Today is Friday of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram 1448, exactly 1387 Islamic years (Hijri) since the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein (ra), son of Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu Talib (ra) and Hazrat Fatima (ra), and grandson of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). Until today, the event of Karbala remains a truth that has marked human conscience across centuries through the courage of Hazrat Imam Hussein (ra) and all the members of the family of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), young and old, who were present at Karbala to fight against a merciless tyrant who sought power, wealth and status, and who was even ready to kill the beloved family of the greatest of prophets (pbuh) to establish his illegitimate rule upon the earth.
This event must be recounted so that the youth of today remember the extraordinary sacrifice that Imam Hussein (ra) and the rest of the family of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) made to preserve the honour of Islam and the honour of truth intact in the face of impurities that sought to stain Islam (that is, to spoil the image of Islam). This story must remain within each of us, in our hearts – if indeed we claim to have love for Allah, for His Prophet, for His family, for His companions and for the rest of the Ummah – an Ummah of pure people, who struggle each day so that the truth of Islam triumphs over the reign of evil in the world. This sacrifice must remain engraved, alive within our hearts.
After the death of Mu‘awiya (son of Abu Sufyan
and brother-in-law of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)) in 60 Hijri, Yazid, son of
Mu‘awiya, seized power by force and declared himself Khalifa, compelling all to
accept him as Khalifa and to give Bai‘at (the oath of allegiance) in his
hand. Yazid was known for his injustice, immorality and corruption. Therefore,
those who were truly Muttaqi (pious, upright), who knew the true value
of Islam, understood that Yazid did not deserve Khilafat because of his
indecent behaviour and unlawful actions. They knew this and refused to come
under his command, but unfortunately many allowed themselves to be corrupted by
Yazid. These people were tempted by power and riches, and they joined Yazid’s
ranks.
Thus, Yazid sought to impose his authority by
force, and he demanded that Imam Hussein (ra) give him Bai‘at, i.e., to pledge
allegiance in his hand. But Imam Hussein (ra) refused, for this was against
Islam and against the principles of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). Yazid wanted to
legitimise his reign by obtaining Bai‘at from the grandson of the Holy
Prophet (pbuh), because he knew that if Hussein (ra) accepted him as Khalifa,
then all would believe and accept Yazid as the legitimate Khalifa. But Hussein
(ra) was resolute: he preferred death with dignity to life in humiliation.
Therefore, Yazid launched a deadly campaign
against Hazrat Imam Hussein (ra) and all his family and companions who accompanied
him in Karbala. Yazid forgot the value that Hussein (ra) held in the sight of
Allah and in the sight of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). The Holy Prophet (pbuh) had
already warned: “Hassan and Hussein are the leaders of the youth of
Paradise.” (Tirmidhi)
In another Hadith, he (pbuh) said: “Hussein
is of me and I am of Hussein; Allah loves those who love Hussein. Hussein is a
Sibt (grand tribe) among the Asbat (grand tribes).” (Tirmidhi)
This shows the spiritual greatness of these two
princes (Hassan and Hussein). Imam Hassan (ra) passed away before Karbala; he
too died a martyr, poisoned by conspiracy, but he was known for his patience
and his treaty with Mu‘awiya. As for Imam Hussein (ra), he embodied courage and
firmness. When an unjust man came to impose his injustice upon him, he refused
to compromise with that injustice, for he knew that Yazid was a tyrant, not a
true believer who could lead the Ummah, who could hold the Khilafat to
guide the Ummah upon the right path. Therefore, he refused to give Bai‘at
into the hand of Yazid.
In the Hadith where Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said
that Hussein would become a great tribe, we see today how this has been
realised. Despite his martyrdom, Allah, through a single line of his progeny,
spread the descendants of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) across the earth.
And we must remember the Hadith where the Holy
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) himself chose the names of these two, and made
Hazrat Ali (ra) change the names he had already chosen for his two sons.
In Musnad Ahmad, Hazrat Ali (ra) narrates:
“When Al-Hassan was born, I named him Hamza. When Al-Hussein was born, I named
him after his paternal uncle Ja‘far. Then the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) called
me and said: ‘I have been commanded to change the names of these two.’ I
said: ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ And he (pbuh) gave them the names
Hassan and Hussein (ra).”
The inhabitants of Kufa wrote hundreds of
letters to Imam Hussein (ra), inviting him to come and lead them against Yazid.
Imam Hussein (ra) left Makkah with his family and his companions, about
seventy-two people, and they set out on the road to Kufa.
On the 2nd of Muharram, 61 Hijri,
Imam Hussein (ra) arrived at the plain of Karbala. Yazid’s army, commanded by
‘Umar ibn Sa‘d, numbered around 4,000 soldiers. On the 7th of
Muharram, that army cut off Imam Hussein (ra), his family and companions from
access to the Furaat river (Euphrates). The children suffered from
thirst, yet Imam Hussein (ra) remained steadfast, continuing to refuse any
compromise with Yazid. Imam Hussein (ra) declared: “Death with dignity is
better than life in humiliation.” Yazid sought to demonstrate to all that
he held absolute power, crushing any opposition against him. But Hussein (ra)
embodied truth and justice, ready to sacrifice his life to preserve the authentic
Islam (Sahih al-Islam).
On the 10th of Muharram, the battle
began early in the morning. Imam Hussein (ra) and his companions prayed
Salat-ul-Fajr, then prepared for combat. Imam Hussein (ra) reminded his
companions: “Whoever remains with me shall gain Paradise; whoever leaves is
free to go.” Yet all remained loyal. The battle opened with duels.
Companions such as Habib ibn Muzahir (ra), Zuhayr ibn Qayn (ra), and Muslim ibn
Awsaja (ra) fell. Their bravery was remarkable. Hurr ibn Yazid al-Tamimi (ra),
once an officer of Yazid, joined Imam Hussein (ra) at the last hour and was
martyred too.
Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (ra), a loyal brother,
went out to bring water. The enemy severed his arms, struck his head, and he
too fell a martyr. Ali Akbar (ra), the young son of Imam Hussein (ra), fought
valiantly but was killed. Even the infant Ali Asghar (ra), only six months old,
was slain by an arrow to his throat. Qasim ibn Hassan (ra), son of Imam Hassan
(ra) and still a young adolescent, was martyred. Several sons of Imam Ali (ra)
also fell: Ja‘far ibn Ali, ‘Uthman ibn Ali. One by one, family members,
cousins, companions, and youths were martyred.
Imam Hussein (ra) remained alone, seriously
wounded. He continued fighting, reciting verses of the Qur’an. He said: “Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi rajii‘uun” (We
belong to Allah and to Him we shall return). He was struck by many arrows
and swords. Shimr ibn Dhi al-Jawshan executed him brutally. The Qur’an tells
us:
“Do not say of those who are slain
in the way of Allah that they are dead; rather, they are alive, but you
perceive not.” (Al-Baqara 2: 155)
This verse illustrates how every sincere
believer who dies in the way of Allah remains spiritually alive, and it applies
to Imam Hussein (ra) and his companions, those who gave their lives for Allah
and the honour of Islam at Karbala.
After the battle, the women and children were
taken captive. Among them were Sayyida Zaynab (ra), Sukayna (ra), and Ruqayya
(ra). Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (ra), son of Imam Hussein (ra), was ill and therefore
did not fight; he survived and continued the blessed lineage of the Holy
Prophet (pbuh). Through him, the descendants of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
remained alive. Imam Hassan (ra), as mentioned, had already passed away before
Karbala, but together Hassan and Hussein (ra) remain the “Sayyid Shabab
Ahl-al-Jannah,” the princes of Paradise.
Yazid sought to crush the family of the Prophet
(pbuh), but he did not succeed. Instead, he remains cursed in history, while
Imam Hussein (ra) remains glorified. We must keep in mind the extraordinary
love the Holy Prophet (pbuh) had for his two grandsons, Hassan and Hussein. He
(pbuh) knew that one day his own Ummah would commit such acts against
them. We must reflect that whoever loves Imam Hussein (ra), Allah will love
him; and whoever hates Imam Hussein (ra), Allah will hate him.
All this is to remind us that we must keep
alive the love of all those who sacrificed themselves for the cause of Allah in
our hearts, especially the blessed family of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and all
those who supported them through the centuries. When I speak of family, I refer
to the pious, those upon the right path, those who held firm to Sahih al-Islam
just as Hazrat Imam Hussein (ra) did at Karbala.
What happened at Karbala is a lesson that truth
does not depend on numbers; even if a small group, if sincere, it will surely
gain spiritual victory. Even if the world is not with them, Allah will always
be with them. Karbala is not merely a tale of war, but a testimony of
sacrifice, loyalty to truth, and resistance against injustice.
Today, here in Mauritius, it is a Friday of
Ashura, and we commemorate the event of Karbala in this Khutba and in our
Duahs. 1387 years have passed, yet the lesson we must draw from all this is
that we must always live in truth, reject injustice, and love the Holy Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and all members of his family who upheld authentic Islam
until the Day of Judgement.
As Allah tells us in the Qur’an: “Do not lose heart, nor despair. You shall be victorious
if you are indeed believers.” (Al-Imran
3: 140)
Karbala is a living proof of this verse. Imam
Hussein (ra) may have fallen a martyr, but his message stood firm, and it
remains a living lesson for us all. Ashura must not become a day of mourning; a
day of commemoration, yes, but not of mourning. Mourning does not last more
than three days, but here we speak of keeping alive the courage and martyrdom
of Imam Hussein (ra) as a symbol of the truth of Islam in the world. I pray
that such qualities are born within the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Ummah
of Islam in general, that they may be true soldiers of courage and sincere
believers who accept losing everything for the glory of Islam, to establish the
reign of Allah in the world. For such believers, this is not mourning; it is
rejoicing, for truth is founded upon their exemplary sacrifices that raise
Islam to its summit.
Therefore, O believers, O those who love Imam
Hassan and Imam Hussein (ra) and the family of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) like I love them, keep their memory alive by following in their
footsteps, by defending Islam as they did. Become little Hassans and Husseins
(ra), and keep alive the love of Allah and His beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) in your hearts.
One day will come when all disbelievers shall
perish, shall be crushed; only courage, faith and struggle in the way of Allah
will remain for true believers. Let your spiritual provisions contain Taqwa
and true Iman. Do not let your Iman be corrupted as Yazid’s was
corrupted. Do not let power and wealth blind you, and remember the day when you
must return to Allah for your final account.
May Allah bless all those who are sincere,
honest, courageous and faithful in His path, and may Allah pour upon them His
blessings just as He poured His blessings upon the Awwaleen (the first
ones in Islam) who sacrificed themselves in the way of Allah. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 26 June 2026~10 Muharram 1448 AH delivered by Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al-Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius.