” (O you who believe) … help one another in piety and goodness and do not help one another in sin and aggression” (Suratul Mai’dah (No. 5), Verse 2)
Islam encourages its followers to work together for the common good. When believers work together there is motivation, enthusiasm and rise in spirit. Each believer is encouraged by the response of the other, and in this way a spark of goodness can create a constructive fire that engulfs the society which in turn spurns its members towards good actions.
The Peterborough Al-Hur Society wanted to take their hearts to Karbala by creating an Arbaeen project called Bibi Zaynab (`a) – “I saw nothing but beauty”. This project was a first of its type to be undertaken by them, inspiration of which was taken from KSIJ Dar es Salaam Scouts, who display a Karbala project annually during the first twelve days of Muharram.
The Al-Hur Society spent several days in planning, preparing and creating this project which was ready for display during the Ashrae Zainabiyyah period. Their main purpose was to portray their love for Imam Hussain (‘a.), the martyrs and the survivors of Karbala by explaining in detail the events of Karbala to the members of the Peterborough Jamaat.
This project consisted of five stations:
Karbala
This station focused on a visual representation of the battlefield in Karbala and the explanations included the conditions during the battle and some of the major tragedies that occurred in the holy city of Karbala
Kufa
In this station, the aim was to display a visual representation of Ibn Ziyad sitting on his throne with the head of Imam Hussain (`a) in front of him and Bibi Zainab (`a) and Bibi Umme Kulthum (`a) tied in chains with the events that occurred in the Court of Ibn Ziyad
Shaam.
Here, the Al-Hur Society placed a visual representation of the heavy chains with iron rings that were tied around the neck and ankles of Imam Zainul Abideen (`a). The reason why the chains were placed on a prayer mat is because he still had the courage to pray salaat despite being tied up in chains and this was an important lesson which the children, in particular, of Peterborough Jamaat learnt
Martyrs of Karbala
This station included visual representations of the belongings of some of the martyrs of Karbala. This included the earrings and hijab of Bibi Sakina (`a) which was snatched from her mercilessly as well as the cradle of Hazrat Ali Asgher (`a), which was also burnt when the tents were set on fire. Furthermore, the Al-Hur Society mentioned some other notable martyrs including Muslim ibn Awsaja who was the oldest shaheed in Karbala and Sa’id ibn Abdallah al-Hanafi who protected Imam Hussain (`a) from the arrows and spears whilst Imam offered Zuhr prayers.
Madina
This was the final station of the project and involved the event when Imam Zainul Abideen (`a) and Bibi Zainab (`a) arrived back in Madina and their grieving at the grave of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and relating to him of the massacre of his beloved grandson.
Furthermore, the small prayer mats shown in the picture symbolize that Bibi Zaynab (`a) did not cry for her 2 sons Aun and Muhammad until she came home and saw the two small empty beds and prayer mats that belonged to them.
The Al-Hur Society received a lot of positive feedback from the members who toured the project and hopefully this will motivate them and other Jamaats to implement ideas from Dar Es Salaam scouts and similar groups in the future and continue to spread the message of the Ahlulbayt (“A) and Islam.
Let us remember all the Marhumeen who have played a role globally in spreading the Azadari of Imam Hussain (‘a) and his companions and all other Marhumeen with a Sura-e-Fateha.
Source and Photo Courtesy: Ali Mohamedraza Mavani (Al-Hur Society member – Peterborough)
Article by: Sukaina bai Habib
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23rd September 2022 / 26th Safar 1444 A.H