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The Battle of Karbala, one of the Most Tragic Events in Islamic History

Describing the battle of Karbala that led to the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid of Zahedan, Iran considered the incident of Karbala one of the most tragic events in the Islamic history.
He insisted on practicing the practical life of the Holy Prophet’s Households in his Friday sermons of August 28, 2020 in Zahedan’s central grand mosque.

Shaikh Abdol-Hamid stated: “When the people complained to Imam Hussein about incompetence of the rulers and announced that they would pledge allegiance to Imam Hussain and would support him, he felt that he should carry out his responsibility as he moved to Kufah.”

Friday Khateeb of Zahedan continued: “Unfortunately, the people who had called Imam Hussein to Kufah, they violated their covenant for material reasons fearing of death. Many of them joined Yazid’s army and fought against Imam Hussein, while Imam Hussein did not come to fight; because he left Madinah with women and children. If he wanted to fight, thousands of Muslims from Makkah, Madinah and other areas would join him as soldiers”.

President of Darululoom Zahedan added: “When Imam Hussein (may God bless him and grant him peace) reached the desert of Karbala, the soldiers of Yazid stopped him and asked him to give up; they wanted to get him to Yazid as a “captive”. Imam Hussein said: ‘I did not come for war, let me return to Madinah, but they did not accept. Imam Hussein preferred to fight but not be captured when he saw all doors are closed. Therefore, he did not give up and fought until he was martyred in the desert of Karbala.”

“The battle of Karbala was one of the most tragic events in the world,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid believed.

He said: “Throughout history, many scholars, the righteous, and saints had been killed in different conflicts, but the martyrdom of Sayyidana Hussein was matchless in the Islamic history. In the battle of Karbala, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah was martyred; the one whom the Holy Prophet PBUH loved very much”.

Shaikh Abdol-Hamid further urged on following the path of the Holy Prophet’s Households and said: “To love Ahlul-Bayt is a part of the faith and tenets of Sunnis, but the very important point is that all of us, Shiites and Sunnis, in addition to expressing love for the Ahlul-Bayt, should also follow their practical lives and directions”.

“Imam Hussein and the Households of the Holy Prophet PBUH worshiped Allah, offered the night prayers, took care of the poor and needy people, and fought against oppression, tyranny and corruption. Therefore, following their practical lives is vital and important,” the Iranian Sunnis leader continued.

Muslims should respect each other’s sanctities
Friday Imam of Zahedan continued his speech by pointing to the advice of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah in the face of difficulties and said: “The advice of the Qur’an and Sunnah is to be patient and to remember Allah in the time of difficulties. The fact is that Sunnis do not mourn or wear black clothes during the days of Muharram according to their jurisprudence”.

He pointed out: “A group of Muslims are mourning these days; they are acting according to their own viewpoints. I have said many times that everyone is free and should act according to his own jurisprudence”.

Friday Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan emphasized: “We are very sad about the incident that happened to Imam Hussein in Karbala. If we were there on that day, we would fight alongside Imam Hussein against the oppressors and would risk our lives to death in order to defend him; this is our belief, because martyrdom alongside Imam Hussein was a pride and honor. Allah the Almighty bestowed the honor of martyrdom to Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him)”.

Alluding to some religious differences among Islamic sects, especially between Shiites and Sunnis, while describing the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid advised all Islamic sects and religions to act on commonalities and avoid divisions.

“I’d like to advise all Muslims to act on commonalities, to maintain unity and fraternity and avoid divisions. Shiites and Sunnis must respect each other’s sanctities and respect the status of religious elders as well. The enemies are always trying to create divisions among Muslims. Unfortunately, they have achieved their goals in this way and still are trying”, the most influential scholar of Sunnis in Iran said.

Pointing out to the virtues of fasting on the ninth and tenth Muharram according to the Hadiths and narrations, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid advised all Muslims to observe fast these two days.

Make efforts on the path of Allah to obtain paradise
Emphasizing on the necessity of striving in the way of Allah and following commands of the Shari’ah, in his first part of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said: “Allah has commanded people to strive on His way and follow the rules and commands of the Shari’ah. Human beings should make efforts to reach to Allah and to gain His pleasure”.

Shaikh Abdol-Hamid urged on avoiding any kind of sins and insisted on striving in the way of Allah.

“Many complain that they cannot wake up for the morning prayers, they can’t recite the Holy Qur’an or adhere to the congregational prayers, and so on. All of them need to fight against their personal desires”, Imam of the Grand Makki Mosque of Zahedan said.

He added “You cannot do these things unless you seek refuge in Allah and strive. Allah the Almighty has created human beings as “Mujahid” to fight against the personal desires until the last breath.”

Shaikh Abdol-Hamid added: “No one enters the paradise only with wishing it, but to reach the paradise, human beings must struggle and carry out their duties. Many commit sins and say God forgives, while Allah forgives those who repent”.

“Today, COVID 19 has become an excuse for some to not to go to the mosque. Congregational prayers should be performed and mosques should not be closed. Worshippers should attend mosques with following health protocols and wearing face masks”, the outstanding scholar of Sunnis in Iran said.

Referring to the occasion of the Government Week, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid expressed his hope that the government will be successful in creating jobs, solving economic problems and the crisis of devaluation of the national currency with proper planning and policy and completing all projects”.

Shaikh Abdol-Hamid also referred to the reopening of schools in the upcoming days and advised: “Parents are requested to send their children to schools and Madrassahs. As well as, school principals and teachers should follow the necessary health recommendations to prevent any problems.”