IMAM HUSSAIN'S (as) REVOLUTION: REASONS AND MOTIVES

All those who are familiar with Imam Hussain's life do certainly realize that his role in serving Islam had started very early in his life. He has contributed to the rising Islamic movement when he was a boy, and played a significant role, when his father, Imam Ali (as) was the Commander of the faithful, taking part in all three wars (Jung-e-Jamal, Jung-e-Siffin and Jung-e-Nahrwan) that his father fought along with the rest of the faithful companions and followers.
When his brother Hassan (as) became Imam, he obeyed and followed him in all what he said or did. Then his role entered a new stage with the passing away of his brother. And since the role of any Imam of Ahlul Bayt (as) is defined in accordance with the nature of the social and political conditions of his age, the Imam drew a new course in determining the direction of the Islamic movement.

Winds of Revolution or Islamic Movement:

When Muawiyah died in the middle of Rajab of year 60 (Hijrah), and his son Yazeed took power, and ordered his walis to ask for the people's pledge of loyalty and especially that of Imam Hussain (as), a wave of rejection and opposition to the policy of betrayal and tyranny mounted, and the Imam decided to rise to his religious responsibilities as the lawful Imam and the leader of the Islamic nation entrusted with the task of preserving its divine message.
Imam Hussain (as) went to his grandfather Prophet Muhammad's (saw) grave, and recited the following prayer:


Thus Imam Hussain (as) pledged that he would defend the message whatever the cost, as long as it would lead to Allah's (SWT) satisfaction.
Imam Hussain (as) went on to meet with his relatives and followers and inform them of his intention to leave to Makkah. He was met by a lot of opposition of those who tried to dissuade him, either because they were afraid that he would get killed, or because they were not courageous enough to follow him. But his resolve to uphold the right was not shaken by such objections or threats.
He declared his first revolutionary communiqué which took the form of a will he wrote to his brother, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah:


This eternal communiqué was the official declaration of his revolution.
Imam Hussain (as) traveled to Makkah and there he chose to stay at the house of Al-Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, where the faithful believers of Makkah, as well as those outside it, started to visit him and pledge loyalty to him. News about the political uprising in Kufa reached Makkah, and the leaders of the city wrote a letter in which they declared their opposition to the Umayyad rule, and they would not accept anybody else but Imam Hussain (as) to rule them. This letter was followed by many other letters asking the Imam to come to their city to assume his rule as an Imam of the faithful.

On the way to the Greater Martyrdom (Zibhe Azeem):

Yazid son of Muawiyah became so worried that he decided to send an army led by Amr bin Saad bin Al-Aas, to kill the Imam wherever they found him and whatever the costs. When Imam Hussain (as) heard that Yazeed's army was heading towards Makkah, he was afraid that they would violate the sanctuary of the City, so he decided to leave to Kufa although he knew before hand the ultimate destiny he was to face.
Imam Hussain (as) and his companions headed towards Iraq; although he was certain that he was going to be killed. But he believed that the true victory of Allah's message would be realized through his martyrdom, since there was no one else to stand up for the oppression. He knew that the nation would not wake up except by such a great shock. Therefore, let this shock be his martyrdom, along with Ahlul Bayt (as) who went all the way with him.

Reasons of the Revolution or Islamic Movement:

Imam Hussain (as) did not possess the necessary force that would enable him to win; he did not even rely on those who wrote to him from Kufa. For he declared his revolution before he received their letters and delegates. Al-Hijaz too did not give him enough support to be able to stand against the Umayyads. Therefore he decided to leave to Iraq for the sole reason of preventing any blood shedding in the Holy City of Makkah. Moreover, he knew that he was destined to die; yet he went on.

Why then did he insist; and why did he declare his revolution?

To answer this question, one should be aware of the following facts:

First:

Yazeed represented a real danger to the Islamic nation, for he was not a true Muslim. He was not properly educated with the teachings of Islam. And he used to drink alcohol, gamble, and commit all other sins according to historic sources. He said:

Banu Hashim staged a play to obtain the Kingdom. Actually, there was neither any news (from Allah) nor any revelation.

Such a man could not be entrusted with the affairs of the nation. Nevertheless, the faithful forces, with Imam Hussain (as) as their leader, had benefited a lot from these points of weakness in the personality of such an evil ruler.
In these circumstances it might not be strange to see many Muslim dignitaries trying to convince Imam Hussain (as) to avoid the confrontation with Yazid, although they bore witness to the corruption of the Umayyads, and they also realized that it was the Imam's duty and right to face it. He was thus approached by Abdullah bin Umar bin Khattab and Abdallah bin Al-Zubair, as well as some of his family members. These are some of the manifestations of the absence of the militant spirit among most Muslim leaders.
As for the common people, this negative spirit spread among them to a terrifying extent. The people of Kufa, for example, broke all their pledges promises and oaths, once they were subjected to the wave of terror led by Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad, as well as seducing them with promises of wealth and power. These factors were among the main reasons that led to the announcement of the revolution. The Imam wanted to shake the dead consciences because he knew that there was no reason what speeches and talks to galvanize and mobilize the people and solidify their morals.

Second:

The general level of the nation as a whole was below the required to stand up to the current of sweeping deviation. A tendency to treasure the pleasures of this world began to be visible in all sections of the nation, as a substitute to the spirit of sacrifice for the cause of Allah (SWT). And this enabled the opportunistic current to win and hold the positions of ruling and guidance.

Third:

It was necessary that the nation should learn about the true Islamic conception of the Imamate; it's true role and its dimensions. The dangerous effects of undermining the Islamic conceptions which was played by the Umayyad rule was never emerging from the grass root level, but rather from the high levels of leadership that monopolized all means of guidance. Therefore, in accordance with the demands of the Islamic message, and the qualities that have to be available in a Muslim ruler, Imam Hussain (as) had to explain these issues to the Muslim masses in every speech he made or any other opportunity he had:

"O people you have to be pious believers, and know the right. That is better for you. We the members of the family of Muhammad (Ahlul Bayt (as)) are more entitled to be the rulers than those who claim what is not rightfully theirs; those oppressors and tyrants".

With such roaring words the Imam Hussain (as) revealed that the Umayyads who have deviated from the right Islamic path are not fit to be rulers, and explained to the nation the foundations of the course an Islamic traits that are embodied in the Imam himself that qualify him to be Imam of the nation. Thus, underlining the Islamic conception of the Imamate and revealing the falsehood of the Umayyad claims were among the fundamental reasons that made the Imam declare his revolution.

Fourth:

The Islamic message offers no justification for the Muslim to relief him from performing his duties as a man who has obligations towards the message he believes in. Man in the Islamic society is not an independent individual but rather a person who is integrated in his society and who should perform his duties towards the Islamic message. But to fulfill his commitments towards Allah's Shariah in enjoining the good and forbidding the evil meant that he had to follow the path of the revolution, because it was the only way that provided any hope for reform in his grandfather's (saw) nation.
These are the main reasons that gave Imam Hussain (as) and his companions the right to declare the victorious revolution, which immortalized Islam and inspired the coming generations to defend it and to hold fast in the Holy Wars of Jihad.
Imam Hussain (as) the symbol of peace and Justice taught us how important is to seek the truth even thought it's not good for our own benefits. Imam Hussain, peace be upon him, always wanted to guide people, Muslim or non-Muslim, enemy or friend to the path that ends to Almighty Allah (SWT). He had taught us that we are the ones who had to fallow his way and bring peace to the society and become a Muslim freedom lover. Whoever listens to the Tragedy of Karbala, gets to realize that Imam Hussain (as) had saved the actual Islamic world, and made everyone think that life is not just about thinking about our own good and having time for enjoying and caring more about ourselves. In addition, we all know that Imam Hussain and his family (peace be upon them) had been through a hard journey, however after all these years everyone remembers them and the values that they had stood up for. The day of Ashura represents the victory of blood against sword.