Section 2

Complaining of the Angels regarding the Martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s) in the Audience of Allah and their lamenting upon him

Shaikh Abu Ja'far Toosi relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s), that when Imam Husain (a.s) was martyred, the Angels bemoaned in the Audience of Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, and said, "O Allah! How have they treated the chosen-one and the son of Your Prophet (s.a.w.s)?" Allah showed them the image of the (Imam) Al Qa'em (a.t.f.s.), and said, "I shall seek his revenge from his oppressors through his medium".

Shaikh Sadooq relates from Aban bin Taghlib, that Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s) said,

"Four thousand Angels descended from the heavens and joined Imam Husain (a.s) so as to fight alongside him, but he did not permit them to fight. They returned and took permission (from Allah), but when they returned, Imam (a.s) was already martyred. Now they remain at the head of his grave with disheveled (hair) and smeared in dust. They weep upon him until the Qiyamah, while the name of their leader is Mansoor".

We (the author) say, that there are numerous traditions supporting the view regarding four thousand Angels at the head of his grave. While in the contents of some of them it is further related, that when the pilgrims of Imam Husain (a.s) arrive, they come to receive them. And if any of the pilgrims fall sick, they come to visit him; and if any of the pilgrims dies, then they offer prayers upon his dead body; and they pray for his forgiveness after his death, while they ever await the rising of (Imam) Al Qaem (a.t.f.s.).

Shaikh Ibne Qawlawayh relates from Abdul Malik bin Muqarran, that Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s) said that, "When you go for the pilgrimage of Abu Abdullah (Imam Husain), do not utter anything except fair, for the Angels of the day and night, alongwith you, meet those (the Angels) residing at the

threshold of Imam Husain (a.s). They shake hands with them but they do not answer them due to excessive weeping. They wait until the sunrise or the twilight so that they may speak to them. They then inquire from them regarding the affairs of the heavens, but in between these two times they neither speak to one another nor do they tire due to weeping and supplicating".

Hurayz relates, that I inquired from Imam Abi Abdullah Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s) that, "May I be your ransom! What is the reason that the age of you, the Ahlulbayt (a.s) is less, and your deaths occur soon, when all the creation is dependent upon you?" Imam Sadiq (a.s) replied, "Each one of us possess a register that contains our obligations. And when we have performed that task, which is noted down in that register, each one of us realises that our end is near. Then the Prophet (s.a.w.s) himself comes forth and informs us about our death, and whatever is reserved for us near Allah is made apparent to us. And when Imam Husain (a.s) read his register, and whatever had occurred and whatever still remained was written therein. While the tasks that were suitable and yet unperformed were therein, and he came out to fight the Kufans. And while those obligations that were yet pending, the Angels sought permission from Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, to assist him. Allah granted permission to them and they prepared themselves for battle, when Imam Husain (a.s) was already martyred. The Angels called out in the Audience of Allah saying : O Allah! You permitted us to descend as also to defend him, and we came forth while You took away his soul?" Allah revealed to them : Remain under the shelter of his dome until he (Imam Mahdi) rises, then you may assist him. Then now weep upon him, and that you missed an opportunity to assist him. The distinction of his assistance and lamentation is due to you. Therefore the Angels weep for His (Allah's) Proximity and the lapse of assisting the Imam (a.s), and when he (Imam Mahdi) shall arise, they shall assist him".

Safwan Jammal relates, that I accompanied Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s) from Madinah en route to Makkah. On the way I inquired of him, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! Why do I see you in a depressed, sorrowful and a broken-down state?" Imam (a.s) replied, "If you had heard what I hear, you would not have questioned me further". I asked, "What do you hear?" Imam Sadiq (a.s) replied, "(I hear the) Complaining of the Angels in the Audience of Allah regarding the murderers of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali (a.s) and that of Imam Husain (a.s). As also the elegies of the Genie and the wailing of the Angels surrounding them, and their severe restlessness due to it. Who is it that can suffice in eating, drinking and sleeping (when he hears this)?"

It is related in Bihar al-Anwar from Hasan bin Sulayman, who relates through his chain of authorities from Abi Mu'awiyah, from A'amash, who relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s), from his

father (Imam Mohammad Baqir), from his father (Imam Zainul Abedeen), that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) said: On the 'night of Ascension' (Me'raj), I reached the fifth heaven and saw the image of Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s). I asked, "Dear Jibra'eel! What image is this?" Jibra'eel replied, "O Mohammad (s.a.w.s)! The Angels were desirous of beholding the face of Ali (a.s) and they said: O Allah! The progeny of Adam are fortunate to behold the face of Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s), the beloved of Your beloved Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s), and his Caliph, Vicegerent and Confidante, every morning and evening. Then let us be fortunate too by beholding his face similar to the dwellers of the earth. Then Allah created for them his image from His Own, the Mighty, the Sublime's Sacred Light. Then Ali (a.s) remains in their midst every morning and night, they visit him and behold him every morning and evening". The narrator says, that A'amash related to me the tradition by Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s), as related by him through his father (Imam Baqir) that, "When the accursed Ibne Muljim dealt a blow with his sword upon the head of Imam Ali (a.s), the image, which was present in the heavens, became wounded too. And whenever the Angels look at it every morning and evening, they curse his murderer Ibne Muljim. And when Imam Husain (a.s) was martyred, the Angels came forth and carried him and placed him besides the image of Imam Ali (a.s) on the fifth heaven. Then whenever the Angels descend from the upper heavens upon the fifth one, and the Angels of the lower heavens move upwards towards the fifth heaven to visit the image of Imam Ali (a.s), and they see him and Imam Husain (a.s) smeared in their blood, they curse Yazeed, Ibne Ziyad, and his (Imam Ali's) murderer until Qiyamah". A'amash continues, that Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s) told me that, "These are from among the concealed and mystic knowledge, then do not reveal them to anyone, except those worthy of it".