A Forgotten Lesson of the 10th of Muharram

Islamic Knowledge

Thursday, 24 December 2009

Muharram is a blessed month, of which the 10th is a unique date. Muslims are recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th. There are many events in history which have taken place on this date, but in our time, a very important lesson continues to be overlooked each year. This, we must not allow to continue. Muharram is a blessed month of which a lot has been written and so will not be repeated here albeit as a brief reminder. What is of greater significance for us in today's time is a political lesson in the martyrdom of Hussain (RA). Historically, the 10th of Muharram is a special and a unique date like no other that connects many of Allah's (SWT) Prophets (AS). On this day... 1. Allah (SWT) saved Sayyidina Nuh (AS) and his companions in the ark. 2. Allah (SWT) spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa (AS) and gave him the Commandments. Also on this day, 3. Sayyidina Imam Hussain (RA) achieved the honour of Martyrdom. No doubt the 10th is a unique and momentous day which should be remembered. A day which links many of the Prophets together in struggle against tyranny and forgiveness. However the last event listed carries a special significance for us because Imam Hussain (RA) struggled against Yazid who had usurped the right to become the Khaleefah and attempted to force himself on the ummah. A man can only become the rightful Khaleefah with the pledge of allegiance. No man can be a ruler without the consent of the ummah. Yet, Yazid attempted to circumvent this sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). Imam Hussain (RA) stood up to this political tyranny and paid with his life. No man can be a ruler by force nor can a man be a ruler by birthright. It is only the pledge of the ummah that crowns a man a ruler. This a a fundamental principle in Islamic ruling which today has been disregarded. This lesson was taught to us the very day after which the Prophet (SAW) left for a better abode. The dispute which grouped the Muslims into Sunni and Shia was over who should be the first Khaleefah. Abu Bakr (RA) was voted in as the first Khaleefah and hence he was the rightful Khaleefah. The Prophet (SAW) didn't appoint his successor, not as an oversight, but to establish the principle that the ummah has the right to choose her ruler. Neither was the successor of the Prophet (SAW) appointed due to birthright, as this would have legalised monarchical rule. Even when Bani Hanifah placed a condition on giving the Prophet (SAW) their support on the successor coming from their tribe, the Prophet (SAW) did not stipulate who that would be because it was the ummah's right to choose. In short, the ruler is appointed by the people on condition he rules by Islam. The ummah today is plagued by dictators and agents who rule over her. It is high time the ummah took back her right and appoints the rightful Khaleefah. The sacrifice of Hussain (RA) is once again being called for. Add this Article to your Bookmark site Set as favorite Bookmark Email this Trackback(0)  TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (4) Subscribe to this comment's feed abid hussain: ... very well said 1 report abuse vote down vote up May 27, 2010 - 23:29:07 Votes: +0 Sayyid Feroz Shah: ... Muslims are humble to the events of the past concluding that this day the 10th of Muharram is in fact a day we consider as the umma of (H) Muhammed (SAWM) the day (H) Hussein (RA) was martyred in fact slaughtered by a people who followed in the teachings of Islam, I beg for understanding of a people who were Muslims and possessed knowledge from within the shortest period of Prophet Muhammed`s(SAWM) time to where we are today, love should have been greater but for some reason the act of Karbala was to take place. The answer to this complicated understanding is simple, that we as Muslims know this, it is a fact yet it is irrevocable nothing could change this event except Allah, a reason for us in the 21st century to really understand the correct importance of this event so that we remember that our conscience is now put to the challenge. An event that was created through (H) Hussein (RA) so that we who live in this century should take note of this event seriously when considering the final Khilafah. Remember the unruly act of decapitation took place after the passing away of (H) Hussein (RA) in the plains of Karbala, his Mubarak head was taken away separated from his body and put on show for a victory we may not understand or could consider to understand that this was victory over (H) Muhammed (PBUH) and his progeny. Lets just say that the Fatimids of Egypt had this particular casket of the Mubarak head kept for safe keeping in a mausoleum until a time and arrival of the final Khilafah where the principle duty of this Khilafah was to restore the honorific pledge of justice to the ahle bayt by returning the Mubarak head of (H) Hussein (RA) back to Karbala, remember there is no physical attribute but a spiritual fulfilment from Allah, so that this Khilafah make take the presidential position of forming this Global Islamic Super State that would establish a universal constitution created from the Quraan. This can lead us to favour a united stance against our immediate oppressors and we would consolidate our petty divisions for a favoured period of honour bestowed upon us from Allah subahanu taalla. Our indifferences may have caused us to divide, even this is no excuse to see beyond the suffering of our Palestinian people. This is Justice, this is Unity, this is Islam, this is a quest for Khilafah. Sayyid Feroz Shah At Deen ul Haq South Africa This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 2 report abuse vote down vote up December 29, 2009 - 15:16:02 Votes: +1 Adam: ... The article is correct in stating that much has been written about this period in Muslim history. However, rarely does the debate or study draw out the most important lesson to be learnt: the importance of Muslim political unity and its correct application The martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) has a meaning and context, but, one that (routinely) gets lost in the rush to indulge in false emotion and sentimentality . . . "oh, it was a tragedy that the Prophet's (PBUH) grandson was killed!!" Yes - but WHY !? And what principles can be drawn from it !? What lessons are there for Muslims today ?! Whether you are SHIA or SUNNI, it is important to ask these basic questions because they lead (the discerning mind) to inevitable political conclusions . . . let your brain do the walking !? 3 report abuse vote down vote up December 27, 2009 - 17:32:04 Votes: +1 reader: ... The point that the Prophet (SAW) didnt appoint his successor because it is the right of the ummah, is a very interesting point. This doesn't usual come out in the sunni/shia debate. It is the most powerful argument to settle that age old debate. 4 report abuse vote down vote up December 24, 2009 - 14:52:24 Votes: +4 Write comment  Show/hide comment form Name Email Comment smaller | bigger I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage. Add Comment