Duties of Free Humans Toward the Hero of Struggle Against Oppression and Injustice
Seyed Hashem Moosavi
In previous sections, we introduced Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) as a hero in the fight for freedom and resistance against oppression and injustice. We emphasized that his (pbuh) adherence to human ethical principles and his (pbuh) unique moral, humanistic, and spiritual ideology make him (pbuh) deserving of the title “Hero of the Struggle Against Oppression and Injustice.”
In this section, we aim to discuss the duties of faithful and free humans toward such great and unparalleled heroes, those who, with their unparalleled sacrifice and dedication, have liberated countless people throughout history from the clutches of tyranny and oppression.
Key Duties of Humanity Toward the Hero of the Fight for Justice
- Preserving and Promoting the Messages and Ideals of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him): This duty includes educating and training new generations based on principles of justice, courage, loyalty, and resistance against oppression.
- Keeping Alive the Memory of Imam Hussein’s Sacrifices: This can be achieved through organizing ceremonies, gatherings, and religious events related to this esteemed Imam (pbuh), as well as authoring and translating written works and producing audio and visual content explaining the Husaini movement.
- Popularizing the Principles and Ideology of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him): This involves explaining the values and thought processes of Imam Hussein (pbuh) to make them beloved among the people, especially the youth. These values include justice, fairness, human rights, and resistance against injustice and oppression.
- Emulating Such an Unparalleled Hero: All the previous duties lead to this most significant duty of a faithful person towards their national and religious hero. The Holy Quran says about emulating the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who is undoubtedly the greatest hero in the fight against ignorance and oppression:
«ولکم فی رسول الله اسوة حسنة»
Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example” (33:21).
After the Prophet (pbuh), the infallible Imams (pbut) and the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) are the models for the Muslim community, and undoubtedly, one of these models is the Master of Martyrs, Imam Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him).
He himself (pbut) wrote in a letter to Sulayman ibn Surad Khaza’i and Musayyib,
«فلکم فی اسوة»
“You have in me an example.”
How Can We Emulate This Hero of Freedom?
To emulate Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and apply his (pbuh) teachings in our lives, the first step is to seriously consider various aspects of his life (pbuh) and character. By accurately understanding his life (pbuh) and ideals, we can place ourselves on a smoother path to emulating him (pbuh).
This understanding can be gained through studying books, attending lectures and religious ceremonies, engaging in scholarly discussions, especially with religious scholars, and watching cinematic and television productions about his (pbuh) life.
After drawing closer to the unparalleled character of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and opening windows to his (pbuh) lifestyle, the observer realizes that numerous domains and fields of his (pbuh) life are before them, each of which is vast, rich, and attractive enough to be a complete model for emulation. Here we highlight a few of these areas.
Suitable Domains for Emulating Imam Hussein (peace be upon him)
- Steadfastness and Resistance: Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), with his (pbuh) sacrifice and selflessness, showed everyone that fighting oppression and striving for justice requires steadfastness and resistance. Therefore, if someone desires a more just and humane society, they should, by emulating such a hero, commit to continuous effort and dedication to achieving these high goals. Efforts to establish justice in society, work environments, family life, and social interactions can be one way to emulate this superior human character.
- Sincerity and God-Centeredness: One of Imam Hussein’s (peace be upon him) most prominent traits was that his (pbuh) words and actions were always in line with the satisfaction of Almighty God. He (pbuh) never spoke of anything but God’s pleasure, saw nothing but God, heard nothing but God’s word, and was completely submissive to the Lord. He (pbuh) said about the reason for his (pbuh) sincerity and God-centeredness:
«من طلب رضا الله بسخط الناس کفاه الله امور الناس ومن طلب رضا الناس بسخط الله وکله الله الی الناس»،
“Whoever seeks God’s satisfaction, even if it angers people, God will suffice him against people’s affairs. And whoever seeks people’s satisfaction at the expense of God’s anger, God will leave him to the people.”
3. Service to Others: Another human trait indicating spiritual growth is generosity and service to others. Serving others is a shortcut to reaching God and spiritual perfections, as well as a secret to success in this world. Therefore, religious sources heavily emphasize serving and helping others. Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) not only practised generosity and service in the best and highest manner but also strived to instil his (pbuh) high-minded thoughts and views on serving the Islamic community. To this end, he (pbuh) said: “O people! Live with noble values and hasten to achieve the wealth of happiness. Do not consider as significant the good deed you did not rush to do. Gain praise by helping others. Do not invite rebukes by neglecting good deeds. If you do good to someone and they do not appreciate it, do not be troubled; for God will reward them, and He is the best rewarder and gift-giver.”
Then he said, «واعلموا ان حوائج الناس الیکم من نعم الله علیکم فلا تملوا النعم فتحور نقما»، “Know that people’s needs toward you are among God’s blessings upon you; do not reject or lose these blessings lest you incur divine punishment.”
Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) continued in the same narration to emphasize the importance of serving others:
«ایها الناس من جاد ساد و من بخل رذل وان اجود الناس من اعطی من لایرجوا»،
“O people! Whoever gives, becomes a leader, and whoever withholds, becomes humiliated. The most generous of people is the one who helps those who do not expect it.”
He also said about the rewards and consequences of serving others:
«من سعی فی حاجة اخیه المؤمن فکانما عبدالله تسعة الاف سنة صائما نهاره قائما لیله»،
“Whoever strives to meet the needs of a believing brother, it is as if they have worshipped God for nine thousand years, fasting during the days and standing in prayer during the nights.”
