THE QUESTION OF VICTORY

6th Muharram 1430 AH [lunar]

Lecturers in Muharram sometimes discuss the question of victory in the battle of Karbala. After asking who actually won, they say that despite the apparent loss met by Imam al-Husayn ('a), they were the ultimate winners. I personally feel that such a question is incorrect. It is only when Imam al-Husayn ('a) appears in Karbala for the sole purpose of apparently defeating Yazid in that particular physical battle that this question comes about. We already know that the fundamental purpose why Imam al-Husayn ('a) rose was to affect reform in the Muslim community and revive the Islamic values therein. And in order to achieve this, he was ready to give all whatever he had in the path of the Beloved. He was prepared to suffer all the sufferings that he met for the revival of religion in which he knew was the eternal salvation of mankind. And he did achieve what he rose for. Hence he won what he actually fought for!