Fashion is prevalent in this era. Let alone observing Sunan in walking, sitting, eating, drinking, or dressing, many people are not even aware of these Sunan. If only we would be blessed with a love for Sunnah by virtue of the exalted Imam (may Allah be pleased with him). In a blessed Hadith, it is stated: مَنْ اَحَبَّ سُنَّتِی فَقَدْ اَحَبَّنِیْ وَ مَنْ اَحَبَّنِیْ کَانَ مَعِیَ فِی الْجَنَّۃِ - “He who loves my Sunnah, indeed loves me, and he who loves me will be with me in Paradise.”^[1]

4. Sayyidunā Imam Ḥusain’s Love for Knowledge

Dear Islamic brothers! Sometimes people ask: The childhood of Imam Ḥusain رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ is described, and then the event of Karbala follows, but what did he do during the years of his blessed life in between? What was that part of his blessed life like? Let me tell you what he used to do during that time.

During his youth and the approximately 46 years of his blessed life, he sought sacred knowledge and he used to teach sacred knowledge in the masjid. He used to deliver lectures in al-Masjid al-Nabawī. A formal session would be held; the students would attend it and learn the knowledge of the religion from the grandson of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Once, someone asked Sayyidunā Amīr MuꜤāwiya رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, “Where can one have the honour of seeing Imam Ḥusain رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ?”

Now, look at the love, the reverence, and the sentiments Amīr MuꜤāwiya     رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ held for Imam Ḥusain رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ! He replied, “Go to al-Masjid al-Nabawī! There, you will see a circle where people are sitting with such composure and tranquillity as if birds were perched upon their heads; that circle belongs to Sayyidunā Imam Ḥusain رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ.”^[2]

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه ! This is the exalted Imam رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ! He used to teach the sacred knowledge of religion in the masjid! O lovers of Imam Ḥusain! You should also show determination! Become those who learn the knowledge of religion, and those who teach it! اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه, Those associated with Dawat-e-Islami, who are