Imam Husayn's Path: A Journey of Devotion and Worship

A Heartfelt Plea

Walk the Path of Ḥusayn

Mawlana Muhammad Imran Attari

Chairperson of Dawat-e-Islami’s Central Executive Committee

The mention of Ḥusayn sets in motion a tide of profound reflections. He was the cherished grandson of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, adorned as the resplendent blossom from the tree of our Master صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He is the leader of youth in Paradise and the source of solace to the eyes of Sayyidatuna Fatima رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْها. Endowed with the valorous spirit inherited from his gallant father, he epitomized bravery in every aspect. His unwavering pursuit was the pleasure of his Lord, as he devotedly traversed the path of truth, unwavering and unyielding to the shackles of falsehood. As a devoted servant of Allah Almighty, he dedicated his days and nights to worship, crafting a symphony of obedience. In both conflict and peace, he assumed his rightful role, beckoning the flawed towards perfection and illuminating the way for the already perfected.

Considering the current state of the world, although not everyone may be capable of entering the battlefield and embodying the Ḥusayni character, the field of peace and action is still open for everyone. Everyone can practically exhibit Ḥusayni characteristics if they desire, in fact, it is required for everyone to do so because it is the need of the time as well as a requirement of the religion.

Blessed Ḥusayni character causes an enemy to become a devotee

Once, a person who used to harbour hatred towards Sayyiduna Ali رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ began verbally abusing Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and his honourable father. Instead of scolding him or responding in an inappropriate manner, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ recited TaꜤawwudh and Basmala followed by these noble verses:

خُذِ الۡعَفۡوَ وَ اۡمُرۡ بِالۡعُرۡفِ وَ اَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ  الۡجٰہِلِیۡنَ (۱۹۹)وَ اِمَّا یَنۡزَغَنَّکَ مِنَ الشَّیۡطٰنِ نَزۡغٌ فَاسۡتَعِذۡ  بِاللّٰہِ ؕ       اِنَّہٗ  سَمِیۡعٌ  عَلِیۡمٌ (۲۰۰) اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا اِذَا مَسَّہُمۡ طٰٓئِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّیۡطٰنِ تَذَکَّرُوۡا فَاِذَا ہُمۡ مُّبۡصِرُوۡنَ (۲۰۱)ۚ

“O Beloved; adopt forgiveness, and command good, and turn away from the ignorant. And O listener! If a whispering from Satan provokes you; so, (immediately) seek refuge in Allah; indeed, He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Indeed, those who fear (Allah), whenever a temptation from the Devil touches them, they become alert; and at that very moment, their eyes open-up.”^[1]

After reciting these verses, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said to the individual: “Lighten your burden! I beseech Allah Almighty to forgive both me and you.” Then, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ supplicated for him. The person was treated with such forgiveness, tolerance, and kindness by Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ that his enmity transformed into love at once, and he said, “There is no one on the face of the earth more beloved to me than him (Imam Ḥusayn) رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and his father (Sayyiduna Ali) رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ.”^[2]

Abundant worship performed by the leader of heavenly youth

Imam Zain al-ꜤĀbidīn رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states regarding his respected father: کانَ یُصَلِّی فِی الْیَوْمِ وَاللَّیْلَۃِ اَلْفَ رَکْعَۃٍ "He used to perform a thousand voluntary units of salah during the day and night."^[3]

My Imam performed all acts of goodness abundantly

Imam Ibn al-Athīr al-Jazarī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه writes: “Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ used to frequently observe fasting, prayers, Hajj, charity, and all acts of goodness. It is narrated that he performed 25 Hajj journeys by foot.”^[4]

Last prayer of his life was also performed in congregation

On the morning of the 10th of Muharram, 61 AH, my master Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ even performed his last prayer in congregation.^[5]

He even showed compassion to the bloodthirsty

On the Day of Ashura, resolute and unwavering, my Imam delivered a sermon before the assembly of Yazid's adherents. With fervent urgency, he warned them of the perilous consequences that awaited their souls in the Hereafter. He said to them, “The shedding of innocent blood is an abomination, invoking the wrath of the Almighty. I beseech you, refrain from this grievous sin. I have not stained my hands with the blood of another, nor have I set ablaze homes or unleashed harm upon any soul. If you do not want me to come to your city, let me return. I seek naught from you. Why do you yearn for my demise, and how shall you cleanse your souls from the guilt of my blood? What answer will you give on the Day of Judgment?”^[6] However, these unfortunate individuals were not affected at all by these words of advice; instead, they continued to destroy their own afterlife, and in the end, they martyred the blessed son of Sayyidatuna Fatimah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا, thereby ruining their own hereafter.

I plead to all devotees of the Companions and the Prophet’s Family! Alongside contemplating the virtuous character of Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, let us also assess our own conduct. The eminent Imam, in his magnanimity, pardoned those who slandered him and extended his goodwill towards those who bore animosity against him. In contrast, we often lash out at those who oppose us. Consumed by thoughts of revenge, we inflict harm upon them, consequently tarnishing our own lives in this world and jeopardizing our Hereafter. Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ observed the prescribed prayers on time and engaged in abundant voluntary prayers.

Even while surrounded by enemies, he prayed in congregation. Yet we, who claim to love the noble Imam, spend our precious lives distant from righteousness and engrossed in sins. Instead of prioritizing the fulfilment of our Islamic obligations, we only give importance to earning and building worldly possessions. The honourable Imam sacrificed everything for the preservation of Islam, while we completely disregard the commands of Islam just to acquire the lowly wealth of the world. The martyr of Karbala had a beard and wore an imamah, while we neglect this great Sunnah of keeping a beard. Let alone the imamah, we are reluctant in even wearing a skull cap on our heads. Is this Ḥusayni love? May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to adopt the true essence of Ḥusayni character.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم