18^th December 2024 –24^th December 2024

December 20th (Jumada II 18th)

Demise of Shaykh Murtada Ansari 1281/1864

Morteza Ansari Dezfuli, known as Sheikh Ansari (1214–1281 AH), was a prominent Shia jurist of the 13th century AH. After the passing of Sahib al-Jawahir, he became the leading religious authority (Marja’iyyat).

Sheikh Ansari was titled “Khatam al-Fuqaha wa al-Mujtahideen” (Seal of Jurists and Scholars) for his groundbreaking contributions to Islamic jurisprudence. His innovative approach advanced the study of Usul (principles of jurisprudence) and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), ushering in a new era. His seminal works, Rasa’il and Makaseb, remain foundational in Shia seminaries and have been widely studied and annotated by later scholars.

Born on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1214 AH in Dezful, Morteza’s birth coincided with Eid al-Ghadir, inspiring his parents to name him Morteza. His lineage traces back to Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, a companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Sheikh Ansari’s father, Muhammad Amin (d. 1248 AH), was a devout scholar, while his mother, a deeply pious woman, once dreamt of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) gifting her a gilded Quran. This dream was interpreted as a sign of the virtuous and esteemed son she would bear. She was meticulous about remaining in a state of ritual purity (wudu) while nursing her child.

Sheikh Ansari passed away on the 18th of Jumada al-Thani, 1281 AH, in Najaf and was laid to rest in the shrine of Imam Ali (AS).

Abd Allah b. ‘Abd al-Muttalib‘s Marriage to Amina (The marriage of the parents of the Prophet (s))

Historical accounts mention that after the incident of Abdullah’s near sacrifice and the offering of one hundred camels, Abdul Muttalib took Abdullah to the house of Wahb ibn Abd Manaf, the leader of the Banu Zuhra tribe at the time. There, he arranged for Abdullah to marry Wahb’s daughter, Amina, who was considered one of the most noble and esteemed women of Quraysh in terms of lineage and status.

The marriage of Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib to Amina bint Wahb has been narrated in different ways. After the incident where one hundred camels were sacrificed to substitute Abdullah’s sacrifice, Abdul Muttalib, along with Abdullah, went to the house of Wahb ibn Abd Manaf, the leader of the Banu Zuhra tribe. There, he arranged for Abdullah to marry Amina, who was one of the most esteemed women of Quraysh in terms of lineage and status.

Some historians question the immediacy of this marriage, finding it unusual for such an event to occur right after Abdullah’s near sacrifice. However, others suggest that Abdul Muttalib’s immense joy at Abdullah’s survival may have prompted him to act swiftly. Marrying off Abdullah could have been a way to relieve the emotional strain caused by the ordeal, making the decision both reasonable and natural. This account is primarily based on Ibn Ishaq’s narration in his Sirah, though some scholars claim the marriage occurred a year later, eliminating concerns about its immediacy.

Experts of Islamic history also emphasize Lady Amina’s chastity, modesty, and purity. She was known for her intellect, deep faith, and moral character. As a wife to Abdullah and mother to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Amina was both noble and loving. She made a great personal sacrifice when she accepted separation from her son to ensure his safety, demonstrating her deep maternal love and devotion. 

December 22nd (Jumada II 20th)

Birthday of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (a) 5/626

Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) (5th year of Prophethood – 11 AH) was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and Khadijah al-Kubra (peace be upon her), and the wife of Imam Ali (peace be upon him). She is one of the Fourteen Infallibles and a member of the Ahl al-Bayt, also known as the Five Holy People of the Cloak (Ahl al-Kisa).

In historical and narrational sources, various opinions are mentioned regarding the birth date of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her). The most famous view is that she was born on the 20th of Jumada al-Thani, in the fifth year of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him and his family) Prophethood, in Makkah. According to a narration emphasized by both Sunni and Shia sources, after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) consumed the heavenly fruit on the night of Mi’raj (the Night Journey), the conception of Lady Fatimah took place.

The late Thiqat al-Islam al-Kulayni, a highly respected Shia hadith scholar, has dedicated a chapter in Al-Kafi under the title “The Birth of Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her).” He explicitly mentions the following:

“Fatimah (peace be upon her) was born five years after the Prophet’s (peace be upon him and his family) mission. She lived for eighteen years and seventy-five days. She remained in this world for seventy-five days after the death of her father (peace be upon him).”

Birthday of Imam Khomeini 1320

Imam Ayatollah Seyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini (May 17, 1900 – June 3, 1989) was a Muslim cleric and Marja, and the political leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran which overthrew Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. Following the Revolution, Imam Khomeini became Grand Leader of Iran — the paramount figure in the political system of the new Islamic Republic — until his demise.

Imam Khomeini (Ruhollah Khomeini) was born to Ayatollah Seyyed Mostafa Musavi and Hajieh Agha Khanum, also called Hajar, in the town of Khomeyn, about 300 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, Iran, possibly on May 17, 1900 or September 24, 1902. He was a Seyyed from a religious family that are descendants of Prophet Mohammad, through the seventh Imam, (Imam Mousa Kazem). His paternal grandfather was Seyyed Ahmad Musavi, whose third wife, Sakineh, gave birth to Mostafa in 1856. Imam Khomeini’s maternal grandfather was Mirza Ahmad Mojtahed-e Khonsari, a high-ranking cleric in central Iran whose Fatwa for banning usage of Tobacco in opposition to a monopoly granted by Shah to a British company, led to cancellation of the concession.

Imam Khomeini was considered a Marja-e taqlid to many Muslims, and in Iran was officially addressed as Imam rather than Grand Ayatollah; his supporters adhere to this convention. Imam Khomeini was also a highly influential and innovative Islamic political theorist, most noted for his development of the theory of velayat-e faqih, the “guardianship of the jurisconsult.”

Only two weeks after the Shah fled Iran on January 16, 1979, Imam Khomeini returned to Iran triumphantly, on Thursday, February 1, 1979, invited by the anti-Shah revolution which was already in progress.

December 23rd (Jumada II 21st )

Demise of Umm Kulthum bt. ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (a) (a) 50 – after 61 – after 73/692

Umm Kulthum bint Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) was the fourth child of Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatimah (AS), following Imam Hasan (AS), Imam Husayn (AS), and Zaynab (AS). It is considered by some historians that she was present at the Battle of Karbala, with her speeches and sermons recorded in certain sources.

Regarding her birth, there is disagreement among historians. However, both Shia and Sunni scholars agree that Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatimah (AS) had a daughter named Umm Kulthum. Her birth is commonly recorded in the year 6 AH, though some sources mention her birth during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or before his passing.

There is also a difference of opinion regarding her position in the order of Imam Ali’s children. Shia scholars consider her to be the younger daughter, born after Hazrat Zaynab (AS.

The time and circumstances of Umm Kulthum’s death are also subjects of disagreement. Many sources state that she and her son, Zayd, passed away at the same time, and the funeral prayer was performed for both of them together. Some historians believe her death occurred around 50 AH during the reign of Muawiya. Others suggest that she passed away during the rule of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (73–86 AH).

Ibn Abd al-Barr mentions her death during the caliphate of Imam Hasan (AS), while Ibn Tayfur states that she passed away after 61 AH, following the events of Karbala.