Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Introduction to Shi'i Islam
The history of Shi'i Islam is a kind of a long and complicated history. It began with the fourth Caliphate Ali. Ali was the cousin of Muhammad and this put him in line for leadership. Ali was faced with major conflicts. He moved his headquarters from Medina to Kufa. Kufa was seen to be the place where Shi'ism was to remain. One of the conflicts that Ali was faced with was from Mu'awiya. Ali was assassinated by the followers of Mu'awiya. After the assassination the Shi'i had to find their next leader. They looked towards the leadership of Ali's son Hasan. Many western historians say that Hasan was a disgrace but the Shi'i historians say that his abdication was an important mood. They believed that it was a way of preserving himself because of his fathers assassination. Hasan ended up dieing and the Shi'i Islams looked to his brother for leadership. Husayn is seen as one of the greatest leaders in the sight of the Shi'i. Husayn was faced with a large probletaking on the leadership role. His adversary Umayya had followers called the Umayyads. These people started talking bad about the Shi'i so Husayn had to take action about what they said. He decided to go to war against them but was told he would have support from the Shi'i. In October 680 Husayn was killed because the Shi'i army was never delivered. He fought his last fight with 78 people. The records say that Husayn was told that the army was not going to be delivered. His death is the most celebrate event to the Shi'i. So why do you think Husayn decide to continue to fight? Why didn't he turn back? Why do you think the Shi'i never sent their army to help their leader?
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Moojan Momen's article strongly suggests that Husayn was not interested in a military victory over Yazid's army. It explains that Husayn probably thought that winning an armed battle would only result in a temporary reformation of the Islamic community and would not bring about permanent changes. Instead, he believed that an act of sacrifice would greatly impact all Muslims and encourage them to live pious lives that are in accordance with the teachings of Muhammad. Therefore, Husayn willingly gave up his life in the battle at Karbala, hoping to send a powerful message to all other followers. Also, it is said that Husayn did not make any attempt to build a strong army and even told his remaining supporters in Karbala to leave him. This partially explains why Husayn lacked military support.
I think that the reason that Husayn did not turn back was because of pride. Obviously his fight was backed with a cause, and he clearly strongly believed in it. The reason that the army wasn't sent will always be up for debate, but maybe they didn't believe in the same cause, or maybe thats just a story that makes Husayn's efforts all the more heroic. Husayn stood for change and development of the religion of Islam, versus one small militaristic victory that wouldn't make anything different for the nation of Islam or the people following him.
I think in he back of his mind, the Shi'i army was not coming to defend him but he decided to fight for his honor and to not turn down his destiny. In a way, even though Husayn died in battle, he still remembered and many people study his life, his battle with Yazid and his death. The exact reason the Shi'i army did not come to back him up will always be a mystery unless we can somehow go back in time to the exact occasion, but he is a famous Muslim and will forever live that way in Islamic history.
It states that Husayn received many warnings and chances for protection, but he declined them. I think that he was determined and did not want to back down. The fact that his army was never delivered makes his death even more heroic and I think that is why it is so celebrated. He died for his beliefs and the protection of the Muslims. He shows that he was devoted to his religion and is an example to all Muslims.
Actually Yassid was not the rightful leader for Muslim at that for many reasons. The first thing is the agreement between Imam Hassan and Muawiya stated that Imam Hassan would be the caliph after Muawiya and if not then Imam Hussein, After Imam Hassan was poisoned, the rightful successor should have been Imam Hussein but Muawiy did not honor the agreement and appointed his son Yassid as his successor; Muawiy broke the agreement publicly. Moreover, Yassid was well known for his bad repetition. If you followed Dr. Locus he hinted that Yassid sacked Medina and killed many of prophet's companions; on the top of that Yassid was trying to demolish the principles of Islam, As a result, Imam Hussein decided to take action. Imam Hussein never looked for power or leadership his revolution was to safe the principle of Islam. And believe me without Imam Hussein's revelation; there would be no real Islam.
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