Eid Az Zahrā’ and Poetic Expression in Shi‘a Islam - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

- Shi‘as express happiness with the happiness of Ahlul Bayt and sadness with their sorrow. Eid-e Zahrā’ is celebrated as the day the family of ‘Ali and Fāṭimah rejoiced after the criminals responsible for Karbala were brought to justice by Mukhtār. - Shi‘a Islām is rooted in the principles of love and hate (ḥubb and bughdh): love for Allah, the Prophet, the Ahlul Bayt, their followers, and values, and rejection of their enemies, known as tawalla and tabarra. - Devotion to Ahlul Bayt is often expressed through speech, writings, and poetry, such as qaṣidah (praise) or marthiya/nawḥa (eulogy). - Sayyid Murtaza and Sayyid Riza were prominent Shi‘a scholars from Baghdad in the 4th century, descendants of Imam Musa al-Kāzim. Their teacher, Shaykh Mufid, had a vision of Bibi Fāṭimah asking him to teach them Islamic jurisprudence. Both brothers became influential scholars—Sayyid Riza compiled Nahjul Balāghah, while Sayyid Murtaza specialized in theology and fiqh. - Ibnul Ḥajjāj al-Baghdādi, a poet of the 4th century, composed a famous qaṣidah praising Imam ‘Ali. His poem, inscribed on the shrine of Imam ‘Ali in Najaf, highlights the significance of tawalla and tabarra. - The qaṣidah praises Imam ‘Ali as the source of shafā (healing) and divine guidance. It describes the blessings received by those who visit his grave and intercession sought through him. - When Ibnul Ḥajjāj recited his poem in the presence of Sayyid Murtaza, he included lines of tabarra (condemnation of enemies), which Murtaza initially stopped. However, Imam ‘Ali appeared in a dream to Ibnul Ḥajjāj, instructing him to recite the poem in its entirety. - Sayyid Murtaza had a dream where the Prophet and the Imams showed displeasure because he had stopped the poet. He was instructed to apologize to Ibnul Ḥajjāj, which he did, and then the poet was honored by the ruler. 9th Rabbi Awwal 1446 13th September 2024 Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/ Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)