ভূমিকা

Those who have obtained the knowledge of Arabic in the usual manner are mostly of Hanafite religion or non-conformists. Sayyids of the Hanafite religion are of different kinds. Some are convinced of superiority of Abu Bakr and Umar and some believe His Eminence, Ali (a.s.) to be most superior to all the companions of the Holy Prophet (S). Some Sayyids of Bihar commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.) and some consider it to be polytheism or idolatry.

The following letter is addressed to a relative of mine who follows the Hanafite faith and who is also a great mourner of Imam Husayn (a.s.). In lineage, he belongs to the family of Sayyids. His name is Sayyid Muhammad Khalil. He is a doctor and is very famous in his native place as ‘the Doctor’. Besides, he was also in the business of saddling as his ancestors were also in the same line.

Besides his mourning assembles, I have hearty relation with him personally and he had sent me a letter regarding mourning of Imam Husayn (a.s.). Since I am a well-wisher of his world and Hereafter, according to my knowledge, I preferred to write to him a letter as follows, dated 29 December 1913: “My dear friend, Salaamun Alaikum. After regards, I would like you to know that I am well and hopeful of your well being.

As Allah willed, you have natural sympathy with the oppressed Imam (a.s.) and this good fortune is not a voluntary matter; it is entirely in the hands of the Almighty. But there can be complete sympathy with Imam Husayn (a.s.) only when a person knows the whole incident of Karbala’. Mostly the matter worth consideration is the detail of this incident, as being unaware of the details, one cannot sympathize with Imam Husayn (a.s.) fully.

I have recently written a book, Misbah-uz-Zulam, to clarify all such issues. This book will be published very soon and you will come to know how this incident occurred.