The 9th of Rabi al-Awwal holds a position of immense greatness and status for the Household of infallibility and purity, who consider this day one of their greatest Eids. Celebrating this day is a long standing practice deeply embedded in Shia tradition, marking a day of joy, divine relief, and the fulfillment of the prayers of Sayeda Fatima Zahra (s.a). The holy Imams (a.s) held celebratory gatherings on this day, instructing their followers to observe it as a festive holiday, to the extent that it has been designated as “The Second Ghadeer”. Understanding the historical context of the celebration in Samarra, the glad tidings given by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a), and the spiritual secrets of this day reveals why this remains a cornerstone of devotional happiness for Shia Muslims worldwide.
The Assembly in Samarra
The core tradition of this day is reported by the great scholar, Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi in Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 31, Pages 120-129
The historical celebration of the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal is highlighted by a famous assembly in the city of Samarra. The narration begins with Muhammad ibn al-Alaa al-Wasiti and Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn Jareeh al-Baghdadi, who had engaged in intense debates regarding the character and status of one of the tyrant. Seeking clarity and resolution, they travelled to the city of Qom to visit Ahmad ibn Ishaq al-Qomi, a prominent companion of Imam al-Hadi (a.s).
Upon knocking on the door, a young Iraqi girl answered, informing them that Ahmad ibn Ishaq was busy because “today is a day of Eid”. Surprised by this, the visitors remarked that the Shia observe only four Eids: Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Ghadeer, and Fridays. The girl explained that Ahmad ibn Ishaq had narrated from his Master, Imam al-Hadi (a.s), that this specific day is indeed a grand Eid, and is considered among the greatest of Eids for the Ahlulbayt (a.s) and their followers.
When Ahmad ibn Ishaq emerged from his house wearing fine clothes and wiping his face, he confirmed that he had just performed ghusl for the Eid. He then welcomed the group inside and recounted his own visit to Samarra, where he had visited Imam al-Hadi (a.s) on the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal. Ahmad ibn Ishaq found the Imam (as.) celebrating and instructing all of his servants to wear brand-new clothes. When the visitors asked whether this was a day of happiness for the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a) household, the Imam (a.s) replied:
“And is there a day greater than this day for the Ahlulbayt?”
The Glad Tidings of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a)
Imam al-Hadi (a.s) then transmitted the theological origin of the day, as narrated by his father, Imam al-Jawad (a.s). He explained that on the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal, the companion Huthayfah ibn al-Yaman (r.a) entered upon the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) and found him sitting with Amir al-Momineen (a.s), Imam Hassan (a.s), and Imam Hussain (a.s) eating together. The Prophet (s.a.w.a) was smiling at them, saying:
“Eat! Glad tidings to you on the blessings associated with this day, as this day is where Allah will take the soul of His enemy, and the enemy of your grandfather, and fulfills the dua of your mother.”
The Prophet (s.a.w.a) continued to list the unique spiritual graces of the day:
“Eat! For this is a day where the acts of worship of your Shia and your lovers will be accepted.”
“Eat! For this is the day where Allah has said in the Quran: ‘So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they have done.’”
“Eat! For this is the day where the man who hates your grandfather will perish.”
“Eat! For this is the day where the Pharaoh of my Ahlulbayt, their oppressor and usurper will die.”
The Prophecy of the Tyrant and the Divine Decree
Astonished by these words, Huthayfah ibn al-Yaman (r.a) asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) if there would truly be someone from among the companions who would violate the sacredness of the Ahlulbayt (a.s). The Prophet (s.a.w.a) confirmed this, foretelling that a tyrant from among the hypocrites would seize leadership and call the people to himself. He prophesied that this figure would deviate the people, tamper with the Book of Allah (s.w.t), alter the Sunnah, disrespect his appointed Imam (a.s), and spend the public wealth of Allah (s.w.t) subjectively. Furthermore, he would falsely accuse the Prophet (s.a.w.a) and Imam Ali (a.s) of lying, and usurping Sayeda Fatima’s (s.a) rightful inheritance, causing her to make a desperate dua against him a prayer that Allah (s.w.t) would answer on this exact day.
When Huthayfah (r.a) asked why the Prophet (s.a.w.a) did not pray for the tyrant’s destruction immediately, the Prophet (s.a.w.a) explained that he did not wish to alter the divine destiny established by Allah (s.w.t) before the creation of the universe. However, the Prophet (s.a.w.a) had asked Allah (s.w.t) to grant this specific day superiority over all other days, making it a day of victory, safety, and stability for the Shia.
Allah (s.w.t) accepted this prayer and sent down a divine revelation, declaring:
“O’ Muhammad… I have ordered My angels in all the seven heavens to take this day as an Eid with your Shia and lovers, and they shall seek forgiveness for your Shia and lovers from the children of Adam”…
Allah (s.w.t) further promised to grant intercession on the Day of Judgment for anyone who takes this day as an Eid, blessing their families, expanding their wealth, forgiving their sins, and accepting their deeds.
The 72 Names of the Day of Relief
Huthayfah ibn al-Yaman (r.a) noted that after the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a) passing, the prophesied deviations indeed took place: the household of revelation was attacked, the Quran was altered, and Fadak was usurped. However, when the tyrant who spearheaded these injustices was eventually killed, Huthayfah (r.a) immediately went to congratulate Amir al-Momineen (a.s).
Imam Ali (a.s) confirmed the immense joy of the day, declaring:
“By God, that day is today which caused happiness to enter the hearts of the family of the Prophet, and I know 72 names associated with that day.”
At Huthayfah’s (r.a) request, the Commander of the Faithful listed these names, highlighting the multifaceted spiritual, historical, and cosmic meanings of the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal:
- The Day of Resting
- Day of Relief from Tragedies
- The Second Eid al-Ghadeer
- The Flattening of the Scales
- The Day of Goodness
- The Day Where No Sin Will Be Recorded
- Day of Guidance
- Day of Wellness
- Day of Blessings
- Day of Revenge
- Day of the Greatest Eid
- Day Where The Duas Are Answered
- Day of The Greatest Stance
- Day of Additions
- Day of Conditions
- Day When Wearing Black Will Be Stopped
- Day of Regret For The Oppressor
- Day Where Oppression Will Be Broken
- Day of Treating Worries
- Day of Masks
- Day of Showcasing Capability
- Day of Salutations
- Day of the Joy of Shias
- Day of Repentance
- Day of Divinity
- Day of the Great Zakat
- Day of the Second Eid al-Fitr
- Day of Pleasing
- Day of Removing Evilness
- Day of Accepting Deeds
- Day of the Eid of Ahlulbayt
- Day Where the Children of Israel Were Saved
- Day Where The Deeds of The Shia Will Be Accepted
- Day Where Charity Will Be Accepted
- Day of Visiting
- Day of Killing the Hypocrite
- Day of The Known Time
- Day of the Pleasure of Ahlulbayt
- Day of Witness
- Day of Witnessed
- Day of the Oppressor Perishing
- Day of Hurting The Enemy
- Day of Destroying Deviance
- Day of Awareness
- Day of Friction
- Day of Martyrdom
- Day of Surpassing the Believers
- Day of Roses
- Day of Attraction
- Day of Cure
- Day of the Death of the Hypocritical Ruler
- Day of Worthiness
- Day of Rest for the Believer
- Day of Mubahila
- Day of Pride
- Day of the Acceptance of Deeds
- Day of Victory
- Day Where The Believer Will Prevail
- Day Where The Secret Will Be Broadcasted
- Day of the Increased Number of Victories
- Day of Courtliness
- Day of Amusement
- Day of Arrival
- Day of Sacrifice
- Day of Exposing The Innovations
- Day of Piety
- Day of Peace
- Day of Sermons
- Day of Worship
- Day of Taking Ownership
(Note: While Amir al-Momineen (a.s) mentions 72 names in total, the classical Arabic manuscripts preserved these 70 evocative titles representing the spiritual relief and celebration of this day).