Lessons from the Tragedy of Karbala For Muslim Ummah

Lessons from the Tragedy of Karbala

Karbala is the cruellest tragedy humanity has ever seen. Yet, the startling (though appalling) events in Karbala proved like a powerful volcano that shook the very foundation of Muslims, it stirred their consciousness, ignorant or learned alike. For sincere Muslims, Karbala turned into a triumph. The tragic event became the very beacon of light to always remind Muslims to practice Islam honestly and sincerely, to do what is right irrespective of consequences, and fear no one except Allah (swt).

On the other hand, Yazid never achieved what he and his father had planned to achieve, for within three years, Allah’s wrath fell upon him, causing him to die at the age of 33 years. And within a few decades the rule of Bani Umayya crumbled and came to an end.

The tragedy of Karbala taught humanity a lesson that standing for the truth and fighting unto death for it is more honourable and valuable than submitting to the wrongful, especially when the survival of Islam is at stake.

Distance between Madina and Karbala about 1,100 miles.

Distance between Ibn Ziyad in Kufa and Yazid in Damascus about 750 miles.

Average travel by camel per day: 30-45 miles.

Lessons from the Tragedy of Karbala For Ummah

An occurrence of a painful incident during this month, happened in the Islamic history long time ago, it is the tragedy of Al-taf which its event still alive during eternity.

The tragedy of Karbala represented a role which one of the extraordinary humanitarian roles and gave the Islamic world unforgettable lessons which won’t be forgotten along eternity.

From this eternal city, Imaam Husain (AS) directed a fatal blow towards Umayyad. In this noble land the martyrs ran their battle of rightfulness and dignity, then their innocent pure blood was shed watering the land of Al-taf and it was colored with their blood. They sacrificed their Precious selves for the sake of honor and sovereignty and it was the most effective event in the Islamic personality and to achieve the goal of the noble Islamic unity.
He who researches the Islamic history can feel that high position and the glorious which happened to this holy city since the martyrdom of our master Al-Husain (AS) until today.

Imaam Husain (AS) gave significant lessons in revolution, freedom, defend the self-honor and so he gave himself, family, children as sacrifices on the sand of the desert and as offerings to the altar of honor and integrity for the sake of correction the law of his grandfather so that Imaam Husain did his mighty stance in the land of Al-taf with no fear or care, as if he was describing his situation with this poem:

“If the religion of Muhammad was not going to live on except with me dead*** let the swords tear me to pieces
This is my blood, let the swords drink from it*** and let the spears enjoys my pain”

The day of Ashura cross by us every year, after the martyrdom of Husain, on the 10th of Muharram, to remind us on the heroism of the father of the free, and his firm stance against the tyrant Yazid. That battlefield between truth and falsehood, when the injustice almost defeated, and the justice to win, and the right to prevail, and nothing should prevail above it.

Whoever studies the details of the horrible tragedy, and imagines the convoy of glory stepping towards the way of sacrifice and martyrdom, and the stances the hero of Al-alqami (river) of defending the harem of Husain AS and his horrible death in Karbala, will learn lessons and great examples.

It is incumbent upon us, to learn from those lessons, and accept that examples to be able to get through life freely, to build our stardom, and to return the right eminent position to the Islamic nation in history. The consultation, collaboration, unity of rows and stances, filtering conflicts, and to work for general goodness and other great works will lead us to fulfill the message of Imaam Husain AS and to perform our sacred duty and work on to glorify and perpetuate it.