The World Federation of KSIMC

ASHURA, 10^th Muharram 1439

A’adhamallahu ujurana wa ujurakum bi musaabina bil Hussain alayhis salaam.

We are blessed to once again have an opportunity to commemorate the event of the tragedy of Karbala that befell the embodiment of Prophetic & Divine virtues, the Chief of youths of Paradise, the beloved grandson of the Holy Prophet(s), Imam Hussain(as), martyred by the order of the evil oppressor, Yazid. This commemoration provides us with an opportunity to reflect, contemplate and develop a source of inspiration towards transformation and reformation in our day to day life and actions, taking lessons from the great mission of Imam Hussain (A.S).

Throughout history, since the first man, Adam (as) – as God’s divinely chosen representative – was sent to earth to guide mankind to consciously adopt and live by godly values, there has been a conflict with those who chose the path of evil, injustice & oppression. All messengers of Allah (swt) faced a struggle with the oppressors of their time as detailed in the Holy Qur’an, chapters 7, 11 and 26.

Just 50 years after the Final Divine Message was delivered by the Holy Prophet of Islam (saw), the Umayyad Caliph Yazid sought to openly sabotage the heavenly guided message of Islam, by publicly rejecting the Divine revelation to the Last Prophet(s) and violating its sacred principles. Unfortunately, the Ummah at the time were suppressed into silent complacency.

Imam Hussain (as) boldly declared his refusal to obey the dictatorship of evil. He spoke to the Ummah through letters, sermons and meetings. Imam Hussain (as) was prepared to sacrifice all his near & dear ones to uphold Divine values.

Ashura is a timeless message for people who support truth and justice:

The world will suffer damage, harm and destruction by evil doers, but only when others:

(1) abandon their moral and divine duty of resistance to evil
(2) by silent complacency, just watch wrong-doings taking place and don’t feel or show disgust for injustice, and refuse to protest or condemn it
(3) are unwilling to sacrifice their time, comfort, honour, and if necessary, their property or ultimately their life to defend the truth

Our grief for Imam Hussain (as) on Ashura stems from a deep belief in a Lord of the Universe who loves justice and virtue and will support all who seek to practice it and fight for it with all the necessary means till it prevails over evil.

Ashura reassures us that godly people can become the toughest of the tough and never be subjugated to evil, despite whatever suffering or excruciating pain they may be subjected to.

Ashura should awaken in us a sense of moral and humanitarian duty to help anyone suffering injustice, like the starving hungry, the homeless refugees, the oppressed – wherever they may be, including Myanmar, Congo, Yemen and other places across the world.

Ashura reminds us of inherent goodness in humanity if it connects humbly to God, intense in love of the Absolute Beauty of the Cherishing Lord of the Universe, gets inspired by His Limitless Mercy and Grace and shares it with His creation.

Ashura should arouse in us a noble aspiration to join all other justice seekers in a global solidarity to collectively declare Labbayk Ya Hussain, the Model Leader of historic Fight for Justice against evil & injustice.

As we commemorate Ashura this year, let us pray that we are collectively inspired by the message of Imam Hussain (as), and may  the Almighty hasten the re-appearance of our 12th Imam (AJ); Ameen.

With Salaams and Duas,

Shaykh Murtadha Alidina, Head of Islamic Education