Zaheer Zaidi for BeyondHeadlines
Mightiest power cannot defeat you, if you are fighting for truth and justice. – Imam Hussain
After establishing his credentials through his character, honesty, sincerity and championship of humanity for 40 years, Holy Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) declared prophet-hood in 610 A.D. His own family became his enemy when he said there was no god except Allah. He was tortured, terrorized and persecuted for 13 years continually. The Prophet did not retaliate. Instead, he migrated secretly to Medina at a distance of 435 Km, in the darkness of night leaving his cousin over his bed. When he saw that condition in Mecca became too hostile to live at peace. When his enemies attacked him at Medina, he fought a Jehad (Dharma Yudh) in his defense. Slowly and gradually, the Arabs (Quraish Tribe) influenced by the merits of his teachings, embraced Islam convincingly. Abu Sufyan, his worst enemy too accepted Islam albeit not being motivated but to save his life. He looked forward to an opportunity for revenge. He considered Ali as his worst enemy. Since Ali defeated him in every jehad. The Prophet passed away in 632 A.D. His successor, Hazrat Abu Bakr died natural death. But Omar, the 2nd caliph, Usman, the 3rd and Ali the 4th caliphs were killed. Imam Hasan, Holy Prophet’s elder grand son was poisoned.
Yazeed, grandson of Abu Sufyan, took over reigns of mighty Arab Empire after 50 years of sad demise of Holy Prophet and proclaimed himself as 6th caliph of Islam after Muaviya had declared himself as 5th. Simultaneously, declared he did not believe in Wahi (Quranic revelations), Kaba and Holy Prophet SA. Arabs were known fighting generations together. Yazeed pledged to take revenge of his grandfather. He had nefarious plans to undo reforms brought about by the Prophet. His apprehension was that Imam Hussain (a.s.) grandson of Rasool Allah (s.a.w.) will come in his way. Thus he wanted bayet (allegiance) from him. Allegiance was an unconditional stamp of approval of Yazeed’s deeds. Obviously, Imam Hussain disagreed. He left Medina for Mecca and thereafter finally for Kufa, capital of his father Ali (a.s.). On his way, he was intercepted and forcibly brought to Karbala with his family and companions. Upon arrival at Karbala, he purchased a piece of land on the bank of river Furaat and pitched his tents there. However, he was coerced to remove his tents away from the river. Adding insult and woes to injury, his food and water supply was also stopped from 7th Moharram.
Yazeed was confident that Imam Hussain will yield under the pressure. But his tortures boosted the confidence and conviction of Imam Hussain and his companions. On the night of 9th Moharram, Imam Hussain put off his lamps and allowed his companions to leave him alone if they so wanted as Yazeed was after his blood only. He (Yazeed) had nothing against anyone except Hussain. However, no one left him. It is necessary to mention that Yazeed’s empire was the biggest empires of his time. Imam Hussain (a.s.) had 71 members of his family and friends including an 80 year old friend and six month old child. All of them were hungry and thirsty for three days, surrounded by a strong army of 30,000 soldiers.
Imam Hussain laid down his life along with his companions giving the message that “cause is supreme”. Mightiest power cannot defeat you, if you are fighting for truth and justice. After killing men folks, tents of Imam Hussain were set ablaze. Women folk were arrested. And presented before Yazeed, who could not face onslaught of powerful speech of Janab Zainab, sister of Imam Hussain, his own courtiers questioned him why he killed Imam Hussain, for whom Holy Prophet used to say ‘Hussain minni una minal Hussain’. Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. Whoever displeases Hussain, he displeases me. Displeasing Prophet was like displeasing Allah. Yazeed left the court blaming Ibne Zyad, Governor of Kufa, for carnage of Karbala. It is necessary to compare family background of Imam Hussain and Yazeed. Hussain’s (paternal) grandfather was Hazrat Abu Talib, uncle of Holy Prophet who brought up Prophet Mohammed after his father’s death. Abdullah, father of prophet died, when he was 5 year old. Hussain’s father was Hazrat Ali, 1st cousin and son-in-law of Holy Prophet, and 4th Caliph of Islam. Shia Muslims consider him 1st Imam. He is stream source of Sufism. Yazeed was grandson of Abu Sufyan who led entire attacks against prophet. Yazeed’s grandmother Hinda chewed lever of Hazrat Hamza, uncle of Holy Prophet, when was killed in Junge Ohad. Abu Sufyan forbade Rasool SA from Umrah and forced Him to Sign Hodaibia treaty. Yazeed’s father Muawiya, was appointed by Hazrat Omar as governor of Damascus. But he declared ruler himself ruler. Yazeed’s mother was Nomad Christian. Her family tree is not available.
Yazeed raided Medina 2 years after massacre of Karbala. Used Masjid-e-Nabawi as stable for horses of his army. Women were raped, 1000 women became pregnant. After attacking Medina he tried to raise Kaba. One wall of Kaba was pulled down. Meanwhile, Yazeed passed away. His army ran away. Yazeed’s own son Muawiya Ibne Yazeed refused to take over the reign of his father, and commented that he would not propagate the legacy of the worst tyrant and the terrorist of his time. Now, there is no trace Yazeed’s grave; whereas, Pilgrims from all over World throng at the Mausoleum of Hussain. Indian Hindus too do not lag behind. Mr. Shiv Kumar Misra, brother of Late Justice V D Misra who saved several Hussainy Imam Bargah after independence, is leaving for Karbala Pilgrimage with his friends on November 25. Volumes of books are available over unparallel sacrifice of Imam Hussain. However, quoting a few remarks of renowned thinkers and philosophers as under:
Mahatma Gandhi:
“My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain, the great saint.”
Dr. Rajendra Prasad:
“The sacrifice of imam Hussain is not limited to one country or nation, but it is the hereditary state of the brotherhood of all mankind.”
Rabindranath Tagore:
“In order to keep alive justice and truth, instead of an army or weapons, success can be achieved by sacrificing lives, exactly what Imam Hussain did.”
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru:
“Imam Hussain’s sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of righteousness.”
Mrs. Sarojini Naidu:
“I congratulate Muslims that from among them, Hussain a great human being was born, who is revered and honored totally by all communities.”
Dr. Radha Krishnan:
“Though Imam Hussain gave his life almost 1300 years ago, but his indestructible soul rules the hearts of people even today.”
Swami Shankaracharya:
“It is Hussain`s sacrifice that has kept Islam alive or else in this world there would be no one left to take Islam’s name.”
Sir William Muir (1819-1905):
“The tragedy of karbala decided not only the fate of the caliphate but of the Mohammedan kingdoms long after the Caliphate had waned and disappeared.”
(Annals of the Early Caliphate, London, 1883, pp.441-2)
Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) – British historian
“In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hussain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.”
(Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911, volume 5, pp.391-2)
Robert Durey Osborn (1835-1889) – Major of the Bengal Staff Corps:
“Hussain had a child named Ali Asghar, only 6 month old. He had accompanied his father in this terrible march. Touched by his cries, he took the infant in his arms and wept. At that instant, a shaft from the hostile ranks pierced the child`s ear and he expired in his father’s arms. Hussain placed the little corpse upon the ground. We come from God and we return to Him, he cried”
