The Spirit of Imam Husain's Martyrdom

7/25/2019 The Spirit of Imam Husain's Martyrdom

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Spirit of Imam Husain's Martyrdom

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The Spirit of Imam Husain's Martyrdom

Nature of Umayyad Rule

To illustrate a few points, it may be stated that the Umayyads rule was unIslamic. Any rule which is based on force

violence can never be Islamic. The Umayyads crushed the spirit of democratic freedom. They laid the foundation of

authority on unscrupulous tactics and coercive methods instead of on mutual consultation and Ijma (Consensus).

Umayyad state craft did not follow the Shariah in total, but it was motivated merely by lust of power and political ends. S

a serious menace to the basic values of Islam demanded a heroic struggled against arbitration and a crusade for

vindication of truth and freedom.

Imam Husains character as a Mumin

These were the changes that appeared in the wake of converting the Islamic Khulafat into dynastic imperialism. No on

deny that Yazids nomination as successor to his father was the starting point of all these transformation. It canno

gainsaid that after a short span of time from the point of origin all the corrupt practices mentioned above came

existence. At the time when this revolutionary step was adopted, there was no indication of these evils, but a man of v

could have predicted these inevitable consequences of such a beginning and that the reforms introduced by Islam in

administration and political phases of the state would be rendered null and void by these charges. This is the reason

Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) could not remain indifferent to this undesirable development. He, therefore, decided to

the tide of the evil forces taking the risk of confronting the worst consequences by rising the revolt against an establi

government. The consequences of his bold stand are known to every one. The fact which Imam Husain (radiyallahu

wanted to emphasize by plunging himself into grave danger and enduring its consequences heroically was that

fundamental features of the Islamic State are valuable assets. It would not be a bad bargain, if a believer sacrificed his life get his family members slain for preserving this valuable object. A believer should not hesitate to sacrifice all tha

possesses for preventing the changes which constitute a serious danger to the religion of al-Islam and the Mu

Community which is a custodian of the constitutional values. One is at liberty to contemptuously disregard it as mer

maneuver for securing power, but in the eyes of Imam Husain bin Ali (radiyallahu anh), it was primarily a relig

obligation. He, therefore, laid down his life in this cause gaining the crown of martyrdom.

Imam Husains Role

Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh), Sayyid-ush-Shuhadaa, initiated the holy war against the oppressive regime of the Umay


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and refused to take the oath of allegiance to that authority. It is a sacred legacy bequeathed to posterity by Imam Hu

(radiyallahu anh) that Muslims should never submit to any authority which defies the Divine Law, maintains itself by f

and foists it arbitrary decisions on the people at the cost of inherent freedom. The struggle in this cause does not necess

mobilization of men, money and material on the scaled possessed by the hostile temporal authority. Husain bin

(radiyallahu anh) did not possess the sinews of war. He had the support of only a small band of helpless and un-ar

individuals. A person entrenched in righteousness and truth does not care for consequences. The outcome of the struggl

in the hands of the power that is always on the side of Justice and Truth. Cruelty eventually suffers a set back, gains de

and despondency despite its overwhelming superiority in number and resources. On such occasions, one surrender

considerations of expediency through the agony of the accursed Shaitan who creates doubt in the mind of defenders of T

whether the result is worth achieving at cost of much bloodshed. This can very easily be contradicted. Apart from numeinstances of Jihad, there is the event of Karbala that is a glaring example of a fight heroically fought by 62-72 scantily ar

persons against the massive forces of a formidable state. It is true that Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) saw his kith and k

utter distress suffering the agonies of hunger and thirst; witnessed each and every one of them writhing in dust and b

one after the other; it is also a fact that he did not even possess the force to wrest a morsel of bread from the en

sufficient for their survival, but he eventually surrendered himself to the Supreme Being, sustaining grave injuries all ove

body. However he came out successfully in the test. His wounded head was adorned with the crown of victory.

Imam Husains Martyrdom and Humanity

Now the question arises whether Imam Husains martyrdom was only the result of his attempt to seize the throne and

sympathy it evokes in the readers is the natural reaction to a splendid failure? Or, is this merely the recalcitrant attitudunscrupulous policy of a short tempered leader who, by chance, happened to be the grandson of their beloved Nabi

Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) and solely on this account, do they come out for his defense. Whether this is a h

rending story of the ruthless and brutal destruction of a weak party, the narration of which induces you to burst into t

The history of the world provides a number of instances appealing to our sympathy. It is so much replete with individual

collective incidents of failure and frustration, on one hand, and those of cruelty and barbarism, on the other, that the w

will not be particularly impressed with the tragic episode of Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh). No! Imam Husains story

not purport to be anything of this kind. It is in the main, a story of human dignity; a tale of revealing the essential nobili

man; an account of a mans ascent to the peak of grandeur. It presents a lofty deal of individual and collective human life

a mile-stone in the long journey from beastly slavery to human freedom; it is a proclamation of Allahs Kingdom in

ephemeral world; it is an irrefutable proof of the possibility of its establishment among human being; it is a beacon

which guides humanity to perfection. Whenever evil forces make a bid to put out this light with their breath, the monumeperformance of Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) intensifies its refulgence. When humanity falters in adhering to the pat

truth and freedom, the example set up by Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) gives it a support and comes to its rescue. W

the tyrants proud of their wealth, power, and authority harass the unassuming and helpless followers of Truth and when

incessant failure of the champions of truth cast doubt upon the validity of its claim, Imam Husains heroic stand in its c

teaches them the lesson of perseverance and save them from falling a prey to despair and despondency. When the r

power of tyrants overawes the individual, Imam Husains example reminds him that the duty of stimulating resistance ag

brutal power ultimately devolves on him. It matters not if for making such an attempt, the enemy offers him a cup of po

sends him to the gallows, stones him to death, or stains the earth with his blood. Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) brings

fact home to the worldly persons that life does not mean just living, no matter how. He asserts that life sometimes m

to live and sometimes to surrender it.

Real Object of Imam Husains Sacrifice

Every year, in the month of Muharram, millions of Muslims mourn Imam Husains martyrdom. It is regretable that am

those mourners, there are very few persons who focus their attention on the real cause for which Imam Husain (radiya

anh) not only sacrificed his own life, but also the lives of his kith and kin. It is but natural for the adherents and dev

followers of a man to feel grieved at his martyrdom. This sort of sentiment does not carry much of moral value; it is not

but a spontaneous reaction of the mind of his relations and sympathizers. But the point at issue is what is the special fe

of Imam Husains martyrdom that keeps the grief for him afresh although about 1,400 years have elapsed since this t

event took place. If the martyrdom is not associated with any high ideal, it is meaningless to say that the mourning conti

for centuries on personal grounds. If viewed in correct perspective, one may well ask what value Imam Husain (radiya


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anh) himself would attach to such devotion. If his own person were dearer to him than any ideology or subject, why d

sacrifice it at all? His sacrifice is a conclusive proof that this object was dearer to him than his own life. If we do not ha

clear idea of Imam Husains purpose, but continue lamentation at each anniversary of his martyrdom, we can neither ex

any appreciation from Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) on the Day of Resurrection, nor will it have any value with his Alla

Let us ask what was that ideal or object! Did Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) affirm his claim to succession to the Calip

and did he stake his life to vindicate this claim? Any one who knows the high moral standard of Imam Husains house

cannot harbor this vile notion that the members of such a sacred family could have caused bloodshed among the Muslim

gaining political power for themselves. If, for arguments sake this viewpoint is taken for granted that members of

Hashim had a claim for power, even then the 50-years history, from Hazrat Abu Bakrs (radiyallahu anh) Caliphate dowthe period of Hazrat Amir Muawiyah, bears evidence that waging war and causing bloodshed merely to seize power

never been their motive. As a logical corollary, one has to admit that Imam Husains keep eye discerned symptoms of d

and corruption in the system of the Islamic State, and the felt impelled to resist these evil forces. He even deemed it his

to wage war in this connection, as the situation so warranted.

Fight Against Falsehood

Turn over the pages of history! The early period of Islam which is considered to be the best of all that has elapsed. Eve

period of the true successors to the Holy Nabi (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) has terminated. The age of the sec

authority, viz., the period of autocratic government has been ushered in. In flagrant contravention to the Divine Autho

the Muslim kings look upon the state exchequer as their person property. In each Muslim State, the monarch fills his trea with gold and jewelry and with his political power reinforced by the power of money he forces this people to obe

arbitrary commands. Some people submit to him out of fear and others do so to gain their selfish ends with his help. The

always a hard core of steadfast Muslims who refuse to yield. The Nabis grandson, Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh), fa

the last category. Persuasion, threats, and crafty measures were employed, but Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) re

adamant. How could Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh), in whose veins the blood of Hazrat Ali, Sayyidah Fatimah (radiya

anhuma), and Nabi Muhammad (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) was pulsating, who was Allah-fearing, who

devotion for Truth, treat falsehood at par with Truth? Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) flatly refused to take bayah to Y

In effect, Husain (radiyallahu anh) declared that Yazids authority, being in conflict with the Divine Authority, should n

obeyed by true Muslims. This was the first step in the direction of martyrdom.

He was driven out of his native place. He could not live in peace even in Makkah. He, therefore, resolved to migrate to

This amounted to a proclamation, on his part, that Yazids claim to authority in the Muslim State was untenable. The idesubmitting to Yazid was so repugnant to him that he decided to renounced the security and comforts of his homeland.

was the second step leading to martyrdom.

On his way to Kufa, at Karbala, Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) was intercepted by Yazids forces. The small band o

followers was surrounded by Yazids army. This was the last sacrifice and the final ordeal. He successfully passed the

Each and everyone from amongst his relatives and companions were killed one after another. Children were slain. Fin

Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh), with a mass of wounds and bruises fell down from his horse. His heart harbored and his

uttered the belief that There is no worthy of worship, except Allah and Absolute authority is vested in Him alone. This

martyrdom, the sacrifice of ones life for the vindication of Truth. Thirteen centuries have since elapsed, the example se

by Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) gives and will continue to give evidence, till eternity that Command rests with A

Taala.

Whenever Divine Authority is respected, men will remember how the grandson of the greatest Benefactor of hum

sacrificed his life in defense of Truth. In future, when, with the increase of human knowledge, the obstacles to prog

would be removed and men will be marching confidently to the goal of self-realization, they would surely recall the glor

sacrifice offered by Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) at the altar of Truth. When the human mind will be rid of ever

except the fear of Allah, Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) will be accorded the respect which he deserves and men will o

think how Sayyidah Fatimahs beloved son displayed the sublimity of obedience to Allah by the voluntary sacrifice of his

life. Then alone this helpless man will come into prominence as the ruler of rulers. This frustrated man would be regard

the custodian of religion and faith. Once covered with blood and dust, his head will become the symbol of abs

submission to Divine Authority and fearless defiance of any other type of temporal power.


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Morals of Imam Husains Performance

This exemplary conduct displayed by Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) teaches us not to care for consequences. I

temporal authority is aggressive, sacrifice on the part of followers of Truth becomes all the more essential. Nume

minority and majority, or the lack of resources should not deter them to continue their struggle. Grandeur of coer

government does not carry the seal of Divine approval that it should necessarily be obeyed. A truth-loving person has to

an oppressor whether weak or strong.

Adherence to Truth and Justice is, no doubt, and ordeal. At every step, there is diversion of attention due to attachme

ones own life, honor and family. But Imam Husains lofty ideal teaches the believers and sincere followers of al-Islam th

the ver outset they should take stock of the strength of their resoluteness, so that these temptations may not pro

stumbling block immediately after embarking on that mission. Everyone knows that in the presence of various attachm

the great martyr of Karbala sacrificed his all at the altar of Truth. All the stages of ordeals are categorically described in

Holy Quran: Allah intends to test the believers by bringing them under the throes of various ordeals:

And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss o f wealth and lives and crops; but

glad tidings to the steadfast. Who say when a misfo rtune strikes them: Surely! We are from Al lah and surely

Him we are returning. (Surah al-Baqarah, ayats 155, 156)

Fear and apprehension, hunger and thirst, love of wealth, property, life and progeny form an acid test for human be

and as such, the sacrifice of these interests have been declared an ordeal in the cause of Allah.

The helpless hero of Karbala had all these stages, at a stretch. He could have got rid of them within a short span of tim

secured relief, position, grandeur, had he only made a compromise with aggression government ignoring the dictates of T

and Justice. Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) preferred Allahs Will to his won personal choice. Devotion for Truth overco

love for life and its luxuries. He laid down his life, being the only asset with the lover of Truth, but he never stretched

hand for taking bayah which could be extended only in the cause of Truth.

The most valuable lesson that can be deduced from this grave event is Sabr (perseverance) and determination in the c

of Jihad and Truth.

In spite of being helplessly besieged by enemy with members of family, relatives, and friends witnessing his own kith

kin wailing and shrieking with the intensity of thirst and hunger and later lifting with his own hands their bodies stained

blood. Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) never swerved from the path of truth, even for a moment. In short, he underw

these calamities, being tacitly grateful to Allah Taala. Those who are surcharged with the intoxication of devotion and

willingly accept a cup of poison from the hands of their friends in preference to the cup of honey and elixir. Even to

every particle of the dust of Karbala gives the lesson of patience and endurance of those who keep their ears open to liste

its message.

Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) was the torchbearer of absolute values. He lived, fought, and sacrificed his life in defen

these ideals. He lit an ever-lasting beacon light for humanity by his heroic struggle for Truth and righteousness that could

be extinguished even after his death. The glorious example of his life enables mankind to purify the social life and chec

the evil that brings corruption into the body politic. This light is a source of guidance in every walk of human life.end mail to [email protected] questions or comments about this web site.

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The Spirit of Imam Husain's Martyrdom