So on the 9th of Muharram I've spent my day reading up on The importance of Muharram, the month and also Who was Imam Hussain (AS). As we all know the tenth day of Muharram is known as the Day of Ashura, and muslims fasting during Ashura stems from the hadith that Musa (AS) and his people obtained a victory over the Egyptian Pharaoh on the 10th day of Muharram; accordingly Muhammad (SAWS) asked Muslims to fast on this day and on the day prior, the Day of Tasu'a. But another event took Place on the 10th of Muharram , and that was the Shahadat of Imam Hussain (AS) , and this event is one of the most important and inspirational events in the History of Islam , after the passing of the Prophet (SAWS) that shows what the power of the belief in Islam has and the Morals , values and ethics that Islam teaches us .
Theirs a quote by the the Grandson of The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), It goes "Those who are silent. when others are oppressed. are guilty of oppression themselves" , and these days this is what Iv'e personally have witnessed, people turning their backs on wrong doings , or feeling helpless , or not speaking out. This is what is happening in this world with Syria , Palestine and sometimes even in our own cities. What if the events of Karbala never occurred ? What are the things that Imam Hussein (R) stood for? Why did He go against Yazid?
Yazid was someone who loved worldly pleasures like wine , adultery and many other harram acts and being the so called leader of Islam .Without anyone to stand up to this, it may have continued being the norm to the present day in Muslim communities, hence the entire foundation of Islam and the message brought by our Prophet (SAWS) would not be in its proper state. The Battle of Karbala and Imam Hussain (AS) Shahadat is symbolic as it represents limitless courage, nobility and honour in the face of a cruel establishment, regardless of conditions .
If we talk about Pakistan and see the Resilience, protests, and sheer will to fight for whats right and against the oppression of the Hindu's and the British shows how Muslims learn from Imam Hussain (AS) to not be silent in the face of corruption and oppression. Even Muhammad Ali Jinnah has expressed that Imam Hussain (AS) was the embodiment of “love and value, and the personification of sacrifice and devotion”, and that every Muslim must “learn a lesson from his life”.
Small things can make big differences, supposed defeat can mean change .Here’s something that gives heart when you need to stand up to bad power – Imam Hussain (AS) did it, I can do it too.
It was a long time ago, right? Our stories matter. Whether it’s a hundred years ago (anniversary of the great war coming up, the holocaust), or more than a thousand years ago (ashura) what we know and remember of the past shapes our present and how we relate to it. Bad rulers have always existed. Making difficult choices in the face of massive oppression,or even the micro-oppressions in our own lives will always exist for human beings. Past events give us context, options, inspirations and the emotions to motivate us to change. Never look at a historic event and say it’s not worth remembering it. Instead, ask how can it help me solve the problems I have today.
Let us follow the example of Imam Hussain (AS), who rose up against Yazid in order to reform the Islamic Ummah of the Prophet (SAWS). And let us remember to fight oppression, wherever it occurs, without fear, with faith and against all odds.
And This is not Just for one day or a week , this is for the rest of our lifes , BECAUSE WE ARE MUSLIMS and Small things can make big differences, The past matters and this event is an example for everyone and for everyday.
