5 Lessons To Be Learnt From Karbala & Imam Hussain

Who is Imam Hussain?
Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:

Verily Hussain is the shining light of guidance and the ark of salvation.

Day of Ashura is the day Hazrat Imam Hussain revived Islam forever by his blood. He refused to pay allegiance to the tyrants and wished a death with dignity rather a life of humiliation. So, on 10th of Muharram Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) embraced shahadat along with his family and friends.

As soon as the crescent of Muharram is sighted , it reminds us of the tragedy of Karbala. Having said that the martyrdom of Imam Hussain on the 10th of Muharram has taught us some ever lasting lessons to be followed till the end of times:

Do not succumb to oppression & support the Truth no matter what:
Imam Hussain announced:
“Seek peace to maintain the truth, since nothing is more important than truth. However, a peace that cannot guarantee the truth is not peace anymore but oppression.”
And again:
“Don’t you see that truth has been replaced by falsehood? We must be prepared to sacrifice everything that is precious in support of truth!”
Truth is the ‘ESSENCE’ of Islam and fortifies the values emphasized in the Holy Quran.

Importance of Salah:
During the battle of Karbala, the martyrs did not miss any prayer which gives a clear message to the Ummah that Salah should be performed no matter what the circumstances are. No excuses are accepted when it comes to offering prayers.

Repentance:
A lot of people in the world repent but the repentance of Hur bin Yazid Riahi, the first commander to surround Imam Hussain’s tents provide excellent illustration of repentance ever. Repenting his actions, he asked Imam Hussain for forgiveness and was honored by being one of the first martyrs. SubhanAllah!

Be selfless:
Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali is the prime example of a selfless personality and unflinching loyalty during the Battle of Karbala. He battled valiantly and sacrificed his life trying to procure water for Imam Hussain’s family and gave no consideration to his own thirst.

Women have a Pivotal role in Islam:
Bibi Zainab’s participation in the Battle of Karbala was exemplary and she was a symbol of all the attributes that Hazrat Imam Hussain fought for. She was endowed with divine steadfastness, fortitude and also fought against despotism.
Women should realize that they can make a difference as it is said, “the word is mightier than the sword.” This should stay in the minds of all Muslims, particularly the women.

Imam Hussain’s Shahadat even had an impact of International Leaders and great writers:

-Mohammad Ali Jinnah
The world is unable to present an example finer and brighter than the personality of Imam Hussain (A.S.). He was the embodiment of love, valor, and personification of sacrifice and devotion. Every Muslim, in particular, must learn a lesson from his life and should seek guidance from him.

-Charles Dickens
If Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.

-Mahatma Gandhi
My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain, the great saint.

-Jawaharlal Nehru
Imam Hussain’s sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of righteousness.

–Edward Gibbon
In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hussain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.