Circa 10th Moharram, 61A.H. the forces of Yazid b. Muaviya (l.a.) exceeded all bounds of oppressions on Imam Husain (a.s.) and his faithful companions and took the noble ladies of his household as captives. They then began to consider their despicable actions as their victory. They were deceived by their blind conviction towards Yazid (l.a.) that they had defeated those who had refused to pay allegiance to him. But they failed to realize how the rising of Imam Husain (a.s.) against Yazid (l.a.) had uncovered the mask of disbelief and hypocrisy from the face of his false government. Some people who seek to deviate the masses in the guise of tabligh (propagation) present the incident of Karbala as a political issue. But they forget that Karbala was not a political war fought to attain worldly kingdom. What standing does Yazid (l.a.) have before Imam Husain (a.s.)? Yazid, the personification of sins and corruptions while Imam Husain (a.s.), the guardian of the religion of his holy grandfather (s.a.w.a.). The one who is the master of the entire universe would seek some kingdom from this wine loving tyrant? Only those who do not recognize Imam Husain (a.s.) and do not love the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) can imagine thus and definitely such people have nothing to do with humanity. Giving a political color to the rising of Imam Husain (a.s.) without any understanding is an insult to the honor of this noble Imam (a.s.). In reply to such insults and in order to prevent such ideas from spreading in society it is necessary to understand the extent to which the rising of Imam Husain (a.s.) has benefited humanity.
The Aim of this Uprising
While, on the one hand, the rising of Imam Husain (a.s.) has awakened the conscience of humanity, on the other end its aim was that which was mentioned by Imam Husain (a.s.) himself to his brother Mohammad Ibn Hanafiyyah when he was leaving from Medina: .
“In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful. This is the last-will and testament of Husain b. Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) to my brother Mohammad who is famous as “Ibn Hanafiyyah”. I swear that Husain gives witness that there is no God except Allah who is One and has no partner and that Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) is the Messenger of Allah and His servant. I swear that he (s.a.w.a.) was raised as a guide for the people. And I bear witness that Heaven and Hell are truth. And undoubtedly the Day of Judgment shall arrive and Allah shall raise everyone from their graves. I am rising not out of arrogance, rebellion, spreading corruption or injustice. But I have decided to rise solely to rectify the nation of my holy grandfather, the Prophet of Allah. It is so that I can invite towards goodness and prohibit from evil and act upon the lofty morals of my holy grandfather and my noble father. The one who accepts my enjoining, Allah the Most High shall grant him a goodly reward and as for the one who rejects it then I shall be patient till Allah judges between me and them and surely He is the Best of .: Judges. O my brother! This is my will and testament and no one grants success except Allah. On Him alone do we rely and towards Him is our final return.”
(Behaar al-Anwaar, v. 44, p. 329)
The truth becomes clearer than the sun as per this will and testament that the rising of Imam Husain (a.s.) was solely for the protection of the religion of his noble grandfather, the chief of the Prophets (s.a.w.a.). To follow the footsteps of his esteemed father Imam Ali al-Murtaza (a.s.) and to brighten the morals of humanity through the enjoining of good and the forbidding of evil. During his journey from Medina to Karbala at various stages and various places, the chief of the martyrs, Imam Husain (a.s.) has displayed the highest of morals as befitting the grandson of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) who is addressed as the “Possessor of the best of morals” by the Holy Quran.
Protection of the Sanctity of the House of God
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that when Imam Husain (a.s.) decided to travel from the holy city of Makkah to Iraq, this news reached Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyyah, who immediately approached Imam Husain (a.s.) and requested: O my brother! You are well aware of the scheming nature of the people of Kufa and how they have treated your noble father and esteemed brother. I fear that they will act similarly towards you. Rather, if you stay in the holy city of Makkah, you will be honored and respected. Nobody will oppose you. Imam Husain (a.s.) replied: O my brother! I fear that Yazid (l.a.) will try to have me assassinated in the holy city of Makkah. Hence, I would not like the sanctity of the holy city of Makkah to be violated due to the shedding of my blood.
(Behaar al-Anwaar, v.44, p.364)
The Holy Mosque is a place of peace and safety. It is forbidden to shed the blood of anybody there and doing so would violate the sanctity of the Holy Kaaba. And this disrespect of the Holy Kaaba would translate into disrespect of Allah Himself. It was not acceptable to Imam Husain (a.s.) that the grandeur and nobility of this great House of Allah should be harmed in any way.
Today people travel to visit the great house of Allah in Makkah in large numbers every year. These people, who wear the garb of Hajj (Ehraam) and protect themselves from various things which become forbidden during Hajj and complete all the rituals of Hajj with great care and caution and kiss the black stone and circumambulate the Holy Kaaba. Is there anyone who remembers the protector of the Holy Kaaba? It is not surprising that Divine Mercy blesses those who are present on the day of Arafah within the holy precincts of the shrine of Imam Husain (a.s.) after having acquired his true recognition before it descends upon the pilgrims who have gathered on the plains of Arafah during Hajj.
The Social Awakening of Humanity
During the rule of Muaviyah (l.a.) and then of his son Yazid (l.a.) people refrained from taking any steps to awaken the conscience of society because they feared that they would have to part with their lives if they attempted to do so. Also, they would lose their pensions and grants which are shortlived worldly benefits. The human society at that time was in need of a courageous sacrifice which would breathe life in its dead soul, present a sacrifice for noble ideals and become a burning torch for the revolutionary factors which were always in awe due to the fear of death and defeat. This great feat was accomplished by Husain Ibn Ali (a.s.). The incident of Karbala taught men to defend their honor and their religion. After the passing away of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) this was the first time the consciences of men were awakened from their deep slumber and Islamic principles were rejuvenated.
Feeling of Guilt
Another effect of the rising of Imam Husain (a.s.) was that all those people who did not reach Karbala to defend Imam Husain (a.s.) despite being able to do so and all those who heard the plea of Imam Husain (a.s.) in Karbala and did not rush to defend him, developed a feeling of guilt and remorse. This feeling created enmity and hatred in their hearts towards the Bani Umayyah.
Among other people who rose against the Banu Umayyah to avenge the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.) were ‘Razi ibn Munqiz Abdi’ who said that, “The martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.) is a stigma on Islamic society as a whole which shall be criticized by all future generations. O how I wish that I was dead and buried before this tragic event of Karbala”.
(Al-Tabari, vol. 5, p. 433)
Great Personalities
It is not possible to accurately describe the lofty personalities of the loyal companions of Imam Husain (a.s.). In this regard we should read the incident of Karbala in its entirety. Here, we shall record only a few instances of their lofty character.
At ‘Zabalah, when Imam Husain (a.s) was informed of the martyrdom of Muslim Ibn Aqeel and of their foster-brother Abdullah Yaqtar, Imam Husain (a.s.) informed his companions that the people of Kufa have betrayed him and if anyone wished to turn back, then they were welcome to do so. On hearing this all those who had joined the caravan of Imam Husain (a.s.) for worldly gains, turned back and only those remained behind who attained the lofty station of sacrificing their lives for the sake of Imam Husain (a.s.).
Imam Husain (a.s.) addresses his companions in Karbala with the following words:
“People are slaves of the world and religion is something which is only at the tips of their tongues which they keep licking till their livelihoods move smoothly. But when they are examined, very few are the religious ones!”
(Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 44 p. 382)
At that time, Zohair Ibn Qain stood up and said, “O grandson of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)! We have heard your words! If the world had been a permanent place and we had eternal lives in it, still we would sacrifice it all for your sake
Burair ibn Khuzair said, “O grandson of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)! Allah has blessed us with the opportunity to defend you with our lives. May our bodies be cut in pieces in order to protect you! We only wish that on the Day of Judgment your holy grandfather (s.a.w.a.) intercedes for us.”
(A’yaan al-Shia, vol. 4, part 1, p. 224-225)
On the night of Aashoora, Imam Husain (a.s.) extinguished all lamps and gave his companions one last opportunity to save their lives, but Imam’s noble family and companions refused to leave him and chose to sacrifice their lives for the cause of Imam (a.s.). Each and every one of them announced their help in their own way. Sad Ibn Abdillah said: “I swear by Allah! We shall never leave you and we shall inform Allah that we have defended the sanctity of the Holy Prophet and his noble progeny (s.a.w.a.). I swear by Allah! If I am sure that I shall be killed and then shall be brought back to life and then burned to death and then brought back to life and again burned to death and my ashes will be blown away in the wind and if this is done to me seventy times, still I shall not leave your side and shall sacrifice my life for you. Now when I know that I shall be killed only once, how can I leave your side?”
(Al-Tabari, vol. 4, p. 317-318)
Conclusion
Though we have no knowledge of what would have happened if Imam Husain (a.s.) had not risen up against Yazid (l.a.), nevertheless, with the help of the aforementioned points, we can conclude a few things the consequences if the incident of Karbala had not taken place:
1. The nation of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) would have been drowned in misguidance. It is the grace and favor of Imam Husain (a.s.) that people are able to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
2. The world would not know how to observe Ajr-e-Resalat (Repaying the debt of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for his great task of conveying the message of Islam). The brave companions of Imam Hussain (a.s.) have taught humanity a lesson in the observance of Ajr-e-Resalat.
3. The tyrant government of Bani Umayyah would have remained in power and rather with the passage of time would have strengthened its roots. And the kings and governors would oppress the people without any fear of rebellion or revolt. And the masses would submit to this tyrannical government rather than rising up against them.
4. No one would go out to enjoin towards goodness (Amr bil Maroof) or to restrain others from evil actions (Nahy anil Munkar). Even if anyone wished to do so, society would prevent him from doing so.
5. People would suffer from inferiority complexes and remain unaware of their lives, their honor, good morals and their rights.
6. Islam, which carries a strong message of patriotism, would have been overpowered by enemy powers and both Muslim governors and the Muslim people would have been destroyed. But this did not happen. Only the evil rulers were destroyed and not only did humanity remain protected rather it grew stronger and this was due to the sacrifice of Imam Husain (a.s.) at Karbala.
7. The Muslim nation would remain bereft of this great message of morals and ethics which was passed on by Imam Husain (a.s.) and his noble companions. Karbala is the source of all good morals, be they individual or social. This is the favor of Imam Husain (a.s.) on humanity. And it is in regard to this that Josh Maleehaabaadi said, Is it only for the Muslims that beloved is Husain (a.s.)? A shining star of the universe of humanity is Husain (a.s.) Let mankind awaken from the depths of their slumber, Each nation shall rise and say, ‘Ours is Husain (a.s.).’