Remembering a historic sacrifice [Archives:2002/13/Focus]

COMMON SENSE
Hassan Al-Haifi
The significance of Islam is that it underscored the Divines abhorrence of tyranny, injustice, oppression and persecution, in all their manifestations. Moreover, Islam entails the commitment of faithful Moslems to stand up to all forms of limitations on their basic rights of political participation, and to government by the will of the people and for the overall welfare of the society.
On the other hand, authoritarianism is viewed by Islam to be akin to polytheism, because dictators and tyrants tend to grant themselves extraordinary powers and authorities, which often circumvent Divine ordinances or take their place. This is infringing upon Divine legislative authority and a serious transgression, which digress from the just ordinances of the Lord are bound to lead to injustice and violations of basic human rights guaranteed by Islam.
After the assassination of Ali Ibn Abu Talib, the Fourth Orthodox Caliph, the supreme authority was usurped by the Umayyads. The latter turned the Islamic State into a private family enterprise, with absolute authority and a disregard for the will of the people. They ignored the limitations on the abuse of power and responsibility that Islam ordained.
Hussein Ibn Ali Ibn Abu Talib, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed [P (through daughter Fatima)] and son of Ali (the Fourth Caliph) was well versed in Islamic jurisprudence. He was also renowned for his piety and perception of the fundamental social and political ordinances taught by his grandfather and applied by the Early Caliphs that followed Mohammeds death, especially his father Ali. Ali was reputed to be the most outstanding reference for interpreting Islamic ordinances and theology and for applying Islamic jurisprudence. His contribution to the defense of Islam and the unequalled prowess and fearlessness in upholding human rights and advocating for the deprived and discontent are uncontested.
Because of his background, Hussein and his high degree of scholastic attainment, and as Umayyad rule has turned into a clear violation of the fundamental social principles of Islam, many Moslems came to Hussein, urging him to lead them in revolt against the Umayyads. Yazid Ibn Maawiyah (Maawiyah, Yazids father, tried to wrest the Caliphate from Husseins father, Ali, but only succeeded when Ali died; he then passed it down to Yazid at the end of the Seventh Century) was ruthless and dealt harshly with all opposition, especially from the House of Ali. The Umayyads viewed the latter as their most threatening opponents.
The people of Iraq wrote to Hussein imploring him to come to Iraq and they were ready to rally around him en masse to kick out the oppressive Umayyads. Iraq was the former stronghold of Husseins father, Ali and the Iraqis were undergoing severe persecution and embezzlement by the Governor of Yazid.
Driven by piety and a strong belief that Islam and tyranny cannot coexist, Hussein raised the reform banner, leaving Medina for Kufa, Iraq accordingly, with an entourage of about 150 close kin and supporters.
However, learning of of the advent of the Prophet Mohammeds grandson Yazid instructed his Governor in Iraq, Abdullah Ibn Ziyad, to prevent his arrival to Kufa and to bring their heads to Damascus. With a force of 4,000 strong, well-armed and highly paid troops, Yazid surrounded Hussein and his humble entourage at a place called Karbala, blocking them from access to water from the nearby Euphrates River.
Notwithstanding the absence of the support promised by the Iraqis, Hussein decided to fight to the last drop of blood and opted for the ultimate blessing of martyrdom in battle against tyranny. His companions also refused to surrender and the entourage gallantly fought until all of them, including the children and women, save a few, were brutally killed and subjected to mutilation. Their heads and the survivors were sent to Yazid, in Damascus.
Most Moslems view this tragedy as a symbolic battle of Truth, for which Islam really stood, vs tyranny and transgression, in general, and the oppressive deviations from Islam introduced by the Umayyads in particular. The sacrifice made by Hussein inspire Moslems to this day to be ready to give their lives to confront all forms of tyranny, persecution and injustice the real antithesis of Islam.

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