WHO IS IMAM HUSSAIN (SWS) ?

Imam Hussain (ASWS) is the leader of all existance. He is the son of Ali bin Abi Talib (ASWS) and the grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Imam Hussain (ASWS) is the son of Syeda Fatima tuz Zehra (ASWS) for whom the:

Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

"Husain is from me and I am from Husain. May God love whoever loves Husain."

With the shahadat of his brother Imam Hassan (ASWS) in 50 AH, Imam Hussain (ASWS) became the leader of the household of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He respected the agreement of peace signed by Imam Hasan (ASWS) and Muawiya (LA), and, despite the urging of his followers, he did not undertake any activity that threatened the political status quo. Rather he continued with the responsibility of looking after the religious needs of the people and was recognised for his knowledge, piety and generosity. An example of the depth of his perception can be seen in his beautiful du'a on the day of Arafat, wherein he begins by explaining the qualities of Allah (AZWJ) , saying:

" (Oh Allah) How could an argument be given about Your Existence by a being whose total

and complete existence is in need of you? When did you ever disappear so that you might

 need an evidence and logic to lead (the people) towards You? And when did You ever

become away and distant so that your signs and effects made the people get in touch with

ou? Blind be the eye which does not see You (whereas) You are observing him. What did

the one who missed You find? And what does the one who finds You lack? Certainly, the

one who got pleased and inclined toward other than You, came to nothingness (failed)."

 

On the other hand, we have Yazid (LA), whose father (Muawiya (LA) and grandfather (Abu Sufyan (LA) - the arch-enemy of the Prophet (PBUH) had always tried to sabotage the mission of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Abdul Aziz bin Kaseer narrates; A few people came to Imam Hussain (asws)  and asked Him to inform them of His attributes. Imam (asws) replied, “You will not be able to bear Our attributes.” However the people kept insisting. Imam (asws) said, “Choose one from amongst you and I will describe My attributes to him. If he is able to bear hearing My attributes then I shall tell all of you.” One person stepped forward and Imam (asws) took him off to the side where the others would not be able to hear their conversation. Imam (asws) had just begun telling him of His attributes and had only finished a few before the man became unable to bear what he was hearing and lost his senses.

(Manaqib Aal e Abi Talib (as) 4th Edition page no 51)

Non Muslim Quotes regarding imam hussain (asws)

(charles dickens - famous english writer) 'if hussain had faught to quench his worldly desires, then i dont understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. it stands to reason therefore he sacrifised purely for islam'

(Hindu poet - Mathur Lal) 'jaam pay jaam piya aur musalman rahay, qatl imamonh ko kiya aur musalman rahay, yehi deen hai to is deen se tauba "Mathur"  shaq peyamber paykia aur musalman rahay, jis ne paala payamber ko wo raha kafir, yazeediyon nainh qatal-e-hussain kiya aur musalman rahay.

Mahatma Gandhi (Indian political and spiritual leader): “I learnt from Hussein how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”

Edward Gibbon (English historian and member of parliament): “In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.” (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911, volume 5, p. 391-392) 

Dr. K. Sheldrake: “Of that gallant band, male and female knew that the enemy forces around were implacable, and were not only ready to fight, but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under the burning sun and scorching sands, yet not one faltered for a moment. Husain marched with his little company, not to glory, not to power of wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice, and every member bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching.”

Mahatma Gandhi

'My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain (A.S.), the great saint.'
 

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

'Imam Hussain's (A.S.) sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness.'

Rabindranath Tagore

'In order to keep alive justice and truth, instead of an army or weapons, success can be achieved by sacrificing lives, exactly what Imam Hussain (a.s) did.'