Imam Hussein's shrine, Karbala
IQNA/alseraj.net
[This is Imam Khomeini(r.a.)'s Speech at a gathering of the preachers and clergy in 1982]
Hazrat Hussein (a.s.) taught us all how to stand up and resist cruelty and the government of tyranny. Although he knew that the path he had chosen would cost him his life and the lives of his disciples and kins and they would all be sacrificed for Islam, he also knew the consequences that without his uprising Yazid and his men would distort Islam and present it to the people in a perverted form because they did not believe in Islam from the beginning; and they resented the rightful authorities and were jealous of them. By this sacrifice the Master of Martyrs actually defeated the antagonists for in a very short time people realized what a calamity and tragic event had taken place and their awareness of it upset the rule of the Omayyads.
In addition, Imam Hussein's example taught us all that his is the true path in all history, - do not mind the inadequacy of numbers. It is the quality that counts not quantity. It is the quality of the jihad of numbers that triumphs.…
The day Imam Hussein (a.s.) was martyred some elements called him a revolter who had risen against the rightful sovereign rule of the time. But, Almighty God's divine light shines and it will go on shining and shall enlighten the world.
What are we to do at the threshold of the holy month of Muharram? What is the duty of other layers of the people during this month? And what must the grand Ulema and noble preachers do in this month? Imam Hussein (a.s.), his family and disciples taught us our duty and task (by sacrificing their lives), - it is to offer our lives in the battle field and to propagate the faith when away from it. The sermons of His Holiness Imam Sajjad (a.s.) and those of Her Holiness Zainab (s.a.), sister of Imam Hussein, have done as much or nearly as much to propagate the movement of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and are equivalent to it before God. They made us understand that neither men nor women should fear the rule of tyranny.
Hazrat Zainab (s.a.) stood up before Yazid and humiliated him beyond measure. Their talks en route (from Karbala to Shaam - now Syria), in Kufa and Shaam and the sermon of Hazrat Sajjad (a.s.) from the pulpit, made it clear that the issue is one of the unjust fighting the just, in other words, they wanted to portray the Master of Martyrs as one who had risen against the Caliph of the Prophet of God. Both Hazrat Sajjad (a.s.) and Hazrat Zainab (s.a.) made this clear in their speeches…
The Master of Martyrs has demonstrated to us how conditions should be in the battle field and how they should be at places other than battle field; how should those who fight with arms and weapons carry themselves and how should those behind propagate the cause. His Holiness the Master of Martyrs has further taught us how the mode of fighting between a small and a large group must be; how should the uprising against a despot be conducted. And, members of the household of this noble person and his exalted child showed us how to behave when a calamity takes place. Should one surrender? Or, should one minimize the challenge? Or should one stand up as Her Holiness Zainab (s.a.) did, after that great tragedy, and resist and speak out against paganism and polytheism wherever necessary as did Hazrat Ali ibn Hussein [Imam Zeinal Abedin Sajjad (a.s.)], in his convalescent condition, propagate the Faith…
It is Muharram, gentlemen, keep this month alive! Whatever we have is by the blessings of this month and these mourning sessions. Our publicity meetings, too, are due to Muharram and to the martyrdom of Imain Hussein (a.s.). We must fathom the depth of this martyrdom and its influence on the world to this day. Were it not for these preaching and mourning sessions and meetings, our country would not have become victorious. We must be aware that the influence of His Holiness Imam Hussein (a.s.) is active to this day. Our people rose under Imam Hussein's banner. And, as you can see, right now, our men keep the war fronts warm by their love for this Infallible Imam…
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