Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 6 is the tenth of Muharram, the day of martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him and His Progeny). While in literal meaning Ashura (tenth of Muharram) signifies the day of mourning for martyrdom of Imam Hussain who revolted against a corrupt ruler that was ruling by the name of Islam, in a broader sense the message coming out of the event of Karbala that led to the martyrdom of the grandson of the holy prophet of Islam is too deep to fathom.
Imam Hussian's choice of struggle against corrupt and tyrant ruler should be used to serve as a source of inspiration during our time. Ashura symbolizes invincible and dispassionate struggle against injustice, tyranny and oppression that have plagued the society.
There is a quotation that says, "A single tear shed for Hussain washes away a hundred sins." This quotation, while indicating the emotional aspect of movement of Karbala, shows the importance of understanding the message from these tragic events.
Imam Hussain was martyred on Ashura almost a decade and a half earlier but his message of fighting for justice, love, freedom and equality was immortalized and the barren land of Karbala became the archetypal land.
The quote that says, "All days are Ashura and all lands are Karbala" means that Imam Hussain would remain the source of inspiration for all the struggles for truth and justice, which may occur after him in the history of Islam and outside this faith.
If Muslims fail to fight injustice, corruption and tyranny in their societies, it means that they have failed to act upon the message delivered to them through the martyrdom of grandson of their prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
As we continue to commemorate Imam Hussain's killing in the hand of corrupt people every year, the message must turn into a social self-consciousness to refuse to believe that justice cannot be dispensed and that the truth would remain hidden for good.
While it is a public holiday tomorrow to pay homage to the great hero of the protest of an awaken human conscience against inefficient corrupt rulers that had put Islamic society on the wrong track.