y God, I will never surrender to my enemies like a humiliated person and never pledge allegiance to them like slaves.

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 45, P. 7)

The tragedy of Karbala, a poignant episode in Islamic history, has left an indelible mark on the consciousness of Muslims and serves as a timeless symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny. The event, which took place on the 10th of Muharram in 680 CE, culminated in the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain ibn Ali (with whom Allah was pleased), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), along with his family and companions.

This profound sacrifice has been revered as a beacon of justice, courage and unwavering faith, echoing throughout the ages and across various discourses on marginality and resistance.

The backdrop to the Karbala tragedy was the deteriorating political landscape of the early Islamic caliphate. Following the death of Emir Mu’awiya, the founder of the Umayyad dynasty, his son Yazid had ascended to power. Yazid’s rule was characterised by a departure from the principles of justice and piety espoused by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

Yazid’s demand for a pledge of allegiance from Hazrat Hussain (with whom Allah was pleased) was met with a clear refusal, as the latter viewed Yazid’s rule as illegitimate and antithetical to Islamic values. His stance is captured poignantly by the words of his father, Hazrat Ali (with whom Allah was pleased) who said, “Do not be a slave to others when Allah has created you free.” This ethos underpinned Hussain’s (with whom Allah was pleased) defiance, emphasising the imperative of maintaining integrity and righteousness, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Along with a small band of followers, Hussain (with whom Allah was pleased) had journeyed from Medina to Kufa in response to invitations from the people of Kufa who sought his leadership against Yazid’s tyranny. However, upon reaching Karbala, the caravan was intercepted by Yazid’s forces. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Hussain (peace be upon him) chose to stand his ground, embodying the principle that true victory lies in upholding justice, not in achieving physical dominance.

When the siege tightened and water supply was cut off, the resolve of Hussain (with whom Allah was pleased) and his companions did not waver. The battle reached its tragic climax on the day of Ashura. The imam’s final stand and martyrdom, as well as the brutal massacre of his family and supporters, marked a defining moment in Islamic history.

Hussain’s (with whom Allah was pleased) declaration, “I have not risen to spread evil or to show off, nor to oppress or tyrannise, but I have risen to seek reform in the Ummah of my grandfather,” encapsulates his mission and the moral high ground he maintained.

The Karbala tragedy resonates deeply with the concept of marginality in several dimensions. First, it highlights the marginalisation of truth and justice in a society dominated by oppressive rule. That makes the significance of this event universal. Hussain and his followers represented a marginalised group that refused to succumb to the hegemonic power of Yazid’s regime. Their marginalisation was not just physical but also ideological, as they stood for values that were sidelined by the prevailing political authority.

Sayyid Hossein Nasr notes, “The tragedy of Karbala represents the perennial struggle of truth against falsehood; justice against injustice; and the oppressed against the oppressor.” This struggle is emblematic of the broader human condition where marginalised communities continually fight against systemic injustices.

The narrative of Karbala is a potent symbol of resistance against tyranny. Hussain’s (with whom Allah was pleased) martyrdom is a testament to the idea that resistance is not measured by the likelihood of success but by the moral imperative to oppose injustice. This is echoed in the words of a South Asian political icon, who said, “I learned from Hussain (with whom Allah was pleased) how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”

The resistance of Hussain and his followers against Yazid’s tyranny also finds resonance in contemporary struggles against oppression. The principles of justice, sacrifice and steadfastness in the face of tyranny espoused at Karbala have inspired numerous movements for social justice and human rights across the world. The commemoration of Ashura, the day of Hussain’s (with whom Allah was pleased) martyrdom, serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against oppression and the enduring spirit of resistance.

The Karbala tragedy has been a focal point for Islamic scholars who draw lessons from the imam’s sacrifice to inspire ethical conduct and social justice. Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian revolution, emphasised, “The month of Muharram is the month in which justice rose against tyranny and truth stood against falsehood and proved that, throughout history, truth has always triumphed over falsehood.”

Dr Ali Shariati, a prominent Iranian intellectual, highlighted the existential dimension of Hussain’s (with whom Allah was pleased) stand: “Karbala is the constant struggle of every individual against injustice and oppression. It is the cry of all the oppressed and marginalised people against their tyrants.”

Taha Hussein, the Egyptian writer, noted in his reflections on Karbala, “The tragedy of Hussain (with whom Allah was pleased) is not one of the past; it is the tragedy of humanity, which is renewed through the ages.” His perspective underscores the universal and timeless nature of the imam’s stand against oppression, resonating with diverse movements throughout history.

The Iranian revolution in 1979, where the imam’s legacy inspired the masses to overthrow an oppressive regime, is a modern example. Similarly, the South Asian anti-colonial struggles and the ongoing resistance against various forms of authoritarianism in the Middle East and beyond draw inspiration from the principles exemplified in Karbala.

The tragedy of Karbala transcends its historical context to become a universal symbol of the fight against oppression and the quest for justice. Hussain ibn Ali’s (with whom Allah was pleased) martyrdom serves as a powerful reminder that the essence of true leadership lies in unwavering commitment to moral principles, even at the cost of one’s life. This legacy continues to inspire and galvanise individuals and movements striving for justice, reinforcing the notion that the fight against tyranny is timeless and universal. As long as there is oppression, the message of Karbala will resonate, reminding the marginalised and oppressed that resistance is not only possible but imperative.

Urdu literature has been profoundly enriched by various genres, resonating with the Karbala tragedy, notably marsiya and manqabat, which were masterfully developed by poets like Mir Anis and Mirza Dabir in Lucknow. These genres, deeply rooted in the Islamic tradition of elegiac poetry, have significantly contributed to the literary culture of Urdu.

More importantly, they have cultivated a profound sense of tragedy among South Asian Muslims, adding a new creative dimension to the literature and fostering empathy and compassion. Marsiya, a genre of elegiac poetry, specifically commemorates the tragic events of Karbala, where Hazrat Husayn ibn Ali (with whom Allah was pleased), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and his followers were martyred. This poignant episode in Islamic history is not just a historical event but also a symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny.

Through the medium of marsiya, poets like Mir Anis and Mirza Dabir brought the sorrow and heroism of Karbala to life, evoking deep emotional responses and moral reflection among their audience.

The writer is a professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore.