How Has Imam Hussain’s (AS) Uprising Inspired Humankind? Part 1
Imam Hussain (AS) is one of the important figures in Islam whose brilliant and lofty character together with his inspiring movement has been praised by many famous characters of the world. In this regard, Mahatma Gandhi said that: “My admiration for the noble sacrifice of Imam Hussein (AS) as a martyr abounds, because he accepted death ..., but did not submit to unjust authorities. I learned from Hussain how to attain victory while being oppressed.” [1]. Antoine Bara, a thinker, scholar, Christian and Syrian who wrote a book titled, “Imam Hussein in Christian ideology,” said that: “I am a Christian but call on humanity to follow the holiness of Imam Hussein as he is the conscience of all religions.” [2]. These quotes and others indicate that Imam Hussain (AS) is not an exclusive role model for Shi’a or Muslims, but belongs to the whole world. One might ask in what ways is Imam Hussain’s (AS) uprising an inspiration for human beings. We try to explain that through the following lines.
Imam Hussain (AS) Confronts the Oppressive Corrupted Regimes
Yazid’s reign was corrupted and illegitimate from the beginning. According to the peace treaty made between Imam Hassan (AS) and Mu’awiyah, the latter was forbidden to designate anyone as his successor after his death. But after the martyrdom of Imam Hassan (AS), Mu’awiyah broke the treaty. He appointed his son Yazid as his successor because he thought no one would be courageous enough to object to the decision of caliph. Hence, Yazid became caliph illegally after the death of Mu’awiyah [3]. Besides, according to historical resources, Yazid had a corrupted immoral character. He dared to act against Islamic rulings openly and perform forbidden deeds (Haram) in Islam publicly [3].
Imam Hussain (AS) was observant and aware of Yazid’s acts and intention. So, he refrained from pledging allegiance to Yazid. Moreover, oppression, tyranny, unjust use of public property, etc. had made life miserable for people [4]. Imam Hussain (AS) believed that Yazid’s manner and governing style was obviously against Islamic teachings and would eventually alter and spoil Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&PH) Sunnah. Hence, he stood up against Yazid to prove that his reign was illegitimate and to unravel the truth. Therefore, he (AS) said that he would never take the oath of allegiance to Yazid, even if there would be nowhere safe on the earth for him to go [5]. He never intended to take on the leadership and come to power, instead aimed at eliminating injustice and corruption.
Achieving Leadership, Not at Any Price
One might wonder why Imam Hussain (AS) did not pledge allegiance to Yazid to calm down his hostility so that he would have more time to make plans and find more companions to defeat Yazid. The reason was that Yazid’s behavior and deeds were too far from true Islamic principles and moral values such that Imam (AS) could not ignore them. Moreover, he (AS) did not want to play a trick as it is denounced in Islam.
Imam (AS) had other possibilities to defeat Yazid and take over the leadership, but he (AS) refused to do so. Through his missionary in Kufa, Muslim ibn Aqil, Imam (AS) could kill Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad [i] before the battle of Karbala and before the enemy declared war against them. But, as a man who had stood up for justice, he did not act unfairly. Imam’s (AS) reaction was in the same manner as well; before the battle started when the enemy was fewer in number and easier to defeat, one of his (AS) companions recommended fighting them. He (AS) replied that he would rather defend if a war were imposed on him instead of initiating it. Moreover, when the enemy was impatient to start the battle, he (AS) did his best to prevent it by negotiating and bringing awareness to them by revealing the truth [4].
These examples demonstrate that Imam (AS) did not want to reign at any price; the same was true for other Infallible Imams (AS). This is of the traits of true divine leaders; unlike oppressive unjust powers. They never take the lead, whatever the cost.
Up to now, we found out about two reasons that make Imam Hussain’s (AS) uprising a worldwide inspiration. Firstly, one should be alert and sensitive to what happens around him\her. Then, to take the right action for the sake of justice and humanity. Secondly, even if one holds a noble intention, it does not mean that he\she is allowed to achieve that by any means; the end does not justify the means.
Imam Hussain’s (AS) movement has other lessons for human beings that we will discuss in the second part of this title.
Notes:
[i] The governor of Kufa during the reigns of Yazid, who executed Aqil, sent troops to intercept Imam Hussain (AS) when he arrived near Kufa and was one of the leaders of the battle against Imam (AS) in Karbala.
References:
- http://realiran.org/world-personalities-quote-imam-hussain/
- https://standwithdignity.org/article/antoine-bara-you-shia-do-not-appreciate-the-value-of-imam-hussein/
- https://www.al-islam.org/the-hidden-truth-about-karbala-ak-ahmed/chapter-13-muslim-empire
- https://salamislam.com/lifestyle/imam-hussain-embodiment-universal-moral-law
- M. Majlisi, “Bihar al-Anwar,” Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut, vol. 44, p. 325
Share This Article
40 Significant Imam Sadiq (AS) Quotes
18 - Feb - 2021
2,700 Read
5 Min
1. Observe Justice
If you observe justice about yourself, you will be trusted in judging others.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.2, p.146.
2. The time of Injustice and Treachery
At a time when you see nothing but injustice and treachery, trusting anyone (unheedingly) brings wretchedness.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.357.
3. Constant Calamities
Following a calamity after another is the herald of liberation from them.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.357.
4. Investing Your Trust
Do not invest your trust fully on your friend, since if you fail and lose everything because of dedicating all your love and trust to one person, you could hardly survive its disastrous outcomes.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.357.
5. Islam, Faith, Assurance
Islam is the basis on which faith is founded, and then on faith, assurance is built. People hardly reach the last level, that is assurance.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.358.
6. This World
Losing your heart to this world brings you pain and grief while being indifferent and pious to it brings peace to your heart and soul.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.358.
7. Three Characteristics of a Believer
The believer finds righteousness in three characteristics: a deep understanding of the religion, avoiding excessiveness in life, and forbearing the hardships.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.358.
8. Allah's Blessings
Allah bestows His blessings upon a group of people, and it is turned into burdens on them due to their ingratitude; yet, He inflicts others with calamities, and they turn into blessings due to their forbearance.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.359.
9. How to Treat Your Family according to Imam Sadiq (AS)
Whoever does good to his family, Allah prolongs his life.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.8, p.219.
10. Making Friends
Meet and make friends with someone who elevates and honors you, not the one whose only purpose is to benefit from you and is pretentious.
Al-Hurr al-Amili, Wasa'il al-Shia, Vol.11, p.412.
11. Greetings
Saying hello is a recommended act (Mustahab) while responding to it is obligatory (Wajib).
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.360.
12. Be Resistant
Whoever manifests resistance at times of anger, greed, fear, and lust, Allah will protect his/her body against the fire of hell.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.361.
13. Well-being
Well-being is a less valued blessing; it is forgotten when one is blessed with it, yet it will be reminded of as soon as it is gone.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.361.
14. Comfort and Hardship
In comfort, Allah blesses you with His beneficence and excellence, and in hardship, the chance of purging [from your sins].
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.361.
15. Water
Do not pollute the water that people need.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad Ibn Hasan Tusi, Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol.1, p.185.
16. Moderation
Allah loves moderation and hates wastefulness.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.4, p.52.
17. Wastefulness
The least act of wastefulness is throwing away the remaining of [food or drink].
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.6, p.460.
18. The Weather
If the weather were always bright and sunny, the earth would turn dry, and the plants would burn off the heat; the water in lakes and rivers would go down, and people would suffer; the weather would be hot and dry, and an unknown kind of sickness would emerge.
Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.3, p.125.
19. Muslim Friends
Between two Muslim friends, the one that loves the other is the better one.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.3, p.193.
20.The Elderly and Children
Respect the elderly and be kind to the children.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.2, p.165.
21. A Joyful Life
Life is joyful with three things: clean air, plentiful and pure water, and a soft land [ready for planting].
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.320.
22.Washing Hands
Wash your hands before and after eating.
Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Khalid al-Barqi, Al-Mahasin, vol.1, p.425.
23. Be Careful About What You Wear
Do not wear clothes that attract much attention, neither clothes, which debases you.
Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikma, hadith no. 18080.
24. Brush Your Teeth
Brushing teeth is among the manners of prophets.
Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikma, hadith no. 9053.
25. On Expressing Your Opinions
Do not be the first person who expresses his/her opinion when asking for a consult and avoid suggesting naïve views.
Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikma, hadith no. 9868.
26. Paying the Wages of a Worker
Pay the workers' wages before their sweats are dried [ i.e., right after they have finished their work].
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.5, p.289.
27. Manners toward Your Teacher
Be humble in the presence of the one from whom you learned a knowledge.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad Ibn Hasan Tusi, Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol.2, p.36.
28. Justice in Imam Sadiq (AS)'s Words
Justice is more pleasant than the water, which is offered to a thirsty person.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.5, p.289.
29. A piece of Advice for Industrialists
Every industrialist has to master three characteristics for his/her work to flourish; he/she has to be expert in his/her job, has to be reliable and meet their superior managers' demands.
Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.78, p.236.
30. People's Needs
People need three things; security, justice, and welfare.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.320.
31. A Father's Best Legacy
A father's best legacy for his children is manners, not wealth.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.8, p.150.
32. Planning
Planning shapes half of your life.
Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Al-Khisal, p.221.
33. Teenagers
Take care of teenagers since they are more open to absorbing goodness and virtues.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.8, p.93.
34. Books
There will be chaotic days when people would not find peace unless within their books.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.1, p.52.
35. Agriculture
Agriculture is a precious wealth.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.5, p.261.
36. Strengthening Ties
Strengthen your ties with each other, be kind and generous to each other.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.2, p.175.
37. Help Each other
Any believer who solves another believer's problem, Allah will lift seventy of his/her difficulties in this world and the hereafter.
Mirza Husayn Nuri, Mustadrak al-wasa'il, vol.12, p.413.
38. Fruit Trees
Do not cut fruit trees, or you will be inflicted with Allah's torment.
Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.5, p.294.
39. The Best Friend
My favorite friend is the one who bestows me my faults.
Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.366.
40. Earn Halal Income
Whoever wishes his/her prayers to be granted, should strive to earn Halal income.
Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.93, p.373.
Read More
Ghadir Khum, the Great Eid of Allah
17 - Jan - 2021
133 Read
4 Min
Eid al-Ghadir is one of the most important historical events celebrated by many Muslims on the 18th day of the last Islamic month, Dhu al-Hijjah. Ghadir Khum is the name of a pond near Mecca. It was a place for pilgrims, who had attended the ritual of Hajj, to greet and rest a short while before taking different routes to their homes.
The Message of Allah
After completing his last pilgrimage, which was the first Muslim’s great gathering -with more than 70 thousand people- in the presence of their leader, the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) arrived at Ghadir Khum on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah where he received another revelation from God saying:
“O, Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not, you will not have delivered His message, and Allah shall protect you from the people. Indeed Allah does not guide the faithless lot” (5:67)
Allah in this verse commanded the Prophet (PBUH&HP) to clarify what had been previously revealed regarding Ali (AS) [i] and told him not to worry about the reaction of the people in delivering His message, for He would protect His Messenger from them.
Prophet’s Concern for the Future of Muslims
Upon receiving the above verse, the caravan stopped in the valley of Ghadir at Prophet’s command. According to some sources, about 12,000 people from Yemen had come to attend that year’s Hajj, which was known as “The farewell pilgrimage” (Hajj-at-Alvida). Despite the different route that they had to take to their homes, they were asked by prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) to choose the way which passed the place of Ghadir, so that they could be present at the time when the incident of Ghadir was taking place.
Then he sent for all people who had gone ahead to return and waited for those who had fallen behind to arrive and gather. At noon that day, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) performed the prayer in congregation with a great population of people behind him. When the prayer was finished, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) ascended the pulpit his followers had set up from the camel saddles and gave his famous sermon in a loud voice. He started his speech by praising Allah, announced the heart-breaking news of his oncoming death and then stated:
“Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things (thaqalayn) among you: The Book of God (Quran) and my kindred (itrah), my household (Ahl al Bayt), for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of al Kawthar on the Judgement's Day)” [1].
The Prophet’s Authority over all Muslims
The Prophet (PBUH&HP), in an attempt to remind Muslims of his own authority over them, asked: “Who has more of a right over the believers than their own selves?” Everyone present proclaimed: “Allah and His Prophet know better.”
The Prophet (PBUH&HP) then said: “Allah is my master and I am the master of all the believers, and I have more right and authority over the believers than they have over their own selves.”
Imam Ali (AS), the Divinely Appointed Successor of the Prophet (PBUH&HP)
Thereupon, he took Imam Ali (AS)’s hand, raised it up and continued:
“Whomsoever I am his leader (Mawla), Ali (AS) is also his leader (Mawla). O’ Allah! Love those who love him (Ali (AS)) and oppose those who oppose him” [2].
The Angel of Revelation, Gabriel, once again descended by the order of Allah and revealed the following verse of the Quran:
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion” (5:3).
Ghadir, The day of Congratulations and Happiness
This day has been marked in history as a Grand Eid for many Muslims since then. It is also known as the Day of Leadership (Imamate) and Mastership (Wilayat), which is among the critical beliefs of Islam and the axioms of this holy religion.
A large number of Muslims around the world hold special celebrations, congratulate one another on this day and say:
“All praise belongs to Allah who has made us amongst those who hold firm to the Mastership (Wilayat) of the Commander of the Faithful (Amir al-Muminin) -Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS)- and the Imams” [3].
Notes:
[i] According to the narration of Yawm al-Dar (The Day of invitation to his Home), the Prophet(PBUH) was commissioned in the third year of his prophethood to declare his call to Islam openly. This is clearly stated in the Holy Quran:
وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الأَقْرَبِينَ.
“Warn the nearest of your kinsfolk” (26:214).
After this, the Prophet(PBUH), invited his close relatives to his uncle Abu Talib’s house, after having their meal, he started to say: O Children of Abd al-Muttalib. I swear to God I know of no one among the Arabs who could have brought anything better than I have brought for you. I have brought for you prosperity here and your future. God has ordered me to invite you to my religion. Who among you will assist me in being my brother, helper, and successor?
No one showed any interest except for Ali (AS) who was the youngest. He rose up, saying: “O Messenger of God. I will be your assistant in this affair.”
The Prophet (PBUH&HP) put his hand around Ali’s neck and said:
إنَّ هَذا أَخِي وَوَصِيِّي وَخَلِيفَتِي فِيكُمْ فَاسْمَعُوا لَهُ وَأَطِيعُوا.
“This brother of mine is my helper, and successor. Listen to him and obey his commands” [4].
References:
Read More
Category Article
- Family (32)
- Lifestyle (222)
- New Muslim (37)
- Pillars (19)
- Practical Principles (20)
- Women (25)
Popular Article
- 40 Inspiring Quotes of Imam Hussain (AS…
- What Does Islam Say about Watching…
- What Does Islam Say about Friendship?
- Is It Permitted to Marry a Transgender…
- What Types of Drawings in Islam Are…
Category Gallery
- Comic (29)
- Infographic (178)
- Picture (495)
- Podcast (127)
- Video (218)
Popular Gallery
- 6 Verses of the Quran about Prophet…
- A Glance at the Life of Prophet…
- Five Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH…
- 8 Pieces of Advice to the Young Ones by…
- The Battle of Karbala: A Timeline