Remembering Imam Husain
Administrator on December 26th, 2009
A Gathering/Jalsa is held in memory of the great martyrs of Karbala and the family of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them).
The commemoration of Imam Husain’s martyrdom has been observed by the followers of Ahlul Sunnah for last fourteen centuries. Honoring the memories of Imam Husain and 72 great martyrs of Karbala who saved Islam by sacrificing their lives at the battlefield of Karbala(Iraq) on Ashura 10th Muharram 61 Hijrah is in accordance with the prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Yazid, when he became ruler of Muslims, he posed a great danger to Islam. Through his actions, he was distorting the teachings of Islam, in particular the political system of Islam. During his time:
- the ruler was becoming the master of the life, property and honour of his subjects – sovereignty of man was replacing sovereignty of God;
- the governing class were being given preferential treatment and were often exempt from many routine religious or legal obligations;
- justice, law and order were being replaced by oppression, disorder and injustice.
- a life of luxury, pomp and splendour was becoming the norm and the cherished goal;
- distinctions between the lawful and prohibited and the desirable and the doubtful were getting blurred; undesirable social activities were spreading like wildfire.
Imam Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) being the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), challenged Yazid and through offering his life and the lives of his family awaken the Muslims. Through his sacrifices he preserved the eternal teachings of Islam.
One of the most prominent preachers of Islam in India on whose hands many thousands of people embraced Islam, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Ajmiri says: Imam Hussayn gave his head, but did not put his hand into the hands of Yazid. Imam Husain did not accept Yazid as ruler of the Muslims. Indeed, Imam Hussain is the foundation of “la ilaha illa Allah”. Imam Hussain is the leader and the leader of the leader. Imam Hussayn himself is Islam and the shield of Islam. He gave his head (for Islam) but never pledged to Yazid. Truly Imam Hussayn is the founder of “La ilaha illa Allah” (“There is no God but Allah”).
A number of Western writers have written about the tragedy of Karbala. Charles Dickens is believed to have said that, ‘if Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.’
The tragic events of Karbala represent non-violent resistance. Imam Husain neither opted for suicide nor encouraged violence, rather till the very last moments of his life he was urging others to give up violence and tyranny and follow the true and peaceful message of Islam. It was the greed for this world that had blinded his opponents.
In order to underdtand the the histroy of Karbala and the reasons for whihc Imam Husain opposed Yazid, please order a free copy of The History of Karbala by Abu Amar. http://www.islamicinformationcentre.co.uk/booksonline.htm
