Understanding Karbala
The book Understanding Karbala is based on articles on the various aspects of the Karbala’ Tragedy published in different periodicals over the years and a radio speech, but they were arranged by Sayyid Sa‘eed Akhtar Rizvi in this book form and published originally in Urdu.
 | |
| Author | Sayyid Sa'eed Akhtar Rizvi |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Published | 1812 |
| Publisher | CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform |
| Pages | 157 |
About the author
Sayyid Sa‘eed Akhtar Rizvi (1927-2002) was an Indian born, Twelver Shi’a scholar, who promoted Islam in East Africa. He was given authorizations by fourteen Grand Ayatullahs for riwayah, Qazawah, and Umur-e-Hasbiyah. Rizvi was born in Ushri, Saran district, Bihar state, India, in 1927. His father was Sayyid Abul Hassan Rizvi and who was also a Maulana. He had five sons and two daughters. His second eldest son, Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi lives in Toronto, Canada. Rizvi spoke Urdu, English, Arabic, Persian, Swahili and knew Hindi and Gujarati. He authored over 140 books, some of them having been translated into many languages.
About the book
This book published in (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform), has about 157 pages.
The present book is a refutation of all objections raised by enemies of Islam and humanity to target the Muharram ceremonies and the conspiracy to belittle the Great Sacrifice of Imam Husain.
Abstract of chapters
Chapter 1, How Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn saved Islam from Destruction
This chapter is about Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn whose names shall remain attached to Islam forever because they saved Islam from the slavery of rulers and in this way saved it from decadence and destruction. At the end of the chapter we will be aware of Yazid’s character, his true beliefs and his acts and also what he says regarding other pillars of Islamic faith.
Chapter 2, And We Ransomed him with a Great Sacrifice
This chapter announces that of all the buildings of sacrifice that had been constructed so far, Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice was the loftiest of them and events show that it was the last stage. The preface of sacrifice that Ismail had written on the plains of Mina by his submission and will, it was concluded on the deserts of Karbala’ by Imam Husayn and his companions with their own blood. This was the brilliant and effective end of that which had started with Ismail and it was absolutely astonishing and magnificent. The whole world feels those facts and is compelled to confess its greatness.
Chapter 3, Prophecies Regarding the Tragedy of Karbala’ from Ancient Books
In this chapter, the author is going to quote in brief, prophecies present in the books of Hindus, Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians regarding the events of Karbala’. And since the future events have proved the veracity of those prophecies there is no scope of doubt in their authenticity. This is also an example of Divine Power that even though the people who came later have made as much distortion in these books as they could, such that their form has completely changed and at last originality remains only in name, therefore abrogating these books, it became necessary for God to send the last book whose protection He Himself guaranteed. In spite of all those distortions, the prophecies regarding the last Prophet and his progeny still survived in those books so that if anyone contemplates upon these books with an unbiased mind he could reach the Last Guide of Humanity.
Chapter 4, Why the Martyrdom of Imam Husayn became Immortal?
As it is mentioned in this chapter, the apparent defeat of Husayn was actually a magnificent victory. Since, Yazid was demanding allegiance from Husayn and his companions. Though Imam Husayn was martyred, when his successor, the ailing Imam Ali Ibn Husayn was brought chained before Yazid, Yazid could not summon the courage to demand allegiance from him. Yazid and his cohorts had to give up their demands. Husayn and his supporters remained firm on their stance. So this can be the best proof of the victory of Husayn and the defeat of Yazid.
Chapter 5, Effect of Husayn’s Martyrdom on the Principle of Caliphate
In this chapter, the author tries to show that the caliphate of Yazid, was a collection of consensus, Shura, testament and force and domination. While Husayn considered his Imamate to have divine sanction. Therefore, the success of Husayn could not be said to be the personal victory of Husayn alone. In fact, it was the victory of ‘divine appointment’. Victory, against ‘consensus’, against ‘Shura’, against ‘nomination’ and against ‘force and domination’. On the day of Ashura the martyrdom of Husayn by defeating all those false deities clarified the rightfulness of Qur’anic principle of ‘divine appointment’.
Chapter 6, Azadari and Innovation
In this chapter, the author tries to investigate the claim that mourning is an innovation. He starts his project in this way: he invites the people of taste to contemplate that even if Azadari is an innovation, how can it be expelled from the circle of honor and entered into the circle of prohibition? And at the end, he only wishes to state that time is such a medicine that cures even the deepest wounds; but the grief for Husayn is such that even after the passage of so many centuries it still retains its original freshness. This itself is the proof that the mourning for Husayn is having Divine assistance.
Chapter 7, Azadari of Husayn from the Islamic Point of View
In this chapter the author answers some questions regarding the Azadari of Husayn and believes that though it is best to ignore foolish objections, but it necessary here because if we don’t rebut them they would be further emboldened to write anything that comes to their feeble minds.
Chapter 8, Banu Umayyah in the View of the Holy Qur’an
In this chapter the author intends to present and discuss the verses of Holy Qur’an regarding Banu Umayyah. The exegesis and commentaries on these verses is from the books of Ahl al-Sunnah themselves.
Chapter 9, Who were the killers of Imam Husayn?
In this chapter, the author talks about the people who were involved in killing of Imam Husayn, and finally concludes in this way:
“I think that these proofs are sufficient to prove my claim that Wahabi people respect and honor the killers of Imam Husayn. Traditions of each of their chiefs decorate the Sihah books. Most of them are onsidered reliable, trustworthy, truthful and acceptable. One of them was made a caliph inspite of being the killer of Husayn and another was a caliph inspite of the fact that he instigated killing of Husayn and inspite of the fact that he was exiled by the Prophet. While the one who took revenge from these killers was called a deviant, a liar, one worse than Hajjaj, and God knows what else!”