The Eternal Sacrifice

In the blink of an eye, the first 12 days of Muharram simply floated by like passing clouds, filled with showers (or downpours) of tears that dropped on the earth’s surface with sorrow and sadness. For some, the messages, authorizations and admonitions during these sacred nights represented flashes of lightning strikes, illuminating the ugly darkness for but a few seconds; for others, they serve as beacons of light radiating and guiding the soul’s ship during the rough storms and unstable oceans, understanding the full cause of such a momentous journey. Yet for others, they serve as a cultural ritual that binds man into wearing black to show solidarity, though, unlike the former two, void of any guiding factor to salvage the crumbling self amongst demonic instigations.

Throughout the world, from Hong Kong to Dubai, Dar es Salaam to New York, Montreal to Los Angeles, year after year, Shia’s mourn the tragedy that befell the family of the Prophet (s); his men, his women and his children. The message of Husayn's (a) reform attributed to his grandfather, Prophet of Islam, was inculcated much earlier - the sacrifice that Prophet Abraham was willing to give of his son, setting a standard and a basis for all Muslims from time immemorial: submission to God’s will. This message transcended from one generation to the next, making its way across the barrier of the Seal of Prophets, through his cousin and son in law, and finally, to his grandson, Husayn (a), son of Ali (a).

The epitome of submission and sacrifice manifested itself 61 years after the migration of the Prophet from Makkah, and 680 years after the birth of Jesus Christ. This was no ordinary sacrifice. Neither was it an ordinary submission. It was the height of mans will breaking every barrier against oppression, injustice, tyranny, and above all, the barricading walls of Satan that continues to threaten and make extinct the elevated nature of mans soul.

His mission was to reform, reevaluate, and return what was rightfully the message of his grandfather. It was a resolution that stemmed from a perfect background that made his forefront message a model for all generations. What is important to understand is that his message was not limited to those after him, but that it played a significant role to those before him, as far back as the first man on earth. Ever since, Husayn served and continues to serve as a role model that begs to be emulated only by those seeking God's love and nearness. The reformation highlighted the need to seek awareness within ourselves, to seek solace in His pleasure, as well as break the backbone of every illegitimate ruler.

Husayn (a) exemplified this nature by giving up everything he loved for His love. In return, millions of followers have taken that message and engrained it within their souls, and for whatever reason, it stands as an eternal testimony for time to come; a message that will never die despite the despotic rulers and heads of state that rule with an iron fist, but which is easily melted by the extreme heat and fervor towards Husayn (a), son of Ali (a), of Fatema Zahra (a), and grandson of the final Prophet of God.

He only sought to expose oppression, and not eradicate it. It will only become extinct with the arrival of the promised savior, al Mahdi (a), and his beloved companion, Jesus Christ.