Imam Hussein (PBUH): The Global Champion of the Struggle Against Oppression and Injustice (Last Part)
Seyed Hashem Moosavi
In the previous section of this article, we explained the second principle of Imam Hussein’s general thought, which has made him deserving of the title of champion of the struggle against oppression and injustice.
We stated that “benevolence and keen interest in guiding others to the path of truth and righteousness” is one of the very important and vital principles in Imam Hussein’s movement, which was never overlooked throughout his struggle against the tyrannical regime.
The third principle: Tawakkul (Reliance) and trust in God
Tawakkul means that a person entrusts their affairs to God, meaning they carry out their duties correctly while believing that the outcomes are in God’s hands. Therefore, they constantly seek help and support from Him.
In Tawakkul, because a person entrusts all their affairs to God in the shadow of dealing with Him, God gives value and credit to their actions. Therefore, such a person never feels defeated, even if some of their actions do not result in apparent success.
The result of reliance
- Protection from Satan: The Holy Quran states in this regard, «إنهُ لیس له سلطانٌ علی الذین آمنوا و علی ربهم یتوکلون[1]» “Indeed he does not have any authority over those who have faith and put their trust in their Lord.”
Satan, who has sworn to spare no effort in misleading humans, is powerless and humiliated before those who are confident and hopeful in their Lord and can do nothing against them.
- Ease in matters: Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) says, «من توکل علی الله ذلت له الصعاب و تسهلت علیه الاسباب» “Whoever relies on God, difficulties become easy for him, and means are provided for him.”
- Cause of dignity and independence from people: Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) says, «أن الغنی و العزّ یجولانِ، فإذا ظفرا بمواضع التوکُل اوطنا» “Independence and dignity wander everywhere until they reach the place of reliance; once they attain it, they settle there.”
Whoever relies on and hopes in God will not extend their hand in need to others weaker than themselves. Thus, their dignity and reputation are preserved. However, a person who is not hopeful in God’s favour and does not rely on Him puts their dignity at risk by begging and pleading with others.
The meaning of victory and defeat for a faithful reliant person is different from that in the minds of ordinary people. For ordinary people, victory means achieving apparent and expected results and defeating the enemy. In contrast, a faithful reliant person sees victory in fulfilling their duty and defeat in failing to perform their duty.
A believer is always victorious as long as they are on the path of fulfilling their duty, and for them, defeat has no meaning. They accept God’s decree, whatever it may be (apparent victory or defeat), with satisfaction. This is the insight that the Quran has gifted them when it states, « قُلْ هَلْ تَرَبَّصُونَ بِنَا إِلَّا إِحْدَى الْحُسْنَيَيْنِ وَنَحْنُ نَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمْ أَن يُصِيبَكُمُ اللَّهُ بِعَذَابٍ مِّنْ عِندِهِ أَوْ بِأَيْدِينَا فَتَرَبَّصُوا إِنَّا مَعَكُم مُّتَرَبِّصُونَ[2]» “Say, ‘Nothing will ever happen to us except what God has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon God let the believers rely. Say, ‘Do you await for us except one of the two best things while we await for you that God will afflict you with a punishment from Himself or at our hands? So wait; indeed, we along with you are waiting.'”
In the event of Ashura, Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) chose this path solely by relying on God when he began his movement from Medina. Even when leaving Mecca for Kufa, though he responded to the call of the people of Kufa, his trust was still in God, not in the letters and invitations of the people of Kufa. Therefore, when he heard the news of the people’s disloyalty and the martyrdom of Muslim ibn Aqil on the way, he did not turn back and continued his path relying on God to fulfil his duty.
Based on this insight and relying on God Almighty, despite not having enough manpower, he fought one of the greatest empires of his time, which had a vast geographical domain. He did not even rely on his companions and asked them to leave if they wished.
With this reliance, no event could shake his resolve. In his will to his brother Muhammad ibn Hanafiyyah at the beginning of his movement from Medina, after stating his motive and goal for the uprising, he said at the end, « ما توفیقي الا بالله، علیه توکلت و الیه انیب» “My success is only by God; upon Him, I rely, and to Him, I turn.”
This is the speech of Imam (peace be upon him) when he heard the words of Farazdaq, «قلوبهم معک و سیوفهم علیک» “Their hearts are with you, but their swords are against you,” indicating the betrayal of the Kufans and the reduced likelihood of worldly victory, he said, “You have spoken the truth that the swords of the Kufans are drawn against us, but the decrees are in God’s hands, and He issues a new command at any time. If God’s decree is in line with our desire and we overcome our enemies and take control, we thank God for this action, and He is our helper in fulfilling gratitude. And if God’s decree prevents us from achieving our desires, still, the one whose intention was righteous and whose inner self was governed by piety does not deviate from the right path.”
Imam (peace be upon him) responded to Abdullah ibn Muti’ when he implored him not to go to Kufa, saying, “I swear to God if you go there, you will surely be killed!” He recited this noble verse, «قُل لَّن یُصِیبَنَا إِلاَّ مَا کَتَبَ اللّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلاَنَا وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَلْیَتَوَکَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ»[3] “Say, ‘Nothing will ever happen to us except what God has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon God let the believers rely.”
On the morning of Ashura, when the enemy attacked Imam’s camp, he expressed this reliance and trust in his Lord in every hardship and calamity in a prayer to God, saying, « اللهمَّ انتَ ثِقَتی فی کُلّ کَربٍ و انتَ رَجائی فی کلّ شِدةٍ و انتَ لی فی کُلِّ اَمرٍ نَزَلَ بی ثِقَة و عُدة» “O Allah, You are my trust in every distress, and You are my hope in every hardship, and You are my trust and support in every matter that befalls me.” This kind of supplication in the midst of battle and on the brink of martyrdom comes only from a soul that relies on God.
This outstanding trait accompanied Imam even in his last moments. When he was wounded and fell to the ground, in that elevated and mystical supplication with his Creator, he spoke of his reliance on the Omnipotent Essence, saying, « اَستَعینُ بِکَ ضَعیفاً و اَتَوکَّلُ عَلیکَ کافیاً» “I seek help from You while being weak, and I rely on You, who is sufficient.”
Seyed Hashem Moosavi
[1] . Sura An-Nahl, Verse 99.
[2] . Sura At Tawba, Verse 52.
[3]. Sura At Tawba, Verse 51.https://ic-el.uk/blog/2024/07/16/article-4-imam-hussain-pbuh-the-global-champion-against-oppression-and-injustice-part-two/
Article 4 -Imam Hussain (PBUH): The Global Champion against Oppression and Injustice (Part Two)
