Patience… A Higher Notion for the Right Path

Patience… A Higher Notion for the Right Path

Reflections ..

Dari hari ke hari minggu ke minggu bulan ke bulan tahun ke tahun....terus hingga sekarang, kemanakah arah kita melangkah...apakah sudah menuju jalan yang telah di tunjukanNYA atau selama ini kita hanya berbuat sesuatu yang pada kenyataannya tidak ada manfaat untuk diri kita dan sekitarnya. Waktu yang sesungguhnya di berikan pada kita agar kita mendapatkan manfaat untuk kehidupan kita disini juga di akhir nanti, jangan-jangan hanyalah kita jadikan pemenuhan kebutuhan-kebutuhan rendah dunia kita yang mungkin ada manfaatnya hanya untuk diri kita dan segelintir manusia yang dalam waktu sekejap tak mengandung arti lagi dan berujung pada penyesalan. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.....Semoga kita semua terlindung dari hal semacam itu.

" Demi masa. Sesungguhnya, manusia berada dalam kerugian, kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan mengerjakan kebajikan serta saling menasihati untuk kebenaran dan saling menasihati untuk kesabaran " ( QS 103 : 1-3)

Ternyata jawaban nya terdapat di ayat al Quran diatas. Surat al Asr, singkat tetapi sangat padat dan sungguh cukup untuk menjadi pegangan untuk kita semua yang mau merenungi dan benar-benar mentadaburi makna ayat diatas tsb.

Sang Maha Pencipta diri kita sendiri telah tegaskan , bahwa manusia itu dalam keadaan merugi, kecuali bagi orang-orang yang beriman lalu saling menasihati dalam kebenaran dan kesabaran. Terkesan sangat sederhana dan biasa, tetapi apabila kita merenung.....sungguh ini adalah obat penyadar diri, yang mana kita diharuskan untuk mengukur diri kita apakah kita masih termasuk yang tergerus dengan waktu hingga kita membuang-buang waktu dengan percuma tanpa makna yang berarti, masih ego sentris dan hanya menyibukan segala sesuatunya hanya untuk diri kita saja tanpa ada keinginan untuk berbagi dengan sesama, sekitar kita . Karena seperti di negara Barat yang kebanyakan manusianya asyik terus membuat dirinya 'bahagia', tetapi tidak mempedulikan masyarakat sekitarnya. Apabila, mereka melihat sesuatu yang tidak benar dan tidak baik, mereka lebih bersikap masa bodoh, selama itu tidak mengganggu diri mereka.

Dalam keluarga pun, orang tua tidak akan menasihati anaknya lagi setelah 18 tahun keatas, dan anak tersebut bebas dapat berbuat apa saja , karena orang tua sudah merasa tidak ada tanggung jawab lagi baik itu dalam hal finansial maupun yang lainnya. Walaupun orang tua terkadang masih mensuport keuangan anaknya, tetapi tetap urusan akhlak dan perilaku bukan tanggung jawab orang tuanya lagi. Inilah yang menyebabkan hancurnya moral di negara-negara Barat. Mereka menganggap kehidupan itu hanya di dunia saja, dan setelah kematian hancur titik.

Bahayanya, banyak negara-negara yang banyak memeluk suatu agama pun telah latah mengadop nilai-nilai tsb, hingga mereka rela melepaskan jati diri mereka.

Sungguh dekadensi moral kian menjamur di seluruh pelosok negeri. Mengamati dan menilai sesuatu dari segi fisik sungguh suatu tipuan yang nyata dan berakibat fatal. Bagaimana tidak kita dapat melihat para penjahat dunia sekaliber Netanyahu dan Obama berpenampilan sangat 'modern' dengan modal rhetorika yang dapat memutar balikan kenyataan dan menuduh pihak lain sebagai pelaku sementara mereka sendirilah di balik semua tuduhan tersebut. Untuk dapat di nilai demikian berbagai upaya pun dikerjakan dengan cara membuat lembaga-lembaga International seperti PBB dan semacamnya untuk dapat melegalisasi kejahatan mereka agar tampak samar dan bebas hukum; menguasai hampir seluruh media masa dunia, sehingga dengan mudahnya seluruh berita dapat di kontrol atas kehendak mereka. Mensponsori hampir seluruh lembaga-lembaga kemanusiaan di seluruh dunia sehingga terlihat mereka lah yang paling menjunjung tinggi nilai-nilai kemanusiaan. Semua itu sebagai alat untuk dapat menguasai dunia dengan mengatas namakan demokrasi.

Alhamdulillah , sekarang ini kita telah banyak membuka mata-mata kita dan mencoba dapat bangkit dari segala kelelapan tidur yang terlalu lama. Di negeri-negeri Islam yang di jadikan target mereka untuk dapat mengucilkan nilai-nilai suci Islam hingga tiada. Tetapi Allah Ya Hayyu Ya Qayum , tidak pernah tidur dan diam dan telah menjanjikan kita hamba-hambaNYA bahwa kemenangan akan berada di atas para kaum tertindas yang bangkit melawan segala kejahatan yang ada di muka bumi ini tanpa henti.

Setiap diri kita terpanggil untuk bangkit dan berdiri tegak melawan setiap ketidak adilan dan kejahatan yang nyata maupun yang tersembunyi dan saling mengingatkan untuk selalu berada dan berjalan di jalanNYA , jalan yang telah di tunjukan para Kekasih Allah SWT- para Nabi Allah yang tak seorang pun dari mereka mencontohkan kita untuk hidup bersenang-senang di dunia ini. Dunia ini adalah ladang kita untuk dapat meraih kehidupan yang sesungguhnya di akhirat. Sebagaimana Nabi Muhammad saww : " Kita di uji di dunia ini, karena sesungguhnya kita diciptakn untuk di alam akhirat "

Wallahualam bishawab

Allahumma shali ala Muhammad wa aali Muhammad wa ajil farajahum

The Manifesto...

Imam Khomeini's heart warming love towards his wife ♥

Imam's wife would say, "I was never woken up by Imam praying Salatul Layl because he would never switch on the room light. When he would go to do wudhoo, he would place a sponge in the sink under the tap so that the sound of the falling water would not wake me."

Agha always offered me the better place in the room. He would not start eating un...til I ...came to the dinner table. He would also tell the children: ‘Wait until Maa comes.’

He was not even willing that I should work in the house. He would always tell me: ‘Don’t sweep.’ If I wanted to wash the children’s clothes at the pond, he would come and say: “Get up, you shouldn’t be washing.”

On the whole, I have to say that Imam did not consider sweeping, washing dishes and even washing my children’s clothes as part of my responsibilities. If out of necessity I sometimes did these, he would get upset considering them as a type of unjust dealing towards me.

Even when I entered the room, he would never say: ‘Close the door behind you,’ but waited till I sat down and then would himself get up and shut the door.

♥♥♥

His daughter Siddika says: My father had an extraordinary respect for my mother. In the period of 60 years of living together, he did not even reach for food (on the dinner table) before his wife, nor did he have even the smallest expectation from her. I can even say that in the period of 60 years of living together, at no time did he even ask for a glass of water, but would always get it himself.

He behaved this way not only with his wife but also with all of us who were his daughters. If he ever wanted water we would all enthusiastically run to get it, but he never wanted us to bring and give him a glass of water in his hand.

During the difficult last days of his life, each time he would open his eyes, if he was capable of speaking, he would ask: ‘How is Khanom?’ We would reply: ‘She is good. Shall we tell her to come to you?’ He would answer: ‘No, her back is hurting. Let her rest.’

Here is one of the letters he wrote to her:

To my beloved wife,
O' I die for you. I have always remembered you when you – the light of my eyes and strength of my soul- have been away from me. Your pretty face is shining in my heart like in a mirror…..
I really miss you her in Beirut. You can find a lot of beautiful places to visit in the city and at the sea. What a pity that my dearest is not with me…...
This has been a good journey so far trip but you are really and truly missed. I miss our son, Seyyed Mustafa. I pray that God will protect you both.
I love you so much.
Ruhullah Khomeini

By: AhlulBayt Islamic Mission (AIM)

Global March to Jerusalem 30 March 2012

Dengan semangat yang berapi-api menjelaskan bagaimana keadaan sesungguhnya yang terjadi di Palestina, George Galloway - mantan anggota parlemen Inggris yang hampir sebagian masa hidupnya hingga saat ini terus berjuang membela rakyat Palestina.

Kedatangan beliau kali ini untuk membuka VIVA PALESTINA INDONESIA yang tujuan utamanya untuk membangkitkan kepedulian masyarakat Indonesia kepada rakyat Palestina yang hingga kini terjajah dan teraniaya. Dan mengembalikan ingatan kita akan sejarah yang telah di ukir ketika Indonesia akan memerdekakan diri dari penjajahan Belanda selama 3.5 abad, rakyat Palestina banyak andil dalam membantu proses kemerdekaan bangsa ini dari penjajahan.

Malulah sebagai bangsa yang pernah di hutang budikan oleh bangsa Palestina dan kini kita tidak lagi terjajah secara fisik oleh Belanda, lalu rakyat Indonesia lupa akan siapa yang pernah menolong negerinya terbebas dari penjajah. ( dalam kaca mata spiritual mungkin dapat dilihat bahwa bangsa kita lah yang sesungguhnya terjajah oleh banyaknya masukan2 asing ke negeri ini hingga secara ekonomi dan mental kita masih terjajah dan disisi lain bangsa Palestina yang secara fisik masih terjajah dengan di rampasnya tanah dan rumah2 mereka serta di bunuhnya sanak keluarga mereka yang sama sekali tdk berdosa, dan mereka terus melawan si penjajah itu hingga rela mengorbankan segalanya demi kemerdekaan tanah airnya )

Dikuasainya media oleh regim zionis membuat terputusnya akses kita dengan bangsa Palestina. Bangsa ini dibuat asyik tertidur dengan mimpi2 omong kosong yang sengaja disuguhkan untuk menina bobokan kita agar hanya hidup dalam khayalan, ketidak pedulian pada sesama, pembunuhan karakter dan kehilangan agama yang telah diwarisi oleh nenek moyang kita yang sangat taat dan saleh, melenyapkan budaya bangsa dan adat istiadat yang telah diajarkan para leluluhur kita. Sehingga kita bagaikan mayat2 hidup yang seperti robot, di tekan tombol baru bereaksi dan sangat monoton dan penuh daya tipu muslihat serta malas untuk berproses dalam menjalankan hak dan kewajibannya inginnya seba cepat , instant dan cepat bosan.

Sementara di belah bumi sana, ada sebuah negeri indah di pinggiran laut Mediterania yang hingga detik ini masih terus menerus dalam keadaan terjajah . Tanah2 dan rumah2 mereka serta harta benda juga sumber mata pencaharian mereka di rampas, di curi dan sekaligus di hancurkan dan dibuat sebuah negara fiktif yang bernama Israel Raya.

Rakyat Palestina di bantai dan di hinakan dengan perlakuan2 tak bermoral, negeri indah nan berkah ini menjadi penjara terbesar di dunia. Dunia pun diam. Hanya segelintir orang2 yang berakal saja yang bangkit dan menolong mereka. Dalam hal ini Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini r.a dari sejak dahulu beliau telah menyerukan pada umat Islam di seluruh dunia mengingatkan bahwa ada bangsa yang terdzalimi hingga saat ini dan kita wajib menolong kaum2 mustadafin. Beliau r.a menyerukan untuk kita berdemonstrasi di depan kedutaan Amerika dan turun ke jalan2 pada hari Jumat terakhir di bulan Ramadhan. Alhamdulillah hingga kini, hari itupun dikenal dengan nama ' Al Quds International Day' . Subhanallah pada zaman beliau r.a hidup keadaan Palestina masih lebih baik dibanding sekarang yang kian hari kian horor. Penjajah terlaknat Israel dengan dukungan Amerika dan sekutunya ( EU, NATO, dan Raja2 Arab ) telah terus menerus menyerang bangsa Palestina yang sama sekali tak berdosa.

Maha suci Allah yang selalu menolong hamba2NYA dengan memunculkan orang2 yang telah mewakafkan diri2nya untuk berjuang menegakkan ketidakadilan di bumiNYA.
Seorang George Galloway sebagai pendiri VIVA PALESTINA yang bermula di Inggris, kini membuka lagi di negeri kita yang masih berhutang pada bangsa Palestina dan Ummat Nabi Mulia kita Muhammad saw, VIVA PALESTINA INDONESIA.

Sebenarnya Palestina adalah isu kemanusiaan jadi bukan semata isu kaum muslimin. Berarti sebagai yang mengaku muslim sungguh ironis sekali apabila tidak mempedulikan tentang isu Palestina ini. Penjajahan di Palestina adalah sebuah kejahatan yang di rencanakan untuk merebut tanah Palestina dan membantai rakyat2nya agar, mereka yang mengaku beragama Yahudi dapat tinggal di Palestina sesuai janji Tuhan katanya. Tuhan yang mana yang membolehkan kita berbuat kejahatan agar janjiNYA tergenapi. Cara berpikir yang sakit ini telah dijangkiti oleh mereka yang mengaku beradab dan berpendidikan??

Menarik pernyataan GG yang menyinggung tentang negeri kita yang tdk mempunyai hubungan diplomatik dengan Israel tetapi di setiap sudut kota Jakarta bahkan di tempat2 kaum terpelajar disini,ada STAR BUCK, kedai kopi yang sangat mahal dan ternyata, kopinya pun diambil dari negeri kita dan di bawa ke negeri mereka di olah dan dijual mahal. Bukan hanya itu saja, setiap tegukan kopi yang di minum itu ada andil kita yang meminum kopi tsb untuk membunuh rakyat Palestina, dan pembangun rumah2 orang2 Yahudi di tanah rampasan Palestina. Menurut GG, apabila kita tidak ingin berhubungan dengan Israel kita seharusnya menunjukkan sikap dengan aksi tidak mengkonsumsi apapun produk2 Israel yang sengaja di buat untuk mendanai proyek2 kotor tak berperikemanusiaan mereka.

Boycott produk2 Israel adalah langkah awal komitment kita akan terlepasnya diri kita dari musuh2NYA, musuh2 kemanusiaan. Langkah boycott ini terkesan 'kecil' namun dampak dari konsisten melaksanakannya ( dengan TIDAK pernah membeli nya) sangat luar biasa membantu melemahkan perekonomian mereka sehingga mereka terhambat untuk melakukan kejahatan2 terencana mereka.

Adapun langkah2 selanjutnya , barangsiapa yang mampu dan ingin berpartisipasi dan menerjunkan diri secara langsung, bergabunglah bersama GLOBAL MARCH TO JERUSALEM , dimana kita akan kepung Israel dengan bertemu para pecinta & penolong kemanusiaan di Amman - Yordania, dan kita akan melakukan aksi jalan bersama menuju Jerusalem tanggal 30 Maret 2012.

"Barang siapa yang tidak mendengar panggilan kaum Muslimin yang tertindas, maka dia bukanlah seorang Musllim" ( Nabi Muhammad saww)

Allahumma shali ala Muhammad wa aali Muhammad wa ajil farajahum. ADRIKNA YA MAHDI

All in the Intention, Right?

How often do we hear people justifying the sins they commit in the name of their ‘intention’? ‘Oh, I know I"m a good person, I don"t mean any harm.’ ‘Islam is all about intention.’ ‘I don"t have bad intentions, so it"s ok.’

Have we forgotten the meaning of Islam, or worse yet, the very purpose of our existence?
Islam means to submit. We live to submit to the will of Allah. And not just to the degree we choose to, we are talking complete submission to His every decree in every aspect of our lives.

Yet all too often, we get ahead of our religion and feel capable enough to draw the line ourselves – the line that defines sin, the one we must not cross. Time and again, this line is based entirely on whether our ‘intention’ for a particular action is good or bad. Rather than following the laws prescribed to us by our Creator, we effectively allow our unqualified selves to decide what is acceptable and what isn"t. Escaping the laws of Islam by justifying wrongdoings in this way has almost become an art.

There are Muslims today of all ages attending gatherings of the unlawful kind, whether this consists of an atmosphere of music and dancing or simply a corporate dinner where alcohol is being served and consumed. They feel it is ok as long as they themselves do not drink or dance. Those who shake hands with the opposite gender feel they can because they have no evil intentions in doing so.

Some may deem it acceptable to purchase products from companies who support Israel, as they are simply interested in the product and do not intend to ‘get involved in politics’.

In any case, intentions are ‘good’ or ‘pure’, and that is all that seems to matter.
What needs to be reinforced here is the concept of Fiqh (jurisprudence) and the absolutely critical role it plays in the religion of Islam. Take the example of a wife who donated all her husband"s property and wealth to the poor after he had died. Despite all the good she had intended in doing so, she ultimately earned hellfire because she lacked the knowledge of Fiqh – that her husband"s belongings must be distributed to his heirs according to the laws of inheritance. Lacking proper knowledge of Fiqh and/or failing to adhere to its laws can lead to terrible consequences, even when performing a good deed with the very best of intentions.


As Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said, ‘Learn the laws of Haram and Halal, unless you are of the ignorant ones.’

Lacking knowledge of Islamic laws does not exempt us from our obligation to follow them. We learn this from the story of the man who sold fish without scales in the marketplace of Kufa. When Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was punishing him for breaking the law (since only fish that have scales are considered lawful in Islam), the man pleaded that he had no idea about this ruling and begged to be forgiven. But instead of excusing the fishmonger for his ignorance, the Imam actually doubled the punishment – the first one for breaking the law, the second one for not bothering to learn the law!

Imam Ali has also said, ‘Surely, the completion of religion is due to the obtaining of knowledge and acting on it (accordingly), and beware that the obtaining of knowledge is more obligatory for you than earning wealth.’ (Al-Kafi)

Thus, in order to ensure that we remain within the bounds of Islam, "it is imperative that we improve our knowledge of Fiqh and make every effort to apply it regularly in our lives ". Some may feel that such strict adherence to each and every Islamic ruling is extreme or is asking for too much. However, these laws have been laid down for us for a reason. If we have complete faith in Allah, we will soon appreciate the fact that abiding by His decree will only benefit us and disobedience will only bring us harm – in ways we may not even be aware of.

A practicing and God-fearing Muslim will consequently act in accordance with Islam"s rules, and when (s) he promises to submit to the will of Allah, (s) he will do exactly that. We see such conviction beautifully displayed by Lady Zainab (peace be upon him) on the day of Ashura. When the tents of the Ahl-ul-Bayt were burned and the holy ladies were stripped of their Hijabs, she approached Imam Zainul Abideen (peace be upon him) and asked if the women should stay inside the tents and get burned or go outside with their heads uncovered.

Even in a life-and-death situation, she made sure to be acting upon the laws of Islam rather than basing the decision on her ‘good intention’ to save their lives. Such unreserved submission shows that we really have no excuse in violating the rules prescribed to us, not even the excuse of intending to do no bad.

*source tebyan.net; Author: Farah Masood

Consequences of Unlawful Money in One's Life

1. Lavishness
One who accepts unlawful money can neither reach a good spiritual position, nor could he have firm beliefs. Unlawful money has many negative consequences, one of which is lavishness. Many people have been afflicted with lavish lifestyle; so, they cannot get the answer to their prayers.

2. The Difficulty of Happiness
One, whose prayers are not heard, because of his lavish lifestyle, cannot easily gain happiness.

3. Consequences for Next Generations
People, who accept unlawful money, make their lives and raise their children with it, cannot raise good children either. Such children are born and raised with unlawful money and food, and there is no place for them but the Hell.

4. Inability to Reach to a High Spiritual Position
One can never reach a good spiritual position if he accepts unlawful money.

5. Inability to Fight
They say when Martyr Kharrazi saw a few soldiers who had lied to get more food he punished them and shouted that people could not fight after eating unlawful food.

6. Taking away the Beauty of Religious Practitioners
Saying one’s prayers can lead him towards the heights of spirituality. But if one accepts unlawful money, his prayers have no meaning anymore. It even becomes harder for such a person to say prayers and to go on fasting.

7. Regression
According to Qur'an, one should always move forward; “O thou man! Verily thou art ever toiling on towards thy Lord- painfully toiling,- but thou shalt meet Him.”‌

Some move forward and some move backward. Each step backward gets one closer to the Hell. Both ways are getting people closer to God; one via Heaven, and the other one via Hell. One who accepts unlawful money is deviated from the path of God, thus, he is moving backward.

Another point to be mentioned is that it does not matter how much unlawful money people use in their lives. According to Prophet Muhammad, “Even one bite of unlawful food affects one.”‌

Unlawful money, no matter how little it is, belongs to someone else and not us. Therefore, the use of it is not acceptable.


* source tebyan.net
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

Seven Tips for improving your relationship with the Qur'an

Study the Noble Quran Word-for-Word
Are you one of those people who rarely touches the Quran? Or do you read daily, but don't find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Quran.

1. Before you touch it, check your heart
The key to really benefiting from the Quran is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah's book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was described by his wife as a "walking Quran": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Quran, he lived it.

2. Do your Wudu (ablution)
Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you you're not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.

3. Read only 5 minutes everyday
Too often, we think we should read Quran for at least one whole hour. If you aren't in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!

4. Make sure you understand what you've read
Five minutes of reading the Quran in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you're reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Quran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you've read that day .

5. Remember, the Quran is more interactive than a CD
In an age of "interactive" CD-Roms and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Quran is not like that. Remember that when you read Quran, you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention.

6. Don't just read, listen too
There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Quran, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Quran reading, not as a replacement for it.

7. Make Dua (supplication)
Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Quran. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.

* source : tebyan.net

Sayyed Nasrallah on Arbaeen: Resistance to Remain Our Choice

Sayyed Nasrallah on Arbaeen: Resistance to Remain Our Choice

Renungan Akhir Tahun

Perubahan waktu adalah kemestian dalam kehidupan kita di dunia ini, karena hal tersebut merupakan hukum yang Allah ciptakan sebagai hasil dari gerakan yang terjadi pada alam semesta. Tidak satupun di antara manusia yang mampu menghentikan perjalanan waktu.

Waktu demi waktu kita lewati dalam kehidupan kita sebagai sebuah lintasan perjalanan yang kelak akan mengantarkan kita pada lembah kematian sebagai batas akhir kehidupan kita di dunia ini.

Sekalipun waktu adalah hal alamiah namun bagi kehidupan seorang anak manusia, waktu memiliki arti besar karena di dalam waktu banyak peristiwa terjadi dan menghasilkan sejarah kehidupan manusia.

Banyak imperium yang jatuh dan bangun, banyak rezim yang datang silih berganti, banyak tokoh yang menghiasi sejarah mulai dari yang sangat baik hingga yang sangat zalim, Mulai dari Habil dan Qabil hingga Muhammad Saw dan Abu Jahal.

Ketika kita mencoba melakukan refleksi terhadapan kehidupan kita pribadi, ada banyak catatan yang telah kita tuliskan dalam lembar kehidupan kita, ada catatan yang baik dan ada pula catatan yang buruk, ada catatan yang mengharukan dan membuat kita bahagia adapula catatan luka yang membuat kita bersedih. Perjalanan kehidupan kita ibarat lukisan di sebuah kanvas kehidupan ada warna-warna yang indah bak pelangi sehingga membuat kagum yang memandangnya ada pula warna-warna kelabu membuat sedih orang yang melihatnya.

Perjalanan kehidupan kita di dunia ini seringkali kita sebut sebagai UMUR, kata umur mengindikasikan lamanya kehidupan kita di dunia ini, yang tentu satu sama lain memiliki umur tersendiri, ada yang sebentar namun adapula yang Allah SWT biarkan hingga berusia lanjut sebagaimana firman-Nya :

“Dan di antara kamu ada yang Kami tangguhkan hingga berusia lanjut sehingga tidak mengetahui lagi apa yg telah diketahui sebelumnya” (QS ; al-Hajj : 5).

Namun demikian kata Umur sendiri jika kita lacak di dalam al-Qur’an tidak semata hanya bermakna “Idamah al-Hayah fi al-Dunya wa Istimraruha” (Keberlangsungan hidup di dunia dan kontinyuitasnya) ada makna lain yang dijelaskan al-Qur’an terkait dengan kata Umur dan bahkan menggunakan kata ini pada beragam objek, di antara ayat-ayat tersebut misalnya :

“...Orang-orang itu lebih kuat dari mereka sendiri dan telah mengolah bumi tersebut lebih banyak dari apa yang mereka olah sebelumnya...” (QS Ar-Ruum : 9)
Dalam ayat ini kata umur dimaknai sebagai mengolah bumi dan apa yang ada pada bumi tsb.

“Yang memakmurkan masjid Allah hanyalah orang-orang yang beriman kepada Allah dan hari kemudian, serta tetap mendirikan shalat, menunaikan zakat dan tidak takut kecuali kepada Allah semata, maka sesungguhnya merekalah orang-orang yang mendapat petunjuk” (QS 9 : 18)

Bahkan Allah menyebut salah satu ibadah dengan menggunakan kata umur ini dan mengistilahkannya dengan sebutan “Umrah”. Sebagaimana dalam surah al-Baqarah ayat 158 :

“Sesungguhnya Shafa dan Marwah adalah sebagian syi’ar Allah. Maka barangsiapa yang beribadah Hajji ke Baitullah atau ber’umrah, maka tidak ada dosa baginya mengerjakan sa’i antara keduanya. Dan barangsiapa yang mengerjakan suatu kebaikan dengan kerelaan hati, maka sesungguhnya Allah Maha mensyukuri kebaikan lagi Maha mengetahui” (QS 2 : 158)

Dalam tafsir al-Mizan dinyatakan bahwa hakikat dari Umrah adalah menegakkan syi’ar-syi’ar Allah SWT.
Bahkan dalam bahasa Arab kata Ta’mir, yang bermakna memperbaiki atau menegakkan diambil dari kata Umur juga.

Dari beragam makna di atas kita mengetahui bahwa Allah SWT melihat Umur tidak semata lamanya seseorang hidup di dunia akan tetapi lebih kepada kualitas hidup seseorang, prestasi apa yang telah ia cetak dalam kehidupannya, berapa besar usaha yang telah ia lakukan untuk memperbaiki kehidupan di muka bumi ini dan beragam usaha yang telah dikerjakan untuk menegakkan syi’ar Allah SWT.

Dari penggalian makna ini kita dapat bertanya pada diri kita, berapa sebenarnya umur kita ? sulit tentu bagi kita untuk memberikan jawaban atas hal tersebut.

Ketika seorang sufi perempuan Rabi’ah al-Adawiyah di tanya dengan pertanyaan yang sama dia menjawab “Umurku baru lima tahun”, orang yang bertanya tersebut merasa ragu dengan apa yang didengarnya, dan ia melanjutkan pertanyaan “Apa yang engkau maksud wahai Rabi’ah ? ”Rabi’ah menjawab “Karena baru lima tahun aku betul-betul menundukkan diriku dihadapan Allah SWT”.

Pergantian tahun ini sebenarnya memberikan renungan kembali tentang umur kita tersebut, lamanya hidup kita di dunia ini tidak banyak memiliki makna akan tetapi panjang tidaknya umur kita lebih bergantung kepada kualitas kehidupan yang kita jalani

Di dalam Surah Hud ayat ke 7 Allah SWT berfirman :

“Sesungguhnya Dia-lah yang menciptakan langit dan bumi dalam enam hari dan Arsyinya berada di atas air, Sesungguhnya Dia hendak menguji di antara kamu yang terbaik amalnya”.
Semoga tahun yg akan datang kita mampu memberikan makna yang lebih baik bagi kehidupan kita. Ada sebuah do’a yang diajarkan oleh orang-orang shaleh menarik untuk kita baca di akhir tahun ini :

“Wahai yang membolak-balikkan hati dan pandangan, wahai yang mempergilirkan malam dan siang, wahai yang merubah-rubah keadaan, rubahlah keadaan kami menjadi sebaik-baik keadaan”.

Selamat Tahun baru 2012.

* from email Dr. Khalid Walid

Sayyed Nasrallah on Ashura: We Are Power that Enemy Still Does not Know

Sayyed Nasrallah on Ashura: We Are Power that Enemy Still Does not Know

Tens of thousands of Imam Hussein lovers joined the unified march organized by Hezbollah in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut to mourn Imam Hussein, renew their vows and pledges to stay on his path, and express support for the Islamic Resistance and renunciation of the “Great Satan” America and the occupying entity Israel.

After the march, people headed to Al-Raya Stadium where Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah was scheduled to deliver a speech after the commemoration.

However, unlike always, and as he was expected to deliver his speech via video link for the usual security reasons, Sayyed Nasrallah surprised the crowds by appearing among them on ground and saluting them.

Sayyed Nasrallah hasn’t appeared in public since the swap deal that took place in July 2008, when Samir Qintar and the four resistance fighters were released from the Israeli prisons.

His Eminence greeted the people and went on stage where he delivered a short statement saying: “I loved to be with you for a few minutes, even though I love to be with you always… On the 10th day of Muharram I wanted to join you so that we reiterate together and let the world hear our firm stance and vow to Imam Hussein who stood alone on this day confronting 30,000 people, and corroborated his father Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (as) who used to say: “By Allah, if I confront them while they are of large numbers and I’m alone, I would neither care nor repel.” When Hussein was put before two choices either fight or humiliation, and how far, how impossible, that we be humiliated…”

Forever, and no matter how much the challenges and dangers were, we tell all those who wager on scaring us or threatening us, that we are the friends of Abi Abdullah Al-Hussein (as) who says “How impossible that we be humiliated”.”

“My brothers and sisters, on the 10th day of Muharram, we renew our vow to Hussein (as) and tell him like his friends told him on the eve of the 10th of Muharram: “How could we stay after you… how unpleasant is life after you Hussein. By Allah if I was killed, then burned, then scattered into the air, then brought back to life, then I fight, get killed, then get burned again, and scattered into the air again, and the same thing gets done to me a 1000 times, I would not leave you o Hussein!”

Sayyed Nasrallah concluded his word on stage to appear via video link after a few minutes and deliver the whole speech:

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace be upon our Master and Prophet Mohammad Bin Abdullah, his virtuous household, and good friends, and upon all the prophets and messengers.

Peace be upon you my Master Imam Hussein the son of Allah’s prophet, and upon all the souls, that were martyred along with you…

First of all, I thank you all for this mass, for loyalty, pledge, commitment, and patience… and I ask Allah that he accepts all your efforts.

I join you on the 10th day of Muharram, the martyrdom day of Abi Abdullah Al-Hussein, his household, friends, to console the Prophet and his household (PBUT), our Imams, Imam Mahdi the grandson of Imam Hussein (may Allah hasten his appearance) and his deputy the leader Imam Khamenei, as well as all our scholars and all the Muslims who follow the prophet.

We yearly commemorate this day to renew our path, commitment, faith, vow, firmness, insistence, and strong desire to continue on this path that was taken by the all the prophets, messengers, guardians, and good ones.

Millions were martyred on this track, and Karabala is a major point in this good, historic path that will stay remembered until the Judgment day.

My brothers and sisters I will tackle some political issues on this day, as we have to warn and remind that the real threat to this nation, with all its countries, people, and governments, is the American, Israel project. It is the American administration no matter who its president was, and the enemy that is occupying Palestine violating the sanctities, assaulting the Palestinian people and the people of this nation. The greatest robber of our nation’s wealth is the American and Israeli.

Our peoples should always be aware of this truth and should not be deceived by this new American fraud. The Americans tried throughout this year to present themselves and defenders of human rights and democracy in the Arab world, those hypocrites and deceivers, who we all know and are aware of their history in supporting dictatorships, as all those dictatorships that were toppled were supported by the US Administration on the political, media, intelligence, military and every level.

Even when the people revolted and America found that its followers were toppling one after the other, it abandoned them. Do you know my brothers and sisters that these are the manners of Satan based on the Holy Quran? Satan does this on the Judgment day, when his followers reach a dead end; he abandons them, and acts like he does not have anything to do with it. What assures the American Administration’s satanic manners is that it deserts its followers, allies, and tools at the first crossroad, and looks for its own benefits and on ways to reduce its losses. Our people in the Arab and Muslim world should know that this US administration is the enemy and the threat. Didn’t we listen to (US) President (Barack) Obama a few days ago addressing the Jewish Lobby and organizations in America and telling them that “the help that my administration has given to Israel’s security was not given by any preceding administration,” and this is true. Even more, in Obama’s period, the CIA transferred from a major American intelligence organization into an intelligencer that works in Lebanon for the Mossad and the Israeli security apparatuses, and gives information about the mujahedeen who seek to find storage for their arms, and about locations and homes of officials. The American security apparatuses transferred to small agents that serve the security of Israel and defend Israel.

O people and political forces, don’t be deluded by the American Administration as it is the one occupying your Palestine, violating your Al-Quds, threatening your Holy mosque, and it is the one responsible, even before the enemy, of holding thousands of Palestinians in prisons, and of displacing, torturing, and besieging them in Gaza and the West Bank. This is America, so we should remember on the 10th of Muharram, not to err the enemy and not to err the friend. Only that with a blind insight errs the enemy and the friend.

The enemy is this American Administration and its “tool” not “ally” in the region, Israel, which it uses as a spearhead to humiliate and oppress the Arabs and the Muslims, and to impose the American desire on the Arabs and the Muslims in order to guarantee a market for its arms and steal their oil, and this should stay in mind.

Second, also in this context we should all be aware that after the failure of the American Administration’s former project of “the new Middle East”, which was defeated by the resistance in Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq, and by the awareness of the people of this region and the resisting countries at the head of which is Iran and Syria; it awakened with the rising of the Arab people and revolutions, and revived the Middle East project again, but this time from another gate, the gate of internal conflicts and sectarian incitements, because this is the only remaining choice for America and Israel to return its control over the region.

In this context, we have assured, and we reassure that we should avoid any sectarian or inciting speech, because it serves Israel and America, and the enemy of this nation. We are all supposed to respect each others’ sanctities, and here I emphasize Imam Khamenei’s Fatwa which requires us to respect all the sanctities and all the symbols of every sect.

Third, in this context, I speak about Al-Quds, which is the central cause and center of conflict in this region, and I warn on this day of the Judification taking place there. Every day, steps are being taken to entirely Judify Al-Quds.

Yesterday, homes were demolished East Al-Quds, and every day, they take decisions to build thousands of settlements, and now there are parts of Al-Aqsa mosque that are under threat because of the destructions taking place there.What we fear and we should fear is that while the Arab people are busy with their internal problems, Israel will take advantage of this opportunity and strike Al-Quds with a decisive blow. But anyway, this would be the greatest stupidity that Israel does since the entity’s establishment, yet the peoples should be aware and present because of these threats on the sanctities.

Palestine should always remain the first central cause no matter how much the situation worsens, and the conflicts increase. This is what we believe in and work for.

Regarding the Arab peoples’ options, we wager on these peoples’ awareness.

Today in Tunisia, the people triumphed over their tyrant, conducted elections, and hopefully, the political forces will meet the expectations of the honorable, dear Tunisian people.

The people in Libya triumphed over their tyrant, and the political forces there are also responsible of meeting the expectations of the people that presented thousands of martyrs.

In Yemen, the challenge is ongoing, and there are parts that are trying to divide Yemen and restore the sectarian atmosphere there, in order to end the revolution and its aspirations.

In Bahrain, the people are still going on with their peaceful movements, despite all the oppression, deception and hypocrisy. They are insisting on attaining their national, legitimate goals.

In Egypt, major changes that shook Israel and urged Barak to have worries about them took place. We all have hope in Egypt, because any real transformation in Egypt for the sake of the nation and Palestine, will change Israel’s strategic atmosphere in the region, would limit Israel’s options in the region, and put it in front of a critical situation that threatens its existence. This is the great challenge for the Egyptian political forces that will win in the elections and form the new authority. The challenge of Palestine, Al-Quds, Gaza, Camp David, and the country's stance from this entity.

Our hope is that the Arab peoples would not be deceived or deluded by all the American hypocrisy, and when they get over their internal problems, they will go back to their normal position which is confronting this central cause.

Those Americans have failed, and are failing.

And from here I will talk about Iraq, then Syria and after that Lebanon.

In Iraq, today and in the coming few days, the American withdrawal from Iraq is supposed to be completed. There is a real American defeat in Iraq as the Americans did not go into Iraq to later leave it. Their aim was to stay in Iraq, control it, and establish military bases secured for tens of years in Iraq; but the courageous Iraqi resistance, the firmness of the Iraqi people as well as the political powers, and the high cost of the American occupation in Iraq forced it to take another choice which is withdrawal.

I would also like to point out that the Iraqi resistance’s operations did not receive any Arab or international media coverage, and that many of the resistance factions used to send videos or DVDs about their strong operations to Arab and international satellites, but they used to ignore them. A big part of the Iraqi resistances’ operations were concealed in favor of the American army and Administration’s morale, and this reveals the nature of these satellites that are controlling media in the Arab and Islamic world.


Anyway, what happened and is happening in Iraq is a real defeat that the resistance forces as well as the sacrificing Iraqi people should celebrate. Even if there are some remarks on the conclusion, but in general, there is a great historic victory that was attained by Iraqi people and resistance, and this should be revealed and presented to all the people in the region.

When Israel is defeated in Lebanon and in Gaza, this means Israel is beatable, and when America is defeated in Iraq, this means America is beatable. Just like it was beaten in Iraq, it could be beaten in any other country, but the Americans want to conceal this defeat.

In this context, what is happening in our region, the events in Syria, threats to Iran, story about the Saudi Ambassador in Washington, and all these issues are to occupy the people in the region away from recognizing that the American that presented himself as a sole superpower in the world was defeated by the youth and the Mujahedeen of Iraq.

Unfortunately, I say that the Americans have succeeded in that. If you open the Arab and international satellites you will not find any news about the withdrawal from Iraq, no picture about the tanks’ or the army’s pullout, knowing that yesterday I read in a newspaper the number of American soldiers who are still present in Iraq.

How did 150,000 soldiers pullout from Iraq without anyone recognizing or even knowing about the issue? They did succeed in that.

All the satellites today speak about Syria first, then Egypt, then Libya, then Tunisia, then Yemen, etc… and sometimes, a very small news about the withdrawal from Iraq is reported. This is not an accident, it is intentional.

Therefore, the responsibility of the resisting forces in the Arab and Islamic world today, especially in Iraq, as well as the Iraqi people, and the Iraqi and Arab media is to reveal this truth.

On the 10th day of Muharram, we ask God to bless a historic occurrence in which blood triumphed over sword. The Iraqi people that were fighting with a rifle, an RPG, and a Katyusha were able to defeat the most powerful army in the world. If the Israeli army is the most powerful army in the region, then the American army is the most powerful army in the world, yet it was defeated in a few years. It was defeated by blood, Jihad, resistance, insistence, and firmness.

Today what is important is that we be aware of the phase that comes after the American pullout from Iraq, and of America’s satanic mind as well as the sectarian project it is working on in the region. This also depends on the awareness and dialogue of our brothers in Iraq, as well as their concern over their country.

Here, we reach the part on Syria. Our stance has been clear since the beginning.We support reforms in Syria, and support a regime that resisted and opposed, and supported the resistance movements in the region. We say yes for treating all the causes of corruption, and yes for all the reforms that where approved by the Syrian leadership and demanded by the people, but there are some who neither want reforms, nor security, stability, civil peace, and dialogue in Syria, and rather want to destroy Syria.

They want to substitute their defeat in Iraq, knowing that Syria had a role in defeating them, as well as their possible strategic loss in Egypt, by changing the situation in Syria.

The so-called National Syrian Council that was formed in Istanbul, and that some Western countries consider legitimate, has a chief who is Burhan Ghalyoun. Two days ago Ghalyoun said that “if we change the regime and gain power in Syria we will cut our ties with Iran and with the resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine,” naming Hezbollah and Hamas. These are all credits for the America and Israel.

And when he was asked about the Golan Heights, he said he will refer to the international community. After 20 to 30 years of failed efforts by the UN, these come out today aiming at ending Syria’s relation with the resistance movements and returning to the international community.

What is worse is that one of the leaders who is related to an Islamic organization in Syria, said that when we change the situation in Syria, we well cross the borders into Lebanon and punish Hezbollah. All these are credits to America and Israel, because Hezbollah is their enemy, it is the one that defeated Israel.

I state this before the Syrian people, and before the Lebanese people who say that we are misreading the situation in Syria. The past two days have assured to us that we have been reading the situation correctly and that the main target is the resistance movements in the region. What is demanded in Syria is not the reforms but rather a betraying Arab regime that is submissiveto America and Israel.

We say that we call for peace, stability, and dialogue in Syria, and we condemn all the sanctions that were imposed on Syria, and all types of sectarian incitements.

And of course, I remind all those who threaten of using arms, that your ships were destroyed on the coasts of Beirut.

About Lebanon, amid regional developments, we always insist that we don’t deal with the Lebanese situation on the basis that it is separate from the region. This is basic, and it’s not right for anyone to deal with the Lebanese situation by separating it from the region, for it is deeply connected to it.

We stress on civil peace, rejecting any kind of incitements, and stay patient despite all the accusations and blames that Hezbollah is constantly targeted with, knowing that this is an indication to their fear of Hezbollah.

There are some parts who are trying to stir up incitements in Lebanon, but we reject that, and we should confront it by being aware, wise, and patient….

We call for activating the governmental work and reassure the importance of responding to the rightful demands of the Free Patriotic movement…

We emphasize that the false witnesses file should be dealt with and justice should be attained, because those have not just falsely accused a few people; they also damaged the internal Lebanese situation as well as the Lebanese-Syrian relations, and caused the death of tens of innocent Syrians.

Most importantly is the constant Israeli threat to Lebanon, through the Israeli and CIA agents in Lebanon, the spying devices that are being uncovered gradually by the resistance and the army, and the Israeli violations and assaults.
In this context, we stress on the tripartite axis of power to Lebanon that is the army, people, and resistance.

Moreover, on the 10th of Muharram, I would like to send a new clear message to all those who conspire and wager.
This resistance in Lebanon, with its arms, formation, mujahedeen, mind, culture, and presence will remain, and will not be affected by your conspiracies, collusions, and media, psychological, political and intelligence wars.

We will hold on to our resistance, to the resistance arms, and today I tell you that day after day our number is increasing, our training is improving, and our trust in the future and armament are increasing.

On the arms issue, there is a real fallacy. Some say that the resistance arms are behind the disturbance and instability in Lebanon, but this is a fraud as the arms used in internal conflicts are the Kalashnikov guns, the M-16, and the guns… and these are in the hands of all the Lebanese. Rockets and heavy arms are not used in such incidents. The fact that all the Lebanese parties, families, tribes, individuals have these light weapons is the security problem in Lebanon and not the resistance arms.

Anyone who wants security in Lebanon should make efforts to solve this problem, as for those who want or even think of withdrawing the rockets and defensive weapons, they are actually presenting a favor to Israel, meaning that what Israel failed to achieve in 33 days with the help of the entire world, they are trying to achieve through a dialogue or political talks or media; and I tell you, this will not happen.

On the 10th day of Muharram, the day of decisive and historic choices, I would like to tell the world that we in Lebanon have taken the initiative since 1980. We did not wait for the international community, Arab League, Islamic Conference Organization, or anyone in this world.

With our firm will, desire, youth, men, women, and modest potentials, we resisted, fought, and were martyred, and we returned our land, captives, dignity, and with our resistance, we will preserve our land, dignity, honor, and country, and will defend it against anyone in the world.

Dangers, threats, facts, and changes will not prevent us from performing this duty and this responsibility. We belong to the Imam who stood alone on this day against 30,000 men, and each one of us is not alone in front of these. We are tens of thousands of armed and trained fighters and mujahedeen who are ready to get martyred and are the lovers of Abi Abdullah Al-Hussein (as).

We are a power that the enemy does not know yet, and will never know. It will surprise every enemy with its strong and creative presence in every field it is in.

Therefore, on the 10th day of Muharram we say that the time when we compromise on our dignity, pride, presence, country, land and sanctities is over, and the situation have changed. Therefore, we conclude by renewing our pledge to Imam Hussein (as) and we tell him: O Master and Imam, just as u sacrificed for your great goals, and preferred to be killed along with your household and friends for their sake, we will preserve this path, but we will also triumph by your blood, your mind, and your culture.

Our call and pledge will always be to you on the 10th of Muharram, after everyone was martyred and Imam Hussein stayed alone, yet firm and strong, he did not address the army against him, he rather addressed all the people that have passed and will pass throughout the history asking: “Is there anyone to support me?”

The answer will stay forever with our blood, tears, soul, stance, mind, Jihad, and resistance: “Here I am, at your service o Imam Hussein!”

Mourning the Imam a.s

On the occasion of the first of Muharram (the Muslim New Year and the beginning of 10 days of mourning for the grandson of the Prophet (s.a.), slain at Karbala):
A new year signifies renewal, birth, new beginnings. While the 1st of Muharram marks the new year celebration for many Muslims - for others it marks a time of mourning and contemplation. But this is not an inappropriate activity for a new beginning.
It is a time of looking back at what has passed with the intention of setting right that which has gone astray within ourselves and our society. This is a serious task and a weighty duty, but one which, if approached with the correct intention and attitude, is a deeply satisfying and rewarding activity.

A new year is a new beginning and a beginning is a time for taking great care that one's aims are correct, one's intentions are pure, and that one's energies are correctly directed and not wastefully spent.

What better forum is there than the majlis held to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.) for such an activity. Here, we gather as a community for a common cause, all of us in a state of mind receptive to the lessons to be learned from from this incident that we come here to commemorate - an incident that serves all the purposes that a new year is truly meant to serve - to renew us - to provide fresh purpose and a new beginnning.

Karbala is a microcosm. In the events of 10 days, in that one spot on earth, all the great lessons of the Qur'an were brought to life in front of the witness of history - and all those who were (or are today) in doubt that the highest ideals of the Qur'an could be lived up to - all those who felt that the highest Qur'anic ideals were beyond the reach of humans - were in that place on Earth, that Karbala, proved wrong. Doubts were shattered, and the jewels of Qur'anic truth were brought out and displayed in the desert of Karbala, shining with such a light that even today, so many centuries later, our vision is dazzled by those human gems.

Karbala is the Qur'an in action - at Kerbala is to be found a most profound tafsir of the Qur'anic ayats (verses).

And Karbala came at a time when the islam of the Muslim state had deviated dramatically from the Islam of the Prophet (s.a.). It came at a time when the very foundations of the religion were under attack, when the government of that time had become so emboldened, so full of spite for the truth, so drunk with their worldly power and so blind to their own faults and limitations, that they aimed their spears at the hearts of the dearest members of the Prophet's family. The Prophet was gone so they would vent their hatred at his family and at any who stood with them - this while they claimed the Prophet's Islamic heritage for themselves and declared the Prophet's closest family members and companions to be disobedient rebels.

This was a time of great despair for believers. The beauty, justice, and mercy of Islam had been cast aside, the dazzling societal structures created by the first generation of Muslims seemed to be in ruins - the Prophet's former enemies, the Umayyads were kings over the Muslim empire - their self-declared caliphate a mockery of what that office was meant to be and of what it had once been. They were at the summit of their power so they did what they willed, while the Prophet's family were made strangers in their grandfather's own home, disinherited and removed from all worldly power while their spiritual authority was falsely challenged and called into question.

But the Qur'an says: "And we wished to show favour unto those who were oppressed in the land, and to make them Imams, and to make them the inheritors." (Qur'an 28:5)
And at the beginning of the Muslim New Year in the year 61 AH, the greatest act of renewal was begun. The events of the first 10 days of Muharram marked the point of a new beginning for Islam - when what was deviated was set right - when what was wrong was exposed in such a way that the shame of the wrongdoers has been manifested to every succeeding generation - and a weakened Islam was revived, restored, and reconnected with its spiritual and intellectual roots.

"Good is not that your possessions, wealth (and power)...increase, but good is that your knowledge increases and your insight grows more powerful, and that the people are proud to serve God. For when you do good, you praise God...." (Imam Ali)
For us too, this New Year, this Muharram, should be a time of renewal, for setting right what has deviated in us, for strengthening the bonds of community, for looking closely at the deep and profound spiritual and intellectual roots of Islam - and a new beginning with a pure intention for the year to come.

"The Imam asked of the name of this place. Zuhayr said, "It is known as Taff." - Taff means 'bank of a river.' - The Imam asked, "Does it have another name?" The reply was, "It is called Sahil al-Furat." - Sahil al-Furat means 'the bank of the Euphrates.' Again the Imam asked, "Is it known by any other name?" Zuhayr answered, "Yes, it is called Karbala'." On hearing the name of Karbala', the Imam descended from his mount as he said, "O Allah! We seek refuge with you from karb (sorrow) and bala' (tribulation)." (from "Kitab-al-Irshad" by Sheik Mufid)

Denial of access to water

Burayr ibn Hudayr, a companion of the Imam, sought permission to go and speak with 'Umar ibn Sa'd regarding the blockade to prevent the Imam and his companions from obtaining water. On being granted permission Burayr walked straight to 'Umar's tent and sat down in front of him without offering salutations. Umar... said, "Am I not a Muslim and yet you did not greet me as one?"

Burayr replied, "If you had been a Muslim, you would not have raised your sword against the family of the Prophet.... Even the wild dogs consume the water of the Euphrates. Yet you prevent the son of Fatimah and his family from having access to it.... What right do you have after this to assume that you are a Muslim?" 'Umar lowered his head and paused for thought. Then raising his head, he said "O Burayr!... how can I abandon the governorship of Rayy? (this was offered to him as a reward for moving against Husayn) Should I leave Rayy for others to take? By God! My heart will not accept that!" (from "Kitab-al-Irshad" by Shaik Mufid)

Supplication of the Imam

"O' God, You are my trust in every sorrow and my hope in every hardship. How many a heavy burden which weakens the heart and baffles the mind I brought before You with my complaint and You did relieve me of it thereof. You are truly the bestower of every bounty, the source of every blessing and the goal of every desire. You have guided me and shown me the significance of all matters which I face."

*source: tebyan.net