Imam Zayn al-ꜤĀbidīn رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ states, “My father, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ used to perform a thousand nawāfil (voluntary prayers) daily.”^[1]

It is also narrated about Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ that he performed 25 Hajj pilgrimages on foot.^[2]

Imam Ḥusayn's four favourite acts of worship

On the night of ꜤĀshūrāˈ, in the plains of Karbala, the noble Imam رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ  said to his brother Sayyidunā ꜤAbbās, the Flag-bearer رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ:

Please postpone the battle until tomorrow by any means possible, so that we might worship Allah Almighty tonight. Allah Almighty knows well that I love performing prayer, reciting the noble Quran, supplicating greatly, and seeking forgiveness abundantly.^[3]

O devotees of the Companions and Ahl al-Bayt رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم! Love compels obedience. What kind of love do we have for Sayyidunā Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ? Let us ponder! The night of 10th Muḥarram was the last night of Sayyidunā Imam Ḥusayn’s apparent life, yet look at his zeal and passion for the worship of Allah Almighty.

If only we, the devotees of Imam Ḥusayn, would also spend our days and nights in worship and spiritual striving, following in the footsteps of our Beloved! Remember! It is stated in a blessed Hadith: "A person will be with whom he loves.^[4]" If we merely claim to love Imam Ḥusaynرَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ with our tongues but do not adopt the blessed way of Imam Ḥusayn     رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ,