An inspiring saga of sacrifice

CHENNAI, APRIL 15. Muharram, the new year for the Muslims, ushers in the tragedy of Karbala, a saga of human dignity and an unparalleled source of moral strength, steeling the determination of seekers of Truth, of all ages, not to cave in against any formidable odds, but to carry afloat the beacon torch.

It is under such glittering illuminations and galaxy of immortal souls, for the admiration of posterity, that the sacrifice of Imam Hussain, the scion of the noblest family of Prophet Muhammed (Sal.), the second son of Hazrath Ali, the Fourth Caliph, by Hazrath Fathima, the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet, stands apart, when on the tenth of Muharram, called Yaume Ashura, laid down his life at the prime age of 55 years, at the altar of Truth, in the arid plains of Karbala, on Friday, 10th October, 680 A.D. (61 A.H.) leaving behind the imprint in the life of man, of unadorned and selfless dignity that lies in utter surrender to the will of all Supreme Being.

The Quranic verse tells: ``And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah'' they are dead, ``nay, they are alive, though Ye perceive them not.'' (2:154) It demonstrates ``the patient perseverance and prayer'' and active striving of Imam Hussain in the way of Truth spending himself in the way of Allah.

With Muawiya, becoming the Caliph, after Hazrath Ali's death, when the residents of Kufa, the centre of political activity then, invited Imam Hussain to deliver them from the cursed rule of his profligate son Yazid, he considered it his duty to respond to their repeated and reiterated appeals, motivated to uphold the concept of religion as a moving force in the path of Islamic Sharia. Had power been his objective, he would not have set forth, so ill-equipped.

When he neared the confines of the territory, he sensed the solitary hostile countenance of the country and was forced to encamp at Karbala, near River Eupheretes, along with his retinue of close companions and kith and kin, numbering hardly 72, when his enemies were in multitude.

The murderous hordes of Yazid, under the command of the ruthless governor of Kufa, Obaidullah Bin Ziayed, fell on Imam Hussain and his retinue, cut off their heads and trampled upon their bodies, subjecting them to every circumstance of ignominy and carrying their heads as trophies of their victory to the Castle of Kufa.

Everything in this world is perishable, but not the martyr's blood that flows unfrozen eternally. Good deeds alone survive in this world.

K. S. Ahmed Pasha,

Ambur.

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