While there is the physical suffering in martyrdom, there is a greater suffering than the physical. That is when a valiant soul stands against the most powerful in the nation; when the noblest motives are reviled and mocked; when truth is scoffed at. All that the individual has to do to avoid much sorrow and hardship is to succumb: to say just a single word of compliance, or nonresistance; then the conscience whispers: “Truth after all shall never die.” It is independent of man’s cognition and judgment and the challenge is to keep hold of truth and righteousness. And that must only be achieved without compromising justice or exemplary conduct – spiritual striving and suffering enduring firmness of faith and purpose, patience and courage, the sacrifice to supreme truth in scorn of consequence.
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Quran 5:8)
It so happened with Hussein, grandson of the prophet. For all are touched by the story of his martyrdom. And the month of Muharram on the Islamic calendar has still the power to unite the different schools of thought in Islam, and sends a powerful appeal to the wider community especially in these challenging times here and in many parts of the world too. We can best honor his memory by allowing it to teach us courage and constancy with patience.
All human history shows that the human spirit strives by deriving strength and sustenance from many sources. Our bodies, our physical powers, have developed or evolved from earlier forms, after many struggles and defeats. Our intellect has had its martyrs, and our great explorers have often gone forth with the martyrs’ spirit. But the highest honor lies with the great explorers of the moral, ethical and spiritual territory, those who faced incredible odds and refused to surrender to evil and paid the ultimate price.
The 10th of Muharram, or Ashura, this year falls on Monday and is a day when we pause to reflect and remember the sacrifices made almost 1,400 years ago and the lessons that remain relevant to this day.
Mustafa Mohamedali is a member of the Muslim community. Perspective is coordinated by Interfaith Works in cooperation with The Olympian. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by Interfaith Works or The Olympian.
