Page 159 - Pure Life 07

The Day of Ashura: A Microcosm of the Human Condition / 77

Imam Hussain had already made the decision to
embark on his mission with or without the support
of the Kufans. He “[acted] in accordance with the
obligation of ‘enjoining what is right and
forbidding what is wrong’ […] he was under no
illusions that that was his prime motive for
1
launching his revolt.”
Imam Hussain chooses to refuse allegiance to a
man he does not see fit to wear the crown of
caliphate, a man who lived in direct difference with
the pure teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace
be upon him. It was a choice that was made from
the beginning of time, that comes to a beautiful
fruition of one man against many. Through his
decisions from the beginning of the journey to
Karbala, Imam Hussain manifests the choice of
love in its truest form – for love does not demand
passivity, nor hiding away in the face of hardship.
Divine Love, the truest Love of all, demands
action, self-sacrifice, and rising up to defend the
Beloved.

1. Mutahhari, https://www.al-islam.org/truth-about-al-Hussain-s-
revolt-ayatullah-murtadha-mutahhari.