3rd Muharram 1430 AH [lunar] Prior to his uprising, Imam al-Husayn ('a) clearly stated the fundamental aim behind his uprising: Innama kharajtu litalab al-islaah fi ummati jaddi ("I only rose [against Yazid] to confer equilibrium to the nation of my grandfather"). And one who would like to confer equilibrium to a situation must enjoy the same himself. Two of the most fundamental prerequisites of a muslih (reformer)according to the Holy Qur'an are: (1) Adhering to the Book of Allah, and (2) Establishing prayer. The Holy Qur'an in chapter 7, verse 170 says: "As for those who hold fast to the Book and maintain the prayer indeed we do not waste the reward of those who bring about reform." Hence these two characteristics are essential. It is interesting to note that when Imam al-Husayn ('a) seeks permission on the 9th of Muharram for the night of 'Ashura, he is reported to have saidto his brother 'Abbas ('a): "If you can divert them fro...
1st Muharram 1430 AH [lunar] In the Name of Allah, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful. In light of the well-known narration of thaqalayn (two weighty things) which has been narrated successively both by the Shi’a as well as the Sunni narrators, the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) are referred to as being the ‘idl al-Qur’an (peers of the Qur’an). Hence, Imam al-Husayn (‘a), who is among the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) likewise is a peer of the Qur’an. He is the vocal and practical book of Allah. Every thought, move, and aspiration from him is Qur’anic and serves as the practical commentary of the Holy Qur’an. The uprising of Imam al-Husayn (‘a) and his entire movement, therefore, is nothing but a practical translation of the Qur’an
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!
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