and reward them for that whereby they preferred us over themselves.

and reward them for that whereby they preferred us over themselves.” His using the plural “themselves” connotes his loving them for having preferred the Imams (‘a) over their own selves, something which brings goodness to each and every one of them.

Since preference awarded to visiting the shrine of the Oppressed Imam (‘a) is inclusive, due to its bringing to memory his sacred stand, whoever stands before the pure shrines sees himself as though he stands between both ranks: the rank of sanctity, of guidance to everything good, and his band, and the rank of the product of the Thursday of Infamy, namely Yazid and his followers, observing the stand taken by the first party with regard to what is right and to integrity, and the [evil] end sought by those who opted to follow falsehood and uncleanness.

He, therefore, will have then kindled the fires of two attributes: loyalty to one party and dissociation from the other. A far-sighted discreet person cannot overlook the implication in the statement cited above in Abu ‘Abdullah's supplication: “O Allah! Our enemies found fault with them (with our Shi’as) for visiting our shrines, yet this did not stop them from doing so, thus distinguishing themselves from those who opposed our ways.

” He, peace be upon him, desired to urge the Shi’as to always keep consoling (‘a) and respecting their rites, keeping their heritage alive and disseminating their legacy. Any calamity suffered by them while following such a path is surely witnessed by Allah, the most Exalted One, and it pleases His Purified Friends. The mockery of those who mock does not harm them in the least so long as they are on the right path.

The Jews had made fun of the athan , just as the polytheists had made fun of the sujud , yet it did not weaken the Muslims' determination in the least, so they continued their march on the straight path heedless of the pitfalls of others. Those who visit the gravesite of Abu ‘Abdullah, al-Husayn (‘a), and who crowd to uphold the Husayni rites, are not harmed by the mockery of the ignorant about whom as-Sadiq (‘a) says, “By Allah! Their luck missed the mark!

From achieving Allah's rewards did they swerve! And from nearness to Muhammad (S) did they distance themselves! ” When Thurayh al-Muharibi said to him once, “Whenever I detail the merits of visiting (the gravesite) of Abu ‘Abdullah [al-Husayn] (‘a), my offspring and kinsfolk make fun of me,” the Imam (‘a) responded by saying, “ O Thurayh!