The universal stand of Imam Husain (ra).

In 680 AD, on the scorching sands of Karbala, a man took stand against tyranny, injustice and callousness
of a regime whose premise was based on violation of human rights. A regime, whose very existence was
against the democratic principles of Islam. The man, along with a small band of seventy two men which
included old men, youth and children, ill equipped and thirsty for three days, dared the might of a strong
twenty two thousand men. The man, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (saw), Imam Husain (ra) was
killed along with his seventy two companions and the famous event became a motif of resistance
against tyranny and oppression in the Islamic world, instilling the sentiment of resistance among
Muslims throughout centuries. But the message is more profound. The template is not merely a cruel
ruler and a revolutionary, a fight to the last. As Antoine Bara (Lebanese writer) has aptly described in
these words” no battle in the modern and past history of mankind has earned more sympathy and
admiration as well as provided more lessons than the martyrdom of Husain in the battle of Karbala”
(Husain in Christian ideology).)

Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the mercy for all worlds. His exemplary character remains unparalleled in
the annals of world history. A guidance for mankind, he had a profound influence on the personalities of
his grandsons, imam Hassan and imam Husain (ra). They were bought up in the blessed household of
Prophet Mohammad. His love for his grandsons is legendary. Giving them the title of chieftains of the
youth of paradise, he has mentioned many times- Husain is of me and I am of Husain, whoever loves
Husain loves me. The Quran mentions Husain as one of the Ahl Bait, the family of the prophet. The
purity of the family, both in their selves and conduct, is guaranteed by Allah in Quran. With such merits
it comes as no surprise that Husain remains as one the most respected figures in Islamic history. He had
inherited qualities of courage, fortitude and clemency from his illustrious grandfather (saw).
Consequently, like his grandfather had endeavored earlier, Imam Husain led by example in Karbala. His
stand against Yazid needs to be contemplated more profoundly in today’s times when blood is shed in
the name of religion, culture, ideologies, etc, so much so that terms like the war of civilizations have
become colloquial.

In the battle of Karbala, Husain was not only accompanied by Muslims, but people of different faiths and
ideologies also sacrificed for the cause of truth and justice. Wahab Kalbi, a young man who had married
a week prior to his martyrdom in Karbala, was a Christian by faith. When he heard about the revolt of
Imam Husain against the tyrannical regime of yazid, he, on the instructions of his mother joined Imam
Husain’s camp. Another Christian, who fought for the grandson of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, was
John a black African Christian. He had been in the service of the companion of prophet (saw), Abu Dhar
Ghaffari (ra) previously. The history also mentions the name of a Hindu from India, Rahab Dutt who was
martyred at Karbala along with his sons. His descendents later on started a religious cult, revering
Husain (ra), in India, known as Husain Brahmins (actor Sunil Dutt was a Hussaini Brahmin). A trader, he
had been passing at Karbala when he met Imam Husain (ra) and resolved to fight alongside Husain.

Along the same lines, overlooking ideological differences in uniting against oppression, many examples
come to fore at Karbala. Two are notable; Zuhair Ibn Qain was ideologically opposed to Imam Hussein. It
is mentioned in history that he was an opposer of Hazrat Ali (ra), father of Imam Hussein. Camping
nearly fifty miles from Karbala, he saw the passing caravan of Hussein. Getting acknowledged about the
mission of Husain, he joined whole heartedly. Another example, perhaps the famous of all, is that of
Hur Ibn yazid, who was the commander of the contingent of yazidi army that surrounded Hussein (RA)
before reaching Karbala. The contingent, that didn’t allow Husain to march towards the safety of
borders. On the 10 of Muharram, he repented for his sins and left the army of yazid to join Imam
Hussein. Both Zuhair and Hur became the first martyrs from the side of Husain at Karbala.

After the tragedy at Karbala, history is replete with examples of Jews and Christians assisting the family
of Imam Hussein, who were taken to Damascus as prisoners along with the heads of slain martyrs

Imam Hussein himself led by example. He never started the battle himself and even offered dialogue
with the enemy. He ordered his troops not to attack those that ran away, those who were weapon less
and to show clemency to those who asked for it.

Today after fourteen centuries, the epoch making event of Karbala gives a message to the world. A
lesson that differences, however big they might be, can be overlooked towards the betterment of
humanity. We, as people of all nations, religious affiliations, cultures, ideologies can join under a
common flag for a cause. A cause, to eradicate poverty, corruption, terrorism, racial prejudice and the
other ills that plague the world today, keeping it devoid of peace. Misunderstandings need to be
removed; a brotherhood needs to be fostered that ensures world peace and cooperation. Many people
throughout ages have acknowledged this message. Thomas Carlyle (Scottish historian and essayist):
“The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Husain and his companions were
rigid believers in God. They illustrated that the numerical superiority does not
count when it comes to the truth and the falsehood. The victory of Husain,
despite his minority, marvels me!

The Nightangle of India Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, had this to sing about Imam Husain’s message

"Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) gave to the world some thirteen hundred years ago a message and way of
life, which was unique and perfect and of which we are now celebrating the memory. I do not possess
the words nor has any language of the world the eloquence and comprehension, which can serve as the
vehicle of expression for the sentiments of reverence, which I entertain in my mind for this magnificent
martyr. Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) does not belong only to the Muslims but He is a treasure, common to
all the creatures of the Almighty Allah. I congratulate the Muslims that among them has been such a
personality, who is acknowledged and revered equally by all the communities of the world." 

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, The First Prime Minister of India acknowledged the same in these words’

"There is an universal appeal in this martyrdom, Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) sacrificed His all, but he
refused to submit to a tyrannical government .He never gave any weight to the fact that His material
force was far less in comparison with that of the enemy. The power of faith to Him is the greatest force,
which regards all material force as nothing. This sacrifice is a beacon light of guidance for every
community and every nation."
 The power of human spirit can take wings beyond any horizon. In its flight no human limitations can
prevent a person from achieving their objectives. The spirit that Imam Hussein and his small band
presented clearly prove this point. As Brown in his `A Literary History of Persia'
writes:
As a reminder, the blood-stained field of Karbala' where the grandson of the Apostle of God fell
at length, tortured by thirst and surrounded by the bodies of his murdered kinsmen, has been
at any time since then sufficient to evoke, even in the most lukewarm and heedless, the
deepest emotion, the most frantic grief and the exaltation of spirit before which pain, danger,
and death shrink to unconsidered trifles.

That day, on 10 Muharram, 680 AD, the man wrote a message for humanity on the
sands of Karbala-We can achieve anything if we unite.  

Omar Rashid Wani

omarashidwani@gmail.com