And statements were made on both sides about the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, of which he was innocent. Religious innovations, partisan passions, and falsehood continued to increase until matters arose that would take too long to explain. These include the practices that many in later generations introduced on the day of ‘Āshūrā’. Some turn it into an occasion of mourning, openly displaying wailing and anguish, tormenting themselves, mistreating animals, reviling deceased friends of Allah, fabricating lies about the Prophet’s household, and committing other reprehensible acts prohibited by the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and the agreement of the Muslims.

Allah Most High honoured al-Husayn—may Allah be pleased with him—with martyrdom on this day, and thereby disgraced those who killed him, helped to kill him, or approved of his killing. He had a good example in the martyrs who preceded him. He and his brother are the leaders of the young men of Paradise. Both had grown up when Islam was strong and had not attained through emigration, jihad, and patiently enduring harm for Allah’s sake what the members of their household had attained. Allah Most High therefore honoured them both with martyrdom, completing their honour and raising their ranks. His killing was a tremendous calamity. Allah, glorified is He, has prescribed affirming that we belong to Him and will return to Him when calamity strikes, saying:

“And give good tidings to the patient, who, when a calamity befalls them, say, ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.’ Upon them are blessings from their Lord and mercy, and it is they who are rightly guided.”

In the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is reported to have said:

“No Muslim is afflicted by a calamity and says, ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return. O Allah, reward me for my calamity and grant me something better in its place,’ but Allah rewards him for his calamity and grants him something better in its place.”

Among the finest reports to mention here is one narrated by Imām Ahmad and Ibn Mājah from Fātimah, daughter of