The advent of the month of Moharram brings tears to our eyes. With tearful eyes and aggrieved hearts, we extend our condolences to HazratWali-e-Asr Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) and to all the lovers of HazratSayyedushShohada (a.s.). We pray to the Almighty, that for the sake of the helpers of Imam Husain (a.s.), to include us amongst the altruistic servants and helpers of the Imam of our Age, defending him, at all times. And thus honouring us, with His Sl. vice and that of His beloved Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
The martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.) was an ultimate sacrifice for the exaltation of the divine religion. Carnal intents and selfish designs did not hover around this great mission. It was for the rectification of the nation of the Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.a.) did Imam Husain (a.s.) accept it.
Each of the fragrant flowers collected by Imam Husain (a.s.), in the bouquet of martyrs, were religion-personified. Effusive emotions had not brought the Imam’s (a.s.) companions to his camps, but the light of Marefat (true recognition) had led them there. The recognition radiated true insight, and overflowed with the true understanding of the Imam of the age, and consequently the sharpness of the sword was not feared. Thus, rendering the sacrifice priceless.
Imam Husain (a.s.), in one of his sermons has introduced the sinners. He (a.s.) has pointed out how the society marches towards evil. Flimsy issues gallop towards major discords, and when the masses disregard their responsibilities, the society meets destruction.
An introduction of the sinners
The glorification of the actions of the sinners for some personal gains and worldly benefits, removes the guilt of sin from their hearts. Not only that, it motivates others to follow them.
Imam Husain (a.s.) in the most unequivocal words disapproves it “O people benefit from the guidance of the Almighty to His beloved servants. He has prohibited the priests from false praisings, and has rebuked them ‘Why do not the learned men and the doctors of law prohibit them from their speaking of what is sinful and their eating of what is unlawfully acquired?’
(Surah Maaedah: 63).
He has also said, ‘Those who disbelieved from among the children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of Dawood and Isa, son of Mariam; this was because they disobeyed and used to exceed the limit. They used not to forbid each other the hateful things which they did; certainly evil was that which they did.’
(Surah Maaedah: 78-79)
The Almighty has condemned and castigated them because these people saw the oppressors commit evil and spread mischief, yet did not forbid them. They chose silence because of the prizes they received from the oppressors, or due to their fear. Whilst the Almighty says, ‘So do not fear them (the people), and fear Me.’ (Surah Baqarah: 150).
The Almighty (says about the characteristics of a believer), ‘And (as for) the believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil (to each other).’
(Surah Tauba : 71)
The Almighty has ordained AmrbilMaroof (enjoining good) and NahyanilMunkar (forbidding evil). This is so, because He knows that if this is adhered to, all other obligations easy or difficult will be obeyed. Enjoining good, forbidding evil and calling (the people, towards Islam, stops injustice – opposes the oppressor, justly distributes the public treasury (BaitulMaal), obtains taxes the right way and ensures expenditure at the appropriate place.”
These words explicitly pronounce how people for worldly gains preferred silence as they saw the oppressors commit evil and spread corruption. How the love of the world makes one heedless of his religious responsibilities.
Religion the cause of Honour
Those whose names are associated with religion are looked up with respect. However, at times it is felt they themselves are not careful of the religious injunctions. They are vociferous when their rights or benefits are questioned, but select silence when it is the turn of the weak. They obtain honour from religion, but protect their own interests.
Imam Husain (a.s.) makes a mention about such people in these words, “You are those people who are known for your knowledge, your names mentioned with good deeds, you are appreciated on account of your advices. For Allah, people respect you and revere you in their hearts. The nobles grant you distinction, the modest regard you respectable. Others prefer you to their ownselves, although you have no superiority over them. The needs of the people are fulfilled at your behest. You walk on the roads like a royal personage. Is this all not because you are expected to establish the commandments of Allah? But you fall short in fulfilling many rights, and have taken lightly the rights of the Imams. You have disregarded the dues of the weak people, but have obtained the privileges in your interest. You have neither spent anything, nor sacrificed anything for the mission for which you were created. Noi have you resisted any society for the sake of Allah. Yet, you desire paradise and the neighbourhood of His Prophet and safety from His chastisement. O those hoping in (the mercy of) Allah, I fear God’s wrath on you. As you have been bestowed with honour and greatness, yet you do not respect the one who knows his Lord, while you are esteemed only because of Allah.”
Defintely, how disappointing it is that those who are honoured because of the religion, themselves are not devoted towards it. Is not our reputation and standing because of Imam Husain (a.s.)? Does it not require that we respect the message of Imam Husain (a.s.) with our actions? When it comes to actions, we are slack, but in the matters of expectations, zealous.
Our silence and the desecration of the covenant of Allah
Imam Husain (a.s.) voices his concern, “You are seeing that God’s covenant is being violated, and you are careless about it. But, when your ancestral or family covenant is dishonoured you complain about it. While you have broken the covenant you made to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).”. That is, when man’s rights are endangered he fights against all odds, but prefers to be a silent spectator when the words of Allah and His Prophet are disregarded. When customs and traditions are not observed, he is offended; but is comfortable with neglecting God’s ordinance.
The reason, Imam Husain (a.s.) phrases them in his sermon, “This is because you. are running away from death and are fascinated with this world’s life. While this life is temporal and will abandon you one day.”
(TohofulOqool, p. 168) Why poke your nose’, ‘Silence is golden’, are incompatible with the wisdom of Imam Husain (a.s.). Forgetting death and love for this short-lived world makes many negligent of his obligations. Let us ponder over the words of Imam Husain (a.s.), and pray to Allah that he counts us with the adherents of Imam’s (a.s.) words