Husain’s Mission

1. Husain’s Mission Dr. A.S. Hashim

2. Surah Al-Fatiha

3. Salaam to Al-Husain السلام عليك يا أبا عبد الله وعلى الأرواح التي حلت بفنائك عليك مني سلام الله أبداً ما بقيت وبقي الليل والنهار ولا جعله الله آخر العهد مني لزيارتكم السلام على الحسين وعلى علي بن الحسين وعلى أولاد الحسين وعلى أصحاب الحسين جميعاً ورحمة الله وبركاته

4. Sanctuary of Al-Husain: Karbala

5. Karbala Aftermath

6. Subjects Discussed in the Slide Show Global Mission of Imam Husain Holy Quran about Ahlul Kitab Shi’a Sunni Comparison in Iman and Ibadat Western writers write about Karbala Subjects Discussed Brief outlook at events of Karbala

7. Al-Husain 2. Fought Oppression and Injustice 3. At Expense of Losing his Life and others 1. Represented Islam Karbala Aftermath Karbala is the Centerpiece for Islam Symbolizes the Struggle against Oppression and Injustice Throughout all Ages and for all mankind

8. Al-Husain Camp • With Al-Husain there were: • 32 non-family members • 8 were old Sahaaba (one was older than 90) • 20 were Companions of Ali • Family: Al-Husain’s family (total of 44) including 3 year old Al-Baaqir and a few month old infant • All knew they were facing imminent death • They faced an enemy of 5,000 (some say 30,000)

9. The Grotesque Massacre • 32 Companions, all slain: • 8 were old Sahaaba (one was older than 90) • 20 were Companions of Ali • Family members slain were: • Brothers: Al-Abbas with 4 of Al-Abbas’ brothers • Son: Ali, about 19 Yrs old • Son, Baby: Ali, 6 months old • 17 Nephews: all teenagers • Husain: 57 yr old was the Last to be killed

10. The spirit of Husainmodern commentary • Thomas Carlyle: “The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Cerebella (Karbala) is that Husain and his companions were rigid believers in God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Husain, despite his minority, marvels me!”

11. Numerical Perspective: (1996): SHI’A …………………………………………..… ….. 282 Millions SUNNI: • Hanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 Millions • Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 Millions • Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 Millions • Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 Millions

12. Iman (Belief)

13. Rituals (Ibadat)

14. The spirit of Ashura’modern commentary • Mohandas Gandhi: “I wanted to know the best of the life: of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of Husain, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission to save Islam. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.”

15. The spirit of Ashura’modern commentary • Mohandas Gandhi: “I have learned from Husain how to be oppressed yet victorious.”

16. Karbala Commemoration • Immediately after Karbala • Commemoration: To hold Majlis, confidential, local, every year, in people’s houses. Was urged by: • Zainul Abideen, • Al-Baaqir, • Al-Saadiq then • Subsequent Imams • To Discuss the events of Karbala and the cause against oppression and mischief, and to hold to the ideals of Imam Husain • The Commemoration was a stroke of genius that proved to be the glue that holds the Shi’a together over the centuries

17. Commemoration Evolving 2. For next 174 Yrs in Public and Private Homes in the Open 1. For first 140 yrs: Confidential in Private Homes only Karbala Aftermath 4. For next 500 yrs In Processions with Too Much Excess 3. For next 600 yrs In Processions Evolution of Commemoration

18. The Sanctuary of Imam Al-Husain 1360H: Bohra community offers a set of solid silver enclosure, and rebuilds the western minaret, 1216H: Hordes of Wahhabis from Arabia attack Karbala, spoil the Dharih structure and portico and loot the shrine, kill 30,000 people 1032H: Abbas Safawi constructs dharih of brass, decorates the dome with tiles 780H: Owais erects two minarets covered with gold and extends the courtyard 371H: Udh’d Al-Dawla builds Dome, Galleries, Teakwood enclosure 132-247H: Saffah, Mansoor, Al-Mahdi, Al-Rasheed, Al-Amin: the first builds and the second demolishes The Shrine 65H: Al-Mukhtar: Rudimentary Structure: 4 walls and a dome 61H: No structure, just an identifier

19. Karbala: Keeps on • The Culture of Karbala Keeps on: • Education: Majlis and lectures • Commemoration: Mourning the occasion • The Sanctuary: Continues despite adversities by: • Al-Mutawak’kil • The Ottomans • The Wahhabis • Saddam Hussein

20. The spirit of Husainmodern commentary • Charles Dickens: “If Husain had fought to quench his worldly desires, as alleged by certain Christian critics, then I do not understand why his sister, wife, and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore, that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”

21. The spirit of Ashura’modern commentary • Sir Muhammad Iqbal: “Imam Husain uprooted despotism forever until the Day of Judgment. He watered the dry garden of freedom with the surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husain had aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have traveled as he did. Husain weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became the bedrock foundation of the Muslim creed: ‘There is no deity but Allah.’ ”

22. Karbala in History • Ashuraa is the glue that holds Muslims together • Educate, affirm the faith, and to emotionally connect • It is like a booster shot, to revive the faith • Has become a big industry: • To Feed people, Travel expense, Sleeping arrangement, • Invite speakers, hold Majlis, or simply give lectures • Write books and publish articles and poetry about it • 2-3 Million people visit on each of these occasions, from far and near, from inside and outside the country • Excellent Intercultural Communication and Understanding

23. The spirit of Husainmodern commentary • Edward Gibbon: “In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Husain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.”

24. The spirit of Husainmodern commentary • William Muir: “The tragedy of Karbala decided not only the fate of the Caliphate, but also of [Muslim] kingdoms long after the Caliphate had waned and disappeared.”

25. Two Hadiths: Universality of Islam

26. Husain’s Mission • Since Islam Calls for Social Justice, Mission of Husain was to: • Muslims of all sects, • Ahlul Kitab (Jews and Christians), and to • People of all Persuasions • Mission was to stand up to Oppression and Malice and fight them off, since this is the magnificent obsession to serve God

27. Quran: Chapter 5, Verse 46

28. Quran: Chapter 3, Verse 113-114

29. Always Al-Husainto humanity - Imam Ja’far As-Saadiq (as)

30. Finally we quote the Quran:

31. THANK YOU Be in Allah’s Care Dr. A.S. Hashim