What is Ashura ?
In the month of Muharram 61 AH (approx. 20 October 680 AD), an event took place in Iraq at a place known as Karbala on the bank of the river Euphrates. It seemed in those days insignificant from the historical point of view. A large army which had been mobilized by the Umayyad regime besieged a group of persons numbering less than a hundred and put them under pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph of the time and submit to his authority. The small group resisted and a severe battle took place in which they were all martyred.
It appeared at that time that like hundreds of similar events, this battle would be recorded in history and forgotten in time. However, the events that occurred on the 10th day of Muharram in Karbala were to become a beacon and an inspiration for future generations. In this article, we shall examine briefly the principal adversaries.
Who is Hussain (A.S)?
The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Karbala was none other than Hussain (A), son of Ali bin Abi Talib (A.S) and grandson of the Holy Prophet (S). Who was Hussain (A.S)? He was the son of Fatima (A) for whom the Holy Prophet (S) said, "Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. May God love whoever loves Hussain."[ref:1]
Why remember Ashura ?
Why is Hussain (A) regarded as the "leader of the martyrs" ? It is because he was not just the victim of an ambitious ruler. There is no doubt that the tragedy of Karbala, when ascribed to the killers, is a criminal and terrible act. However when ascribed to Hussain (A) himself, it represents a conscious confrontation and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The whole nation had failed to stand up to Yazid. They had succumbed to his will, and deviation and regression towards the pre-Islamic ways were increasing.
Passiveness by Hussain (A) in this situation would have meant the end of Islam as we know it. Thus Hussain (A) took upon himself the responsibility of the whole nation. The greatest tragedy was that one who stood up for the noblest of causes, the defense of Islam, was cut down in so cruel a manner.
It is for this reason that the sacrifice of Hussain (A) is commemorated annually throughout the Muslim world. Our sorrow never abates as we relive the tragedy. As Allama Iqbal says in his Baqiyat (in Urdu):
Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main,
Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujhey
I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of Kerbala
Won't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser (Imam Ali (A))
24 Hours Live broadcast from Roza e Imam Hussain (A.S) Karbala-e-Moalla
Detail about Imam Hussain’s (A.S) Martyrdom
List of Martyrs in Karbala
Detail about the event of Imam Hussain’s (A.S) arrival & martyrdom in Karbala
Story of Karbala in pictures
City Of Karbala
