ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Probe into the History of Ashura' Appendix III: Dr Iqbal on Imam Husayn Dr Muhammad Iqbal (1877- 1938) known to the world as the Poet-Philosopher of the East, devoted his life to awaken the Muslim Ummah and to make it pursue the path of spirituality, knowledge, jihad, sacrifice and martyrdom. Dr Iqbal had an abiding faith in Ahlul Bayt (the Chosen Descendants of the Holy Prophet).

He was intensely moved by the tragic events of Karbala so much so that in many of his couplets he carried a universal message to the mankind for emulating Imam Husayn who sacrificed his life at the altar of Truth. His elegies on the martyrdom of Imam Husayn stand unmatched and are an eye-opener to all those who are giving a mere lip-service to Islam.

In the following couplets Dr Iqbal gives vent to his sentiments and feelings on Imam Husayn: Jis tarah mujhko shahid-e-Karbala say piyar hay Haq ta'ala ko yatimon ki dua say piyar hay Dr Iqbal expresses his extreme love for Imam Husayn. Just as Almighty Allah loves to listen to the invocation of the orphans, he also has the same kind of love for the martyr of Karbala.

Roney wala hoon shahid-e-Karbala kay gham may mayn Kya durrey maqsūd na daingay Saqi-e-Kauthar mujhey Dr Iqbal has a sincere and genuine faith in Imam Husayn. The hero of this episode Imam Husayn, the brave son of the bravest of the brave Ali and grandson of the Holy Prophet, took up a firm stand not to acknowledge Yazid as the Caliph of Islam. It is a fight for the preservation of the principles and tenets of Islam. Imam Husayn arrived in Karbala on the 2nd of Muharram 61 A.H.

along with his small children, women, and some comrades numbering 72 only. On the l0th of Muharram he was brutally killed. This was the tragedy over which Iqbal sheds tears. He believes that mourning and wailing over him would lead to his (Iqbal's) salvation. He also believes that Suqi-e-Kauthar Lord of Kauthar (Cistern in Paradise) Le. Imam Ali loves those, who weep for Imam Husayn.

He hopes and prays that since he sheds tears out of grief for Husayn, Imam Ali would give him all the help he needs. Gharib-o-sada-o-rangi'n hay dastan-e-Haram Nihayat iski Husayn ibtida hay Ismail Dr Iqbal says that the event of the construction of Ka'ba is very simple and interesting. Prophet Ismail suffered great pains in its construction. The Holy Prophet purged it from the idols that were in it, and so raised its glory. The first stone was laid by Ismail indeed.