When discussing the companions of Imam Hussain (AS), the most significant aspect to consider is their actions and decisions in specific circumstances where they had to make choices. While reading history, it might seem ordinary to us that when faced with oppression and injustice, any rational human being would stand against it. However, before making decisions, people need to be sure if their resistance is worthwhile.

Throughout history, many people fought and died for what they believed to be the truth, only to find out they were supporting evil.

In this text, we will delve into some of the most astonishing characteristics of the companions of Imam Hussain (AS) that made them so special in history.

Obedience

The outcome of faith is guidance: 

“Whoever has faith in Allah, He guides his heart.” (64: 11) 

However, this guidance is achievable through obedience: 

“O you who have faith! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority among you.” (4: 59)

The most vital trait of the companions of Imam Hussain (AS) was their faith and reliance on Allah, and their obedience to Him, His messenger, and their leader - Imam Hussain (AS). 

On the night of Ashura, Imam Hussain (AS) gathered his companions and said “I release you from the allegiance and oath you’ve taken from me. The darkness of the night surrounds you, so break free from the turmoil hidden in the darkness waves. Then each of you may hold of the hand of my family members and disperse into the villages and cities until Allah grants you relief .” The companions, one by one, replied “By Allah! We shall not abandon you. In fact, we are ready to sacrifice our lives for yours. We shall defend you with our necks, faces and hands. We will fulfill our duty even if it costs our lives.” [1]

Distinguishing right from wrong

The situation in the year 61 AH during the battle of Karbala was perplexing. People had to differentiate between the truth among two groups both claiming to fight for Islam. Imam Hussain (AS) left Medina as he knew Yazid, the son and the successor of the late caliph, disregarded Islamic principles. However, since Yazid and his ministers presented themselves with an Islamic facade, it was challenging for ordinary people to discern the correct side. Consequently, most Muslims were deceived by their hypocritical behavior, or they were threatened by Yazid’s ministers due to fears of losing material gains, causing them to join Yazid’s army. 

It this context, Yazid managed to amass of over thirty thousand soldiers, while only few individuals - less than a hundred – chose to stand with Imam Hussain (AS). This fact highlights the great wisdom and bravery of Imam Hussain’s (AS) companions, and this wisdom, as the Quran mentioned, arises from steadfast faith:

“O you who have faith! If you are wary of Allah, He shall appoint a criterion for you, and absolve you of your misdeeds...” (8:29)

The Arabic term translated as “criterion” in the above verse is Furqan. Furqan is the power to distinguish right from wrong, a type of wisdom and insight bestowed by Allah upon His pious servants, which is not dependent on knowledge, literacy, or information. [1]

Based on this criterion granted by Almighty Allah, the companions of Imam Hussain (AS), coming from diverse ages and social, cultural and religious backgrounds, were all able to differentiate between right from wrong. It is regrettable that only a few comprehend this distinction! 
“… But most of them do not know the truth, and so they are disregardful.” (21: 24)

Detachment from the world

Even among the faithful, some chose not to oppose Imam Hussain (AS) in the battle of Karbala. They remained silent and withheld their support for the Imam. The status of these believers differs from those who sacrificed their possessions and lives for the sake of Allah (SWT). Allah says in the

Quran: 

“Not equal are those of the faithful who sit back—excepting those who suffer from some disability—and those who wage jihad in the way of Allah with their possession and their persons. Allah has graced those who wage jihad with their possessions and their persons by a degree over those who sit back…” (4: 95)

Loving Allah (SWT) and Being Loved by Allah (SWT)

Allah describes the relationship between Him and His pious servants as a mutual bond of love, with Allah (SWT) being the first to express love. In a beautiful Quranic verse Allah portrays His faithful, courageous, and humble servants as individuals loved by Him: 

“O you who have faith! Should any of you desert his religion, Allah will soon bring a people whom He loves and who love Him, [who will be] humble towards the faithful, stern towards the faithless, waging jihad in the way of Allah, not fearing the blame of any blamer. That is Allah’s grace, which He grants to whomever He wishes, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.” (5: 54)

This verse underscores that these individuals may face criticism and blame from due to their decisions, but it will not make them turn away from their spiritual path. 

Sacrifice

Another important characteristic of Imam Hussain’s (AS) companions was their selfless sacrifice in upholding the religion and tradition of the Prophet (PBUH&HP). It takes a noble soul to make sacrifices for others, and even more so when sacrificing one’s life to preserve the religion of Allah (SWT). This is why in the loving relationship that the companions of Imam had with their Lord, they presented their body and soul in defending the truth. 

“And among the people is he who sells his soul seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is most kind to [His] servants.” (2:207)

References:

1. Qummi, A. Nafassul Mahmoum
2.  Qara’ati, M. Tafseer-e Nour, vol. 3, p. 305
    

Judaism in Islam is considered as one of the most significant monotheistic religions, and many verses of Quran are dedicated to describing the fate of the followers of this religion. In different verses of the Holy Quran, when Allah wants to mention people of Moses, He calls them “Children of Israel” (Bani-Israel). The reason for which is that they were the generation of Prophet Jacob or Israel (PBUH), who at the time of Prophet Joseph (PBUH), migrated to Egypt and settled there for years [1].

After Pharaohs gained power in Egypt, they started violence against the immigrant generation of Israel by “slaughtering their sons and sparing their women” (28: 4).

Then after so many years, during which Bani-Israel were waiting for a deliverer, Moses was appointed to save them and deliver them from Egypt to the holy land: “O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has ordained for you, and do not turn your backs, or you will become losers’” (5: 21). They did not accept to enter the holy land as they were afraid of the people of that land. Therefore, they lost their opportunity and were wandering in the deserts for years. There was no promise that if children of Israel do not act according to God’s orders, they will still inherit the holy land. 

What happened to Jews after Moses?

“We dispersed them into communities around the earth: some of them were righteous, and some of them otherwise, and We tested them with good and bad [times] so that they may come back” (7: 168).
Like any other monotheistic religion that has good or bad followers, the followers of Judaism are either virtuous or sinful according to the above verse of the Holy Quran. 

The bad Jews, mainly known to be Zionists, are those who are committing great sins and have huge racist beliefs. Since they believe they are the higher race and others are somehow their properties. Zionism is not a religion, but a political branch that tries to gain power using any tools, even the religion of Jews. 

Judaism in Islam and Quran

The Holy Quran introduces all prophets as Muslims [2]. Quran strongly defends Jewish believers like the believers of other religions; “Indeed the faithful, the Jews, the Christians and the Sabaeans - those of them who have faith in Allah and the Last Day and act righteously—they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve” (2: 62).

Quran confirms the book of Moses and says: “We sent down the Torah containing guidance and light” (5:44). And in another verse, it says: “Yet before it, the Book of Moses was a guide and mercy, and this is a Book in the Arabic language, which confirms it…” (46: 12).

Muslims Should Act Respectfully towards Jews

Although Quran confirms that all the prophets were from God and they had the same message, the problem, according to the Quran, is that the book of Moses was distorted by those ignorant and arrogant followers of him.

Accordingly, Islam was sent down to the followers of all prophets and the people of all nations and lands as a final and most complete religion, which was fundamentally the same as their religion. But all true believers and true followers of prophets should now be united in the way of worshipping One God and follow the book of Muhammad (PBUH), who has been mentioned in their books (7: 156-7).

God also warns Muslims that when they wish to convey His messages to the followers of other prophets, they should be respectful towards them: “Do not argue with the People of the Book except in a manner which is best, except such of them as are wrongdoers, and say, ‘We believe in what has been sent down to us and in what has been sent down to you; our God and your God is one [and the same], and to Him do we submit’” (29: 46).

As mentioned in the article on monotheism, from the Islamic point of view, the followers of other religions should realize the perfectness of Islam “despite the distorted image of Islam” in today’s world. They need to reach complete faith based on a firm understanding of Islam as the last and the complete way of life [3].

Respecting the Rabies 

Since Jews were waiting for the last prophet and when some of them found him rise from among Arabs and not from amongst themselves, they denied him, since they had this thought that Islam must belong to a specific land or specific people, and it cannot be a complete universal religion for all lands at all times.

God mentions the rabbis with so much respect in the Quran and expects them to enlighten their people in worshipping one God and not to be fighting against each other while they worship the same God: “We sent down the Torah containing guidance and light. The prophets, who had submitted, judged by it for the Jews, and so did the rabbis and the scribes, as they were charged to preserve the Book of Allah and were witnesses to it...” (5: 44).

Conclusion

Going through the story of Prophet Moses (PBUH) and explaining it in details in the Quran had two major reasons:

1. Since when Muhammad was assigned as a prophet, Jews annoyed him in every possible way, God kept sending revelations regarding their past actions and their behavior towards Prophet Moses from whom they had seen many miracles. 

2. The story of Jewish people and how they saw the miracles of their prophet and yet, they kept denying him, is repeatedly explained in the Quran, to be a lesson for Muslims. Muslims should remember that they had hard times, too, like the Jews, and they should not become arrogant because the last prophet was raised amongst them. Muslims should not make complaints against God’s orders, and by remembering the history of Jews, they should keep in mind that if they decline Allah’s commands, they will lose their opportunities since blessing is given to those who are God-wary: 

“If the people of the towns had been faithful and God-wary, We would have opened to them blessings from the heaven and the earth. But they denied; so We seized them because of what they used to earn” (7: 96).

References:

1. The Quran, Yousof (12), 93
2. The Quran, Al-Shourea (42), 13
3. jews in Islam