ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Lectures On Ashura Sermon and the Pulpit (2) Ustaz Murtaza Mutahhari I seek refuge in the Hearer and Omniscient Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful The Beneficent (Allah) has taught the Quran [to Muhammad (P)] He created man and has taught him intelligible speech.

(Surah Rahman, 55:1-4) In the previous lecture I talked about oratory and its relationship with Islam and about the change which Islam brought about in it. In this connection I also mentioned an Islamic order according to which Islam has declared a special kind of oration to be an integral part of Islamic teachings.

In our country oration and pulpit exist on account of the tragedy of Karbala, but, as I wanted to speak on different aspects of this subject, the discussion about Friday prayers was necessary in this regard. Furthermore, I talked about the ceremonies and rules which have been prescribed for Friday sermon. My object in doing so was that when I talked about 'Khutba' again I might propose that in these days also we should follow these orders.

I had said that in our country oratory and pulpit owe their existence to the Great Martyrdom of Imam Husayn (P). It may be asked as to how it is so. It is so because, as all of us know, Imam Husayn (P) started a movement against the system which was current during his time and was martyred. That there are Hadith, which lay stress on mourning for him, cannot be denied. Mourning is one of the indisputable articles of faith of Shiah Islam.

The" Holy Imams have recommended it very strongly that the memory of Ashura should be maintained. The poets have been advised to write verses on this subject and to move the feelings of the people. Shedding tears over the heart-rending tragedy of Ashura is considered to be a holy act. In many Hadith weeping and crying has been reckoned to be very virtuous.

I do not intend to narrate those Hadith today but briefly say that it is not possible for any Shi'ah to deny that our religion has given these orders. Here it is necessary to discuss several questions: What was the philosophy of Imam Husayn's (P) rising? Why did he rise? What was the stimulus for his rising? Why have the Holy Imams made the recommendation that the memory of the rising of Imam Husayn (P) should be kept alive and should not be forgotten?