A Brave Bahraini Poetess

Ayat al-Gormazi is a 20-year-old Bahraini full of enthusiasm. "We are a people killing oppression and assassinating misery," she cried at the Lulu roundabout as she recited her poem about a fictional conversation between the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, and Satan. It was the second time she read her work at the now destroyed landmark and central hub of the Bahraini revolt.
On February 14, the day the Bahraini uprising broke out, she was outside the country with her family eagerly following the news. As soon as she landed back home five days later, she hurried to the Lulu (Pearl) roundabout.
She would sit shyly in one of the corners and follow the program of events. She did not know anyone from the February 14 youth organizers. Describing those days at the roundabout, she said: "We breathed freedom. For the first time we felt we were free."
In her first public appearance at the roundabout, she recited a poem as part of the Bahrain Teachers College event - she was a student at the college before being dismissed.
As a result, her name spread on social networking sites and she started receiving tens of threatening and insulting calls daily. She broke down and got in touch with the youth of the uprising; it was a chance to get closer to them. "Frankly I was not afraid of getting killed, but I was afraid of an attack on my honor as I was threatened with rape," she said.
On March 17, the night of the bloody attack on the Lulu Roundabout, al-Gormezi was planning how to spend her time there. She said they sensed the smell of death everywhere "even the program consisted of prayers and supplications. There was a strange feeling that everyone felt a malicious intent besetting us. The sky was strange and a plane was flying above us at a low altitude."
Although she had resolved to sleep at the roundabout, al-Gormezi did not, because of her mother's pleas. She woke up the next day to chants of Allahu Akbar (God is Great) everywhere, and she heard the ominous news about the attack on Lulu.
Her parents were terrified. They asked her to hide but al-Gormezi refused. They told her that they lived through the 1990s and they are aware of this regime's ability to oppress, but she was not convinced. Al-Gormezi told them she is a woman and will not be touched. But then she acquiesced and was taken to a relative's home. Less than a week later her home was attacked and her family was threatened and humiliated until they revealed her hiding place.
The police came, arrested her, and put her in prison where she was subjected to the worst kind of torture for three months and 16 days. She says: "I realized from the first moment that I was among people who do not fear God, the policeman would insult me and ask me how many times I experienced sexual pleasure in the roundabout."
"I was handed over to a Jordanian investigator known for his torture practices." She says that as soon as she was placed before him he told her that he does not differentiate between men and women, that "he can wipe the floor with her."
They told her "your father works in the public sector, you and your brothers studied at the expense of the state." Surprised, she said, "This is not a favor, this is our right."
Later, a woman who heads the drug section at the department of investigations, took charge of the investigation and the torture, according to al-Gormezi.
At the beginning, she used to slap al-Gormezi violently on the face. In later interrogation sessions, al-Gormezi's face was electrocuted and she was threatened with cutting her tongue off.
In one torture session, the police officer opened al-Gormezi's mouth and spit in it, then she brought a toilet bowl brush and inserted it in her mouth. She was forced to make confessions that were broadcast on TV in which she apologized to the al-Khalifa family.
Al-Gormezi said that the international support she received helped her. She pointed out that the regime's weakness lies in its vulnerability when light is shed on a case of an individual like herself.
Al-Gormezi is now planning for her future. She is thinking about traveling and would like to study law.

Hidden Agenda of Mu'awiya

Mutraf bin Mughira bin Sho`ba says:
"I accompanied my father Mughira to see Mu`awiya. My father visited him every day and praised him very much on his return. 
When he came back one night he was very sad and he did not even take his dinner. On my having enquired about the reason for his sadness he said: 
My son!Tonight I have come after meeting the most evil person.
On my having enquired as to who he was he said: 
"I told Mu`awiya in seclusion: You have achieved all your desires. It will now be in the fitness of things if you behave with the people kindly. You have grown old now. You should behave well with Bani Hashim who are your kith and kin.
There is no reason for you to be afraid of them now!
Mu`awiya replied: `Never! Never! The man belonging to the Family of Taym (Abu Bakr) became caliph. When he died he was no longer talked about. Now he is called only `Abu Bakr' by the people. 
After him Umar became caliph and ruled promptly for ten years. With his death he also ceased to be talked about and people now call him `Umar'.
Then our brother Uthman became the caliph. He belonged to the noblest family. He ruled justly but when he died he too ceased to be talked about. 
However, the name of the son of Bani Hashim (i.e. Muhammad) is announced five times during the day and night (i.e. everyone says: I acknowledge that Muhammad is the prophet of God). Now what else can be done with his name except that I should destroy it Completely''. 

(Murujuz Zahab, vol. 2, page 241).(Voice of Human Justice Pg.230)

Horr, Hero of Karbala

Horr and Omar-ebn-Sa'd both have come all the way from the palace of Yazid to Karbala together and they share the same status and   social class. Horr asks Omar:
"Can't you find a peaceful solution for this situation? "
"You know that if it had been up to me I would have done as  what you propose, but your master Obeid-Allah-Ziyad did not  accept a peaceful resolution!"  
"So are you going to fight with this man (Hussein)?"
"Yes, by God, I will fight a battle the least consequence of  which will be separated heads and broken arms!"  
Now, it is evident that no longer can he play games with his  religion. Now, the two separate their paths.  
For Horr, Yazid's army of tens of thousand is now nothing more   than a bunch of faces, without meaning. A crowd of men without  selves, a group of people without hearts, those who shout but  don't know why, fight but don't know for whom. Now the Jesus of  love and conscience cures a blind and resurrects a dead, creating  a martyr from a murderer. In a journey it is not enough to ask  for the destination, but one should also ask from the origin.  Thus, the length of Horr's journey becomes evident when one   realizes from where he started, and to where he ended, all in  half-a day's time. In his emigration from Satan to Allah , Horr  did not study philosophy or theology, nor did he attend any  lectures or schools. He just changed his direction, and it is  in fact this "direction" which gives meaning to everything: art,  science, literature, religion, prayers, hajj, Mohammad, Ali...   Having started his journey, and riding his horse, he slowly leaves  his Army toward Hussain. Muhajer-ebn-Ous, who sees him agitated  and worried asks:
"Whats wrong with you Horr? I am puzzled by your case, by God if   I were asked about the bravest man in our army I wouldnt hesitate  to mention your name, and now you are so disturbed and worried?"
"I find myself between the Hell and the Heaven, and I have to   select between them, and by God I will not choose but Heaven,   even if I were cut to pieces or burnt to ashes!"

Who was Yazid?

Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz

Yazid was a man who had inherited all the bad qualities of the Umayyad Family. His disposition, beliefs,
way of thinking and the manner of looking at various matters were exactly the same as those of Bani Umayyah
in general. Besides the evils inherited by him from his ancestors he had other mischievous tendencies and satanic qualities as well. He did not possess the apparent qualities of his father which are considered to be his (i.e. Mu`awiya's) merits although they were only tools to strengthen his rule. In fact it may be said that whereas all the bad qualities of his family had combined in him he did not at all possess any good quality. There has been no other reveller amongst Bani Umayyah like Yazid and it was on account of his being wildly festive that he lost his life .
It is said that one day, while mounted on a horse, he was trying to out-pace a monkey. During this competition, however, he fell down from the horse and died. His contemporaries have drawn a very precise and concise picture of his in these words: "He was a drunkard. He used to wear silken clothes and played on a  tambourine".
If Husayn proved to be a model of virtue and good morals Yazid proved to be the worst specimen of his
ancestral vices. If Husayn was sympathetic towards others as magnanimous persons usually are, Yazid had no human sentiments and was absolutely shameless.
Yazid had been brought up in a family which considered Islam to be a political movement. According to Bani
Umayyah the prophethood of the prophet was only a pretext to acquire power and authority and Islam meant
transfer of power from the hands of Bani Umayyah to the hands of Bani Hashim. Yazid considered his countrymen to be only an army whose duty it was to remain faithful to the ruler. In his eyes the object of the existence of his countrymen was that they should pay land revenue and taxes and increase the wealth of the treasury which was to be spent according to the sweet will of the ruler.
As Yazid was born and brought up in such a family it was necessary that he, too, should adopt the ways which
were adopted by his forefathers and other members of his family during the age of ignorance and after the advent of Islam. Furthermore, he was brought up in the house of a father who spent large sums of money of the public treasury at his pleasure. When wealth and ignorance are combined the result can be nothing else except profligacy and debauchery.
It was for this reason that like every ignorant person who possesses wealth Yazid was a drunkard and was fond of a life of pleasure and played with dogs. As soon as he ascended the throne he began spending money lavishly to lead a life of debauchery and sensual pleasure. He gave enormous sums to his asociates, slaves, slave-girls, singers etc. He had a large number of dogs who slept by his side and were made to wear ornaments of gold and silver and silken dresses, while the poor people, from whom taxes were realized under coercion, starved and suffered hardships.
He ruled for three and a half years only but during this short period he combined in him all the disgrace,
absurdity and impudence which were the result of Umayyad politics.

Love, Friendship, War in the Eyes of Imam Ali

According to Imam Ali, love and friendship is the greatest blessing for mankind.
He says: "Almighty God has strengthened the tie of love between the human beings. It is the love under whose shadow the people walk about and in whose lap they seek refuge. This love is an invaluable blessing because it is dearer than whatever price is fixed for it, and is greater than every great thing".
Imam Ali says that every person should establish friendship and love with others so that peace may prevail, because during peace time the atmosphere of a city remains tranquil and the people do not feel any fear.
One should avoid war-fare, because war is oppression and it is highly indecent and improper to oppress God's creatures. Whether the result of war is victory or retreat it is harmful in both cases. War is ruination and destruction for the victor as well as for the vanquished. War destroys human honour.
The victor is considered to be an opponent of intellect and conscience, an enemy of love, who treats human life to be valueless, and one who is defeated is humiliated and his life and property are also destroyed.
Imam Ali says: "One who gains victory by evil means is in fact defeated". "Nothing is worse than fighting and bloodshed". (The Voice of Human Justice)

Abdullah bin Mas`ud and the Third Caliph

All those persons who disliked the financial and administrative policies of Bani Umayyah and criticized them sincerely became the target of Uthman's wrath on the suggestion of Marwan and his other associates and advisers. One of those persons who opposed these policies and methods was Abdullah bin Mas`ud, a distinguished companion of the prophet. In order to explain how much the people were grieved on account of the oppression to which this companion of the prophet was subjected, it appears necessary to give a brief account of his life history.
Abdullah bin Mas`ud was one of those persons who embraced Islam first of all. It is said that his number was sixth on the list. He had the honour of migrating twice in the first instance to Ethiopia and then to Madina. He always remained in the company of the prophet. He was one of those whom the prophet loved and respected for their truthfulness, honesty and piety.
The Muslims of the early era considered Ibn Mas`ud to be one of the greatest scholars. It was on account of his profound knowledge that Umar sent him to Kufa to guide and educate the people of that city, although he himself needed his advice in Madina. While sending him to Kufa Umar sent a letter to the citizens of Kufa. He wrote:
"I am sending Abdullah bin Mas`ud to educate you. By sending him to Kufa I have given you preference over myself. You should acquire knoweldge from him".
Many Kufans benefited from Ibn Mas`ud. The number of his pupils increased day after day and they became renowned scholars. The famous Tabe`i (companion of the companions of the prophet) Sa`id bin Jaybar used to say:
"The pupils of Abdullah bin Mas`ud were the lamps of this city". (i.e. Kufa).
All the Muslims acknowledged Abdullah bin Mas`ud to be an erudite scholar. So much so that during the time of Umar it was he to whom the Kufans referred their religious problems and only his judgments were accepted by them.
In the matter of exegesis also he was one of the topmost authorities, and his rank was almost equal to that of Abdullah bin Abbas. He had many pupils who distinguished themselves in this branch of learning, such as Qatada and Masrooq ibn Ajda`.
In short Abdullah bin Mas`ud was the most respectable personality of his time. He was honoured in all Islamic cities more than every other companion of the prophet.
How did Uthman behave towards this distinguished companion? Ibn Mas`ud was one of those distinguished companions who openly disapproved and fearlessly criticized the policies and the modus operandi of Bani Umayyah.
On every Friday he used to say in Kufa: "The most correct word is the Book of God and the best guidance is that provided by prophet Muhammad and the worst things are innovations. Every innovation is deviation and every deviation leads one to Hell".
The above statement of lbn Mas`ud contained clear criticism of Uthman and the actions which he took for the benefit of only Bani Umayyah and the wealthy and influential persons ignoring the welfare of the common man.
He said many things criticizing Uthman, for example, he said: "In the eyes of God Uthman does not have even as much value as the feather of a fly".
Walid bin Uqbah, the Governor of Kufa, resented very much the remarks of Ibn Mas`ud about Uthman. This Walid was a brother of Uthman from his mother's side and was a great drunkard and a licentious person. Uthman had appointed him as the Governor of Kufa notwithstanding the displeasure of the residents of that city.
Walid wrote to Uthman informing him that Ibn Mas`ud criticized and abused him (Uthman). Uthman asked him to send Abdullah to him. It has been narrated that when Abdullah left Kufa for Madina many persons came to bid him farewell. Everyone of them requested him not to leave Kufa and assured him that they could not let him suffer any harm. He, however, replied: "There is something which must happen soon".
Abdullah bin Mas`ud reached Madina on Friday night. When Uthman came to know about his arrival he made the people gather in the masjid and said to them: "Just see a mean animal is coming towards you who tramples on his food, vomits and excretes". lbn Mas`ud said: "I am not like that. Of course, I am a companion of the prophet.
I was with him in the Battle of Badr and also participated in Bai`at al-Rizwan (the oath of allegiance taken under a tree at Hudaibiya).
Ayesha said loudly from her house: "Uthman! You are saying these words about a companion of the prophet!"
Others also disliked these remarks and expressed their resentment. As ordered by Uthman his officials and slaves turned Ibn Mas`ud out from the masjid in a very rude manner. They dragged him to the gate of the masjid and there they threw him down on the ground. Then they beat him so mercilessly that he broke his bones and from there he was carried home like a dead body.
Uthman was not satisfied with the beating and insulting to which this great companion of the prophet was subjected. He stopped the stipend which he used to get from the Public Treasury and deprived him of all his sources of livelihood. He also ordered the people not to visit him to enquire about his health. Eventually Ibn Mas`ud passed away and Ammar Yasir offered his funeral prayers and buried him secretly. When Uthman was informed about it he became very furious.

The True Generous and Master

Abdul-A'la reported: Abu-Abdillah(A.S.) asked me whether I had been associating with the people of Medina. I told that once I was sitting among people of Medina when they were talking about openhandedness.
A man, named Abu-Dukein, spoke, "It is surely Ja'far except that he is like this." He then closed his hand. As he listened to this story, the Imam(A.S.) commented: "Woe to Abu-Dukein! His like is the feather; the wind flights it whenever it blows." After a pause, he(A.S.) added:
The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) said: "Any favor is charity. The best alms is that which does not influence one's expenditure of his family members. Begin, when you give alms, with those whose provisions are obligatory upon you. The hand or the giver is better than the hand of the receiver. Allah does not censure for the minimum sustenance." Do you think that Allah is ungenerous or there is something more generous than Him?
The true generous and master is that who carries out Allah's rights correctly. He who gains money illegally and spends it unrightfully is not generous. Most surely, I desire for meeting Allah without taking anything that is illicit for me. I have fulfilled the rights in my fortune.

Position of a Mother

There was a young man, before he was a Muslim; he lived with his mother until he was about 18 years old. Then he moved out of his home and lived in a different place on his own. During those days, he met some Muslims and became very close friend to them.
Eventually he himself became a Muslim after learning about the beautiful religion of Islam from them. He made an effort every day to learn more and more about Islam. One day, he came to learn about the benefits of being good to one’s parents. After knowing this, he decided to visit his mother whom he did not visit for many years. He bought some flowers and fruits for her on his way. His mother was very pleased to see him after so long. He started spending lots of time with his mother on a regular basis. During his visits, he would stare at his mother and tears would roll down from his eyes. The mother noticed this happening many times and asked him one day the reason, why he visits her so much all of a sudden and why he cries. He told her about how he became a Muslim and that the position of a mother in Islam is very high.
He also told her about the reward he gets for looking at her.
But while looking at her, he cries because the mother is not a Muslim and would not be able to save herself if she dies in this state. The mother immediately recognized the beauty of Islam and became a Muslim.

Imam Hadi's (A.S.) Wisdom

During the Caliphate of Mutawakkil, a lady claimed that she was Zainub the daughter of Fatima.
He said, "Many long years have passed since that period when Zainub lived and you are quite young."
She replied, "Yes, but the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) drew his hand upon my head and prayed for me to remain young for ever. As such, after every forty years I turn back to become young."
Mutawakkil called upon all the wise men to visit him and enquired from them, "What you say about the claim of this women “All of them said,”she tells a lie."
Mutawakkil said, "I know that she is lying, but what proof and logic do you have to condemn her."
They said, "We do not know, Imam Hadi (A.S.) should solve this problem."
Mutawakkil at once summoned Imam (A.S.) and told him about that matter.
Imam (A.S.) said, "send her to the cage of the lions, if she is telling the truth, because the beasts do not molest the children of Fatima (S.A.) and do not eat their flesh.
Mutawakkil said to the woman, "what do you say?"
She said, "This man wishes that I may be killed. If he is right then let him do it himself."
Mutawakkil said, "she is right, you must do it first yourself."
Imam (A.S.) replied, "There is no hurdle to it" He went to the lions in the cage and sat among them. All observed with amazement, that the lions sat very respectfully before the Imam (A.S.) and sometimes caressed themselves against his body and he caressed their bodies with his hand, affectionately. When Imam (A.S.) ordered that they might move to a corner, all of them crept to a nook.
Then Imam (A.S.) came out of the cage and went to Mutawakkil and said, "Oh woman now it is your turn." The woman started crying and begging saying, "I told a lie, I am the daughter of such and such man, and wanted to play a trick and a hoax but it did not work."

Commit Sin as Much you Like!!!

A man came to Imam Husain (grandson of Prophet Mohammad s.a.) and said: 
I am a sinful man and can't avoid doing sin, please advise me. 

Imam (as) said: 
If you can do these FIVE things, then commit sin as much you like. 

First: Don’t eat the sustenance of God and commit sin as much you like. 
Second: Go beyond the domain of God and commit sin as much you like. 
Third: Seek a site where God cannot observe you and commit sin as much you like. 
Fourth: If the Angel of death comes to you to take away your soul, expel him away from yourself and commit sin as much you like. 
Fifth: If the Angel of Hell was about to throw you into the hell-fire, stop him and commit sin as much you like. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 126)