Al-Huda
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... 3/135
Newsletter for November 2012
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4 - Article 5 - Article 6 - Article 7 - Article 8 - Article 9 - Article 10 - Article 11 - Article 12
Article 3
Allama Iqbal's love for Sayed-ush Shuhda Imam Husayn (a),
the grandson of the Prophet (s)
Dr Muhammad Iqbal (1877- 1938) known to the
world as the Poet-Philosopher of the East, devoted his life to
awaken the Muslim Ummah and to make it pursue the path of
knowledge, jihad, and martyrdom.
Dr Iqbal had an abiding faith in Ahlul Bayt (the family of the
Holy Prophet).
He was greatly moved by the tragic events of Karbala and in many
of his couplets he calls upon the humanity to emulate Imam
Husayn (a), who had sacrificed his life to uphold Truth. His
elegies on the martyrdom of Imam Husayn stand unmatched and are
an eye-opener to all those who are giving a mere lip-service to
Islam.
In the following couplets Dr Iqbal gives vent to his sentiments
and feelings on Imam Husayn:
Jis tarah mujhko shahid-e-Karbala say piyar hay
Haq ta'ala ko yatimon ki dua say piyar hay
Dr Iqbal expresses his extreme love for Imam Husayn. Just as
Almighty Allah loves to listen to the invocation of the orphans,
he also has the same kind of love for the martyr of Karbala.
Roney wala hoon shahid-e-Karbala kay gham may mayn
Kya durrey maqsud na daingay Saqi-e-Kauthar mujhey
Dr Iqbal has a sincere and genuine faith in Imam Husayn. The
hero of this episode Imam Husayn, the brave son of the bravest
of the brave Ali and grandson of the Holy Prophet, took up a
firm stand not to acknowledge Yazid as the Caliph of Islam. It
is a fight for the preservation of the principles and tenets of
Islam. Imam Husayn arrived in Karbala on the 2nd of Muharram 61
A.H. along with his small children, women, and some comrades
numbering 72 only. On the l0th of Muharram he was brutally
killed. This was the tragedy over which Iqbal sheds tears. He
believes that mourning and wailing over him would lead to his (Iqbal's)
salvation. He also believes that Suqi-e-Kauthar Lord of Kauthar
(Cistern in Paradise) Le. Imam Ali loves those, who weep for
Imam Husayn. He hopes and prays that since he sheds tears out of
grief for Husyan, Imam Ali would give him all the help he needs.
Gharib-o-sada-o-rangi'n hay dastan-e-Haram
Nihayat iski Husayn ibtida hay Ismail
Dr Iqbal says that the event of the construction of Kaba is very
simple and interesting. Prophet Ismail suffered great pains in
its construction. The Holy Prophet purged it from the idols that
were in it, and so raised its glory. The first stone was laid by
Ismail indeed. He offered for sacrifice his own life but the
sacrifice was not completed as he was replaced by a ram and
according to the Holy Qur'an the great sacrifice or Zibh-e 'Azim
was to come later and completed by one of his descendants,
Husayn. So in fact culmination of the spirit of love for Allah
was manifest when Imam Husayn sacrificed his life and preserved
the dignity of the Holy Kaba.
Haqiqat-e-abadi hay maqam-e-Shabbiri
Badaltay rahay hain andaze Kufio-Shami
Dr Iqbal here compares two things Shabbiri or Husayniyat, i-e.
principles enunciated and adhered to by Imam Husayn, and
Yazidiyat, i.e. worldly power and authority. Husayn was the
symbol of devotion to and love for Allah, i.e. submission to
none except Allah.
The spirit as shown by the rulers of Kufa and Syria, is always
changing since it tries to gain strength through fraud,
dishonesty, and political expediency and maneuvering as against
this truth never changes. So .the place Imam Husayn has
achieved, is a reality which shall be hailed and acknowledged
for all times to come.
Qafilay Hijaz may ek Husayn bhi nahin
Garche hai tabdar abhi wadi ey Dajlao Furat
Dr Iqbal was distressed to note that Iraq was under the yoke of
the British. He was disappointed that the Muslims had lost
courage and were suffering humiliation. The land of Tigres and
Eupharates called some staunch devotee of Islam who could
relieve them of their serfdom. Iqbal only wished a man, a
follower of Imam Husayn might come up to help the Muslims of
Iraq!
Sidq-e-Khalil Bhi hay ishqe sabr-e-Husayn bhi hay ishq
Marika-e-wujud maiyn Badr-o-Hunayn bhi hay ishq
Dr Iqbal says that love of Allah manifests itself in many ways.
Prophet Ibrahim had to suffer many difficulties in the cause of
Allah. He accepted being thrown into the fire, and the fire was
turned into a blooming garden.
It showed his intense love for Allah. Our Holy Prophet conquered
the Battles of Badr and Hunayn through his ardent love for
Allah. Similarly Imam Husayn showed his patience in the
battlefield of Karbala where he, with his family and comrades,
not only suffered the pangs of three days' thirst, but willingly
sacrificed his life for the cause of Truth and love for Allah.
Love for Allah is a quality, a force, an impetus, which creates
in us extraordinary patience and forbearance.
Ek faqr hay Shabbiri es faqr mayn hay meri
Miras- e-Musalmani, samaya-i-Shabbiri
Dr Iqbal says that the life of a dervish is a very noble way of
living but it is different from the life of a mendicant or friar
who lives on begging or in seclusion. We should learn from Imam
Husayn who while passing the life of a dervish had no other
consideration except love of Allah and submission to His will.
Our treading the path practised by Imam Husayn will bestow on us
the title of Chief among the people. A Muslim has inherited this
wealth from Imam Husayn, and we should make the best use of it.
Imam Husayn has given us the lesson of self-sacrifice, patience,
and forbearance and submission to none except Allah.
An Imam-e-ashiqan pooray Batool
Sarvay azadi ze bustan-e-Rasul
Now Dr Iqbal opens his praises for the son of lady Fatima. He
was the chief of the lovers of Allah, and an evergreen tree from
the garden of the Prophet. Imam Husayn who stood against the
forces of evil, refused to acknowledge Yazid as the Caliph of
Islam, and upholding the dignity of Islamic principles
sacrificed his life along with a small band of 72 of his
followers, at the battlefield of Karbala.
Allah Allah Baey Bismillah pidar
Ma'niye zibh-e-azim amad pisar
In a state of supreme bliss Dr Iqbal says, "O' Allah, what an
exalted position Imam Husayn possessed, as his illustrious
father (Imam Ali) was the first letter of the Qur'an! A
tradition says that Imam Ali said, "What is in the Holy Qur'an
is in the first chapter (Surah Fatiha); what is in this surah
(chapter) is in the first verse (Bismillah); what is in
Bismillah is in its first letter (Ba) and I am the dot below ba.
Doubtless Imam Ali was acknowledged to be the best expounder of
the Holy Qur'an. The Holy Prophet had himself declared: "Ali is
with Qur'an, and Qur'an is with Ali". Imam Husayn was the son of
such an eminent personality. It is Imam Husayn's Martyrdom which
is referred to as
Zibhe Azim the greatest sacrifice in the Holy Qur'an. Imam
Husayn was the direct descendant of Prophet Ismail and had
offered himself for sacrifice at Karbala to save Islamic
principles from annihilation. The Holy Qur'an says that Zibhe
Azim, the great sacrifice of Prophet Ismail was left over for
the coming generation. Dr Iqbal alludes to this and says that
Zibhe Azim in the Holy Qur'an means the sacrifice of Imam Husayn.
Bahray an shahzadaey Khayrul milal
Dosh-e-Khatmul mursalin ne'mul Jamal
Dr Iqbal here alludes to an event stated by Tirmizi and others.
Once Imam Husayn mounted the shoulders of his grandfather, the
Holy Prophet. Somebody said, "What a good carriage it is!" The
Prophet said, "And what a good rider it is!" Dr Iqbal mentions
this event to show what affectionate feelings the Holy Prophet
had towards his grandson.
Surkh roo ishq-e-ghayoor az Khoon-e-oo
Surkhiye in misra az mazmoon-e-oo
Dr Iqbal says that it is because of Imam Husayn's blood that the
modest love has gained honor and dignity. This couplet can well
serve a title for the episode of the Tragedy of Karbala which
shows how piously and valiantly Imam Husayn defended the tenets
of Islam, sacrificed his own life along with his kith and kin,
sincere followers, and comrades, and raised the honor of love to
its acme.
Darmiyan-e-Ummat an Keywan janab,
Hamchu harf-e-Qul Huwallah dar Kitab
Dr Iqbal shows here the position of Imam Husayn. He says that
among the followers of the Holy Prophet Imam Husayn is like the
Divine phrase Qu-huwallah (Say He is Allah) meaning that Allah
is One, in the Holy Qur'an. Since the entire Holy Qur'an turns
to this verse -QuI Huwallaho Ahad (Say that He is One) similarly
the whole Islamic world turns towards Imam Husayn who is the
source of our guidance. Dr Iqbal knows the tradition of our
Prophet: "Husayn is from me and I am from Husayn" i.e. Husayn is
his grandson and that he (the Prophet) would be made known by
him, and his mission would be fulfilled by Imam Husayn who
sacrificed his life to immortalize Islam and its tenets.
Musa o Firaun-o-Shabbir or Yazid
In do quwwat az Hayat amad padid.
Ever since the creation of life two opposing forces have been at
war with each other- virtue and vice, Right and wrong. Musa
(Moses) rose against Firaun (Pharoah) and Shabbir (Imam Husayn)
rose against Yazid. These struggles were between the Right and
the wrong. Consequently the Right prevailed upon the wrong and
it was proved that Right is might.
Zindah haq az quwwat-e-Shabbiri ast
Batil akhir dagh-e-hasrat miri ast
Dr Iqbal says that Truth or Islam exists today because of the
strength shown and the spiritual power exercised by Imam Husayn.
In other words Imam Husayn made Islam immortal. The wrong was
crushed to annihilation in spite of its apparent success.
Yazidism or the principle enunciated by Yazid is looked down
upon by all, but Husayn's blood spilled at Karbala still
enlivens our hearts and makes us feel that his sacrifice to
support the Right against the wrong was unparalleled in the
history of mankind.
Choon Khitlafat rishtah az Qur'an gusikht
Hurriyat ra Zahr under Kam rikht
Khast an sar Jatwaey Khairut Umam
Choon Sahabe Qibtah Baran dar qadam
Bar zamin-e-Karbala Barid o raft
Lalah dar wiranaha Karid o raft
Ta qayamat qat'ay istibdad kard
Mauje Khoone oo chaman ijad kard
Dr Iqbal says that when the Islamic Government severed its
relation with the injunctions of the Holy Qur'an the Muslims
suffered moral degradation. It marred their freedom. When the
rulers indulged in all sorts of vicious habits and satisfied
their carnal desires against the clear-cut injunctions of the
Holy Qur'an the whole social structure was impaired. Nobody
could utter a word against the tyrant ruler and his associates.
Then arose that chief of the Muslims (Husayn) like blessed cloud
with rain of mercy under his foot. It rained blessings on the
sands of Karbala and turned that desert into a garden. It is the
place where Imam Husayn with his kith and kin, children and
comrades, numbering
72 only, faced a huge army and courted martyrdom after three
days starvation and thirst on the l0th of Muharram 61 A.H.
Husayn was undoubtedly the savior of freedom and Karbala has
become the symbol of struggle against tyranny. Husayn's role at
Karbala was So magnificent that it eradicated for ever the
savage idea of cruelty and cold-bloodedness. The wave of his
blood has created a garden which is symbolic of his sacrifice
for the preservation of freedom and Truth.
Bahre haq dar Khak-o-khoon ghaltida ast
Pas bina ey la illah gardida ast
Dr Iqbal says that Imam Husayn voluntarily gave his life at
Karbala for the sake of Allah or Truth. So it goes without
saying that Husayn laid the foundation of the cardinal Principle
of Islam -the belief that there is no god except Allah. Since
Islamic principles were being twisted, distorted and
exterminated it was Husayn's blood which gave it a new life.
Mudda a yash saltanat boody agar
Khud na hardy ba chunin sammane safar
That Imam Husayn's only aim in refusing to accept Yazid as
Caliph of Islam was to preserve Islam, can be borne out from the
fact that while he left Madina for his journey towards Kufa he
had a small band of his relations and followers, including
women, and children. Had he the intention of fighting a
political battle he would not have gone there with such people
as he took with him.
Those Who accompanied Imam Husayn included his sisters, wives,
children ( even a six month old child was with him) and some
followers, some of whom were more than eighty years of age.
Dushmanan chun rig-e-sahra la tu'ad
Dostan-e-oo ba yazdan ham 'adad
In the Battle of Karbala the number of the enemy was as
countless as the particles of sand, but the number of Imam
Husayn's friends was only 72.
Tigh-e-la choon az miyan buroon kashid
Az rag-e-arbabe batil khoon kashid
Naqsh-e-Illallah bar Sahra nawisht
Satre-unwan-e-najat-e ma nawisht
Ramz-e-Qur'an az Husayn amokhteem
Za Atishe-oo Shoalaha andokhteem
Imam Husayn took up his sword of 'La' or 'No' that is, there is
no deity (except Allah) and crushed infidelity. He imprinted the
mark of Illallah (Tawhid), or monotheism in the wilderness of
Karbala. It was a title for our salvation. In fact we have
learnt the lesson of Tawhid or monotheism from Imam Husayn, who
taught us in a practical way the secret of Qur'an by sacrificing
his life for the sake of Allah and for completing the mission of
his grandfather, the Prophet. We have gathered warmth from the
fire of love for Allah that Imam Husayn possessed. Dr Iqbal
means that the love for Allah shown and the sacrifice made by
Imam Husayn at Karbala should serve as the best lesson for all
the people of the world.
Shawkat-e-Sham-o farray Baghdad raft,
Satwat-e-Ghamata ham az yad raft
Tar-e-ma az zakhma ash larzan hanooz,
Tazah az takbir-e-oo Iman hanooz
Dr Iqbal says that kingly grandeur gained through political
battles never survives. The pomp and vanity of the thrones of
Syria and Baghdad which were once seats of great kings is no
more present. Nobody remembers the splendor of Gharnata i which
was the seat of Spanish Kings. But the reverential call of
Husayn at Karbala -his call of La Illaha Illallah is still
echoing in our ears and
thrilling our hearts.
Ay saba ay payk-e-dur uftadagan,
Ashk-e-ma bar khak-e-pak-e-oo rasan
Iqbal's intense love for and faith in Imam Husayn is apparent
from this couplet. Fondly addressing himself to the breeze,
which proverbially carries the message of the lover to the
beloved, who is at a remote place. Iqbal asks her to carry his
tears to the sacred tomb of Imam Husayn. Dr Iqbal weeps in sad
and blessed memory of Imam Husayn and wishes to place his tears
over his Imam's
grave.
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