15

Hazrat imam Hussein

In every religion, there has been struggle between truth and

untruth, morality and immorality religion and irreligion. In
Hindu religion battlefield of Kurukeshtra was the place of
struggle and in Islam, place of Karabala is well known for the
same intention. In the second chapter of the “Geeta” Lord
Shri Krishna addresses Arjuna,
“Let there be kinsmen like Bhishma, Drona, yet standing
by the religion, your duty is nothing else but to fight like a
Kshatriya (a member of the warrior caste).
The battle of Karabala in which Hazrat Imam Hussein
became martyr was not against the followers of different
religions and foreigners, but it was against those who
followed the same religion, and against the relatives of the
same family; it was the battle between truth and untruth and
immorality.
When Hazrat Imam Hussein marched towards Kufa to
save Islamic kingdom of the tyrranies of Yazeed with his 72
companions, one follower, stopping him, said,
“Yazeed will certainly kill you, too”.
At that time without showing any anger over his face,
Hazrat Imam Husain had suddenly said,
“Only God’s will be done”.
Karabala’s battle means the consequences of stopping
Yazeed’s efforts - Yazeed who controlled Islamic state
through immoral path, quite contrary to the moral principles
such as free elections, parliamentary system,

freedom of expression, responsibility towards God and

people, good use of public funds, rule according to
Quran-e-Sharif and justice. It was not, however, even
battle in the real sense. In a battle, terrible destruction can
be seen on both the sides, whereas seventy-two companions
of Hazrat Imam Hussein were followers of non-violence.
Before the battle Imam Hussein had said in sermon,
“This battle is not aggressive, but defensive.”
and that is why, even Gandhiji has given Hazarat Imam
Hussein the title of the “First Satyagrahi” of the world.

Hazrat Fatema, the daughter of paygambar Hazrat

Mohammed saheb and son-in-law Hazrat Ali’s son Hazrat
Imam Hussein was born in Munnavar-e-Madina on the 5th
Shaban (the eighth month) on 4th the Hijri year. (the year
reckoned with the time Hazrat Mohammed Sake left Mecca
for Medina).
The worship and charity of Hazrat Imam Hussein, who was
brought up with extreme caressing by enjoying gambol in
grand-father Mohammed paygemaber’s lap is well-known for
his worship and charity in the history of Islam. Someone
asked once Hazrat Zaynul Abedin about Hazrat Imam
Hussein who performed Hajj on foot twenty-five times.
“How is it that Hazrat, Imam Hussein has minimum
progeny?”
The reply was “Because he used to engross himself day
and might in God’s worship
Charity of Hazrat Imam also was spread far and wide. He
was helping the old, weak and respectable people as much
as they demanded. He used to give one thousand dinars and
one thousand goats to the unemployed without any
hesitation. Once a poor but respectable man came at his
door. He sent a note,
“I am very poor. I have not got money to buy even a
single grain of barley. I have only one thing with me, and
that is my credit. I have come to sell it to you. I agree to
whatever value you may rate for it”.
On reading this note Hazrat Imam Hussein rushed out of
the home. Putting ten thousand ‘Diharam’ in his hand and
said,
 “O requester, I am not able to manage at present more
than this much amount, but you believe that you have not
requested and I have not rated your credit”.
Such noble and charitable was the nature of Hazrat
Imama Hussein who always remained engrossed in God’s
worship. He remained the same even when he was
surrounded by the enemy with his seventy-two companions.
Hazrat Imam Hussein and his seventy-two companions
from surrounded the very first day of Muharram the place
of Karabala. The young and old everyone were pining for a
single drop of water on the seventh, eight and the ninth day
of Muharram. The night between the ninth and the tenth day
was the night of slaughter preceding Muharram. On that
night four thousand cavaliers of Yazeed surrounded 72
companions of Imam Hussein who was like a worshipper of
non-violence. At that time even, in order to stop violence,
while surrendering himself, Hazrat Imam Hussein sent a
message with Yazeed’s companion,

“Kill me or imprison me, (if you want,) but do not kill my

innocent companions children and women”

But cruel Yazeed did not accept his plea and let loose his
vast army on Imam Hussain’s companions who valiantly
opposed them. In that battle between truth and untruth,
religion and irreligion, morality and immorality even 72
companions of Hazrat Imam Hussein proved too difficult to
the huge army of Yazeed. Yazeed had to retreat and he was
excited thereby. Neglecting all the rules and regulations of
war, he started without any restraint, so much so that he
wounded from behind the back with a blow even Hazrat
Hussein who was sitting in the open (listening to a
discourse), and thus Hazrat Imam Hussein and his
companions became martyrs. That day was Friday, the tenth
day of Muharram. The followers of Islam observe mouming
as a mark of Martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein who
became martyr on the tenth day of October, 680 A.D. and
Hijri 61.
‘Muharram’ is the first month of Hijriera. The new year begins
with this month only. Muharram is an Arabic word, but after the martyrdom
of Hazrat Imam Hussein the original meaning of Muharram has changed.
Muharram means mourning or sorrow, such a meaning is in vogue at present
and that is why Muslims do not arrange auspicious occasions like betrothal
or marriage. The custom of taking out procession of ‘Tajiya’ (i.e. coffin
made of bamboo sticks and paper carried in a precession during Muharram)
on the ninth or tenth moon or day of Muharram is familiar. However, no
such custom was in vogue till years after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam
Hussein. The tradition of talking out ‘Tajiya’ started in India since the period
of emperor Taimur lang (i.e. lame). Tajiya is the symbol of Hazrat Imam
Hussein’s tomb. Tajiya procession, in its real sense, is a mourning
procession .But in the absence of the real understanding behind it, we have
inadvertently given it the form of festival. Let all of us, understanding the
real significance of that mourning procession, and dealing it with proper
behavior and practice, deserving its dignity, offer real homage, to Hazrat
Imam Hussein and his companions.