Islamic History
Imam Ḥusayn’s رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ Sermon on the Plains of Karbala
Farman Ali Attari Madani
The hearts of the people of faith are enduringly brimful with love for the Ahl al-Bayt, and in particular, for the Prophet’s صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم grandson, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ. The month of Muḥarram especially reminds people of his rank and honour. In Islamic history, many centuries ago in 61 AH, a profound battle took place between truth and falsehood. This is known as the event of Karbala.
Alongside numerous other qualities, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ was also known for his magnanimity. In the plains of Karbala, whilst the enemy was determined to take his life, the sermon he delivered bears witness to this distinct quality of the imam. To declare the truth in Karbala, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ mounted his horse and set off towards the army of Yazīd. He رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ then addressed them by exclaiming:
O people! Listen to my words! Do not show hastiness until I counsel you concerning that which has become incumbent upon me and inform you why I have arrived. If you accept my cause, affirm my words, and be just concerning me, then you shall attain your goal in this matter. You will also not be questioned regarding me.
If you do not accept what I say, then hear well!
فَاَجْمِعُوْۤا اَمْرَکُمْ وَ شُرَکَآءَکُمْ ثُمَّ لَا یَکُنْ اَمْرُکُمْ عَلَیْکُمْ غُمَّۃً ثُمَّ اقْضُوْۤا اِلَیَّ وَ لَا تُنْظِرُوْنِ (۷۱)
So decide your plan with your associate-gods—let not your plan remain secretive—and openly proceed against me without delay.[1]
اِنَّ وَلِیَِّۧاللّٰہُ الَّذِیْ نَزَّلَ الْکِتٰبَ ۫ وَ ھُوَ یَتَوَلَّی الصّٰلِحِیْنَ (۱۹۶)
Indeed, Allah is my Helper who sent down the Book and He helps the righteous.[2]
After reciting these verses, he praised Allah Almighty and continued:
Think deeply about who I am and what my lineage is. Is killing me permissible and right for you? Am I not the grandson of your Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم? Is Ḥamzah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ not the uncle of my father?
Is JaꜤfar al-Ṭayyār رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ not my uncle? Has the statement of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم regarding me and my brother not reached you, in which he said, “You two are the leaders of the youth of Paradise”?
If you affirm what I have said you shall find it to be the truth, as I have not lied since I came to know Allah Almighty detests lying. If you reject me, then ask Jābir b. ꜤAbdullāh, Abū SaꜤīd, Sahl b. SaꜤd, Zayd b. Arqam or Anas (رضی اللہ عنہم اجمعین), as they have all heard these virtues describing me from the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Is there nothing in these words of mine that stop you wanting to spill my blood?
The imam رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ then said:
If you have doubt in what I have said or in me being the Prophet’s صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم grandson, then by Allah, there is no other grandson of a Prophet in any other nation across the world. Tell me; are you to attempting to carry out revenge upon me for a person of yours that was murdered? Or did I squander your wealth, so that you seek its reparation from me? Or are you demanding retaliation for the wounded amongst you?
The wretched listeners remained silent. The imam رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ then declared, “O Shabath b. RibꜤī! O Ḥajjār b. Abjar! O Qays b. al-AshꜤath! O Zayd b. al-Ḥārith! Did you not write to me calling me here?” They wrongly denied this outright.
The imam رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ said, “By Allah, you did this. O people! If you do not wish to pledge allegiance to me, then leave me be so I may go somewhere safe.”
The wretched Qays b. al-AshꜤath remarked, “Only if you accept the order of Ibn Ziyād.”
The imam رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ announced, “By Allah! I will never give him oath of allegiance. O slaves of Allah! From your stoning and from every arrogant individual who does not believe in the Day of accountability; I take refuge in the Lord of you and I.”[3]
The accursed followers of Yazīd responded to this generous message of the Prophet’s grandson by with appalling acts of aggression. Yet, this onslaught could not falter the imam, and his resolve and independence did not diminish in the slightest. This defender of the truth did not fear the darkness of calamities, and his foothold could not be dislodged by the torrent of trials. He رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ did not pay attention to these worldly afflictions.
If he رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ had given an oath of allegiance to Yazīd, the entire army would have been at his disposal; he would have been shown respect and showered with wealth. Yet, the imam’s رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ heart was free from love of the world and its ephemeral nature was apparent to him. He had no care for the world’s outward glitter and attraction. Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ rejected the ease of this world and happily embraced calamities on the path of truth, and did not even contemplate giving oath of allegiance to a flagrant transgressor like Yazīd. He رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ happily sacrificed everything, as he could not bear to see the Muslims fall into ruin. He رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ did not allow for anybody to point fingers at Islam or attack it in any way.
By Allah, the sacrifice of the martyrs of Karbala for the sake of Islam was an immense favour upon the Muslims after them. Apart from this, there are many other facets of their conduct that should be emulated by the believers.
May Allah Almighty grant us ability to sacrifice for the sake of Islam.
اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ
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