 | ||
The Sermon of Ali ibn Husayn in Damascus are the statements of Ali ibn Husayn in Yazid presence. After battle of Karbala captured family of Muhammad, prophet of Islam, and head of the killed persons were moved to the Levant by the forces of Yazid. By order of Yazid, a pulpit was prepared and public speaker gave his lecture with emphasized to balme to Ali and Husayn ibn Ali. Ali ibn Husayn seized the opportunity. He began to speak by Yazid’s permission and introduced himself and his descend. Also, he nominated to the adventure of Husayn ibn Ali killing.
Contents
Ali ibn Husayn
Ali ibn Husayn (Arabic: علي بن الحسين) or Zayn al-Abidin (the adornment of the worshippers) was the fourth Shia Imam, after his father Husayn. Ali ibn Husayn survived the battle of Karbala and was taken, along with enslaved women, to the caliph in Damascus. Eventually, he was allowed to return to Medina, where he led a secluded life with a few intimate companions. Zayn al-Abidin's life and statements were entirely devoted to asceticism and religious teachings, mostly in the form of invocations and supplications. His famous supplications are known as Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya.
Background
After battle of Karbala captured family of prophet and head of the killed persons were moved to the Levant by the forces of Yazid. At the first day of Safar, according to narration of Turabi’s, they arrived to the Levant and captured family and head were taken into Yazid presence.
According to Bihar al-Anwar, in Damascus Yazid ordered a pulpit to be prepared. He determined a public speaker to blame Ali and Husayn ibn Ali. The public speaker sat on the pulpit and began his lecture by praising Allah and insulting Ali and his son, Husayn. Also, he devoted long time to praising Yazid and his father Muawiyah. During this time, Ali ibn Husayn called out to him and said: "O you who preach! Woe be to you! You have bought the wrath of the Creator in lieu of the pleasure of the creatures, while your place is the hell." Then he turned towards Yazid and said:"Do you permit me to speak that which would be agreeable to Allah and would be a means of reward for those present?" Yazid refused, but the people said, "Permit him to ascend the pulpit, perhaps we may hear something (worthwhile) from him." Yazid replied, "If I permit him to mount the pulpit, he shall not descend it until he humiliates me and the progeny of Abu Sufyan." They said: "How could this ailing youth do so?' Yazid replied; "He comes from a family that has consumed wisdom along with the milk from their infancy.' After all Zayn al-Abidin ascended the pulpit and gave his sermon. According to Kamile Bahai, Ali ibn Husayn asked Yazid to let him that gave the sermon on Friday.
Context
Ali ibn Husayn began his sermon by praising Allah.
Then he nominated to knowledge, forbearance, munificence, eloquence, valor, and friendship of Ahl al-Bayt and also the name of Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib and Ja'far ibn Abi Talib.
He pointed to criterion that indicate the eligibility of Ahl al-Bayt for the succession of Muhammad, prophet of Islam. Therefore, he introduced himself in this manner. He stated that there is no need to introduce to person who know me, but I introduce myself for person who do not know me.
The son of Mecca and Mina
Ali ibn Husayn introduced himself as son of Mecca and Mina.
By this sentences, he stated that his descend reach to Abraham who construct Kaaba. In addition, there is this point that people who honor Kaaba, must revere Ali ibn Husayn as son of Mecca. To another word the person do not respected Ali ibn Husayn, in fact he had blasphemed all that is sacred.
Call to pray
When Ali ibn Husayn said these statements, Yazid ordered the muezzin to call people for the prayers. While the muezzin said: "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah", Ali ibn Husayn stated:
Yazid known that it is to his best interest to do not answer. So, he ordered to muezzin to continue.
Effect
After delivering the sermon, the audience began to cry out and hit their chest. They gathered around Ali ibn Husayn to apologized.