Imam Hussein (A.S) and the Renewal of Islam

As the mourning period of Ashura passes, one might pose this important question: "Why the need for this commemoration? And why must we again speak of a revolution that took place some fourteen centuries ago?"

In his revolution, Imam Hussein (A.S) indeed exemplified the core message of his grandfather Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), He represented the viable translation of all the values and principles that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strived for, The enemies of the Prophet asked his uncle Abu Talib to tell him that if he abandons his mission, he will receive a grand compensation, The Prophet replied, "Oh dear uncle, if they set the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left at the expense of renouncing this mission, I will never do so unless Allah makes this message triumph or I die conveying it1."

The profound principles that the Prophet fought for and established were tampered with and distorted by the Umayyad dynasty, hence prompting Imam Hussein (A.S) to salvage the faith of his grandfather by recompensing the imbalance and correcting the depravity brought forth by the Umayyad dynasty, In his struggle to rectify the faith of his grandfather, Imam Hussein (A.S) became the voice of his grandfather and the entire camp of righteousness when he revolted against the Umayyad tyranny.

Imam Hussein (A.S) message as he fought for justice and freedom is universal and should not be confined to Muslims only, It is a message that magnifies the vision of all free peoples and nations, Imam Hussein (A.S) teaches the free and conscientious people of our world how to reject a life girded with humiliation and tyrannical rule, Imam Hussein (A.S) most powerfully rejected a life of humiliation when he said, "And I have to choose between sacrificing my life and yielding to a life of humiliation, but it is impossible for us (the family of the Prophet) to accept a life of humiliation2." Furthermore, it is Imam Hussein (A.S) who pioneered the path of sacrifice, and taught us how to sacrifice ourselves for dignity. He demonstrated to us that a nation who fears an oppressor will not live a dignified life.

When Imam Hussein (A.S) was approached by some who were questioning his motivation, they were blind to his visionary goals, for they were extremely limited in their ability to analyze his presage of the future; The Imam struck their minds and hearts with an Islamic principle from the Prophet --an uncompromising stance against oppression. He made a call to awaken the oblivious nation of his grandfather by quoting the Prophet, "He who witnesses an oppressive dictator, exercising despotism, but does nothing about the situation, not even by either words or actions, it will be the right of Allah to take such person into the same entry [of the tyrant] (Hell-fire)3."

We believe that a prophet or messenger only dies physically and his message continues for eternity. We also believe that Imam Hussein (A.S) message was immortalized. Only to remember Imam Hussein (A.S) is enough to charge millions of masses with a will to seek freedom and revolt against oppression. When we commemorate Imam Hussein (A.S) as a character and an epitome, we will indeed be apt to derive strength and renewal for our own dynamism. As long as aggression persists to suffocate the voice of justice in this world, therein shall be a commemoration for Hussein (A.S).

Source: imamreza.net

Notes:

1. Bihar Al-Anwar, Volume 35, Page 87

2. Tuhaf Al-Uqool, Page 58

3. Hayat Al-Imam Hussein, Volume 2, Page 271

Other links:

Imam Hussein’s Important Speech in the Morning of Ashura

Karbala, the Pleasure of Allah