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3-Imam Hussein Ibne Ali (A.S) |
![Text Box: Profile:
Rank: Third Imam
Name: Imam Hussein
Nicknames: Sayyad-ush-Shuhadaa (The Lord of the Martyrs),
Abu Abdullah (Father of Abdullah),
Father: Imam Ali
Mother: Fatima Zahra Bit Mohammad
Date of Birth: 626 A.D.
Place of Birth: In Medina (Saudi Arabia)
Date of Death: 680 A.D.
Lived: 57 years
Place of Death: In Karbala (Iraq), Place of Burial: Karbala, Iraq
Cause of Death: He was Martyred with his sons, relatives and companions.
For refusing to pay Allegiance (Money) to the Evil ruler [Yazeed].
Stories:
DO YOU WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM SINS?
A man came to Imam Hussain (a.s.) and said, "I frequently disobey Allah and cannot prevent myself from sins; therefore, please, give me an advice O son of the Prophet so that I may keep away from sins."
Imam: "Do five things and then commit sins as much as you want."
Sinner: "Please tell me what those five things are."
Imam: "(1) Do not eat from the provisions of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "Then what will I be able to eat because whatever there is in his universe is from Allah!"
Imam: "(2) Then leave the earth of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "O Imam, this is even more difficult than the first! If I leave the earth, then where would I live-all belongs to Allah."
Imam: "(3) Then find a place where Allah cannot see you, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "But, O Imam, nothing is hidden from Allah."
Imam: (4) Then do one thing, when the angel of death comes to you, keep him away from yourself, and then do whatever you like. And if you cannot do that, then lastly, (5) do not enter the Hell when God sends you into it. If you can do that, then go and commit whatever sins you like."
Sinner: "That's it, O son of the Prophet! From today, Allah will not find me in a situation which He dislikes."
MU'AWIYA'S PLAN FAILED
Yazeed son of Moawiya came to know about the beauty of Urainab, daughter of Ishaq who was the wife of the Qurayshite Abdullah bin Salaam. Urainab, was the most beautiful and accomplished woman of her time and possessed enormous wealth. Yazeed fell in love with her without having seen her. He lost all patience and mentioned the matter to Moawiya's favorite slave named Rafiq. The slave informed Moawiya about this love and told him that his son was very keen to marry Urainab. Moawiya called Yazeed and enquired from him about the matter. Yazeed admitted that whatever Moawiya had been told was correct. Moawiya said: "Be calm and patient. Something will be done in this behalf". Yazeed said: It is no use consoling me now because the matter is already finished. She has already been married. Moawiya said: My dear son! Keep the secret to yourself, because if it is divulged it will do you no good. God completes what He ordains and what has already happened cannot be helped.
Moawiya began thinking of solving the problem and meeting the wish of Yazeed to marry Urainab. Abdullah son of Salaam, the husband of Urainab was at that time the Governor of Iraq. Moawiya wrote a letter to him saying: "I have an urgent business with you. Please come and see me as early as possible. The matter is beneficial to you."
On receiving Moawiya's letter Abdullah proceeded to Syria at once and met Moawiya. The latter received him with great honor and respect. At that time Abu Darda and Abu Huraira, two companions of the prophet were also available in Damascus. Moawiya called for them and said to them: "Such and such daughter of mine is now of age and I am anxious to give away her hand in marriage. I think Abdullah son of Salaam is a good man and I wish that she may marry him."
Both of them praised Moawiya for his intelligence and devoutness and said that whatever he had thought of was absolutely proper.
Mu'awiya said to them: "Both of you should meet Abdullah and mention the matter to him and find out his opinion about it. Although I have authorized my daughter to marry a man of her choice, but I am sure that she will like Abdullah bin Salam and will not refuse to marry him."
Abu Darda and Abu Huraira went to see Abdullah. In the meantime Mu'awiya went into his palace and said to his daughter: "Dear daughter! Just hear what I have to say. When Abu Darda and Abu Huraira come to you and tell you that I want to get you married to Abdullah bin Salam, you should say: "Of course, Abdullah is a good man and a near relative and of equal status with us. However, he has already married Urainab, daughter of lshaq and I am afraid that if I marry him I may also become jealous of her like all other women. If, in that event, I say something unbecoming about Abdullah I am afraid that I may invite the wrath of God by doing so. However, if Abdullah divorces Urainab I am agreeable to marry him".
When Abu Darda and Abu Huraira conveyed the Message of Moawiya to Abdullah bin Salaam he was over joyed and told them to inform Mu'awiya that the proposal was acceptable to him. When they informed Moawiya of the developments he said to them: "As I have already told you I would like this marriage. However, I have authorized my daughter to marry a man of her own choice. You should, therefore, go to her and ask her whether she is ready to marry Abdullah bin Salaam".
When they approached the girl she gave them the same reply, which Moawiya had taught her to give. They then conveyed her reply to Abdullah.
When Abdullah son of Salaam came to know that it was not possible to marry Moawiya's daughter unless he divorced his wife he was overpowered by avarice and divorced Urainab. He said to Abu Darda and Abu Huraira: "Bear witness to the fact that I have divorced Urainab. You should inform Moawiya about this and also convey my proposal to him".
When they came to Moawiya and told him what had happened he said: "Oh! What has Abdullah done? Why has he divorced his wife? He should not have been so hasty. Had he waited for a few days might have arranged his marriage with my daughter without allowing things to come to such a pass? Anyhow, you should go now and ask my daughter whether she is agreeable to this marriage".
Abu Darda and Abu Huraira approached Moawiya's daughter once again and told her that Abdullah had divorced his wife. They also stated that Abdullah was a very noble-minded and competent person and enquired from her whether she was prepared to marry him.
Moawiya's daughter replied: "Abdullah no doubt enjoys a high position amongst the Quraish. However, as you are aware marriage is not something trivial so that one may agree to it without seriously pondering over the matter. It is a contract for one's whole life. You gentlemen may, therefore go now. I shall think over the matter and give you a reply later."
Both of them blessed her and departed. They then went to Abdullah bin Salaam and informed him about what the girl had said. Abdullah said: "All right. Let us wait. If it is not settled today, it will be settled tomorrow."
It was the talk of the town that Abdullah bin Salaam had divorced his wife and had proposed to Moawiya's daughter. As all were aware of the cunning of Moawiya and the loose character of Yazeed they blamed and censured Abdullah for having divorced his wife without first winning the consent of Moawiya's daughter.
After a few days Abdullah sent Abu Darda and Abu Huraira again to the daughter of Moawiya. They advised her to give a final reply where upon she said: "I am sure God has decided well for me, because He does not forsake one who relies upon Him. I have pondered over the matter and have come to the conclusion that my marrying Abdullah bin Salaam will not be a successful one. I have also consulted my well-wishers in the matter. Some of them have approved the marriage but others have opposed it".
When Abdullah came to know about the reply, which had been given by Moawiya's daughter he became sure that he had been duped. This grieved him very much. The news spread was the talk of the town. The people blamed Moawiya for having defrauded Abdullah and making him divorces his wife so that she might later marry Yazeed.
Moawiya was successful at the first stage of his scheme to fulfill the desire of his son but eventually the divine will frustrated his program. His plan failed owing to the interference by Hussain who had grown up on the pattern of life of his illustrious father. Helping the oppressed had become his second nature.
When the waiting period (Ida) of Urainab expired Moawiya sent Abu Darda to her to convey to her proposal for marriage on behalf of Yazid. Abu Darda left Damascus and reached Kufa. It so happened that Hussain son of Ali was also in Kufa at that time. Abu Darda considered it proper to pay his respects to the son of the prophet in the first instance. He, therefore, presented himself before the Imam. Imam Hussain enquired from him the reason for his visiting Kufa. Abu Darda informed him that he had been sent by Moawiya to propose to Urainab daughter of Ishaq on behalf of his son Yazeed. He then related to the Imam in detail the events, which had already taken place. Imam Hussain said: "I also thought that Urainab would marry some other person and intended to propose to her after her "Ida" ended. Now that you have arrived here it will be better if you convey my proposal to her. She may choose whomsoever she likes. However, I am prepared to give her dower equal to that which Yazeed has promised her."
Abu Darda promised to convey the Imam's message to Urainab. Then he took leave of Imam Hussain and reached her house. He said to her: "Madam! It was destined that Abdullah son of Salaam should divorce you. You are not going to be a loser on this account. Yazeed son of Moawiya and Hussain son of Ali wish to marry you. Both of them have conveyed their proposals to you through me. You may choose whomever you like."
Urainab kept quiet for some time and then said: "If some other person had brought these two proposals to me I would have called you for consultation and would have acted according to your suggestion. Now that you yourself have brought these proposals I leave the final decision to you."
Abu Darda replied: "It was my duty to convey the proposals to you, but you are yourself the best judge in the matter." Urainab said: "No; that is not so. I am your niece and cannot act in this matter without your advice."
When Abu Darda saw that she was bent upon obtaining his opinion he said: "I feel that the son of the prophet is a better choice." Urainab said: "I agree with you. Also I like him."
Imam Hussain then married Urainab and paid her the stipulated amount of dower.
When Moawiya came to know what had happened he was very angry and abused Abu Darda. Then he said to himself: "Abu Darda has not been at fault. It was my own mistake. If a person entrusts such a difficult task to a simpleton he must fail."
At the time of his departure for Damascus Abdullah bin Salaam had entrusted a large sum of money to Urainab. Later when he divorced her and Moawiya's daughter also refused to marry him it became known to the people that Abdullah had been deceived by Moawiya and made to divorce his wife. This was a matter of disgrace for Moawiya and he held Abdullah responsible for it. He, therefore, dismissed him from service and stopped his stipend. Abdullah became penniless. He, therefore, returned to Iraq with the hope that he might get back from Urainab the money, which he had left with her. He was, however, afraid that she might decline to return the money on account of his misbehavior and for his divorcing her without a just cause.
After his return to Iraq he met Imam Hussain and said: "As you must be aware I was duped and made to divorce Urainab. While leaving for Damascus I left some money with her as a trust."
Then he praised Urainab much and said: "I shall be grateful if you speak to her and ask her to return that money to me. It is possible that with that amount in hand I may be saved from indigence."
Imam Hussain went to Urainab and said: "Abdullah bin Salaam came to see me. He praised you very much for your honesty, which pleased me much. He also told me that he entrusted some money to you at the time of his departure for Damascus. It will be only proper that you should return that money to him because I think that what he has stated is correct."
Urainab replied: "It is true that he left some bags with me, but I don't know what they contain. They are still lying sealed as they were. I shall bring them to you and you may return the same to him."
Imam Hussain praised Urainab on hearing this and said: "Will it not be better if I call him here so that you may return the bags to him yourself?" Then he met Abdullah bin Salaam and said to him: I have conveyed your message to Urainab. She admits your having left some bags with her; they are still lying sealed, as they were. It will be better if you come to Urainab and take back the bags from her.
Abdullah felt very much ashamed and said: "I would request you to make arrangements for the return of money to me." (i.e. I feel ashamed to face Urainab). Imam Hussain replied: "No. That cannot be. You should take back the money from her in the same manner in which you gave it to her."
He, therefore, brought Abdullah to his house and then said to Urainab: "Abdullah son of Salaam has come and demands the things which he entrusted to you. Return the same to him in the same manner in which you took them from him."
Urainab brought the bags and placing them outside the curtain said to him: "Here it is what you entrusted to me." Abdullah thanked Urainab and praised her for her honesty. Imam Hussain then left the place leaving them alone. Abdullah broke the seal of the bag, took out some dinars from it and presented them to her requesting her to accept the same from him. Thereupon tears trickled from their eyes and they began to cry loudly. Imam Hussain heard the sound of their crying. He then re-entered the room and said with great kindness: "Just hear me. I call God to witness that I have divorced Urainab just now. I call God to witness that I did not marry her for the sake of her beauty or wealth. What I had desired was that it might become lawful for her to re-marry her first husband.
Thus Urainab became the wife of Abdullah bin Salaam once again and Moawiya's scheme failed.
After re-marrying Urainab Abdullah said to her: "You should return the amount of dower which Imam gave you." She brought the money and gave it to Abdullah to give it to the Imam. However, Imam Hussain declined to accept the money and said: "The spiritual reward which I shall get in the Hereafter for this good deed is much better than worldly wealth."
KINDNESS TO ANIMALS
Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) saw a Muslim slave in a farm eating together with dog. On being questioned by the Imam, the slave replied. "On account of my master who is a Jew and his taking very hard work from me, I remain sad due to bad treatment. But I take joy in feeding this dog with me with whatever I get to eat."
On hearing this, the Imam made contact with the Jew master and offered him 200 Ashrafis for the slave. The Jew was so much impressed by the Imam's generosity that he offered the slave to the Imam free of charge. The Imam accepted the slave with a kind gesture and gave a gift of 200 Ashrafis to the slave boy and set him free. The wife of the Jew was watching all this and came forward and forgave her Meher money to her husband, the Jew. At this goodness of the wife the husband gave his wife the whole house and the farm as gift.
All this happened due to the kindness of the slave for feeding the dog from the same food that he was eating.
WASILA OF IMAM HUSSAIN (AS)
When Imam Hussain (AS) was born, Allah sent down the angel Jibrail (AS) to congratulate the family.
On the way down from the heavens angel Jibrail (AS) passed an island, on which the angel Fitrus was sent to by Allah because he had been naughty. Fitrus had also had his wings taken away by Allah.
When Fitrus saw Jibrail (AS) he asked him where he was going. Jibrail (AS) told him that he was going to congratulate the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his family on the birth of Imam Hussain (AS).
Fitrus asked if he could also go with him. Jibrail (AS) agreed with the permission of Allah and so carried him down to earth.
When the angels reached the Holy Prophet (SAW) and congratulated him and his family, the Prophet (SAW) told Fitrus to go to Imam Hussain (AS).
When Fitrus touched Imam Hussain's (AS) cradle his wings were given back to him by Allah, who had forgiven him.
If you want something it is better to ask through our Imam's (AS) as they are closer to Allah than we are.
Birth
Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) was born on the 3rd of Shabaan 4th Hijrah in Medina Munawarra. His father was Ali (A.S.) and mother was Fatima (S.A.). When the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) heard the news of Imam Hussain's birth he (P.B.U.H.) became very happy and came to the house of Fatima (S.A.). Asma, the maidservant of Hazrat Zahra covered the child in a white cloth and brought him to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). The Prophet (P.B.U.H.), picked the child up in his lap and recited the Azaan in his right ear and Aqamat in the left one. As if, apparently, he (P.B.U.H.) made the ears of his son familiar and acquainted with the name of God for the first time. On the seventh day of the birth, an angel came from the God and he said, "Just as Haroon (Aaron) was the brother, sympathizer, and helper in each and every difficulty of Moosa (Moses) (A.S.) similarly Ali (A.S.) is your sympathizer helper and brother in each and every matter of yours. Therefore, keep the name of this child upon the name of Haroon's son "Shabeer," which translated into Arabic becomes 'Hussain'. Thus the name of the second child of Fatima (S.A.) was also selected by God.
On the 7th day of the birth Hazrat Fatima (S.A.) got a sheep slaughtered as the Aqeeqa and distributed it's meat among the needy and poor.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) quite often hugged Hussain (A.S.) taking him into his lap and used to weep bitterly, saying, "A very big tragedy will be met by my son Hussain". The brutal and bloody men of Bani Ommayide will slay my dear son. I will not intercess and mediate for them on the dooms day.
The Love of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) loved Imam Hussain (A.S.) very much. His companion Salman Farsi describes, "I saw that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) had picked up Imam Hussain (A.S.) upon his knee and was kissing him saying, "Oh son, you are the Imam son of Imams and father of nine Imams, who would be from your generation and the last one of them is Mehdi. "One can estimate and guess the amount of love the Prophet had with Imam Hussain (A.S.) from this sentence of his "Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain." The one who is the friend of Hassan and Hussain is my friend and the one who is their enemy, is my enemy.
Hussain (A.S.) the Best Helper of his Father and Brother
Imam Hussain (A.S.) spent six years of his life with his grandfather the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and thirty years along with his honorable father Ali (A.S.). He shared each and every problem and grief of his father. He always defended his father. Once he went to the mosque and saw Hazrat Omer delivering a speech on the tribune of his grandfather. He immediately said, "get down from the tribune of my grandfather and father. What have you got to do over there?"
During the reign of his father, Imam Hussain (A.S.) playing upon his life used to be busy defending Islam and fighting against the tyrants and brutal.
He fought against the enemies by the side of his father like his brother Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.) in the battles of Jamal, Siffeen and Neherwan.
He, after the martyrdom of his father, legally took the oath of allegiance for his brother and accepted him his leader and Imam. And whenever someone asked him a question he used to send him towards Imam Hassan (A.S.). And wherever he deemed suitable he himself would give the answer. Briefly speaking, he considered the defense of his brother something necessary for himself.
The Rule of Moawiya
When Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.) was martyred due to the conspiracies of Moawiya, Imam Hussain (A.S.) got the post of Imamate and caliphate at the age of forty-six.
Imam Hussain (A.S.) knew that all the miseries and sorrows of Muslims were due to Moawiya who wanted to uproot Islam by his frauds, cunningness and craftiness. Therefore, Imam (AS.) did not think it was suitable to fight him openly, as Moawiya was apparently Muslim and showed himself to be the supporter of Islam and Muslims. Therefore, Imam Hussain (A.S.) knew that if I declare a war upon him I would meet the same fate as my brother did. So he started the movement of awakening the people from the dream and slumbers of ignorance, and unawareness. So that they may turn towards him slowly and gradually, by getting aware and informed. Ultimately. Imam (A.S.) may make them work for the welfare of Islam. Along with the training of the Momins (faithful), with which Imam was busy, he occasionally opposed Moawiya. And always gave teeth breaking and strong answer to his scurrilous language particularly when he started making people take the oath and allegiance of faithfulness for his ignorant, silly, impure, and bad character, degenerate, and undutiful son Yazeed. The Imam (A.S.) too started openly and publicly opposing him and wrote many such letters to Moawiya by which he disgraced him very much. One of his letters reads:
i) Oh Moawiya! You are the claimant of the caliphate and to be the successor of my grandfather? Did you not slay Hajar bin Addi and his companions in the land of Azra. You are a criminal, a killer. Then how do you claim to be the leader and caliph of my Ummah?
ii) Oh Moawiya! Did you not declare Ziad publicly your brother and the illegitimate son of Abu Sufian about whose father the Muslims are unaware? (That who is his father and who is not?)
As such, by declaring him to be your brother, you have yourself admitted the dirtiness and uncleanness of your family. Then how can the caliphate be your right?
iii) Oh Moawiya! The most shameful act of yours is that you have made such a silly, stupid unable and unworthy person a ruler of the Muslims whose characterless ness, excesses and aggressions are not hidden and concealed from anyone. As such, you want to destroy the religion of God and make the Muslim Ummah a toy by forcibly making them take the oath of allegiance for him (Yazeed).
Hussain (A.S.) and Yazeed
Although Imam Hussain (A.S.) did not leave any stone unturned in disgracing and belittling Moawiya even then he did not fight or clashed with him.
Nonetheless, after the death of Moawiya his incapable son Yazeed being a proud and thickheaded person posed himself as the leader of the Muslims. And started making the Islamic personalities takes the oath of allegiance for the sake of establishing and strengthening his government.
He wrote to the governors of the cities and as such wrote a letter to Waleed who was governor of Medina that "Immediately take the oath of allegiance from Hussain (A.S.) And if he refuses to do that then cut down his head and send it to me".
Moawiya had several times insistedly warned him that you might dash against anybody except Hussain (A.S.), in which case you would get destroyed. The ruler of Medina summoned Imam Hussain (A.S.) and informed him about the letter of Yazeed. He said "I am ready for the martyrdom because only Yazeed's becoming the caliph of Muslims is the death and disintegration of Islam".
When Imam (A.S.) observed the worsened condition and atmosphere of Medina he along with his companions migrated to Mecca under the dark cover of the night. His mere act of migration from Medina was a great objection upon the people's taking oath of allegiance for Yazeed.
Imam's (A.S.) migration not only created a hue and cry in Medina, but it also set up an atmosphere of discussion and objections against Yazeed in Mecca. And the hue and cry raised to the climax when Imam (A.S.) addressing a gathering of the pilgrims raised his voice against the obnoxious, dirty, and impure government of Yazeed.
This stand and pledge of Imam Hussain (A.S.) made the people of the whole area completely aware and understand that the caliphate of Yazeed is not correct and taking oath of allegiance for him is dishonesty to Islam and Muslims.
The Invitation of Kufees
When the news of the migration and objection of Imam Hussain (A.S.) upon the Yazeed's regime reached Kufa. All of them (Kufees) got themselves prepared to invite him to Kufa and elect him for the caliphate and the leadership of Islam. They sent messengers along with letters, rolls and scrolls, and formally invited Imam Hussain (A.S.) to visit Kufa.
But, because of the fact that Imam (A.S.) knew about the unfaithfulness of the Kufees and he himself had witnessed their untruthfulness towards his father and brother so he sent his cousin 'Muslim bin Aqeel' to Kufa so that he might observe the whole affair closely and invite Imam (A.S.) if he deemed fit and suitable. Muslim bin Aqeel moved towards Kufa as desired and ordered by Imam (A.S.) and when he reached there he met a warm, noisy, grand welcome. Thousands of people took oath of allegiance and offered prayers behind him.
Muslim bin Aqeel wrote a letter to Imam (A.S.) asking him to immediately move. Imam stayed back at Mecca up till the 8th of Zil Hajj and spoke to the people and instigated and provoked them against Yazeed. Then he moved towards Iraq.
Termination of the Imam's Representative's Affair
When Yazeed got informed about the movement of Muslim bin Aqeel and oath of allegiance being taken by the Kufees, he at once sent Ibn-e-Ziad, who was the most dirty of his companions, to Kufa with full fledge powers.
Ibn-e-Ziad, who completely knew about the spirit and the character of the people of Kufa, took advantage and made the most of the weakness and debility and feebleness of their faiths and double-faced ness hypocrisy and cowardice. And by terrifying and harassing scattered and dispersed them from around Muslim bin Aqeel. And turned the events to such an extent that even those who had written invitation letters to Imam (A.S.) put on the war dress and got ready to fight the representative of the Imam (A.S.).
"Muslim bin Aqeel" was forced to fight the agents of Ibn-e-Ziad all alone. After showing surprising and astonishing bravery he was arrested and martyred. From the very night Imam Hussain (A.S.) had departed from Medina he had been giving the news of martyrdom and said, "Whosoever is ready to lay his life on our way and make haste to meet God may join us."
He again spoke to his friends and companions about Jihad, holy war, and martyrdom at Mecca. To the extent that even when the poet Farzdak met him on the way and gave him the news of "Muslim bin Aqeel's" being martyred. He said, "Muslim bin Aqeel" has met the blessings of God and ended his mission and has laid the burden of the mission upon our shoulders. We hope to be able to carry this burden and weight up to its destination.
Hussain's (A.S.) Mission
Hussain (A.S.) described his aim about this mission was to disgrace Yazeed's regime and to uphold and put into practice (Umur bil Maroof and Nahi anil munkir), to order the correct and right and to stop and refrain from the evils and to stand up against the brutality and cruelty. This was the mission God had entrusted him. His grandfather the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and his father Ali (A.S.) had several times described their son's is being martyred.
Imam Hussain (A.S.) himself, by virtue of the knowledge of Imamate, knew that this journey would end with his martyrdom. But Hussain (A.S.) was not the one to be afraid of martyrdom and death, and overlook the command of God. He was the Imam who considered calamity as magnanimity and nobility and martyrdom as bliss and blessedness.
Ultimately, he moved toward "Karbala" and he himself and his companions were all martyred. His family members were taken prisoners. But they gave the message of those martyred to the people in the streets, and bazaars of the cities and thus put the agents and paid servants of the Bani Ommayide to disgrace and shame.](image4414.gif)
HUSSAINI ASSOCIATION OF CALGARY-CANADA |
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Copyright ã 2007-2012 All rights reserved to hussainicalgary.com |
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3-Imam Hussein Ibne Ali (A.S) |
HUSSAINI ASSOCIATION OF CALGARY-CANADA |
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Copyright ã 2007-2012 All rights reserved to hussainicalgary.com |