"Why do the 'Shia' Place so Much Emphasis on Imam Hussain and The Battle of Karbala?"
November 29, 2011 at 12:11pm
From Facebook
Many people wonder, and ask the following question time and time again: Why do the 'Shia' place so much emphasis on the Battle of Karbala and the death of Imam Hussain (a.s)? But the more appropriate question is: Why don't we all, as Muslims, commemorate this event together?
The events that occurred in the Battle of Karbala, and the lead up to it, are narrated in both Shia and Sunni sources. It is not a point of Shia-Sunni conflict, because Imam Hussain (a.s) is the grandson of our Prophet (PBUH). Muharram is a time that should be commemorated together because Imam Hussain (a.s) sacrificed everything He had for our sake - the future generations of Muslims. His sacrifice on the plains of Karbala was purely so Islam would be kept alive.
The proof behind these statements, is all found in the history behind this great event: Yazeed, who was a drunkard, oppressor, and an illegitimately born son of Muawiyah seized the government of Islam, and claimed to be the representative of the entire religion at the time (the Khalifah). The position of the Khalifah in Islam is vital, as they are meant to be the most suitable person to represent, implement and teach Islam to the common people. If someone like Yazeed got the approval of the Holy Prophet's family, His crimes would have been left unquestioned, and the practises of 'Islam' would have been changed to suit Yazeed's dictatorship. This would have resulted in severe consequences. The very foundations of Islam would have been corrupted, as Yazeed's only interest was power, and his practise's were those that directly opposed the teachings of Islam. We would've lost the concept of Haraam and Halal; the Quran and Sunnah would have been abandoned. Islam, which was still a very NEW religion, would have forever been changed, and the divine teachings and efforts of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) would have been lost.
It is because of this very reason that Imam Hussain (a.s) revolted against Yazeed, and refused to pay Him allegiance, because He saw that the potential consequences were severe. To achieve Imam Hussain's approval would have been victory for Yazeed, as He would therefore have permission to seize power in the name of religion, and not be stopped by anyone. Because Imam Hussain (a.s) was the beloved grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and was known amongst all the Arab lands, Yazeed forced Imam Hussain (a.s) to either submit to his illegal government, or be killed.
Imam Hussain (a.s) refused to give into injustice, and saw it His duty as an Imam to defend and protect the future of Islam. Because of this, the family of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) were isolated by the government, and were forcefully driven out of their homes to the scorching desert of Karbala, in Iraq. Though Imam Hussain (a.s) only had an army of 72 men and was accompanied by his women and children, Yazeed still sent an army of thousands of men to kill Imam Hussain (a.s) and all those that defended Him for the sake of Islam.
Imam Hussain (a.s) and His family, were left without food or water for three days, brutally slaughtered, their bodies trampled by the hooves of the enemy's horses, and not even Imam Hussain's 6 month old infant, Ali Asghar, was spared. The women and children, who were now orphans and widows, had their tents burnt after their men were murdered, they were taken as prisoners and captives, and made to walk from the current day Iraq to Syria, to the palace of Yazeed where they were humiliated after their great loss.
This huge sacrifice of Imam Hussain (a.s) was done, KNOWING that all of the above would happen, but Imam Hussain (a.s), the beloved son of the last Messenger of God, still refused to give into the injustice that would destroy our religion from its roots. This is precisely why Imam Hussain's women and children accompanied Him on this great journey - to make a statement: He did not fight for the sake of worldly power, but He and His family fought purely to defend Islam, and to show the future generations to come that this war was not like any other. This sacrifice was done for our sake, to make a revolution that would SHAKE humanity into realising that there is a distinction between TRUE Islam and the infiltrated version that the people had seized for the sake of power. Because of this stand, the religion lived on, as people came to realise the truth after the murder of the Holy Prophet's family.
Not only did Imam Hussain (a.s) save our religion, He did it in such a way, that He left his mark on humanity and inspired great revolutionists forever to come. He did this by implementing the true values of our religion that Yazeed attempted to destroy, even in the times of utmost difficulty and oppression. We as humans complain when we are tested by Allah swt, but Imam Hussain (a.s) saw His every family member - His sons, nephews, and brothers - brutally murdered before His very own eyes, whilst knowing His own death still awaited Him. Yet through this tragedy, He taught lessons of immense bravery, patience, courage, compassion, true love of Allah swt, forgiveness, and most importantly: to never give in to injustice. Imam Hussain (a.s) repeatedly on the day of Ashura tried to remind the enemies about the religion of God, to serve only Allah swt, and up until His dying breath still praised and thanked Allah swt.
Apart from the month of Muharram being a reminder to us about the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain (a.s), what accompanies this is being reminded of the true beauty of our religion, as demonstrated so perfectly by Imam Hussain (a.s). It is a time for us to weep and appreciate this great sacrifice. The tears we cry cleanse our spiritual souls, and create a yearning within us to strive towards Allah swt, in the same way Imam Hussain (a.s) did. It is the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to weep over His son Imam Hussain (a.s). The rewards of this act are mentioned in the following narrations:
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: "O' Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husain (a.s) for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise."
Bihar al-Anwar, vol,: 44;pg,:293.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said to Lady Fatimah (s.a): "On the Day of Judgment, you shall intercede for the ladies and I shall intercede for the men; every person who has wept over the tragedy of Husain (a.s), we shall take him by the hand and lead him into Paradise."
Bihar al-Anwar vol. 44,pg. 292.
Thus, though Imam Hussain (a.s) and His family were brutally killed, victory surely lies with Imam Hussain (a.s). Because more than 1300 years later His sacrifice is still remembered, His tragedy is mourned as though it happened yesterday, and He is the inspiration behind many revolutions that exist up until this very day. Many people have converted to the path of Islam upon hearing the extent of Imam Hussain's complete submission to God, and the perfected Islamic values He implemented throughout His life, and ultimately on the Day of Ashura. Has humanity ever seen an accomplishment as great as this?
In conclusion, when love of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Allah swt encompasses one's heart, it is impossible not to feel saddened by this tragedy that inflicted pain upon the Prophet's progeny. When one comes to realise the extent of this tragedy, and the fact that it is the reason Islam is alive today - how can we resort to saying commemorating Muharram is a secetarian or a 'Shia' ritual? It is a time that all Muslims together should unite and mourn this tragedy out of the love of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and His family, and be reminded of the beautiful essence of our religion.
As an Egyptian (Sunni) writer, Abdul Rahman Al Sharqawi says:
"Hussain is a martyr for religion and freedom. The 'Shia' alone should not be proud of the name of Hussain, but rather, ALL free men and women of the world should be proud of this honourable name."
courtesy
www.facebook.com/notes/the-teachings-life-of-imam-ali-as/...
