold. At the bottom, it is surrounded with 12 windows, each of which is about 1.25 m away from the other, from the inside, and 1.30 m from the outside.

The mausoleum has an area of 59 m / 75 m with ten gates, and about 65 rooms (I wans), well decorated from the inside and outside, used as classrooms for studying.

As for the grave itself, in the middle of the precinct, it is called the "Rawda" or garden and it has several doors. The most famous one is called "Al-Qibla" or "Bab al-Dhahab". When it is entered, one can see the tomb of Habib ibn Madhahir al-Asadi, to the right hand side. Habib was a friend and companion of Imam Husayn [a] since their childhood. He was one of those who was honoured with martrdom at the Battle of Karbala.


The resting place of Abbas b. Ali, peace be upon him

Abu al-Fadl Abbas, peace be upon him, was the brother of Imam Hasan [a] and Imam Husayn [a] and the standard-bearer of Imam Husayn [a] in the Battle of Karbala. He is well known in history for his valour, loyalty and similarity to his father, the Lion of God, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be upon him.

The grave of Abbas [a] received similar attention as that of Imam Husayn [a]. In the year 1032 AH, the King Tahmaseb ordered the decoration of the grave's dome. He built a window on the 'darih' around the grave and organized the precinct. Other similar activities were done by other rulers.

As a matter of fact, Karbala contains, besides the grave of Imam Husayn [a] and his brother, the grave of all the 72 martyrs of Karbala. They were buried in a mass grave which was then covered with soil to the ground level. This mass grave is at the foot of Imam Husayn's [a] grave. In particular, besides Imam Husayn's grave are the graves of his two sons Ali Akbar and 6-month old Ali Asgher.

Chronology of Imam Husayn's Shrine at Karbala

AH
CE
Events

61
lst October, 680 Imam Husayn [a] was buried at this sacred spot.

65
18th August, 684 Mukhtar ibn Abu Obaidah Thaqafi built an enclosure around the grave, in the form of a mosque and erected a dome over the grave. There were two entrances to this building.

132
12th August, 749 A roof was built over a part of this mosque and two entrances were added during the reign of as-Saffah.

140
31st March, 763 The roof was demolished during the reign of al-Mansur.

158
11th November, 774 During the reign of Mahdi the roof was reconstructed.

171
22nd June, 787 During the reign of Al-Rashid the dome and the roof were demolished and the plum tree which stood near the grave was cut down.

193
25th October, 808 During the reign of Amin the building was reconstructed.

236
15th July, 850 Mutawakkil demolished the buildings and ordered that the land should be ploughed.

247
17th March, 861 Muntasir built a roof over the grave and set up an iron pillar near it, to serve as a landmark for the pilgrims.

273
8th June, 886 The roof was demolished again.

280
23rd March, 893 The Alid representative built a dome in the centre, with two roofs, on either side and an enclosure with two entrances.

307
19th August, 977 Adzd ibn Boweih rebuilt the dome, the surrounding galleries and constructed a screen of teak wood around the sepulchre. He also constructed houses all round the shrine and erected the boundary wall of the city. At the same time Imran ibn Shahin built a mosque adjacent to the tomb.

407
10th June, 1016 The buildings were damaged by fire and the Vizier, Al-Hasan ibn al Fadi rebuilt them.

620
4th February, 1223 Nasir le-din-Illah reconstructed the screens of the sepulchre.

757
18th Sept. 1365 Sultan Owais ibn Hasan Jalairi remodelled the dome and raised the walls of the enclosure.

780
24th Feb. 1384 Ahmad ibn Owais erected two minarets covered with gold and extended the courtyard.

920
26th Feb. 1514 When Shah Ismail Safawi visited the holy shrine he built a sacrophagus of the inlaid work over the grave.

1032
5th Nov. 1622 Shah Abbas Safavi constructed the screens (darih) of brass and bronze and decorated the dome with Kashi tiles.

1048
15th May 1638 Sultan Murad IV, when he visited the holy shrine, whitewashed the dome.

1155
8th March 1742 Nadir Shah visited the holy shrine and decorated the building and offered valuable presents to the treasury of the shrine.

1211
7th July 1796 Shah Muhammad Qachar covered the dome of the shrine with gold.

1216
14th May, 1801 Wahhabis attacked Kerbala, spoiled the screens and portico and looted the shrine.

1232
21st Nov., 1817 Fateh Ali Shah Qachar repaired the screens and plated them with silver. He also plated the centre of the main portico with gold and repaired the damage done by the Wahhabi robbers.

1283
16th May, 1866 Nasiruddin Shah Qachar extended the courtyard of the shrine.

1358
21st February, 1939 Dr. Syedna Taher Saifud-din, 51st Dai-el-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community offered a set of screens of solid silver which are fixed in the shrine.

1360
29th January, 1941 Dr. Syedna Taher Saifud-din, 5lst Dai-el-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community rebuilt the western minaret.

1367
20th Dec., 1948 Syed Abdul Rasul Khalsi, Administrator of Karbala acquired the houses in the neighbourhood of the courtyard according to the price fixed by the government, to build a road around the holy mausoleum and to extend the courtyard.

Thanks sa Jaffry: Insha Allah i'll pray these as much as possible

Godbless You