By K. Isah
Sheikh Zakzaky continued with speech on the event of Ashura on the second day of Ashura 1436 mourning gathering on saturday the 2nd of Muharram 1436 (25/10/14). After normal salutation, he explained that without going through the history of pre Islamic Arabs, the coming of Islam and what happened after the demise of the Prophet one may not fully grasp the philosophy of the incident of Karbala.
However, these areas cannot be covered in Ashura gatherings going by the limited number of days. One shall therefore go into research and further readings for detail as the means of study are much more available now.
He further explained that the lessons of Ashura are many and due to time limit, discussions on the matter shall be geared towards events that ensued after the death of Mu’awiayyh bn Abu Sufayn who died in Rajab ending, though, the news of his death did not reach out to parts of Arabian then.
Walid bn Utbah who was the then Governor of Madina, was informed by Yazid over the death of Ma’wiyyah while giving him order to receive allegiance of some people in Madina including Imam Husain (alaihis salam).
The Imam was summoned by the Governor to pay allegiance to Yazid in the night. Imam Husain (AS) addressed the governor that it ought to be done in broad day light so that everyone could witness the allegiance. The Governor agreed. Marwan advised the Governor to receive Imam’s allegiance instantly; even by force, otherwise, Imam Husain could not be seen again. Imam Husain called Marwan ibn Zarqa- his mother being a woman of bad character
Imam Husain(alaihis salam) could not pay allegiance to Yazid a sinner and drunkard; who was known for comitting sin even in public which is the worse of manner. His father Mu’awiyyah also drank publically, though he stopped when he made himself the khalifah.
Imam Husain left Walid without paying allegiance, though, in the letter to Walid , Yazid ordered that Imam Husain and others to be killed incase they refused to pay allegiance.
Walid refused to kill Imam Husain for fear of wrath of Allah , he was even reported to have said killing him is greatest sin in the sight of Allah and he would not carry it out even at the price of world resources.
A day later Imam Husain visited the grave of the holy Prophet and prayed there seeking for guidance from God through the intercession of the holy Prophet. There at the grave he was overtook by sleep; he saw the holy Prophet in his dream telling him : oh my lover Husain it is as though Im seeing you in your blood at the plain of Karbala being killed by a people who claim to be among my Ummah.
The prophet further told him that the Imam will reach a special status with Allah but he could not attain the status unless by way of martyrdom.
Imam Husain (alaihis salam) upon his return to his family , he informed them about the dream and what the Prophet told him. The family members were terribly agrieved by the news.
The Second night he visited the graves of his mother Fatima Az-Zahra(AS) and his brother Hasan (alaihis salam) and bid farewell.
Before leaving Madina the Imam visited his half brother Muhammad bn Hanafiyyah who spoke to Imam Husain and advised him to go to Makka for safey and return to Madina only when matters settled; or else he should move to Yemen where helpers are large in number. His brother advised Imam Husain to move to desert if matters became worse. Imam Husain(AS), however, replied his brother that even if there should not be a helper and a place to go, he would never pay allegiance to Yazid.
Imam Husain started moving to Makka along with his children, relatives and all the children of Imam Ali (AS). He asked Muhammad bn Hanifiyyah to remain in Madina to see the affairs.
Before leaving, Imam Husain ordered for a paper where he wrote his Will to Muhammad bn Hanafiyyah. In it Imam Husain declared that his going out is meant to bring about a reform in the Ummah of his grandfather, but not in arrogance manner, pride or to cause corruption. He reitrated that his going out of Madina is not for power or to cause corruption: ‘ I intend to enjoin people to doing goods and to forbid wrong by following the path of my father and grandfather’.
Imam Husain in the Will to his brother further explained that he who accept his view on his reform mission, to God be the glory and he opposes him God will be the Judge.
He wrote another letter to Banu Hashim telling them that whoever follow him will surely attend martyrdom.; and he who absconds shall not attend victory- Meaning martyrdom is the only victory.
So, Imam’s Mission is to show the right Islam; to show the true religon as against those who use it for attaining to position of power. Imam Husain also intended to do away with ignorance among people as did Prophets of Allah. Imam Husain came out for revolution, and he achieved it contrary to what Yazid and his parents did.
People were made to believe, over the years, in following only those who have power even though they are not on the teachings of Islam or have usurped power. That is why they still follwed Yazid despite Yazid atrocities like the destrction of Ka’aba, waging war in Madina and raping of over 1000 women there by his troops.
The revolution of Imam Husain revived the true religion. Ashura mourning gathering will continue to revive the true Islam though its opponets dont like it.
After the lecture Sheikh Zakzaky recited Ziyara of Ashura and a closing prayer.