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The Spirit of Imam Husain's Martyrdom
The Spirit of Imam Husain's Martyrdom
government. The consequences of his bold stand are known to every one.
The fact which Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh)
wanted to emphasize by plunging
himself into grave danger and enduring its consequences heroically was
that the
fundamental features of the Islamic State are valuable assets.
It would not be a bad bargain, if a believer sacrificed his life and
get
his family members slain for preserving this valuable object. A believer
should not hesitate to sacrifice all that he
possesses for preventing the
changes which constitute a serious danger to the religion of al-Islam and
the Muslim
Community which is a custodian of the constitutional values.
One is at liberty to contemptuously disregard it as merely a
maneuver for
securing power, but in the eyes of Imam Husain bin Ali (radiyallahu anh),
it was primarily a religious
obligation. He, therefore, laid down his life
in this cause gaining the crown of martyrdom.
sends him to the gallows, stones him to death, or stains the earth with
his blood. Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) brings this
fact home to the
worldly persons that life does not mean just living, no matter how. He
asserts that life sometimes means
to live and sometimes to surrender it.
event took place. If the martyrdom is not associated with any high ideal,
it is meaningless to say that the mourning continues
for centuries on personal
grounds. If viewed in correct perspective, one may well ask what value
Imam Husain (radiyallahu
gaining political power for themselves. If, for arguments sake this viewpoint
is taken for granted that members of Bani
Hashim had a claim for power,
even then the 50-years history, from Hazrat Abu Bakrs (radiyallahu anh)
Caliphate down to
the period of Hazrat Amir Muawiyah, bears evidence that
waging war and causing bloodshed merely to seize power had
never been their
motive. As a logical corollary, one has to admit that Imam Husains keep
eye discerned symptoms of decay
and corruption in the system of the Islamic
State, and the felt impelled to resist these evil forces. He even deemed
it his duty
to wage war in this connection, as the situation so warranted.
love for life and its luxuries. He laid down his life, being the only asset
with the lover of Truth, but he never stretched his
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 cause
of Jihad and Truth.
In spite of being helplessly besieged by enemy with members of family,
relatives, and friends witnessing his own kith and
kin wailing and shrieking
with the intensity of thirst and hunger and later lifting with his own
hands their bodies stained with
blood. Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) never
swerved from the path of truth, even for a moment. In short, he underwent
these calamities, being tacitly grateful to Allah Taala. Those who are
surcharged with the intoxication of devotion and love
willingly accept
a cup of poison from the hands of their friends in preference to the cup
of honey and elixir. Even today,
every particle of the dust of Karbala
gives the lesson of patience and endurance of those who keep their ears
open to listen to
its message.
Imam Husain (radiyallahu anh) was the torchbearer of absolute values.
He lived, fought, and sacrificed his life in defense of
these ideals. He
lit an ever-lasting beacon light for humanity by his heroic struggle for
Truth and righteousness that could not
be extinguished even after his death.
The glorious example of his life enables mankind to purify the social life
and checking
the evil that brings corruption into the body politic. This
light is a source of guidance in every walk of human life.
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Copyright 1996 Al Adaab: Living Islam According to the Minhaj of the True Salaf as Salihoon