A salaamu aleikum,
For those who responded to my last post, either by sms or email, I'd like to let you know that I've got quite a bit to read now.
I have collected the following texts so far:
The History of the
The Tragedy of
Defence Against Disaster by Qadi Abu Bakir (translated by Aisha Bewley)
The plan: read them all then summarise them into one shorter story. I will have to then grade the language so that I can present it to the kids.
At first it seemed important to present it to them by Ashura but now I feel otherwise. I'd rather place importance on the story of prophet Musa's ('Alaihis-Salaam) victory over Firaun because this was the original reason why we were instructed by our prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) to fast on the day of Ashura.
Reading one account of the death of Hussain (Radiyallahu 'anh) while riding the LRT to work, really grabbed my heart. I could understand why some Muslims see Muharram and especially Ashura as a time to feel a deep sense of mourning. However, there are those that go beyond this, heightening the rememberance of this tragedy to the point of violence against themselves. This is doesn't seem appropriate in light of the fact that Husain himself, (Radiyallahu 'anh) advised his beloved sister Zainab, not to mourn over his death in this manner. Shortly before he was killed, he said, "My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death" (Al-Kamil, ibn Kathir, Vol 4, pg 2)
So I will delay my Karbala tragedy story without regret. Inshallah I will be able to present it to them in a way that inspires them!
wa salaamu aleikum
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