Imam Husain's Revolution: Analytical Review-Part 2

WHO IS YAZID?

 Muawiya's mother, Hind, ate the liver of Hamza, the Uncle of the Prophet because of her burning hatred and beast hood. Muawiya too was an active opponent to Islam. Indeed, Abu Sufyan's family was performing the strategic, financial and boosting morale in the infidel's campaign against the Muslims. Their efforts, wealth and diplomacy were of great burden on preventing the spread of Islam among Arab tribes.

Time had lapsed and Mecca was suddenly besieged with enormous forces of the Muslims. The unbelievers at Mecca were struck with seeing the Muslim fighters who had caught them unprepared. Thus, the infidels had no choice but to abandon their arrogance, which had prevented them from accepting God's sovereignty. During this incident, historians recorded some peculiar stories about Abu Safyan's family. However, there is one thing certain that they accepted Islam unwillingly, and they were treated in a special way for that. For instance, they were given extra donations in order to gain their hearts towards Islam. But whether this generosity had any influence to produce a change in their materialistic thinking is a different matter. Indeed subsequent events revealed no change in their way of thinking and life.

Yazid was brought up in a family whose atmosphere was electrified with emotions of its dead who fought Islam. Besides seeing those Muslims who killed them receiving full honor and respect by the whole society. Not to mention the wasted wealth, injured pride and stripped privileges of their family. However, Yazid had some unique qualities in the adverse sense. He was known as a playboy during his youth. Historians recorded him being drunk, committing adultery and in general leading a very corrupt life. Some even quoted Yazid saying, "The family of Hashim staged a play to get a Kingdom. Actually there was neither news from God nor a revelation". Even if we discarded this extreme, there is no escape from facing the rest of his shameful deeds and horrifying crimes. Not to mention his illegal claim to rule the Muslim World, or misusing Muslim's money, or intrusion upon people's dignity and lives.

ORIGINS OF DEVIATION

 Indeed, it is astonishing to witness the indifference and irresponsibility shown by the vast majority of Muslims. Islamic values and ideals were as if totally alien to the society. What has happened to the dynamic forces, which had awakened the world? The Prophet's voice had not yet died away regarding the responsibility of Muslims. He once said, "He who sees a cruel governor, violating God's laws, breaking His Covenant, acting in contract to the Tradition of the Prophet, doing mischief and intruding upon people's rights, then does not try to change that governor through action or speech, God has promised him a suitable place in Hell".

We all may wonder over the causes of deviation, which led to this deplorable situation. We know for sure that Islam is a perfect and practical religion. Islam is no doubt assured of guiding the Muslims to a stable and prosperous life. However, the question of deficiency in the Islamic Massage, or the way it was conducted by the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) has no place. Therefore, the only possible errors are confined to the subsequent status of the Muslims, their handling of affairs, and their conformity to the Islamic laws; besides the natural obstacles encountered in the sequence of events.

This topic is so large that it cannot be dealt with in this short review. Nevertheless, it is inevitable to have a few glances at it. It is well known that the Islamic State extended its borders to vast areas embracing huge populations. The short time of conquest made its cultural assimilation near to impossible. Besides the language difficulties and primitive means of communications and propagation. Many Arab tribes had even fought against Islam after the Prophet's departure to the next world, who were under the political influence of Islam.

It is needless to say that any real and thorough cultural transformation needs time as a basic factor. A complete transition from one culture to another might require generations before the new culture is firmly established. The second factor in determining any cultural change is the presence of the ideological leadership. The kind of leadership, which has a deep insight into the message and potentially ready to sacrifice for its success. Naturally, the ideological leader is expected to conform by the message's orders otherwise, the aim of his presence would not be realized.

The Muslims had elected Abu Bakr as the successor to the Prophet. The confused moves and events, which accompanied the procedure of election, was sadly recorded by all historians. This is by no means an objection to or doubting the ability of a respected companion in the category of Abu Bakr (may God be pleased with him): But careful observation lead to the conclusion that Abu Bakr himself remarked that there were other people who were more able than himself for the task.

It is indeed eye-catching in Islamic history the many incidents and Hadiths which encourage Muslims to follow and proclaim the leadership of Imam Ali after the Prophet. For instance, in Tafseer Abi Ishaq Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al-Nisabouri Al-Thaalabi who died in 337 A.H. gave a commentary on the following verse:

"Your guardians are God, His Prophet, and the believers who pray and give alms while prostrate to God. Regarding those who disobey God, His Prophet and the believers, the party of God are the victors " (5:58,59) He quoted Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari stating, "I heard the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) With these ears or would be deaf, and saw him with these eyes or would be blind;" the Prophet once said, "Ali is the leader of the best believers, and the killer of unbelievers, victor who supports him, and weak who doesn't " Abu Dhar added, One day we were praying with the Prophet, a beggar had entered the mosque.

After this incident the Prophet prayed humbly to God and said, "O God, my brother Moses asked You, O my God, expand my breast; ease my task for me; and remove the impediment from my speech, so that they may understand what I say; and give me a Minister from my family, Aaron, my brother; add to-my strength through him, and make him share my task, that we celebrate thy praise without stint, and remember thee without stint.

And You answered: 'Granted is thy prayer, O Moses'. "O God I am your servant and Prophet. Expand my breast; ease my task; and give me a Minister from my family, Ali, my brother; add to my strength through him, and make him share my task". Abu Dhar concluded: "By, God, as soon as the Prophet completed his prayer the trustworthy Gabriel came with the following verses: "Your guardians are God, His Prophet and the believers who pray and give alms while prostrate to God . . .!" (5:58, 59). Ibn Sinan narrated this incident in Sahih AI Bukhari. Ibn Abbas narrated this story in Asbab Al-Nizol by Imam Wahidi. All interpreters of Kanz AI-Umaal held the same opinion of the cause of the revelation of this verse.

On different occasions, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) told Imam Ali, "You are to me as Aaron was to Moses, but there is not Prophet after me". The consistency of narrations leave no room for doubt that Imam Ali was chosen by God and His Prophet to be the ideological leader after the Prophet's departure. A noteworthy point is the number and variety of people who confirmed the authenticity of these stories. Perhaps the most outstanding occasion, which sank into people's memories, is the Prophet's speech during his last pilgrimage. In a large congregation of Muslims he declared, "He whoever I am his master, Ali is his master too. O God assist whoever supports him and disgrace those who have enmity towards him". Indeed, these are only a few quotations, which Imam Ali had from God and the Prophet.

Hence it can be safely concluded that Imam Ali's exclusion from his assigned duty marked the first major mistake. The inevitable consequences were a slow deviation, which ended up in a turbulent stream of events, which no one was able to exercise control over.

Abu Bakr's reign lasted two years or so, which was an eventful epoch. The dangers besieging the Muslims were so great that the very existence of the Muslim community was put between two brackets. But that danger was eliminated by the many sacrifices of Muslims in lives and substance.

Umar ibn Al-Khattab was appointed by Abu Bakr as the Caliph, and the former ruled for ten years. His reign is particularly important because of the vast changes and events, which took place during his time. The conquest of vast areas brought enormous wealth to the Muslims. But the way this wealth was handled had created complex problems, which forced Umar to admit their grave consequences. Indeed, he tried to reform the laws but it was too late to act for he was murdered.

To be Continued ...

Loneliness of Muslim bin Aqeel in the lanes of Kufa

Muslim bin Aqeel in the House of Taw’ah

Arresting of Muslim bin Aqeel