Imam Hussein in History

The revolution that Imam Al-Hussein made was not a rebellion against a legal ruler; it was a revolution against a tyrant dictator, Yazid Ibn Mu`awiyah, who deprived the Ummah of its right to choose its rulers [by succeeding his father to the caliphate]. Besides, he was notorious for being corrupt and dissolute. The majority of the Sunni scholars and others agreed to that, and Ibn Hajar mentioned so in his book As-Sawa`iq Al-Muhriqah. By his revolution, Imam Al-Hussein’s aim was not at all to support the Shiites, though the tragedy of Karbala’ (the place where Imam Al-Hussein was martyred) was a turning point in the history of the Shiites, for since then they were no longer a mere political group supporting the People of the House (Prophet Muhammad’s descendents), butrather they became an independent school that had its own beliefs, jurisprudents, social organizations and system of rule.

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Angels, Mankind and Jinn

Here is an Islamic perspective on Mankind and the unseen Angels and Jinn.

Angels are beings made of light and are programmed to do Gods work without question. They dont have free will. Angels were created before mankind. Their nature is to serve God, thats it. They do not die nor can they fall into evil.

Mankind are beings made of dust and have free will to choose good and evil, etc. We all know. Our nature is to create and build through our intellect and faculties. We live, procreate and die with a limited life span.

Jinn are beings made of smokeless fire and they were created with free will like humans to do good or evil. The Jinn were created before mankind. They live in a “parallel” universe among humans and their nature is to be mischievous. They are not as intelligent as humans and have no desire to create like humans. They live among dirty and dark places. Some of them are good and some choose evil, like humans. Like humans they too have a life span. They live, procreate and die. Some are Muslims, Jews, Christians, Pagans, etc.

Of the Jinn there is a ’select’ group. This is the group that rebelled against God at the creation of Adam, led by ‘Iblis’ or Satan. He rebelled because God told him to bow and serve Adam while he is on earth. Satan got annoyed and said that he will not bow and serve Adam because Adam was inferior to him. He said, ‘I am made of fire and fire can destroy clay’. So, 1/3 of the Jinn followed satan in this belief and rebellion of jealousy and arrogance. God was about to throw in into hell when Satan asked him to give him a chance to prove that he is correct and that mankind will also rebel against God. God then granted his wish and gave him until the End of Time to tempt and test mankind. That means that this ’select’ group cannot die like the other jinn. They live until the day of judgment.

A general (not comprehensive) list of verses of Qur’an.

“And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans, except they should worship Me (Alone).” [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56].

“O assembly of jinns and mankind! Did there not come to you Messengers from amongst you, reciting unto you My Verses…?” [al-An’aam 6:130]

“… Verily he [Satan] and his qabeeluhu [his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe] see you from where you cannot see them…” [al-A’raaf 7:27]

“And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame o fire.” [al-Hijr 15:27]

Narrated by ‘Aa’ishah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from fire, and Aadam was created from that which has been described to you.” (Reported by Muslim, 5314).

Ibn Mas’ood said: “The Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said, ‘There is not one of you who does not have a jinn appointed to be his constant companion.’ They said, ‘And you too, O Messenger of Allaah?’ He said, ‘Me too, but Allaah has helped me and he has submitted, so that he only helps me to do good.’” (Reported by Muslim, 2814).

“An ‘ifreet (strong one) from the jinns said: ‘I will bring it [her throne] to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work.’ One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: ‘I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!’ – then when (King) Solomon saw it placed before him, he said, ‘This is by the Grace of my Lord…’” [al-Naml 27:39-40].

“[Some jinn said:] ‘There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups, each having a different way (religious sects, etc.)’” [al-Jinn 72:11]

“… but the jinns know well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e., they will be brought to account)” [al-Saffaat 37:158]: “They will be brought to judgement.” Saheeh al-Bukhaari

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Kabbah

The tapestry is called “Kiswa”.

The Kaaba is covered with new kiswa (cover) every year, which coincides with Haj. It was a custom started by the Prophet Ismail 4000 years before the origin of Islam.

Every year the old Kiswa is removed, cut into small pieces and gifted to certain individuals, visiting foreign Muslim dignitaries and organisations. Some of them sell their share as souvenirs of Haj. Earlier Umar bin al-Khattab (Leader in early Islamic history) would cut it in to pieces and distribute them among the pilgrims who used them as shelter from the heat of Makkah.

The present cost of making the kiswa amounts to SAR 17 million ($ 4,537,048 USD). The cover is 658 sq. metres long and is made of 670 kgs of pure silk. For embroidery 15 kilos of gold threads are used. It consists of 47 pieces of cloth and each piece is 14 Mts. long and 101 cms broad. The kiswa is wrapped around the Kaaba and fixed to the ground with copper rings.

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