Zaid Ibn Shahhaam narrates that we – a group of people from Kufa – were in the presence of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) when Jafar Ibn Affaan entered.
The Imam (a.s.) called Jafar near him and asked:
“O Jafar! We’ve come to know that you recite elegies upon Imam Husain (a.s.)?”
Jafar replied: “Yes my master, may I be sacrificed for you!” So, Imam (a.s.) told him, “Then recite.”
He recited an elegy. Upon listening to it, the Imam (a.s.) and even those who were with him wept so profusely that the cheeks and beard of the Imam (a.s.) were soaked in tears. Then Imam (a.s.) said,
“O Jafar! By Allah, the proximate angels of Allah were present here and were listening to your elegy for Imam Husain (a.s.). Even they wept just as we were weeping and they wept excessively. Indeed, O Jafar! Allah, the High, has made Paradise obligatory upon you at this very moment and forgiven your sins.”
Imam (a.s.) continued, “O Jafar! Should I tell you something more?” Jafar replied, “Yes my master.” Then Imam (a.s.) explained,
“There is none who recites a couplet for Husain (a.s.) and weeps or makes others weep by it, except that Allah makes Paradise obligatory upon him and forgives him.”
[Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 44, pp. 282-283, H. 16 narrating from Rejaal al-Kashi]
Note:
▪This tradition highlights for us that organising mourning gatherings (Majlis), reciting elegies and weeping is a way of mourning by the Ahle Bait (a.s.) which we have inherited from them.
▪We pray to Allah to grant us the fortune to organise Majlis of Imam Husain (a.s.) in our houses, Imambargahs and mosques, wherein we can mourn and weep for him.
Aameen Ya Rabb al-Aalameen!