Why is it, the vast majority of human beings are against concepts like cruelty and injustice yet such concepts are nonetheless prevalent realities across the globe, realities that only seem to be getting worse?
For instance, why is it no human being would want some innocent child to starve to death, yet this happens every day and it happens everyday by the thousands? How can that be? How can the masses be so ineffective, so powerless?
It is as if humanity is being plagued by a cancer, a cancer that has now engulfed and entrenched itself so deep, that humanity has now fallen on its death bed and is barely registering a pulse.
What debilitating type of cancer are we suffering from? A cancer that has destroyed our immune system, the very system designed to protect humanity. A cancer that has turned us into the walking dead, lifeless, passionless and indifferent, where instead of roaring like lions showing our teeth if ever the rights of humanity are even remotely threatened, we can barely muster a whimper because we are so intoxicatingly passive. Yet when it comes to chasing the comforts of the world or defending one’s ego, we turn into ferocious lions indeed.
But who is going to defend humanity now that we have abandoned our guarding posts for such a cheap price, leaving humanity to the mercy of the wicked? Who is going to awaken us from our pathetic slumber so that we are no longer de-sensitised to the plight of humanity?
Enter the grandson of our beloved Prophet (s), the son of Imam Ali (as), Imam Husayn (as), he, the one who on that fateful day at Karbala became the source of burning inspiration. This was his victory, an inspiration that could have only been born out of a tragedy, for it is only a tragedy that is able to provide that spark our dead souls so desperately need, a tragedy that instils in us a rage, a rage of passion, a passion to change, to change for the better, a passion to fight, to fight our own demons, to revolutionize the soul and thus give birth to new soldiers, soldiers who now fly the real flag of Islam, this is the call of Imam Husayn (as), this is his revolution, a revolution we can not join through tears alone. That is not why Imam Husayn (as) witnessed the butchering of his family, that is not why he ended up drenched in blood with spears protruding all over his body as he continued to charge holding on to his sword with such a majestic ferocity that he could still drive back an army of thousands.
Imam Husayn (as) is calling us to struggle the way he struggled, to prove your love for Allah (swt) for he sacrificed everything for the His love, he lost half his meagre 72 army because they had stopped to pray.
Imam Husayn is showing us love is proportionate to our struggle and it is a worthy struggle, so worthy he sacrificed himself to invoke in us that zeal to fight. Are we not ashamed to decline his invitation?
So fight and fight with passion for the battle of humanity begins with the battle of the self. So fight to concentrate during prayer, fight the ego, fight to be objective, fight to be patient, fight to lower the gaze, fight to wear the hijab both inner and outer, fight to do all that which pleases Allah for that is the call of Imam Husayn (as), accept his call so we can now be fighting along side him at Karbala.
said...
Salam Alaykum,
I loved your article. What an appropriate time to publish such a piece-time when we remember the selfless sacrifice of Imam Husain as. And you, dear brother, are calling the Muslim world to show the love for Imam Husain (as) by following his example.
One sentence especially caught my attention:" ...where instead of roaring like lions showing our teeth if ever the rights of humanity are even remotely threatened, we can barely muster a whimper because we are so intoxicatingly passive." As I was reading this,I tried to imagine what this new world would be like...I tried thinking of a place where people would treat any attack against humanity as personal.
Unfortunately,I've failed to do so. This idea is foreign to me, for I have seen so much pain and suffering. Suffering and oppression has now become a part of our human identity. People are lazy and weak...Looking after oneself has become the main goal and focus in our lives. Hungry children, ridden with disease, are not whithin out sight. This is why we forget them. We do not hear cries of abused women, for their cries are silent. We choose not to see or hear. Without a doubt, it is easier that way. Ignorance has long been a bliss for many.
Problems humanity faces are overwhelming for one person. Our first instict is to give up, to make exuses and hope things will change on their own.Unfortunately, things rarely improve by themselves. We do need to take action.
We have heard of Imam Husain's sacrifice, we now know that he changed our world for the better. This teaches us that we, as individuals,can indeed make a difference.
Imam Hussain(as)gave his life for the good of humanity. We are, in most cases, not required to make such sacrifice. Yet, we still choose to stay passive. One disturbing question remains to haunt us:" How can I change the world on my own?"
And the answer? You, dear brother, have got the perfect answer:"So fight and fight with passion for the battle of humanity begins with the battle of the self. So fight to concentrate during prayer, fight the ego, fight to be objective, fight to be patient, fight to lower the gaze, fight to wear the hijab both inner and outer, fight to do all that which pleases Allah for that is the call of Imam Husayn (as), accept his call so we can now be fighting along side him at Karbala."
You're an incredible person, may Almighty Allah reward you and give you strength to continue calling people to His path.
Please keep writing, you're an inspiration to us all !
said...
Salam,
Amazing article that truly inspires people to take charge of their lives and world affairs. It is paramount for our Ummah to become united and focused at the task at hand instead of remaining stuck in depression and self pity at our present situation.
I have been following your blog for some time now and must say that your ethical stances are sound and didactic. Keep on with your work......it is most definitely appreciated.
Revolutionary said...
Salam Alaykum,
Thanks for contributing your time to the site.
Please feel free to send in any of your works and/or ideas because I think the best way to learn is to write about topics ourselves and sharing that information can only benefit all of us.
Together we can contribute towards making a difference.
said...
Asalaamu Alaykum...
After reading this...I'm left so speechless....
But what I can say is that it has left me to think about the REAL message of Imam Hussain (a.s.), Karbala, and the martyrdom of the 72 brave men who stood to defend the honor and message of Imam Hussain (a.s.)....
I myself feel that the message of Karbala and the commemortion of Ashura and the month of Moharram is much more than majalis, tears, and chest beating....it lies in the exact message you portrayed in this note...
thank you.....
May your ajr reach to Allah (swt) and Imam Hussain (a.s.).....INSHA'ALLAH!!