Section Three: Majesty and Exaltation of the Family of Muhammad

Exalted be their glory. Which book can describe their majesty and exaltation?!

Nevertheless, we present some reports from the books of the exoteric and esoteric Hadith that we deem useful and important for the believing brothers to understand the issue of Karbala. The aim of this chapter is not to debate or attempt to prove anything to others, but rather it is a reminder for the believers who responded from the very first particle. This is one of the important matters that will pave the way for understanding the issue of substitution (Tashbih).

So reflect, my believing brother, and be among the people of understanding, and not just among the people of narration, narrating what you do not comprehend without understanding the consequences of the saying of the Imam you narrate and profess. And before beginning the chapters, contemplate this great report which establishes some of the cognitive foundations for the upcoming topics:

Lady Hababa Al-Walibiyya, peace be upon her, said: "You are primordial who do not cease to exist, and eternal who are not annihilated. So, were you by these very names, or by names, forms, and similitudes?" So our Master Zayn Al-Abidin, may his might be exalted, said: "O Hababa, by these very names of ours, and these very forms of ours, we do not change and we do not depart from our essence. We change the world, yet we are not changed. We appear similar to them, yet we are not subjected to similitude. Our presence among them is found in tribes, clans, lineages, and descendants, but we are greater and more majestic than that. The people of realization find us in reality, and what appears as similarity to the people of temperament and immersion in darkness is not similar to us. Thus, they may find from us one hundred thousand persons at the same time, yet they bear witness that He is one who does not turn into a second number. That is according to the merit we have bestowed upon them and the acceptance with which we have singled them out. The one who suffers, flees, drinks, and eats does not find that from us, but rather the one who perseveres, seeks us, and grows great in our sight."¹