What is Khake Shifa?
Khake shifa is the superior khak of this world. In the formation of creatures, the creator of mankind established a principle. One species of creation is superior to the other. For example, Hazrat Ruhul Qudus (the Holy Spirit), Hazrat Jibraeel, and Hazrat Mikaeel are superior over the other angels.
Because of this supremacy, the Holy Spirit was granted the tremendous privilege of protecting and supporting Imam Hussain (a.s). Every time He is in the presence of Imams, He is in the presence of Allah. Similarly, Allah has given the Holy Prophet (pbuh) primacy over all men, and the Quran is considered superior to all Divine books.
This has lasted from the beginning of time to the present. What are the causes and logic underlying these advantages? These are only known to those who have knowledge of the unseen (Ghaib). These are the Divine secrets that the creatures cannot question.
It is due to Divine will and discretion, which is beyond human comprehension and intelligence. It is the result of such Divine Discretion that He bestowed dominance to the land of Karbala and soil, as well as to Imam Husain (a.s), and grave onto the rest of the world’s territories and soils.
The Land of Karbala’s Excellence is ‘Khak e Shifa
When Allah the Almighty intends anything and destiny is decreed, all the powers of the world go numb, and all mankind falls prostrate in humiliation before His Greatness and Might. As a result, when He decided to grant Karbala superiority due to the greatness of Imam Hussain (as), He did so in such a way that the entire world observed the sacrifices of Bani Hashim and their devoted associates.
It is the land of Islam’s new life and the shackles of enslavement were freed from the grip of infidelity. On this land, the battle between the truth and the falsehood is depleted and destitute, with supporters of Truth mocking its helplessness and its bankruptcy and destitution.
The reason behind the glory of ‘Khak e Shifa’
In order to reach such lofty heights, the land of Karbala had to witness such gruesome and macabre events that, if witnessed by any other land, would have surely shattered into bits and pieces. Karbala had seen the martyrdom of Aun (as) and Mohammad (as) at the hands of tyrants, the trampling of the corpse of Ameer Qasim (as) under the hoofs of horses, the amputation of the arms of Hazrat Ghazi Abbas (a.s) at the riverside, the piercing of Hazrat Ali Akbar’s heart with the edge of the dagger, the neck of infant Hazrat Ali Asgar (as) was pierced by the three-pronged arrow of Hurmula.
The blood of Imam Hussain(as) in ‘Khak e Shifa’
How could the land of Karbala tolerate such atrocities? But when Yazeed killed the grandson of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) then it could not control itself patiently and as a result of its uneasiness, it quivered in such a way that the entire region was jolted by the quake.
Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s) could only bring it back to its original state. The agonizing event of 61 A.H. is proof enough of Karbala’s greatness. But from the beginning of time, Allah desired to subjugate the land of Karbala. According to Imam Baqir (a.s.):
“Allah created Karbala twenty-four thousand years before the Kaaba and made it chaste and pure.” Karbala’s position will last forever. Allah created it from the most superior paradise land.
Karbala’s Geographical Limit
Now the question arises as to what is the geographical area of Karbala, which is the superior land between the earth and the sky. How far does it go? The following tradition of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) provides an answer to all of these questions:
“From all sides, the shrine of Imam Husain is five farsakh (approximately 30 kilometers) away.”
It can be inferred that Karbala is the name of a particular region whose limits are stipulated. No place on earth can vie with its greatness and sanctity. But even in this locality, the magnificence which is related to the grave of Imam Husain (a.s) cannot be surpassed by the other places.
The same is said by Imams (a.s). Ishaq Bin Ammad relates from Imam Sadiq (a.s) that: “The place where Husain Bin Ali (as) is buried since the day He is hurried is regarded as a Garden of Paradise. It is also one of the gateways of Paradise.
One of the names of Paradise is Rizwan which is given as a reward to the person who led his life in the obedience and worship of God. Hence it should not be strange if a Garden of Paradise is the grave of the one who is the pride of humanity, whose creed was:
“Lord in your pleasure is my pleasure and in your displeasure is my displeasure.”
There will be no ‘Qasr’ (Shortend) prayers in Imam Husain’s (a.s.) shrine.
The Glory of ‘Khak e Shifa’.
Imam Jaffar Sadiq (a.s) says:
“Full prayers should be performed in Masjidul-Haram, Masjidul-Nabi, Masjidul-Kufa, and Shrine of Imams (a.s).”
A careful reading of this tradition will reveal that these are the most important places in the world. Thus we should follow the order to perform full prayers in Masjid-e-Haram, i.e.
The Holy Kaaba, and Masjidul Nabi, are the places. Where the Holy Prophet (pbuh) passed his final moments of life.
Masjid-e-Kufa, where Hazrat Ameer ul Momeneen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) attained martyrdom and exclaimed, “By the Lord of the Kaaba!” Finally, Karbala, may our lives be sacrificed for such great men whose sacred presence bestowed such esteem on the respective places.
The Legality and Benefits of Consuming Khak e Shifa
According to Imam Kazim (a.s.), “consumption of soil is as haram as consumption of blood. The soil of Imam Husain’s grave (a.s.) because it contains a cure for all diseases and protection from all feats.”
Certainly, Allah valued His true servant’s sacrifices in such a way. That the consumption of soil in which his blood mingled is not only legal. But the effects of panacea were also in it, and His fears transformed into security. “The Holy dirt of Imam Husain’s grave is a panacea for all diseases,” declared Imam Sadiq (a.s).
“When eating ‘Khake Shifa’, say ‘Bismillahe-wa-Billah O Allah! make it for me an increased subsistence, beneficial knowledge, and treatment for all maladies.” You must be all-powerful.”
As a result, our Imams have also taught us how to consume Khake Shifa.
Imam Sadiq’s (a.s.) Advice about Khak e Shifa
“Make your children taste the soil of Imam Husain’s grave. our sixth Imam, Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s), advised Husain Bin Abitulla.
If we want our children to believe fervently in the Wilayat of Ahle Bait (a.s.) and to love Imam Husain (a.s.). Then we should make them taste the Khake Shifa.
There are several ahadees (traditions) in Tufatuz Za-ir, Safinatun Najat, and Mafatihun Najat . The earth of Karbala is khak shifa. Cures every ailment save the deadly disease (by which death has been decreed).
Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq (as) said:
At the time of eating khake shifa for curing a disease say:
“O Lord give us an opportunity to visit the grave of Imam Husain (a.s) and may we also be graced with the visitation of the scion of Imam Husain (a.s), our Imam of the time on the same land ”
Ameen.
