Pujian Gandhi Dan Kawan-Kawannya Pada Cucu Nabi Saw (Plus Video)

Al Hussain (as) – Views of Non-Muslim Scholars

The tragedy of Karbala took place in 680 AD on the banks of the Euphrates in Iraq but Karbala has a universal appeal and in today’s climate of violence, it is more relevant than ever. The tragedy of Karbala and its spirit of non-violent resistance and supreme sacrifice has been a source of inspiration to the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru.

Mahatma Gandhi’s first Salt Satyagrah was inspired by Imam Hussain’s non violent resistance to the tyranny of Yazid. Gandhi is said to have studied the history of Islam and Imam Hussain (A), and was of the opinion that Islam represented not the legacy of a sword but of sacrifices of saints like Imam Hussain (A). Mahatma Gandhi writes:“My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain (A), the great saint.”

Nehruconsidered Karbala to represent humanities strength and determination. He writes: “Imam Hussain’s (A) sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of righteousness.”
English: Imam Hussain

Imam Hussain as (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad writes, “The sacrifice of Imam Hussain (A) is not limited to one country, or nation, but it is the hereditary state of the brotherhood of all mankind.”

Dr. Radha Krishnan

Dr. Radha Krishnan writes, “Though Imam Hussain (A) gave his life almost 1300 years ago, but his indestructible soul rules the hearts of people even today.”

Swami Shankaracharya

Swami Shankaracharya describes, “It is Hussain’s (A) sacrifice that has kept Islam alive or else in this world there would be no one left to take Islam’s name.”

Mrs. Sarojini Naidu

Mrs. Sarojini Naidu writes, “I congratulate Muslims that from among them, Hussain (A), a great human being was born, who is reverted and honored totally by all communities”

Simon Ockley

Simon Ockley (1678-1720), the Professor of Arabic at the University of Cambridge writes:”Then Husain mounted his horse, and took the Koran and laid it before him, and, coming up to the people, invited them to the performances of their duty: adding, ‘O God, thou art my confidence in every trouble, and my hope in all adversity!’…

He next reminded them of his excellencies, the nobility of his birth, the greatness of his power, and his high descent, and said:
‘Consider with yourselves whether or not such a man as I am is not better than you; I who am the son of your prophet’s daughter, besides whom there is no other upon the face of the earth. Ali was my father; Jaafar and Hamza, the chief of the martyrs, were both my uncles; and the apostle of God, upon whom be peace, said both of me and my brother, that we were the chief of the youth of paradise. If you will believe me, what I say is true, for by God, I never told a lie in earnest since I had my understanding; for God hates a lie. If you do not believe me, ask the companions of the apostle of God [here he named them], and they will tell you the same. Let me go back to what I have.’ They asked, ‘What hindered him from being ruled by the rest of his relations.’ He answered, ‘God forbid that I should set my hand to the resignation of my right after a slavish manner. I have recourse to God from every tyrant that doth not believe in the day of account.’” [The History of the Saracens, London, 1894, pp. 404-5]

Ignaz Goldziher

Ignaz Goldziher (1850-1921), the Famous Hungarian orientalist scholar writes: “Ever since the black day of Karbala, the history of this family … has been a continuous series of sufferings and persecutions. These are narrated in poetry and prose, in a richly cultivated literature of martyrologies – a Shi’i specialty – and form the theme of Shi’i gatherings in the first third of the month of Muharram, whose tenth day (‘ashura) is kept as the anniversary of the tragedy at Karbala.

Scenes of that tragedy are also presented on this day of commemoration in dramatic form (ta’ziya). ‘Our feast days are our assemblies of mourning.’ So concludes a poem by a prince of Shi’i disposition recalling the many mihan of the Prophet’s family. Weeping and lamentation over the evils and persecutions suffered by the ‘Alid family, and mourning for its martyrs: these are things from which loyal supporters of the cause cannot cease. ‘More touching than the tears of the Shi’is’ has even become an Arabic proverb.” [Introduction to Islamic Theology and Law, Princeton, 1981, p. 179]

Ignaz Goldziher’s book

Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), considered as the greatest British historian of his time writes: “In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Husain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.” [The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911, volume 5, pp. 391-2]

Peter J. Chelkowski, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, New York University, writes: “Hussein accepted and set out from Mecca with his family and an entourage of about seventy followers. But on the plain of Kerbela they were caught in an ambush set by the … caliph, Yazid. Though defeat was certain, Hussein refused to pay homage to him. Surrounded by a great enemy force, Hussein and his company existed without water for ten days in the burning desert of Kerbela. Finally Hussein, the adults and some male children of his family and his companions were cut to bits by the arrows and swords of Yazid’s army; his women and remaining children were taken as captives to Yazid in Damascus.

The renowned historian Abu Reyhan al-Biruni states; “… then fire was set to their camp and the bodies were trampled by the hoofs of the horses; nobody in the history of the human kind has seen such atrocities.” [Ta'ziyeh: Ritual and Drama in Iran, New York, 1979, p. 2]

Reynold Alleyne Nicholson (1868-1945), Sir Thomas Adams Professor of Arabic at the University of Cambridge, writes, “Husayn fell, pierced by an arrow, and his brave followers were cut down beside him to the last man. Muhammadan tradition, which with rare exceptions is uniformly hostile to the Umayyad dynasty, regards Husayn as a martyr and Yazid as his murderer.”[A Literary History of the Arabs, Cambridge, 1930, p. 197 ]

Al Biruni

Robert Durey Osborn (1835-1889), the Major of the Bengal Staff Corps, writes, “Hosain had a child named Abdallah, only a year old. He had accompanied his father in this terrible march. Touched by its cries, he took the infant in his arms and wept. At that instant, a shaft from the hostile ranks pierced the child’s ear, and it expired in his father’s arms. Hosain placed the little corpse upon the ground. ‘We come from God, and we return to Him!’ he cried; ‘O Lord, give me strength to bear these misfortunes!’ … Faint with thirst, and exhausted with wounds, he fought with desperate courage, slaying several of his antagonists.

At last he was cut down from behind; at the same instance a lance was thrust through his back and bore him to the ground; as the dealer of this last blow withdrew his weapon, the ill-fated son of Ali rolled over a corpse.

The head was severed from the trunk; the trunk was trampled under the hoofs of the victors’ horses; and the next morning the women and a surviving infant son were carried away to Koufa. The bodies of Hosain and his followers were left unburied on the spot where they fell. For three days they remained exposed to the sun and the night dews, the vultures and the prowling animals of the waste; but then the inhabitants of a neighboring village, struck with horror that the body of agrandson of the Prophet should be thus shamefully abandoned to the unclean beasts of the field, dared the anger of Obaidallah, and interred the body of the martyr and those of his heroic friends.” [Islam Under the Arabs, Delaware, 1976, pp. 126-7]

Sir William Muir (1819-1905), the Scottish scholar and statesman and held the post of Foreign Secretary to the Indian government as well as Lieutenant Governor of the Northwestern Provinces writes: “The tragedy of Karbala decided not only the fate of the caliphate, but of the Mohammedan kingdoms long after the Caliphate had waned and disappeared.” [Annals of the Early Caliphate, London, 1883, pp. 441-2]

Edward Gibbon

Karbala symbolizes the true face of struggle against injustice – non-violent resistance. Not taking life but sacrificing your life for Islam. In summary, it is not out of place to say in words of some known Indian poets:

Let humanity awaken and every tribe will claim Hussain as their own.
In the martyr of Imam Hussain A.S.), lies the death of Yazid, for Islam resurrects after every Karbala.

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SAYING ABOUT IMAM HUSSAIN (A.S) BY WORLD FAMOUS PERSONS

Sir Muhammad Iqbal the National Poet of Pakistan says:
Imam Hussain (a.s) uprooted despotism forever till the Day of Resurrection. He watered the dry garden of freedom with the surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husayn had aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have traveled the way he did (from Medina to Karbala). Hussain (a.s) weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became the bed-rock (foundation) of the Muslim creed; la ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah).

Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main,

Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujhey

I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of Kerbala
Won't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser Allama Iqbal in his Baqiyat (in Urdu)

KHWAJA MOINUDDIN CHISTI (RA)says:
He gave his head, but did not put his hand into the hands of Yazid. Verily, Hussain(a.s) is the foundation of la ilaha illa Allah. Husayn is lord and the lord of lords. Husayn himself is Islam and the shield of Islam. Though he gave his head (for Islam) but never pledged Yazid. Truly Hussain(a.s) is the founder of "There is no Deity except Allah."

Shah ast Hussain, Badshah ast Hussain,

Deen ast Hussain, Deen e Panah ast Hussain,

Sar dad, na dad dast, dar dast-e-yazeed,

Haqaa key binaey La ila ast Hussain(a.s)

It's Hussain the Prince, it's Hussain the king,

He is Faith, and Faith's Defender most daring,

He preferred death to Yazid's allegiance,

With his blood, Islam has verily been living.

QUOTES OF GHADI ABOUT IMAM HUSSAIN(A.S)

1. “My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain (A.S.), the great saint.”
2. Mahatma Gandhi (Indian political and spiritual leader): “I learnd from Hussein how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”
3. “If I had an army like the 72 soldiers of Hussain(A.S), I would have won freedom for India in 24 hours.”

QUOTES OF JOSH MALIHABADI ABOUT IMAM HUSSAIN(A.S)

- Josh Malihabadi (Shaayar-e-Inqilaab or The Revolutionary Poet)
“Insaan ko bedaar to ho lene do,
har qaum pukaraygi hamare hain Hussain(A.S)”
(Let humanity awakens and every tribe will claim Hussain(A.S)( as their own.)

QUOTE OF Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar ABOUT IMAM HUSSAIN

- Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar (Pioneer of the Khilafat Movement and a dauntless fighter in the struggle of independence)
“Qatl-e-Hussain asl main marg-e-Yazid hai,
Islam zindaa hota hai har Karbala ke baad”
(In the murder of Hussain, lies the death of Yazid, for Islam resurrects after every Karbala).

QUOTE OF PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU ABOUT IMAM HUSSAIN(A.S)

- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: India’s 1st Prime Minister
"Imam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness."

Prophet Mohammed (saww)

“Hasan (Imam Hussain’s elder brother) and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise”
“As a result of the assassination of Hussain such a warmth will be kindled in the hearts of the believers that shall not become cold till the Day of Ressurection.”

Mahatma Gandhi: (Father of the Nation - India)
“I learnt from Hussain how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”
"My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain.”
“If India wants to be a successful country, it must follow in the footsteps of Imam Hussain(R.A).
“If I had an army like the 72 soldiers of Hussain, I would have won freedom for India in 24 hours.”

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: India’s 1st Prime Minister
"Imam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness."

Edward Gibbon (English historian and member of parliament)
"In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Hussain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader."
[The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911, volume 5, pp391-2]

Rabindranath Tagore (Indian Nobel Prize in Literature 1913)
"In order to keep alive justice and truth, instead of an army or weapons, success can be achieved by sacrificing lives, exactly what Imam Hussain did."
“Imam Hussain is the leader of humanity.”
“Imam Hussain (R.A) will warm the coldest heart.”

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1st President of India)
"The sacrifice of Imam Hussain is not limited to one country, or nation, but it is the hereditary state of the brotherhood of all mankind."

Dr. Radha Krishnan (Ex President of India)
"Though Imam Hussain gave his life almost 1300 years ago, but his indestructible soul rules the hearts of people even today."

Swami Shankaracharya (Hindu Religious Priest)
"It is Hussain's sacrifice that has kept Islam alive or else in this world there would be no one left to take Islam's name."

Sarojini Naidu (Great India Poetess titled Nightingale of India)
"I congratulate Muslims that from among them, Hussain, a great human being was born, who is reverred and honored totally by all communities."

Thomas Carlyle (Scottish historian and essayist)
“The best lesson which we get fromthe tragedy of Cerebella is that Husain and his companions were rigid believers in God. They illustrated that the numerical superiority does not count when it comes to the truth and the falsehood. The victory of Husain, despite his minority, marvels me!”

Charles Dickens (English novelist)
“If Husain had fought to quench his worldly desires…then I do not understand why his sister, wife, and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore, that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”

Sir William Muir (Scottish orientalist)
“The tragedy of Karbala decided not only the fate of the Caliphate, but also of Mohammadan kingdoms long after the Caliphate had waned and is appeared.” (Annals of the Early Caliphate, London, 1883, p.441-442)

Antoine Bara (Lebanese writer)
“No battle in themodern and past history of mankind has earned more sympathy and admiration as well as provided more lessons than the martyrdomof Husayn in the battle of Karbala.” (Husayn in Christian Ideology)

Josh Malihabadi (Shaayar-e-Inqilaab or The Revolutionary Poet)
“Insaan ko bedaar to ho lene do,
har qaum pukaraygi hamare hain Hussain”
(Let humanity awakens and every tribe will claim Hussain as their own.)

Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar (Pioneer of the Khilafat Movement and a dauntless fighter in the struggle of independence)
“Qatl-e-Hussain asl main marg-e-Yazid hai,
Islam zindaa hota hai har Karbala ke baad”
(In the murder of Hussain, lies the death of Yazid, for Islam resurrects after every Karbala).

Imam Hussain, Mahatma Gandhi & Dr Martin Luther King