A Historic Uprising to Revive Islam’s Objectives
It ended with the martyrdom of those taking part in the uprising but ultimately caused the true path of Islam to be established in history in contrast to the deviations of hypocritical rulers.
July 30th this year marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month in the lunar Hijri calendar. Muharram reminds us of an incredible event that is considered a turning point in the history of Islam. Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a role model for revolutionary religiosity, left Mecca to Kufa (in today’s Iraq) at the time of Hajj with the aim of launching a political and religious uprising.
This raises big questions: What important goal was there that was more significant than performing Hajj? What deviation had taken place in the Ummah and among the rulers just 50 years after the demise of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that Imam Hussein (AS) had to stage an uprising?
These questions show we are talking about such a great event, the event of Ashura on the tenth day of Muharram in which Imam Hussein (AS), who is known among all Muslims as having Taqwa (God-fearing) and being the true follower of Islam, is martyred along with his 72 of his companions. Historical accounts say the number of the forces fighting him in the Battle of Karbala (680 AD) was between 10,000 and 30,000.
The sermons, words, letters and testament of Imam Hussein (AS) that have been recorded in history show the best way to learn about the objectives and motivations for the Karbala Uprising. In his testament he wrote when bidding farewell to his brother Muhammad ibn Hanifa before leaving Medina, Imam Hussein (AS) said of his objective, “Indeed, I have not risen up to do mischief, neither as an adventurer, nor to cause corruption and tyranny. I have risen up solely to seek the reform of the Ummah of my grandfather. I want to enjoin what is good and stop what is wrong, and (in this) I follow the conduct of my grandfather and my father Ali ibn Abi Talib.”
Also, in an address in Mecca to a group of scholars and elites from different parts of the Muslim world during Hajj, Imam Hussein (AS) reminded the heavy responsibility of scholars and leaders of cities and regions to safeguard the religion and beliefs of Muslims and warned them of the consequences of remaining silent on the crimes of the Umayyids (rulers of the time). He criticized their silence in the face of anti-religion and deviated policy of Umayyid rulers and described compromising with them as a grave sin. At the end of his speech, Imam Hussein (AS) described the purpose of his movement and activities against the tyrannical ruling system of the time:
“O God! You know that everything we did was not prompted by rivalry for political power, nor for a search for wealth and abundance; rather it was done to demonstrate to men the shining principles and values of Your religion, to reform the affairs of Your land, to protect and secure the indisputable rights of Your oppressed servants, and to act in accordance with the duties You have established and the norms, laws, and ordinances You have decreed.”
A review of these sentences can help us know the four main objectives of the measures and movement of Imam Hussein (AS) and his uprising during the rule of Yazid:
1- Reviving the manifestations and principles of true Muhammadan Islam
2- Refroming and improving the affairs of people in Muslim lands
3- Protecting the security of the oppressed people
4- Preparing the ground for acting upon the divine laws and ordinances
