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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Tears For Karbala Majlis 3: Janabe John Surah al-Fatiha Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem Today is the 3rd night of Muharram. Majaalis al-Husayn continues. As the nights of Muharram go by, our hearts are weighed down with more and more grief. We continue to hear the majaalis about the tragedy of Karbala’. ‘Ashura’ day is not far away We will recite more marshias and nawhas. Our matam will increase.
Our eyes will continue to shed tears for the Martyrs of Karbala’. “Husayn! Muharram! Karbala’! ‘Ashura’! Marshias! Nawhas! Taboot! Alam! Mashk! Matam!” When Bibi Fatimah hears these words, she joins us. She cries with us. She cries for ‘Aun and Muhammad, Qasim, ‘Abbas, ‘Ali Akbar, ‘Ali Asgar and Husayn, who are her family. She also cries for, and is thankful to those martyrs of Karbala’ who were not related to Husayn.
She especially cries for them because they died in Karbala’ helping her son Husayn save Islam. Among those not related to Husayn were sixteen slaves. Most of them were from Ethiopia. Some belonged to Imam Husayn's family and others to the companions of the Imam. On the night before ‘Ashura’, Imam and his companions had freed these slaves and urged them to go away to seek their safety. But none of the sixteen slaves left Imam Husayn.
They understood Imam's mission and preferred to die in Karbala’ with Husayn. They knew they would be rewarded with a place in Heaven. Amongst them was a slave called John. Today let us remember Janabe John and cry with Bibi Fatimah for his sacrifice in Karbala’. Janabe John was sent as a gift from Abu Dharr Ghiffari, to the household of Hazrat ‘Ali and Bib Fatimah. In the company of Hazrat ‘Ali he learnt the tafseer of the Quran and traditions of the Holy Prophet.
He also knew the Holy Qur’an by heart. When Hazrat ‘Ali was martyred, John stayed with Imam Hassan and after Imam Hassan's death he stayed on with Imam Husayn. Janabe John was blessed to be with the three Imams. What a lucky man! When Imam Husayn left Medina John insisted on joining him. On the night before ‘Ashura’, John spent the whole night sharpening his sword whilst reciting the Holy Qur’an. The next day was the tragic day of ‘Ashura’. At dawn ‘Ali Akbar gave the Adhan. “Allahu Akber!
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akberl” This was the last Adhan by ‘Ali Akbar. It was recited with great emotion. Tears flowed from ‘Ali Akbar's eyes. The sun rose from the east. By 10 am, the desert was like a furnace.