Imam Husain"s Revolution: Analytical Review: Part 5
YAZID'S CLAIM
Muawiya was busy preparing the installment of Yazid as his heir in ruling the Muslim world.
In writing to Imam Hussain he found no pleasant answer to his demands. Thus, Muawiya reminded his son to beware of Imam Hussain. Yazid took his father's advice and promptly wrote to his governor at Madina, Al-Waleed ibn Atabah to secure recognition from Imam Hussain. But Al-Waleed's efforts were in vain. Imam Hussain's reply was definite and direct. He said "We the family of the Prophet, the essence of the message and the visiting place of angles . . . While Yazid is a corrupt, drunkard, murderer and fostering his sins. A person like me cannot obey a person like him".
His father arranged Yazid's ascent to power. Thus all the power at his disposal was transferred to Yazid. And the latter used every means to obtain submission for his unholy policies of oppression and aggression. Therefore, Yazid had no legal right whatsoever in his claims and demands. On the contrary, he was responsible for many illegal deeds, which demand scorn and required punishment.
THE REVOLUTION'S MOTIVES
The motives for revolution were numerous. Some were direct grievances of the general people while others were ideological. The following were the most apparent:
1. There were many defects and drawbacks but the most urgent one was the attempt to distort Islamic concepts and ideals. This aspect was of extreme importance and preoccupied the minds of responsible Muslims at the time. The fabrication of Hadith was all too common, which had a poisonous effect on the lives of Muslims. This, was giving the Umayyads for a while a free hand to carry out their inhuman deeds and policies. The mask of religion, which they used to hide their un-Islamic conduct, was extremely dangerous. In the long run, this could have changed Islamic concepts of ruling and inverted social ideals. Thus, stripping off this mask and exposing the true Umayyad's picture was of utmost necessity.
2. The State's structure was built on an un-Islamic basis. Quraish was born to rule, Arabs were second-class citizens, and non-Arabs constituted the base of the society's pyramid. That was the general social picture of the Muslim world under the Umayyads dynasty. Freedom of thought and expression were denied, when one dared to express an opinion contrary to that of the Umayyad's, prison became his home, his property was robbed, and even his life was at stake.
3. The Umayyads considered the Muslim world to be their own property. The alms (Zakat) and other Islamic dues were collected, but no one knows or can question where that money went. Large gifts and donations were given to few cruel governors and tribal chiefs in order to secure their allegiance. Large sums of money were wastefully spent on racing, gambling, winemaking, and buying slave women to entertain high-class people in power. Hence, the majority of Muslims were left near starvation level while the ruling group all enjoyed the social and material privileges.
4. The Muslims had apparently got used to the un-Islamic rule of the Umayyads as time passed by. Their resistance slackened and some people began adjusting themselves to the new conditions. Hence, the revolutionary spirit of Islam began to disappear gradually from Muslim's lives and thoughts. Therefore, a new stimulant to their souls was necessary to activate their lives and try to restore, Islamic conduct to the society.
THE REVOLUTION'S PROCEDURE
Imam Hussain made no doubt of his intentions to fight the regime of the Umayyads. The speeches he delivered at Mecca were consistent. Besides, the will which he entrusted to his brother Mohammad ibn AI-Hanafia who remained at Madina. That will, in fact, was a formal declaration of the revolution. He (p.b.u.h.). Wrote, "I am not campaigning for unwillingness to accept righteousness, or having intent to do mischief and suppress people. Indeed, I have decided to reform my grandfather's nation. I want to enjoin what is right and forbid dishonor. People who accept my call for being right, and then God is the Master of righteous people. Those who reject my call, and then I shall be steadfast till God passes His Judgment. Indeed, God is the best Judge".
During his travels to Karbala, he never ceased calling people to strive for the Islamic ideals of social justice and government, and to wage war against deviation from Islamic conduct.
In his speech (p.b.u.h.) at Karbala, he quoted the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) saying "He who sees a cruel governor violating Gods law, breaking his covenant, acting in contrast to the Tradition of the Prophet, mischievous and suppressing people, then he does not try to change that ruler by action or speech; indeed God has promised with an appropriate place in Hell". "O people those Umayyads have pledged allegiance to the Devil and left God's obedience. They have spread corruption, suspended the application of Islamic laws, and taken to themselves Muslim's wealth. Besides forbidding what is permitted and allowing what is forbidden."
Imam Hussain's speeches were aiming directly at stripping the religious mask of the Umayyad's regime. He was, introducing himself to people and explaining his message to the nation. Indeed, the personality of Imam Hussain and his religious reputation was beyond question or doubt. Therefore, no wonder of carrying such a great task while many distinguished people were not ready to raise a finger.
Any objective study of this great revolution will show that something unique about its procedure and results. The leader predicts his own death before even setting a foot in the march! But, he goes on carrying out all necessary preparations for his campaign. Imam Hussain's address to the people at Mecca was this: "O people, as if my body be cut to pieces by spears and wolves between Al-Nawawees and Karbala. ... There is no question of the day, which was already written. God's satisfaction is our aim, we the family of the Prophet".
The way Imam Hussain and his Companions fought was a glorious record of bravery and nobility. They were only seventy fighting men against thousands of the Umayyad's Army. Even with this imbalance of fighting power, the Umayyad's Army used the most vicious and ignoble methods in fighting this tiny camp. The Umayyad's Army went to the extent of preventing them drinking water and kept them for three days tortured in the burning heat of the desert. But, the firm faith of Imam Hussain and his followers in their cause was never shaken. Thus they set an ever-shining torch of Jihad against deviation from Islamic conduct and smashed the myth of the Umayyads of keeping allegiance to deviated regimes.
To be continued ...
Other Links:
Imam Hussains Revolution: Part 1
Meeting between Habeeb bin Muzhaahir and Meesam-e-Tammar
Umar bin Saad in Krabal
