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Often the end of tyranny, injustice and oppression is celebrated in the most glorious of ways! That is why, independence days are celebrated with such splendor and happiness! Similarly, the 9th of Rabi ul Awwal is considered to be one the grandest of Eids because it marked the revenge of the oppression and tyranny of Karbala. This is the day, when Imam Zainul Abideen smiled for the first time after the horrendous massacre of his father and companions.
9th Rabiul Awwal was the day when Mukhtar ath Thaqafi took revenge from the killers of Imam Hussain. A brief story of this is as follows: |
Mukhtar was arrested before the Battle of Karbala and therefore was unable to take part in the battle. He was the son of Abu Ubaid bin Masoud who had led the Muslim army to conquer the Persia. Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad wanted to kill Mukhtar in the prison but Yazid ordered him not to do so on the request of Abdullah ibn Umar (who was the husband of Mukhtar’s sister). Yazeed asked Ibn Ziyad to release Mukhtar. Ibn Ziyad told Mukhtar that he had to leave Kufa in the next three days or he would kill him. Therefore, Mukhtar left Kufa and headed towards Makkah.
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While he was in Makkah a Shamian Army headed by Husain bin Namir, attacked Makkah and set fire to the Kabah. Mukhtar was valiantly defending the Kabah and forced the army to retreat. Meanwhile, Hussain bin Namir got the news that Yazeed had died and the army retreated and headed back to Shaam.
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After living four years of exile, Mukhtar headed back to Kufa. After Yazid’s death, Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad had escaped to Damascus. Ibn Mutiya had been appointed to rule over Kufa. He was informed of Mukhtar being dangerous and how he wanted to avenge the death of Imam Hussain. Once again, Mukhtar was prisoned.
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In the meantime, a man called Sulaiman bin Sird formed an army of 4000 men to avenge the death of Imam Hussain. They went to Karbala first, visited the graves of the Shuhada and then headed to Shaam. Ubaydullah ibn Ziad formed an army of 8000 to fight them. They met at a place called Ain al Warda. In this battle, Sulaiman passed away and Ryfaah bin Shaddad took charge. He withdrew the army from the war and headed to Kufa.
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Mukhtar, still in prison, sent a letter to Ryfaah appreciating his efforts. Ryfaah replied back telling Mukhtar that they could break the prison and set Mukhtar free. However, Mukhtar refused.
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Mukhtar was then released from prison, once again by the request of Abdullah ibn Umar. As soon as he was released, he gathered people to avenge the death of Imam Hussain. He also received a letter from Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah, who announced his support for Mukhtar. Soon masses of people joined the revolutionary army of Mukhtar, including a man called Ibrahim al-Ashtar.
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One day on the way to Mukhtar’s house, Ibrahim al – Ashtar and a group of friends came across a patrol. The Commander of the patrol threatened to kill Ibrahim for being outside. Ibrahim killed the commander and the rest of the patrol ran away. When Mukhtar found out about this, he announced the beginning of the revolution. Fires were lit and street wars took place. The ruler’s soldiers and the police surrendered while the ruler ran away to Hejaz.
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Mukhtar went on the pulpit and said, "I'll conform to Allah's Book and to His Apostle's Sunnah. I'll take revenge on Imam Husain's killers I'll fight against those who have broken Allah's laws. I'll defend the weak against the strong."
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Mukhtar’s army, led by Yazeed bin Anas, then encountered the Umayyad army from Shaam in two battles. Mukhtar’s army won both battles, however, Yazeed bin Anas died in one of the battles. This death lowered the spirits of many of the soldiers and they decided to come back to Kufa.
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Rumours then spread that Mukhtar’s army had been defeated. So Mukhtar sent an army from Kufa of 7000 people with Ibrahim Al-Ashtar in the lead. The enemies of Mukhtar then took advantage of this and gathered around the palace of Mukhtar. Even though the palace was under siege, Mukhtar managed to send a horseman to Ibraheem asking him to come back. Within three days, the army returned and the enemies became frightened. Some of them were arrested such as Hurmala bin Kahil, Umr bin Saad and Sanan bin Anas and some escaped. Those who were captured were then made to confess what they had done in Karbala and were then executed. Shimr bin Zil Jaushan tried to escape but the army chased him and he was killed too after he described what he had done to Imam Hussain.
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This is why this day is celebrated joyfully by all the Shias around the world.
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9th Rabiul Awwal is also said to be the day that the second Caliph – Umar bin al-Khattab was killed.
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Also, it is the day when the 12th Imam began his imamate.
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Allah has said about this day to the Prophet:
O Mohammad! I have made that day a day of eid for you and your Ahlul Bayt and their followers and Shia. I vow by My Glory and Magnificence that I will favor the one who celebrates that day with the rewards of the (angels) surrounding (the throne), and I will give him permission to intercede for close kin, and I will increase his wealth. And I will free, every year, on that day, thousands of your Shia, adorers and followers from the fires of hell and recompense their striving, forgive their sins and accept their deeds.
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Imam Ali has said about this day,
It is the day of respite, the day of relief from distress and agony, it is a second Ghadir, it is the removal of burden, it is the day of favoritism and the lifting of the pen, the day of hady (gift) and aqiqa, the day of blessing, the day of vengeance. It is the Great Eid of Allah and the day supplications are answered, the day of great standing, the day of turning back, the day of provision, the day erected walls are demolished, the day of regret for the oppressors, the day of victory for the Shia, the day worries are expelled, the day of triumph, the day of submission the day of power, the day of pardon, the day of jubilance for the Shia, the day of reflection, the day of great charity, the second Fitr, the day of Allah’s path, the day of contentment, the day of Eid for Ahlul Bayt, the day of victory for Bani Israel, the day Allah accepted the deeds of the Shia, the day of providing sadaqah, the day of asking for an increase, the day the hypocrite is killed, the day of reckoning, the day of Ahlul Bayt’s cheerfulness, the day that is witnessed, the day the oppressor will bite his hands, the day misguidance will be demolished, the day of accomplishment, the day of witnessing, the day of pardon for the faithful, the day of (ALMUSTATAAB), the day the authority of the munafiq departs, the day of settlement, the day the faithful relaxes, the day of Mubahila, the day of boasting, the day of thankfulness, the day victory for the oppressed, the day of visitation, the day of love, the day innovations are exposed, the day of piety, the day of exhortation, the day of worship, the day of Islam.
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Sources:
http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=3524http://www.shiachat.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t54065.html
