786/110 INTHENAMEOFALLAH, MOSTGRACIOUS,MOSTMERCIFUL

Dedicated to my grandfather-Haji Mushtaq Hussainji Rasiya

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I owe my deep sense of gratitude to Dr. Zarina Taj, for her sustained interest in the execution of this work and for her continuous encouragement, invaluable guidance, constructive suggestions and valuablecriticismsateverystageofthiswork. IamthankfultoGODandmyparents,AlimazherandQutubwhohavedevotedtheirvaluabletimefor myscriptandfortheirinvaluablesupport,care,encouragement,guidance,helpandappreciation.Iam extremelythankfultomygrandparentsfortheirconstantencouragement. Finally,Iamthankfultoallthosewhodirectlyorindirectlyhelpedmeinbringingmyworktoitspresent form.

INTRODUCTION: It was under planning since August, 2009 but somehow due to prevailing circumstances,itwaspostponedcontinuouslyviz.ticketfares,officeholidays,badhealth,etc. But there was a feeling that by Moharram or Chehlum we should visit Syria (AshSham)! It was not possibletogothereinMoharrambecauseofhighairfares.SamewasthecasethroughoutChehlum,but onedayithappened that wecameto knowabout thefirstanniversaryofWataniyaAirways!On that particular day, Wataniya declared very low air fares to any destination. We inquired about Syria and finallywebookedairticketstoSyria.Weappliedforvisaanditwasalsodone.Toourgoodluck,wegot leavesfromofficealsoveryeasily.Alhamdulillah! I recite many marsiyas and nauhas, but for this particular tour, I learnt some new ones. Normally I remembermarsiyasandnauhasbutasapartofconcernthatIshouldnotforgetanythingintheholy shrines, I written down all the lyrics and everything that I remembered. Finally the bags were packed andthehistoricdayarrived(28.02.2010)aboutwhichIwasthinkingsincelong. Whenweboardedtheaircraft,myeyeswerefilledwithtearsasIwasfeelingsomething..Idonthave wordstoexpressthatfeeling.InmymindtherewasconstantthoughtofBibiSakina(AS).Iwasnotable tobelievethatIamgoingtomeetthebeloveddaughterofImamHussain(AS)!Asweapproachednear Syria, our captain Anthony Johnson told about the outside temperature which shocked us 9 C whereasinKuwait,itwas28C!WhenIlookeddown,ItoldQutubthatitsraininginSyria!Fromthe aircraftitself,wewereabletomakeoutthatSyriaisanagriculturalcountry! SYRIA: Syriaisaplacewhosenamewhenwehear,thesceneofextremeinjusticecomesbeforeoureyesthe verymoment.Thisisaplacewhere,aftermartyrdomofImamHussain(AS),theladyfolkofhishouse along with the Imam of time, Imam Sajjad (AS) were bitterly tortured by Syrians! The heads of the martyrs were mounted on spears and the veils of the holy ladies were taken off, and the Kafila was madetopassthroughthestreetsofSyriawhichwasmostinsulting.ThisisaplacewhichmadeImam Sajjad(AS)weepbitterlytilltheendofhislife! When we arrived, we experienced terrible winds. Our guide named Afzal met us on airport and we startedproceedingtowardsourhotel.ThenameofourhotelwasAlHussainlocatedinZenabiya,300 mawayfromSayyedaZenab(AS)sshrine. SAYYEDAZENAB(AS): Sayyeda Zenab (AS) Granddaughter of Prophet Mohammed (SAWW), Lioness daughter of Hazrat Ali (AS)andSayyedaFatima(AS),SisterofImamHassan(AS)andImamHussain(AS),WifeofAbdullahbin Jafar Tayyar (AS), Mother of Aun and Mohammed (AS), Defender of Imam Sajjad (AS), the heroine of KarbalaandSham..YaZenab(AS)!YaZenab(AS)!YaZenab(AS)!

ThereisafloodofthousandsofShiyaneAliallthetimeatSayyeda Zenab(AS)sshrine,criesofYaZenab,YaSayyeda,YaUmmul Masaib,etc.ThedomeofSayyedaZenab(AS)ismadeofgoldand insidewallsarealsocoveredwithgoldendesigns.Severalhadiths arewritteninthedomeaboveSayyedaZenab(AS)! Iwasintotheladiessection.WhenIsawthezariforthefirsttime, my eyes could not believe the might! Tears burst out of the eyes whenIsawthezarimubarakofSayyedaZenab(AS)andprayed.Iapproachedneartoit,gotaholdof the cage of the zari from which smell of strong essence was coming out. I forgot everything and just cried for some time. Before my eyes were the scenes of the time of 61 Hijri when took place in this world,mostinhumancrime,.Iwasrecallingthetimewhenherveilwastakenoff.howshe playedaroleofAbbas(AS)inguardingtheladyfolkandImamSajjad(AS)!HowsheshookthefullSyria byherLionvoicedsermon!HowshecriedandgrievedforherbelovedbrotherImamHussain(AS)!

PhotoofSayyedaZenab(AS)sgraveinsidethezari

Also, one major thing happened there. Inside shrine, though I was crying, grieving and praying, there wasasortoffearinmyheartbythemightofSayyedaZenab(AS)!I,then,gotupandrecitedseveral marsiyasandnauhasandsalamsandalsoperformedmatam.Asapartofpursadari,Irecitednauhasof ImamHussain(AS),Abbas(AS),Zenab(AS),Sakina(AS),etc. Mereghazigairatwale,merichadarkerakhwale, Mujhegirkesambhalnaaagaya,mujhepaidalchalnaaagaya,Abbas.. Jaomaktalkobhaiyasidharo,yebhisadmauthayegiZenab, Dekhtejaomudkarbehanko,firkahatumkopayegiZenab.. ItwasconstantlyrainingoutsideduetowhichIwasexperiencingfeveranduptothetimeofNamaze Isha,IlostallmystaminaandtoldQutubtomovetoHotel. IthankAllahthatIgotthechancetocomenearthisholyshrineinspiteofsomanyhurdlesbythe worldlyaffairs! MayallfollowersofAhlulbayt(AS)visitthisholymightyshrinebythegraceofAlmightyAllah! Note: Syria is still the same..Outside the holy shrine in the market, people are selling ladies undergarments..Norespectfortheladywhowasconcernedaboutveil,whowashidingherfaceby herhairsinthestreetsofSyria! REMAININGZIYARATSOFSYRIA: NextmorningAfzaltoldustogetreadyby10:30am.ButweforgottoanalyzeourtimeinSyriathatin whattimewhatweshouldcover! AfzaltoldusthathewouldtakeustothemountainousholyplacesfirstandthenotherZiyarats!Wefirst wenttoAshabeKaif! 1. AshabeKaif: Itisacavewhereallshiyamuslimsvisit.Ithasa story behind. In ancient times, there was a king who regarded himself as the GOD and used to kill the persons speaking against him. Some peoplewhodidnotbelievedhim,escapedfrom hisreignandhide themselvesin thiscave.They also carried a dog with them. They were very frightened and after sometime they fell asleep. Afteraround300400years,theywokeup.They werefeelinghungry.OneoftheAshabcameoutandfoundagreatchangeinthelocality.Earlier itwasdesertandnowhefoundacommunityresidingthere.Hecamenearoneshopandasked

the shopkeeper for some food. He carried ancient coins to which the shopkeeper questioned him. By gestures that Ashab told the shopkeeper about their story. Large number of people gathered there to see the miracle! They all walked with Ashab to the cave. As and when the Ashabenteredthecave,thedoorofthecavewasclosed.NowitispredictedthattheseAshabs aresleepingandwillwakeupatthereturnofourImamoftime(AS)i.e.onQayamat!Prophet Mohammed(SAWW)whencametothiscave,hegreetedwithSalamtotheseAshabsthey repliedforthegreetingofProphetMohammed(SAWW)frominsidethecave! Accordingtosomehadiths,thiscaveisinEgypt,YemenandJordantooandtherewere5,7or9 Ashabs.Jordanisthecorrectlocationofthiscaveaccordingtosomescholars! 2. ZiyaratofHazratHabeel(AS): Hazrat Habeel (AS) son of Prophet Adam (pbuh) was killed by his brother Kabeel. Hazrat Habeel (AS) and Kabeel had an argumentwhichturnedtobet.Thebetwas both of them will represent offering to Almighty Allah and the person whose offering will be accepted by Allah will be dearer to Allah. So Habeel slaughtered a lamb and offered to Allah. At the same time,afterlotofhesitation,Kabeelofferedsome pulses.There waslightningintheskywhich took away the slaughtered lamb and rejected the pulses of Kabeel. This was because, Kabeel thoughtalotbeforegivinganythinginthewayofAllah.Thisledtoextremehatredintheheart of Kabeel for his brother Habeel. So with a stone, he killed his brother Habeel. This was first murder on the face of earth and the first death. Now what to do with the body? This made Kabeelrestlessandhecarriedthecorpseofhisbrotherforabout7080daysandwanderedin severalforestsandmountains!BythegraceofAllah,twocrowsarrivedbeforeKabeel.Onecrow killedanotheronewithitsbeak.Thenthatcrowdugoutpitinthegroundandburiedthedead crow.ThishelpedKabeeltobuildagraveforhisbrotherHabeel.Thisgraveisthefirstgraveon the earth Length 40 feet which have now became 18 feet. This grave is situated on High MountainfromwhichLebanoncanbeseen.Snowcoveredpeaksarevisible.Visitorsfeelvery coldatthisplace. Whenwereached,Iwasfeelingverycold.Asweenteredtheshrine,theIranianswereoffering namaz.SowewaitedforawhileandthenperformedZiyarat!Thelengthofthegraveisreally horrifying. Outside scenery is very good. I remembered my Kashmir trip seeing the snow coveredpeaksofLebanonwhichwashardly10kmfromthatarea!

3. MakameArbaeen: Thisisaplaceon Mount JudiwhereKabeel killed Habeel.Actually,wewentthereonthelast dayofourtripbutasthisplaceisconcernedwiththeaboveliterature(Ref.point2);Ishould writeitheresothatitislinkedproperlywiththewholehistoricincident.

Photoofcryingmountain When Kabeel killed Habeel, the mount cried which is still visible. The mouth of the mount is openedwithtongue,cheek,teethallvisible!Atthelocationneareye,waterdripseventoday as an evidence that mount still cries for the murder of innocent Habeel (AS)! The blood is splashed there which is still red in colour! The stone with which Habeel (AS) was killed is still present there. Some people sprayed olive oil on it and tried to burn itit burned for continuously 200300 years! As murder of Hazrat Habeel (AS) was first murder on the face of earth,themounttriedtodothejusticebyfallingonKabeelbutAllahsentAngelGibrael(AS)to stopitasgenerationofAdam(pbuh)hastocontinue.AngelGibrael(AS)stoppeditwithjustone hand!ThemarksoffingersofAngelGibrael(AS)onthemountarestillvisibleandwecantouch too! This place is also having three holes (similar to cave shape resembles the symbol of therefore). It is said that several prophets passed through these holes and never returned. Horriblevoicesareheardfromtheholes,visitorsareafraid.Nowgovernmenthasplacedcage ontheseholes.Atthisplacethereare40musallasonwhichseveralprophetsprayed.Itissaid thatifonepraysonanyfivemusallas,hissinsareforgiven.Thisisaveryhorribleplacetovisit! IdidntclimbthismountainasitisveryhighandIhaveproblemofasthma.Qutubclimbedthis mountainbutevenhewasafraidandeventuallyfellsickafterhisreturn!Hetoldthathewasso muchfrightenedthatwithin1.3hourheclimbed,saweverythingandrusheddownthemount! InshaAllahnexttime,Iwilltrytoclimbthismountnomatterhowsoevermyhealthresponds! Aameen!

4. SakinabintImamAli(AS): SakinabintImamAli(AS)wasthedaughterofImamAlibinAbiTalib(AS).Heridentityandgrave werediscoveredrecentlyandnowtheshrineisunderconstruction!Wevisitedthisshrinetoo andofferednamazthere! 5. BazareSham: This is the BazareHamidiya which is now known as Souk Al Hamdi. This is the horrible route whichremindsusofthepainandgriefafflictedonImamSajjad(AS)!Thisroutecanbecovered in nearly 1520 minutes but Ahlulbayt (AS) covered this route in around 3648 hours. All holy ladieswerehidingtheirfacesbytheirhairs.PeoplegatheredtoseetheKafilastartedthrowing stonesandshoesonthem!SayyedaZenab(AS)wasfeelingveryuncomfortableandgrievinga lotseeingthisHazratAbbasAlamdar(AS)sheadfellfromthespear!!! BazareSham Modernagehaschangedthebazartoomuchbutstilltheironceiling,windowsandpillarsare sameasthattime!Itsahorriblebazartopassthrough.Iwalkedtosomedistancebutthenlost theholdofmyhusband.Immediatelyturnedbackandcontactedhim.Irecitedthefewlinesof thenauha, HaayeShaamkabazarHaayeShaamkabazar, Sajjadseronekasababpoochrahahai. Fromthisbazar,wecametothegatenamedBabusSaat.

6. BabusSaat: SaatmeansClockinArabic.ThisistheplacewhereKafilawasmadetowaitforaround4850 hoursbecausecourtofyazid(LA)wasunderprocessofdecoration.Thiswasthefirsttimethat SayyedaZenab(AS)lostherpatienceandcried.Sheraisedherhandsandwasabouttoprayto AllahwhenHeadofImamHussain(AS),fromthelance,showedagesturesoastostopSayyeda Zenab (AS) from Baddua otherwise everything will go in vain! There is a nearby place where elephantshorsesweretiedonce,nowitsaplacewherepigeonsgatherandpeoplefeedthem withpulses. 7. CourtofYazid(LA): This is a very big palace with a vast compound. Therewecameacrossthreepoints.Firstpointisthe high decorated pulpit where Sayyeda Zenab (AS) delivered a sermon. Middle one is a place for performingwudhu.Thirdoneisthesmalldecorated pulpitwhereImamSajjad(AS)deliveredsermon. DarbareKhas: This is originally a church but later on it was converted to mosque. Have a look at the ceiling, the window panes and walls which are still the same. In this church, there is the shrine of Hazrat Yahya (AS) John the Baptist! Prayers of the people in needofchildrenareansweredhere! Baptism:WeallarebornthroughProphetAdam (pbuh).Prophet Adam(AS) had disobeyedAllah andsobecauseofhissinhewassenttoearth.It meansweallarebornwiththatsin.ButHazrat Yahya(AS)wasbornpure.TheprayersofHazrat Zachariah(AS)weregrantedbyAllahandsohis wife conceived Hazrat Yahya (AS) by the Grace and Might of Allah! So it is said that Hazrat Yahya(AS)JohntheBaptistforChristians,cametobeknownasBaptistbornwithpurity!The drop of Hazrat Yahya (AS)s blood was mixed with some water in a bowl which is lying in DarbareKhas. At the time of Jesus (pbuh), Christians used to give bath to their new born babies with this water so that the child attains baptism! After Jesus (pbuh), the water in the

bowldriedup!Inpresenttimes,alltheChristiansspraysomespecialwatertotheirnewlyborn babiessothattheycanattainbaptism! TakhteYazid(LA): Thisistheshamefulplacewhereyazid(LA)seatedandmadefunofinnocentAhlulbayt(AS). MakameAhlulbayt(AS): This is the place where Imam Sajjad (AS) along withtheKafilawaschainedandmadetostandin front of Yazid (LA). One of the Syrian demanded Sayyeda Sakina (AS) as a slave at which Imam Sajjad (AS) pointed his finger towards him and cursedhim.BythecurseofAllahhebecameblind theverymoment.Someothermanpresentinthe courtaskedwhoisZenab?Iwanttoseeher.At this, JanabeFizza (AS) came in front of him and roaredthatWhensuncannotseeZenabwithoutherveil,whothehellareyou?Howcanyou dare so much? She delivered such a speech that that man felt extreme guilt in front of the court! ThisisthesamecourtinwhichSayyedaSakina(AS)wasinsultedtoomuch.Whenthemasooma cried, Yazid (LA) made fun of her misfortune and challenged that, if you are so dear to your father,justcallhim,andletmeseewhetherhelistensyouornot.SayyedaSakina(AS)raised her small hands and called her father Imam Hussain (AS) at which the Head of Imam Hussain (AS)cameoutofthespearandstartedrevolvinginthecourt.After7rounds,itcameinthelaps ofhisbeloveddaughter(AS)togiveproofoftheirlove!Thecourtwassurprisedatthisandthere waslongsilence! Qiblainthiscourtisbuiltverybeautiful. Mimbar(Pulpit): ThisisthepulpitwhereImamSajjad(AS)deliveredsermon.Sayyeda Zenab (AS) was roaring in this court like her Father Imam Ali (AS). Yazid (LA)wasafraidthat ifshe continuesherspeech,the peopleof Syriacanrevoltagainsthisrule.Howtostopalady?AndthattooAli (AS)s daughter and sister of Imam Hussain (AS)? So he started insulting Imam Sajjad (AS) thinking that he is very ill and having no energy .so he will not be able to defend himself. Actually Yazid (LA)wantedtomakefunofhiscondition.ButImamSajjad(AS)though in ailment, climbed the pulpit and started delivering a sermon. His

sermonwassotouchingthatthewholecourtweptbitterlyandthey(Syrians)begantorealize theirmistakeofoppressingtheHolyImam(AS).Yazid(LA)wasevenmoreafraidthanbeforeof therevolution.HowtostopImamSajjad(AS)fromdeliveringsermon?Soheordered7mento at once start reciting adhan to suppress the voice of Imam Sajjad (AS) but his voice was even higher than those 7 men. When they recited adhan, Imam Sajjad (AS) interrupted, You are pronouncing the name of our grandfather (SAWW) in this adhan, is he your grandfather our ours? If you say yes, then O people of Sham, this is the false ruler and if you say no, then O peopleofSham,yourrulerhavecommittedtheworstsinbykillinghisgrandson!Therewaspin dropsilenceatthattimeandpeoplebegantocrybitterlyandstartedslappingthemselvesfor supporting such a ruler! Till date adhan is recited by 7 men here. All of you should listen this adhan.WhenwewereleavingDarbareYazid(LA),itwasAsrtimeandbyluckwewereableto listen. RasulHussain(AS): ThisistheplacewheretherewaslockerofYazid(LA).Heusedtokeephis preciousthingsthere.HeadofImamHussain(AS)waspricelessforhim.So hekeptithere. MehrabeZainulAbedein(AS): Thisisasmallroomwhereonlyonemancansleeporoffernamaz.Inthis place, Imam Sajjad (AS) was chained and imprisoned. Here, Imam Sajjad (AS)usedtoprayandweepinmemoryofhisbelovedfatherImamHussain (AS). ShohdaePaghdi: Thisistheplacewhereturbansofmartyrswerekept. Right now there is one green turban kept which symbolizes the Head of Imam Hussain (AS). Shiya muslims weep here for Imam Hussain (AS). 2 rakat nafalsalatisrecommended. WhenIsawthisgreenturban,tearsburstoutfrommy eyesasifIhaveseentheHeadofmyholyImam(AS)! ForlongtimeIstoodthereholdingthebars. Salauddingazikigadi: ThisissimilartothecartplacedincompoundofthePalaceofYazid(LA).Thiscartwasusedto carryheavystones.Withthehelpofthiscart,Salauddingazikilled70,000menandfreedBaitul Muqaddas.HewasfoeofAhlulbayt(AS).Hisgraveislyingoutsidethepalace;Jewsworshiphim.

Gateofpalace: OntheothersidethereisoneoldwornoutgatefromwhichHindaenteredthepalacewithout herveil.HindawasYazid(LA)swife.Whensheenteredinsuchastate,Yazid (LA) questioned her,uponwhichshereplied,Ifyoucanseetheholyladies(PBUT)withouttheirveils,thenyou shouldnothaveproblemaboutmyveiltoo. From this gate, there is a way to Sayyeda Sakina (AS)s shrine. This route was originally the prisonbutnowconvertedtothemarket. 8. SAYYEDASAKINA(AS)[SAYYEDARUQAIYA(AS)ACCORDINGTOARABS]: ThisisthesmallshrinewherethebeloveddaughterofImamHussain(AS)isresting.Thisisthe placewherenobodycancontroltears.Thisistheplacewhichistheliveexampleoftheinjustice that inflicted on Kafila after the tragedy of Karbala. This is the place which was originally the prisonandhasnowconvertedtothelovelyshrine.ThisistheplacewhereMasoomaSakina(AS) diedgrievinginmemoryofherfather(AS).Thisistheplacewheresheisstillrestinginherworn outclotheswithoutgettingashroud! Nanhisikahakabrbanautumhari, Qaidmeqazakitunemeripyari, Sarpe chadar nahi kafan kaha se lau mai vari Kya akhri khidmat kare maa dard ki mari? When I reached near the zari of Sayyeda Sakina(AS),myheartwasbeatingfastand there was a figure of crying child in my imagination. I was just struck by the brightness surrounding the holy shrine. The masooma was afraid of the darkness and now there are lamps and crystals shiningeverywhere! Hayehaishehreshaam, ChhotiShehzadikahaiyahiparQayam,aajrozepehairoshnisubahshaam, Pursadaaronkahaimatamiashdahaan,fatrahahaijigarsochtihuagar, Kaisatareektha,kaisaveerantha KaisaveeranthakalyeZindaanthaBadaroyiSakinayaha,badaroyiSakinayaha IwentaroundthefullzariofSayyeda Sakina (AS), kissedthebarsand prayed.Insidethe zari, there is even smaller zari located. Inside that smaller zari there is a small grave of Sayyeda

Sakina (AS). 23 cradles are placed above grave of Sayyeda Sakina (AS) to give her pursa (condolence)forthedeathofherbelovedlittlebrotherAliAsgar(AS). AliAsgar(AS)wasa6montholdbabybrotherofSayyedaSakina(AS).WheninKarbalaImam Hussain(AS)cried,Halminnasireenyansurna?threepersonsrespondedtohiscall.Firstwas the dead body of his beloved brother Hazrat Abbas (AS) near the river Euphrates. Second respondcamefromthebedofImamSajjad(AS),whothoughinextremeailmentgotuptohelp his father Imam Hussain (AS). Third response came from the cradle of Ali Asgar (AS) who fell fromthecradlehearingthecryofhisfather(AS).ImamHussain(AS)tookhimtothebattlefield togethimsomewaterbuttheheartlessforcesofYazid(LA)shotdeadthatbabyinthelapofhis father(AS).Intheprison,SayyedaSakina(AS)wouldalwaysthinkaboutherbrotherAliAsgar (AS)whiledrinkingwater. Every time in the prison Sakina (AS) would cry for her father (AS). One night when she was sleepinginhermother(AS)slap,shewokeupsuddenlycrying.Oninterrogating,sheanswered thatshesawherfather(AS)inherdreamandtoldthatherfatherwascallingher.Shetoldthat ImamHussain(AS)promisedherindreamthatHe(AS)willtakehersoonwithhim.Everybody startedcrying.ThesoundofthecriesreachedthepalaceandYazid(LA)wokeupfromsleep.He told his men to give Head of Imam Hussain (AS) to Sakina (AS) to make her quiet. When she receivedherfather(AS)shead,shetookitinherarmsandcriedalotcomplaininghimabout thetorturesandinjusticewhichinflictedherafterhisdeath!Withinfewminutesthecryingbaby wasquiet!Shepassedaway!ImamSajjad(AS)madehergraveinthatprisononly.Shewasnot buried in shroud because her clothes were glued to her body by the blood coming from the wounds. Thisisaplacewherenobodycancontroltearsandnobodywouldliketoleavethisplace.Ialso stayed there for a long time sitting beside the zari of Sayyeda Sakina (AS) and recited several nauhas. Allahjanekahahoaeybaba, Kitniraatein..guzargayibaba Bejurmkanzakhmihueaurtamachekhaye Jochahemujhfalakkisatayikophirsataye ShehzadiyeHussainkibeshaanhogayi..babamaikyunaaappe babamaikyunaaappequrbaanhogayi..Allahjanekahahoaeybaba Sabketheshanebandhemerabandhathagala Sabketheshanebandhemerabandhathagalamaipanjopechaltirahibaba Thenaftersometime,welefttovisitBabAlSaghir.

9. BabAlSaghir: Thisisagraveyard.ManyZiyaratsarelocatedhere. HazratBilal(AS)andAbdullabinJafarTayyar(AS): Hazrat Bilal (AS) was a Negro and first Moazzin of Islam. Sun wouldriseuponhisadhanrecitation.Afterthedeathofprophet (SAWW),hecametoSyria.Oneday,SayyedaFatima(AS)called him to listen adhan from him. He was surprised as normally peoplecallSayyedaFatima(AS)buttodayshecalledhim!When he recited adhan, Ashhado anna Mohammadun Rasulullah, Sayyeda Fatima (AS) was shocked! She thought her fathers (SAWW)nameispronouncedineveryadhan,peopleusedtorespecthisfamilyandnowafter hisdeath,thesamepeoplearedoinginjusticetohisfamily!Ineverygathering,whenProphet (SAWW)wouldcome,everybodywouldstandupforrespectbutwhenFatima(AS)wouldcome, ProphetMohammed(SAWW)himselfusedtostandupforrespect.Thinkingallthese,shefell unconscious. Hazrat Bilal (AS) stopped the adhan that very moment. He never recited adhan afterthattillhisdeath. Abdullah bin Jafar Tayyar (AS)s grave is near to the grave of Hazrat Bilal (AS) but we cannot acceptthisashisrealgraveislocatedinMedina! AbdullahbinJafarSadiq(AS): HisshrineisalsolocatedinBabAlSaghir. ThreegravesofBibi(AS): ThreegravesofBibi(AS)arelocatedalltogetheratonceplace.ThesegravesareofAsmabint Ummais,MemunabintImamHasan(AS)andHamidabintMuslimbinAqeel(AS).Thereisaway downstairswheretherealgravesarelocated. JanabeFizza(AS): Fizza(AS)wasprincessofHabsh.ShecameasaslavetothefamilyofProphet(SAWW)atthe timeofbirthofSayyedaFatima(AS).AfterservingtheProphet(SAWW),SayyedaFatima(AS), HazratAli(AS),ImamHasan(AS)andImamHussain(AS),sheservedSayyedaZenab(AS)from KarbalatoSyria!WheninthecourtofYazid(LA),itwasorderedtoexecuteImamSajjad(AS), Fizzacameinfront,deliveredsermontoHabshispresentthereandrescuedImamSajjad(AS). Till her death, she would do cleaning of Sayyeda Zenab (AS)s shrine and in the evening, she wouldgototheshrineofSayyedaSakina(AS)tolightthecandle.ItwasSayyedaZenab(AS)s wishthateveryeveningFizza(AS)shouldlightcandleatSayyedaSakina(AS)sgravesothatthe childisnotafraidofthedarknight!Atthetimeofdeath,hersonAdnancamefromMedinabut shedidnotaccepthim.Shesaidthatifyouweretrulymyson,thenwhydidntyoudefendImam Hussain(AS)inKarbala?ImamBaqir(AS)camefromMedinatocarryoutherfinalrites.

Whenwereached,hergravesdoorwasclosedduetosomereason.Wesawfromwindowand prayed. Outside one Iranian group was sitting and their leader was reciting some nauha for JanabeFizza(AS)! UmmSalma(AS)andUmmHabiba(AS): ThesearethegravesofwivesofProphet(SAWW).UmmHabibawassisterofMuawiya(LA)and auntofYazid(LA). JanabeAbdullahbinZainulAbedein(AS): Hisgraveisalsolocatedhere. MashhadeSareShohdaeKarbala(AS): Atthisplace,16headsofMartyrsofKarbalaareburied. When Imam Sajjad (AS) was burying the heads of martyrs, he wanted to wash them i.e. Ghusl, but Yazid (LA) didnt gave him water to perform ghusl. So Imam Sajjad(AS)byhismightgeneratedawaterstreamforit. Nowonegreendomeisbuiltwherestreamgushedout. Water has dried. People write their problems on the piece of paper and place there for blessings!Thereisonemosquelocatednearby,pleaseoffertworakatnafalsalat. Zariwhere16headsareburiedisbuiltbySayyednaMohammedBurhanuddin.Thenamesof16 martyrsareHabibbinMazahir,AlibinAbibakr,UsmanbinAli,JafarbinAqeel,JafarbinAli, Hussain bin Ali, Umar bin Ali, Abdullah bin Ali, Mohammed bin Ali, Mohammed bin Muslim, Abdullah bin Aqeel, Hurr Riyahi, Abdullah bin Auf Fazlil Abbas, JanabeQasim bin Hasan, Ali AkbarandAliAsgar.Thisisaverytouchingplace.Wecriedalotlookingattheheadsfrominside thebars. Sakina(AS)andUmmKulsoom(AS): The real graves are located downstairs. People mistake this Sakina (AS) for the daughter of ImamHussain(AS).ActuallythisisSakinabintHussainbinZaidbinImamSajjad(AS). UmmKulsoom(AS)srealnameisZenabeSugra.Kulsoomishernickname.Shewasdaughterof AbubakrandAsmabintUmmais.AfterdeathofAbubakr,shewasbroughtupbypureHazrat Ali(AS).ThatiswhysheiscalledasUmmKulsoombintAli(AS).SheweptalotfordeathofImam Hussain (AS) with Sayyeda Zenab (AS). She was not having any child, so Hazrat Abbas (AS) defendedImamHussain(AS)fromhersideandachievedmartyrdom. Whenwereachedthere,theplacewassomuchcrowdedthatwebothweresandwichedand gothurtatmanyplaces.

FatimaSugra(AS): HerealsopeoplemistakeherforthedaughterofImamHussain(AS)whowassickinMedinaand couldnotaccompanyhiminKarbala.DaughterofImamHussain(AS)isrestinginJannatulBaqi inMedina. AfterperformingalltheseZiyaratswewentbacktoourhotel.Aftertakingourmeal,wehada shortsleepandthenatmidnightwestartedforHalab,RiqqaandHamma. OnthewaytoRiqqa,QutubenjoyedadeepsleepinthecarbutIwasawake.Aftersometime forhardlytwohours,Ifellasleep. RIQQA: We reached Riqqa in the morning at around 5:00 am. Outside weather was extremely cold. Some other guide accompanied us in this tour. He went to see the watchman so that we can entertheshrinesandperformprayers.Aftersometime,gateopenedandwewentinside.Thisis alargeshrinecoveringarelativelylargearea.WefirstperformedFazrnamazandwenttoZariof UhvaisKarni(AS). UhvaisKarni(AS): UhvaisKarni(AS)wasashepherd.Helovedourprophet(SAWW)toomuchandthattoowithout even seeing him! Ashab is a name given to the person who is the companion of Prophet (SAWW) i.e. whois physicallyaccompanyinghim. But herethecasewas different.He hasnot seenprophet(SAWW)butstillheissaidtobehisAshab! Everybody of us loves Prophet (SAWW) without seeing him but what is the guarantee that Prophet(SAWW)lovesus?UhvaisKarni(AS)wastheoneforwhomProphet(SAWW)saidthat hetooloveshim!UhvaisKarni(AS)wastheonlysonofhismother.HewantedtomeetProphet (SAWW),sohecametoMedina.ButProphet(SAWW)wasoutofMedinaatthattime.Uhvais Karni(AS)hadpromisedhismotherthathewillreturnsoon,soheleftMedinawithoutmeeting Prophet(SAWW).WhenProphet(SAWW)returnedtoMedina,heinquiredforhim.Hesaidthat oneofmyAshabhasvisitedthisplacebecauseIcanfeelhissmell!OnceUhvaisKarni(AS)was toldthatProphet(SAWW)lostoneofhistoothinthewar.Hewassodeeplymovedthathetoo broke one of his tooth. Later he was confused about the exact tooth location. Actually he wantedtobreakthesametoothasProphet(SAWW)butinhisconfusion,hebrokeallhisteeth. Now how to eat and survive? So banana came into existence in this world by the grace of AlmightyAllah.UhvaisKarni(AS)lateronaccompaniedHazratAli(AS)andachievedmartyrdom inthebattleofSiffin. AmmarbinYasser(AS): HewasalsoAshabofProphet(SAWW).HismothernamedSumaiyyawasthefirstladymartyr ofIslam.Theywereverypiousfamily.HisnearnesstoProphet(SAWW)waslikeoftheeyesto eyebrows! Prophet (SAWW) told him that he will be martyred in the battle and his last meal

wouldbeacupofmilk!InthebattleofSiffin,hewasfightingfromHazratAli(AS)sside.Hewas woundedbadlyduringthebattle.Sohewasbroughttotentforsomerest.Hisslaveofferedhim a cup of milk he understood the time of death is nearing. He again went to the battlefield, foughtandachievedmartyrdom. After visiting these two shrines, when we came out of the mosque, it was morning 6:00 am. Temperaturewasverylow,wewereexperiencingverycoldbreeze.OurguidetoldusthatSiffin is not far from that place and he showed us the boundary of that ground where battle took place. ThenweleftforHalabwhichis500600kmawayfromRiqqa.Ontheway,wecrossedabridge overtheriver.ThatriverwasRiverEuphrates!!!ThesceneryofSyriaisjustlikeIndialongand bigfarms,greeneryeverywhere! HALAB: AlsocalledAleppo,isabigcityandtradecenterofDamascus.Therearethreeplacesofconcern inHalab. 1. DareRahib: Thisisaplaceofspecialconcernaplacewhichbuildshopeinthelivesofeverydistressed person,aplacetellingDontworry,ImamHussain(AS)isthere.Hewillsolveeverything! StoneonwhichbloodofImamHussain(AS)isstillpresent

RahibwasamanlivinginMedinaatthetimeofProphet(SAWW).Hewasnothavingany child. He was very depressed by this accumulating grief. So he decided to visit Prophet (SAWW)s house thinking that he will definitely solve his problem. When he approached Prophet(SAWW),hetoldhimabouthismysteryandaskedhimtopraytoAllahsothathe gets at least one child! Prophet (SAWW) started praying for him but Angel Gibrael (AS) stoppedProphet(SAWW)andtoldhimthatAllahisnotwillingtogiveRahibanychildinlife! Prophet(SAWW)apologizedtoRahibaboutthis.Rahibwasreturningbacktohishousewith allhisdreamsshatteredthathemetImamHussain(AS)ontheway.ImamHussain(AS)was achildthattime.HeinterrogatedRahibthataftervisitingmyGrandfather(SAWW)splace howcanyoulooksosad?Rahibtoldhimthematter.ImamHussain(AS)toldhimthatthisis not fair and that he will get child. Prophet (SAWW) upon hearing this sentence from his Grandsoncameoutandwarnedhimtostopsayinglikethat!HetoldHussain(AS)thathe cannotgoagainstthewillofAllahandthatheshouldstoppromisingRahib.ButHussain(AS) did not stop. He, one by one, promised 7 sons to Rahib. At this time, Angel Gibrael (AS) cameagaintoProphet(SAWW)andtoldhimthatHussain(AS)sprayersareansweredand Rahibwillsurelyget7sonsbecauseHussain(AS)ishavingaspecialpositionineyesofAllah andthatAllahlovesHussain(AS)verymuch! On hearing that Hussain (AS)s prayers are answered by Allah, Rahib was very happy and invitedImamHussain(AS)tohishouse.ImamHussain(AS)promisedthathewillsurelyvisit RahibshouseonedaybutRahibwouldnotbeabletorecognizehimatthattime! WhentheKafilawastakenfromKarbalatoSyriaviaKufa,itrestedononemountainpeak for a night. Rahib saw from very far that something is shining on the mountain in extra ordinary way! On approaching towards it, he discovered that it is the head of some pure personbecausethatheadwasrecitingQuranonthespear. Rahibrequestedtheforces to givehimthatheadforanycost.Inthisway,hetookthatheadforonenight.Hebroughtthat headtohishouseandplaceditonthestone.Hewasamazedattheradiationswhichwere comingoutofthathead.Rahibswifesaidthatshecanhearsomebodysweepneartothat head.Rahibwasverycurioustoknowwhoseheaditis.Heaskedthathead,whoareyou master?Atthis,HeadofImamHussain(AS)replied,Rahib, I kept my promise. I visited your house and see; you are not able to recognize me! I am Hussain (AS), grandson of Prophet(SAWW).ThisismyhouseholdwhichischainedbySyrianarmy.Thisweepwhich youarehearingisthecryofmymotherSayyedaFatima(AS).Nextmorning,whenSyrian armycametotakeHeadofImamHussain(AS)fromRahib,hehesitatedandtoldthemthat Ifyouwant,takeheadsofmysonsbutIwillnotgiveHeadofmyMaster.Onebyoneall hissonsweremartyredbutSyrianarmywasstubborntotakeHeadofImamHussain(AS).At this,RahibcriedandprayedtoAllah,Icannotseeheadofmymasteronthespear.OAllah, givemedeathbeforethat.HisprayerswereansweredandhelefttoHeaven! ThatnightsomebloodrolleddownfromHeadofImamHussain(AS)onthestoneonwhich Rahibhadplacedit.Thatstoneexistseventodayandwecanseethefreshbloodonit.

 Whenwereached there, someIranianswereofferingnafalsalat.Theyleftfromthe place andthenweentered.ThemomentIsawthatstone,Iforgottheworldaroundme.Itwasas if I am standing in front of my Maula Imam Hussain (AS). On the uppermost left corner, thereisonebigclotofbloodpresent.Thebloodisstilloffreshredcolouranditissaidthat every10thMoharramthisbloodbecomesevenmorefresh(asiffewminutesbeforeImam wasmartyred)!ForlongtimeIstaredatthatstoneandthebloodlyingonit.Iforgotwhatto prayandwhatnottopray.Abovethatstone,thereisonecrownplacedwhichsymbolizes theHeadofImamHussain(AS).OutofthefulltourofSyria,thiswastheplacewhereIfound .just dont have words! Cry was coming from deep inside my heart as if heart itself is going to come out any moment! This place made me forget everything. Only one thing persisted:MeandMyImamHussain(AS)!Iwasnotabletosayanythingtohim,nordidI complainhimaboutthemysteryandmisfortuneswhichlifeisshowingme.Iwasnotableto pray also. I was having a feeling that my cry is enough to disclose everything to Imam Hussain (AS). My cry soon turned to screaming of Ya Hussain! Ya Gareeb Maula! Ya MazloomHussaina!WaHussaina! IrecitedseveralNauhasandSalamshere.Qutubalsoperformedmatamwithme. Jhulakhalihuabanuronelagi Jaankhonelagiauryukehnelagi, LadoAsgarHussain,LadoAsgarHussain AssalameHussain,AssalameHussain Paasdaulatnahiaurtakatnahi KyamuqaddarmeshahkiZiyaratnahi Sadmasehnekiabmujhmetakatnahi AbbulaloHussain,AbbulaloHussain AbbulaloHussain,AbbulaloHussain AssalameHussain. IsisadmeseabtomarungiHussain MautaajayegitokyakarungiHussain MailahadmebhiroyakarungiHussain LokhabaryaHussain,LokhabaryaHussain LokhabaryaHussain,LokhabaryaHussain AssalameHussain.. Koiaafatsemujhkobachatanahi RaahNajafkikoibhidikhatanahi ShaamKufakigaliyabatatanahi RaahdikhadoHussain,RaahdikhadoHussain

RaahdikhadoHussain,RaahdikhadoHussain AssalameHussain,AssalameHussain ZehrakenooraeynAssalameHussain WithgreatdifficultyandunwillinglywefinallyleftthisplaceandwenttootherZiyarat. 2. MohsinbinImamHussain(AS): MohsinbinImamHussain(AS)wasthesmallestchildofImamHussain(AS).Atthetimeof battle of Karbala, Imam Hussain (AS) told his sister Sayyeda Zenab (AS) about the birth of thischild.HetoldherthatonthewaytoSyria,thischildwillbedeliveredprematurely,but hewillnotlivelong.YouhavetoburyhimandyoushouldnamehimMohsin.Yazid(LA)s forceswereilltreating theKafilaand makingthemfallfrom camels,etc.Sothebabywas deliveredprematurelyandhedied.SayyedaZenab(AS)tookchargeofhisburial. 3. JanabeZachariah(AS): JanabeZachariah(AS)wasthefatherofYahya(AS).HisshrineissimilartoDarbareYazid. Near the grave of JanabeZachariah (AS), there are 2 bottles placed. One bottle is containinghairofProphetMohammed(SAWW)andotherhistooth.Onescentbottleisalso placedthere. ShrineofJanabeZachariah(AS) Openingtimefortheshrineisfrom10:00am.Wereachedtherearound9:15am.Wehad still45minutesleft.Sowetoldourdrivertotakeustosomehotelbecausewewerefeeling

verytiredandhungry.ButhetoldthatweshouldleavefromHalabnowaswehavetogoto Hammatoo!AndhetoldustopraytoJanabeZachariahfromoutsideonly!Ihesitatedand stood firmly there. I told him that we will enter shrine, pray, will go to hotel and then to Hamma.Wearehereonlyforprayersandthatwewillnotmissanyplace.Sohemadefaces andwaitedinthecarforus.Wewaitedthere,at10:00am,weenteredshrineandprayed there.Thiszariistoohigh. After praying here, we went to take some breakfast. Then after some hours, we reached Hamma. HAMMA: InHamma,ononemountain,SayyedaSakina(AS)askedforsomewater.ButtheYazid(LA)s forcesdidnotgiveherandafterwateringtheiranimals,theysplashedtheremainingwater on the ground. Yazid (LA)s forces challenged Imam Sajjad (AS) that if you are real Imam then generate water. At this Imam (AS) was very angry and miraculously generated water streamforhisbelovedsisterSayyedaSakina(AS). ThisplaceisalsoknownasMakameZainulAbedein(AS).Therearetwopiecesofstones lyingthere.Itissaidthatifwetouchthesestones,ourdiseasewillbecured.Thereisone Zulfiqar lying there. Then we saw that well, in which water was generated for Sayyeda Sakina(AS).Waterlevelhasgoneverydownsopeoplehadcoveredthatwell.Weremoved somepartofcoveringandsawthewaterinside.Viewfromthatmountainisverybeautiful. ThenwelefttoDamascus.On thewaywedecidedtovisitone lastshrineofHazr binAdi (AS). HAZRBINADI(AS): HazrbinAdi(AS)andhissonwithfiveothermentotal7Ashabsareburiedtogether.They werenativesofKindaandcollectivelyknownasMustajabutDawaat!TheyalllovedHazrat Ali (AS) very much, so they were held captives in Kufa. But in prison also, they continued lovingandspeakingaboutHazratAli(AS).SotheyweresenttoDamascusbutontheway they were killed. Hazr bin Adi (AS) requested that his son to be slaughtered before him because he did not want that after his death, his son changes himself and speak against HazratAli(AS)!SayyedaZenab(AS)saysthatwhoevervisitsmeshouldvisitthisshrinetoo. After visiting this place, Qutub went to MakameArbaeen and I went to Sayyeda Sakina (AS)sshrine. AfterdoingfinalZiyaratofSayyedaSakina(AS),weleftforZenabiya.Onceagainweprayed, touchedthezariandthendidfinalsaluteandreturnedtohotel.Inthemorning,wewentto airportaround8:30amandthenboardedflightat10:30am.WelandedonKuwaitat2:00 pm.

 Our tour was very pleasant. I am very lucky to see these holy shrines of the family of ProphetMohammed(SAWW).GODWILLING,Iwithmyfamilywillvisithereagain. MayalltheShiyaneAlivisitthisplacebythegraceofAllah,theSupreme! Father,Ihopeyouwilllikethisscript! Composedby: ShaheenBohraS.(ShaheenRV)