Omer As’ad Bajabar siyasat.net
Human history is a never-ending story of Abuse, Oppression, Injustice, Cruelty, Murder, and Genocide by those who are in Power against those who aren’t. People who ruled with Justice, Empathy, and Benevolence are exceptions to this rule and are too few.
Power either grabbed illegally or made to feel legally by intrigues or coercion or through deceit campaigns and lies as is done in a modern democracy; always end in Injustice, Bloodshed, and Destruction.
Karbala is a story of a courageous man, Hussein bin Ali RA, the beloved grandson of Prophet SAW. He stood against all the odds for Truth, Justice, and rights of people, not for him or his family but for the believers in particular and humanity in large. His stand was full of risks, and he knew the consequences well, but he stood by it, at the expense of his life, his family, and his small group of followers. His exemplary sacrifice is a beacon for all those who want to live a truthful life.
“Al-Hasan and Al-Husain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise.” (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and An-Nasaa’i)
Hussein bin Ali RA refused to compromise on Truth, and he set a standard which many would follow in times to come. Human history has always witnessed the struggle between Right and Wrong. He was followed by his second cousin Abdullah bin Zubair RA, and He too sacrificed his life fighting against Tyranny, and many more lost their lives following his footstep. May Allah SWT reward all of them, and may we follow their footsteps.
The Tyranny was not limited to a single dynasty under whose rule Hussein bin Ali RA & Abdullah Bin Zubair RA lost their lives, but the dynasties which followed them were no less brutal and murderous in their oppression and torture. And this is continued till today. But in between, there were few who tried their best to live with Justice and Truth.
The power intoxicates like nothing else, The history is testimony to the fact that among the people who took Power, very few a minuscule did justice to it. While a brutal majority abused it in every possible way, and their only reason was the fear that they would lose it. When the most respected and most loved among men (Hussein RA) was not spared and was killed to save the throne, who else could be spared of this brutal punishment if they stood against the power. So, many fell in this noble struggle with poise and grace.
The people in Power to remain in Power have not just killed those who opposed them but did not hesitate to liquidate their fathers, sons, and brothers, nothing was more important to them than the Power itself.
To speak Truth to the wicked and cruel ruler is the highest form of worship (Jehad), and it needs immense courage and belief in God. History keeps producing such people who consider standing for Truth above all worldly comforts; such people cannot be bought, sold, or coerced. These are the ones who have kept the flame of Justice and Truth alive.
Sadly, the immense sacrifice by Hussein bin Ali RA was hijacked by a considerable minority to further their deviant beliefs and attempting to destroy the very essence of faith for which Hussein RA took this brave stand. May Allah SWT save Islam from such deviant and erroneous beliefs. May Allah’s wrath be on those who murdered him and also on those who deserted him after giving their pledge of support. And on those who misrepresent him and malign him by referring deviant beliefs to him.
Hussein RA was a staunch follower of Prophet Mohammed SAW, his grandfather; he lived by the same standards and followed the footsteps of mighty personalities of rightly guided Caliphs Abu Bakr RA, Omar RA, Osman RA, and Ali RA and other Companions of noble Prophet SAW.
The latter three were martyred serving the Truth and Justice. In-fact, Osman RA is unique in the annals of history that he, while being in Power, refused to use that Power to save his life. It never happened before him nor after him.
We read these stories of immense character and sacrifice, we tend to forget that each one of us is also writing his own account, his own history, may not be as grandeur but for sure we too each day take a stand either in support of Injustice, Tyranny, and Falsehood OR for Justice, Benevolence and Truth. And we will be raised either with Tyrants or with People of Justice; it is for us to decide and take a call and stand.
We all will die; whether we stay in the safety of our home or are in fore-front of this struggle, we won’t die before our time and will not live after our time is up. As the Sword of Allah Khaled Bin Waleed RA has famously said “If going to battlefield brings death to a person then see me, I sought martyrdom in more than hundred battles, there is not a space of a hand on my body which doesn’t carry a battle injury or scar, but here I am dying on my bed. May the eyes of cowards never sleep.”
Today we have to live a life of purpose ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of Allah, His Apostle, His Deen, and for Justice and Truth. It may not necessarily be fighting in a battlefield, but we have to take a stand at every opportunity, place and all the times; at home and in office, in Masajid, till we meet our Lord and may we be among the lucky ones who will be welcomed by Angels with following remarks:
O soul that art at rest! Return to your Lord, well-pleased (with your blissful destination), well-pleasing (to your Lord), So enter among My (righteous) servants. And enter into My Paradise. (Quran 89 – 27 to 30). (www.siyasat.net is Ahmedabad,Gujarat, India based website)
(The author is based at wisconsin, USA)
