BAYNUL HARAMAIN: A Moment of Hesitation at the BAQEE of KARBALA

 

 

To visit the Holy Shrine of Imam Husain first or that of Hazrat Abbas…that is the question!
As I stand at the center of Baynul Haramain intending to proceed towards the twin Harams

 

I gaze at both directions and feel the light of divine spendour shining equally from both

Standing between the holy Harams realizing that here I set my foot in the heart of Paradise!

 

Feeling great anxiety which urges me to run forward quickly to meet my beloved ones

Yet I hesitate as I wonder whom to pay my respects first?

 

To visit first Husain the holy grandson of the Seal of Prophets?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas the Flag-bearer of Husain?

 

To visit first Husain the son of the Chief of the Executors?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas the pious obedient servant of Allah, His Messenger, Ali, Hasan and Husain?

 

To visit first Husain the Father of the Imams?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas the Moon of the Hashimites?

 

To visit first Imam Husain the Master of Martyrs?

Or pay tribute first to his beloved brother and representative of his father, Abul Fadl Al Abbas?

 

To visit first the Master Youth of Paradise?

Or pay tribute first to he who is the guardian of Lady Zainab?

 

To visit first he who is Tharullah (the Revenged one)?

Or pay tribute first to he whose death broke the back of Tharullah himself?!

 

To visit first the Arc of Salvation?

Or pay tribute first to the very Door of that Arc?

 

To visit first he whom prayers are guaranteed under his dome?

Or pay tribute first to the Door to Fulfilling Needs (Babul Hawa’ej)?

 

To visit first Husain whom the all prophets and messengers sought refuge?

Or pay tribute first to he whom Husain himself sought refuge!

 

To visit first Husain the fifth member of the People of the Cloak?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas the Hero of Alqamah?

 

To visit first he whose dead body was left naked on the plains of Karbala for three days?

Or pay tribute first to he whose body was abandoned alone near the Euphrates river?

 

To visit first the son of the Lion of God?

Or pay tribute first to the Dauntless Lion himself?

 

To visit first he whose chest was trampled beneath the hooves of horses?

Or pay tribute first to he whose hands were severed and eye pierced?

 

To visit first he who died thirsty and hungry?

Or pay tribute first to he who resisted water after remembering his brother’s thirst?

 

To visit first the Protector of the Deen?

Or pay tribute first to he who protected the Protector of the Deen?

 

To visit first he who is Nafs Al-Rasool?

Or pay tribute first to he who is the right hand of Ibn Al Batool?

 

To visit first he who is the Inheritor of Adam and Nooh?

Or pay tribute first to he who inherited the courage and chivalry of Husain?

 

To visit first he who is the Opponent of the path of Transgressors?

Or pay tribute first to he who defied the sinister offer of Shimr in defense of his Master?

 

To visit first he who bore the tribulations of Karbala with firmness and forbore their troubles such that the Angels of the Heavens were astounded at his pa­tience?

Or pay tribute first to he whose Museebat of failing to bring water to quench the thirst of little Sakina breaks every heart made of stone!

 

To visit first he whom Allah placed a cure in the soil of his grave?

Or pay tribute first to he whom water runs eternally and miraculously under his grave?

 

To visit first Husain whom Angel Mikael spoke tenderly in the cradle?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas who did his best to support his friends and defend his beloved ones?

 

To visit first Husain who sacrificed himself up to the last drops of the blood of his heart?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas who lived and died as the warriors of Badr and soldiers of Allah?

 

To visit he for whom the heavenly Angels wept and the rocks spit blood?

Or pay tribute first to he whom Husain himself grieved most bitterly for his loss?

 

To visit first Husain who didn’t find any answer to his call for help?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas who couldn’t bring any drop of water back to the tents?

 

To visit first he who was attacked with spears raining down over his body?

Or pay tribute first to he whose flask was pierced with arrows that affected him more than his wounds?

 

To visit first he who was betrayed by the people of Kufa

Or pay tribute first to he who did not lag behind and did not turn away his face?

 

To visit first Husain whose front teeth were beaten with a rod?

Or pay tribute first to Abbas whose existence was created to serve Husain alone?

 

To visit first Husain who was slain by those of illegitimate birth?

Or pay tribute first to he whose birth was planned carefully by Ameerul Momineen?

 

As I stand there contemplating over these two great exceptional personalities

I couldn’t help but feel inspired to visit he who bought happiness to Husain’s eyes

 

Abul Fadl Al Abbas – the Door to Husain and the Standard Bearer of Karbala

My heart convinces me that visiting Al-Abbas pleases Husain more than visiting Husain himself!

 

To pay respects to he who served Husain and set the greatest example of servitude for all

He whose revenge on the day of Judgment will be sought first by the mother of Husain

 

With these pondering thoughts I make my way towards the holy shrine of Hazrat Abbas

While my heart and soul oscillates everlastingly between the two Harams

 

As I slowly come to the realization that this place named Baynul Haramain is in essence the Baqee of Karbala!

Dreaming that my body and soul takes this unique spot as its eternal grave

 

Hoping to dwell forever in this piece of Paradise called Baynul Haramain!

That which is located exactly between my Mawla Abbas and Imam Husain!!

 

 

 

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