WHY WAS
IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.) UPRISING?
"And think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead, they are
alive, (and) by their Lord well provided.”
(3:169)
A host of
political, social and religious factors made Imam Husayn (a.s) rise to
challenge Yazeed bin Mu’awiya. Key factor was the violation of the
principles upon which Islamic rule is based. Imam Husayn (a.s) had the
following goals in mind when he started his uprising:
1. Paying
due attention to the public opinion of the Ummah, and regularly
consulting it in the conduct of affairs. Changing of the political
conditions, the ruling system and the way of administering civil
affairs, the treating the Ummah in accordance with the divine standard
set forth by Islam:
“.... And consult them in the matter..."
(3.159)
2. Law
and principles stand above everyone. They are the standard according to
which the ruler is evaluated. The legality of his position, and his
right to exercise of power is similarly estimated. Awakening the
political conscience of the Ummah and making a powerful oversight body
out of it, lest the ruler deviate or neglect Islamic laws.
"...So judge between people with justice and do not follow desire.."
(38.26)
" ...Therefore judge between them according to what Allah has sent down.”
(5.48)
3.
Establishment of justice and equity between all the people, regardless
of social status in the sphere of rights and obligations
"Surely Allah commands you to deliver trust back to their owner and when
you judge between people you that you judge with justice.."
(4:58)
4.
Assuring the leader is both efficient and righteous so that he can
discharge his responsibilities: The Holy Prophet (saww.) is reported to
have said: "We are commanded to place
people in their right positions".
5. Equity
in economic distribution ought to be firmly instituted:
"Whatever Allah has restored to His Messenger from the people of the
towns, it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for the near of kin and
the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, so that it may not be a
thing taken by turns among the rich of you and whatever the Messenger
gives you, accept it, and from whatever he forbids you, keep back and be
careful of (you duty to) Allah; surely Allah is severe in retribution
(evil)."
(59:7)
Imam Ali
(a.s.) is reported to have said: "Even
if all of it was my personal property I would have distributed it
equally amongst the needy and poor. Then what is the situation when the
property belongs to Allah"
6. The
right of criticizing, advising, guiding and discussing the policies of
the leader should be respected and institutionalised. Emphasizing the
legality of militarily opposing the unjust ruler.
"And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoy
what is right and forbid the wrong, and these it is that shall be
successful"
(3:104)
The Holy
Prophet (saww.) is reported to have said:
"The best of Jihad is that of a word of right
spoken to unjust ruler"
Imam
Husayn (a.s.) witnessed the deteriorating political and social situation
and clearly recognized that the general policy of the authorities did
not jibe Islamic principles. He was aware of the Ummah's numerous and
painful afflictions, and was determined to exercise his religious duty,
being the duly sanctioned leader and central figure capable of restoring
Islamic values. To re-educating the Ummah in line with Islamic laws and
to rectifying deviation and putting in to practice the Shari’ah. Also,
breaking the wall of fear and terror that was imposed on the Ummah and
stirring the sprit of revolution and sacrifice in it.
Thus he
rose. His revolt is rich in lessons and divinely inspired attitudes.
Imam Husayn (as) embodied the sacrifice of self, money, family, social
status and the challenge to terror and cruelty. He patiently traversed
hundred of miles, moving both night and day. The epic protest he
engendered come at the most critical political juncture. In fact, the
prophet's grandson had vowed to sacrifice himself.
Eventually he was killed along with his sons, most of his household and
all of his companions. The bodies were mutilated and their heads were
carried from Karbala', to Kufa and finally to Damascus. His womenfolk
were taken prisoners and marched across the desert. He himself was
expecting all that, but did not budge an inch. He (as) is known to have
said, "By Allah, I will never give you
my hand like a man who has been humiliated, nor will I flee like a
slave"
An
uprising led by the noblest and best-respected personality in the entire
Ummah is certainly one, which is uniquely distinguished as a movement,
abounding with spiritual, moral and religious ideals. Due to the
importance of this personality, we are honoured to remark the most
outstanding incidents of the dynamic Husayni movement, which stands
unequalled in its greatness and fills pages upon pages of history. Such
a sublime revolution has to be studied, dissected and fully understood.
Lessons should be drawn from it. Here we note that the backward and
downtrodden nations must one day follow in the footsteps of Imam Hussein
if they are to challenge the despots.
We
beseech the Most High and Almighty to make our effort of enduring
benefit and to help us in disseminating benevolence and guidance. He is
the Hearing and Answering. (Source: Imam Hussein and The Day of
Ashura, Al-Huda Foundation., 1992)