Observing the Hosseini Commemoration Ceremony in Tajikistan

Reported by the correspondent of Fars News Agency on Tuesday, a magnificent mourning ceremony was held at the Iranian Embassy in Tajikistan on the evening of Tasua, in conjunction with the nationwide commemoration in our country.

The spiritual event was attended by the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran and diplomats from our country, along with hundreds of Iranian residents and other lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (the family of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them) to mourn and pay tribute to the standard-bearer of Karbala, Hazrat Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him). The participants recited verses from the Holy Quran, lamented the tragedy of Imam Hussein, and beat their chests in mourning. As the Maghrib (evening) call to prayer was proclaimed, the congregational prayer was performed.

Following the Maghrib and Isha (night) prayers, Ambassador Mohammad Taghi Saberi delivered a speech in which he elaborated on some of the qualities of Hazrat Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him). He emphasized that the character and conduct of Hazrat Abbas (peace be upon him) were exceptional, and the infallible Imams (peace be upon them) have praised and spoken highly of his unparalleled personality.

Ambassador Saberi added, “Another title by which we know Hazrat Abu al-Fadl (peace be upon him) is ‘Kashf al-Karb’ which means ‘the Remover of Sorrows and Afflictions’.”

In the Ziyarat (visitation) of Hazrat Abu al-Fadl during the Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, we greet him as “Peace be upon you, O family of the righteous, the consoler of the grief-stricken.” The word “consoler” means that he not only sympathizes with the sorrow of others but also endeavors to alleviate it and provide comfort, showing great empathy towards others’ pain and making every effort to dispel it.

Hazrat Abu al-Fadl (peace be upon him) even refused to drink water from the Euphrates River when he was extremely thirsty, as he saw his Imam (Imam Hussein, peace be upon him) being deprived of water. He sacrificed his life to bring the water to the tents and Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). The religious commitment and moral virtues of Hazrat Abbas (peace be upon him) were so elevated that in the case of revealing the Remover of Sorrows in the presence of Imam Aba Abdillah (peace be upon him), he was described as one of the spiritual leaders and exemplars.

The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tajikistan further stated, “Another prominent feature of Hazrat Abbas (peace be upon him) was his insight, and Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) spoke about his spiritual insight and intelligence. He said, ‘Our uncle, Hazrat Abbas (peace be upon him), had reached such a level of knowledge that he was known as Abu Fazl, meaning the father and source of virtues. He had firm and unshakeable faith, precise insight, and he received a letter of security from Ibn Ziyad’s army, confirming this fact.”

It is worth mentioning that members of Iran’s national futsal team who traveled to Tajikistan to participate in the Kafa Cup also took part in this mourning ceremony.

The mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussein and his loyal companions commenced in the first ten days of Muharram, starting from the evening of Tasua. The conclusion of the mourning events at the Iranian Embassy in Tajikistan will be the evening of the day of Ghareeban (the day following Ashura), which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and his companions in the plain of Karbala.