Salaam dear young friends. We are here with our weekly chat. Autumn is going to start in a week and there will be a change in weather and soon the streets will be filled by the fallen leaves.
There is a good news for friends, who have missed their schools, classmates and teachers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes, you have guessed it correctly. Authorities have promised the reopening of schools and universities in the near future and Insha’ Allah (God willingly) under 18 coronavirus vaccination will begin in two-weeks of time.
Well friends, as you all know, three days back on Monday, the 5th of Safar, we commemorated the martyrdom anniversary of the less-than-4-year old daughter of Imam Husain (AS), the Martyr of Karbala.
She was Hazrat Ruqaiyya (SA), who in the aftermath of the tragedy of Karbala and forced march of the noble captives towards Damascus in Syria, she suffered the pains of the arduous journey, often through hot desert terrain, during which she was subjected to scolding and whipping by the Omayyad ruffians.
In Damascus, she was mocked in front of the whole court by the Godless Yazid as he blasphemously hit with his cane the severed head of her noble father that was placed in a tray.
The Prophet’s family was confined to the ruins of a dilapidated edifice, where her wailing in the night disturbed the tyrant’s sleep and forced him to send the head of Imam Husain (AS) in a bid to calm her down.
At the sight of her father’s head, little Ruqayya (SA) rushed and took it in her lap, and placing her own head upon it, recounted the pains, sufferings, and tortures she had endured for the past 25 days since the fateful day of Ashura (Muharram 10). She suddenly became motionless as her soul flew to the ethereal heavens. Her brother, Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) laid her to rest in the ruins.
Today, her resting place has been transformed into a spacious shrine in the heart of the Syrian capital, and pilgrims of all ages, especially children, stream in to pay their respects to her and beseech God Almighty for their lawful and legal needs.
Well friends, this year as you all know, due to coronavirus pandemic, Iraqi authorities for the safety of pilgrims have decided to close their international borders.
As you may have recalled, every year millions of pilgrims from around the globe gathered in Karbala to commemorate Arba’een or the traditional 40th day of commemoration for the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Husain (AS).
Both religious and medical authorities in Iran and Iraq have advised the pilgrims to avoid this year’s pilgrimage for the own safety.
Yes, Insha Allah when the pandemic is over, and people are safe, again the world will witness the mass gatherings of devotees of Ahl al-Bayt in a grand display of devotion to the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), who was tragically martyred by those shamelessly claiming to be not just.
Goodbye and God bless you, until we meet again next week.