Syed Imam Hussain (RA) was martyred in the field of Karbala and this is the only battle in the history that the Muslim nation remembers every year because the incident of Karbala gave life to Islam.
Talking about the Karbala incident to the MM News program, Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood highlighted various aspects related to the greatness of Islam.
MM News: There are numerous books written on the incident of Karbala but still people are curious to know what actually happened? Why so?
Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood: The point is that the incident of Karbala is unfortunately told to us as a story or a very emotional tale and its real purpose and philosophy are not explained. In the subcontinent, those who narrate the Karbala incident as an emotional story get nothing but grief and flirtation. It is known that the war of truth and falsehood will continue from eternity to eternity, and asking is the right thing to do. In the subcontinent, those who narrate the Karbala incident as an emotional story get nothing but grief.
MM News: Is it true that Hazrat Hasnain RA was close to the Prophet (PBUH)?
Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood: He was so much loved that Hussain (RA) came to the Masjid-e-Naqvi one day and his foot got stuck in something and he stumbled. Seeing this Prophet PBUH who was giving a khutba suddenly left his place, went to him, and lifted him immediately.
It is narrated that he sat on Prophet PBUH’s shoulder. He continued his speech in the same condition which is a sign of his love for Imam Hussain (AS).
MM News: What result are we getting from the sacrifice Hazrat Imam Hussain gave for the Muslims?
Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood: Suffering should be defined so that when you face those difficulties, you can compare your situation with them. Is your trouble bigger than the people of Karbala? Have you been thirsty for three days? Was there nothing to eat? Are you in the scorching desert? Were you hit hard by pointed stones?
Suffering should be discussed because no six-month-old baby is shot nowadays. Imam Hussain said, “Not me, give water to this child, it cannot harm you.” Power is not an argument for being right. The truth is the pleasure of Allah and the supremacy of Sharia. Today, those chanting the slogan of Husseinism are skipping prayers, while Imam Hussein (as) did not skip prayers until the time of his martyrdom.
MM News: In the incident of Karbala, the family of the Holy Prophet PBUH made many sacrifices but the families of the companions also fought with them. So how many sacrifices did they make?
Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood: Nowadays, in the age of social media, there is an attempt to spread the misconception that perhaps the Companions did not love the Ahlul Bayt.
MM News: Nowadays, when we express our love for Imam Hussain (as), do we consider the rules of Shariah as conspiracies are being hatched to suppress Muslims. How do we protect religion?
Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood: Nowadays we do not speak the truth. We don’t care about honesty in business, we don’t care about women’s rights.
Humanity is said to be the greatest religion. No one can teach a greater lesson for the survival of humanity than the one given by Imam Hussain. We cannot succeed unless we make the person of the Messenger of God the center of our faith. How to create a love for the Messenger of Allah? There are easy ways for you to love me, to love my family. This includes many people, including the mothers of the believers and the Companions.
MM News: What message will you give to the Muslim Ummah regarding the day of Ashura?
Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood: When the Messenger of Allah (saw) reached Madinah, he saw that the Jews were fasting on the 10th of Muharram. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: I will fast on the 10th of Muharram and I will fast another day with it so that you may oppose me. Fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Muslims should fast on 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th Muharram. On the 9th and 10th of Muharram, listen to the events of Karbala, the Ahlul Bayt, the Messenger of Allah, and the Companions and do not waste the time allotted for Shariah rules in superstitions. If we maintain the sanctity of these days, we will have the means for the Hereafter.
MM News: Many people also make vows in Muharram. What would you like to say about this?
Mufti Syed Shehryar Dawood: Vows should be made throughout the year. Recite the Holy Qur’an frequently these days. Also, finish the Qur’an. Cook something and feed the Muslims.
The intention should be that whatever they are doing, they are doing for the pleasure of Allah and they should pray that Allah Almighty may deliver its reward to the martyrs of Karbala so that when they pray, our Heaven will be better.
