Shafaqna English- Throughout history and across the globe, devotees of the Prophet’s Ahlul-Bayt (AS) regard the Month of Muharram as a chance to pay homage and remember the extraordinary legacy of Imam Hussain (AS). It is undoubtedly the most pivotal and glorious chapter in his radiant life, marked by the events of Karbala and the circumstances leading to his martyrdom. However, the life of Hussain ibn Ali (AS) was not confined to Karbala alone; his moral and spiritual virtues shone brightly throughout various stages of his life, serving as a beacon of inspiration and guidance.
The following text is a summary of the book The Beauty of Morality: A Glance at the Virtues of Imam Hussain (AS) written by the late Ayatollah Sheikh Lutfullah Safi Golpayegani, translated and published by Shafaqna.
The Pioneer of Justice
The Justice-Seeking Imam
The family of Imam Ali (AS), may God’s peace be upon him, stands unparalleled for their commitment to justice and protection of the oppressed. The accounts recorded in historical texts about the justice of Ali (AS) attest to his unwavering dedication to fairness and righteousness. He entrusted his children with the following counsel:
كُونا لِلظّالِمِ خَصْماً وَ لِلْمَظْلُومِ عَوْناً[1]
“Be the adversary of the oppressor and the ally of the oppressed.”
Hussain (AS), may God’s peace be upon him, was the son of that father and inherited his noble qualities. He faced the injustices perpetrated by the Banu Umayyah and their agents against the people, and his anguish was profound. His uprising was a courageous stand against tyranny, oppression, and injustice, and his movement was a beacon of hope for the liberation of the oppressed and the downtrodden.
One of the stories that illustrates Hussain’s (AS) unwavering dedication to defending the oppressed and protecting the downtrodden is the tale of Uraynab, the daughter of Ishaq, and her husband Abdullah bin Salam. Yazid, who was Mu’awiya’s prince and heir apparent, had at his disposal all the trappings of power, including wealth, influence, and a harem of beautiful female slaves and performers. Yet, he still coveted a married woman, who was supposed to be under Mu’awiya’s protection as a guardian of her honor and virtue.
Yazid’s behavior was that of a debauched and lustful man, raised in the excesses of power, and he became increasingly agitated and restless. However, since Uraynab was a noble, chaste, and virtuous woman, he could not approach her through deceit or seduction.
Mu’awiya, the corrupt and self-proclaimed Commander of the Faithful, concocted a most unusual and unprecedented scheme to satisfy Yazid’s lust. He separated the unfortunate man from his virtuous and beautiful wife, and prepared the way for Yazid to satisfy his wicked desires.
However, Hussain (AS), stood firm against this vile and satanic decision, and thwarted Mu’awiya’s plan. Hussain (AS) demonstrated his sense of honor, dignity, and commitment to protecting the honor of the Prophet’s (PBUH) family and the Muslims, and prevented Yazid from realize his wicked purposes. Mu’awiya’s scheme was foiled, and the great injustice was averted from Abdullah bin Salam and his wife. This story has remained immortal in the annals of the glories of the Family of Ali, peace be upon him, and the atrocities committed by the Banu Umayyah.[2]
Note:
[1] Nahjul-Balaghah, Sermon 48.
[2] In some aspects of this story, differences in the accounts can be seen. What we have summarized is consistent with the account of Shabrawi in Al-Ithaf and Ibn Qutaybah in Al-Imama wal-Siyasa.
Part of Book: Beauty of Morality by the late Ayatollah Sheikh Lutfullah Safi Golpayegani