Before delving into this painful memory, let’s pause to reflect – to repent, and to renew our bonds of mercy and unity. The tragedy of Karbala calls us to draw inspiration from Imam Hussain and his oppressed family – to embrace their courage, patience, and steadfastness in the face of tyranny and injustice.
We ask Allah, SubḥānahuwaTa‘ālā, to make this sacred month of Muharram a station of sincere introspection, a time to renew our loyalty to Prophetic values, and an opportunity to unite our ranks as one Ummah – undivided by sects and unshaken by disputes.
The events that unfolded on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH – nearly five decades after the passing of our beloved Prophet ﷺ– remain among the most heart-breaking moments in Islamic history. On the plains of Karbala, the family of the Prophet ﷺ– those he loved dearly and referred to as the People of the Cloak (Ahl al-Kisā’) – were subjected to unimaginable hardship, cruelty, and betrayal.
Imam Hussain, along with his family and a small group of loyal companions, did not stand with armies or power, but with faith, honour, and principle. Denied water for days under the scorching desert sun, children cried from thirst, and women suffered in fear, while Hussain watched his loved ones fall one by one.
These were not ordinary people – they were the noble family of the Prophet ﷺ, the carriers of his legacy and values. And yet, they were surrounded, cut off from mercy, and ultimately massacred in cold blood.
Imam Hussain, the beloved grandson whom the Prophet ﷺ would often embrace and carry on his shoulders, was struck down in a brutal and heart-breaking manner. His blessed body was left on the sands of Karbala, while the women and children of his household were taken captive, humiliated, and paraded through the streets in chains.
“Indeed, the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers.”
— Surah Hūd (11:18), Surah al-A‘rāf (7:44)
These are not sectarian accounts – they are shared moments of profound pain that should unite every Muslim heart in remembrance, respect, and love.
More than Mourning – A Call to Meaning
Imam Hussain did not rise for power, but for reform. He famously said:
“I only desire to enjoin good and forbid evil, and to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather (the Prophet ﷺ) and my father (Ali ibn Abi Tālib).”
His mission was one of moral revival, not rebellion. He stood against a system that had begun to distort the ethical and spiritual teachings of Islam – and he paid the ultimate price.
Today, as we remember his martyrdom, we must ask ourselves:
– Have we upheld truth in our lives?
– Are we standing against injustice, oppression, and corruption in our societies?
– Do our actions reflect the values Hussain died for?
The remembrance of Karbala is a deeply spiritual experience – one that invites not only mourning, but meaningful reflection. It gently calls us to examine our lives, renew our commitment to justice, and come together as one Ummah under the values Imam Hussain so courageously upheld.
A Call to Unity, Not Division
One of the most tragic ironies of our time is that the remembrance of Karbala – an event that should unite Muslims in grief and reflection – has, in some circles, become a source of tension and division. This was never the spirit of Imam Hussain’s mission.
He did not die to be claimed by one group or sect – he died to revive the moral fabric of the entire Ummah. His stand was for truth, dignity, and justice, and these values belong to all Muslims, regardless of madhhab or background.
As we honour the legacy of Karbala, it is important to approach its remembrance with sincerity and reverence. While travelling and gathering to reflect on Imam Hussain’s sacrifice can be meaningful, we should remain mindful not to let these commemorations drift toward excess or worldly display. Let these gatherings be marked by sincerity, simplicity, and the utmost humility – in a manner that reflects the spirit of Karbala itself: a spirit of sacrifice, devotion, and moral clarity.
The memory of Karbala is a sacred trust that invites us to reflect deeply, renew our hearts, and draw closer to Allah. And as we observe this sacred month, may we do so with wisdom – honouring Imam Hussain’s legacy not through grandeur or division, but through humility, sincerity, and compassion.
A Blueprint for the Present
The Ummah is hurting – in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Iran, and beyond – and the legacy of Karbala is a blueprint for how we should respond:
– With courage, not cowardice
– With unity, not sectarianism
– With principle, not pride
Let this Muharram be a moment to reconnect, to reconcile, and to rise above our differences for the sake of something greater – the unity of the Ummah and the revival of its purpose.
I Conclude with a Duʿā for the Ummah, Inspired by Karbala.
O Allah, by the noble sacrifice of Imam Hussain and the suffering of the Prophet’s family ﷺ, soften our hearts and purify our intentions. Unite this Ummah upon the truth, and remove from our hearts the seeds of hatred and division. Protect the oppressed, uplift the downtrodden, and grant victory to justice over tyranny. Cure our sick, free our captives, and have mercy on our martyrs. Make us people of courage and mercy, of principle and patience, of unity and love – just as our beloved Prophet ﷺ and his family lived and died for.