Who is Hussain?

“Death with dignity is better than a life of humiliation.” ~ Hussain bin Ali


Hussain

  • Hussain was the son of Ali and the grandson of Prophet Mohammed.
  • Hussain was a 7th century revolutionary leader who made the ultimate stand for social justice.
  • Hussain was born in 626 AD to a family renowned for their values of peace,justice and generosity.
  • Hussain served as a role model for all the people promoting values of honour, dignity and equality.


The Great Sacrifice

  • The moral values and rights of his society were slowly being eroded under a new tyrannical ruler.
  • Hussain witnessed how the fundamental human rights of his fellow citizens were being usurped.
  • He chose to make a stand and not bow to the corrupt ruler.
  • In 680 AD, Hussain, along with his family and few companions, made the ultimate sacrifice against the army of the tyrant ruler.
  • In the plains of Karbala, Iraq, he stood by his principles and he fell defending the rights of others.
  • Hussain was victorious through his timeless legacy.


Hussain Inspires

  • Hussain’s epic legacy lives on until today and inspires millions of people around the world.
  • Hussain inspires to resist oppression in all forms.
  • Hussain inspires to have hope all times and never loose faith.
  • Hussain inspires to stand for social justice and equality.
  • Hussain inspires to give back to society.
  • Hussain inspires to be caring to all of humanity.

The full story of Hussain

Husayn Ibn Ali, was born in 626 AD, a grandson of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Prophet of Islam. Imam Husayn is the son of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (the first Imam for Shia Muslims and the fourth Caliph of Sunni Muslims) and Fatima (the daughter of Prophet Muhammad). He was raised with all spiritual blessings of the Prophet Family (the Ahlul Bait). Husayn bin Ali was the third Imam in the lineage of Imamat, the rightful leader of the Islamic nation, and lived a life of grace, dignity, and humanity.

Imam Husayn has been the symbol of truthfulness, bravery, and justice across all schools of thought. He refused to bow down in front of injustice and inhumanity as he stood against the oppressors of his time, tyrant Ummayd Caliph Yazid. It was critical for Yazid to get Imam Husayn’s acceptance of his own unlawful and non-Islamic laws that changes the entire philosophy of Islam as a religion of peace and justice.

In 680 AD, in the desert of Karbala, which is a city in today’s Iraq, Yazid’s army of thousands surrounded Imam Husayn and his followers that included his family, friends, and children demanded his acceptance or to be martyred. Yazid blocked all supplies of basic necessities like water to the caravan of Imam Husayn but this small number of rightful men, women, and children became a symbol of resistance for future uprisings against injustice. After 10 days of hunger and being thrust in the desert of Karbala, Imam Husayn was martyred, by Yazid’s army,with a small army of 72 including a 6-month-old son- Ali Asghar , a 4-year-old daughter Sakina, brothers, and companions. Tents were burned and remaining women and children were captured. Among prisoners, Imam Husayn's sister, Zainab BintAli, stood as the most resilient and strong lady after she lost all her dearest family, continue the resistance and spread the message of Imam Husayn even at the palace of Yazid.

Throughout history, many notable personalities, such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, have cited Imam Husayn's stand against oppression as an example for their battle against injustice. Husayn bin Ali is one of the world’s most inspiring figures which is manifested by the commemoration during the Islamic month of Muharram at his Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, and across the globe. Millions of devotees representing all faiths and races from across the globe pay tribute to Hussain (peace be upon him) in the world’s largest (around 25 million) annual peace walk in Karbala every year.

The annual commemoration of Imam Husayn and his children, family, and companions occurs during the month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, and the day he was martyred is known as Ashura (the tenth day of Muharram, a day of mourning for Shi'a Muslims).

LEARN MORE:

https://www.al-islam.org/person/imam-husayn
https://imamhussain.org/english