Accursed Ones In Ziarat Ashura

Introduction

Among the Ziyaraat that have reached us from authentic sources, Ziyarate Ashura enjoys a special status. Reciting this Ziyarat for forty consecutive days is very effective in having ones needs fulfilled. This Ziyarat envelopes in it treasures of recognition and blessings. Let us ponder over some of the finer aspects of this Ziyarat.

The Accursed Ones

Ziyarate Ashura is replete with invocation of curses (la'an) on and distancing oneself (bara'at) from the enemies of Islam and those who oppressed Ahlebait (a.s). We find that cursing in this Ziyarat is both general and particular in nature. In other words some of the oppressors are cursed directly by using their names like Yazid and Muawiyah whereas it also, with a blanket curse, curses every person with certain dispositions. Let us list them in detail.

Those who have been cursed directly using their names or that of their tribes.

Individuals:

These include Abu Sufyan, Muawiyah, Yazeed, Shimr, Umar ibn Saad, Son of Marjanah, the first, second and the third illegitimately chosen caliphs and Ubaidullah ibn Ziyaad.

Progenies and Tribes:

The progenies and the descendants of Marwaan, Umayyah, Abu Sufyan and Ziyaad have also been cursed in this Ziyarat.

Those who fall under the Blanket curse:

This is a detailed list and very important for us because it mentions the nature and qualities of the people who deserve divine wrath and have been cursed in this Ziyarat. This is not limited to those accursed oppressors who fought and martyred Imam Husain (a.s) in Karbala but it crosses the era of Muharram of the Sixty First Hijri and includes all those who possess such inclinations, be they from any era. Hence it is possible that a person of this era becomes deserving of the divine wrath if he possesses such thoughts and inclinations. We must pay attention to it and ensure that we distance ourselves from both these dispositions and the ones possessing them. They include:

•  Those who laid the foundation of oppression on Ahlebait (a.s)
• Those who laid the basis of taking liberties with them I.e. who gave people the courage to offend them. During the life of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) none dared to offend Ahlebait (a.s). This door was opened after his departure from this world.
• Those who denied them the status divinely entrusted to them.
• Those who neglected their status.
• Those who killed them.
• Those who instigated and participated in killing them.
• Those who set out to kill them.
• Those who took up arms against them..
• Those who planted the seeds of hostility against them.
• Those who rejected their followers and friends.
• Those who troubled Imam Husain (a.s), showed eagerness, agreed mutually, and joined hands to kill him.

Special attention must be given to the fact that we must not associate ourselves with the oppressors of Ahlebait (a.s) and their friends nor should we trouble, reject or disassociate from the followers of Ahlebait (a.s).

Manner of Tabarra:

The Ziyarat also teaches us the manner of invoking divine wrath on the perpetrators of injustice on Ahlebait (a.s). It teaches us that invoking divine wrath on them is necessary to attain divine proximity. The reciter seeks divine proximity through the love of Ahlebait (a.s) and distancing oneself from their enemies.

The reciter first puts forward his disapproval for them and then presents himself before Allah and Ahlebait (a.s). Hence cursing and distancing from them is a prerequisite for any spiritual advancement.

The reciter also dissociates himself from followers and the enemies of Ahlebait (a.s). He also distances himself from those who follow, love and approve the wretched actions of the enemies of Ahlebait (a.s). In other words all those who are satisfied with the actions of Bani Umayyah and their followers and do not condemn them by their hearts and actions is also enveloped by this curse.

The reciter then makes a covenant with Ahlebait (a.s) that he is at peace with those who are at peace with them and at logger heads with their enemies.

This also proves that thoughts about religious unity, dilution of relgious concepts, suppressing historical events, inclination and cooperation with the enemies (for reasons other than taqayya) of Ahlebait (a.s) or their followers will tantamount to losing one’s faith and Wilayat of Ahlebait (a.s). Invoking divine wrath on the enemies of Ahlebait is the most effective way of seeking divine proximity.

The reciter also seeks the recognition of Ahlebait(as) and their followers and also the taufeeq i.e. the divine help on cursing and distancing oneself from the enemies of Ahlebait (a.s). This brings forth a very important concept i.e. cursing and distancing oneself from the enemies of Ahlebait (a.s) is a type of sustenance that we must always ask from Allah.

This Ziyarat also brings forth the fact the calamity of oppression on Ahlebait (a.s) was such nerve-racking that it engulfed all the carriers of Allah including the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.

There are numerous traditions that state that all the creature of Allah, both animate and inanimate, including even the inhabitants of the oceans invokes divine wrath on the oppressors of Ahlebait a.s. Thus it is our responsibility to join them on their actions.

Finally, the reciter also beseeches Allah to give him the opportunity to avenge the injustices meted out to Ahlebait (a.s) by including him among the army of the promised Imam Mahdi (a.s).

May Allah grant us taufeeq to love all but the enemies of Ahle Bait (as). May Allah grant us the taufeeq to be away from the enemies of Ahle Bait (as) of all eras. May Imam Zamana (atfs) help us to protect our ethics and etiquettes to be pure from the characteristics of the enemies of the Ahle Bait (as).