Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ Sacrificed His Household For The Sake Of Religion
Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ Sacrificed His Household For The Sake Of Religion
Imam Hussain ibn Ali رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, one of the grandsons of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a towering personality in Islamic history.
His life and martyrdom are a symbol of the struggle for justice, truth, and righteousness. The narrative of Imam Hussain's رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ stand against tyranny at the Battle of Karbala has inspired generations of Muslims and non-Muslims alike. This blog explores his life as a grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, his unwavering commitment to Islam and its values, and the enduring legacy he left behind.
Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was born on the 4th of Sha'ban in the year 4 AH (626 AD) in Madinah. Being the second son of Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and Fatimah Bint Muhammad رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ he was part of the Ahl al Bayt. Also, as the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he belonged to a lineage revered by all Muslims.
Moreover, it is narrated that Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was given birth after a pregnancy period of just six months. Other than Sayyiduna Yahya رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, no child having birth after pregnancy period of only six months could survive. (Shawahid-un-Nubuwwah, pp. 228)
Raised in the household of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ received profound spiritual and moral education. He learned directly from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his parents, embodying the values of courage, justice, and compassion from an early age.
There are multiple narrations describing the Prophet’s ﷺ overwhelming love for his grandsons. One is as follows:
“The beloved Prophet ﷺ placed Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ in his lap, smelt him, embraced him, wrapped him in his blessed cloak, declared him the leader of the youth of Paradise and referred to him as "my flower in this world." (Musnad Aḥmad, vol.10, p.184, Hadith 26,602, al-Tirmidhī, vol.5, p.426-433, Hadith 3793-3812)
Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was not only a leader in the political sense but also a spiritual guide. He emphasized the importance of upholding moral integrity and staying true to Islamic principles, even in the face of adversity. Imam Hussain's رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ teachings focused on justice, dignity, and the importance of resisting oppression.
Once, an individual complained of his poverty before the Prophet’s ﷺ grandson Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. The Imam said to him:
‘Sit down for a while. My allowance will be brought to me. As soon as it is brought here, we will wish you farewell.’ After a short while, five sacks containing one thousand dinars each that were sent from Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ had arrived. The individual who brought them said: ‘Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ has apologized that this is only a little amount of money. Please accept it.’
Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ gave all the amount to the individual who complained of his poverty and apologized for making him wait.’ (Kashf Al-Mahjoob, p. 77)
Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُwas once returning from participating in a funeral when he felt tired and sat at a place to take some rest. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُstarted dusting off the blessed feet of Imam hussein رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ with his shawl, which Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ forbade him from doing.
Upon that, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said: ‘By Allah! If people come to know what I know about your grandeur and honour, then they would lift you upon their shoulders.’ (Ibn Asakir, vol. 14, p. 179, summarised | Tareekh-ul-Islam-lil-Zehbi, vol. 2, p. 627)
Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid, the Umayyad ruler, who embodied the corrupt and unjust practices Imam Hussein رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ opposed. His refusal was a stand for truth and justice against tyranny and oppression!
The plains of Karbala witnessed a monumental conflict between truth and falsehood that has become etched in the records of history and the minds of people. The soul representing truth and justice on that occasion, Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, is still remembered as a beacon of truth. At the same time, his adversary, Yazeed, has become a synonym for falsehood.
A short of account of Karbala history is that Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ received letters from the people of Kufa, promising support if he stood against Yazid. He set out towards Kufa with his family and companions, hoping to mobilize an opposition to Yazid's rule. The journey to Karbala was not just a physical one but a profound spiritual act. It symbolized a conscious choice to confront oppression and uphold the values of Islam, even at the cost of one's life.
On the 10th of Muharram in 61 AH (680 AD), Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and his small band of followers faced Yazid's vast army on the plains of Karbala. Despite being heavily outnumbered and deprived of water, Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and his companions fought valiantly.
Imam Hussain رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and his companions were martyred in the battle of Karbala, but their sacrifice left an indelible mark on Islamic history. The brutal nature of their deaths and the subsequent treatment of their families shocked the Muslim world and ignited a movement for justice.
Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was 56 years, 5 months and 5 days old at the time of his martyrdom. Imam Husayn shrine is in Karbala.
On the night of Aashura, Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said to his beloved brother, Sayyiduna Abbas ‘Alamdaar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ: ‘This war should be delayed until tomorrow by any means, so that we can spend this night in the worship of Allah Almighty.’ Allah Almighty is well aware that Salah, recitation of the Quran, making Du’a and seeking forgiveness in abundance is very dear to me. (Al Kamil fi Tareekh, vol. 3, p. 415)
The massacre at Karbala resulted from the worldly ambitions of Yazeed and the treachery of the Kufan people who had sent many letters and invitations to Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. This incident saw the merciless massacre of many members of the Prophet’s ﷺ family and their supporters at the hands of Yazeed’s forces.
Imam Hussain's رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ stand at Karbala was a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to justice. His refusal to surrender, even in the face of certain death, exemplified the ultimate sacrifice for truth and righteousness.
Below are some beautiful pieces of advice or quotes of Imam Hussain bin Ali رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ that you can read to have a deep insight into different aspects of life.
- Although the world is considered good and exquisite, but the reward of Allah is far greater and more exquisite.
- When two people quarrel, the one who reconciles with the other first will go to Paradise first.
- Sustenance (Rizq) has been divided by destiny, but it is better for man not to be greedy for monetary gain.
- When a person seeks help from someone to inflict pain, those who help him and those who are disgraced and humiliated are all equal.
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