THE battle of Karbala, more than being an encounter between two political forces, was a battle of values. On one end of the spectrum is Imam Hussain, the apogee of human values, representing undaunted courage in the face of immense odds; a manifestation of compassion and divine grace for the weak and the downtrodden, but as firm as steel while confronting the wicked and oppressors.

Indeed, throughout his noble life, and particularly in the desert of Karbala, Imam Hussain was a true representation of what it means to be ashraf al-makhluqat — the crown of creation.

On the other end, where those who encircled and martyred Imam Hussain and his companions are concerned, these forces represent all that is lowly and mean about mankind.

The ‘values’ exhibited by the Syrian and Kufi forces include subjugation of the weak, blood-curdling cruelty and lack of any empathy. In short, Imam Hussain’s opponents are an apt example of what the Holy Quran refers to in Surah Teen as asfala safileen (the lowest of the low).

Therefore, the mourning for and remembrance of Imam Hussain should lead one to reject the corrupt values of his enemies and killers, and to adopt the sublime Hussaini values. If this is done — that is following the Hussaini example — the spiritual journey becomes much easier, as one rejects base and self-centred desires by walking in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) beloved grandson.

Ashura is an annual ‘invitation’ to all mankind, to all those who wish to learn from Imam Hussain, to choose the right path and resist the nafs-i-ammara (base self). The values of Karbala are universal and beyond sect, religion, ethnicity and tribe. Anyone who wants to reach the innate goodness in their soul will recognise Imam Hussain as a guide and, as he has been referred to in ahadith as Safina-tun-Nijaat (the Ark of Salvation) and Misbah al-Huda (Lamp of Guidance). On the other hand, if one is immersed in material pleasures and ignorant towards all suffering and misery on earth — like Imam Hussain’s opponents were — then the heart-wrenching episode of Ashura will have little effect on them.

Ashura is an ‘invitation’ to all mankind to choose the right path.

As noted by Iranian scholar Dr Ibrahim Ayati in his seminal A Probe into the History of Ashura, the Imam “felt that the Islamic society had reached a stage of spiritual and moral degradation which could not be reformed except by means of rising and martyrdom”.

While Imam Hussain’s example is unparalleled, the Islamic world today, and indeed all of humanity, can benefit immensely by following in his footsteps. After all, man’s condition today is still not too different from what it was in 61AH, when the event of Karbala took place. True, man has advanced by many strides materially, but spiritually he still remains hollow.

In the lands of Islam there is much talk of piety, but very little practice. Justice eludes the common man, while the rich and powerful live much as the kings and sultans of antiquity did.

Meanwhile, many non-Muslim societies, despite having ample resources and better infrastructure than poorer states, have high rates of depression and suicide. This points to the fact that despite living in plenty, there is a spiritual void.

But Imam Hussain offers a way out. His example proves that if one stands firm even in the face of the greatest adversity, even after physical death, his memory will live on and inspire countless others, while the names of those who oppressed him will forever be remembered with opprobrium.

The late Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi put it succinctly when he said that Ashura “is still fresh … and anyone who becomes aware of this incident, feels as if he has lost one of his own”.

Imam Hussain sacrificed all he had: his children, nephews, brothers, supporters, while the women of his noble household — including granddaughters of the Holy Prophet — along with his sole surviving son Imam Ali Zain al-Abidin were taken captive and mercilessly marched to Kufa and Damascus. His stand was only for the sake of justice and to resist an oppressive structure that humiliated the weak and trampled on their rights.

While listening to the harrowing struggle of the Imam and his family softens hearts, repetition of the tragedy of Karbala also gives the wretched of the earth the strength to stand up for truth and resist tyranny in all its forms. Indeed, this is why, as said in the hadith, the Holy Prophet is believed to have said that the martyrdom of Hussain “has ignited a flame in the hearts of the believers that will never be extinguished”.

It is this ‘fire’ of divine love that inspires men and women centuries after that tragic day in Karbala, and across continents, as people continue to mourn for Hussain, and pledge to resist the tyrants of the day following his example.

The writer is a member of staff.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2023