Published On: Wed, Dec 4th, 2013    

Why Imam Hussein’s sacrifice remains relevant to this day?



While Sunni and Shiite Muslims across the world, remember and commemorate Ashura- which falls on the tenth day of Muharram on the Islamic calendar – for two very different reasons, this day, which will forever bear heavy on Islam’s history, very much represent Men’s inner fight against evil, tyranny, oppression and senseless violence.

According to Islamic tradition, Ashura marks the day Prophet Musa (AS) led his people out of Egypt and away from Pharaoh’s yoke, the day Prophet Nuh (AS) was allowed by God to leave the ark and return to land, the day God accepted Prophet Adam’s repentance (AS) for defying his commandment and being cast out of Paradise, the day God allowed Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to escape unscathed from Nemrod’s furious pyre, the day Prophet Ayub (AS) was restored back to health after much suffering, the day God spoke directly to Prophet Musa (AS) and instructed him on his commandments, the day Prophet Yusuf was reunited with his father prophet Yacub (AS), the day Prophet Dawud (AS) was forgiven his transgression, the day Prophet Suleiman’s kingdom was restored (AS), the day Prophet Yunus (AS) was taken out of the belly of the fish and most importantly the day Imam Hussein ibn Ali (AS) stood up to tyranny and heresy and committed the ultimate martyrdom.

Beyond any particular Islamic school of thought Ashura has forever been a day of tribulation; but above all it is a day which Islam will come to remember as a day of sacrifice and also ultimate altruism, when the House of the Prophet’s blood came to taint the earth to denounce treachery and deceit.

Just as Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was sent as a blessing to purify Men’s religion, a gift from God to his undeserving Creation, Imam Hussein’s sacrifice was meant as a beacon, a symbol for future generations, a clear sign that no matter the price, one should always endeavour to oppose injustice, wherever it may lie and to whatever cost, as the path of the righteous can only be found in selflessness and the realisation that one’s life is but ephemeral.

As per related by Ibn Abbas, “the Holy Prophet (PBUH) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of Ashura… They said, “It is the day of great significance when Allah delivered Prophet Musa (AS) and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people, and Prophet Musa (AS) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it.”

The Holy Messenger of Allah (PBUH) responded, “We have more right, and we have closer connection with Prophet Musa (AS) than you have”; so Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) observed fast [on the day of ‘Ashura] and gave us orders to observe it.”

Ashura carries great historical significance in that, it has, since the dawn of time been associated and linked to defining moments in men’s history and men’s religious journey toward God.

If every generation of men before us was sent its own message, its own signs to help it navigate the turbulent waters of its time, ours was given the brightest one yet, the gift of Imam Hussein.

When Imam Hussein stood betrayed in Karbala, surrounded by an army of thousands of men, his heart neither falter nor betrayed him. His hand steady on his sword rose to the sky time and time again to slay the enemies of Islam. Injured and pierced by great many arrows, his fury had no limit as he came to embody God’s wrath on the infidels. By sacrificing his life, Imam Hussein lit the way for our generation; his actions were meant as a sign, a guide for us to follow in the face of evil.

While it is in men’s nature to flee and cower before oppression, Imam Hussein taught us that in surrender to tyranny neither mercy, nor salvation exist, for only the truth should guide our lives.
In times such as ours, Ashura should evermore echo in our hearts, as Islam stands surrounded on all sides; Muslims ridiculed and branded radicals should they choose to proclaim openly their faith and devotion to God’s commandments.

Brothers have been pitted against each other; sectarian strife has transformed once harmonious communities into burial grounds.

As nefarious powers work to destroy our Islamic heritage as to impose on us their agnostic world views, Muslims stand idle, blinded by their own hatred and self-importance.

It is in times such as ours that Ashura should be most remembered, as in Imam Hussein lays our salvation.

“This movement of mine is not on account of stubbornness, rebellion, worldly passions or instigation by Satan. It is also not my object to create trouble or to oppress anyone. The only thing which invites me to this great movement is that I should reform the affairs of the followers of my grandfather, eradicate corruption, undertake enjoining to do good and restraining from evil …I wish that, through the strength of my suffering tyranny, I may root out the very foundation of oppression and cruelty,” said Imam Hussein (AS).

Last, the Islamic world stands divided, in desperate need of leadership.
Muslims should draw strength from Imam Hussein and truly come to term with the example he set before them. When Imam Hussein stood betrayed with his companions by the villainy that was Yazidibn Muawiyah – the very man whose family was responsible for the death of his father Imam Ali (AS) and his elder brother, Imam Hassan (AS) -contemplating certain death, he could have chosen to swear allegiance to the despot and hope to fight another day. Yet, he willingly marched to his death, determined not to give up an inch of his rightful claim to power.

By laying down his life, Imam Hussein gave muslims the gift of righteousness, and the world a testimony of what true leadership should look like.

In a world led by greed, avarice and deception, Imam Hussein’ sacrifice remains the only light we can ever hope to grab onto, while awaiting a new kind of leadership.

http://www.aimislam.com/why-imam-husseins-sacrifice-remains-relevant-to-this-day/

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/11/19/335521/lessons-you-can-learn-from-ashura/

Until the Day there will be no Injustice, tyranny, falsehood and other vices in Every Land; then, the message of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain on the plain of Kar'bala, which is "Upholding the good and Forbidding the evil" can be put to rest.

Indeed "Every day is Ashura and Every Land is Kar'bala".

As-Salam alayka Yabna Rasulullah

As-Salam alayka Yabna Amirul Mu'minin

As-Salam alayka Yabna Fatima az-Zahra

Wa alal ar'wa alethi alat bi fina ik..."

This article contains a huge lie, muawiyyah was not responsible for Ali death, the Kariwajites who ironically were shias who turned against Ali r. a for accepting arbitration with muawiyyah. Like wise Hussein death had the the despicable hands of hypocrites who pretended to be his followers. A great lesson to learn is standing up for what is right and being careful of the sort of followers u have.

vedaxcool: This article contains a huge lie, muawiyyah was not responsible for Ali death, the Kariwajites who ironically were shias who turned against Ali r. a for accepting arbitration with muawiyyah..

In your own word, the khawarij accepted arbitration with Muawiyah. And I tell you my friend your history says he used them to kill Imam Ali just like he used one of Imam Hassan's wives to poison him. Such was the person of Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi sufyan.

Read: "Al-khilafat wa mulkiyah" of a renown modern Sunni sacholar, an alim of greater repute ,Abu A'la Mawdudi.
He exposed the atrocities committed by Uthman and Mu'awiyah at greater length. He was declared kafir for doing so.

vedaxcool: Like wise Hussein death had the the despicable hands of hypocrites who pretended to be his followers. .

True but majority's HANDS were companion, sons of companions, Tabi'in of companions of the holy prophet (saws). Such was the reward the holy prophet (saws) received for the message he brought to his ummah.

www.revisitingthesalaf.org/2013/04/debate-who-killed-imam-hussain-as_29.html?m=1

vedaxcool: ... and being careful of the sort of followers u have.

How many times has the holy prophet (saws) stood up for what is right yet met resistance from certain sahaba? At hudaybiyyah you know what happened! At the battle of Uhud and Hunanyn, majority flee and left the prophet for dead.
At the battle of Tabuk, they planned to assassinate their prophet (saws): www.revisitingthesalaf.org/2012/02/companions-attempt-to-kill-prophet.html?m=1

At his death-bed, he ordered a large army against the Romans under the leadership of an 18year old ghulam (boy), they refused to obey until he cursed whoever remained behind. Yet they refused.

The 72 soldiers and supporters of Imam Hussain at the field of kar'bala were the bravest in the history of mankind I have ever read about.

vedaxcool: This article contains a huge lie, muawiyyah was not responsible for Ali death, the Kariwajites who ironically were shias who turned against Ali r. a for accepting arbitration with muawiyyah. Like wise Hussein death had the the despicable hands of hypocrites who pretended to be his followers. A great lesson to learn is standing up for what is right and being careful of the sort of followers u have.

It would have been better if you kept quiet because your post only goes to expose your hypocrisy.you have one finger pointing at others while the remaining four are pointing back at you.

Talking about being careful about the sort of followers you have,can we start talking about certain individuals you shield under the cloak and title of "sahaba" to silence others? The sort of followers that would disobey the orders of the Prophet of God and insult him by calling him delirious? Please just stop there because you cant endure these facts and you may need Big Daddy to start hiding posts and banning people

A leader is held accountable for his own actions and not for the wrong actions of his followers who refuse to reflect his principles.

For your info,Imam Hussain (as) knew his loyal followers and also the hypocrites,but yet nothing deterred him from rejecting the rule of tyranny,oppression and injustice,and standing up for his right and that of Islam.

For your info too,the man who started the Tawwabun (penitents) movement was a companion of the Prophet (sa) by the name of Sulayman Ibn Surad (ra).do you also want to condemn him among the hypocrites of Kufa,or do you want to see the truth that the Kufan hypocrites had no faith at all and belonged to no religion? he started this movement out of guilt for not defending Imam Hussain (as) in Karbala.this movement was aimed at redemption and seeking forgiveness for not yielding to the call of Imam Hussain (as),as many of the people of Kufa also failed to defend Imam Hussain (as).some had shortcomings,some out of fear and intimidation,while others (the hypocrites) out of pure treachery and love of money.yet still,a Kufan Shia, like Hani Ibn Urwa (ra) sacrificed his life for embracing Imam Hussain's (as) call.the Kufans were the good,the bad and the ugly,at that time.

The truth is loyalty and treachery are found in people of different faiths and creeds.nonetheless the choice of people between right and wrong is not what determine what is truth and falsehood,nor does it judge which principles or creed is the best to follow in the path of God.Imam Ali (as) beautifully puts it: "know the truth and you will know those who follow it".in other words it is not the actions of people that defines truth and falsehood,but it is the truth that defines what people follow.