Who is Hussain? part 2

  

No more than 50 years had passed since the death of Muhammad (the last Prophet of Islam) and the Muslim Empire was sliding into corruption under a tyrant from the Ummayad dynasty, Yazid.

Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad took a stand  against Yazid’s illegitimate rule. Whilst Yazid was in equal parts  feared and despised for his ruthlessness, Hussain was admired and  respected by society at large. Mindful of this, Yazid decided that he  would demand Hussain’s allegiance, hoping to gain some form of  legitimacy for his inherited rule.  

  

Hussain’s stand against tyranny.

Hussain had a choice to make. To endorse Yazid would no doubt mean a  handsome reward and a life of luxury. To refuse would invariably lead to  his own demise. What should he do? What would you or I do? For Hussain the choice between the easy thing and the right thing was no choice at all. Hussain refused. He said: “I will never give Yazid my hand like a man who has  been humiliated, nor will I flee like a slave… I have not risen to  spread evil or to show off… I only desire to enjoin good values and  prevent evil.”    

 Hussain ibn Ali : “I only desire to spread good values and prevent evil.”

  

( Map of Hussain ibn Ali’s journey from Mecca (modern day Saudi Arabia) to Karbala (in Iraq). )

The journey from Mecca to Kufa.

His life now under threat, Hussain decided to move himself and his  family to Mecca in the hope that Yazid’s agents would respect the holy  city. As he waited, pondering his next move, messages of support began  to arrive from across the empire. He left for Kufa, a city in Iraq, but  en route, he was intercepted by a battalion of  Yazid’s soldiers, who blocked Hussain and his supporters from going  towards Kufa and instead forcibly diverted towards the desert town of  Karbala. Once they reached Karbala, forces surrounded their small band and  blocked their access to the water supply. With both camps stationed at  Karbala, a stalemate ensued. Hussain had made it clear that he could  not, and would not, bow to Yazid. The opposing forces of 30,000  soldiers, which vastly outnumbered Hussain’s small band of seventy-two  men and their families, were under strict orders not to let Hussain  leave. After a week, word reached Hussain that Yazid had sent orders that he  was not to be allowed to leave Karbala until he had taken an oath of  allegiance. The end was drawing close.   

  

( Illustration of the battle map where Hussain and his camp had been encircled by an army of 30,000. )

The final stand of Hussain ibn Ali.

That night Hussain assembled his group, stressing to them that it was  his life that Yazid wanted and that they might be able to escape.  Again, Hussain’s selflessness shone through. There he stood, amongst his  family and companions, all having been deprived of water in the  scorching desert for three days, pleading with them to leave him and  save themselves! After a few days of this stalemate, the government forces were  commanded to attack and kill Hussain and his companions. Hussain’s men  were vastly outnumbered.  The hour for battle commenced, Hussain’s  companions departed from their camp in small bands and one after the  other – all fighting valiantly before being killed. Throughout the day the forces of Yazid asked Hussain for his  allegiance, yet Hussain resisted. Eventually Hussain was alone with no  one left to support him. Fatigued, thirsty, and heavily wounded, Hussain  fell to the ground as the women and children looked on. He too was killed mercilessly, yet he died holding on firmly to his principles.   

  

( Hussain ibn Ali’s death anniversary is mourned annually on what’s referred to as The Day of Ashura. )

( Millions of people from all walks of life visit the resting place of Hussain and his companions in Karbala, Iraq. )

( Around 20-25 million visit Hussain’s shrine on ‘Arbaeen’ day. It’s the largest peaceful gathering in the world. )

Hussain’s victory and inspiring legacy.

After his death, the women and children from Hussain’s party were  taken captive. His sister, Zainab, took up the mantle of leadership of  the small band, and gave speech after speech condemning the actions of  Yazid and his government, culminating in a confrontation in the ruler’s  own court. Zainab was perhaps the first person to be inspired by  Hussain’s stand, using it as a catalyst for change. She refused to be  subdued and put her fear to one side so she could hold to account those  responsible for the moral decay of society. Despite the pervasive sexism of society at the time, Zainab managed  to lead and inspire both men and women. Hussain’s example, that one man  can stand alone against an army of thousands, inspired her to the point  where she castigated and berated a murderous dictator in his own palace,  laying the foundations for the eventual overthrow of  the Umayyad  dynasty. Today millions of people pay homage to Hussain ibn Ali for his stand  and annually mourn the tragic Battle of Karbala in which Hussain, his  family and loyal companions were brutally killed one by one. Pilgrims  from all walks of life visit the Imam Hussain shrine to pay their  respects in the city of Karbala, Iraq.   

 

 

Previous sections:

Who is Hussain? part 1

Next sections:

Who is Hussain? part 3

Who is Hussain? part 4

Who is Hussain? part 5