The year 1423 Hijri ended and the year 1424 Hijri began, as one day ends and a new dawn breaks. Last year the sun rose in the city of Indore, and this year the sun rose, in all its magnificence and glory in the city of Mumbai where thousands and thousands of mumineen witnessed and were awed by its shining brilliance.

This year, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), revered son and heir of Shams ul Duat al Mutlaqeen Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) designated Mumbai as his venue for Ashara Mubaraka. The mumineen of Mumbai as the most fortunate, marveled at thier fate, and overcome with gratitude expressed their shukur with matam of Imam Husain (AS).

Ashara Mubaraka. The first ten days of the Islamic new year. The last ten days of Imam Husain (AS) in Kerbala. What happens during those first ten days of the new year? The start of the new year is associated with celebration. How do we celebrate?

It is customary that the new year be celebrated with a feast. Mumineen feasted their eyes upon the sight of Aqa Maula (T.U.S) as he ascended the takht on the first day of waaz; as he stood in his regal white jama and dupatta; as he raised his right hand to the chorus of mumineen calling "maula maula" in unison; as he began by addressing the crowd "mumineen ni jama'at"; as he unfolded his red and white checked handkerchief and brought it to his eyes; and all moments after that to the last moment as he performed the action demonstrating the last sajda of Imam Husain (A.S) on the day of Ashura.

Between the first salaami and the last sajda lay an abundance of ilm and hikmat. Aqa Maula (TUS) conducted waaz for a period of nine days, starting on the second of Moharram and ending on the tenth. Each waaz lasted more than three hours, and spanned a time span starting with Nabi Adam and ending with Imam Husain (AS).

The bayan, containing pearls of wisdom and truth, passages delving into philosophy revealing esoteric knowledge of the abstract world, are not in the capacity of this writer to catalogue or characterize, as is a flask incapable of containing the ocean.

The primary purpose of conducting waaz is to dispense ilm. Ilm is enlightenment. The essence of all ilm is the buka' (weeping) and matam of Imam Husain (A.S), his Ahle-Bait(A.S) and his comrades in arms on the day of Ashura.

The matam and mourning which began on the 2nd of Moharram will not end on the 10th. But will continue throughout the year as every mumin will honour the happiness of Maulana by the matam of Imam Husain (AS). The name of Husain, which invokes the memory of Kerbala is also a plea for salvation which will be retierated in every majlis and at every religious venue. And then the year will end, with a new in the wing, waiting for us to return to Kerbala with renewed celebrations of sorrow with Aqa Maula (TUS).

Every year, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin(TUS) gathers us to feast at this heavanly banquet of ilm, and promises us salvation, just as Imam Husain (AS), gathered his Ahle-Bait(AS) and Ashaab (AS) in the tent of light on the fated night of Aashura. Thus in the end it is the fervent prayer of this writer that may Allah keep Aqa Maula forever young for the matam and buka' of Imam Husain (A.S) and allow mumineen mukhleseen who will band together in his name, to earn their place in paradise.