Karbala-Ongoing Campaign Against Power Politics

Karbala and Terror- Stricken Modern World

By Prof. Mazhar Naqvi

The so called tech- savvy modern world is unfortunately also characterized by corruption, terrorism, oppression, exploitation and injustice. Muslim nations too suffer from political ills, ideological differences and seem to have virtually surrendered their sovereignty at the hands of authoritarian establishments. Hazrat Imam Hussain had sacrificed his totality against inhuman principles of power politics, despotism and methods of a coerced regime on the arid plains of Karbala on October 10, 680 AD (10 Muharram 61 AH).His martyrdom, therefore, should not be simply viewed as the most tragic event of Islamic history. Rather, the tragedy of Karbala needs to perceived and used as the most relevant strategy for uprooting the forces responsible for human sufferings across the globe.

What happened with Imam Hussain in Karbala was the ultimate outcome of power politics and its naked use---- denying access to water, beheading the killed ones and exhibition of their heads on lances. Power politics without any tolerance of opposition is a feature of so many Islamic countries today. Corruption in high places is worldwide phenomenon. The menace has grown to gigantic proportions and all spheres of life, be it social, economic, political and even religious activity, are not free from graft, deception and corruption of some kind. The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) has recorded over 87000 cases of terrorist attacks around the world since 1970. These startling facts only indicate that imperialist and feudal establishments- be it a superpower, monarch or dictator,  are still active in strengthening  a corrupt system to silence the right of weak and oppressed class of society in favor of a regime built on force and oppression.

Undoubtedly, Karbala has been a source of inspiration to innumerable pens for centuries. There is no dearth of literature on it. Lamentation poetry has kept alive the message of Karbala. Muharram rituals and ‘Majalises’ (Mourning gatherings) also serve as a reminder that Karbala was a battle between truth versus falsehood. ‘Zakirs’(Orators) too have also been using the majalises sessions as a platform to raise voice against  various evils.But somehow Karbala’s call for good governance, transparency, accountability and   probity in public life have not been highlighted in the way it should have been. On the contrary, repeated attempts are made to legitimize the cruel and oppressive actions of Yazid. If anti-Karbala tendencies have failed to achieve their ill- conceived goals so far it is only because of Imam Hussain’s well- thought of strategy relying on the simple principle- in the face of oppression, it is the stand that matters, not cost or consequences.

He gave many political lessons before sacrificing his life in the most trying circumstances. An idea about his condition on the day of ‘Ashura’ can be found in the masterpiece book of Edward Gibbons on Islamic history. He writes ““Alone, weary and wounded he (Hazrat Hussain) sat himself at the door of his tent…… pierced in the mouth with a dart; and his son and nephew, two beautiful youths, were killed in his arms. He lifted his hands to heaven. They were full of blood and be uttered a funeral prayer for the living and dead.”

Imam established at Karbala that an illegitimate rule will always be wrong and oppressive.  Max Waber says “Legitimate force is the thread that runs through the action of political system, giving it its special quality and importance, and its coherence as a system.” In such a situation where the rulers grab power through backdoors usually try to secure constitutional means and supportive function of a political group to legitimize their actions. They resort to actions contrary to the spirit of good governance and engage themselves in all sorts of corruption, propaganda and pseudo representation.

Yazid too was an illegitimate ruler. His nomination was against the rules of Islamic polity established by the Holy Prophet. The true spirit of an Islamic state was totally ignored under his rule. Illegitimate rulers are always apprehensive of popular and rightful opponents. Yazid too was no exception. He struggled with a constant fear of opposition from Imam Hussain and his followers. Karbala became a certainty when Yazid asked the Governor of Medina Waleed to get allegiance from Imam. The 57-year old grandson of the Prophet analyzed the deteriorating political and social situation. He quickly recognized that the general policy of the Yazidi regime was in accordance with Islamic principles. He was also aware of the Ummah’s painful afflictions. Being the duly sanctioned leader & capable of restoring Islamic values, Imam Hussain rose to challenge the reign of terror and cruelty. Imam did not believe in power but opposed such an establishment. He wanted to correct not conquer. He neither wanted bloodshed nor allegiance to Yazid. He left Medina, reached Mecca and found himself surrounded by enemy at Karbala due to hypocrisy of Kufa residents.

Ruth W. Grant in his book Hypocrisy and Integrity remarks “ Hypocrisy is an epithet, never a term of praise, and for good reason….. What they share in the pretense of virtue, idealism or sympathetic concern used to further selfish ends. Their victims are more to be pitied because of the painful betrayal of trust involved in their victimization.” Kufians also behaved likewise. They had sent about 12000 letters to Imam and pledged their support to him against Yazid. Imam did not act blindly in reply to their invitation. He sent his cousin Muslim bin Aqeel to ascertain the situation.  Kufians warmly welcomed Muslim, assured him of their full support but betrayed him when the Yezidi forces arrived. Muslim was captured and killed. By the time information about his tragic killing reached Imam, he was already on his way to Kufa as a response to his cousin’s initial positive report.

Karbala gives another lesson is that the rule based on force are inhumane and retaliating in enhancement of an unjust order. Directives from Damascus were clear. Hussain was to be besieged and subdued until he paid the allegiance. Yazidi commanders carried out the orders with utmost brutality. They allowed water of Euphrates to animals but denied to even to the children of Prophet’s family. Even after killing Imam and his followers, Yazidi forces looted his camp, humiliated the survivors and set afire tents. Binte Moosa Moosavi writes “The veils of daughters of prophet whom even the sun had not seen were taken away, they were fixed in ropes with their hands after their necks, their tents were set on fire, they were seated on bare backs of camels, and brought to the bazaars of Syria and Kufa and courts of Yazid and Ibne Zyad”.This all was done with the intention of removing the evidence pertaining to correspondence between Imam and Kufians or any. Thus, Karbala also explains that removal of evidence is necessitated by political opponents lest their misdeeds are known.

Yet another lesson from Karbala is that the goal of politics should be the fair game of representation and social justice. These two corners of welfare society remain a distant dream as power corrupts the minds of those who possess it. Karbala also highlights the role of reconciliation and tolerance. Imam tried his best to avoid confrontation and believed more in negotiations. His pleas and sermons evoked no response, for he was addressing the commanders of a ruler who was opposed to any reason or logic being a tyrant. The teachings of Imam Husain seems more relevant to the modern world that has recently witnessed the massacre of children in Pakistan, killings of ‘Journalists prejudiced to Holy Prophet in France and barbaric mayhem of innocent people in Iraq Syria and other countries by fanatics. Such disruptive elements can only be silenced by the proper propagation of  Imam’s teachings and worldwide shouting of just one slogan ‘Remember Karbala’ whenever one feels humanity in danger as an outcome of the inhuman atrocities and activities of Yazid’s descendants.   

How women can assume leadership in adverse circumstances is another lesson that Karbala preaches. The way Hazrat Zainab and Janab-e- Umme Kulsum exposed the despotic rule of Yazid, barbaric acts of his forces and spread the message of imam Hussain all go on to show that a Karbala is needed whenever and wherever an attempt is made to usurp power  without any morality and justice. The backward nations can easily challenge the ugly designs of superpowers to subdue them by following the political principles crafted by Imam Hussain through his sublime revolution. (The author is a Kanpur Based Heritage Guru and Culture Activist.)