Monday: Imam Husain (as) - Freedom

One of the events in history that depicts freedom in the most elegant manner is the tregedy of Karbala. Imam Hussain AS and his followers attained freedom by resisting the force that would have enslaved them had they given in to it: bay’at with Yazid.  By resisting this force, they agreed to give their lives for reaching this freedom. They agreed to sacrifice everything they had, even their family, for this freedom. Death to them was “sweeter than honey” because they knew that death would mean freedom.

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Imam Hussain AS did not accept Yazid even though everyone else remained silent on the matter.  After the tragedy, it seemed as though Imam Hussain AS and his followers were the ones enslaved and that Yazid and people in his support were free. Rather, Imam Hussain AS and his followers had attained freedom while Yazid and his people became trapped in the enslavement of Shaytan.  Imam Hussain AS and his followers might have “lost” the “war” in terms of battle, but what they acheived from the struggle they went through is what true freedom is in its purest form.

Those who worship God for the hope of gaining , they’re not real worshippers ,they’re merchants. Those who worship God out of fear ( of punishment ) , they’re slaves. And those who worship God to be grateful towards their creator , they are the free people , and their worship is a real one. (Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78 , P. 117)