Imam Hussain and Election in India

No matters who wins the general elections in India but it seems that Hussainiat and Imam Hussein has emerged the sure winners. Who may have expected that Imam Hussein will become an issue in the elections that are being fought issueless for the first time?Although started as a controversy, Imam Hussein became the centre of attraction for many, even those who were unaware of his mission and allies. Naseemuddin Siddiqui, heavyweight in Bahujan Samaj Party started a row when he compared his group to that of Imam Hussein (a.s). Imam Hussein fought the real battle of downtrodden and the deprived. Now Mayawati the BSP leader is doing the same, said Naseemuddin.Soon after he was forced to apologize for his comments, saying that he was misinterpreted. The cries settled but it was enough to bring Imam Hussein to the centre stage of elections.The dust was not settled yet when another politician was caught in the same controversy. This time it was Amar Singh, the leader of Samajwadi Party known for his witty and off beat comments. He compared Kalyan Singh with Hazrat Hurr. “Imam Hussein granted amnesty to one of his worst enemy. Hurr was the man who had brought him to Karbala in his siege. But once he felt guilty and joined the flanks of Hussein he was not only forgiven but granted the unmatched status by Imam Hussein. Why not same be repeated with Kalyan Singh who is with secular forces to ruin BJP, the real culprit behind Babri Masjid demolition”, said Amar Singh in a political rally.BSP candidate from reputed Sambhal constituency in UP, Shafiqur Rehman Barq claimed that he is the follower of Imam Hussein (a.s) and he know well how to lit a lamp against high flowing winds. His opponent and SP candidate Iqbal Mahmood also made the similar claims. Although these two have the reputation of opposing the Shiite thought and mourns for Imam Hussein but it was a delight to see them propagating Hussainiat.In adjoining Moradabad constituency Congress candidate Mohammed Azharuddin also expressed similar sentiments for Imam Hussein, claiming his sure victory. In Amroha too politicians visited Hussainiyas and try to show their allegiance for Imam Hussein.May be raising controversy but it seems that Hussainiat is being revived in these general elections. Surely people will try to know more and more about Imam Hussein and his companions. Who may ever win the battle at election pitch but real victory will be registered in the name of Hussainiat.

A fight for the Cause: Zaigham Murtaza

Karbala is not just a battle of swords but the conflict of human values. On and off the battlefield it is the saga of valor, personal devotion and commitment to the cause.
The majestic Ali ibn Abi Talib(a.s) during his life time he stressed upon the quality of means and not just the end. Imam Hussein (a.s) followed his footsteps. Even he took a step ahead of his father. He took the way of self immolation to propagate his thought. It wasn’t an easy task and for the purpose he was in grave need for moral and personal support from his allies. Imam Hussein was lucky to find many who not only opted for his way but submitted their will and life for the success of the cause.
A famous story related with Karbala is of blowing off the lamp by Holy Imam. He summoned all his companions on the night of Ashura to his camp. Informing the gravity of the outcome of their march, he asked them to leave him alone. “They need my head and should take it away, why you all endanger your life. All are free to move from this place and if you have some hesitation I may lit off the lamp”, said the Imam. Historians unanimously say that none of them move. One of them says that I couldn’t even trace a single scar of worry or fear on their face. The companions were the coolest man on the earth on the day of Martyrdom. The only sound that could be traced from the camps of the faithful band was of thanks to Almighty for providing them such a great opportunity. It was their great devotion towards the Holy Imam and his cause. Even on the battle field the men of Imam were the most disciplined people, even if the commands were the grave threat to their life. They not only sacrificed their life but also put to risk their personal dignity, their family, property and status. They all were aware that the battle will not end here but the consequences will surely travel their homes. This couldn’t stop them to made the grand sacrifice.

Our Mission as a Hussaini :Zaigham Murtaza

As a proud Hussaini we often ask ourselves about our mission in this world. It is natural phenomenon, as we are more known for our religious identity that separates us from other people. We bear a dual duty on our shoulders. Primary one to be a good Human and a good Muslim and second but the important one is to raise our moral conduct above the average.
As Hussaini we constitute an ideal state. Our spirits should reflect in our deeds and moral conduct not in a false ego that ruins our character. Superiority complex born of the feeling of being Hussaini isn’t bad but it should not take us to the arrogant behavior. Rather we should be remembered for personal piety, high morality, extra-ordinary character and unique set of ethics. I am not asking my men to be coward; rather there shall be a clear demarcation line between gentleman feeling and cowardice. We should learn to live for others. Humanity should be our primary concern but we should also keep in mind that living without dignity is also an evil. Bowing to the suppression is a greater evil as it encourages the tyrant to go ahead with the same behavior for all. Submission of one’s will except for Allah isn’t allowed in the world of Hussainiat.
The rule is applicable for all. If you find anyone suppressing even your enemy, rise in the favor of the victim. Remember that no one is mightier than Almighty God. If you are afraid of his power, remember, Allah help those who fight for good. Even if you are killed in the process, you will find sustenance in the presence of your Lord. So rise a Hussaini against all the evils and try to make this world a better place to live, where all live in peace and work for the overall development of Humanity.

zaigham murtaza

Learn, Remember and Propagate Hussainiat: Zaigham Murtaza

Almost every Muslim has the same problem regarding Karbala. He may be well aware about the events of the great Day of Ashura. Many of them commemorate the death of Holy Imam in high spirits but don’t follow the Hussainiat.
Actually the problem lies in those high spirits itself. None can be blame for it but our leadership i.e. clergy. Our orators have dumped the original message and it their highly spoken words about the Holy Imam have killed the Karbala. Imam Hussein was martyred some fourteen hundred years back but these traders of the Holy Blood are trying to kill the thought itself.
Imam Hussein (a.s) had once said, “I will get killed but not message. The world will see some day that from every drop of my blood a new revolution will take birth and take the world into its stride.” His words came true as the history witnessed the fall of the most organized and mightiest empire in the history of mankind i.e. the Umayyads. Who may have thought that day the fall of Umayyads, but they not only fell but their mighty empire turned to rumbles and ruins.
We have made the remembrance of the great sacrifice just a formality to b followed every year. Not many of us remember the great thought of which the Holy Imam was confident of, to kill the tyranny forever. Just gathering in Hussainias or Imam Bargahs, beating our chest isn’t enough. We need something more to claim ourselves the followers of the great Martyrs of Karbala.
I won’t oppose the traditional Azadari, because it is the primary school of Hussainiat. It is the place where learn our basics. But surely we should go ahead of it. It is our duty to teach our people the goals and objectives of Hussainiat. At least we should rise above the levels of elementary knowledge about Karbala that even the deadliest enemy of Hussainiat is aware of. We should teach our people the characters of our Great Martyrs individually. People must know their social, economic and political background. Unless they are aware of their status, they won’t feel the gravity of their sacrifice. So, dear followers of Hussainiat leave the clergy behind. They are the people who are often the discarded people of society or homes. The failures in academic and social life are often forced to pursue their education in Theology or religion, so we should not expect more from them. Although we have highly qualified Marijjah at higher level but at middle and lower level mostly are failures. Every Hussaini should educate himself to the highest possible level in his field of specialization along with the thought of Hussainiat. In the last I may only request my brethrens to live Hussainiat, to die for Hussainiat so that we may face our Holy Imam without any hesitation on the Day of Judgment.

Imam Ali bin Hussein ( Al Sajjad, Al Zain ul Abidin)

Imam Zaynul-Aabidin's (A.S) mother was captured as prisoners of war when Muslims had a war with the Persians. When she was brought into Medina, Imam Ali (A.S) spoke to her and she embraced Islam. She then married Imam Ali's 2nd Son, Imam-e-Husayn (A.S). She died months after giving birth to Imam (A.S). Imam (A.S) was only two years old when his grand father Ali (A.S)was martyred in the Mosque of Kufa. After that the whole family of the Prophet returned to live in Medina.For the next 10 years under Imam Hasan (A.S) and after the martyrdom of Imam Hasan(A.S) in 50 A.H., his father Imam Husayn (A.S) as the Imam, the young Ali was growing under their shadow and watching the working of Imamah without the worldly authority. People knew they were Al-e-Muhammad (S.A.W.) and followed them by their hearts but outwardly because of the fear of the Ummayyad ruler in Damascus, there was very little following of the Ahlul-Bayt (A.S) of the Prophet. In 60 A.H., Imam Hussein (A.S) left Medina for Makkah and then for Karbala, he was with him all the time.In Karbala all male children of Ali and Hussein (A.S) were killed except Ali ibnul-Hussein (A.S) who with providence became so ill that he was unable to participate in the jihad with his father and survived the massacre. His Imamah began on the time of Asr on 10th Muharram-al-Haram 61 A.H. He was taken captive by the armies of Yazid bin Mu'awiyah andYazid insulted him by saying that his father had wasted his life by not giving allegiance to him (Yazid). Imam (A.S) said that it was to save Islam that his father gave away his life.During the period of Imamah of Imam (A.S) in Madinah, one man asked the Imam where he had suffered the most hardships. Imam (A.S) replied, "Ash-Sham, Ash-Sham, Ash-Sham!" (In Sham).Imam Zaynul'Aabidin (A.S) lived 40 years after the tragedy of Karbala. He was the person who mourned for Imam Hussein (A.S) the longest. Imam Zaynul Aabidin (A.S) finally, was martyred by Walid-bin-Abdul-Malik, the grandson of Marwan-bin-Hakam. He was poisoned on 25th Muharram-al-Haram 95 A.H. His body was laid to rest in Jannatul-baqi' cemetery, Madinah, next to his uncle, Imam Hasan (A.S)

Source: Syed Raza Shabber "The story of Holy Kaaba and its' people".