An aged Syrian approached the captives from Imam Husain’s (a.s.) household, while they were detained near the Syrian mosque and said – Praise be to Allah Who has killed and destroyed you and extinguished the fire of revolt (Allah forbid!) and continued abusing and cursing them.
Imam Ali Ibn Husain (a.s.) replied – Just like I have heard you out until you have said what you had to say and made evident your enmity and sentiments, you must listen to what I have to say.
Syrian – Say
Imam Ali Ibn Husain (a.s.) – Have you read the Book of Allah?
He replied in the affirmative.
Imam (a.s.) – Haven’t you read the verse –
قُلْ لا أَسْئَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْراً إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبى
“Say: I don’t ask you any reward for my prophethood except the love of my closest relatives.”
(Surah Shura (42): Verse 23)
He – Yes
Imam (a.s.) – We are those closest relatives.
Then Imam Ali Ibn Husain (a.s.) asked him – Have you read in the Book of Allah about a right that was exclusive for us to the exception of other Muslims?
Syrian – No
Imam (a.s.) – Haven’t you read the verse –
وَ آتِ ذَا الْقُرْبى حَقَّهُ
“And give the close relatives their right…”
(Surah Bani Israel (17): Verse 26
Syrian – Yes
Imam (a.s.) – We are the ones about whom Allah has ordered His Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that he must honour their rights.
Syrian – You are the ones?
Imam (a.s.) – Yes
Then Imam Ali Ibn Husain (a.s.) asked him – Haven’t you recited this verse –
وَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّما غَنِمْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَ لِلرَّسُولِ وَ لِذِي الْقُرْبى
‘And know that whatever thing you gain, a fifth of it is for Allah and for the Apostle and for the near of kin…’ (Surah Anfaal (8): 41)
Syrian – Yes
Imam (a.s.) – We are the ‘near of kin’.
Thereafter, Imam Ali Ibn Husain (a.s.) asked him – Haven’t you found in Surah Ahzab a right for us to the exception of other Muslims?
Syrian – No
Imam (a.s.) – Haven’t you recited this verse – –
إِنَّما يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ يُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيراً
‘Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you (a thorough) purification.’ (Surah Ahzaab (33): Verse 33)
The Syrian raised his hands towards the skies and supplicated – ‘O Allah I turn to you in repentance’ and he repeated it thrice. Then he said – O Allah I seek repentance from you for enmity of the progeny of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and I distance myself from those who killed the Ahle Bait (a.s.) of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.). Surely, I have been reciting the Holy Quran since ages but I never realized all this until today.
- Al-Ehtejaaj of Shaikh al-Tabrisi (r.a.), vol. 2 pp. 307-308
- Behaar al-Anwaar of Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi (r.a.), vol. 45 p. 166