Hazrat Imam Husain Ibn Ali
(May Allah be pleased with him)
About The Month of Moharram
Muharram is one of the four sacred months of the Islamic year. Muharram is considered the holiest month after Ramadan. The word ‘Muharram’ means forbidden and sinful as any kind of war or fight in this holy month is forbidden and sinful. Some Muslim observes fast during these days and the tenth day of Muharram is known as the day of Ashura.
Muharram, the start of new Islamic year has arrived and Muslims across the world are again reminding the saddened and heart wrenching incident of Karbala that happened between Hazrat Imam Hussain and yazeed. Hazrat Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) stood against the injustice and cruelty of Yazeed and accepted Martyrdom along with many members of his family and companions. His sacrifice for the cause of Islam is greater therefore; Muslims remember it every year in the month of Muharram.
The lineage of Imam Hussain
Hazrat Imam Al-Ḥusain Ibn Ali was born on 3rd Shaban, 4th AH. His name was transliterated as Husain Ibn Ali, was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessing be upon him), and the son of Hazrat Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib(May Allah be pleased with him), the fourth Rashid caliph of Islam, and Prophet Muhammad's daughter, (May Allah’s blessing be upon him), Hazrat Fatimah(May Allah be pleased with her).
The Special Name For Imam Husain from Allah Almighty
After Imam Husain was born, The great angel Gabril (May Allah’s salutations be upon him) descended to the Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) and revealed to him to give the new baby the name, Al-Husain. When Gabriel descended to the Prophet, many of angels accompanied him to congratulate and console the Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) for Imam Husain’s birth and expected martyrdom. Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) named him “Husain” by the order of Allah Almighty. Imam Husain is the Arabic word equivalent of Shubair in Hebrew. Shubair was the name of the second son of Haroun /Aaron, the successor of Musa/Moses.
Later this honorable name became synonymous for one who spread knowledge and faith on the earth and his remembrance enveloped all languages of the world and people became devoted to him. So much so that in their view it become a holy slogan for all the high examples and a slogan for every sacrifice that was based on truth and justice.
Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) once informed Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) about the similarity found between Muhammad and Musa, Ali and Haroun, Shubbar and Hasan, Shubair and Husain: "O Ali, your status with respect to mine is equivalent to the status of Haroun with respect to Musa, except there will be no prophet after me.( )
The Prophet’s flower (May Allah’s blessings be upon him)
The first voice to reach the ears of Imam Husain was that of his grandfather, the Holy Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) who was the first to have turned towards Allah and called the people towards Him and his slogan was: “Allah is the Greatest. There is no God except Allah…”
The Holy Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) personally took up the caring of Imam Husain and gave him a lot of attention and mingled his feelings, emotions and aspirations with that of his own. On the basis of what historian’s state, he used to place his thumb in the mouth of Imam Husain. His Eminence took him in his arms and placed his tongue in his mouth so that the teachings and principles of prophethood may be fed to him. That’s why some time he used to tell him: “Behold O Husain! Behold O Husain! The Almighty Allah has not accepted for you except what He intended, that is Imamate that shall be for you and your descendants.”
Regarding this, it is said: “They (people who martyred him) kept him away from water, the one whose grandfather Mustafa(May Allah’s blessings be upon him) gave him his fingers to suck. Sometimes he gave him his thumb to suck and sometimes his tongue so that his nature may be inculcated into him”.
The Holy Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) imbibed in the personality of the newborn his personal virtues and excellence so that he may be an example of greatness and this may continue even after he has passed away, and he may become his successor in spreading his aims and in defending his principles.
Moreover, historians have recorded incidents and narrations in this respect. In one Hadith it has been said that the Holy Prophet’s prostration (Ruku) took longer than usual in his prayer. People came to the Holy Prophet and asked, "Were you receiving a revelation or order from Allah during prostration?" Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) replied, "No, my son Husain had climbed on my back; I waited until he wished to come down."( ) This is an example showing how the best creature of Allah treated Imam Husain while he was in the best state of worship.
The companions had seen Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) repeatedly carrying Imam Hasan and Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) on his shoulders and play with them. At other times he would kiss Imam Husain and say, "Husain is from me, and I am from Husain. May Allah love him who loves Husain." ( )In other traditions the Holy Prophet would say, "Hasan and Husain are my two aromatic flowers from this world."( )
The Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) recommendations and affections for Imam Husain were in fact portraying an important fact. He would repeatedly inform people that salvation and prosperity can only be found through the friendship and love of Imam Husain. Hazrat Umar Ibn Khattab narrates from Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him): "Hasan and Husain are masters of the youth in heaven. Whosoever loves them has loved me, and whosoever has animosity with them, is my enemy." ( )
The Messenger of Allah said: “Verily Husain is a door from the doors of Paradise; Allah has made even the smell of Paradise unlawful for those who antagonize Husain.”
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas has narrated that: “The Holy Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) sought protection of Hasan and Husain as follows: “I seek by the perfect words of Allah from all devils and poisonous creatures and from all the envious eyes.” And he used to say: ‘Ibrahim used to invoke protection in this way for his sons, Ismail and Ishaq”
Abdur Rahman Bin Auf has reported that: “The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) told me: ‘O Abdur Rahman! Do you not want me to teach you the amulet through which Prophet Ibrahim sought protection of his two sons, Ismail and Ishaq and I do for my two sons, Hasan and Husain…?”
The Holy Quran and Imam Husain
Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) was still a child when several verses of the Holy Quran were revealed either about or referring to him. One of those verses is referred to as the verse of Mubahilah (Quran, 3:61). On the day of Mubahilah when a spiritual contest between Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) and the Christians of Najran was set up to invoke the curse of Allah on the liars, Husain and his family were the only ones accompanying the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) had orders from Almighty Allah through the verse of Mubahilah to take Hasan and Husain as his children with him.
Imam Husain was one of the five people in regards to whom the verse of Tat’hir (Purification) was revealed. He, his father, brother, and mother were under the Holy Prophet’s cloak when Allah revealed to His Messenger: "Verily Allah desires to remove all kinds of uncleanness from only you, O Ahl al-Bayt (people of the house), and to definitely purify you." (The Holy Quran, 33:33).
This verse of the Holy Quran is clear proof of the infallibility of this family and their purification from all sins and mistakes.
In another verse, Allah commands all Muslims to love those closely related to Prophet Muhammad: "Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives?" (Quran, 42:23). When the companions asked Prophet Muhammad who these "near relatives" were, the Prophet (May Allah’s blessing be upon him) replied: "They are Ali, Fatimah and their two children."
Some Traditions of Holy Prophet for Imam al-Husain
The Messenger of Allah said: "Al-Hasan and al-Husain are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise and Fatimah is the chief of their women." ( )
Also it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "Husain is from me and I am from Husain." ( )
The last part of the above tradition probably means that Imam Husain, by sacrificing himself and his family, preserved the religion of Prophet Muhammad from full annihilation.
The Prophet looked toward Ali, Hasan, Husain, and Fatimah, and then said: "I am in war with those who will fight against you, and in peace with those who are peaceful to you."( )
The Messenger of Allah said: "He who loves Al-Hasan and Al-Husain, has loved me, and he who makes them angry has made me angry." ( )
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "I named Hasan, Husain and Muhsin, the names of the sons of Aaron (Haroon) who were: Shubbar, Shubair, and Mushbir." ( )
Hazrat Usamah Ibn Zayd narrated: “I went to visit the Holy Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) and he came out with something (I did not know what) under his cloak. When I had finished telling him my purpose to visit him, I asked him what he had under his cloak, and when he opened it I saw Al-Hasan and Al-Husain under it. He then said, "These are my sons and my daughter’s sons. O Allah, I love them, so I beseech You to love them and those who love them.”( )
Hazrat Anas Ibn Malik Narrated: “When Allah’s Messenger was asked which member of his family was the dearest to him, he replied, Al-Hasan and al-Husain”. ( )
Imam Husain’s Firm Stance towards Yazeed
Imam Husain(May Allah be pleased with him) became the Imam after the martyrdom of his older brother, Imam Hasan (May Allah be pleased with him), in AD 670 (AH 50). Hazrat Ali’s supporters in Kufah gave their allegiance to Imam Husain(May Allah be pleased with him). However, he told them he was still bound to the peace treaty between Imam Hasan and Muawiyah (May Allah be pleased with them) After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan, Imam Husain did not accept the request of Muawiyah for the succession of his son, Yazeed, and considered this action a breach of the Imam Hasan–Muawiya treaty.
When Muawiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) died in 680 AD, Imam Husain refused to pledge allegiance to Yazeed, who had just been appointed as Umayyad caliph by Muawiyah. He insisted on his legitimacy based on his own special position as a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad and his legitimate legatee. He left Medina, his hometown, to take refuge in Mecca in AH 60. There, the people of Kufah sent letters to him, asking his help and pledging their allegiance to him. So he traveled towards Kufah, but, at a place near it known as Karbala, his caravan was intercepted by Yazeed's army.
Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) was martyred and beheaded in the Battle of Karbala’ on 10 October 680 (10th of Muḥarram 61 AH) by Shimr, along with most of his family and companions, including Hazrat Imam Husain's six month old son, Hazrat Ali Al-Asghar, with the women and children taken as prisoners. Anger at Imam Husain's martyrdom was turned into a rallying cry that helped undermine the Umayyad caliphate's legitimacy, and ultimately overthrow it by the Abbasid Revolution.
Why Did The Incident of Karbala Happen?
Incident of Karbala is the saddest significant incident in the history of Islam which is about the Hazrat Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) the son of Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) and Maternal grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) It was the fight between the truth and right of Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) and injustice and violence of Yazeed. The Truth of Hazrat Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) won and yazeed is cursed for his brutality and injustice forever.
Not long after the passing of Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him), the leadership of the vast Islamic Empire had fallen into disrepute. The moral values that Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) had spent his life instilling into society were being eradicated as the new ruler, a ruthless man called Yazeed from the Umayyad dynasty, was determined to gain complete control.
Imam Husain witnessed and protested for the rights of the people being violated, and the values of society being destroyed by a tyrannical and corrupt government. Yazeed was the antithesis of everything Imam Husain stood for and preached, yet he demanded that Husain would pay allegiance to him, in order to increase his own credibility.
Imam Husain had to make a decision to give his oath of allegiance to a tyrant and submit to evil, or to make a stand of defiance against evil and risk his own life? The timeless words of his grandfather, the holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) echoed in his heart, and Husain knew what he had to do: “The greatest stand is to speak the word of truth in the face of a tyrant.”( )
For Imam Husain(May Allah be pleased with him) the decision was straightforward. “A man like me can never give allegiance to a man like him” ( )he famously said. Imam Husain’s defiance of Yazeed grew stronger. Imam Husain gave everything he had for the sake of justice and Islam.
Along with his family and 72 companions, Imam Husain made his way towards the East seeking to gain support for his uprising whilst avoiding violence. While the journey, Imam Husain, his family and companions were forced to stop by an army of over 30,000, on the hot plains of a land called Karbala (present day Iraq).
Yazeed’s forces cut the supply of water for Imam Husain’s family and companions, including women and children. In 680 AD, after three days of no water and food in the scorching heat, Imam Husain stood and fell valiantly in what is known as The Battle of Karbala. Imam Husain martyred defending those around him being oppressed and whilst standing for his principles.
Why and How Imam Husain Left Madina For Kufa
28th Rajab 60 AH- Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) leaves Madina for his final abode. The day Karbala began....................
After the conspiracy and ultimate martyrdom of Imam Hasan, Muawiyah(May Allah be pleased with him) started campaigning openly for the succession of his son Yazeed to the office of Caliphate. Later on, his missionaries took the message to other parts of the Islamic world and he got support for the caliphate of Yazeed from a number of important Islamic cities.
After his death in Rajab of the 60th Hijrah, Yazeed sat on his throne and started the campaign of getting Ba'yat of all Muslims so that they would accept him as the Caliph. The materialistic personalities of that time came forward and accepted his caliphate. Among them were mostly the people who were known for their enmity towards the Ahl-e-Bait of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (May Allah be pleased with him). The other group was the people who were either coerced by force or treachery or their loyalties were bought through material offers.
When the campaign crossed the borders of Syria, instructions were sent to the Governor of Madina - Walid Ibn-e-Aqua Ibn-e-Abu Sufyan - as well to get the Ba'yat of Imam Husain. According to some historians, Yazeed also mentioned that if Imam Husain(May Allah be pleased with him) declines his Ba'yat then Walid should kill him and send his head to Syria. Walid invited the Imam to his court and gave him the orders of Yazeed and demanded his Ba'yat. Imam replied "A person like me would never accept the Ba'yat of a person like Yazeed".( ) In this statement, Imam gave a clear guideline to all believers.
One of the advisors of Walid named Marwan Bin Hakm incited Walid on getting Imam killed right there but Imam was joined by a few of his followers from Bani Hashim under the leadership of Hazrat Abbas and returned safely from the court. The political developments made it very clear that Yazeed was going all out to either obtain the Ba'yat of Imam Husain or to get him killed. Imam Husain had the sanctity and holiness of Madina as well as the salvation of the religion of Islam in his mind, therefore, he decided to leave Madina and go towards Iraq. He asked for the preparation of Caravan of his selected family members and his trusted friends and set off for this long journey on the 28th of Rajab.
When Imam Husain had made his decision to leave Madina, he went to the grave of his brother Imam Hasan with a very heavy heart. There he stayed for some time talking to his brother saying "O brother now the enemy is after my blood. It looks like time for my martyrdom is near and I am leaving you now”. The narrator said, I imagine that Imam Hasan would have replied from his grave – “O my brother I bid you farewell and give you my son Qasim to become your sadqa in Karbala”.
After that, Imam Husain went to the grave of his grandfather, the Holy Prophet Mohammad ( May Allah’s blessings be upon him) He stayed there for a long time and wept a lot. His eyes closed and he saw the Holy Prophet in his dream and said to him "O my grandfather, my salutations to you. The land of Madina has become small for me. Tyrants among the Ummah are after my blood and I am leaving Madina with a heavy heart".
Finally Imam Husain came to the grave of his mother Hazrat Fatima Zahra (May Allah be pleased with him). Historians write that Imam ran towards her grave just like a child runs toward his mother and he fell on her grave just like a child falls in the lap of the mother. Imam said "O my mother accept my last salaam. I am leaving the land of Madina and would not come back. The prophecy of my grandfather is about to come true". The narrator said, I imagine that Bibi Zahra would have said from her grave "O my beloved son, O the one whom I have raised by keeping awake in the night, I would not let you go alone. From this day I would not rest in my grave but I would accompany you throughout your journey."
Legacy of Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him)
The event of Karbala marks the greatest sacrifice for the sake of God in the human history. The minute and stunning details of this great event have been written and survived from the very first day.
Through this tragic end but historic act of sacrifice, Imam Hussain was ultimately victorious. His martyrdom became the catalyst for revolutionary change and led to the collapse of Yazeed’s tyrannic rule. Imam Husain stood by his principles till the very end, and his legacy continues to inspire millions around the world.
From civil rights leaders to volunteers at local charities – centuries later, people across the world are empowered by his selflessness, courage and determination. The story of Imam Husain Ibn Ali stands as an inspiration to all, no matter what colour or creed.
Imam Husain’s values and his stand are the underlying foundations for organizations. Inspired by Imam Husain, so many institutes around the world are founded to help the homeless, feed the hungry and donate blood to save lives.
There are some sayings and quotes that I would like to mention here. Some of them are of Imam Husain while some of them are about Imam Husain said by other eminent personalities across the world.
Hazrat Imam Husain’s Sayings (May Allah be pleased with him)
• I never revolted in vain, as a rebel or as a tyrant, but I rose seeking reformation for the nation of my grandfather Muhammad (May Allah’s blessings be upon him). I intend to enjoin good and forbid evil, to act according to the traditions of my grandfather, and my father Ali Ibn Abi-Talib.
• People are slave of this world and their religion is just like saliva or taste on the tongue. They revolve around religion as long as their materialistic needs are well provided; but when they face difficulties, tests & trials, very few people prove to be steadfast.
• One who pursues a goal through sinful ways, will ironically distance himself from that goal, and will approach what he was afraid of.
• Don't you see that the right is not conveyed and the wrong is not prohibited? Let believers wish to die and righteously meet their God.
• Those who worship Allah for the hope of gaining , they're not real worshippers ,they're merchants. Those who worship Allah out of fear ( of punishment ) , they're slaves. And those who worship Allah to be grateful towards their Creator , they are the free people, and their worship is a real one.
• Among the signs of ignorance is arguing with irrational people. Among the signs of a learned man is criticizing his own words and being informed of various viewpoints.
• Imam Husain was asked: O 'the son of the prophet how is life going on? Imam replied: Life is going on, in such a way that I have a Allah over me, the hell-fire in front of me , death is looking for me, there is no escape of the Day of Judgment, I am taken as a hostage by my own deeds, things do not turn out to be the way I like , I cannot repel what I hate, the affairs are in someone else's hands. He tortures me if he likes and he forgives if he wishes. Therefore, is there anybody poorer than me?
• Whoever becomes generous becomes a noble; and whoever becomes stingy becomes vicious and mean-spirited.
• Imam was asked: What causes noble and eminent personality. He replied: "Controlling your tongue and doing good deeds.
• Your best relation is the one who comes to you and helps you when you have severed relations with him.
• Tolerance is man's ornament, keeping promises is a sign of nobility, and bonding with others is a grace.
• Arrogance is a sign of selfishness, rashness is a sign of foolishness and foolishness is a sign of weakness and exaggeration causes destruction.
• Beware not to be among those who fear that people might face punishment for their sins but they feel secured from their own sins. Surely the glorious Allah cannot be cheated and no reward can be achieved from him except by his obedience; Allah’s willing.
• O' the son of Adam ! Think for a while and ask yourself: Where are the kings and emperors of the world? Where are those who re-built the ruins, dug ditches and wells, planted trees and set up habitable towns ? Where are those who gathered wealth? They had to part with their wealth and properties and leave them to other reluctantly. We, too, will have the same fate.
• Know that surely the world's sweetness and bitterness are all (nothing but) dreams. Awareness is solely in the hereafter. The winner is the one who wins the other world and the wretched is the one who becomes wretched in it (the hereafter).
• When you are frustrated and do not know a way out, only flexibility and moderation towards difficulties will save you.
• Silence is an ornament; greediness is poverty; generosity is prosperity and moderation is wisdom.
• Once Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) advised Ibn- Abbas:" Do not talk about something which does not concern you, because I fear that you commit a sin, and do not talk in what concerns you unless there is an occasion for it. Very often a speaker is criticized for telling the truth (for it was not on the right occasion.)
• 19 -Endure difficulties when you walk on a divine path, and resist the temptation of worldly pleasures. ( )
Imam hussain’s meaningful short sayings (May Allah be pleased with him)
1. "Man of trust always stays in safety."
2. "Helping others stands for goodness at heart."
3. "Charity and alms are the best remedy for ailments and calamities."
4. "One has to account in the next world for the deeds that he has done in this world."
5. "Piety is the best weapon of defense."
6. "Submission to Allah’s will is the best companion."
7. "Wisdom is the noblest heritage."
8. "Theoretical and practical knowledge are the best signs of distinction."
9. "Avoid speaking until there is reasonable occasion; those who enter into useless talk, even if expressing truth, are found reprehensible."
10. "Avarice is disgrace; cowardice is a defect; poverty often disables an intelligent man from arguing his case."
11. "All greatness & magnificence stands for the Almighty Allah & it adorns none else."
12. "A poor man is a stranger in his own town; misfortune and helplessness are calamities; patience is a kind of bravery."
13. "To sever attachments with the wicked world is the greatest wealth."
14. "Deep thinking will present the clearest picture of every problem."( )
Do let me write the words that are clearly defined by Imam Husain:
Definitions of Some Words as Perspective of Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him):
OBEDIENCE
“Whoever seeks the satisfaction of people through disobedience of God; Then God subjects him to people”
FEAR OF GOD
“Avoid oppressing the one who does not have any supporter against you, other than the Almighty God.”
SALVATION
“Crying out of fear from God is salvation from the hellfire”
GENEROSITY
“The most generous person is the one who offers help to those who do not expect him to help”
MERCY
“The most merciful person is the one who forgives when he is able to revenge”
TRUTH
“Wisdom will not be complete except by following the truth”
DEATH
“To me, death is nothing but happiness, and living under tyrants nothing but living in a hell”
The Holy Traditions related to Imam Husain’s Sacred Life and Martyrdom
Hazrat Asma brought the newborn(Imam Husain) to the Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him). The infant was wrapped in a piece of cloth. The face of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) lit up upon seeing his grandson. He took him in his arms. He recited the call to prayer (Adan) into his right ear, and read the shorter version (Iqama) in his left ear. He, then, placed the baby in his lap and wept.
"May my father and mother be your sacrifice," Asma asked him, "why are you crying?" "Because of this son," the Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) replied. "He is a newborn baby," she said."O Asma," the Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) said, "After me, the transgressing party will martyr him. May Allah never grant them my intercession?" Then the Prophet (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) said: "Asma, do not tell Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) about this” ( )
The Holy Rituals of Muharram specially Tenth Day( Ashura)
The fasting in this month is greater in term of reward as per narration of the Holy Prophet (May Allah’s blessing be upon him). To recite the holy Quran is one the permissible rituals that we can do instead of performing self-harm act and making some kind of Ta’zia in regards to show in congregational processions.
Message of Shahadah of Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him)
After going through the entire event of Karbala we find that Imam Husain was a 7th century revolutionary leader who made the ultimate stand for social justice in the face of corruption and tyranny. He gave everything, including his life, for the dignity of Islam. So having followed his teachings, we should have to abide by the fundamental tenets of Islam.
Imam Husain gave everything he had for the sake of Islam and justice. Imam gave a clear guideline to all believers. So we should move forward to maintain the standards of justice in our societies and country.
For the last fourteen hundred centuries, the battle of Karbala reflects the collision of the good versus the evil, the virtuous versus the wicked, right versus the wrong, and the collision of Imam Husain (the head of virtue) versus Yazid (the head of impiety). This phenomena tells us to stand always against evil at any cost as well as his legacy inspires millions. “Death with dignity is better than a life of humiliation.”
Before the battle of Karbala, the world knew only the rule that “The Might is the Right”. However, the day of Ashura introduced even more powerful rule to this world; “The Right is the Might” . Now, the blood of the innocent could win over the sword of a tyrant.
Opinions of Renewed Scholars and Great Personalities About Martyrdom of Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
In the following, I write some quotes mentioned by the world personalities about Imam Husain and his martyrdom.
“My admiration for the noble sacrifice of Imam Husain as a martyr abounds, because he accepted death and the torture of thrust for himself, for his sons, and for his whole family, but did not submit to unjust authorities.” “I learnt from Husain how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”
“My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Husain.”
“If India wants to be a successful country, it must follow in the footsteps of Imam Husain”
“If I had an army like the 72 soldiers of Husain, I would have won freedom for India in 24 hours.”
Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation – India)
“There is a universal appeal in his martyrdom. Hazrat Imam Husain 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 an enemy; the power of faith to his greatest force, which regards all material force as nothing. This sacrifice is a beacon light of guidance for every community and every nation”.
“Imam Husain’s sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of righteousness.”
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1st Prime Minister of India)
“The world is unable to present an example finer and brighter than the personality of Imam Husain. He was the embodiment of love, valor and personification of sacrifice and devotion. Every Muslim, in particular, must learn a lesson from his life and should seek guidance from him.”
Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1st President of Pakistan)
“In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Husain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.”
Edward Gibbon (English historian and member of parliament)
“Husain and his companions faced eight kinds of enemies. On the four sides the army of Yezeed was their enemy which was ceaselessly raining arrows; the fifth foe was the Sun of Arabia that was scorching the bodies; the sixth foe was the desert of Karbala the sands of which were scorching like a heated furnace; the seventh and eighth foes were the overpowering hunger and the unbearable thirst. Thus on those who fought with thousands of infidels in such conditions has ended bravado; on such a people no gallant (hero) can ever have pre-eminence.”
James Corne (Author of History of China)
“In order to keep alive justice and truth, instead of an army or weapons, success can be achieved by sacrificing lives, exactly what Imam Hussain did.”
“Imam Husain is the leader of humanity.”
“Imam Husain (a.s.) will warm the coldest heart.”
“Husain’s sacrifice indicates spiritual liberation.”
Rabindranath Tagore (Indian Nobel Prize in Literature 1913)
“The best lesson which we get from tragedy of Cerebella 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!”
Thomas Carlyle (Scottish historian and essayist)
“If Husain had fought to quench his worldly desires…then I do not understand why his sister, wife, and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore, that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”
Charles Dickens (English novelist)
“The tragedy of Karbala decided not only the fate of the Caliphate, but also of Mohammadan kingdoms long after the Caliphate had waned and is appeared.”
Sir William Muir (Scottish orientalist)
“Of that gallant band, male and female knew that the enemy forces around were implacable, and were not only ready to fight, but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under the burning sun and scorching sands, yet not one faltered for a moment. Husain marched with his little company, not to glory, not to power of wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice, and every member bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching.”
Dr. K. Sheldrake
“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)
Antoine Bara (Lebanese writer)
“It was possible for Husain to save his life by submitting himself to the will of Yazeed. But his responsibility as a reformer did not allow him to accept Yazeed’s Caliphate. He therefore prepared to embrace all sorts discomfort and inconvenience in order to deliver Islam from the hands of injustice. Under the blazing sun, on the parched land and against the stiffing heat of Arabia, stood the immortal Hussein.”
Washington Irwing (American author, essayist, biographer and historian)
“This is a catastrophe whereof I care not to speak at length, deeming it alike too grievous and too horrible. For verily, it was a catastrophe than that which naught more shameful has happened in Islam…There happened there in such a foul slaughter as to cause man’s flesh to creep with horror. And again I have dispersed with my long description because of it’s notoriety, for it is the most lamented of catastrophes.”
Al Fakhri (Famous Arab Historian)
“Let humanity awakens and every tribe will claim Husain as their own.
Josh Malihabadi (Shaayar-e-Inqilaab or The Revolutionary Poet)
“In the martyrdom of Husain, lies the death of Yazeed, for Islam resurrects after every Karbala”
Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar (Pioneer of the Khilafat Movement and a dauntless fighter in the struggle of independence)
“Imam Hussein uprooted despotism forever, till the day of Resurrection. He watered the dry gardens of freedom with a surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husain had aimed at acquiring the worldly empire, he would not have traveled the way he did. Hussein weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily, therefore he becomes the foundation of Muslim creed. ‘La Ilaha Illallah’, meaning there is no deity but Allah (God).
Allama Iqbal (Famous Poet)
“The sacrifice of Imam Husain is not limited to one country, or nation, but it is the hereditary state of the brotherhood of all mankind.”
Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1st President of India)
“Though Imam Husain gave his life almost 1300 years ago, but his indestructible soul rules the hearts of people even today.”
Dr. Radha Krishnan (Ex President of India)
“It is Husain’s sacrifice that has kept Islam alive or else in this world there would be no one left to take Islam’s name.”
Swami Shankaracharya (Hindu Religious Priest)
“I congratulate Muslims that from among them, Husain, a great human being was born, who is revered and honored totally by all communities.”
Sarojini Naidu (Great India Poetess titled Nightingale of India)
Seraj Ahmad Misbahi