Most of the uprisings are comprised of two components: combat and message. Combat refers to the struggle and sacrifice made in the way of a holy goal, whereas the message component deals with announcing the purpose of the uprising and explaining its goals.
In regards with the successfulness of an uprising, the importance of conveying its purpose and explaining its goals is no less than the struggles and sacrifices; because if the purpose and goals of an uprising are not clarified in the society, it will not gain support from the people. Therefore, it will be diminished within its origin and might even be deviated and misused by the enemies.
By studying the movement of Imam Hussain (PBUH), it is clear that a significant portion of the responsibility of expressing the purposes of uprising was given to Imam Sajjad (PBUH) and Lady Zainab (PBUH).
Since the time of Mu’awyiah, the Umayyad dynasty had spread widespread propaganda against the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) (specifically in Syria). In that condition if the family of Imam Hussain (PBUH) had not awakened the people, the enemies of Islam and agents of the rulers would have exploited the great movement of the Imam and inverted its view throughout the history (1). However, the extensive awakening of the family of Imam Hussain (PBUH) during their captivity- which was an opportunity for them due to the foolish vengeance of Yazid- prevented the enemies of Imam Hussain (PBUH) from such a deceit.
For example, when the captives entered Damascus, a man approached Imam Ali ibn Hussain (PBUT) and said, ”Praise be to God who killed and destroyed you; and saved people from your evil, and granted victory to Amir al-Mu’minin- Yazid- over you!”
Imam Ali ibn Hussain (PBUT) remained silent until the man finished what he had to say. Then, the Imam asked the man, “Have you ever read the Quran?”
The man replied, “Yes”.
Then Imam asked, “Have you read this verse, ’Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives (2)”?
The man replied, “Yes”.
Then Imam asked, “Have you read this verse, ‘And give to the near of kin their due (3)”?
The man replied, “Yes”.
Then Imam asked, “Have you read this verse, ‘Verily Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House (Ahl al-Bait)! and to purify you a (thorough) purifying (4)”?
The man replied, “Yes”.
Then Imam Sajjad (PBUH) said, ”O man! These verses are revealed about us. We are the near relatives; we are the purified people of the house.”
The old man realized what he had heard before about the captives was untrue; they were not agitators, rather the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HP). Therefore, he regretted his statements, and said, ”O Allah! I repent to you from the hatred I had towards these people. I dissociate myself from the enemies of Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and his family (PBUT).” (5)
Besides that, the confession of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan declares another aspect of the consequences of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (PBUH) and awakenings of his family. Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan had appointed Hajjaj as the governor of Hijaz. Once he wrote a letter to Hajjaj, ”Do not make me to be involved in the killing of the progeny of Abu Talib; because I witnessed myself that the family of Abu Sufyan were destroyed when they grappled with them (6)”.
Since we know that Abd al-Malik was a smart and diplomatic caliph among the Umayyads (7), and that he became the Caliph five years after the incident of Karbala, we realize the significance of this confession; because such an order reveals that the Umayyads did not succeed in executing their deceitful plots, despite all their pressure against the family of Abu Talib. In fact, they gained nothing but eternal shame and curse.
Overall, considering the extensive propaganda against the family of the Prophet (PBUT), the significance of the journey of Imam Hussain’s (PBUH) family to Syria becomes evident; in this journey, they canceled forty years of poisonous propaganda, unveiled the ugly view of the Umayyad government, and awakened the silent feelings of the people of Syria towards reality. Therefore, it can be said that the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) were a victorious army who had accomplished its mission upon their return to Medina.
(The above is a selection from “The Lifestyle of the Imam (PBUT)”, By Mahdi Pishwayi)
Roshd Website offers its condolences to all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon the arrival of 20th of Safar, Arba’een (forty days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (PBUH)), the time to renew allegiance to the master of the martyrs, and the time to visit the Imam of the lovers.
Footnotes:
1. For instance, some of them made up the false accusation that Imam Hassan (PBUH) died of pneumonia or tuberculosis in order to acquit Mu’awiyah of participating in his martyrdom.
2. The Holy Quran (42, 23)
3. The Holy Quran (17, 26)
4. The Holy Quran (33, 33)
5. Maqtal Khawarazmi, vol. 2, p. 61- Luhuf, p. 74
6. Tarikh Ya’qubi, vol. 3, p. 49 (in the section describing the government of Umar ibn Abd al- Aziz)- Ikhtisas of Shaykh Mufid, p. 315
7. Al-Fakhri fi Adaab al-Sultanyyah wa al-Duwal al-Islamyyah, p. 122