Questions on Ashura (5)

Imam Hussein's brother, Mohammad ibn Hanafiya, was informed that the Imam was going to leave Medina for Kufa in Iraq. He came to him and, referring to the disloyalty of the people of Kufa toward his father Imam Ali and his brother Imam Hassan, asked Imam Hussein not to go to Iraq. Imam Hussein (AS) told him, "I saw my grandfather, the Messenger of God in my dream.

He said to me, 'Depart. God, the Exalted, has indeed intended to see you murdered."

Sometimes this question comes to the mind, "Was Imam Hussein (AS) aware of his martyrdom in Karbala and other events of the day of Ashura? If yes, why didn't he think of saving his life and that of others; while the Qur'an says, do not cast yourselves with your own hands into destruction?"

The Arabic word Ghayb means what is concealed and unseen. It refers to what is hidden from our senses and perception. One thing may be hidden to somebody while it is known and clear to another person. This is related to the extent of an individual's dominance over the world of creation. The ayahs of the noble Qur'an introduce knowledge in two ways. Some ayahs restrict the knowledge of the Unseen exclusively to God, like verse 59 of surah Anaam, "With Him are the treasures of the Unseen; no one knows them except Him." There are other ayahs which confirm that the chosen servants of God are allowed to know the Unseen, like ayahs 26 and 27 of surah Jinn, "He does not disclose His Unseen to anyone, except to an apostle He approves of."

Therefore, the knowledge of the Unseen is confined to God and what He reveals to His friends and chosen servants is indeed a gift from Him. The sixth infallible successor of the Prophet of Islam, Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS) says, "God has a knowledge which nobody knows but He Himself; and a knowledge which He has informed the angels and messengers of it. We are aware of what God has informed His angels and messengers of."

There are many hadiths in the Shia and Sunni reliable sources that prove the awareness of the previous Prophets, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), Imam Ali, Hazrat Fatima and Imam Hassan of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein long before its occurrence. Even Imam Hussein himself had spoken of his martyrdom several times. The Prophet's wife, Umm Salama, narrates that once Gabriel came to the Prophet with the news of Imam Hussein's martyrdom and gave him a handful of the soil of Karbala. The Prophet wept and the soil was with Umm Salama till the day of Ashura when its colour turned into red.

It is also narrated from Ibn Abbas that during the battle of Seffin, Imam Ali (AS) reached Karbala. He wept so much that his beard was wet with tears. Then, he described the way of martyrdom of his son by wicked people. Imam Hussein himself once said, "By God, the Umayyads will get together to kill me and Umar Sa'ad will be their commander."

In view of this, why did the Master of martyrs march toward Karbala despite being aware of his fate? The answer is that the Imam was gifted with the knowledge of the Unseen but he was the leader of the people and had to act as ordinary people.    

He should live in a way so that the people could take his way of life as a model. If the divine leaders were to always get help from the Unseen sources to solve their problems and remove obstacles, they couldn't be the role models of common people and invite them to be patient against hardships. The infallible Imams would often follow natural ways to counter problems; except in rare occasions when the safety of religion and guidance of human beings required.

The renowned exegete of the Qur'an and contemporary thinker, Allameh Abdullah Javadi Amoli, says on the knowledge of Unseen among the infallible servants of God, "Although the infallible person (AS), with God's permission, is aware of the Unseen, this knowledge doesn't bring obligation. If the knowledge is obtained through an ordinary way and the conditions are set for religious proof, it will cause obligation. For this reason, the Blessed Commander of the Faithful- in spite of knowing in which night he would be struck- goes to the mosque; Imam Hassan Mojtaba (AS)- although he knows what is in the jar- drinks the water; and Imam Hussein (AS)- although he knows what will happen on Ashura- goes to Karbala. The divine wisdom has determined that the infallible persons (AS) should be tested, should suffer thirst, hunger, fatigue, be injured and martyred like other humans. If they were to enjoy the knowledge of the Unseen, they would never fail. Of course, at times, they use the knowledge of the Unseen for preservation and dignity of religion; but what is essential is that they use ordinary knowledge in the external affairs."

Dear listeners, as it was said earlier in this episode, the noble Qur'an prevents human beings from casting themselves into destruction. How come, then that Imam Hussein went toward martyrdom though he knew his fate in advance. The answer is: There is a great difference between destruction and martyrdom. Destruction means perishing and wasting of oneself with no aim or fruit. But martyrdom in the way of God yields myriads of fruits. Many ayahs of the noble Qur'an praise self-sacrifice in the way of God. For instance, ayah 207 of surah Baqara reads, "And among the people is he who sells his soul seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is most kind to servants."

Yes, Imam Hussein (AS) preferred the safeguarding of Islam- as God was pleased with it- over removal of calamities befalling himself and his dear ones. That's why he whispered in the final moments of his life, "My Lord! I am pleased with Your pleasure; submitted to Your command and patient against Your determination. There is no one to worship except You, o Refuge of the seekers of refuge!"       

RM/ME