Nature of Umawi (Umayyad) Rule
To illustrate a few
points, it may be stated that the Umayyad’s rule was unIslamic. Any
rule which is based on force and violence can never be Islamic. The
Umayyads crushed the spirit of democratic freedom. They laid the
foundation of their authority on unscrupulous tactics and coercive
methods instead of on mutual consultation and Ijma’ (Consensus). The
Umayyad state craft did not follow the Shari’ah in total, but it was
motivated merely by lust of power and political ends. Such a serious
menace to the basic values of Islam demanded a heroic struggled against
arbitration and a crusade for the vindication of truth and freedom.
Imam Husain’s character — a True Mu’min
These
were the changes that appeared in the wake of converting the Islamic
Khulafat into dynastic imperialism. No one can deny that Yazid’s
nomination as successor to his father was the starting point of all
these transformation. It cannot be gainsaid that after a short span of
time from the point of origin all the corrupt practices mentioned above
came into existence. At the time when this revolutionary step was
adopted, there was no indication of these evils, but a man of vision
could have predicted these inevitable consequences of such a beginning
and that the reforms introduced by Islam in the administration and
political phases of the state would be rendered null and void by these
charges. This is the reason why Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) could
not remain indifferent to this undesirable development. He, therefore,
decided to stem the tide of the evil forces taking the risk of
confronting the worst consequences by rising the revolt against an
established government. The consequences of his bold stand are known to
every one. The fact which Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) wanted to
emphasize by plunging himself into grave danger and enduring its
consequences heroically was that the fundamental features of the
Islamic State are valuable assets. It would not be a bad bargain, if a
believer sacrificed his life and get his family members slain for
preserving this valuable object. A believer should not hesitate to
sacrifice all that he possesses for preventing the changes which
constitute a serious danger to the religion of al-Islam and the Muslim
Community which is a custodian of the constitutional values. One is at
liberty to contemptuously disregard it as merely a maneuver for
securing power, but in the eyes of Imam Husain bin Ali (radiyallahu
‘anh), it was primarily a religious obligation. He, therefore, laid
down his life in this cause gaining the crown of martyrdom.
Imam Husain’s Role
Imam
Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh), Sayyid-ush-Shuhadaa, initiated the holy war
against the oppressive regime of the Umayyads and refused to take the
oath of allegiance to that authority. It is a sacred legacy bequeathed
to posterity by Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) that Muslims should
never submit to any authority which defies the Divine Law, maintains
itself by force and foists it arbitrary decisions on the people at the
cost of inherent freedom. The struggle in this cause does not
necessitate mobilization of men, money and material on the scaled
possessed by the hostile temporal authority. Husain bin Ali
(radiyallahu ‘anh) did not possess the sinews of war. He had the
support of only a small band of helpless and un-armed individuals. A
person entrenched in righteousness and truth does not care for
consequences. The outcome of the struggle lies in the hands of the
power that is always on the side of Justice and Truth. Cruelty
eventually suffers a set back, gains despair and despondency despite
its overwhelming superiority in number and resources. On such
occasions, one surrenders to considerations of expediency through the
agony of the accursed Shaitan who creates doubt in the mind of
defenders of Truth whether the result is worth achieving at cost of
much bloodshed. This can very easily be contradicted. Apart from
numerous instances of Jihad, there is the event of Karbala that is a
glaring example of a fight heroically fought by 62-72 scantily armed
persons against the massive forces of a formidable state. It is true
that Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) saw his kith and kin in utter
distress suffering the agonies of hunger and thirst; witnessed each and
every one of them writhing in dust and blood one after the other; it is
also a fact that he did not even possess the force to wrest a morsel of
bread from the enemy sufficient for their survival, but he eventually
surrendered himself to the Supreme Being, sustaining grave injuries all
over his body. However he came out successfully in the test. His
wounded head was adorned with the crown of victory.
Imam Husain’s Martyrdom and Humanity
Now
the question arises whether Imam Husain’s martyrdom was only the result
of his attempt to seize the throne and the sympathy it evokes in the
readers is the natural reaction to a splendid failure? Or, is this
merely the recalcitrant attitude or unscrupulous policy of a short
tempered leader who, by chance, happened to be the grandson of their
beloved Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) and solely on this account,
do they come out for his defense. Whether this is a heart-rending story
of the ruthless and brutal destruction of a weak party, the narration
of which induces you to burst into tears? The history of the world
provides a number of instances appealing to our sympathy. It is so much
replete with individual and collective incidents of failure and
frustration, on one hand, and those of cruelty and barbarism, on the
other, that the world will not be particularly impressed with the
tragic episode of Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh). No! Imam Husain’s
story does not purport to be anything of this kind. It is in the main,
a story of human dignity; a tale of revealing the essential nobility of
man; an account of a man’s ascent to the peak of grandeur. It presents
a lofty deal of individual and collective human life; it is a
mile-stone in the long journey from beastly slavery to human freedom;
it is a proclamation of Allah’s Kingdom in this ephemeral world; it is
an irrefutable proof of the possibility of its establishment among
human being; it is a beacon light which guides humanity to perfection.
Whenever evil forces make a bid to put out this light with their
breath, the monumental performance of Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh)
intensifies its refulgence. When humanity falters in adhering to the
path of truth and freedom, the example set up by Imam Husain
(radiyallahu ‘anh) gives it a support and comes to its rescue. When the
tyrants proud of their wealth, power, and authority harass the
unassuming and helpless followers of Truth and when the incessant
failure of the champions of truth cast doubt upon the validity of its
claim, Imam Husain’s heroic stand in its cause teaches them the lesson
of perseverance and save them from falling a prey to despair and
despondency. When the rising power of tyrants overawes the individual,
Imam Husain’s example reminds him that the duty of stimulating
resistance against brutal power ultimately devolves on him. It matters
not if for making such an attempt, the enemy offers him a cup of
poison, sends him to the gallows, stones him to death, or stains the
earth with his blood. Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) brings this fact
home to the worldly persons that “life” does not mean just living, no
matter how. He asserts that life sometimes means to live and sometimes
to surrender it.
Real Object of Imam Husain’s Sacrifice
Every
year, in the month of Muharram, millions of Muslims mourn Imam Husain’s
martyrdom. It is regretable that among those mourners, there are very
few persons who focus their attention on the real cause for which Imam
Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) not only sacrificed his own life, but also
the lives of his kith and kin. It is but natural for the adherents and
devoted followers of a man to feel grieved at his martyrdom. This sort
of sentiment does not carry much of moral value; it is nothing but a
spontaneous reaction of the mind of his relations and sympathizers. But
the point at issue is what is the special feather of Imam Husain’s
martyrdom that keeps the grief for him afresh although about 1,400
years have elapsed since this tragic event took place. If the martyrdom
is not associated with any high ideal, it is meaningless to say that
the mourning continues for centuries on personal grounds. If viewed in
correct perspective, one may well ask what value Imam Husain
(radiyallahu ‘anh) himself would attach to such devotion. If his own
person were dearer to him than any ideology or subject, why did he
sacrifice it at all? His sacrifice is a conclusive proof that this
object was dearer to him than his own life. If we do not have a clear
idea of Imam Husain’s purpose, but continue lamentation at each
anniversary of his martyrdom, we can neither expect any appreciation
from Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) on the Day of Resurrection, nor
will it have any value with his Allah.
Let us ask what was
that ideal or object! Did Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) affirm his
claim to succession to the Caliphate and did he stake his life to
vindicate this claim? Any one who knows the high moral standard of Imam
Husain’s household cannot harbor this vile notion that the members of
such a sacred family could have caused bloodshed among the Muslims for
gaining political power for themselves. If, for argument’s sake this
viewpoint is taken for granted that members of Bani Hashim had a claim
for power, even then the 50-year’s history, from Hazrat Abu Bakr’s
(radiyallahu ‘anh) Caliphate down to the period of Hazrat Amir
Mu’awiyah, bears evidence that waging war and causing bloodshed merely
to seize power had never been their motive. As a logical corollary, one
has to admit that Imam Husain’s keep eye discerned symptoms of decay
and corruption in the system of the Islamic State, and the felt
impelled to resist these evil forces. He even deemed it his duty to
wage war in this connection, as the situation so warranted.
Fight Against Falsehood
Turn
over the pages of history! The early period of Islam which is
considered to be the best of all that has elapsed. Even the period of
the true successors to the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) has
terminated. The age of the secular authority, viz., the period of
autocratic government has been ushered in. In flagrant contravention to
the Divine Authority, the Muslim kings look upon the state exchequer as
their person property. In each Muslim State, the monarch fills his
treasury with gold and jewelry and with his political power reinforced
by the power of money he forces this people to obey his arbitrary
commands. Some people submit to him out of fear and others do so to
gain their selfish ends with his help. There is always a hard core of
steadfast Muslims who refuse to yield. The Nabi’s grandson, Imam Husain
(radiyallahu ‘anh), falls in the last category. Persuasion, threats,
and crafty measures were employed, but Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh)
remain adamant. How could Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh), in whose
veins the blood of Hazrat Ali, Sayyidah Fatimah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma),
and Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) was pulsating, who was
Allah-fearing, who had devotion for Truth, treat falsehood at par with
Truth? Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) flatly refused to take bay’ah to
Yazid. In effect, Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) declared that Yazid’s
authority, being in conflict with the Divine Authority, should not be
obeyed by true Muslims. This was the first step in the direction of
martyrdom.
He was driven out of his native place. He could not
live in peace even in Makkah. He, therefore, resolved to migrate to
Iraq. This amounted to a proclamation, on his part, that Yazid’s claim
to authority in the Muslim State was untenable. The idea of submitting
to Yazid was so repugnant to him that he decided to renounced the
security and comforts of his homeland. This was the second step leading
to martyrdom.
On his way to Kufa, at Karbala, Imam Husain
(radiyallahu ‘anh) was intercepted by Yazid’s forces. The small band of
his followers was surrounded by Yazid’s army. This was the last
sacrifice and the final ordeal. He successfully passed the test. Each
and everyone from amongst his relatives and companions were killed one
after another. Children were slain. Finally, Imam Husain (radiyallahu
‘anh), with a mass of wounds and bruises fell down from his horse. His
heart harbored and his lips uttered the belief that “There is no worthy
of worship, except Allah and Absolute authority is vested in Him
alone.” This was martyrdom, the sacrifice of one’s life for the
vindication of Truth. Thirteen centuries have since elapsed, the
example set up by Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) gives and will
continue to give evidence, till eternity that Command rests with Allah
Ta’ala.
Whenever Divine Authority is respected, men will
remember how the grandson of the greatest Benefactor of humanity
sacrificed his life in defense of Truth. In future, when, with the
increase of human knowledge, the obstacles to progress would be removed
and men will be marching confidently to the goal of self-realization,
they would surely recall the glorious sacrifice offered by Imam Husain
(radiyallahu ‘anh) at the altar of Truth. When the human mind will be
rid of ever fear except the fear of Allah, Imam Husain (radiyallahu
‘anh) will be accorded the respect which he deserves and men will often
think how Sayyidah Fatimah’s beloved son displayed the sublimity of
obedience to Allah by the voluntary sacrifice of his own life. Then
alone this helpless man will come into prominence as the ruler of
rulers. This frustrated man would be regarded as the custodian of
religion and faith. Once covered with blood and dust, his head will
become the symbol of absolute submission to Divine Authority and
fearless defiance of any other type of temporal power.
Morals of Imam Husain’s Performance
This
exemplary conduct displayed by Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) teaches
us not to care for consequences. If the temporal authority is
aggressive, sacrifice on the part of followers of Truth becomes all the
more essential. Numerical minority and majority, or the lack of
resources should not deter them to continue their struggle. Grandeur of
coercive government does not carry the seal of Divine approval that it
should necessarily be obeyed. A truth-loving person has to face an
oppressor whether weak or strong.
Adherence to Truth and
Justice is, no doubt, and ordeal. At every step, there is diversion of
attention due to attachment to one’s own life, honor and family. But
Imam Husain’s lofty ideal teaches the believers and sincere followers
of al-Islam that at the ver outset they should take stock of the
strength of their resoluteness, so that these temptations may not prove
a stumbling block immediately after embarking on that mission. Everyone
knows that in the presence of various attachments, the great martyr of
Karbala sacrificed his all at the altar of Truth. All the stages of
ordeals are categorically described in the Holy Qur’an: Allah intends
to test the believers by bringing them under the throes of various
ordeals:
“And surely We shall try you with
something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops;
but give glad tidings to the steadfast. Who say when a misfortune
strikes them: Surely! We are from Allah and surely unto Him we are
returning.” (Surah al-Baqarah, ayats 155, 156)
Fear
and apprehension, hunger and thirst, love of wealth, property, life and
progeny form an acid test for human beings, and as such, the sacrifice
of these interests have been declared an ordeal in the cause of Allah.
The
helpless hero of Karbala had all these stages, at a stretch. He could
have got rid of them within a short span of time and secured relief,
position, grandeur, had he only made a compromise with aggression
government ignoring the dictates of Truth and Justice. Imam Husain
(radiyallahu ‘anh) preferred Allah’s Will to his won personal choice.
Devotion for Truth overcomes love for life and its luxuries. He laid
down his life, being the only asset with the lover of Truth, but he
never stretched his hand for taking bay’ah which could be extended only
in the cause of Truth.
The most valuable lesson that can be
deduced from this grave event is Sabr (perseverance) and determination
in the cause of Jihad and Truth.
In spite of being helplessly
besieged by enemy with members of family, relatives, and friends
witnessing his own kith and kin wailing and shrieking with the
intensity of thirst and hunger and later lifting with his own hands
their bodies stained with blood. Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) never
swerved from the path of truth, even for a moment. In short, he
underwent these calamities, being tacitly grateful to Allah Ta’ala.
Those who are surcharged with the intoxication of devotion and love
willingly accept a cup of poison from the hands of their friends in
preference to the cup of honey and elixir. Even today, every particle
of the dust of Karbala gives the lesson of patience and endurance of
those who keep their ears open to listen to its message.
Imam
Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) was the torchbearer of absolute values. He
lived, fought, and sacrificed his life in defense of these ideals. He
lit an ever-lasting beacon light for humanity by his heroic struggle
for Truth and righteousness that could not be extinguished even after
his death. The glorious example of his life enables mankind to purify
the social life and checking the evil that brings corruption into the
body politic. This light is a source of guidance in every walk of human
life.
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