Opinion | The Timeless Message From Karbala 

Gairon Mai Bhi Charche Imam (A.S) Tere, Rusvah Jo Huye Bas Dushman Bhi Tere; Tere Naam Se mil Jaaye Qarar Dil Ko, Apne Bhi Jin Ka Na Rakhe Naam Woh Yazid va Shimar Dushman Hai Tere

Muharram, the first month of islamic calendar, brings  with it the memory and sacrifice of Imam-i-Hussain. On the tenth day of Muharram commemorated as Youme Ashura.Ashura has profound history at its back, On this very day Adam was taken back to heaven, the earth, solar system, Sun and stars came into existence, Prophet Ibrahim was miraculously saved from the fire, Prophet Younis got freedom from the belly of fish, the ship of Prophet Noah got it’s way, Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) achieved martyrdom after brutal sword attack by Kufaar and many more from Islamic point of view. Above all the martyrdom of Imam-i-Hussain is Supreme and is celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety across the state followed by the Muharram processions. The peculiarity of this auspicious day is that truth wins after a series of battles between right or wrong, good or bad. The whole battle revolves around the (Ahli-Bait) family of Imam-i-Hussain. Imam-i-Hussain the son of Hazarat Ali (RA) and the son of Hizarati Fatimah (RA) and the grandson of the last Prophet Mohammad (SAW). Regardless of his father and mother Imami-i-Hussain was very much loved by his grandfather, who used to put him on his shoulders, giggling with him, while praying he also used to walk in the middle of congregational prayers and sit on his shoulders for minutes.
“𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘩 𝘈𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘩 𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯; 𝘋𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘈𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘋𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘺 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘢𝘩 𝘈𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯”.

The martyrdom of Imam-i-Hussain is one of the colossal sacrifices which has great significance. It teaches us the sacrifice and opposition to injustice. It teaches us the integrity of purpose, love of family, gentleness, and bravery. He voluntarily allowed himself to be the sacrificial victim seeking to fulfil the will of God. Imam-i-Hussain was also the exemplar of bravery and fortitude. He fought a brave and fierce fight against so many. The triumph of the martyred Imam is such that every year on Ashura in places all over the world the faithful gather together to remember Imam.
Imam-i-Hussain the son of Hazarat Ali (RA) and the grandson of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) took stand against Yazid Wicked rule and didn’t accept his request. Hussain was loved and respected by everyone in the society. Yazid realised that if he could convince Hussain to support him then the people of Kufa would surely support him. But Hussain refused to support the tyrant and then said , “I only desire to support and spread good values and prevent evil”.
Having refused to support Yazid Hussain knew his life was in danger. Yazid didn’t allow any one to oppose him, but adopted a policy of killing those disgraced him. Keeping in view Hussain decided to leave his hometown Madina and take his family Mecca. Forced to leave Mecca Hussain set a course for Kufa, a city in Iraq where he had received letters of support from. Yazid predicted this and sent a huge army to block Hussain from reaching Kufa and force them to the desert town of Karbala. Once they reached Karabala Hussain with his 72 companions were surrounded by Yazids force of up to 30000 men. Yazid gave the final choice to Hussain either to support the government or be killed. Hussain then gathered his companions and received their suggestions that we all are with you, can’t leave you alone, on this Hussain replied Yazid hates me if you want to leave you can, but they in one voice replied that we will support you and will not leave. Such statements definitely stirred the emotions of Yazid and they even limited their water to crush them.
“𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘳 𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘢, 𝘛𝘰 𝘈𝘢𝘫 𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘳 𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘢; 𝘕𝘢𝘣𝘪 𝘬𝘪 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘺𝘢𝘩𝘯 𝘯𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘪, 𝘒h𝘶𝘥𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘪 𝘢𝘻𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘪”
The procession is known as Tazayiah which evokes the sense of intense grief and sorrow. Looking at the Muharram processions which is the essence for commemoration has been allowed by LG Administration after a gap of three decades. Dressed in black customarily the mourns beat their chests and chanted elegies as they walked through the heart of region main city of Srinagar with heavy security arrangements. Muharram is one of the Islam’s holiest months when Muslims across the world take out processions to mourn the martyrdom of Imam-i-Hussain. Mouraners filled the streets as they peacefully marched on the Gurubazar to Dalgate route carrying flags and chanting in unison.
The most captivating scenes were when police personnel in the heart of Srinagar were serving the people with glass of water to help the mourners who were chanting Labiak Ya Hussain, Labiak Ya Hussain. By and large the processions were peaceful and every section of the people felt it a satisfactory decision of LG Administration. Blood oozing scenes were also seen. The Shia community were asking for permission for the last three to four years continuously and when the government decided to allow the procession we accordingly put in place all the necessary security arrangements, says ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar. Three tier security arrangements are also in place for participants.
The Muharram procession actually symbolises unity, compassion and empathy. It is an integral part of our cultural identity. During the procession no one in the family either young or adult and old, comes out of their cozy places to join the procession to mark the martyrdom. They beat their chests and enchanting the slogans, Ya Hussain Ibn Ali, Ya Abass, Ya Zanib, etc. Even Prophet Mohammed (SAW) Stated, “𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘖’𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘩 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯”
– The writer is a teacher by profession and teaches at BHS Diver Lolab. He can be reached at farhaanqysar@gmail.com