A man came to Imam Hossein (a.s.) and said, "I frequently disobey Allah (SWT) and cannot prevent myself from sins; therefore, please, give me an advice O son of messenger of Allah (SWT) so that I may keep away from sins."

Imam Hossein (a.s.): "Do five things and then commit sins as much as you want."

Sinner: "Please tell me what those five things are."

Imam Hossein (a.s.): "(1) Do not eat from the provisions of Allah (SWT), and then do whatever you like."

Sinner: "Then what will I be able to eat because whatever there is in his universe is from Allah (SWT)?"

Imam Hossein (a.s.): "(2) Then leave the earth of Allah (SWT), and then do whatever you like."

Sinner: "O Imam, this is even more difficult than the first! If I leave the earth, then where would I live? because all belongs to Allah (SWT)."

Imam Hossein (a.s.): "(3) Then find a place where Allah (SWT) cannot see you, and then do whatever you like."

Sinner: "But, O Imam, nothing is hidden from Allah (SWT)."

Imam Hossein (a.s.): (4) Then do one thing, when the angel of death (Izrail) comes to you, keep him away from yourself, and then do whatever you like. And if you cannot do that, then lastly, (5) do not enter the Hell when Allah (SWT) sends you into it. If you can do that, then go and commit whatever sins you like."

Sinner: "That's it, O son of messenger of Allah (SWT)! From today, Allah (SWT) will not find me in a situation which He dislikes."

Imam Hossein (a.s.) saw a Muslim slave in a farm eating together with dog. On being questioned by the Imam Hossein (a.s.), the slave replied. "On account of my master who is a Jew and his taking very hard work from me, I remain sad due to bad treatment. But I take joy in feeding this dog with me with whatever I get to eat."

On hearing this, the Imam Hossein (a.s.) made contact with the Jew master and offered him 200 Ashrafi for the slave. The Jew was so much impressed by the Imam's generosity that he offered the slave to the Imam Hussein (a.s.) free of charge. Imam Hossein (a.s.) accepted the slave with a kind gesture and gave a gift of 200 Ashrafi to the slave boy and set him free. The wife of the Jew was watching all this and came forward and forgave her Meher money to her husband, the Jew. At this goodness of the wife the husband gave his wife the whole house and the farm as gift.

All this happened due to the kindness of the slave for feeding the dog from the same food that he was eating.

When Imam Hossein (a.s.) was born, Allah (SWT) sent down the angel Jibrail (a.s.) to congratulate the family of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

On the way down from the heavens angel Jibrail (a.s.) passed an island, on which the angel Fitrus was sent to by Allah (SWT) because he had been naughty. Fitrus had also had his wings taken away by Allah (SWT).

When Fitrus saw Jibrail (a.s.) he asked him where he was going. Jibrail (a.s.) told him that he was going to congratulate the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his family on the birth of Imam Hossein (a.s.).

Fitrus asked if he could also go with him. Jibrail (a.s.) agreed with the permission of Allah (SWT) and so carried him down to earth.

When the angels reached the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and congratulated him and his family, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told Fitrus to go to Imam Hossein (a.s.).

When Fitrus touched Imam Hossein's (a.s.) cradle his wings were given back to him by Allah (SWT), who had forgiven him.

If you want something it is better to ask through our Imam's (a.s.) as they are closer to Allah (SWT) than we are.

By: Mulla Mujahid Sherrif

Abu Abdil Rahman Salmi was a tutor of the Noble Qur'an in Madina. Many children would come to him to learn how to recite the Holy book of Allah (SWT).

One day he taught a son of Imam Hossein (a.s.) to recite Surah Al-Fatihah (Al-Hamd). When the child recited the Surah Al-Fatihah before his father, then Imam Hussain (a.s.) was so pleased that he rewarded the tutor with valuable gifts.

Some people criticized this action saying it was not necessary to give so much in return for teaching one Surah. In reply, Imam Hussein (a.s.) said, "What comparison can there be between the gift I have given to the tutor of my child, and his teaching the Noble Qur'an, the gift which he has given to my child?"

Imam Hossein (a.s.) gave a lot of importance to the Noble Qur'an during his life. During the night of Qadr, in the Holy month of Ramadhan, there is a specific Ziyaarah of Imam Hussein (a.s.) which we recite. At one point, in that ziyaarah, we say: "I bear witness that you established prayers, and gave zakat (poor-rate), enjoined good and forbade evil, and you recited the Book (Noble Qur'an) the way it should be recited."

Similarly, on the nights of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, in another Ziyaarah of Imam Hossein (a.s.), we say: "I bear witness that indeed you recite the book of Allah (SWT)" "Peace be upon you O companion of Noble Qur'an".

Imam Al-Hujjah (A.F.) in his Ziyaarah addresses Imam Hussein (a.s.) saying: "You were for the Prophet, a son and for the Noble Qur'an, a support".

All these wordings of different Ziyaarah show the relation of Imam Hossein (a.s.) with the Noble Qur'an during his life.

Like other Imams (a.s.), Imam Hossein (a.s.) also used to guide people through the book of Allah (SWT). The following beautiful incident has been recorded in Safinatul Bihar:

Assaam bin Mustaliq was a man from Damascus who used to be a staunch enemy of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), particularly of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). It is related that one day he came to Madina. As he entered the city gate, his eyes fell on Imam Hossein (a.s.). Assaam bin Mustaliq was very disappointed and the hatred of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) became evident in him. He approached Imam Hussein (a.s.) and asked, "Are you the son of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib?" Imam Hossein (a.s.) replied in affirmative. When Assaam bin Mustaliq heard this, he began to abuse the Imam Hossein (a.s.) and spoke bad words to him. Imam Hossein (a.s.) calmly looked at him. When he was over, Imam Hossein (a.s.) recited the following verses from the Noble Qur'an:

"Adopt tolerance, enjoin good and turn away from the ignorant. And if a prompting from Satan instigates you (to evil), then seek refuge with Allah. Verily He is all-Hearing, all-Knowing. Verily those who safeguard themselves (against evil) with full awareness of divine laws, when an evil thought from Satan assails them, they remember Allah, and lo! They see light. And their brethren plunge them deeper into error, so they do not slacken their efforts". (7:199-202)

Then Imam Hossein (a.s.) said to Assaam bin Mustaliq, "You have been misled. We pray for our and your forgiveness from Allah (SWT). If you need our help, then we are willing to help. If you need our protection, then we are willing to defend you. And if you need our guidance, then we are willing to guide you".

When Assaam bin Mustaliq heard this, he was very ashamed of his rude remarks. Imam Hussain (a.s.) continued, "From today onwards, there shall be no blame on you. May Allah (SWT) forgive you and He is the most Merciful". Then Imam Hossein (a.s.) asked, "Are you from Damascus?" Assaam bin Mustaliq said, "Yes". Imam Hossein (a.s.) said, "Whatever remarks you passed is of no importance to me, may Allah (SWT) protect us both. Without hesitation, present your needs to me. Whatever I offer you, I hope, will remove all misconceptions you have of me".

Assaam bin Mustaliq says, "When I heard this, I felt so ashamed but could not find any place to hide myself. Moreover, I wished the earth would tear apart and I would fall into it. After this encounter, there is no one on the face of this earth who is more beloved to me than Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his father, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.)".