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THE TRADEGY OF KARBALA
The events of Karbala reflect the collision of the good versus the
evil, the virtuous versus the wicked, the collision of Imam Husain (the
head of virtue) versus Yazid (the head of impiety). Al-Husain was a
revolutionary person, a righteous man, the religious authority, the
Imam of Muslim Ummah. As the representative of his grandfather Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh), Imam Husain's main concern was to safeguard and
protect Islam and guide fellow Muslims. On the other hand, the staying
power of the rulers (Mu'awiya and his son Yazid) depended solely on the
might of the sword. They used brute force to rule over the Muslim
empire even by all possible illicit means. Imam Husain as head of
Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) never recognized Mu'awiya nor his followers. Before
him Imam Ali (a.s.) had fought battles against Mu'awiya because
Mu'awiya continuously violated the Islamic principles. Imam Al-Hasan
(a.s.) had to swallow the bitter pill of making a peace agreement with
Mu'awiya, in order to safeguard the security of the Ummah which was at
stake. When Yazid son of Mu'awiya declared himself as a ruler over the
Ummah, he demanded Imam Al-Husain's (a.s.) allegiance of loyalty. Imam
Husain on his part flatly rejected Yazid's rule and behavior, for there
was no way Yazid could represent Islam, it would be blasphemy. But
Yazid, the tyrant ruler over the Ummah, was adamant in his demand, and
tension between the two parties increased day by day. Imam Husain
was quick to realize that giving allegiance of loyalty to Yazid would
serve no purpose but to jeopardize the survival of Islam. To safeguard
and protect Islam, therefore, the Imam had no choice but to confront
and collide with Yazid's rulership irrespective of consequences. Since
Yazid had ordered his commanders to seize the Imam's allegiance of
loyalty at any cost, even by brutal force, the commanders had to
assemble a relatively large army, surrounding Imam Husain's camp in a
desert called Karbala. Then they cut off the basic necessities to the
camp, including access to water. The camp consisted of Imam Husain, his
family, friends, and companions, all of whom stood fast and firmly with
him. These braves would rather face death for the noble cause of Islam,
than submit to the outrageous tyranny and the un-Islamic ways of
Yazid. Thus, Karbala proved to be a clash involving Islamic truths
versus falsehood, right versus wrong, belief versus disbelief, the
oppressed versus the oppressor, faith against brute force. Karbala was
about standing in the face of oppression, regardless no matter the
cost. Thus, in Karbala, Al-Husain the 57 year old grandson of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh), sacrificed his totality and all he had, for one goal.
This goal was to let the truth triumph over falsehood eventually, and
he did that brilliantly. His goal was to foil the plan that Mu'awiya
had expertly developed for his son, Yazid, which was to establish a
permanent Benu Umayya rulership over the Muslim Ummah (even by
sacrificing the Islamic principles), but doing it in the name of Islam.
Brilliantly, Imam Husain succeeded in foiling this plan and he exposed
the disreputable nature of Benu Umayya though this was at the expense
of his life.
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IMAM HUSAIN'S SERMON ON THE DAY OF ASHURA
Before
the fire of the battle broke out, Ima`m al-Husayn thought that he had
to establish proof for those corrupt people, to refute their
justifications, and to make them understand clearly their affairs, so
he, peace be on him, ordered his horse to be brought to him. He rode it
and walked toward them in a highly impressive manner which was similar
to that of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and
his family. He delivered among them his historical sermon, which is the
purest and most eloquent one in Arabic literature. He called them at
the top of his voice to make them all hear his words. He said to them:
"People, listen to my words and do not hurry (to attack me) so that I
may remind you of the duties you have towards me and so that (by
telling you the true circumstances) I may free myself from any blame in
(your attacking me). If you give me justice, you will become happier
through that. If you do not give me justice of your own accord (as
individuals), then agree upon your affairs (and your associates); let
not your affairs be in darkness to you. Then carry (it) out against me
and do not reflect (any further). Indeed my guardian is Allah, Who sent
down the Book; He takes care of the righteous."
The air carried Ima`m al-Husayn's words to the womenfolk of the Prophet
and they lamented loudly, so the Ima`m sent to them his brother
al-'Abba`s and his son 'Ali and said to them: "Calm them. By my life,
their weeping will be very much." When they became quiet, he went on
delivering his sermon. He praised and glorified Allah, and he called
down blessings upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family,
and said concerning that countless words. No speaker has ever been
heard before or after him more eloquent in his speech than he was. 1He
continued: "People, indeed Allah, the Most High, created this world and
made it the abode of annihilation and vanishing. It changes its
inhabitants from state to state, so the conceited one is he whom it
deludes, and the miserable one is he whom it charms. So let not this
world delude you because it cuts off the hope of him who has confidence
in it and despairs the greediness of him who desires for it. I see that
you have unanimously agreed on an affair through which you have made
Allah angry with you, turn his Holy Face away from you, and send down
his vengeance upon you. So the best lord is our Lord, and you are the
worst slaves! You acknowledged obedience (to Allah) and believed in the
Prophet Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, and then you have
crept against his progeny and his family, you want to kill them. Satan
has wholly engaged you, so he has made you forget the remembrance of
Allah, the Almighty. So woe to you and to what you want! To Allah we
belong and to Him is our return. These are people who have disbelieved
(in Allah) after their belief (in Him). So away with the oppressive
people!" read more
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