In the name of God. Throughout history, many movements have occurred in different regions of the world. Some of these movements have been so great that they have impacted not just their own people but the people of other regions and even the next generations.
However, nearly all movements have declined and lost their impact and significance after a few years. But the uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) on the day of Ashura in the year 61 AH, is the only movement in history that has had huge impact on next movements and revolutions throughout the world. This movement not only has not weakened but has impacted one generation after the other and has indeed gone beyond the Islamic realm. This great movement, despite the lapse of 14 centuries, has remained powerful and effective and beckons as the best model for the seekers of truth and justice.
By the way, why has the tragedy of Ashura been so important and effective?
This movement has specific features which have made it a perpetual model for all. The uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) was launched with a purely divine intention to safeguard the religion of God. This uprising was launched with the leadership of a unique personality, Imam Hussein who was the grandson of the last divine Messenger. Moreover, prominent personalities sacrificed their life before him, who were the most pious and courageous people of their time. In addition, they were killed in the most savage manner and utter loneliness. What adds salt to the injury is that their women and children were also put in chains and taken as captives.
Another feature of Imam Hussein's unique movement was that he fought oppression and corruption which were embodied in the Umayyad ruling system and the person of Yazid. Seeking of truth was another feature of Ashura uprising. In defence of truth and fighting falsehood, Imam Hussein (AS) was not scared of the fact that his small army of 72-strong men was going to confront the 30,000- strong hordes of the enemy; and that he was just preoccupied with his sacred goal.
The faith, piety and valour of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions indicated their firm belief in the truthfulness of their path and the divine assistance.
The everlasting movement of Imam Hussein is confirmed by both the intellect, logic and the innate nature. Thus, it has been taken as role model by even non-Muslim nations and figures. Another feature of this uprising was that it was in pursuit of freedom and dignity. The younger grandson of the Prophet of Islam, in spite of threats and temptations, stood fast on his sacred goal and proved that one must pay whatever price for his correct belief.
These outstanding features of Imam Hussein's movement caused it to affect other movements such as the uprising of Tawwabin (penitents), led by Mukhtar Saqafi to avenge the blood of Imam Hussein and his companions and overthrow the Umayyad oppressive rule. Fourteen centuries after the tragedy of Ashura, the blood of Imam Hussein and his companions keeps moving the nations and free-spirited humans against oppressors and tyrants.
The Islamic Revolution in Iran, as the greatest movement in the present era, is a very clear and irrefutable example of the impact of Imam Hussein's movement. The initiator of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, and the present leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, have always emphasized on the radian path of Imam Hussein (AS). Other prominent persons of the Islamic Republic have also repeated the clear remarks and stances of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei. Imam Khomeini said, "The Islamic Revolution of Iran is a ray of Ashura and its great divine revolution."
Before and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, people showed in words and deeds that they were following the model of Ashura. Resistance, self-sacrifice, fighting oppression, freedom-seeking and other features of the Islamic Revolution have all been adopted from Ashura uprising. The point to ponder is that, although this Revolution considers itself inspired by the movement of Imam Hussein, it has turned into a motor to inspire other grassroots movements in different parts of the world, especially the Islamic world. In other words, every uprising that is staged on the model of Ashura, will turn into a center for promotion of the ideal and values of Ashura.
When speaking on oppressive and usurper systems the name of the Zionist regime of Israel comes to the mind as the most bestial system in the current era. The regime has occupied Palestine through brute force and massacre of its people. The fabricated regime has imprisoned thousands of Palestinian s in its dungeons and expelled millions of them from their ancestral land. The oppressed Palestinian nation, like Imam Hussein, has embarked on defending their land and identity with bare hands. But some of the cowardly leaders of Palestine have connived with the Zionists and granted them ample concessions. This is the way that Imam Hussein decisively rejected compromise and submission, saying, "Beware that the mean (Yazid) son of the mean (Muawiyah) has put me in a dilemma; to choose either the sword or humility' while too far from us is humility."
The Palestinian people have rejected any submission to the fake Zionist regime and started their Intifada years ago. This great uprising is similar to Ashura from numerous aspects. First, it is uncompromising against the oppressive and usurper Zionist regime. Secondly, it seeks truth. Thirdly, it is in pursuit of justice.
Another feature of the Palestinian Intifada is that it has firmly stood, with bare hands, in the face of the armed-to-the-teeth enemy who enjoys the full support of the world powers, especially the Great Satan (the US). What is more regrettable is the fact, except few Arab countries, all of them have betrayed to the Arab cause and become the boot-lickers of the Zionist enemy. This reminds us of Imam Hussein (AS) who fought the enemy with a handful of companions while those who had invited to Iraq breached their covenant, and in violation of their signatures, joined the godless Yazid to fight the Prophet's younger grandson and third infallible successor. The divine uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) achieved its lofty goals with trust in God and in pursuit of His satisfaction. The Palestinian people, too, consider God as their support and refuge and have little trust in foreign support.
The pressures and hardships inflicted by the enemy, like the siege and banning water for the family and troop of Imam Hussein, failed to deflect him from his uprising and surrender. Palestinians, too, have endured carnage, imprisonment, torture, destruction of homes, burning of farms, and myriads of other crimes by the Zionist regime; but have not kowtowed to the illegal demands of the regime.
Another movement that has been shaped on the pattern of the Ashura against usurpation and bullying of the brutal regime in Tel Aviv, is the Islamic Resistance of Lebanon which has been directly inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah, has repeatedly stressed, "We recognized Imam Hussein and loved him and pledged allegiance with him via our resistance in the battlefield."
When the combatants of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance started their fight in their country, in the form of Hezbollah, against the Zionist military, they were small in number and had few outdated arms. Yet, marching in the footsteps of Imam Hussein, they continued fighting the enemy so that in 2000, they expelled Zionist usurpers from their soil. The faith and bravery of the Hezbollah combatants spring from the faith and valour of Imam Hussein's companions. That's why the Zionist have so far shunned to confront them directly. The anti-terrorist movement of Hezbollah has proved that it marches in the footsteps of Imam Hussein (AS) and will never accept compromise and humility as its support is the source of every power, God. In view of this, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah expressly says, "I say to all who plan for killing us that, so far, we have emerged with full strength because we have the spirit of intransigence and this is the very spirit that Imam Hussein showed on the day of Ashura while saying, 'Too far from us is humility.'"
These features have made Hezbollah an effective and popular power both in Lebanon and abroad.
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