Then, Imam Husayn, peace be on him, the grandson of the...

Then, Imam Husayn, peace be on him, the grandson of the great Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, raised the flag of the revolt against the tyrannical ruler of his time, Yazïd, the grandson of Abu Sufyan, the mortal enemy of Islam. However, the great Imam (al-Husayn) died martyr for social reform and distributing the blessings of the earth among the poor. With his immortality, the father of the free (Imam Husayn) has changed the face of Arabic and Islamic history.

He has made the Moslems refuse the life of abasement and lead the life of glory and honor. For them, he has opened doors to glory and struggle. Hence, his grandsons and the grandsons of his brothers have led many revolts against oppression throughout Islamic history. They have raised the mottoes of justice and fairness among Moslems. Al-Wardi said: “The Shï‘a were the first to hold the revolutionary Islamic views against oppression. The essence of revolt lies in their theories.

The Shï‘a believe in the Imamate. This belief move them to criticize and oppose the ruling class throughout history. It also make them think that every government is usurping and oppressive except when an infallible Imam assume it. Hence, the Shï‘a always revolt (against governments).”[^1] The Shï‘a led many revolts during the Umayyad and Abbasid regimes. For they wanted to destroy all kinds of oppression and corruption through achieving social justice in the earth.

So, the Shï‘a is the best of all Islamic sects and doctrines in striving for the word of truth and justice in the earth. Boldness and Intrepidity The leaders of the Shï‘a were full of boldness and intrepidity. So, they were not afraid of any government. They did not submit to any tyrannical ruler. Rather, they resisted bravely all the oppressive rulers throughout Islamic history. For example, b. Marjana (‘Ubayd Allah b. Zyyad) killed the Lord of the youth of Heaven (Imam Husayn), peace be on him.

He rejoiced at murdering him. Then he cursed him and his father (Imam ‘Ali) before the people. Among the people was ‘Abd Allah b. Afïf al-Azidi, the companion of Imam ‘Ali, peace be on him. He was blind then. Thus, he stood in front of b. Marjana and shouted: “O enemy of Allah, you are the liar and your father and the (man) who appointed you and his father.

O Ibn Marjana, you kill the sons of Prophets and take the place of men of truth on the pulpit.” Another example of the brave Shï‘ite leaders was al-Kumayt b. Zayd al-Asadi.