Imam Husayn must be introduced to mankind and followed as a role model by all people, not merely by Muslims. Not much effort is needed; we simply need to ensure that people come to know the realities of Imam Husayn and the event of Karbala. Then he himself would do the rest. We should not keep the Imam for ourselves; we should find out how to share by using different arts, skills, and talents to represent the Imam’s life to others.
Just as Prophet Abraham and Prophet Muhammad played key roles, Imam Husayn also did so in preserving the path of the Prophets as articulated and illustrated by Abraham, and paved the way for establishing the ideal community which in turn would establish universal justice, equality, and dignity for all.
It is not by chance or accident that in his uprising, Imam Mahdi will make many references to Imam Husayn. Among all his fathers who too were Imams, Imam Mahdi has special affinity to Imam Husayn. For example, when Imam Mahdi starts his movement, he will make an address while standing between the Rukn and Maqam of the Ka‘bah.
A great portion of this speech relates to Imam Husayn and his martyrdom. Why? The reason for the emphasis may be because Imam Mahdi cannot mobilise the masses to establish universal justice a dignified society without referring to Imam Husayn – without using the example and standards that Imam Husayn set up. Using Imam Husayn as an example before initiating any movement or revolution led by the Shi’a was common after the event of Karbala.
Thus, to pave the way for Imam Mahdi and help him in his universal mission we need to acquaint ourselves and people of the world with Imam Husayn. We should share his life and teaching through our words, actions, conduct, and character.
May God make the months of Muharram and Safar a great opportunity for us to increase our understanding of Imam Husayn’s role. We ask God to help us to comprehend our role today to respond to Imam Husayn’s call of “Hal min naasirin yansurnaa (Is there anyone to help us)?”
Husayn began the great mission of bringing the Ummah back to the right track, but this mission is still in need of our help given that the Ummah is divided with its divergences. God has planned this Ummah to be a balanced nation so that it can be a witness for humanity to enable the achievement of God’s plan.
We should respond to Imam Husayn by saying “Labbayk” and to help bring the Ummah to its original condition so that it can play the role of witness to humanity.
Source:
IMAM HUSAYN THE HEIR OF PROPHET ABRAHAM: By Mohammad Ali Shomali
[Vol. 1, p. 18-19].
