Those who are pure...

Those who are pure, incomparable, self-respected and souls of the oppressed ones do not consider it lawful that we prefer the debased ones to a death of honor…” [1] Ibne Abil Hadid, Sharh Nahjul Balagha 1/302 [2] Meaning the garments of Paradise [3] Tabari, Tarikh 6/273 On the day of Taff, he stood like a strong mountain against the Umayyad soldiers of apostasy and taught future generations the lesson of nobility, self-respect, greatness and destroying injustice: “By Allah, I shall never give you the hand of humility and I would not accept slavery.

I seek refuge from my Lord and yours that you may stone me…” These brilliant words show to what extent the great Imam was rich with nobility and unlimited virtues; whose best example is the everlasting valor that shall remain forever that the History of Islam has kept recorded in it. The poets of Ahle Bayt (‘a) in order to portray this best scene have competed with each other and their compositions regarding this are the best examples of Arabic literature and eloquence.

Sayyid Himyari Jalli in his immortal poems has versified the merits of his glorious ancestor, His Eminence, Husain (‘a). He says: “Those people desired (were greedy) that he may accept oppression, but the Almighty Allah and sword fighters did not accept it. How can the neck that has not bowed for anyone except for Allah, accept degradation? For him was a heart, stronger than a coat of mail, which it spread in front of the thirsty spears.

And loyalty and determination used to turn about in those breasts that the land may become narrow it goes into it. Thus he did not accept life but that it may be preferable or did not stop fighting at the time of the battle till he was rolling in the dust.”[1] In self-restraint and nobility they had so prominently drawn a picture that has never been done before.

That is why Sayyid Haider has shown the forcible tactics of the Umayyad rulers and the firm determination of Imam Husain (‘a) not to accept any kind of dishonor. While it is not acceptable to Almighty Allah, and that a lofty soul that had got the honor of prophethood in inheritance, how can he accept injustice, so he turns his head away, because His Eminence (‘a) had not bowed his head (submitted) ever to anyone else except Almighty Allah.

Then how can he do so before the debased ones of Bani Umayyah? And how can their power stop him from his iron will? That was like a coat of iron that stops the thirsty spears.