Imam Husain (a.s.) and Determination

Imam Husain (a.s.) and Determination

In Ziyaarat-e-Waaresah, we find the following sentences,

“I bear witness that verily you established prayers, paid the poor-rate, enjoined good and refrained from evil and obeyed Allah and His Messenger till certainty (death) came to you.”

The patience exercised by Imam Husain (a.s.) in fulfilling the abovementioned obligations is known to all. So, did this determination and decisiveness not require a brother, a minister and a companion, who would support the Imam (a.s.) and strengthen his back? In proportion to the responsibility and duty imposed by Him on Imam Husain (a.s.), Allah the Almighty had granted him (a.s.) an equally great and magnificent brother in Hazrat Abul Fazl al-Abbas (a.s.). Like Prophet Haroon (a.s.) and Imam Ali (a.s.), Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) too remained with the divine proof and Allah’s representative (a.s.) through thick and thin. Following in their footsteps, Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) was on a lofty pedestal vis-à-vis ethics and morality. Had infallibility not been restricted to the fourteen infallibles (a.s.) on account of divine prudence, it would not be surprising if Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) too would have been included amongst one of the immaculate ones protected by Allah! Although, officially Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) is not enlisted among the infallible guides, nevertheless, he is protected and preserved from all kinds of sins and errors. Moreover, he enjoys discretionary powers over the functioning of the universe.

Imam Husain’s (a.s.) Sacrifice

The sayings of the infallible guides (a.s.) are neither emotional outbursts nor exaggerations. Each and every alphabet uttered by them is based on reality and is an interpretation of divine will. In the teachings of the Ahle Bait (a.s.), the Imam of the time is axis of the universe and the heart of the contingent world. Imam is the medium through which bounties are being conferred on this universe by divinity. How expressive are the following sentences of Imam Husain’s (a.s.) ziyaarat,

“Divine intention in the destinies of His affairs descends to you and emanates from your houses. “

(Mafatihul Jinan (Farsi), P. 423)

It becomes amply manifest that divine intention is routed through the Imam of the time. It is he who is the medium of the conferment of divine grace.

Imam Husain (a.s.) was the Imam of the time and Allah’s proof upon His creatures. All of Allah’s affairs emanate through him. He is the heart of the contingent world. This universe exists and receives subsistence only because of him. Now, kindly pay attention to the statement of Imam Husain (a.s.), which he has said to Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) and take a call if there is anybody in the mortal world who can determine and quantify the status and position of Hazrat Abbas (a.s.)!

On the 9th of Muharram, Ibn Sa’d ordered his army to attack Imam Husain’s (a.s.) camp. At that moment, Imam (a.s.) was sitting in front of his tent with his head resting on his sword. He went into light slumber when he heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) say,  “Soon, you will meet me.” In this very state, the enemy’s rampaging forces approached. When Janab Zainab (s.a.) heard the sounds of the soldiers, she said to her brother, ‘The enemies are coming!’ Imam Husain (a.s.) requested his brother Abbas (a.s.), 

“May I be sacrificed for you! Please ride atop the horse and ask them the purpose of their arrival. “

(Maqtal-e-Husain Moqirram, p. 252)

Reflect on the statement of Imam Husain (a.s.), ‘May I be sacrificed for you!’ Imagine the greatness and prominence of Abbas (a.s.) on whom the Imam of the universe and the fifth of ‘the People of the Cloak’ (Ahle Kisaa) is willing to be sacrificed! Think about the elevated position of Abbas’ morality and ethics that the infallible Imam (a.s.) is willing to hold his life as ransom for him and this will is naught but Divine Intention!

Perhaps, in some minds there may arise a question that such statements are also found in the ziyaarat of the martyrs of Karbala, ‘May my father and mother be held your ransom!’ while this ziyaarat too is taught by the Imams (a.s.). As a reply to this objection, it will suffice to state that in this ziyaarat, Imam Sadeq (a.s.) is teaching his companion Safwaan the method of ziyaarat. At the plane of teaching and training, the altitude and rank of the students has to be taken into consideration. But, Imam Husain (a.s.) is not teaching and training anyone; rather, he is expressing his real emotions and innate feelings for Hazrat Abbas (a.s.).

Seeing this great position of Hazrat Abbas (a.s.), one is inevitably reminded of the saying of his honorable father, ‘The ocean of knowledge flows from me and no bird’s flight can reach to the heights of my perfection. ‘ Verily, Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) is called as “Abu al-Fazl” which means ‘the father of excellence’. In other words, all excellences and perfections have assimilated in him.