Is Love for Ahlul Bayt (pbut) Enough for Salvation?

July 17, 2024

In Muharram, we grieve upon hearing the narration of the epic tragedy of Imam Hussain (p) and, as a result, increase in love for him, his grandfather, and the values for which the third Imam (p) fought. 

The goal for us is to develop the kind of love that is manifested in our actions. The Holy Quran calls to a love that is transformational and inspires us to be obedient (3:31): “Say: If you love God, then follow me, God will love you and forgive you your faults, and God is Forgiving, Merciful.”

So as we show deep sorrow for the trials and tribulations of the family of the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp), there should be a translation of our love, grief, and tears, as a call to action and a desire to cultivate a more meaningful relationship with the Lord of the Worlds.

Imam Ali al-Rida (p) reportedly said, “Do not abandon righteous deeds and striving in worship out of reliance on the love of the Ahlul Bayt.” [Fiqh al-Rida, p. 339] Indeed, believers should consistently strive, with their very best effort, to cleanse their hearts and purify their souls, in emulating the character of the Ahlul Bayt (pbut). 

Sayyid Sistani makes clear that crying for Imam Hussain (p) has great rewards that are undeniable but that does not negate the fact that we still have duties toward God; the promise of paradise for crying for Imam Hussain (p) is dependent upon our mourning being accepted.

And the accumulation of sins may prevent our mourning for Imam Hussain (p) from being accepted. So believers should not feel safe from God’s punishment should we abandon our religious obligations or commit forbidden acts. 

In this light, what are things that we can do this Muharram and Safar to utilize our intense love for the Prophet and his family to better commit ourselves to a life of value and action?

1. Improve our worship and relationship with the Quran

We remember the night of Ashura for it being an opportunity for the Imam to increase his prayers and devotion to God, advising his brother al-Abbas to approach the enemy and extend the beginning of the battle because, “I have always loved to pray to Him, recite His Book, and make frequent supplications and seek forgiveness” (Sayyid Muhammad Kazim al-Qazwini, Maqtal al-Imam al-Hussain). 

If we are true followers of the Imams (pbut), we will take prayer seriously. Imam Sadiq (p) reportedly said, “Our intercession will not benefit those who belittle prayers.” [Man la yahduruhu al-faqih, v. 1, p. 206]. So let’s strive to utilize the inspiration we take from these nights in obedience to God and recitation of His book. 

2. Commitment to the most vulnerable

It goes without saying that the Prophet’s family (pbut) were champions of supporting the most isolated and marginalized in their respective communities. The inspiration that we gain from these nights should undoubtedly compel us to do the same. 

In our communities, there are so many fragmentations and people going through a whole host of obstacles and challenges. Many need our support, via our wealth, our time, our words, or even our validation. Let’s make a commitment to do what we can to help them within our capacity.

3. Selflessness and self-sacrifice 

With the time commitments required by modern life, we might sometimes find ourselves looking too far inward to realize the pain and struggle of others. What Karbala teaches us is to look for opportunities to serve without any hope or expectation in return, and we see this in the altruism of al-Abbas (p) and the other loyal companions and supporters of the Imam. 

On these sacred days, let us all be sure to find avenues and mechanisms to identify the best routes to serve others in following in the footsteps of the noble martyrs of Karbala. By the grace and blessing of God, let our grief and tears be a means of self-transformation that will cause us to be in the company of the Prophet and his family (pbut) in this world and the next.

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