Leadership & Karbala
The events of Karbala reflect the collision of the good versus the evil, the virtuous versus the wicked, and
the collision
Of Imam Hussain (the head of virtue) versus Yazid (the head of impiety).
The tragedy of Karbala took place some 49 years after the death of Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] in 61
Hijri (AD 680).
The straight path or the right path is always the most difficult one to travel but one that rewards the
most, and so we are told when young. This battle of good versus the evil is an age old phenomenon.
Every religion has some story or the other to show us the ‘right' path from the ‘wrong' one. Hinduism
celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura (among other stories) as Diwali,
Christians remember the crucification of Jesus Christ as a supreme sacrifice in the way of God, and so do
Muslims observe Moharram (the month in which the tragedy of Karbala took place) to commemorate
the supreme sacrifice of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Prophet [PBUH].
"Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their
sustenance in the presence of their Lord."—Surah Aal-e-Imran (Chapter 3), Verse 169"
The Kufans urged Husain in Medina to ride north and lead them against the usurpation of the Islamic
world by Yazid, and to reclaim his rightful place as the head of the Muslim nation. Husain, encouraged
by the chief men of Medina, decided to respond and rode out of the oasis to assume the leadership of
the true army of Islam. But not a soul left the garrison city to join him on the desert trail. The Kufans too
would betray him! When Husain settled at a land devoid of water or vegetation named Karbala (‘Karb' in
Arabic means grief and ‘bala' is for trials) he had just 72 loyal soldiers with him.
Karbala was a battle of truth against falsehood, humanity against villainy, righteousness against evil,
justice against corruption. The much loved grandson of the Prophet [PBUH] stood in the scorching heat
of Karbala along with his companions, devoid of water but determined. His loved ones, including his six
month old son, fell martyr one after the other. In spite of this he repeatedly invited the other party
towards righteousness and forbade them from evil and immorality, but it all fell on deaf ears. When the
time arrived for him to march ahead all alone, he did it in a fashion which was reminiscent of his
illustrious father Ali.
Karbala stands for courage, self-sacrifice, integrity, honesty, vision, and bravery beyond words. It
symbolises all that is pure and true. Karbala teaches us that real battles are always fought in the minds
and not on ground. Yazid was powerful and yet he lost the battle for truth
the collision
Of Imam Hussain (the head of virtue) versus Yazid (the head of impiety).
The tragedy of Karbala took place some 49 years after the death of Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] in 61
Hijri (AD 680).
The straight path or the right path is always the most difficult one to travel but one that rewards the
most, and so we are told when young. This battle of good versus the evil is an age old phenomenon.
Every religion has some story or the other to show us the ‘right' path from the ‘wrong' one. Hinduism
celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura (among other stories) as Diwali,
Christians remember the crucification of Jesus Christ as a supreme sacrifice in the way of God, and so do
Muslims observe Moharram (the month in which the tragedy of Karbala took place) to commemorate
the supreme sacrifice of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Prophet [PBUH].
"Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their
sustenance in the presence of their Lord."—Surah Aal-e-Imran (Chapter 3), Verse 169"
The Kufans urged Husain in Medina to ride north and lead them against the usurpation of the Islamic
world by Yazid, and to reclaim his rightful place as the head of the Muslim nation. Husain, encouraged
by the chief men of Medina, decided to respond and rode out of the oasis to assume the leadership of
the true army of Islam. But not a soul left the garrison city to join him on the desert trail. The Kufans too
would betray him! When Husain settled at a land devoid of water or vegetation named Karbala (‘Karb' in
Arabic means grief and ‘bala' is for trials) he had just 72 loyal soldiers with him.
Karbala was a battle of truth against falsehood, humanity against villainy, righteousness against evil,
justice against corruption. The much loved grandson of the Prophet [PBUH] stood in the scorching heat
of Karbala along with his companions, devoid of water but determined. His loved ones, including his six
month old son, fell martyr one after the other. In spite of this he repeatedly invited the other party
towards righteousness and forbade them from evil and immorality, but it all fell on deaf ears. When the
time arrived for him to march ahead all alone, he did it in a fashion which was reminiscent of his
illustrious father Ali.
Karbala stands for courage, self-sacrifice, integrity, honesty, vision, and bravery beyond words. It
symbolises all that is pure and true. Karbala teaches us that real battles are always fought in the minds
and not on ground. Yazid was powerful and yet he lost the battle for truth
Source...