Commemorating Eid-e-Shuja: A Celebration of Courage and Justice

Eid-e-Shuja celebrated on the 9th of Rabi’al Awwal, is one of the historic and precious moments for the followers of the AhlulBayt (peace be upon them). This day is marked as a greater Eid for the AhlulBayt and their followers, celebrating the end of nearly two months of mourning for Imam Husain (peace be upon him) and his companions who were martyred in Karbala.

This day is full of rich history for the followers of AhlulBayt, On this day the Imamate of the 12th Imam was announced, Al-Hujjat ibn Hasan al-Askari (may Allah hasten his return). After the sad martyrdom of his father Imam Hasan al-Askari, who was the Imam of Islam that time, it was the time when Imam Madhi started to Lead the Shia community under his guidance.

In the Shia tradition, Eid-e-Shuja is also known as Eid-e-Zehra, which means the day and Eid of bravery, Shia celebrates the defeat of AhluBayt enemies, notably the terrors of the time, that also count those who created horrors in Karbala. History was made on this day when the heads of key and big Leaders who were involved in the tragedy of Karbala, were presented to the fourth Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him), bringing solace to the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family).

Read: Arbaeen Walk Chakwal 2024: Thousands of Followers Participate in Remembrance of Imam Hussain (AS)

The day also remembers many important things to Shia about their principles of “Tawalla” (love for the AhlulBayt) and “Tabarra” (disavowal of their enemies), their always standing with AhluBayt, and cutting off those who go against the Imam of Shia’s and disrespect them. It means to always stand with justice and truth and not obey their enemies’ dictatorship.

Eid-e-Zehra serves as both a remembrance of the beginning of a new chapter in the Shia faith, with the leadership of Imam Mahdi, and a reaffirmation of the values learned through the mourning of Imam Husain and the message of Karbala.

This was the history 9th Rabi Al-Awwal, we can also get it by a few pieces of evidence mentioned in the history, originally from Sayed Alee ibn Tawoos who narrated in his book Zawa’id Al-Fawa’id, and also from the book Al-Muhtadhar narrated by Sheikh Hassan ibn Sulayman.

The story starts with two individuals, Muhammad bin Alaa Al-Hamadani and Yahya bin Jurayh Al-Baghdadi, who want clarity regarding the legacy of Umar bin Al-Khattab, the second caliph according to some Muslims.

In the City of Qum, when they visited Ahmad bin Ishaq Al-Qummi, who was companion of Mola Imam Al-Askari (the 10th Shia Imam). They get to know from a servant girl that he is celebrating Eid. This made them confused Because he know all the Eid’s Celebrated among the Muslims. The girl explained then, Ahmad bin Ishaq had learned from Imam Al-Askari that the ninth day of Rabi’ al-Awwal was also an important day of Eid for the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet).

After meeting them, he knew about the importance of the day. Ahmad bin Ishaq then recounted a narration from Imam Al-Askari about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions celebrating this day, That this is the day when Allah would destroy all the enemies of his family, which directly means those who were against Mola family and their followers.

The narration continues with Huzayfa bin Al-Yaman, a companion of the Prophet (PBUH), who witnessed that the Prophet also celebrated Eid-e-Shuja this day with his grandsons, which indicated the history and victory importance for the Shias.

Amir al-Mu’mineen (Imam Ali), the first Shia Imam, also confirmed the importance of this day, naming it as a day of rest, the second Ghadeer, a day of forgiveness, blessings, and guidance. Imam Ali further listed numerous other names and virtues associated with this day, emphasizing its importance for those who follow and love the Ahl al-Bayt.