By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, New Age Islam
03 September 2020
The tragedy at Karbala has the significance of a watershed
in the history of Islam. Karbala signifies the defiance of status quo and a war
against those who oppress masses in the name of religion. Imam Hussain (May
Allah be pleased with him), his family members and supporters stood for the
spirit of Islam that was retrograded by the clan of Ummayads lead by its
monarch Yazid. Yazid was trying to justify the retrograding of Caliphate to
monarchy by stating that Muslim Empire is too large to be governed by a Caliph
who implements Shariah in letter and spirit, thus giving legitimacy to the
ill-founded concern that Caliphate as a system has become redundant to govern
the Muslim world. Imam Hussain’s struggle was to testify through his character
and later martyrdom that Islamic system is vibrant, broad and plural enough to
meet the challenges of times without compromising its spirit.
There is a difference of opinion among various scholars
about the events leading to the tragedy of Karbala, but most scholars have the
consensus over the fact that martyrdom of Imam Hussain, his family and
supporters was unjustified and their martyrdom became an inspiration for all
movements that aimed against oppression and for the liberation of masses from
bigotry, superstition and religious dogmatism. The tussle among the Mustakbirun
(arrogant, powerful) and Mustadifun (Oppressed, weak) is still an
ongoing conflict in the world. This conflict is supra national, lingual,
regional, religious and educational.
The tragedy of Karbala is a historical testament that we
have a long struggle ahead to realize the goals of Karbala. The oppressors have
only one religion i.e. to use any means necessary to keep the people docile,
dormant and asleep so that their vested interests and status quo is maintained.
This important lesson of Karbala can help Muslim Ummah overcome the cancer of
sectarianism because the Mustakbirun are benefitted from the
sectarianism that harms Muslim masses but benefits them.
Another big lesson that we can infer from the Karbala
tragedy is that of leadership of Muslim women. Muslim women who now find
themselves at the crossroads of tradition and modernity with patriarchy ruling
roost. Patriarchy has been justified by male chauvinists by misinterpreting and
misusing the gender just principles of Islam. In the aftermath of Karbala
tragedy, the family members captured and presented before Yazid were
exclusively women and children except Imam Zayn ul Aberdeen. Imam Hussain’s
Sister Hazrat Zainab (May Allah be pleased with her) stated bravely, boldly and
courageously the truth to the power headed by the tyrant, sadist monarch Yazid.
It is because of her leadership and eloquence that the events of Karbala have
been handed down to generations that inspired numerous liberations, literary
and mass movements.
The women of the house of Imam Hussain are still an epitome
of sacrifice, leadership and dedication that Muslim women can emulate to excel.
If it was not for Hazrat Zainab, the tragedy of Karbala would have gone down in
the annals of history as a story of a certain massacre. Muslim women have in
her character and personality a holistic personality that calls them to take
their space and lead in various walks of life.
The tragedy of Karbala calls every person with conscience to
carry forward the mantle of cause and struggle for which the martyrs at Karbala
laid down their lives. Karbala reminds and inspires us to stand against every
form of oppression, racism and sectarianism. The real tribute to martyrs of
Karbala is to live and implement the ideals that the stood and sacrificed for.
Any Islamic struggle is incomplete without inclusion of values of Karbala
martyrs.
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M.H.A. Sikander is Writer-Activist based in Srinagar,
Kashmir
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-history/lessons-karbala-tragedy-significance-watershed/d/122783
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