~~Philosphy of Karbala~~

There were good old times when people used to watch PTV. After khabranama, they ussed to play a verse from Iqbal’s works. Different one every day, but some were repetitive. Verse that remained in my mind, probably because of the reason of my personal influence was:

Islam k daman main bus 2 hi to chezain hain
Ik zarb-e-yadullahi Ik sajda-e-Shabbir a.s

It remained in my head for the rest of my life. Initially just because of my sentiments n later as I grew, I saw its philosophical n majestic impact. Islam is based on Quran and life of Prophet (SAW) and the people around him whether it be sahaba r.a or Ahlabait a.s. As far as Quran is concerned it has its very own majestic n miraculous nature. People can try 2 defame it or contradict it out of personal grudge or religious prejudice but those blessed ones who have really understand even half of this book know the truth. Quran consist of ayat-e-Ilahi (signs of God). There r two kind of signs in Quran. One that talk about science in its hidden meanings. Not every one can understand them or more importantly relate to them. Other is life history of Prophets n their people. Humans have always been influenced by inspirational stories of different men through out history, whether the case is of gaining national patriotism or the religion for that matter. Every religion needs with personalities of heroes. For example in Christianity personality like Jesus a.s with his miraculous birth n so many other signs which God did through him. Every nation needs a hero around whom other people gain momentum n feel motivated. There is no Scottish history with out Wallace, No India with out Gandhi and certainly n effectively no Pakistan with out Jinnah. Stories of Prophets in Quran are the same ones used in Gospels with few corrective changes. But the inspiration is same as for followers of Judaism n Christianity. Crucifixion of Jesus a.s for the sins of humanity (which never really occurred) is capitalized by Christians in gathering hundreds of followers.

Flood n ship of Noah a.s, beauty of Joseph a.s, Moses a.s saving children of Israel from Pharaoh
, birth of Jesus a.s, these all r miraculous n majestic stories which have influenced people through out history n Quran has confirmed them.

As I said earlier these stories are already mentioned in the gospels so now we move ahead to the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) n its people as the r only EXCLUSIVE influence left to Muslims. He was the last n final Prophet n his job wasn’t just preaching. God made a whole civilized nation through him. So he was a reformer and a leader and a ruler. He did not gain followers by miracles or magic tricks. But by real reformation of society. Because God wanted to show the perfect example of a human through him. Still, here was the need of those majestic people n influential stories that grip men’s hearts n u with out knowingly are attracted to it. Ali a.s n Hussain a.s r best example of it. Ali a.s being the majestic warrior n hero of many battles and Hussain a.s being the symbol of martyrdom for the cause of justice. N indeed justice has great value not only in eye of God and Islam but humanity in general. Karbala is that story. The inspiration under which people are influenced and heroes are made. The EXCLUSIVE story of Islam. A debt that was in for years for the children of Abraham a.s when Ishmael a.s was saved by God. N in the end it got fulfilled by grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Because Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the final Prophet so his sacrifice would be greatest as well. N that sacrifice is done by Hussain a.s. N that is the reason Prophet (SAW) said ‘Hussain a.s is from me and I am from Hussain a.s’. Coz Hussain a.s n Karbala r the nazrana of Prophets (SAW) sacrifice to God.

Aghaz jis ka Ishmael a.s hai, Inteha hai Hussain a.s

Hussain a.s n yazeed r not just characters of just a war. But they represent far greater characters for a far greater cause. Salvation lies only with connection to God even in most worst of times: that is the message of Karbala. Hussain a.s for eternity has become the symbol of martyr n yazeed to be killer. By seeing that a man who has lost his children, brothers, friends and closed ones and who knows that his sisters n daughters have no protection and still goes wearing his armor on a horse n sword in his hand and continuing the disagreement of bait to the unworthy person shows us that we must never leave our struggle for a good cause. By getting himself martyred at the peak of time of asr in the sun while prostration to God, Hussain a.s has taught that v must hold our connection to God in any case and no one is exception for that duty. Not even grandson of the final Prophet (SAW). Every body has to offer sacrifice to God in his way in one way or the other. Higher rank demands greater sacrifice. He did his part n its our duty to do ours n keep his message alive.

Masoom sai paida ulfat ho or rooh-e-yazeedi mit jay
Is wastai terai dard bharai halaat sunay jatay hain

Moreover it is also the struggle of showing the world the truth of a true Imam and the fact that ideal islamic state will only be there if the Imam is selected by God. Otherwise there will always be a chance of yazeed. Imam Hussain a.s constantly reminded the people of who he was. A rightful Imam and a rightful caliph and the grandson of their Prophet SAW. The one with whom they had made allegiance to fight alongside him to acknowledge his right. This sacrifice was not merely his sacrifice n for his right. But for the right of Imam Ali a.s, right of fadak n against the conspiracy of labeling Imam Ali a.s as power behind killing of usman.

This sacrifice was not only a sacrifice but a great political move which till judgement day will remain a charge sheet against attrocities of umayyad. This is also a sacrifice as the payment of the debt of Hazrat Ibrahim a.s and of Hazrat Muhammad SAW. Coz with greater power comes greater responsibility. N even greater sacrifice. N what did Imam Hussain a.s wanted in return?

Y did he stand on the ground of Karbala and said 'Hal min nasir' i.e 'Is there any 1 who will come to help me?'. 'hai koi jo meri madad ko ayay?' Was he saying that 2 lashkar e yazeed coz he was Nauzbillah afraid? Hell no! Hell he was saying this to the generations coming afterwards that they endorse what he was sacrificing n have the maarifat of the Imam. The rightly guided Imam trhough whom they will be guided in Islam n through whom they will connect with God. He was saying that to us. People living now. people coming tomorrow n day after that till the day of judgement that they remember the sacrifice n project it n help him in accomplishing the mission. N that will only be done by azadari. The biggest n best form of agitation against any form of cruelty

Xain GardeXi
Iltamas-e-dua