MAULANA Muhammad Ali Johar’s epic poem: “The murder of Hussain is actually the death of Yazid, Islam lives after every Karbala” covers a complete chapter of Islamic history. It is the only war in the history of the world in which the vanquished was declared the winner and the one who claimed victory, was judged by posterity as the loser. The tragedy of Karbala took place on 10 Muharram 61 Hijri i.e. 10 October 680 CE. In this heart-rending episode, a handful of companions and family members of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (R.A.), the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him), met Yazid’s massive horde and were martyred.
Following the death of Caliph Muawiyah in 680, his son Yazid took over the reins of government. Imam Hussain (R.A.) refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid because according to the agreement between his brother Imam Hassan (R.A.) and Hazrat Muawiyah, the caliphate was to pass on to Imam Hussain (R.A.). Yazid violated the solemn agreement and his usurpation of the caliphate was denounced by Imam Hussain (R.A.), subsequently, the people of Kufa invited Imam Hussain (R.A.) that if he came to Kufa, they would help him in gaining his rightful position. Imam Hussain (R.A.) left for Kufa along with his family and a small retinue.
Sadly, the people of Kufa reneged on their promise of support, while Yazid’s army ambushed Imam Hussain’s caravan and besieged it, denying them of food and water. Yazid’s legion was led by Al-Hurr ibn-e-Yazid al-Tamimi.In this battle, Imam Hussain (RA) with his loyal companions faced the much larger army of Yazid. Deprived of food and water, the beloved grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his family members and loyal companions, along with his six-month-old son Ali Asghar (RA) welcomed death in this battle between truth and falsehood. The cursed assassins separated the head from the blessed body of the Prophet’s grandson and announced victory, brandishing his head on a spear.The women of Imam Hussain’s house were arrested and taken to Damascus, but history never forgave Yazid for this barbarity and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (R.A.) as it is remembered by Muslims all over the world, whether they are Shia or Sunni. Ashura Day is observed with great reverence as the martyrdom of Hussain (R.A.). The spirit of sacrifice in Islam, which started with Hazrat Ismail (R.A.), reached its peak on the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (R.A.).
Allama Iqbal,in Bal e Jibril, while talking of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (R.A.), says: Haqeeqat-e-abadi hey maqaam-e-Shabbiri, Badaltey rehtey hei’n andaaz-e-kufi-o-shami, Hussain (R.A.) was the symbol of devotion to truth and love for God. The inspiring glory of his martyrdom is an eternal certainty that will forever provide guidance to drive our conduct. It represents truth that never changes. Whereas the shenanigans of the ilk that ruled Kufa and Syria continue to change garbs and use new tricks to gain ascendency through deceit, expediency, manoeuvring, and cruelty. It is a pity that we Muslims pay more attention to lamenting and crying over the martyrdom of Hussain (R.A.) instead of the lesson that Imam Hussain (R.A.) taught us through the great sacrifice of his life that Muslims can have their head chopped off but never bow in the face of coercion.
In this regard, the speech of Sayyida Zainab (R.A.) bint Ali, the sister of Imam Hussain (R.A.), in the court of Yazid is of historical significance because Sayyida Zainab (R.A.), while maintaining the legacy of her maternal grandfather and father, challenged Yazid with courage. After the tragedy of Karbala, when the severed heads of the family of the Prophet (PBUH) and the martyrs of Karbala were presented to Yazid in Damascus, according to tradition,Yazid asked, “Who is this woman?” Bibi Zainab interjected: “Why are you asking them?Ask me and I will tell you. I am the granddaughter of Muhammad and the daughter of Fatima.” After that, Sayyida Zainab started her address: “In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful.
All praises are for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace be upon my grandfather who is the leader of the messengers of Allah and peace be upon his children. O Yazid, do you think that we are forced to face humiliation and disgrace by the martyrdom of our people and by becoming your prisoners? Do you understand that after killing venerable persons, you yourself have become respectable and Allah’s special grace and mercy is with you? You are forgetting what Allah says. O disbelievers, do not think that we are giving you respite, we are giving you leeway to increase your sins, after which a humiliating punishment will be your destiny.”(Surah Al-Imran verse 187).
Sayyidah Zainab went on: “O sons of those who are freed! Is it fair that you keep your women and slaves separate, but you have given the daughters of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) riding on fast camels and handing them over to the enemies to roam from city to city.” Regarding the martyrs of Karbala, Sayyida Zainab said: “A day will come when Allah will save all the children of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) and gather them together and enter Paradise. This is what Allah has promised in the Holy Quran that those who are killed in the way of Allah should not be called dead and they are alive in the presence of their Lord.”
Zainab bint Ali continued: “the battle of Karbala will have a positive impact on history. I am sure that Jihad in the way of Allah will have an eternal effect. O Yazid, no matter how much you use deceit, I can swear by Allah that you will never be able to erase the stain of the humiliation and disgrace you have earned.” The battle of Karbala was indeed a tragic incident in the history of Islam. Reverence and exaltation became the destiny of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) while Yazid became the symbol of tyranny and barbarism. People quote the example of Hussain’s patience whenever they are oppressed, while he is also idealized by non-Muslims. Nelson Mandela praised Hussain (R.A.) and his determination of standing in front of an oppressed system. Thus, Imam Hussain (R.A.) lives on in history as a beacon of hope for the oppressed and downtrodden.
—The writer is a Retired Group Captain of PAF, who has written several books on China.
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