10th of Muharram

 

Never has the people of Pakistan, indeed the whole world, stood in greater need than today to grasp the true meanings of the events leading to the tragedy enacted on the 10th of Muharram in the 61st year of Hijri calendar which is almost 680 A.D.

 

For Muslims this remembrance of the greatest tragedy of history with the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain (RDA) which was not an isolated act but a demonstration of unwavering faith, dedication and commitment to the ideas of justice and democracy on the part of his companions who went through series of ordeals that remain unparalleled in the history of mankind. There are indeed lessons for today which deserves to illustrate trends of the past.

 

Concepts such as the way of Imam Husain (RDA) in sharp contrast to the way of Yazid along with other memorable references drawn from the tragedy of Karbala have always remained current for Muslims. Time and again, to narrate, the history can hardly present an example of fortitude and courage that were exhibited by a handful members of Imam Husain's (RDA) family.

 

The Imam's courage and confidence, even at the height of sufferings dampened all sufferings so that at the highest point, when a man stands a certain death, he can vaguely become aware that pain and bruises itself is a display of God's mercy and love.

 

Equally, the love that overflows from Imam Husain's unabated confidence in his affliction and heavy trust in God as a rare and precious sacrifice, makes us all — indeed all mankind — one with him. These are the glorious moments of history from which mankind draws spiritual benevolence.

 

This was a heavy trust from God that only an ideal man with qualities of trust, goodness, and beauty can carry the burden. This was the trust from God proposed to heaven and mountains who could not accept it. Then it fell to man like Imam Husain (RDA) who sacrificed everything to prove that man could be faithful to trust.

 

Imam Husain (RDA) laid down his life with a smile on the face for the people so that it could be decided who should rule them. God, the most merciful, conferred on him everlasting life.

 

The tragedy of Karbala sets in motion a vital lesson for Muslims of all generations to come and call upon them not to stand by as spectators but stand up and be counted in the struggle between the truth and evil        FARID