Islam as one of the great religions of the world enjoys two distinct advantages over others. Firstly, it a religion of the affirmation of life: secondly, it was born in the full light of history. It revolutionised the prevalent conceptions of the different orders of life and ushered in the modern age. Having assimilated in it all affirmative and progressive elements of the previous orders, Islam lays down for humanity a code of life that deals with fundamentals of human conduct, in their broadest sense and allows full flexibility of organisation and structure within these fundamental limits. However, while leaving full freedom with believers, Islam does not tolerate compromises and expediencies to molest or pervert its fundamental principles. Islam tacticly asks believers to take it as a whole or reject it as a whole.
Belonging to the noblest clan of Arabia, Muhammad the Prophet of Islam, was born at Mecca on 29th August 570 AD. In 610 AD he declared his Prophethood and invited the people to universal brotherhood and to accept the message of peace offered by Islam. In 622 AD he migrated to Medina where, after ten years of strenuous work and amazing achievement he died In 632 AD. It goes to the credit of his astounding genius and burning devotion to humanity, that, history is unable to quote a similar achievement in the short period of ten years. It looks all the more remarkable when we find that all the battles in which he took part were of defensive character and were actually thrusted upon him.
Ali (600-663 AD), Muhammad's cousin and husband of the Prophet's only daughter, Fatima, was his notable lieutenant. He was "both the paragon of Muslim nobility and chivalry and the solomon of Arabic traditions, around whose name poems, proverbs, sermonettes, anecdotes innumerable have clustered." -Hitti.
Husayn (626-683 AD) was second son of Ali and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The blood of the two greatest Muslims flowing in his veins, Husayn united in his person, the admirable qualities of Muhammad and Ali, in fact he was the personification of true Islam. He gave lectures on the Philosophy of Islam, took part in Holy wars, attended to the woes of friends and enemies; and thus became the brightest symbol of humanity towards whom everybody turned to find hope and inspiration.
The death of prophet Muhammad, was a signal for the jealous and revengeful to rise against Islam. Amongst the enemies, his narrow-minded kinsmen of Ommayyah descent took a leading part. Most of them had never reconciled with the Islamic ideal that, only those are exhalted and dear unto Allah who lead a pious and virtuous life and that Islamic principle of equality does not recognise the distinction of wealth, birth and station alone. They, therefore, tried to shatter the superstructure of equality and universal brotherhood of man, erected by the prophet. Afraid of being completely washed away, into political oblivion, by the surging waves of Islamic Ideology, most of them had accepted Islam after the conquest of Mecca, their stronghold, with a selfish motive to further their own ends at an opportune time. Their motives were:
Thanks to their intrigues, for the time being, they "succeeded"' in their nefarious schemes pretty well. Muawiyah, the head of the Ommayyah clan and the governor of Syria raised the standard of rebellion against Ali, the Commander of the faithful and the Caliph of Islam, which ended in a temporary uneasy truce after a battle at Siffin. After the treacherous assassination of Ali, in the mosque at Kufa, Muawiyah manoeuvred to grab political power by concluding a treaty with Hasan on the latter's terms. By concluding the treaty of Kufa, Hasan gave Muawiyah, (who was planning to transform Muslim society into a dynastic kingdom), a fair chance to prove his bonafides towards Islam in general and Islamic principles of social justice in particular and thus avoided bloodshed in the best traditions of the prophet Muhammad. But not content with the political power so generously handed over by Hasan, Muawiyah violated almost each and every clause of the treaty.
The news of nomination of his son Yazid as his successor, in utter violation of treaty of Kufa sent a wave of horror and shame throughout the Islamic world, because Yazid neither had command over his passions nor could rule a according to the book of God and the precepts of the Prophet. His public ridicule of Islam was strongly hated and abhored by the people. But Muawiyah had managed to buy allegiance for Yazid from almost all important people by intimidation and bribery. Thus Yazid, sunk in wine and soaked in debauchery became the head of religion and state. He soon started putting his spiteful plans into effect. To find some pretext, he demanded oath of allegiance from Husayn, which was as expected refused.
Husayn now the head of the prophet's family was scanning with his amazing insight all these unwholesome developments that threatened to undo the great work of the Prophet. In response of vehement appeals of guidance from the people of Kufa, he left for Iraq with his family and few friends. On this mission of peace, when he crossed the dreary desert in the burning heat, and entered into the sandy plains of Karbala, a few miles from Kufa, he was massacred by a powerful army of Yazid along with his sons, relations and friends all 72 in number. But Husayn's courageous fight against a powerful army with only a handful of souls on his side goes unparalleled in recorded history and makes him the brightest symbol of courage and endurance against oppression and tyranny.
A few days later, the "Victors", flushed with "success" proudly marched the captive women and children of the house of Muhammad their Prophet, through the decorated streets of Damascus. But Husayn's adversaries had sadly mistaken his foresight. Through his sacrifice Husayn unmasked their greed and hypocritic motive of remaining into the fold of Islam to further their own selfish ends, and thus saved the noble teachings of Islam. It is wrong to consider it as a fight between two clans, or two personalities of Husayn and Yazid. In fact it was a clash of two antagonistic interpretation of Islam that were shaping their respective courses for a pretty long time. Yazid himself pretended it to be a clash of personalities, yet inspite of enjoying political power and thus having the privilege of distorting the historical facts, he could not hide the actual reasons of this clash. Herein lies the masterly planned strategy of Husayn, who turned apparent defeat into actual victory.
This shows his amazing foresight and something more - his selfless and burning devotion to humanity and unflinching faith in the principles of Islam. Husayn's fight for truth is a glorious chapter of recorded history and a scintillating example of human greatness. He fought against oppression and tyranny for the glory of mankind. He upheld the principles of equality, liberty and universal brotherhood of man which is the basic teaching of Islam.
Today when the world is standing on the cross-road of decision and indecision, fear and hatred, mistrust and jealousy, how much the dash and chivalry, magnanimity and wisdom of Husayn is needed to lead the people towards peace and happiness. Despite every sort of material progress, the world is still groping for social justice and peace that has become a major problem of our time. People who cherish Islamic ideals and wish to solve this great problem of mankind in the light of Islamic wisdom and intellect will naturally search the golden chapters of their past history, because every nation, while grappling with present day problems derives inspiration and guidance from its own cultural and intellectual heritage. When they do so, they will derive fruitful guidance from the actions of Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and Husayn for whom war becomes a distasteful and defensive action and not a means of territorial and material aggrandisement. Where the desire to live in peace and let others live in peace Is much stronger than other desires. Of all the defensive battles fought by Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and Husayn for Islam, the battle of Karbala is a glaring example of desire for peace with dignity and transcends all geographical, national and religious barriers by its sheer humanistic appeal, that will go on increasing with the maturity of human conscience.
Little wonder, therefore, that increasingly greater number of people the world over, Muslims and non-Muslims, are commemorating this event, for the past 1,300 years. How very correctly Gibbon had anticipated the impact of this tragedy on developing human conscience when he observed, "In a distant age and time, the tragic scene of the death of Husayn, will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader."
On the 10th day of Moharrum, the anniversary of Imam Husayn's martyrdom, we dedicate overselves to his inspiring example. He has left behind him a blazing trail of glory brightening the path of eternal peace and justice which is the message of Islam and mission of Prophet Muhammad. Nothing but Truth survives.
Printed in a leaflet entitled 'Islam and Karbala' by Coastal Printing Works Ltd, Mombasa, Kenya. Author unknown.
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