KARBALA - Who cannot Understand Karbala

 Of course Maula Hussain (AS) knew that preserving life is a duty  . Still he proceeded willingly to Karbala, against the advice of people around him. This is because he was focused on the same truth that Abraham was focused on when he offered up Ishmael. There are some things we cannot understand. Among these are the promises that pure souls make to one another, in the case of Karbala, the promise of a grandson to his grandfather. But those who have, in this day and age, taken a principled stand against lies or corruption or malpractice Or who simply refuse to accept injustice toward others when they see it happening in front of them Whether they are the youngest or the weakest or most junior party in the situation Whether they lose their jobs as a result Or have to leave home Or are ostracized, or worse. They might understand a little bit about the sacrifice of Hussain. But there are also those who have never been bold enough for this . Who have never been willing to stop an injustice, big or small, say on the street or in traffic. Who question those willing to intervene or help. Who ask why get involved in other people’s business? Why take every injustice towards others so personally? Why speak out against every wrong? As friends and colleagues, these people taunt the one brave soul willing to take a stand Say that they are bewildered by this person’s willingness to help every street vendor who loses an apple from their cart, When even the street vendor is not bothered about it. These people can’t and won’t understand Hussain, or what happened at Karbala , There’s no point trying to explain it to them either Some might act superficially impressed with bravery in everyday life . They may even try to get these brave souls involved in fighting their cause  But at crucial moments they will disappear, deny any involvement in the matter And instead find a way to benefit from the confusion that they have had a hand in creating  These people cannot understand what Hussain means  If they were going to understand, they would have already, through history books or scholars The one man who understood the philosophy of Hussain was Nelson Mandela And he not only understood it, but he lived by its principles. Did he not? He demonstrated them practically. Now when I ask you all , If Imam Hussain was on one side, by himself, or Imam Ali for that matter  And on the other side was a huge army Even an army of so-called believers , Which side would you choose. It’s easy to say that of course we would stand with Imam Hussain and Imam Ali But if you look at how we live today, the choices and decisions we make, the diplomacy we practice You will see that the picture is not so clear cut That even today we subscribe to the principle of ‘might is right’

That we don’t recognize where true power resides and has always resided. 

DR M JAVED AHMED