Published: Muharram 13, 1447 AH

In the annals of Islamic history, few events are as profound and enduring as the uprising of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). The question persists: Why did Imam Hussein make such a monumental sacrifice—offering not only his own life, but also the lives of his family, his household, and the last of the faithful loyal to him? What challenges and dangers compelled him to this course? What events led to this defining stand?

To answer these questions, one must return to the historical backdrop of the Islamic Ummah. The dangerous deviations that plagued the Ummah's trajectory culminated in a catastrophic outcome: the ascension of Yazid, a tyrant devoid of moral or religious integrity, to a position of absolute power over the Muslims. Yazid was a criminal, an arrogant oppressor, a man who held Islam in contempt in every form. He disrespected the religion, its Prophet, the Holy Qur’an, and the Muslim community as a whole. He viewed the Muslim nation not as a dignified people but as subjects to be subdued, humiliated, and enslaved.

Yazid’s rise to power was the direct result of prior distortions and corruptions that had crept into the leadership of the Muslim Ummah. As ruler and decision-maker, Yazid posed an existential threat to the Islamic identity, values, ethics, and foundational principles. His rule represented a regression to an even worse form of pre-Islamic ignorance—one that would nullify the monumental efforts and sacrifices of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions. It was in this grim reality that Imam Hussein, with divine insight and Qur’anic understanding, diagnosed the extent of the threat. It was this discernment that drove his decisive action.

At Karbala, Imam Hussein stood resolutely, addressing his companions and presenting the stark reality before them. He said: “Indeed, the illegitimate son of an illegitimate father”—referring to Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad, whose lineage was widely known for its moral corruption and who followed in the disgraceful footsteps of Ziyad ibn Abih—“has forced us between two choices: the sword or humiliation.”

Imam Hussein was making it clear: tyrants build their regimes on the humiliation and degradation of society. But Islam nurtures its followers on dignity. It shapes believers to be free, noble beings who reject oppression, servitude, and subjugation. Even if one is wronged, Islam teaches to stand against injustice, not to surrender to it. Accepting tyranny, glorifying oppressors, or surrendering to them is entirely against Islamic teachings.

Thus, when confronted with the choice to either live humiliated under Yazid or fight for honor, Imam Hussein declared:
“Indeed, the illegitimate son of an illegitimate father has placed us between two choices: the sword or humiliation. Far be it from us to accept humiliation. Allah refuses that for us, as do His Messenger, and the believers, and the noble, pure wombs that bore us, and the proud, noble souls that would never prefer obedience to the vile over the martyrdom of the noble.”

Imam Hussein stood for the path of freedom within the course of faith where there is no place for humiliation, surrender, or submission. When dignity clashes with disgrace, the faithful soul knows no path but resistance. The stance of the believer is to uphold dignity at all costs, for Allah does not permit humiliation for His faithful servants. As Imam Hussein powerfully stated:
“By Allah, I will never give them my hand like a humiliated man, nor will I flee like a slave.”

From the legacy of Ashura, we derive invaluable lessons, especially the commitment to dignity, courage, and rejection of injustice. Imam Hussein, from his youth, ascended the ladder of spiritual excellence, faith, and unwavering resolve. His noble spirit rejected oppression, did not tolerate falsehood, and never bowed to the arrogant tyrants. This unshakable character is evident when he refused to be bargained into submission or disgrace.

Never Accept Humiliation—No Matter the Circumstance

The Muslim Ummah must understand: that even if others forsake the truth, and even if the majority align themselves with criminals and tyrants, the true Muslim—educated by Islam and the Qur’an—must never accept humiliation. Allah does not accept this for His believing servants. As Allah states in the Qur’an “Honor belongs to Allah and His Messenger and the believers…” (Surah Al-Munafiqun, 63:8)”—and thus He refuses that His followers live in humiliation or servitude to oppressors.

The Fall Begins With Compromising Divine Guidance

Shockingly, many among the army who fought Imam Hussein were once followers of Imam Ali. They knew who Hussein was, recognized his lofty status in Islam, and were aware of the magnitude of their crime. Yet corruption of the soul, moral decay, and the loss of values led them to this horrific crime. This speaks to a broader truth: when one compromises divine guidance and aligns with personal ambitions and corrupt power, they are capable of the gravest betrayals.

From Hussein’s School: Endurance, Generosity, and Faith

The legacy of Hussein teaches us unparalleled perseverance, limitless sacrifice, and steadfastness in the face of tyranny. It teaches truthfulness with Allah, and embodying true faith, and moral resistance against the brutal and coercive tools of tyrants. Imam Hussein exemplified the essence of Islam's message: that standing against oppression is not just a moral choice—it is a religious duty, a sacred obligation, a form of worship, and a necessary path toward justice and societal peace.

Sacrifice for Allah is Not a Loss

Among the core Islamic values are dignity and pride. A true believer, regardless of the harshness of circumstances, never accepts domination by falsehood. Rather, the believer is ready to sacrifice life and possessions in the path of Allah. Such sacrifice is never a loss—it is the highest gain. It is eternal life, a supreme victory, a lofty station before Allah Almighty.

With such spiritual resilience and readiness to sacrifice, the Ummah can confront tyrants and their brutalities. No matter how violent their crimes, they cannot break the will of a dignified, principled people. This is how an Islamic nation can rise, build justice, and empower Islamic values in its societal fabric.

• The tragedy of Karbala reveals how far the Ummah had strayed from true Islamic teachings, values, and true Islamic representatives

• It was the natural result of longstanding deviations that occurred to the Ummah

• Karbala remains a reference point from which we draw insight and inspiration to face modern challenges.

• The same forces that caused the tragedy of Ashura continue to manifest in today’s Muslim world through corruption, abuse of power, and abandonment of divine principles.

• Love for power remains a primary driver of deviation and oppression, as evident in the Karbala tragedy.

• A terrifying disconnect now exists between the Ummah’s Islamic identity and its real-world decisions and values.

• Truth no longer serves as a standard by which the Ummah judges events and actions. It has become actively absent.

Today, the people of Yemen commemorate this occasion while enduring injustices that mirror the suffering of Imam Hussein. In their oppression, under relentless aggression that spares neither man, woman, nor child, they see a direct link to the Yazidi tyranny. Yet, they wear the badge of honor bestowed by the Prophet Muhammad, who said: “Faith is Yemeni and wisdom is Yemeni.”

With this identity, the Yemeni people see themselves in direct continuity with the path of Imam Hussein. He is their example, their guide, and their beacon of righteousness. His principles shape their response to modern challenges and inform their sense of duty and responsibility. From him, they draw the will, resolve, and unshakable stance rooted in the heart of Islam.

Through the remembrance of Ashura, the Yemeni people are spiritually fortified with willpower, courage, and principled steadfastness, all drawn from the essence of Islam, grounded in genuine faith, and inspired by the living example of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).