Reflections on the Martyrdom at Karbala
Among the most fitting of all epithets regarding Imām Husayn was by one of the greatest spiritual luminaries, Khwājah Mo’inuddin Chisti said …
Shah ast Hussain, badshah ast Hussain,
Deen ast Hussain, deen-e panah ast Hussain,
Sar dād, na dād dast, dar dast-e-yazid,
Haqa key binaey La ilaha ilallah ast Hussain
Husayn is the master, Husayn is the king,
Husayn is the symbol of faith, Husayn is the defender of faith,
He gave his life rather than allegiance to Yazid
Verily the foundation of La’illah illa-Allah is Husayn.
Even those not of the Muslim faith have acknowledged the monumental contribution of Imām Husayn as an icon of heroism and bravery …
“No battle in the modern and past history of mankind has earned more sympathy and admiration as well as provided more lessons than the martyrdom of Husayn in the battle of Karbala.” [Antoine Bara in ‘Husayn in Christian Ideology’]
Sar apna jo patakti hai piyason ki yaad maeyn Laytee hai naam Gunga o Jumna Husayn ka
Jai Singh panaah mangay gee mujh say narak ki aag
Maeyn Hindu hoon, magar hoon maeyn shaida Husayn ka
In memory of the thirsty (martyrs of Karbala), the waves lash on the banks of the Gunga and Jumna rivers remembering Husayn
I am Jai Singh, but the fire of hell will never touch me
for though I am a Hindu, yet I am of those who love Husayn [Hindu poet, Jai Singh]
The famous writer, Dr. K. Sheldrake wrote about Imām Husayn:
“Husayn marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not only ready to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching.”
- In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Husayn will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.” [Edward Gibbon , The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911,volume 5, pp391-2]
- “Everybody knows there is dying after life, But you (O Husayn) taught us how to live after death.” [ Hindu Poet, Kuwar Mehandra Singh Bedi]
- “The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Husayn and his companions were the firm believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood.” [Historian-Thomas Carlyle]
- In the words of Moulana ‘Ali Gouhar, Qatle Husayn asl mein marge yazid hay Islam zinda hotahay har Karbala ki ba’d “The killing of Husayn is in fact the death knell of Yazid, as Islam is revived after every such Karbala”.
Imam Husayn indeed perpetuated the legacy of the willingness for sacrifice of Prophet Ismā’īl. His colossal struggle and monumental martyrdom is so moving that it continues to serve as a beacon of light to all the faithful who struggle for freedom and justice.
