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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Ashura The Four Unchangeable Aspects of Imam Husayn (as)’S Uprising From Zurarah, from Abu Ja’far al-Baqir (as) who said: “Husayn ibn Ali wrote from Mecca to Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah: In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. From Husayn ibn Ali to Muhammad ibn Ali and the Hashimites who are with him. [Know that] anyone who joins me will be martyred and anyone who does not join me will not attain victory.

Peace.”[^1] This brief letter comprises four fundamental issues that could be regarded as constants in the uprising of Imam Husayn (as). The four issues are: 1- Inevitability of getting martyred for anyone who accompanied Husayn (as) “Anyone who joins me will be martyred” 2- Certainty of victory for anyone who would be present in Karbala together with Husayn (as).

This certainty is derived from the converse of these words: “Anyone who does not join [me] will not be victorious, which clearly implies that whoever joins Husayn (as) in this battle, would be victorious, keeping aside the question of the validity of the converse of the statement. 3- Relationship between victory and martyrdom. It was through martyrdom that those who went with Husayn (as) would attain victory.

4- This victory would never be repeated again “… and anyone who does not join me will not attain [this] victory.” We shall talk about these four issues, God willing. 1- Inevitability Of Martyrdom Among the salient features of Imam Husayn’s (as) uprising was the invitation to martyrdom and defying death, all for the sake of God.

Since the time he left Mecca for Iraq until the day of Ashura, the Imam did not stop repeating to anyone who met or joined him that his path and theirs was that of martyrdom. Even if one entertains some doubts with regard to some aspects of this singular uprising one can never doubt that Husayn was in fact informing the people that he would die on his journey to Iraq. He also declared that the inevitable destination of those who were together with him was martyrdom.

Martyrdom would not miss anyone who went with him. A group of people, whom Husayn (as) did not doubt concerning their sincerity or understanding of the political condition of Iraq, warned him not to go there for death would be his end and that of his companions and family if he went. Husayn prayed for them for their sincere advice but he did not give up his resolve.