Eid-e-Zehra is a day of celebration, a day in which even
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rejoiced! This day holds
importance due to numerous events that transpired on
this day in history.
One of the events which is marked on this day
is the beginning of the Imamate of our 12th Imam,
al-Hujjah ibn al-Hasan (may Allah hasten his return).
His father, Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) left this world
on the 8th and, immediately after, his son took over
the mantle of leadership. His leadership has spanned
over 1,160 years, and as he is the living and present Imam,
we have the potential of being his ‘companions’ just as
great personalities such as Bilal, Salman, Abu Dharr, Maitham
and countless others were companions of their living Imams.
However, we need to strive to emulate such individuals
and work towards being our Imam’s chosen helpers and
assistants.
The day also marks the first time that our 4th Imam smiled
and rejoiced after the tragic events of Kerbala in which
he saw his entire family and loyal friends murdered in cold
blood by Ibne Ziyaad, Umar ibne Sa’d, Yazid ibne Mu’awiyah
and the others who were responsible for the crimes.
History notes that it was on 9 Rabi’ul Awwal the year 67 A.H.
when Mukhtar sent the head of Ubaydallah Ziyad to
Imam Zainul Abedeen who was in Makkah at the time.
It is noted that the Prophet of Islam himself was seen
smiling and ‘celebrating’ on this day while in the presence
of Imams Ali, Hasan and Husain and said, “It is on this day
that Allah will destroy your enemies and the enemies of
your grandfather and it is on this day when Allah will accept
the actions of your Shi’a and those who love you.
This is the day when the words of Allah came true
where He said (in the Qur‘an):
"So those are the houses fallen down because
they were unjust.’ (27:52) And this is the day
when the Pharaoh (Firawn) of the time of the Ahlul Bayt
was destroyed ...”
Regards
Hassan Ali
