In His Name, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Eid-e-Zahra (S.A) - 9th Rabi 'Al Awwal

Eid e Zehra is a day of celebration, a day in which even the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rejoiced! This day holds importance due to numerous events that transpired on this day in history.

One of the events which is marked on this day is the beginning of the Imamate of our 12th Imam, al-Hujjah ibn al-Hasan (may Allah hasten his return). His father, Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) left this world on the 8th and, immediately after, his son took over the mantle of leadership. His leadership has spanned over 1,160 years, and as he is the living and present Imam, we have the potential of being his ‘companions’ just as great personalities such as Bilal, Salman, Abu Dharr, Maitham and countless others were companions of their living Imams. However, we need to strive to emulate such individuals and work towards being our Imam’s chosen helpers and assistants.

One of the ways which we can strive to be amongst his companions is to follow the responsibilities which rest upon us, including the recitation of Dua al-`Ahd (the Pledge) every morning in which we proclaim: “O’ Allah, truly I renew on the dawn of this day and all the days of the remainder of my life my pledge, covenant and allegiance to him, as my obligation, which I shall neither contravene, nor neglect … O’ Allah include me among his helpers, defenders, those fulfilling his wishes and commands, his defenders, the fore-runners to carry out his intentions and those to be martyred in his presence … O’ Allah: make him the refuge for Your oppressed servants; a helper for him who has no other helper besides You; the reviver of the commandments of Your book which have been neglected; the strengthener of the sciences in Your religion, and the traditions of Your Prophet. May Allah’s blessing be upon him and his progeny.”

The following tradition, narrated by Prophet Ibrahim, needs to be kept in mind and acted upon if we wish to be in the camp of our living Imam. It is narrated in Bihar al-Anwaar, vol. 36, pg. 213, sec. 40, no. 15 that Prophet Ibrahim said to Allah (SWT): “O’ my Lord and my Master! I see numerous celestial lights encircling these (fourteen) lights of which, none know their exact number except for You!”

Allah replied, “O’ Ibrahim! These lights are the Shi’a and the lovers (of the Ahlul Bayt).”

Ibrahim said, “O’ my Lord! How are their Shi’a and lovers known?”

Allah replied, “Through their fifty-one Rak’at of Salat (in a day); their pronouncing the phrase “In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful” out loud (in their Salat – before the recitation of the Surahs); their performance of the Qunut before going into the Ruku’, the prostration of thanks; and wearing a ring on their right hand.”

Prophet Ibrahim then said, “O’ Allah! Please place me among their Shi’a and their lovers (too).”

Allah replied to him, “I have placed you among them.” At this point, Allah revealed the following verse, “And surely from amongst their Shi’a was Ibrahim when he went into the presence of his Lord with a pure and submissive heart (Qalb-e-Saleem).”

The day also marks the first time that our 4th Imam smiled and rejoiced after the tragic events of Kerbala in which he saw his entire family and loyal friends murdered in cold blood by Ibne Ziyaad, Umar ibne Sa’d, Yazid ibne Mu’awiyah and the others who were responsible for the crimes. It is noted that the Prophet of Islam himself was seen smiling and ‘celebrating’ on this day while in the presence of Imams Ali, Hasan and Husain and said, “It is on this day that Allah will destroy your enemies and the enemies of your grandfather and it is on this day when Allah will accept the actions of your Shi’a and those who love you. This is the day when the words of Allah came true where He said (in the Qur‘an): ‘So those are the houses fallen down because they were unjust.’ (27:52) And this is the day when the Pharaoh (Firawn) of the time of the Ahlul Bayt was destroyed ...”

Taken From: World Federation