Nov. 27 was the first day of the Islamic New Year. But instead of being a cause for celebration, the new year marks the start of a mourning period for Shiite Muslims around the world.
The 10th day of Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar) is called Ashura. It’s the day in history when Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and his 72 companions and family members were massacred on the plains of Karbala, Iraq.
Hussain’s “crime” was his refusal to pledge allegiance to Yazid, a ruler who was corrupt in every sense of the word, and whose regime was blatantly against the teachings of the Prophet.
When Hussain refused to give his hand in allegiance, Yazid’s army cornered Hussain’s small band of companions and family members in a land known as Karbala. The massacre that ensued was one of the bloodiest in Islamic history. Even Hussain’s six-month old infant wasn’t spared by the enemy.
Because of the battle of Karbala, the Muslim world was awakened to the kind of man that was leading them. People began taking stands of their own against his rule, and efforts were underway to restore the religion to the way the Prophet has taught it — Hussain had lost the battle, but won the war.
From Hussain’s martyrdom on that fateful afternoon in Karbala, there rose a victory not just for Muslims, but also for humanity as whole. Hussain and his small army had stood up not only for the true Islam, but also against social, political, and economical injustice. Hussain taught the world how to take a stance against oppression of any kind.
He famously said on the day of Ashura: “Death with dignity is better than a life with humiliation.”
Every Muharram, Shiite Muslims from around the world congregate to remember Hussain’s supreme sacrifice, without which there would not have been what we know as Islam today.
Eulogies are recited in remembrance of Hussain’s martyrdom, and speakers give stirring talks on lessons of selflessness and bravery. Many scholars speak about spiritual upliftment, and how we can cleanse ourselves of sin and gain proximity to God.
Often, when narrations of how Hussain and his army were mercilessly slain on the plains of Karbala are recited, people will weep profusely and beat their chests in a show of agony.
Every year, millions of people go for pilgrimage to Karbala in order to pay their respects to Hussain, and those who fought alongside him. The graves of Hussain and his companions are housed in stunning mausoleums of gold in Karbala.
I was fortunate enough to visit the holy city of Karbala in 2007. To say that it was an amazing experience would be a gross understatement. Just standing next to Hussain’s grave, thinking how much the man buried beside me had given so I could live the life I live today was overwhelming.
I’ll leave you with a statement by Antoine Bara, a Christian historian, who said: “No battle in the modern and past history of mankind has earned more sympathy and admiration as well as provided more lessons than the martyrdom of Hussain in the battle of Karbala.”
