Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) has said, “Whoever witnesses an oppressor ruler declare lawful what Allah (SWT) has forbidden, break the promise of Allah (SWT), object the tradition of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP), and act among the people with injustice and oppression, yet does not prevent him from his evil actions through saying or action, is entitled to Allah’s (SWT) punishment, just like the oppressor ruler.”(1) (1. Tarikh Tabari, vol. 4, p. 304)
Imam Hussain (PBUH) addressed the army of Hurr by reminding them of the aforementioned statement of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP), and bewared them of the unfavorable ending that awaited them. Then he said to them,
“O people! Beware that these people have become obedient to the Satan, and refused to obey Allah (SWT). They have propagated corruption and felony, and stopped applying the Islamic punishments for the criminals. They have allocated the public properties to themselves, and forbidden what Allah (SWT) has made lawful. Such corrupt and dissolute people are not qualified for being the rulers of the Muslims …
O people! You sent me letters and asked me to come to you. You promised not to give up helping me, and to stay loyal to me. Now that I have come to your land, if you remain faithful to your promise and do not leave me alone, you will reach true guidance; because I am Hussain ibn Ali, the son of Fatimah (PBUH) daughter of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP). I will be among you, my family will be with yours, and we will share our happiness and grief.
However, if you break your promise and breach your allegiance, I swear to my life that it would not be the first time you are performing such a shameful act, because you did the same thing to my father, my brother, and my cousin Muslim ibn Aqil… You have put yourselves into misery by your slackness and timidity, and deprived yourselves of any benefits. Whoever breaks his promise will pay the price of it”. (2) (2. Tarikh Tabari, vol. 4, pp. 304-305)
Imam Hussain (PBUH) declared the aim of his rising, which was regarding religious and social issues, in his speech. He showed that the main aspect of his rising was guiding people and that Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) have been chosen by Allah (SWT) for this mission. Therefore he addressed people in another part of his speech,
“The purpose of my rising and movement is not personal desires or human wishes; I do not want to do corruption or oppression, rather I intend to seek rectification in the nation of my grandfather. My purpose is to enjoin good and forbid evil … Whoever answers my call out of respect for the truth has chosen the path of salvation, because Allah (SWT) always supports the truth. However, if you refuse my call, I will remain patient until Allah (SWT) judges between me and these people, as he is the best judge”.(3) (3. Manaqib ibn Shahr Ashub, vol. 3, p. 341)
(The above is a selection taken from “Evaluating the Rising of Hussain (PBUH) from a New Perspective”, by Muhammad Mahdi Shams al-Din, translated by Mahdi Pishwayi (with some additions))
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