The significance of Muharram

by F. Fareena Mehalar

The Hijra is one of the most notable events in the history of Islam, for the Holy Prophet of Islam, persecuted by the MAKKANS had to flee from the city of his birth Mecca, to seek protection and succour from the people of Medina. But for the epoch making flight, which is the Hijra, Islam perhaps may not have survived.

The event is indeed a most appropriate occasion for Musalmans, wherever they may be, to celebrate and to carry out newer and better resolutions for the new year.

Many an important event that occurred in this blessed month of Muharram has been recorded in the holy script. One of these can be applied to modern world structure, at a time when the bastions of democracy are made the target for frequent onslaughts of the forces of totalitarianism.

I refer to the martyrdom of Hazrath Imam al Hussain the beloved grandson of the holy Prophet (On whom be peace). Nabi Muhammad did not nominate any person to succeed him to carry on the mission of Islam.

Upon his death, among the muslim population at the time, Hazarath Abu bakr the first male muslim to embrace Islam and a respected leader was a desirable candidate. So was Hazarath Ali the beloved son-in-law of the holy Prophet. The people were divided in the choice of a successor or caliph of the Prophet.

The two candidates themselves did not wish to get into this exalted position without the concurrence of the people. It was therefore agreed that an election be held to elect the first Caliph by the people themselves.

This decision was made at a time when democracy was unknown, at a time when dynastic rule was the order of the day. Each Caliph, whenever a vacancy occurred, was elected by the common will of the people.

After the death of Caliph Imam Hazarath al Hussain Bin Ali the people elected his younger brother Imam Hazarath al Hussain with a notable personality piety and rectitude of life. He had at this time a rival in Yazeed the son of notable muawiyyah one of his own provincial governors.

Yazeed has exploited his position as one of the governors of the Caliph and had built up a strong with the intent of usurping Califath of Hazarath Hussain having strengthened his position to challenged Hazarath Hussain to abdicate in his favour.

Hazarath Hussain on the other hand had a very small defence unit as he had trusted his men far too much to provide for such a treacherous eventuality. Therefore when Yazeed's threatened the Caliph, he had very little choice in the matter.

He did not consider his own power and position so much but rather that it would violate a great principle on which the structure of Islam itself had grown, Hazarath Hussain was aware of the little strength he could marshall to meet the might of Yazeed well equipped army.

He was trying to gather support for his army, but Yazeed had earlier won their confidence by deceit. Yazeed offered to Hazarath Hussain all the goods of the world but on one condition that he should abdicate in his favour.

Hazarath Hussain rejected his offer as an insult to his beloved grandfather the holy Prophet. The People of Kufa however promised Hazarath Hussain all help in the battle against Yazeed but little did. Hazarath Hussain realised then that this was a treacherous offer to entice him and his small army to fight against a far superior army and be annihilated.

Hazarath Hussain gathered his small army together composed of his kith and kin and set upon the ill-fated journey to meet Yazeed's advancing army. The two armies met at Karbala and in spite of the gallant and valiant struggle of Hazarath Hussain's forces, they were massacred by Yazeed's men.

The most cruel and atrocious acts of brutality were perpetrated by Yazeed's army and it would bring tears to the eyes of those who read in detail.

Thus died Hazarath Hussain the greatest martyr of Islam in the tragedy of Karbala-not for his own sake but for the sake of democracy.