Shrine of Imam Husain in Karbala

Islam has its own ideal of martyrdom which is necessarily different from the Christian because it sees itself as a theocracy, a spiritual-political entity ruled by Allah.

In 680 AD we find the moving story of the sacrifice of Imam Husain in opposition to the degenerate state of Islam ruled by Yazid. Yazid was appointed by his father as Caliph in Damascus. He was a dessolute ruler who cared nothing for the principles of Islam. Yusuf Ali describes the state of affair thus: "The throne of Damascus had become a worldly throne based on the most selfish ideas of personal and family aggrandizement instead of a spiritual office with a sense of God-given responsibility. The decay of morals spread among the people." There was one man who could change the course of Islamic decadence and this was Imam Husain, the grandson of Muhammad. The term Iman has a definite meaning in Islam as follows: "The Shi'i believe that The Imam is someone who is able to lead mankind in all aspects of life. In addition they believe that an Imam is a perfect example in everything. According to Shi'i, an Imam is a leader that must be followed since he is appointed by Allah (God)."

Imam Husain in 680 AD was residing in Medina and had been receiving a flood of letters, especially from the people of Kufa (Iraq) to come to lead their city and the armed forces therein. At the same time Yazid was demanding allegiance from Husain. In order to think the matter over, Iman Husain sought refuge with his family in the sanctuary of Mecca where he stayed for about four months. Iman decided not to pay homage to Hazid because, if he had done so, he would have agreed with the corrupt rule of Yazid. He was very aware that for this he would be killed.

Husain left Mecca for Kufa with his family, 32 riders and 42 men on foot (about 90 to 100 people in all). Yazid heard of this from Iraq and sent written orders to the governor of Kufa to take military action against Husain. While still a few days away from Kufa he received news that his representative in Kufa had been killed. A few miles from Kufa, Husain met a contingent of horsemen led by Harro. Husain addressed this contingent and asserted his title to the Caliphate inviting them to submit to him. Harro told him that they had been commanded to bring him directly to Kufa before the governor but allowed Husaid to choose the road toward the city. They traveled throughout the night and the next morning Harro received orders to lead Husain and his people to Karbala, a desert place. There he was surrounded by 4,000 troops under the leadership of Amer who prevented him from reaching the Euphrates river. Seeing that the Kufans had rejected him, he proposed to Amer that he be allowed proceed to Yazid, or return to Mecca, or to go to a border region of Islam to fight the Turks. About a week later Amer rode up to Husain just after evening prayer and told him that he was to surrender unconditionally. Amer expected the answer in the morning.

That night his sister came to him weeping bemoaning the fact that her mother, father and brother were dead and what was to happen now. Husain said to her, "Put your trust in God, and know that man is born to die, and that the heavens shall not remain; everything shall pass away but the presence of God, who created all things by His power, and shall make them by his power to pass away, and they shall return to Him alone." Aware that the governor wanted only him, he told his followers to return home but many of them chose to stay to the bitter end. That night they prepared to fight and the rest of the night Imam Husain spent in prayer.

The next morning Imam Husain mounted his horse and placed the Koran before him crying, "O God, Thou art the confidence in every trouble and my hope in every adversity." At that moment a number of enemy forces came toward him and he expected the attack to begin. Instead this was Harro who had deserted the Syrian forces and had now come to die with him asking repentance from men and God.

Now Amer with his troops began the attack. They engaged in a number of single combats till noon, then both sides retired for prayer. As the battle resumed, Hsain was struck on the head by a sword. Feeling faint from the loss of blood, he sat by his tent and took his son Abdullah on his lap but a flying arrow killed him. He placed the little corpse upon the ground crying out, "We come from God and we return to Him, O God, give me strength to bear these misfortunes." Now, thirsty, he ran toward the Euphrates and as was about to drink an arrow struck him in the mouth. Raising his hands dripping with blood he stood for a while praying to heaven. His little nephew came up to kiss him and his hand cut off by a sword. Husain wept saying, "Thy reward, dear child is with thy forefathers in the realms of bliss." Now the Syrian troops surrounded him and he struck out right and left, one struck him on the head, another slashed hi neck and a third trust his spear though his body. In end they cut off Husain's head, stripped his body naked and trampled his body into the dust under the hoofs of horses.

Islam was appalled when they heard what Yazid had done.

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