ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Tears For Karbala Introduction The evil seeds which lead to the tragedy of Karbala’ were planted years before by Muawiya's cunning, who ruled over Muslims for twenty years. Muawiya was an evil ruler. He was the son of Abu Sufyan and Hinda who, both, were the arch enemies of the Holy Prophet. Muawiya and his father became Muslims when they were left no alternative but to accept Islam.

When Hazrat ‘Ali became Khalifa, he dismissed Muawiya and other Governors for corruption and anti-Islamic behaviour. Soon after the death of Hazrat ‘Ali, Muawiya, using methods of bribery and treachery, succeeded in becoming the Khalifa. Muawiya was not interested in Islam. He only used slam for his power and glory. He broke the laws of Islam. When any saying of the Holy Prophet did not suit him, he ordered it to be struck off all records. He made up ahadith to favour him and his policies.

Muawiya hated Hazrat ‘Ali and his family. Under his Rule, Sh'ias were put to death or thrown into prisons just because they were followers of Hazrat ‘Ali and his family. Muawiya died in 60 A.H. Before his death, he appointed Yazid, his son, as the next Khalifa. Yazid was even worse than his father. He was an evil ruler and openly mocked Islam. He was often drunk and sang songs which made jokes of Salaat, the Holy Prophet and his family.

The difference between Yazid and his father Muawiya, was that Muawiya used Islam for his personal glory while Yazid was determined to destroy Islam. As soon as Yazid became Khalifa, he wrote to his Governor in Medina to ask Imam Husayn to do the impossible. He was asking the Imam to accept him as the Khalifa of Islam. Imam Husayn could not even consider accepting such an evil man, Yazid, who openly broke the laws of Islam and was determined to destroy Islam, as the Khalifa.

It was not a matter of pride or Husayn's right to Khilafat. Accepting Yazid as a Khalifa would mean Imam approved of his way of life and this would have meant a definite end to Islam. How can a grandson of the Holy Prophet, son of ‘Ali and Fatimah, allow that to happen? It was Imam's duty to defend and save Islam. He refused to accept Yazid as a Khalifa of Islam. Yazid was full of anger and planned to have the Imam killed in Medina.

By staying in Medina, Imam would have the advantage of having all his own relatives as well as the people of Medina fighting on his side.