Husain’s Mission

Dr. A.S. Hashim

Surah Al-Fatiha

In the Name of God, Lord of Mercy and Lord of Grace

Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds

Lord of Mercy and Grace

Master of Day of Judgment

You Alone we serve and to You Alone come we for Aid

Guide us in the Straight Path

The Path of whom You have blessed,

Not of those You are displeased with

Nor of those who go Astray

ح�مـن� الر� �ه� الل � م �س� ب

� ح�يم الر�ب� ر� �ه� لل �ح�م�د� ال

�م�ين� �ع�ال ال � ح�يم الر� ح�مـن� الر�

الد�ين� � �و�م ي �ك� م�ـال

�اك� �ي وإ �د� �ع�ب ن �اك� �ي إ�ع�ين� ت �س� ن

اط� الص�ر� ـــا ـ� اهد�ن�ق�يم� الم�ست

�نع�مت� أ �ذ�ين� ال اط� ص�ر�الم�غض�وب� غ�ير� �يه�م� ع�ل

�ين� الض�ال � و�ال �يه�م� ع�ل

Salaam to Al-Husain

التي األرواح وعلى الله عبد أبا يا عليك السالمبفنائك حلت

الليل وبقي بقيت ما > أبدا الله سالم مني عليكوالنهار

لزيارتكم مني العهد آخر الله جعله والالحسين على السالم

الحسين بن علي وعلىالحسين أوالد وعلى

الله ورحمة > جميعا الحسين أصحاب وعلىوبركاته

Sanctuary of Al-Husain: Karbala

5. Global

4. The Sanctuary

3. Revolts

2. Commemoration

1. Ripple Effect for Islam

 

Subjects Discussed in the Slide Show

Brief outlook at events of Karbala

Western writers write about Karbala

Holy Quran about Ahlul Kitab

Sub

ject

s D

iscu

ssed

Global Mission of Imam Husain

Shi’a Sunni Comparison in Iman and Ibadat

Al-Husain2. Fought Oppression and Injustice

3. At Expense of Losing his Life and others

1. Represented Islam

Karbala Aftermath

Karbala is the Centerpiece for Islam Symbolizes the Struggle against Oppression and Injustice

Throughout all Ages and for all mankind

Al-Husain Camp

With Al-Husain there were:

32 non-family members

8 were old Sahaaba (one was older than 90)

20 were Companions of Ali

Family: Al-Husain’s family (total of 44) including 3 year old Al-Baaqir and a few month old infant

All knew they were facing imminent death

They faced an enemy of 5,000 (some say 30,000)

The Grotesque Massacre

32 Companions, all slain: 8 were old Sahaaba (one was older than 90) 20 were Companions of Ali

Family members slain were:Brothers: Al-Abbas with 4 of Al-Abbas’ brothersSon: Ali, about 19 Yrs oldSon, Baby: Ali, 6 months old17 Nephews: all teenagersHusain: 57 yr old was the Last to be killed

The spirit of Husain modern commentary

Thomas Carlyle:

“The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Cerebella (Karbala) is that Husain and his companions were rigid believers in God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Husain, despite his minority, marvels me!”

Numerical Perspective: (1996):

SHI’A …………………………………………..… ….. 282 Millions

SUNNI:Hanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 Millions

Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 Millions

Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 Millions

Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 Millions

Iman (Belief)

Shi’a SunniGod and His Attributes God and His Attributes

Al-Adl (Justice of God) The Angels

Prophethood:a. The Revealed Books (Torah and

Bible)

b. The Angels

c. Qadr: Being Guided yet Free to Choose

The Revealed Books (Torah and Bible)

Imamah Messengers of God

The Hereafter The Hereafter

Qadr: Guided yet Free to Choose

Rituals (Ibadat)

Shi’a Sunni

1.Salat: Prayer 1.Shahaada: Declaration

2.Zakat: Poor’s Due 2.Salat: Prayer

3.Saum: Fasting 3.Zakat: Poor’s Due

4.Haj: Pilgrimage 4.Saum: Fasting

5.Khums: The Fifth 5.Haj: Pilgrimage

6.Jihad: Major and Lesser

7.Enjoining to what is Good

8.Forbidding what is Evil

The spirit of Ashura’ modern commentary

Mohandas Gandhi:

“I wanted to know the best of the life: of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind....I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of Husain, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission to save Islam. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.”

The spirit of Ashura’ modern commentary

Mohandas Gandhi:

“I have learned from Husain how to be oppressed yet victorious.”

 Karbala Commemoration

Immediately after Karbala1. Commemoration: To hold Majlis, confidential, local, every

year, in people’s houses. Was urged by: a. Zainul Abideen, b. Al-Baaqir, c. Al-Saadiq then d. Subsequent Imams

2. To Discuss the events of Karbala and the cause against oppression and mischief, and to hold to the ideals of Imam Husain

3. The Commemoration was a stroke of genius that proved to be the glue that holds the Shi’a together over the centuries

Commemoration Evolving

1. For first 140 yrs: Confidential in

Private Homes only

2. For next 174 Yrs in Public and Private Homes in the Open

3. For next 600 yrs In Processions

4. For next 500 yrs In Processions with Too

Much Excess

Karbala Aftermath

Evolution of Commemoration

 

The Sanctuary of Imam Al-Husain

65H: Al-Mukhtar: Rudimentary Structure: 4 walls and a dome

132-247H: Saffah, Mansoor, Al-Mahdi, Al-Rasheed, Al-Amin: the first builds and the second demolishes

371H: Udh’d Al-Dawla builds Dome, Galleries, Teakwood enclosure

1360H: Bohra community offers a set of solid silver enclosure, and rebuilds the western minaret, 1216H: Hordes of Wahhabis from Arabia attack Karbala, spoil the Dharih structure and portico and loot the shrine, kill 30,000 people

780H: Owais erects two minarets covered with gold and extends the courtyard

1032H: Abbas Safawi constructs dharih of brass, decorates the dome with tiles

61H: No structure, just an identifier

The

Sh

rine

Karbala: Keeps on

The Culture of Karbala Keeps on:1. Education: Majlis and lectures

2. Commemoration: Mourning the occasion

3. The Sanctuary: Continues despite adversities by:Al-Mutawak’kil

The Ottomans

The Wahhabis

Saddam Hussein

The spirit of Husain modern commentary

Charles Dickens:

“If Husain had fought to quench his worldly desires, as alleged by certain Christian critics, then I do not understand why his sister, wife, and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore, that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”

The spirit of Ashura’ modern commentary

Sir Muhammad Iqbal:

“Imam Husain uprooted despotism forever until the Day of Judgment. He watered the dry garden of freedom with the surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husain had aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have traveled as he did. Husain weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became the bedrock foundation of the Muslim creed: ‘There is no deity but Allah.’ ”

Karbala in History

Ashuraa is the glue that holds Muslims together1. Educate, affirm the faith, and to emotionally connect2. It is like a booster shot, to revive the faith

Has become a big industry:1. To Feed people, Travel expense, Sleeping

arrangement, 2. Invite speakers, hold Majlis, or simply give lectures3. Write books and publish articles and poetry about it

– 2-3 Million people visit on each of these occasions, from far and near, from inside and outside the country

– Excellent Intercultural Communication and Understanding

The spirit of Husain modern commentary

Edward Gibbon:

“In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Husain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.”

The spirit of Husain modern commentary

William Muir:

“The tragedy of Karbala decided not only the fate of the Caliphate, but also of [Muslim] kingdoms long after the Caliphate had waned and disappeared.”

Two Hadiths: Universality of Islam

Humanity is the Family of God

الله عيال الخلق

The best of people is the one who benefits people

نفع من الناس خيرالناس

Husain’s Mission

Since Islam Calls for Social Justice, Mission of Husain was to:

1. Muslims of all sects,2. Ahlul Kitab (Jews and Christians), and to3. People of all Persuasions

Mission was to stand up to Oppression and Malice and fight them off, since this is the magnificent obsession to serve God

Quran: Chapter 5, Verse 46

And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps,

Confirming that which was revealed before him in the Torah,

and We bestowed on him the Gospel

Wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was revealed before it in the Torah

A guidance and an admonition unto those who are God-fearing.

�ار�ه�م آث ع�ل�ى �ا �ن و�ق�ف�ي�م� ي م�ر� �ن� اب �ع�يس�ى ب

�ه� �د�ي ي �ن� �ي ب �م�ا ل م�ص�د�ق<ااة� �و�ر� الت م�ن�

�نج�يل� اإل �اه� �ن �ي و�آت nور� و�ن ه�د<ى ف�يه�

�ه� �د�ي ي �ن� �ي ب �م�ا ل و�م�ص�د�ق<ااة� �و�ر� الت م�ن�

و�م�و�ع�ظ�ة< و�ه�د<ى�ق�ين� �م�ت �ل ل

Quran: Chapter 3, Verse 113-114

Not all of them (Christians and Jews) are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand for the right: They rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration.

They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong;

and hasten in the good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous.

�ه�ل� أ م�ن� و�اء س� � وا �س� �ي ل nم�ة� ق�آئ nم�ة

� أ �اب� �ت �ك ال�اء آن �ه� الل �ات� آي �ون� �ل �ت يج�د�ون� �س� ي و�ه�م� �ل� �ي الل

� �و�م �ي و�ال �ه� �الل ب �ون� �ؤ�م�ن يون� م�ر�

� �أ و�ي اآلخ�ر�ع�ن� �ه�و�ن� �ن و�ي وف� �م�ع�ر� �ال ب

�ر� �م�نك الف�ي ار�ع�ون� �س� و�ي

م�ن� �ك� �ئ و�ل� و�أ ات� �ر� ي �خ� ال�ح�ين� الص�ال

Always Al-Husain to humanity

أرض} وكل عاشوراء يوم} أرض} كل وكل عاشوراء يوم} كلكربالءكربالء

- Imam Ja’far As-Saadiq (as)

Every day is Ashura’ and every land is Karbala

Finally we quote the Quran:

In Allah’s Name, Lord of Mercy and Lord of Grace

By the Token of Time

Verily Man is in loss,

Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to Truth and exhort one another to patience.

ح�من� الر� الله� � م �س� ب

� ح�يم الر�

�ع�ص�ر� و�ال � ا �ن� �ف�ي الإ ل ان� نس�

ر} خ�س�

� �وا الإ آم�ن �ذ�ين� ال�ح�ات� الص�ال �وا و�ع�م�ل

�ح�ق� �ال ب �و�اص�و�ا و�ت�ر� �الص�ب ب �و�اص�و�ا و�ت

THANK YOU

Be in Allah’s Care

Dr. A.S. Hashim