Lessons from Imam Hussein: Sacrifice, Solidarity, and Struggle Against Injustice

Message on the Occasion of Ashura 1436 AH

Keypoints:

• Commemoration: Honoring Imam Hussein (RA) and companions.
• Sacrifice: Bravery and selflessness against oppression.
• Justice: Standing against tyranny and injustice.
• Unity: Promoting cohesion among Muslims and Afghans.
• Peaceful Resistance: Ethical opposition to violence and extremism.
• Social Responsibility: Supporting security forces and societal welfare.
• Tradition: Preserving Ashura practices respectfully.
• Global Lessons: Ashura as a universal message of justice.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The behavior of Hussein gave the lesson of freedom to the world / The thoughts of Hussein sowed the seeds of courage in the universe.

I offer my condolences on the arrival of the day of Ashura to the Islamic Ummah, the freedom-seekers of the world, and the mourning and honorable people of Afghanistan, both inside and outside the country.

Ashura is the manifestation of liberty and nobility. Ashura is a liberating school of thought and a stand against injustice, tyranny, and oppression. On this day, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah, Imam Hussein (RA), and his devoted companions taught the world the lesson of sacrifice, devotion, bravery, and steadfastness.

Commemorating Ashura is the commemoration of the quest for justice and resistance against despotism. The message of Imam Hussein’s revolution is universal; it belongs to no specific era or time, no particular nation or country, and no single religion or sect. Rather, the consequence of this historical revolution is for all the people of the world, and the audience of this resonant cry for justice is all of humanity.

The tragic event of Ashura has a profound impact on Islamic history. When Imam Hussein saw that the religion of his grandfather, the Seal of the Prophets (PBUH), was in danger and that oppression and transgression were prevailing over Islam, he rose up. He fought against tyranny and violence; he rejected coercion and injustice, declaring: "If the religion of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, can only be kept alive by my killing and that of my family, then O swords, come and tear me to pieces!" He also said: "I see death as nothing but happiness, and living with oppressors as nothing but humiliation and misery."

Ashura carries a clear and specific message for the Islamic world. It has educational dimensions, character-building dimensions, governance dimensions, and human and humanitarian dimensions. So much so that Gandhi, the great reformer of India, in his quest to save his country from the British colonization of that time, said: "If we want to save India and make its people proud, we must learn from Hussein ibn Ali; the uprising of Hussein is liberating for all oppressed nations."

The lofty goals that Ashura holds for humanity have only recently been raised in global discourses, while he taught these sublime objectives to humanity fourteen hundred years ago through the martyrdom of himself and his companions:

The Struggle Against Injustice and Oppression

The movement of Ashura clearly teaches humanity that living with oppression is itself a form of death. When injustice and tyranny prevail in a society, responsible individuals cannot remain silent. When human rights are trampled under any name by the powerful and the tyrants, one must fight. Life under conditions of compulsion, cruelty, injustice, and inhumanity should not exist in the lexicon of a Muslim. It is the duty and responsibility of every Muslim to stand up against injustice, tyranny, and transgression.

Sacrifice and Devotion for a Goal

Imam Hussein’s goal was to save the Muslim society. He pursued this goal through his own martyrdom and the captivity of his family, fighting against ignorance until his last breath. He delivered sermons, wrote letters, recited Hadiths, and used the verses of Allah as proof. Finally, he gave up everything he had in life—his brothers, his children, his companions—and ultimately preferred a "red death" (martyrdom) over a life under oppression.

This behavior of Imam Hussein teaches us that we must prefer our sacred human goals over our own lives and strive to the utmost possibility to achieve religious, national, and human objectives. The uprising of Imam Hussein is a blueprint for our lives and an emphasis on religious and moral values.

Unity and Solidarity

Unity and solidarity among Muslims is another vital message of the Ashura movement. The beloved grandson of the Prophet (PBUH), Imam Hussein, showed the Islamic Ummah that oppression and tyranny know no borders or boundaries and, like an earthquake, can destroy anyone's home. An oppressor, by the dictate of their nature and temperament, can harm anyone and leave anyone in grief. Therefore, it is necessary that we do not remain indifferent in the face of cruelty and heartlessness, and that we all join hands. Movements that rely on force and coercion show mercy to no one. Terrorism and violence respect neither mosques nor shrines; they show no mercy to schools, bridges, or roads. To be saved from the evil of destruction and violence, it is necessary to be one and united.

Fighting Violence and Extremism

Extremism and violence are the great enemies of every religion, especially the clear religion of Islam. They damage every society, and they have specifically caused immense loss of life and property to the Muslim community. Due to violence and terrorism, Muslim blood is shed every day, and a large portion of the resources that should be spent on building factories, constructing dams, developing land, and improving lives is instead consumed by defense matters.

All Muslim societies and governments must draw inspiration from the school of Ashura and struggle against the followers of violence. As Muslim leaders have said: "Every day is Ashura and every land is Karbala." It is our duty, following the Husseinid movement, to conduct a collective struggle against our common enemy—namely, violence and terrorism. In this struggle, the land of Afghanistan can be likened to the land of Karbala, and the brave young men of the Afghan Army can be likened to the youths of Imam Hussein (RA). I ask the honorable people of Afghanistan to continue their cooperation with their security and defense forces in every corner of the country and to fulfill their faith-based and historical obligation for peace, security, and stability.

I ask my mourning and grieving nation to visit blood banks as they have in previous years and donate blood on the occasion of Ashura. This noble tradition of blood donation will help your wounded soldiers and patients in need, and it turns blood donation into a system in the country.

The government of Afghanistan is committed to defending the sanctity of Ashura and reviving the long-standing and ancient tradition of mourning in its best and most rational form. I request the honorable and noble people of Afghanistan to avoid any form of desecration of Ashura. I also ask the mourners and mourning processions to preserve this historical revolution of Islam through the healthiest methods of mourning, ensuring they do not harm the security of the people or take any action contrary to the spirit of the Husseinid movement.

Once again, on the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Household of the Prophet (Ahl al-Bayt) and the loyal companions of Imam Hussein in the field of Karbala, I offer my condolences to all Muslims and the followers of peace, justice, and humanity. I pray to Almighty Allah to save all Muslims from the evil of ignorant murderers.

Amen