The Holy Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said: “The best of Jihad is that of a word of right spoken to an unjust ruler.” We do remember the tragedy of Karbala but certainly forget the message of the great martyr Imam Hussain (as). The events of Karbala reflect the collision of the good versus the evil, the virtuous versus the wicked. Imam Hussain (as) taught us all how to stand up and resist tyranny.
Karbala is the killing fields where the grandson of the Prophet and his family were killed by the leader of the Ummayad dynasty. The supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain needs to be remembered as a continuous struggle for the freedom of humankind from the clutches of oppression. Imam Hussain knew that the army of 10,000 would crush him and his family. He knew that the Ummayads were not known to show mercy to those who had challenged them. He knew that if the rulers had no regard for human life they would brutalize anyone they considered their enemy. He knew his end before taking the epic decision to challenge the despotic regime. It was to stand for the principles of justice, freedom, and human dignity. It was to stand for the equality of all before the divine law. It was for accountability and decency in public life. The Ummayads had usurped political power through force. They had the resources to enlist the support of hundreds of people claiming to be scholars supporting their claim to power in the name of God and his messenger. They had turned the sayings of the Prophet into a political tool to justify their political actions. They had used the state treasury to win people over to their side by offering them money and in many cases intimidating others who did not fall in line with them.
Each Karbala is the revival of Islam, Karbala the garden of swords, blood and inspiration for innumerable pens.
When Yazeed took over elected popular democracy was changed into the family hereditary monarchy public funds were displaced at the personal disposal of the ruler moral and financial corruption was introduced to the system.Political freedom and liberty and humans rights were suspended in the society and people were made subjugated to the dictatorial command of the ruler and the monopolistic dominion of the ruler was being established on human beings. Imam Hussain witnessed the deteriorating political and social situation and clearly recognized that the general policy of the authorities did not abide with Islamic principles. Karbala proved to be a clash involving Islamic truths versus falsehood, belief versus disbelief, and the oppressed versus the oppressor, faith against brute force. M.D.K.Gandhi once said “I learned from Hussain (as) how to achieve victory while being oppressed.” We may not have the same status as the Ahlulbayt, but we have them as our role models. If we continue to strive for the truth and unite against the injustices of our time, we will achieve the mission of carrying on Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS)’s message.
The famous Urdu poet has prophesized: Insaan Ku BedaarTou HoLene Do, HarQaumPukaraygiHamare Hain Hussain. Give mankind a chance to gain consciousness, Every tribe will call out, “Hussain is ours!” Qatl-e-Hussain Asl Main Marg-e-Yazid Hai, Islam ZindaHota Hai Har Karbala Kai Baad, in the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain(AS), indeed is the death of Yazid. For each Karbala is the revival of Islam, Karbala the garden of swords, blood and inspiration for innumerable pens.
( The author a regular contributor of “ Kashmir Horizon” can be mailed at [email protected] views of author are his personal)
