Imam Husain: Husain's Sacrifice To Uphold Truth  

By Yazdan Akhtar  

Imam Husain: Husain's Sacrifice To Uphold Truth  

Today is the martyrdom day of Imam Husain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed. In 61 Hizrat (680 AD) a battle took place at Karbala, Iraq, on the banks of the river Euphrates.

A large army mobilised by Yazid, descendant of the Umayyad regime, besieged a small group led by Imam Husain, and forced them to pay allegiance to the Caliph and submit to his authority. Husain and his small group put up a brave resistance but were killed in the fierce battle.

Husain, who led this group of dedicated men in Karbala, was the son of Fatima and Ali bin Abu Talib and the grandson of the Holy Prophet. Of him the Holy Prophet said: "Husain is from me and I am from Husain. May God love whoever loves Husain."

After the death of his elder brother Hasan, Husain became responsible for the followers of Islam as head of the household of the Holy Prophet.

The principles and laws of Islam demanded that Husain act to warn and protect the Ummah (Muslims) in the face of danger. Husain himself stated - when he left Madina for the last time - that he was not rising against Yazid, the tyrant, who had usurped what was rightfully Husain's. He was rising to seek reform for the Ummah.

The values Imam Husain stood for could be best described by an incident which took place on his way to Karbala. Hur, the commander of Yazid's regiment obstructed Husain's way, refusing entry to the city of Kufa, forcing him to move towards Karbala.

When Hur's regiment exhausted their water supply, a compassionate Imam Husain directed his men to serve water from their own stock not only to men in Hur's regiment but to their horses also.

Hur, his son, brother and a slave joined Imam Husain and begged his forgiveness. He was received warmly by Husain and Hur didn't hesitate to go to battle on his behalf, where he laid down his life. Husain was killed on the battlefield as he bowed in sajdah to pray to God. His head was taken to Damascus and presented at the feet of Yazid.

Husain is regarded as the "leader of the martyrs" - he was not just the victim of an ambitious ruler; he stood his ground for a faith he believed in.

When Yazid's representative threatened Husain and his people with dire consequences if they did not submit to Yazid, Husain refused saying: "Tell Yazid to tempt with the worldly comforts those who are after this World. I am the Imam , the Representative of the Apostle of God. I shall never yield to the one who believeth not in God and who defieth the Word of the Lord, in word and deed, and who spreadeth godlessness on the earth."

Husain's sacrifice is commemorated annually by Muslims worldwide in remembrance of the values he stood for.

Husain had said: "Let any calamity befall me and my dear ones, the will of the Lord shall be done. Husain will cheerfully meet any catastrophe but never surrender truth to falsehood."

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See also: Imam Husain, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)