Hussain to me

In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

What does Hussain mean to me?

He means everything to me. In a few hours of a single afternoon, he taught me everything I need to know and showed me everything I need to be. It is as if the twenty-three years of the prophet`s (s) message; his love, his vision, his struggle... are encapsulated into a single man. Hussain is the perfect student of Muhammad (s).

He is the meaning of sacrifice, the symbol of loyalty, the very essence of mercy and compassion. On the battlefield, he fights with unmatched valour and off the battlefield he gives with unparalleled generosity. The moon envies his heart’s radiance and the sun surrenders before the warmth of his character. Hussain is the embodiment of virtues.

From the ninety-year old sage to the six month old infant, from the black African slave to the renowned Arab warrior, from a fourteen year old nephew to a sister in shackles... Hussain's companions are shining examples for all humanity that when freedom is threatened, when faith is corrupted, and when materialism governs, all have a part to play in the stand for liberty, piety and morality, that in the way of truth, no sacrifice is too great.

Whenever I feel weak, depressed, lonely… I take myself to the land of unending inspiration, to the camp of Hussain, knowing that my thirst for love, strength and light will be quenched there. I drink from the sweet springs of his love and compassion, and recieve the energy, determination and vision that I need to continue.

Indeed, the epic scene we find in the desert sands of Karbala: an armed force of thirty thousand men facing a band of seventy-two; a camp of egotism, hatred and arrogance facing an army of love, compassion and self sacrifice; cowardice against loyalty, pride against humility, vengeance against mercy… is in reality nothing but a reflection of the scene that all of us witness every single day… within our own being.

When I find myself torn between virtue and desire, between love and lust, between freedom and slavery… all I need to do is view my situation through the lens of Hussain’s sacrifice, and everything becomes clear, as if his stand is the very manifestation of the Qur’anic passage: ‘There is no compulsion in religion; truth has become distinct from error…’ (Qur’an 2:256). When I have to choose between swallowing my pride and responding with anger, between the urge to backbite and the struggle to hold my tongue, between silence in the face of injustice and standing for freedom… I remember the words of Hussain when he stated:

“They have left me a choice between death and humiliation. And never to humiliation”

In the way I think, in the way I speak, in the way I worship; in my relationship with God, in my interactions with His servants… in the way I live and, inshaAllah (God-willing) in the way I will die, I try to answer the call of

Hussain when he stood alone on the desert sands and called out:

‘Is there any helper to help me?’

The chapter of history that tells of the sacrifice of Hussain was a chapter that was opened in Karbala… but it did not close there. It remains open until this day. And as long as there is a single human being living under oppression – be it social, physical or spiritual – this chapter shall remain open. As long as there is a single homeless man without shelter, an abused woman without protection, and a thirsty child without water, this chapter shall remain open.

Yesterday it was spears and arrows.

Today it is tanks and missiles.

Yesterday it was town criers of despotic Caliphs.

Today it is a multi-million dollar media machine.

Yesterday it was the companions of Hussain against the army of Yazid. Today it is oppressive regimes that occupy and murder indiscriminately against advocates of justice and liberty.

Yesterday it was the love of position against love of God.

Today it is a culture of lust and consumerism against virtue, ethics and morality.

Today, it is you and me. Every day we are faced with decisions, with choices. Hussain’s eternal stand continues, and so do the endless attempts to silence it. It all begins within our own selves. As such, the question every person must ask his/herself is not 'where would I have stood had I been in Karbala 1300 years ago?', but rather:

‘Where do I stand today?’