The Martyr of Islam

The struggle between justice and oppression and the clash between truth and fals
ehood is as old as human existence on earth. When the rights of helpless and sup
pressed people are usurped, only a few devoted persons are prepared to stand by
the truth to raise their voice against tyranny. All the Prophets and Apostles of
Allah fall into the category of divine leaders sent for the guidance of mankind
.
Almighty God chose and appointed under His prerogative, great Prophets and Messe
ngers like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace and blessings b
e upon them all) to lead mankind towards the Right Path. History bears testimony
to the fact that none of the Prophets were supported by the majority at the inc
eption. They had the support of only the devoted and faithful minority. Yet, the
y were triumphant due to the sacrifice and hardships that the minority of their
followers were able to sustain with them. The message they left is that the Righ
t can never be subdued by the Might. The Might vanishes but the Right survives.
Imam Hussain emulated the footsteps of the great Prophets of God and has left in
delible mark in the history. His struggle against the injustices and oppression
will never be forgotten.
Imam Hussain was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, the greatest personality to h
ave treaded on this earth. He was the son of Ali, the brave and selfless soldier
who never fled from fighting in the Way of God for serving the Cause of God. He
was the son of Fatima, the lady who stood against the tides of time for demandi
ng her rights. He was raised in the house of piety and purity. He possessed the
heart of his father, which could not be moulded with fear and attraction of worl
dly power. He inherited the apostolic qualities from his grandfather, the final
Messenger of God. He upheld the message and values of the divine leaders by refu
sing to pay oath of allegiance to one of the most ruthless tyrants in human hist
ory - Yazid the son of Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan. The result was that Imam Hussain
and his small number of followers, with their ladies, children and infants, wer
e besieged by the mighty forces of Umayyad empire in the year 61H (680 AD) on th
e desert of Karbala in Iraq, and were massacred after being deprived of food and
water. The tragedy of Karbala is remembered since the last fourteen centuries a
nd commemorated by the followers of the holy Prophet Muhammad and his blessed ho
usehold. His martyrdom provides an impetus to the communities of the world who f
ight for human rights. Imam Hussain fought the evil not with the worldly might,
but with the spiritual strength. His mutilated body remained unburied on the des
ert of Karbala for several days. He survives in the hearts and minds of millions
around the world. His enemies have not been able even to protect their own reme
mbrance and burial places, despite the strength of an empire at their disposal.
Whereas, his shrine is one of the most popular in the world for visitations (ziy
araat).
Even when Imam Hussain had fallen on the battlefield of Karbala, with hundreds o
f wounds on his body, and with the mutilated bodies of his companions and childr
en around him, he did not stop invoking God. His last supplication before he was
beheaded by the brutal enemies was: "O All-Merciful Lord of the Universe! Accep
t the humble sacrifice of your Hussain. Hussain has submitted in Your way all th
at You had given him. If this son of Your Prophet had anything more, he would ha
ve submitted that also to You; but O Lord, forgive the sinners among the faithfu
l, O Merciful One." Imam Hussain preferred to die a graceful death rather than l
ive a life of disgrace with the oppressors. He followed the footsteps of the Pro
phets by not allowing superb human values and virtues to be subjugated under the
treachery of despotic rulers of the time.
Imam Hussain's message invites the world communities towards peace and mutual re
spect. Whereas, his adversaries are adamant on a policy of terror, fanaticism an
d intolerance. Imam Hussain is the torchbearer of struggle for the rights of the
deprived communities.