Karbala Najaf Ziarat Group led by Shehzada Dr. Abdeali Bhaisaheb Saifuddin
15 May 2018
On 10th Shabaan 1439H (25th of April, 2018), nearly 50 Mumineen led by Shehzada Dr Abdeali Bhaisaheb Saifuddin departed for Karbala Moa’lla and Najaf-e-Ashraf with the raza and doa mubarak of Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS. The barakat of Syedna’s doa was felt every step of the way. Mumineen performed 10 ziarats in Najaf-e-Ashraf and 10 ziarats in Karbala Mo’alla and prayed Shabbaraat Washeq in Amirul Mumineen SA Masjid in Kufa.
After the four and a half hour flight to Najaf International Airport from Mumbai, a bus had been arranged to take Mumineen to the hotel which was only three minutes from the Haram of Imam Ali SA. After a short breakfast during which Mumineen could reflect on the panoramic views of the Haram, Mumineen proceeded to the Haram with Shz Abdeali Bhaisaheb for their first of 10 ziarats in Najaf-e-Ashraf. Each day, when performing ziarat Mumineen would gather around Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb in the sehen. Shehzada Saheb recited salaam with devotion and marsiyas were prayed. Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb would pray wasilas with much ikhlaas and devotion. In his bayaans Shz saheb remembered the musibat and calamities that befell our Awliyaa’ and their fortitude, sabr, and conviction. Many Shi’a were also touched by the sincerity and fervour in prayer and would join the group of Mumineen in expressing their grief.
While in Najaf, Mumineen also prayed namaaz in Masjid-e-Kufa, the Masjid of Imam Ali SA. On the night of Shabbaraat - 15th Shabaan - Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb led Mumineen in Magrib Isha Imaamat Namaaz in Masjid-e-Kufa. Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb prayed salaams near the Mehraab of Imam Ali, remembering the calamitous day of Imam Ali’s shahadat – they day in which Gibra’il cried in grief, “my teacher has been killed”. The wasila Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb prayed in this auspicious space deeply touched the hearts of each and every Mumin.
Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb also met religious dignitaries in Najaf who received him very warmly and with spirit of camaraderie. The meetings paved the way for future academic exchanges, conferences, and deep bonds of fraternity.
On the fifth day, Mumineen arrived in Karbala Mo’alla where they performed 10 ziarats of Aqa Husain SA and Abbas Alamdaar AS. At this time of year Karbala was overflowing with za’ereen – Shi’a had flocked from all over the world to partake in the barakat of ziarat on the mubarak night of 15th Shabaan. After checking into the hotel which offered panoramic views of Maulana Abbas SA Haram on the left and Maulana Husain SA Haram on the right, Mumineen proceeded to ziarat of Maulana Abbas. Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb led Mumineen in prayer and recited the salaams. Members of the Fatemi Marsiya Party prayed marsiyas with much devotion and emotion. Shehzada saheb prayed the shahadat of Sayyid - ash - Shoahada' and Maulana Abbas in such a manner that Mumineen felt as if they witnessed this tragedy under the scorching sun and hot sands of Karbala.
Thereafter Mumineen proceeded to the Haram of Imam Husain. Shehzada Saheb prayed salaams, marsiyas and wasila that spoke directly to every Mumin’s heart. Every morning and night, Mumineen would be immersed in salaams, prayers and ziarat of Maulana Abbas and Imam Husain. On the last day, Friday, Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb prayed wada salaam, and prayed a heart-rending wasila. He prayed the shahadat of Maulana Ali Akbar and Maulana Aliasgar and beseeched doa for Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS, for Mumineen who were present and our brothers and sisters who weren’t. He concluded, “Let this ziyarat not be our aakhri ziyarat of Hussain.”
On May 5th, Mumineen left Karbala Moa’lla for the airport in Najaf but first went one last time to the Haram of Amirul Mumineen SA. In a divine coincidence as Mumineen exited the Haram the clouds gathered nearby and it started to rain. A sign that our prayers were answered.
Everyday, Shz Abdeali bhaisaheb led Mumineen in Imamat Namaaz in Najaf and Karbala in an area that was exclusive for Mumineen in the hotel.
Just as Mumineen were reaching the airport, the dignitaries who had met with Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb in Najaf presented Shehzada Saheb with the precious and priceless gift of Khak-e-Shifa to araz to Syedna Fakhruddin. They prayed that Mumineen return soon with Syedna.
Mumineen offered hamd and shukur to Allah Ta’ala and his wali Imamuz Zaman’s Dai for this ne’mat. They also offered shukur to Shz Abdeali bhsb at whose hands they received barakaat in Najaf and Karbala. In addition to countless ne’mats, Mumineen offered shukur for the sense of family and brotherhood that they felt with each other throughout this memorable trip. All the za’ereen also expressed their appreciation for Mohammed bhai Khorakiwala’s efforts in planning this well-organized ziarat safar. Muminaat behno were also very grateful to have Jumanatu-Da'watil-Haqq Shehzadi Fatema Bensab and Marjanatu-Da'watil-Haqq Shehzadi Arwa Bensab for their guidance and support during this safar. Everyone had contented smiles on their faces as their hearts were overflowing with barakat. As they boarded the plane, Shehzada Abdeali Bhaisaheb looked up at the Najaf night sky, and prayed," May we come back soon, May we come back with Syedna TUS soon." Ameen.
