On the day marking the occasion of the martyrdom of Imam Hadi (a.s.), a commemorative ceremony was held at the Islamic Centre of England in the presence of a number of Shiites living in London.
This ceremony was held in both Arabic and Persian languages on Tuesday night, January 24th, starting with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a lecture by Sheikh Ali Masoud. He spoke in Arabic about the virtues of the month of Rajab and the Imamate of Imam Hadi (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) said, “According to the narrations of Holy Prophet (a.s) of Islam, the month of Rajab is the month of God, Shaban is the month of the Prophet (a.s), and Ramadan is the month of the Ummah of the Prophet (a.s.).
Sheikh Ali Masoud also added that during the time of Imam Hadi (a.s.), like other Imams (a.s.), the oppression of the Shia Imams (a.s.) was consistent. Considering the position and status of the Shia Imams (a.s) and the oppressive rulers of that time, it is easy to understand who in this era is right, oppressed and steadfast.
In continuation of this commemorative ceremony, Hojjat al-Islam Sheikh Maitham Ghasemi also spoke in Persian emphasizing the necessity of abstaining from sin in the month of Rajab: The best form of acquiring forgiveness in this month is by refraining from sin.
Referring to the recent insult to the Holy Qur’an in a European country, he added: There are similarities between the Qur’an and Imam Hadi (a.s.). because the Qur’an and Imam Hadi (a.s.) were the means of intercession and remedy from diseases.
Hojjat al-Islam Ghasemi said: There is a similarity in the how the Quran and Imam Hadi (a.s.) were betrayed by the oppressors. This is the same way in the attitudes of the oppression towards Imam Hadi (a.s.) as it was with his (a.s.)’ grandfather Imam Reza (a.s.), who was invited and was betrayed by the oppressive ruler of his (a.s.)’ time. To prove themselves, the oppressors tried to identify with the Quran to enable their betrayal.
At the end of this ceremony, two Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) eulogists gave their recitals in Persian and Arabic languages.
