The Reason for Singling Out Imam Husain (a.s.) for These Honors

سبب تخصيص آن حضرت به اين احترامات

و بايد دانست كه تخصيص آنجناب به اين احترامات خاصه، سببش چند چيز است:يكي: بيان مقام و مرتبه و بلندي درجه‌ي آنجنابدوم: مقابله كردن هر احترامي، به هتك حرمتي كه از آنحضرت نموده‌اند، تا معلوم شود بزرگي مصيبتش، مثلا استقبال نمودن پيغمبر (صلي الله عليه و آله) او را، مقابل است با آن حالت كه مردم راضي نمي‌شدند كه با آن جناب هم منزل شوند در راه سفر كه مبادا ياريش كنند، و اگر كسي را استقبال مي‌نمود در راه كه از او خبري برسد راه را كج مي‌كرد و به طرف ديگر مي‌رفت، چنانكه در قضيه‌ي زهير و آن دو نفر اسدي مشهور است. [353] .سوم: مي‌خواست كه ادخال سرور در قلب آن جناب نمايد، تا جبران حزن و كرب او شود، پس بايد به اندازه‌ي آن مصائب و احزان باشد تا بتواند جبران نمايد، پس شما دوستان تأسي به حضرت پيغمبر نمائيد و جبر قلب و تفريج كرب او نمائيد، به گريه و سلام و اجابت دعوت آن سرور.امر سوم: در بيان مقامي بالاتر از آنچه ذكر شد، و آن اينست كه خداوند عطا نمود به حسين (عليه‌السلام)، خود پيغمبر (صلي الله عليه و آله) را، و اين مبالغه است، بلكه مستند به كلام خود آن حضرت، كه مي‌فرمود: «حسين مني وانا من حسين (عليه‌السلام)» [354] . [ صفحه 150]

The Reason for Singling Out Imam Husain (a.s.) for These Honors

It should be known that the reason Imam Husain (a.s.) was singled out for these special honors was several things:

First: To demonstrate his rank, station, and exalted degree.

Second: To correspond each honor with one of the violations and indignities that would later be committed against him, so that the greatness of his tragedy might become known.

For example, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) personally going out to receive him corresponds to the time when people were unwilling even to travel in the same caravan as him, lest they be compelled to assist him.

If he attempted to approach someone on the road to obtain news, that person would turn away and take another path.

This occurred, as is well known, in the incident of Zuhayr and the two men from the tribe of Asad. [353]

Third: The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) wished to bring joy into the heart of Imam Husain (a.s.) so that it might compensate for the grief, sorrow, and afflictions that would befall him.

Therefore, these honors had to be proportionate to those calamities and sorrows in order to serve as compensation for them.

So, O lovers of Imam Husain (a.s.), follow the example of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), mend his broken heart, and relieve his grief through weeping for him, sending salutations upon him, and responding to his call.

The Third Matter

Concerning a station even higher than what has been mentioned, it is this:

Allah bestowed upon Imam Husain (a.s.) the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) himself.

This is not merely a rhetorical exaggeration; rather, it is based upon the statement of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) himself, who used to say:

«حُسَيْنٌ مِنِّي وَأَنَا مِنْ حُسَيْنٍ»

“Imam Husain (a.s.) is from me, and I am from Imam Husain (a.s.).” [354]

[ صفحه 150]