Ashara Mubaraka is a sacred season that calls for thoughtful and sincere preparation. We organize our schedules, make arrangements, and ensure that we are present in every majlis. Along with all of this, preparation for shedding tears is also essential. These tears, shed in the remembrance of Imam Husain (AS), are a عظیم نعمت and a sign of a softened heart and true khashiat. One important aspect of this preparation is maintaining the health and readiness of our eyes. In today’s modern lifestyle, however, certain habits—especially prolonged exposure to screens—are quietly affecting the health of our eyes and reducing their natural ability to respond with tears.
A Closer Look at the Physiology of Tears
To understand how tears are produced helps us prepare for them in a more complete way. Tear production is not a simple process; rather, it is governed by a coordinated system within the eye consisting of three components forming tear film. Its stability is essential for proper eye function and comfort.
This tear film can be understood in three essential layers:
- 1. Lipid (oil) layer – produced by the meibomian glands, it reduces evaporation and maintains tear stability
- 2. Aqueous (water) layer – produced by the lacrimal glands, it provides moisture, oxygen, and nutrients
- 3. Mucin layer – produced by goblet cells, it ensures even spreading of tears over the eye surface
More importantly, emotional tears—the kind associated with remembrance, repentance, and khashiat—are triggered through a neurological pathway. This process occurs in three key stages:
These tears are qualitatively different from ordinary tears—they are more sustained, better integrated with the tear film, and closely linked to a deeper internal and spiritual response.
This emotional tear response can be summarized as:
1. Emotional trigger – activation of the limbic system through deep reflection or remembrance
2. Neural signaling – transmission via the parasympathetic nervous system
3. Tear secretion – stimulation of the lacrimal glands, resulting in sustained emotional tears. These tears are qualitatively different from ordinary tears. They are more sustained, better integrated with the tear film, and associated with a deeper internal response.
What Happens with Prolonged Screen Time
When we spend long hours on screens:
- Blink rate decreases significantly
- The oil layer is not properly spread
- Tears evaporate quickly
- The eye surface becomes dry and irritated
In response to this dryness, the eye may produce reflex tears—leading to watery eyes. At first glance, this may seem beneficial: “If my eyes are already watery, will it not help me shed tears more easily?”
Is Screen-Induced Watery Eye Helpful for Shedding Tears?
The answer is no—this condition is not helpful, and in fact, it can be counterproductive. The watery eyes that result from prolonged screen use are actually reflex tears, not emotional tears. They are produced due to irritation, not emotional engagement, and they differ in important ways. These tears are often imbalanced, lacking sufficient oil and mucin layers, which makes them unstable. They do not remain properly on the eye surface and are frequently accompanied by burning, fatigue, or discomfort.
In such a state, the eyes are effectively under stress. Instead of being ready to respond to emotional triggers, they are occupied with managing irritation and instability. As a result, the eyes may feel heavy or strained during majlis, focus may reduce, and the natural, flowing response of emotional tears becomes more difficult to achieve.
Therefore, having watery and irritated eyes due to screen exposure should not be seen as preparation—it is actually a disturbance. It does not assist in shedding tears for Imam Husain (AS); rather, it interferes with the natural and meaningful process.
If we truly wish for our eyes to respond during Ashara, they must be in a balanced and healthy state. This requires:
- Reducing prolonged and unnecessary screen exposure
- Taking breaks and allowing the eyes to rest
- Maintaining a normal blink pattern
- Keeping the eyes hydrated and comfortable
When the tear film is stable and the eyes are not irritated, they are far more capable of responding when the heart is moved.
Preparing the Heart and Mind Alongside the Eyes
Physical readiness alone is not enough. The source of emotional tears lies in the heart.
By reducing digital noise and allowing time for reflection—thinking about one’s own shortcomings, revisiting the أحداث of Karbala, and engaging deeply with remembrance—the heart gradually softens. This softness activates the emotional pathways that lead to true tears.
When both the inner state and the physical condition of the eyes are aligned, the response becomes natural and complete.
Preparing Every Age Group with Purpose
If children under 15 are away from mobile screens they should be protected from overstimulation through excessive television and computer use also. Their natural softness must be preserved through meaningful engagement with the stories of Karbala.
Youth must consciously discipline their screen habits. Without reducing digital overload, both their emotional depth and physical tear response are weakened.
Adults should create moments of disconnection from daily pressures and screens, allowing time for reflection and remembrance.
Elders should maintain eye comfort and hydration, ensuring that physical dryness does not become a barrier.
A Final Reflection
Tears in the remembrance of Imam Husain (AS) are not merely an emotional reaction—they are the result of preparation. They require:
- A softened heart
- A focused mind
- And healthy, balanced eyes
Watery, irritated eyes caused by screen exposure do not contribute to this goal. Instead, they highlight the need for better preparation.
When we take care of all aspects—reducing distractions, nurturing reflection, and maintaining physical readiness—we create the conditions in which tears can flow sincerely and naturally.
May Allah grant us all the tawfeeq to prepare ourselves completely, to remove every barrier, and to be blessed with true, flowing tears in the remembrance of Imam Husain (AS).
