Index

About the Book  26

     Translator’s Preface (English) 28

     Translator’s Preface (Persian) 32

     Introduction by Ayatullah al-Jaza’iri 38

A Brief Translation of the Biography and Works of Hajj Shaykh Ja‘far Shushtari (r.a.), the Author of the Book  50

     Editor's Introduction  76

     The Ever-Living One  76

     Bibliography of Khasā’iṣ  92

     Commentaries on Khassa'is  95

     The Other Books on al-Khasaaes  100

     A Brief Account of the Honorable Translator  104

     Shahristani in the View of Great Scholars  115

     Death  118

     Precious Works  127

Supplement to the Khasa’is  133

     In mentioning the heart-wrenching tribulations of Imam Husain (a.s.). 154

     Take Provision in This Final Breath  154

     The Causes of Fear and Hope  158

     I Became Hopeful Regarding My Faith  161

     When Entering the Land of Karbala  165

     Imam Husain (a.s.) in the Lap of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) 169

     The Remembrance of Imam Husain (a.s.) Brings Tenderness to the Heart 173

     The Visitor of That Noble One (a.s.) Gives Drink from al-Kawthar  177

     The Gatherings of Mourning for Imam Husain (a.s.) Possess Fourteen Qualities. 181

     The Arrangement of This Book and Its Twelve Titles  186

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of Imam Husain (a.s.) in the Worlds of Existence Until the End of the Day of Recompense, and Its Seven Objectives  191

Title One: Concerning the Stages of Existence of That Noble Master (a.s.) from the Beginning of His Existence Until the End of the Day of Recompense, 194

     Concerning the Creation of the Noble Light of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) 194

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of That Noble One (a.s.) After His Creation Until the Time of His Birth  201

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of the Place of That Noble One (a.s.) After His Birth. 206

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of His Abode After His Martyrdom.. 208

     Concerning the Special Characteristic of His Abode in the (World of Barzakh) 210

     Concerning the Special Characteristic of His Abode on the Day of Resurrection. 212

     Concerning the Special Characteristic of His Abode in Paradise  213

     Concerning the Noble Qualities and Praiseworthy Character of Imam Husain (a.s.) 214

Title Two: Concerning the qualities, character, and acts of worship of that noble master (a.s.) 215

     Concerning the Qualities of Courage, Worship, and Observing Rights. 217

     The Modesty of Imam Husain (a.s.) 219

     Concerning Imam Husain (a.s.)’s (a.s.) Compassion for Those Afflicted by Worry and Grief 222

     Concerning the Praise of Imam Husain (a.s.) in the Qur'an and Hadith. 226

     The fact that Imam Husain (a.s.) is the Cause of the Sorrow of the Believers. 232

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of His Worship on the Day of Ashura. 236

Title Three: Concerning the special characteristics of the qualities, morals, and acts of worship that were manifested from that noble Imam (a.s.) on the Day of Ashura. 237

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of the Qualities, Morals, and Acts of Worship of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the Day of Ashura  239

     Concerning the Outward and Inward Purification of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the Night of Ashura. 242

     Four Types of Prayer of That Honorable Figure on the Day of Ashura. 245

     Burial of a Nursing Child for Five Reasons  249

     Zakat of the Body and Wealth on the Night and Day of Ashura  250

     The Thirteen Distinctions of Imam Husain (a.s.)’s (a.s.) Jihād Compared to Jihād in Islam.. 252

     The Book of Recommended Acts of Worship  258

     The Giving of Water by Imam Husain (a.s.) on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ 259

     Feeding by Imam Husain (a.s.) on the Night and Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ 260

     The Kindness and Affection of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the Night and Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ 261

     Repelling the Enemy on the Night and Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ. 262

     Consoling Others by That Noble One (a.s.) on the Night and Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ 263

     Visiting the Sick by That Noble One (a.s.) on the Night and Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ 264

     Recitation, Remembrance, and Supplication on the Night and Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ 266

     The Book of Spiritual Acts of Worship and Praiseworthy Qualities  268

     Certainty, Contentment, Generosity, and Courage Among the Spiritual Acts of Worship of That Noble One (a.s.) 270

     Tranquility of Heart and Forbearance Among the Praiseworthy Qualities of That Noble One (a.s.) 272

     The Good Character, Chivalry, Protective Honor, Contentment, and Patience of That Noble One (a.s.). 275

     The Weeping of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for Imam Husain (a.s.) 281

     Weeping Over the Calamities of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) Is Among the Greatest Acts of Worship. 286

     The Gathering of Opposite Qualities in Imam Husain (a.s.) 291

     The Combination of Two Apparently Opposite Obligations  295

     On the Special Divine Favours Bestowed Upon That Noble Imam (a.s.) and Their Eleven Categories  302

Title Four: Concerning the special divine favors and honors bestowed upon him. 305

     On the Special Expressions Used for These Noble Divine Favours  305

     On the Special Divine Gift Bestowed Upon That Noble Imam (a.s.) 310

     Regarding the Special Divine Favours Bestowed Upon That Noble Imam (a.s.) Through Divine Speech  319

     The Bestowal of the Prophet’s Heart Upon Imam Husain (a.s.) 323

     The Bestowal of the Prophet’s Spirit, Heart, and Intellect to Imam Husain (a.s.) 328

     The Reason for Singling Out Imam Husain (a.s.) for These Honors  331

     The Granting of the Throne (ʿArsh) to Imam Husain (a.s.) 334

     The Granting of Paradise to Imam Husain (a.s.) 336

     The Bestowal from All Created Things Upon Imam Husain (a.s.) 338

     Chapter on the Land Granted to Imam Husain (a.s.) 346

     Chapter on the Air and Space Granted to Imam Husain (a.s.) 347

     Chapter on the Water Given to Husain (a.s.) 349

     Being Deprived of Water by Imam Husain (a.s.)’s Enemies  352

     The thirst of Imam Husain (a.s.) affected four parts of his blessed body. 354

     Chapter of Trees: The Tree of Musa (a.s.) and the Palm Tree of 'Isa (a.s.) 356

     Chapter of Wild Animals and Birds; Chapter of Horses and Camels  360

     Special Honors Granted to Matters Connected to Him (a.s.) from the Time of Pregnancy Until After the Day of Resurrection  365

     The Special Characteristics of the Land of Karbala  371

     The Special Honors Granted to Him (a.s.) Alongside the Violations of His Sanctity. 378

     The Special Honors Related to the Food of That Noble One (a.s.) 382

     The Special Honors Related to the Clothing of That Noble One (a.s.) 383

     Concerning the Manifestation of the Special Divine Grace Toward That Noble One (a.s.) 384

Title Five : Concerning the Manifestation of Divine Grace Toward That Noble One (a.s.) 386         The Purpose of Creation is Worship  390

     Human beings are immersed in sins. 395

     Fulfilling the Commands That Were Specific to Him   399

     The Addresses Directed to Man from the Lord  403

     Visiting Imam Husain (a.s.), the Ranks of the Honored Servants, and Others. 407

     Desiring Martyrdom in the Company of That Noble Imam (a.s.) 412

     One of the means of mourning for al Husain (a.s.) is weeping for him. 420

     The Reward and Compensation of the Mourners of Imam Husain (a.s.) 424

     On the Characteristics of Humility and Supplication of that Noble Imam (a.s.) 427

Title Six: Concerning the special characteristics related to humility, reverence, tenderness of heart, and weeping at his remembrance. 429

     Concerning the Inner Cause of Weeping  433

     The Attachment of Intense Connection  437

     The One Afflicted Possesses a Right Over the One Who Weeps  441

     The Attachment Arising from Greatness and Lofty Rank  444

     The Attachment Arising from Noble Qualities  448

     The Attachment of Following and Shared Nature  453

     Weeping on Account of the Combination of All the Qualities  455

     Weeping Without a Consciously Perceived Cause  457

     In the external causes that lead to weeping  462

     The entry of the month of Muharram is a cause of sorrow and weeping. 467

     On the quality of lamentation, grief, and weeping for that blessed figure. 471

     In the Statement of Assemblies for Mentioning the Tragedy of That Holy One. 475

     The Grief of the Tablet (Lawḥ), the Pen (Qalam), and the Throne (ʿArsh) 475

     The Plain of Arafah  477

     In Paradise, the Mourning of the Houri and... 479

     In Paradise, Mourning of Jibril and... 481

     The Assembly of Adam in Karbala  483

     The Ark of Noah Upon Reaching the Place of Martyrdom   484

     The Confluence of Two Seas and the Meeting of Musa with Khidr  484

     The Throne of Solomon  485

     The Shore of Hazaran... 486

     For Ibrahim at the Time of Breaking the Idols and the Slaughter of His Son. 487

     For Ibrahim at the time of his passing through Karbala  490

     The session is for Isma'il... 491

     The session is for Jesus son of Mary in Karbala  492

     In Mount Sinai 494

     It was in Baitul Maqdas  497

     The session is for Jesus son of Mary... 499

     Type 3 - Mourning him after his birth and before his martyrdom   502

     One year after the birth and mourning of that master  505

     Two Years After the Birth and Cry of the Prophet upon Him   509

     The Prophet While in his Last Moments Held Imam Husain (a.s.) to His Chest 516

     Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a.s.) wept for Imam Husain (a.s.) on the bank of the Euphrates. 519

     The Elegy of Imam Hasan (a.s.) in Mourning for His Brother Imam Husain (a.s.). 530

     The Elegy Recitation of Umm Salamah Outside Madinah  535

     The Mourning Assembly Before Entering Karbala  554

     The Mourning Gathering on the Night of ʿĀshūrāʾ and the Sermon Delivered by the Imam (a.s.) 558

     The Last Assembly at Dawn on the Night of ʿĀshūrāʾ 560

     Type 4 - Gatherings that were held after his martyrdom   563

     The Elegy Recited by Imam al-Sajjad (a.s.) in the Court of Yazid  573

     Type 5 - Gathering of the people of the Day of Resurrection. 581

     The scrolls and books that contain the elegy of that noble Imam (a.s.) 583

     On the Special Characteristics of Gatherings Held for Weeping over him (Imam al-Ḥusayn (a.s.)) 586

     On the Special Virtues of Weeping for Imam al-Ḥusayn (a.s.). 589

     On the Virtues of Weeping for Imam al-Ḥusayn (a.s.) 592

     On the Special Effects of Weeping with Respect to Reward and Recompense. 596

     On the Special Virtues of an Eye that Weeps for al-Imam Husain (a.s.) 606

     On the Special Virtues of the Tears that Flow for the Oppressed Imam.. 607

     Conclusion to the Previous Objectives  609

     On the Special Characteristics of the Visitation (Ziyārah) of That Noble Imam and Its Twelve Chapters  617

Title Seven: Concerning the special characteristics of visiting (ziyārah) the Noble Imam (a.s.). 619

     “O Two Eyes, Pour Forth Tears”  625

     On the Virtues of the Visitors of That Noble Imam   628

     The Prayers of the Angels for the Visitors  632

     The Angels Attend the Funeral of the Visitors  635

     Visiting Him Causes the Forgiveness of Sins  638

     The Intercession of the Visitors on Behalf of Others  640

     The Visitation of Him is Equal to Thirty Accepted Pilgrimages  642

     Allah Does Not Disappoint the Visitors  645

     The Extraordinary Virtues of Visiting Him   648

     Concerning the Special Merits of the Ziyārah of that Noble One (a.s.) 651

     Indication  652

     “Where are the visitors of Imam Husain (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.)?”  655

     The Manner of Lady Fatimah's (a.s.) Arrival in the Gathering  659

     The Manner of Imam Husain (a.s.)'s (a.s.) Arrival in the Gathering  662

     Special Qualities Granted to the Visitors  666

     Special Rewards for the Visitors  669

     Special Rulings Concerning the Ziyārah of that Noble One (a.s.) 678

     Concerning the Conditions and Religious Etiquettes of the Ziyārah  680

     Chapter Six: Concerning the conditions and religious etiquettes of the ziyārah. 680

     The Effects that Result from Abandoning the Ziyārah  684

     Chapter Seven: Concerning the effects that result from abandoning the ziyārah of that noble one (a.s.), and they are many: 684

     Concerning the Ziyārahs Specific to Particular Times  688

     Chapter Eight: Concerning the ziyārahs that are specific to certain times. 688

     Concerning the Divine Favors Granted in Relation to the Ziyārah of that Noble One (a.s.) 698

     Concerning the Special Forms of Address Found in the Ziyārah of that Noble One (a.s.) 704

     The Greatest Afflictions of that Noble One (a.s.) 712

     The Imam's (a.s.) Letter to the People of Basra  717

     The Imam's (a.s.) Letter to the Nobles of Kufah  720

     The Imam's (a.s.) Request for Support from His Enemies in Order to Complete the Proof 726

     Seeking Support During the Siege  731

     The Seven Talbiyahs as Responses to the Seven Appeals of that Noble One (a.s.) 735

     The Seven Appeals Relating to the Condition of that Noble One (a.s.) 737

     The Confrontation of the Two Armies  739

     At the Outbreak of the Battle  740

     At the Time When His Companions Had Been Martyred  741

     At the Time When He Fell Upon the Ground  743

     When They Prepared to Kill Him   746

     At the Moment of Martyrdom   747

     The Seven Appeals of Every Person at the Time of Death and Thereafter. 750

     Visiting Each of the Blessed Limbs of that Noble One (a.s.) 754

     The Special Characteristics of the Visitors of that Noble One (a.s.) Before His Martyrdom.. 758

     The Visitors of that Noble One (a.s.) After His Martyrdom   763

     The Visitors Who Came After His Burial 766

     The Crimes of al-Mutawakkil al-ʿAbbāsī Against Him   769

     The Persistence of al-Mutawakkil in Erasing the Grave of That Noble One (a.s.) 772

Title Eight : Concerning the special characteristics of that noble one (a.s.) related to the Glorious Qur'an, and it contains five objectives. 781

     The Participation of That Noble One (a.s.) with the Qur’an in All Attributes. 783

     The Fourteen Stations of the Qur’an for Intercession and Disputation. 792

     The Fourteen Stations of His Afflictions  801

     The Verses That Were Revealed Concerning the Elegy of That Noble One (a.s.) 806

     The departure of that noble one (a.s.) from Madinah, 809

     In regard to the small number of his supporters  811

     In summary regarding the martyrdom of that noble Imam (a.s.) 813

     Imam Husain (a.s.), the soul at peace (nafs-ul-mutmain-nah)  814

     The intended meaning of the (zulm) is the martyrdom of al-Imam Husain (a.s.) 817

     The intended meaning of the great sacrifice is Imam Husain (a.s.). 824

     In regard to the establishment of the special qualities of Surah al-Hamd and (Bismillah) for that noble Imam (a.s.) 826

     In regard to the collective attributes that belong to him from the Qur'an. 829

     All the Surahs of the Qur'an concerning that noble Imam (a.s.) 832

     Al-Imam Husain (a.s.) has a special Miʿraj in Karbala  837

     The disjointed letters of the Qur'an and the dismembered body of al-Imam Husain (a.s.) 841

Title Nine : Concerning the special characteristics of that noble Imam (a.s.) in relation to the Sacred House of Allah, and within it are several discussions: 852

     The true House of Allah is the heart of that noble Imam (a.s.) 852

     The True House of Allah and Honoring the Outward House of Allah  858

     All the virtues and honors of the Kaʿbah belong to al-Imam Husain (a.s.) 863

     The Kaʿbah is a pillar of Islam, and al-Imam Husain (a.s.) is a pillar of faith. 870

     The Kaʿbah has the Maqam of Ibrahim (a.s.), and the Maqam of al-Imam Husain (a.s.) is the shoulder of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) 873

     Allah has granted miracles to the station of the Kaʿbah and to al-Imam Husain (a.s.) 875

     A white bird near the noble body of that Imam (a.s.) 877

     The Kaʿbah and al-Imam Husain (a.s.) are places around which the angels perform circumambulation  882

     Al-Imam Husain (a.s.) is more noble than the Kaʿbah  887

     Prayer of the traveler is performed in full in the Kaʿbah and in Karbala. 890

     All the Prophets (a.s.) visited the land of Karbala  893

     The light of al-Imam Husain (a.s.) is greater than the light of the Kaʿbah. 897

     The Hadith of the Apple, Quince, and Pomegranate... 903

     The Story of the Companions of the Elephant at the Kaʿbah and Yazid at Karbala. 907

     Looking at the Kaʿbah is a cause of forgiveness, and looking at al-Imam Husain (a.s.) is among the greatest acts of worship  910

     The Kaʿbah and Karbala Both Spoke  913

     Around the Kaʿbah and Karbala there are several honored and revered stations. 919

     Prayer in the Kaʿbah and Karbala is better than a thousand prayers  924

     Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) in Makkah and Imam Husain (a.s.) in Karbala Were Commanded to Leave Their Families 928

     The Kaʿbah and Karbala Are Never Without Circumambulators  931

     The Measure of the Reward of that Noble Imam (a.s.) Compared with the Reward of the Hajj of the House of Allah  933

     The Talbiyah of al-Imam Husain (a.s.) Like the Talbiyah of Kalim Allah (a.s.) 944

     Taking Allegiance for the Pharaoh of This Ummah  947

     Fear Came Upon Him Even in Sleep  951

     O Allah, You Are the God Without Partner  955

     The Martyr-Companions Were the True Pilgrims  967

     The mother of Wahb and the wife of Wahb were among the women at the true House of Allah. 970

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of that Noble One (a.s.) Related to the Angels. 973

Title Ten : Concerning the Special Characteristics of that Noble One (a.s.) in Relation to the Angels  975

     Concerning the Angelic Supporters on Several Occasions  980

     Angels Engaged in Service  984

     That Noble One (a.s.) was endowed with the Qualities of the Angels. 990

     The Gifts of That Noble One (a.s.) to the Angels  997

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of That Noble One (a.s.) in Relation to the Great Prophets. 998

Title Eleven : Concerning the Special Characteristics of That Noble One (a.s.) in Relation to the Great Prophets  1000

     Concerning the Special Characteristics of That Noble One (a.s.) in Relation to All the Prophets. 1002

     Concerning the Special Qualities of That Noble One (a.s.) in Relation to the Virtues of the Prophets  1005

     Recognize Imam Husain (a.s.) ibn ʿAlī (a.s.) Well 1009

     Comparison of the Weeping of Ādam (a.s.) and the Weeping of Imam Husain (a.s.) 1013

     Chapter of Idrīs (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.) 1018

     Chapter of Ibrāhīm (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.), and the Refusal of the Assistance of the Angels. 1021

     Farewell, Now I Too Am Going - Chapter of Yaʿqūb (a.s.) 1023

     Ṣāliḥ (a.s.), the Owner of the She-Camel, and Imam Husain (a.s.), the Guardian of His Family and Children  1027

     Hūd (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.), the Possessors of a Special Reliance Upon Allah. 1029

     Ayyūb (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.), the Most Special Servants of Allah. 1031

     The Special Characteristics Shared by Prophet Yaḥyā (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.) 1033

     The Glad Tidings of the Birth of Yaḥyā (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.) from Allah. 1035

     Remembering Yaḥyā (a.s.) at the Time of Halting and Departing  1038

     The Greater Severity of the Calamity of the Oppressed Imam Husain (a.s.) Compared to the Oppressed Yaḥyā (a.s.) 1040

     Mūsā (a.s.) Was Kalīm Allāh, and Imam Husain (a.s.) Also Was Kalīm Allāh. 1045

     Mūsā (a.s.) Was the Possessor of the Staff, and Imam Husain (a.s.) Was the Possessor of the Sword  1050

     Ismāʿīl (a.s.) Was the Sacrifice of Allah, and Imam Husain (a.s.) Also Was the Sacrifice of Allah. 1054

     Dāwūd (a.s.) Was a Lamenter, and Imam Husain (a.s.) Also Was a Lamenter. 1056

     Sulaymān (a.s.) Was the Possessor of a Great Kingdom, and Imam Husain (a.s.) Also Was the Possessor of a Great Kingdom   1057

     ʿĪsā (a.s.), the Son of Maryam (a.s.), and Imam Husain (a.s.), the Son of al-Zahrāʾ (a.s.) 1059

     The Gifts Granted to the Prophets Through Imam Husain (a.s.) 1061

     Concerning the Special Qualities of That Noble One (a.s.) in Relation to the Greatest of the Prophets  1063

Title Twelve: Concerning that which relates to the Seal of the Prophets (s.a.w.a.) in connection with that noble one (a.s.). 1066

     Imam Husain (a.s.) in Persian Literature  1070

     The Finger and the Ring  1071

     The Covenant of Alast  1073

     The Breeze of Nineveh  1075

     Assembly of Mourning  1078

     O Proof of Allah  1080

     A Heart-Rending Lament 1084

     Memory of Karbala  1086

     Fountain of Blood  1089

     Wave of Affliction  1091

     A Sky-Burning Sigh  1097

Footnotes  1102