Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Imam Hussain (AS)?
He is the grandson of the Islamic Holy Prophet Muhammad and the son of Ali Ibn Abu Talib, the fourth caliph after the Prophet's death.
Isn’t Ashura a celebration?
No. It is a commemoration of Imam Hussain's death marked by mourning and commemorated in different ways across various different cultures.
When did this massacre happen?
On the 10th of the Month of Muharram, In the year 61 Hijri of the Lunar calendar. It equates to the 10th of October 680 AD of the Georgian calendar.
It was close to half a decade after Prophet Muhammad PBUH’s death.
It was at a time when oppression was rampant throughout Arabia (middle-east) and all Muslim conquered lands. There was a general and collective deviation and not of some individuals so that it could be reformed by preaching and exhortation. Corruption had penetrated into the entire society and could not be eradicated with ease.
If Imam Hussain (AS) was outnumbered, why did he persist in the battle? Why did he not sign a treaty/more peaceful approach?
1. To begin with, Imam Hussain (AS) tried to avoid the fighting. On numerous occasions, Imam (AS) warned the army of Yazid of his status as the son of the Prophet PBUH and asked them what wrong he had done. The tyrant Yazid knew how important the Allegiance of Imam Hussain (AS) would be in endorsing his regime and so he sought after it at all costs. The tyrant Yazid wasn’t seeking a treaty, he was only seeking the Allegiance of Imam Hussain (AS) and thus refused him asylum. Imam Hussain (AS) had no other choice but to rise and bring back the peaceful message of Islam.
2. Furthermore, the Kufans had all pledged allegiance to Imam Hussain (AS) but later left him when they saw that this was a real battle and that their lives were in danger.
3. Imam (AS) fought the battle for justice and refused to kneel to a tyrant ruler.
4. Yazid was perceived as a hedonistic sinner and was alleged to have altered Islamic law and religion to serve his purposes. Meanwhile, Imam Hussain was seen as the embodiment of the virtues and qualities impressed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Quran. Also, as an Imam, he is considered infallible (according to Shia school of thought) and as a result he could not commit the sin of supporting the oppression of a tyrant. Therefore, there was no way Imam Hussain could possibly surrender or endorse Yazid's oppressive regime because it would be against his character, role and responsibility as an Imam.
5. It was a sacrifice for Humanity, for people to always remain free, to always stand up to injustices no matter who is responsible for it.
How is the battle a victory and how was the message spread?
Because Imam Hussain's family (women, children, elders) were surrounded and forced into defensive battle, it showed that it was a battle of the oppressed and just people against the ruthless, unjust, ruler and his army. The captivity and harshness upon the women, children, and elders gave an outcry of sympathy towards the progeny of the Prophet PBUH where the people started questioning the use of power by the tyrant Yazid. Lady Zaynab (AS), the sister of Imam Hussain (AS) was the eloquent speaker and the dodge of Yazid’s oppressive regime. While being taken as a prisoner, she gave very influential speeches that shook the very foundation of his administration and sent the chilling truth down everyone’s throat.
Why do you give out water during Ashoura?
Imam Hussain (AS), his Holy Family (AS), and his righteous companions (RA) were all denied access to the Euphrates River in order to quench their thirst. Even Ali Al-Ashgar (Imam Hussain (AS)’s infant) was denied water and killed by an arrow). They had been thirsty for 3 days and no food supplement was available
The Prophet PBUH said: “The best drink in this world & the next is Water … No one can refuse surplus water without sinning against Allah and against man.”