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Teachings of Muharram

Kazi Aulad Hossain
MUHARRAM is the first month of the Islamic calendar. This is the month in which Hazrat Imam Hossain (A), the beloved grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM) embraced martyrdom 1400 years ago on the burning sands of Karbala while fighting an unequal war against 4,000 soldiers dispatched by the local governor of Kufa on behalf of his master cruel-hearted Yazid, son of Muawia the erstwhile Caliph of the Islamic state. The day was Ashura, the 10th dayofthe month ofMuharram.
Now the pertinent question is why Hazrat Imam Hussain (A) was obliged to fight an unequal war. It maybe stated here that there was an agreement entered into
by Hazrat Imam Hussain (A) and Yazid's father Hazrat Muawia that after Muawia's death Hazrat Imam Hussain (A) would be the next Caliph of the Islamic state.
But in flagrant violation of this agreement Hazrat Muawia illegally nominated his son Yazid to be the next Caliph after his death. As- a result, Yazid declared himself-’ as the Caliph and wanted to perpetuate the rule of his father. Imam Hussain got himself direcdy involved because the people of Kufa, being oppressed by the local governor, invited Hazrat Imam Hussain to come to their help.
The kind-hearted Imam could not remain indifferent and quiet, and decided to proceed towards Kufa with a view to helping them. Before he left for Kufa he, however, detailed his cousin Muslim to go
to Kufa to ascertain whether the invitation extended to him was genuine.
On receipt of a favourable reply, Imam Hussain (A) left Medina with a handful of soldiers and his family. While on his way to Kufa he heard the sad news of the death of Muslim and, as a result, he was very much distressed but continued his
onward march.
On the way towards Kufa the Imam's party was intercepted by an Arab tribal chief Al-Howe and his cavalry. Consequently, the helpless Imam had to change his route and proceed along the western side of the river Euphrates, leaving Kufa on his right. But the governor of Kufa did not like the movement
of Imam Hussain and his party in the vicinity of Kufa.
He immediately dispatched 4,000 soldiers under the leadership of Omar bin Saad. When this happened, the Imam camped with his companions at Karbala on the bank of river Euphrates on the first day of the month ofMuharram.
Finding no other way out, the Imam proposed an amicable setdement considering the hardship of his companions, particularly the plight of the women and infants. But governor Obaidulla's commander declined to accept the compromiseproposal.
The helpless Imam was not even allowed to meet Yazid so that he could discuss the whole matter with'him, nor
was he allowed to go back to Medina. Because of the blockade the Imam's men could not even reach the bank of the nearby river for water to quench their thirst.
So, what was the alternative left for the revered Imam but to fight the unequal war at Karbala without surrendering to the enemy? The enemy commander ordered the cruel-hearted Shimar to take
Hazrat Hussain dead or alive to Kufa.
All the members of the Imam's family embraced martyrdom. On the 10th of the month, i.e. Ashura, when the Imam was proceeding towards the nearby river with his infant son Asgar on his lap for a little water to quench his thirst, a spear from the enemy side struck his beloved son and he died then and there. The bewildered and aggrieved Imam then sat down in front of his tent and then a little later another flying spear from the enemy side struck his chest and he also embraced martyrdom.
As soon as the enemy soldiers understood that the valiant Imam had breathed his last they immediately came forward and desecrated his body in different ways. Such treatment to the Imam was inhuman and without any parallel in human history.
This is how the beloved grandson of the Prophet (SM), Hazrat Imam Hussain (A), embraced martyrdom some 1400 year ago for a just and noble cause. Since then, the occasion of Ashura every year undoubtedly teaches us to be just and fight for a noble cause.
Kazi Aulad Hossain is a retired government high official
***So, what was the alternative left for the revered Imam but to fight the unequal war at Karbala without surrendering to the enemy? The enemy commander ordered the cruel-hearted Shimar to take Hazrat Hussain dead or alive to Kufa. All the members of the Imam's family embraced martyrdom.***