Jurisprudential look at religion; analyzing the uprising of Imam Hussain (as) from the perspective of jurisprudence

Praise is due to the Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad and his pure household

For us, every Muharram must be like this. If Muharram passes and a new aspect of Imam Hussain (as) and the event of Ashura is not revealed to the mourner, he remains stuck at the same level. We attain perfection by mourning for Imam Hussain (as). Many people think that weeping for Imam Hussain (as) just brings us reward or results in forgiveness of the sins. That is definitely true in its own right. Weeping for Imam Hussain (as) causes sins to be forgiven and brings abundant reward, but according to narrations, weeping for the Imam (as) brings perfection and elevates the soul. 

Sometimes those who have little knowledge or are not familiar with such matters at all cast doubt and say, “It makes no sense to keep weeping for a group of people who were martyred in early periods of Islam.” Such utterances are due to lack of knowledge. Weeping for Ahl al-Bayt (as) is beneficial for ourselves. It is true that what affects the heart and makes the eyes shed tears is the event of Ashura, but this weeping elevates the soul. Just as merely sitting in the mosque that, according to narrations, brings proximity to God even if one is not offering prayer or worshiping God. 

Taking part in gatherings for Ahl al-Bayt (as), mourning for Imam Hussain (as) and weeping for him leads to our ascendance. Why do participants in ceremonies for Imam Hussain (as) commit fewer sins? Even those among them who have a few lapses later in life are redeemed, why is that? It is of the benefits of mourning for Ahl al-Bayt(as). Thus, we should value these ceremonies and remember that participating in these gatherings brings for us ascendance of our souls.

The proof of this is the saying of Imam Ridha (as) who has been quoted to have said to Ibn Shabib, “Whoever becomes sad for our sadness and happy for our happiness will be with us at the highest levels of Heaven.”

The question is, is it possible for one who has not attained perfection to be with the Imams (as) at their level? No, it is not such that he who has no value and has not attained perfection, without making any progress in terms of spirituality, be let to be at the same level with the Imams (as). No, he has to climb the steps of perfection the most important of which is becoming sad for sadness of the Imams (as) and happy for their happiness. 

Part of speech by Ayatullah Fazel Lankarani (May God prolong his life) in the seventh night after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) in Bouye Sib Institute, Muharram 1441