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Karbala and Sacrifice

By Atif Raja

If we want to understand our problems today we take a leaf from the book of history concerning the eminent Imam Hussein’s sacrifice at Karbala. How many times have we refused to take a principled stand, hold our leaders to account, or even risk our lives for a just cause? Answer these questions and we realise why the Ummah is in dire straits.

The daunting challenges faced by Muslims all over the world today demand a harking back to the memorable message and mission of Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him). His supreme sacrifice to reclaim the true spirit of Islam that was getting corroded under the corrupting influence of those who claimed to be its custodians must be imbibed not merely in words but in deeds.

He embarked on his struggle with courage of conviction and rare resolution. Though materially and militarily the odds against him and his small band of followers were formidable, spiritually and morally this modest army turned out to be a mighty force against those of oppression and injustice.

It is but natural for us to grieve over a heart-rending tragedy unparalleled in human history. A stage sometimes comes in human affairs when one is confronted with a dilemma - a hard choice between coming to terms with evil for reasons of expediency, and accepting the challenge of a struggle involving incalculable risks and grave perils.

By choosing the latter course, Imam Hussein set an example of struggle and sacrifice, but it would be unrealistic to assume that one Karbala has saved the faith and made it safe for all times.

Islam is a dynamic faith and as such has to face challenges from within and without. Imam Hussein’s refusal to surrender to a usurper of power shows the path to all Muslims. Yet we sit back and let our tyrants and leaders guide us down the path of disaster.

He laid no claim to caliphate; all he did was to refuse allegiance to Yazid. The so-called caliph wanted Imam Hussein to publicly acknowledge his claim to caliphate, because that would have made his job easy. In refusing to do that, Hussein was guided by two considerations: Yazid had become caliph without having been elected by the community's elders; the second stemmed from his reservations about Yazid's character, for it left much to be desired.

Imam Hussein’s mission served to emphasize his commitment to truth and to the highest principles of Islam. He was not itching for a fight at Karbala, which in fact was thrust on him, and he fought to prove that one must not compromise on principles; that an Islamic state must be ruled by a man (everyone is subject to the Shariah), who not only had the community's sanction behind him but who was also a man of character and possessed the virtues that Islam expects of all its followers.

While Imam Hussain’s life and death represents the entire range of high human qualities, the twin virtues of courage and compassion are among the abiding legacy of the Imam. It would be useful to review the applicability of this legacy to the challenges confronting the Islamic world. How well has the poet said:

Life is mostly froth and bubble
Two things stand like stone
Kindness in another’s trouble
Courage in your own!

The world community is only exploiting the differences and discord in our ranks. If we really want to pay homage to Imam Hussein’s lofty mission and martyrdom, let us resolve to uphold Islam's teachings of truth, justice and brotherhood. The spectre of Karbala is once again haunting the Ummah. Imam Hussein’s glorious example must be revived as a guiding motivation for action at this critical hour.