Birth of Imam Kazim

  The seventh of Safar is an auspicious day, on which the seventh infallible Imam of the Prophet’s Household was born in the city of Abwa between Mecca and Medina in 128 AH (745 CE). His Holy father was Imam Ja’far Sadiq (PBUH) and his mother’s name was Hameeda Khatoon.

      The title of Kazim was given to this Imam specifically for his solid patience and forbearance. Kazim literally means one who hides his anger. He was generous and kind to all Muslims, and would satisfy the needs of all those who approached him with their requests. He lived during a crucial period of history when the oppressive Abbasid caliphs were playing havoc with the Islamic society and spreading corruption everywhere. Despite the adverse circumstances, the seventh Imam continued the path of the Prophet’s Household by grooming scholars in different branches of knowledge such as theology, jurisprudent, Hadith, exegesis of the Holy Qur’an and natural sciences.

Imam Musa Kazem has said: “Verily, God has two authorities over the people, an apparent one and a hidden one. His apparent authority is the messengers, prophets and Imams; and the concealed authority is the people's minds.” (Tohaf Al-okool , P . 407)

40 Days after Martyrdom of Imam Hossein

The 20^th day of Safar is called Arbae’en, in other words the fortieth day of the martyrdom of Imam Hossein (PBUH) at Karbala. The tragedy and heroism of the event, the resistance and self‑sacrifice of the martyrs, are remembered during these days by the Muslims with a special ardor, fervor and enthusiasm. The martyrdom of the person whose grief, pain, sorrows and children's captivity was all only for the sake of God will never fade out of the memories. Instead, by the pace of time and age his love, fascination, and charm will grow in the hearts of people. Number forty has mystical features in theosophy. According to Islamic culture if someone constantly practices a good deed during forty days, then it would become his inseparable attribute and lead to God’s blessing. In some religions praying for forty days and forty nights bears special position.

When Moses (PBUH) prayed forty nights; he found the ability to hear the words of God.

"And remember when we appointed for Moses forty nights, and (in his absence) you took the calf (for worship), and you were polytheists and wrong-doers." [Holy Quran 1:51]

Prophet Mohammad’s Decease and Martyrdom of Imam Hassan

  The last Prophet of Allah, Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa (PBUH) passed away on 28^th Safar in the eleventh year of Hijrat. Also, the martyrdom of his elder grandson Hazrat Imam Hassan (PBUH) happened on the same day. He was poisoned in 50 A.H. Prophet passed away when he was 63 years old and Imam Hassan was martyred when he was only 46 years. Both are buried in Medina; the Holy Prophet in the Nabawi Mosque and Imam Hassan Mujtaba in the Jannat al-Baqe’e.

     Imam Ali (PBUH) says in one of his sermons in Nahj al-Balagha: “When the Messenger of God passed away his head was on my chest, and his last breath blew over my palms and I passed it over my face. I performed his funeral ablution, may Allah bless him and his progeny, and the angels helped me. The house and the courtyard were full of them (angels). One party of them was descending and the other was ascending. My ears continually caught their humming voice as they invoked Allah’s blessings on him, till we laid him to rest in his grave. Thus, who can have greater rights with him than I during his life or after his departure?”

    Prophet Mohammad said in the most explicit words: "I am leaving behind among you the Thaqalayn (two invaluable things); the Book of God (the Holy Qur’an) and my progeny the Ahl al-Bayt. Hold fast to them and you will never go astray, for the two will never separate from each other even when they return to me at the Fountain (of Kowthar on the Day of Judgement)."

    Imam Hassan, the elder son of Imam Ali and Hadrat Fatima Zahra (A.S) was divinely gifted with all great qualities to such an extent that he was outstanding in knowledge, tolerance, intelligence, bounty and valor.

Martyrdom of Imam Reza

Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (PBUH), the eighth holy Imam was poisoned by Ma’moun, the Abbasid caliph in Sanabad in a region known as Toos region (located in the Khurasan Province today). Imam Reza was martyred on the last day of the month of Safar 203 A.H. / 818 A.D. and was buried in Sanabad. After the burial of Imam Reza, Sanabad soon transformed into a metropolis and the sacred shrine of Imam Reza in the holy city of Mashhad is also one of the most extensively visited pilgrimage centers in the world.

Imam Reza stated: "Wisdom is man's friend, and ignorance is his enemy."  (Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 10)