From Ismail to Husayn

We bid farewell to the old year by celebrating Prophet Ibrahim's commitment
to God displayed through his willingness to sacrifice his patient son,
Prophet Ismail; we welcome the new year by commemorating the migration of
Prophet Muhammad to Madinah, which marked the beginning of a period of
enlightenment for civilization.

This is also the month where we remember the martyrdom of Prophet's beloved
grandson, Imaam Husayn.

WHO IS HUSAYN?

Husayn is the son of Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet. The holy Prophet
said of her, "she is among the leaders of the women of Paradise".

The father of Husayn is Ali, who was a cousin and one of the most beloved
and steadfast companions of the Prophet. Indeed, Ali is like the sun,
Fatimah like the moon and Husayn a star in the galaxy of heroes.

Together with his brother Hasan, Husayn is considered among "leaders of the
youth of Paradise". We shall never forget how the Prophet descended from his
pulpit to embrace and seat his grandson besides him before resuming his
sermon, nor how he prolonged his prostration in order not to discomfort the
other who had climbed on his back. The Prophet beseeched the Almighty; "O
Allah, I love Hasan and Husayn, do love them and love those who love them".

ASHURA

The tenth of Muharam marks a significant day in the Muslim calendar; it is
the day on which, among other events, Allah saved Prophet Musa from the
tyrannical Pharaoh.  To commemorate this event the Prophet recommended we
fast on this day; a fast considered second only to the obligatory fast of
Ramadan.

Another a significant event occurred on that day in 61 AH, an event that
serves as a milestone in the history of the faithful… the martyrdom if Imaam
Husayn at Karbala.  A martyrdom at the hands of those who claimed to act in
the name of Islam yet unremorsefully and shamelessly were prepared to
obliterate its true exponent; those who (like so many of us) are prepared to
kill for Islam yet are unable to live by it.  Yes, Husayn was martyred at
the hands of those who would kiss the Black Stone because the holy Prophet
kissed it, yet cut off the precious head of that dear grandson of the holy
Prophet, a head which the Prophet so often stroked and kissed with
affection.

THE LESSON OF KARBALA

Imam Husayn's martyrdom at Karbala provides evidence of the moral victory of
right over wrong, of virtue over vice, of principle over compromise, of the
oppressed over the oppressor, of the denied over the denier; the ultimate
victory of blood over sword.  Karbala teaches humankind through the
inscription of blood on the scrolls of human history how Husayn explained to
the world by his death, through martyrdom, the meaning of life; that living
is truly of value that offers itself for a cause greater than its self, that
to die with honor is better than living in subjugation to injustice. The
lesson is not only that he was prepared to fight for what is right, but that
he was willing to die for it; selflessness, not selfishness; humility not
ego.


The great spiritual master, Khaja Muinuddin Chisti said; "Husayn is king,
truly the king is Husayn, the manifestation of Faith is Husayn and the
protector of Faith is Husayn.  Husayn gave his head in allegiance to God but
not his hand in allegiance to Yazid.."

THE LEGACY OF HUSAYN

The memory of Husayn excites the spirit, the very name of Husayn evokes the
tradition of resistance against tyranny and inequity.  His colossal struggle
and monumental martyrdom is so poignant that it continues to serve as a
beacon of light to all the faithful who struggle for freedom and justice.

In the words of Moulana Ali Gouhar, "The killing of Husayn is in fact the
death knell of Yazid.  Islam is revived after every such Karbala". For those
consistently striving against injustice and oppression, EVERY DAY IS ASHURA
AND EVERY PLACE IS KARBALA.

Excerpted from "O Husayn, We Salute You" by Sadullah Khan


With the very best of good wishes,
Musa Amadu Pembo
Glasgow,
Scotland
UK.
[log in to unmask]
Da’wah is to convey the message with wisdom and with good words. We should
give the noble and positive message of Islam. We should try to emphasize
more commonalities and explain the difference without getting into
theological arguments and without claiming the superiority of one position
over the other. There is a great interest among the people to know about
Islam and we should do our best to give the right message.
May Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,guide us all to His Sirat Al-Mustaqim (Righteous
Path).May He protect us from the evils of this life and the hereafter.May
Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,grant us entrance to paradise .
We ask Allaah the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will
benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allaah Subhanahu
Wa Ta'ala grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family
and
companions..Amen.




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