They were the Princes and Princesses of Heavens and earth. They were the children of my Aqa AS. There ain’t enough words to describe their stature, there ain’t enough words to condemn the shameful cruelty of Ummah towards them, there ain’t enough words to express the sorrow over what happened and how it happened in Karbala.
Every Ashura, the heartache returns with greater intensity more so this Ashura. The more I think about current situation, the more parallels are drawn with Yazids of past and present. The more it is confirmed that I’m a Kofi. Like Kofis, I pick up my handset and write letters (Blogs). My plight is that I don’t even have the luxury to call upon Hussain AS. What a plight? May be I don’t deserve it. May be like those Kofis, I might also en burning (deleting) those letters (Blogs). Kofis took a sigh of relief seeing those tents burning. However, in those tents was not only the evidence (letters of Kofis) but also the progeny of Aqa AS. Thank God I’m not one of them yet a Kofi with no solace to call upon Hussain AS.
This is not a political commentary on behalf of a political party. Just for moment, be a Pakistani Muslim and relate with what is happening around us.
The more I visualise scenes of 60-61 Hijra, the more semblance I see with Pakistan of today. Illegal heir to throne seeking legitimacy to power through absurd and brutish means. Rented ‘Religious scholars’ like Israelite Rabbis spewing venom against truth. Misuse of Quranic Verses and Hadith like we do now. Cowtowing elite going extra mile protecting their interests by aligning them with the interests of Yazid. Eulogising intelligentsia spin doctoring the narrative. Draw a parallel with Ummiyad pulpit with today’s clergy on TV screens or town square propaganda with talk shows. Businessmen and investors like merchants of Balad Al Sham cajoling Yazid. Kalima go state forces persecuting Kalima go commoners. Except, we the morbid miserables don’t have Hussain AS to call upon. Oppressive Al-e-Yazid is petrifying Kofis like us to at least silence the majority. Greatest fear of Yazid was that if the word went out that Hussain AS was on the move, people would rally around him which could have swept away his illegal rule. Kofis, however, were subdued by the might of tyrant forces and quietly caved in just like ‘Project Silence Pakistan’ is moving forward with full force through coercion and legislations. Fear of giving up living or life was too much for Kofis to handle but these trifles meant nothing to Hussain AS. His mission was larger than life and mundane needs. That is why He (Hussain AS) lives today whereas Yazid and Kofis cursed. Though Hussainis are mourning and grieving with utmost love, sincerity and reverence yet Hussaniyat was never about grief, commemoration or rituals but standing up to Yazid. The Prince of heavens and earth has set the bar so high that both Hussainis and Kofis like me stand in the same line. Our Imaan is diluted by basic needs, longterm plans, comfort living, cautious approach, corner plots, ‘hard earned’ perks and family interests. As if our families are (Na’uz Billah) more sacred than Hussain’s. We have loads of knowledges and heaps of information about everything except willingness to sacrifice. No courage to speak. No strength of character to call out usurpers. No wonder, we deserve what is coming our way.
While drawing these parallels between Yazids of past and present, most alarming dissimilarity comes to fore; notwithstanding zero moral authority and heinous acts of past Yazid, state was expanding and thriving. Might be because the seed of that state was sown by Aqa AS and nourished by Rashidoon (May Alllah be pleased with them). Look at us, we continue to fall in a pit-less abyss. Entire nation is playing a game of pretence; oppressors trying to look cool, calm & collected and oppressed trying to absorb every pressure particularly economic.
May Allah give us strength to follow Hussainiyat in its true spirit. Ameen.
Ameen 🙏
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