THE UPRISING OF IMAM AL-HUSAYN (A.S.)

Islam clearly stipulates that the leader of the Islamic nation must abide by the principles of justice and equity. He should hold the laws of Islamic Sharia’h and the will of the Islamic Ummah in highest esteem and at no cost, should he compromise them. A leader must refrain from ruling oppressively and misappropriating his power as a way to gain wealth, luxury and a monopoly of property and privileges. Leadership ought not to be given to anyone who lacks the ability of being an exemplary leader in his deeds, morals and understanding of the important divine laws. In addition, he should also be politically efficient.

Yazeed, son of Mu’awiya bin Abi Sufyan was well known to both, Imam Husayn (as) and the Islamic nation to be unfit to lead the Muslims. He was also extremely corrupt and bent upon making mischief. History describes him as a debaucherous man engrossed in womanising, drinking wine, playing with monkeys, reciting poetry, horse-racing and hunting. Above all, he openly scoffed at Islam and its tenets that are depicted from his poems.

Husayn (as) viewed questions of state, politics, the Ummah, leadership and Imamate from the perspective of Quran. As opposed to that, Yazeed viewed these questions from his castle of oppression. Leadership in the eyes of Husayn (as), was a vehicle to place the Ummah on the road of guidance and reform, a means to nourish people with divine laws and build their characters and a tool to organize life and develop it towards good and perfection.

In his view, the Islamic state had the underpinnings of Islam, according to which it formulates its regulations and its cultural values. The state organs are assigned the task of protecting the principles and aims of the Ummah. These organs are authorized by the Ummah to institute rules, uphold justice and provide services. In all this, they are answerable to the Ummah and Allah, the Almighty.

                                                (Imam Husayn (as) & the Day of Aashura)

“….I am not taking up arms in order to make merry, or be ecstatic over what I possess. I am not making mischief, nor exercising oppression. But I am ready to fight for the sole goal of seeking reform of the Ummah of my grandfather, the Apostle of Allah. I want to enjoin good and forbid evil and guide the affairs of the people as my grandfather and father were doing…” (Maqtal al-Husayn)

“…For by my life, what is the Imam except one who judges by the Book, one who upholds justice, one who professes the religion of truth and one who dictates himself to the essence of Allah.” (Al-Mufeed)

“…I call you to abide by the Book of Allah and the practice of His Apostle (saww). The Prophet’s practice has now been put aside, and heterodoxy revived. Should you grasp my words and obey me, then, I will most certainly lead you along the path of righteousness. And may Allah bestow peace and mercy on you.”  (Maqtal al-Husayn)

On this first day of Muharram, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to our 12^th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (AJ) and to all the Muslims and followers of Ahlul-Bayt (as) on the Martyrdom of Sayyidush-Shuhada Imam Abu ‘Abdillahil-Husayn (as).

A’dhamallahu Ujoorana Wa Ujoorakum.

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Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff