Breaking fear and tyranny (Lessons from Imam Al-Hussein – 2)
By: Hussein Al-Rumaithi
It is often believed that during calamities and hardships men are the
ones that hold their emotions and help others adopt to the process of
healing, which can be very traumatic and emotional. It is believed that
men are able to make informed decisions rapidly and cope with any
situations that presents itself. Therefore, majority of people tend to
expect the highest expectations from men in calamities, hardships and
abnormal situations. However, it must occur to any mind that, what
happens when men are not able or present at times of hardships and
afflictions, and who is able to guide through such times?
The answer to this question is presented in Ashura, and specifically
after the Battle of Karbala, when Imam Al-Hussein and his companions
where martyred and slaughtered in the most horrific and vicious way
possible. The household of Imam Al-Hussein, were led by Imam Al-Sajjad
(Shias 4th Imam), and Lady Zainab (Daughter of Imam Ali & Imam
Al-Hussein’s sister). However, the condition of Imam Al-Sajad was very
severe, as he was ill and weak to a point, where he was not even able to
stand up in some cases.
Therefore, the actual leader of the remaining household, who were
mostly widow women and children was Lady Zainab. This great woman had
lost her two sons, her brothers, nephews and other family members in the
Battle of Karbala, and she had to witness their martyrdom. She had to
witness, how the army of Yazid let their horses run back and forth upon
the body of Imam Al-Hussein. She had to witness how the killer of her
brother sad down on his chest and beheaded her brother, and then left
his head and ran toward his camp. She had to witness, the head of her
brother being put and carried around on top of a spear. She had to
witness the attack of Umayyad army on the tents of Imam Al-Hussein and
his family, where they were burnt down, and she had to witness little
children being beaten and lashed. She had to witness her 6month old
nephew being killed with an arrow, while in his father’s (Imam
Al-Hussein) lap. She had to witness, and witness, and witness things
that would break a stone if it had a heart, but this woman did not break
and bow to these calamities, and represented the cause of her brother
in the best way possible, and in the fact of a brutal tyrant.
Lady Zainab showed the entire world and recorded in the history that
when all hopes and routes are scares, the powers and ability of a pious
woman, who fears nothing but her creator can shift the course of
history. Lady Zainab did change the course of history, as she was the
ambassador of Karbala to the world, where she let the entire world know,
why Imam Al-Hussein sacrificed his life. Lady Zainab, showed the true
power and place of a Muslim woman, as she was the voice of a universal
and eternal revolution. Lady Zainab presented that the power of will and
dedication to the cause can re-establish any institution. Therefore,
let’s all learn from the greatest woman in the history and dedicate our
lives to defending the mutual righteous causes we all cherish and hold
valued.
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