Ashura | Why do we cry for Imam Hussain in Imam Khomeini’s view?
Imam Hussain was the prophet Muhammad’s grandson who refused to pay allegiance to the tyrant of his time thus he along with his few followers were all brutally killed on the day of Ashura at the battlefield of Karbala about 14 centuries ago but every year, Muslim people around the world participate in the mourning ceremonies and processions to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain.
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Why they have been weeping for Imam Hussain for centuries?! Why the holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other Shia Imams were crying for Imam Hussain and why they have also recommend us to cry for him (PBUH)?
Imam Khomeini , the founder of Islamic republic of Iran has stated the reason of weeping for Imam Hussain (PBUH) in his speech. The following image includes a part of Imam Khomeini’s speech in the year 1969 (several years before the victory of Islamic revolution).
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Imam Khomeini stated in his speech:
“…Now, a group has appeared demanding that: “Do not commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (PBUH) and other Infallible Shia Imams.” They do not know the outcome and consequences of this mourning and lamentation. They do not realize that it is the uprising of Imam Hussain (PBUH) against tyranny that has been conserved up to this time and has set off this movement [Islamic revolution]. This movement is a ray, a reflection of Imam Hussain’s uprising. They do not know that weeping for Imam Hussain (PBUH) means perpetuation of his uprising and maintaining the fact that even a small number could stand up against a great empire. This is the Imam Hussain’s instruction. This is an instruction for all people that: “Every day is an Ashura and each territory is Karbala!” This instruction implies that Imam Hussain’s movement must be kept alive and active everywhere and at all times.
Imam Hussain (PBUH) with his few men scarified himself for Islam. He stood up and said: “No!” to a great empire ; and his “No” must be conserved daily and at everywhere; and these mourning sessions are also held for the perpetuation of the same “No”.
Our children and youth should not consider this matter as a matter of “weeping nation”. The “weeping nation” has been induced by others to you. They (the enemies of Islam) afraid of such weeping because it is a cry in support of the oppressed. It is an outcry in opposition to the tyrants. These organized processions and rituals are against the cruelty and injustice, They have rose up. You must keep these rituals alive. These are the religious signs which must be kept alive, These are the political signs which must be conserved…”
Reference: The Ashura uprising in the words and messages of Imam Khomeini (Text translation from Persion to English was edited by ashuraaa.wordpress.com)
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