ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Ashura Meditations On Husayn’s Speech On The Day Of Ashura Husayn (as) addressed the people on the Day of Ashura, saying: “You have drawn the sword with which we armed you, against us, and ignited the fire we kindled against our enemy and yours, against us.

So you have joined hands with the forces of your enemies against your allies, in spite of being aware that they (your enemies) have not established any justice among you, nor do you expect any good from them.”[^1] This is Husayn’s address to the people on the day of Ashura. It is a strange speech which he gave at that critical hour before they drew their swords on him.

This address carries boundless grief on account of those people who drew their swords against the son of the daughter of the Messenger of God, (S). I will talk on a number of points regarding this speech. 1- “You Have Drawn The Sword With Which We Armed You, Against Us.” With respect to any struggle people fall into three groups: The first and the second are the opposing parties, while the third are mere observers who stay behind without supporting the truth.

This group makes up a wide cross section of society. The first and second groups bear the price of the struggle, that is, hands and heads will have to fall. This equally involves both the contesting parties and is not specific to the party of truth or falsehood. This is the norm of God Most High with regard to contests.

God Almighty says: “If you are suffering they are also suffering like you, but you expect from God what they do not expect.”[^2] He also said: "If a wound afflicts you, a like wound has already afflicted those people; and We make such vicissitudes rotate among mankind…” [^3] The party of truth is distinguished in the contest by God’s help and support and the victory He grants them. Indeed God has promised them that.

God Most High says: "If you help God, He will help you and make your feet steady” [^4] and "God has ordained: ‘I shall surely prevail, I and my apostles.” [^5] This is what the believers expect from God when they are engaged in a contest. This expectation assures the hearts of the believers of divine support on the battlefield, a support which will ensure the outcome of the conflict in their favour. The foregoing analysis pertains to the two warring parties.

The third group is a very complex one that can easily slip towards the side of falsehood as it is susceptible to enemy influence.