#WhoIsHussain to me?

Salam Alaykom,

Many of you may have seen the new campaign that has taken the UK by storm, with the phrase ‘WHO IS HUSSAIN’ illuminating every corner of the British capitals. For those of you who haven’t, I urge you to take a moment to check out their website for more information about the campaign and how to get involved at www.whoishussain.org. Without launching into a retelling of the history of Karbala and the life and martyrdom of this great icon, I would like to talk a little about what this campaign has made me think about and to explore who Hussain is to me. What is it about this man that reduces even the strongest and most composed of men to break down to tears? Who is he to command so much respect and to deserve to be remembered over 1400 years from his death?

A selfless ‘Legend’:

This is a phrase we use causally in speech when we talk about someone in our communities or well, someone who has done something worthy of being noted or documented in our social histories. I’ve heard people use it for the likes of Sir Alan Sugar or Messi but ultimately, a character has not touched me in my life in the same way as Imam Hussain (as). Regardless of the noble birth and heritage of this affluent character, he gave away everything that was dear to him including his 3-month-old child. But to further this, he gave his own life in the way of the Lord and to see that the religion of Islam would remain alive. His message echoes to this day; “Be free and do not remain slaves.” Is this not what every person claims to want in this life- to be free from desires, control and to be seen in the right side of justice? Baruch Spinoza, an affluent Dutch philosopher of the 17^th century states that, “he alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire guidance of reason.” The message of Imam Hussain (as) dictates that one should use their God given gift of reason in order to distinguish between right and wrong. And this is what he is to me; a reminder that I shouldn’t follow the thoughts of others and to take a step back to consider what it is I am following. He teaches me the selflessness that one should have in the face of greater things and to keep in mind that at the end of a long day, the things I have strived to bring forth to others will be worth the struggle.

The Voice of Justice:

Another phrase that I fling out regularly when I am told of things happening around me, of which I am unaware is that I should be excused as I ‘live under a rock’. But the reality of it is that unless someone literally does live under a rock, they cannot possibly be oblivious to what is happening in the world now. With the worlds gaze on Palestine, how can one turn a blind eye to the oppression of their peoples, to the children dying, to the innocent lives taken, one after the other? The list is on going as to the crimes committed against this war-torn country but the silence that rings from here is but deafening. In my personal view, if the Imam was here in this day and age, he would not turn a blind eye to their plight for his message is eternal and applicable to all the ages. Where there is an oppressed, there is a helping hand or one who will stand in the face of the tyrannical oppressor. And this is the message to me; that I should do the best I can to help them in tongue and in every other way physically possible. For those who know me, I am not ‘outwardly political’ but reflecting on the message the Imam lived and was martyred for, I came to realise that ‘ath’aaf al iman’ or the least I can do is to support them and to talk against those who are oppressing them.

Imam Hussain (as) is Universal:

Growing up in a rather tight knit community, I childishly and innocently assumed that everyone who knew the story of Karbala was only from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Bahrain for these were the people I would see in the majalis on a regular basis. It is only when I grew up, became a little wiser and began attending majalis outside these circles that I began to see the universality of Imam Hussain (as). I was shocked when I met the first Indian Shia or the time I met a Nigerian girl at one of these programmes. And then to attend a university with people form around the world- I was delighted to find that there were people around the globe who looked to this man as an inspiration, be they Muslim or non- Muslim. Rajendra Prasad, an Indian politician writes that “the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (as) is not limited to one country, or nation, but it is the hereditary state of the brotherhood of all mankind.” The brotherhood and unity that he presents in his message alone is one that shines beyond a battle that took place some 1400 years ago. And so, the message from here is that one should always look past race, sect, faith and any other socio-politically constructs when it comes to the message of Imam Hussain (as). Even on an every day basis, I strive to look past all of these and to take friends from every part of the world that I can in order to unite with those who share a desire for stability in this world (and here, just a quick shout out to my dear friend from Tanzania- I can’t thank Allah enough for making our paths cross).

He is Immortal:

To someone who studies literature, I have been conditioned into thinking that one can become immortal by what they leave behind. The likes of Shakespeare and Dickens have become immortal in English Literature and around the world as they wrote novels and plays that can be attributed to almost any given society. The message of Imam Hussain (as) is even greater than these as it echoes through the ages and would rock the throne of any tyrant. One of my favourite phrases that I hear around the year, but particularly now in Muharrum is “ketheb al mowt fal Hussainu mukhaled, “that death has lied as Hussain is immortal. The popular thought in Islam is that he who dies as a martyr is never really dead but is alive with the Lord. Allah even states in the Quran that we should “think not of those who are slain in God's way as dead. Nay, they are living, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord” (Qur'an 3:169). So what of the greatest of people who gave their lives in the way of Allah- of the master of Martyrs? He is both alive and basking in the glory of the heavens and his message is immortal, resonating to this day and age. And his message to me here is that one should never fear doing something that may make them tired or may even put them in danger. Have faith in your cause and by Allah, if it is just you will be victorious.

I could go on for days as to the message he leaves me but will conclude here. What does Imam Hussain (as) mean to YOU? 

Until next time, salaams.