It seems that as time goes by human beings better understand the magnificence of the uprising of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of the infallible household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Mahatma Gandhi the strongman of India has said, “I learnt from Hossein how I be tyrannized and achieve victory!.
“Let’s mock death and not fear from it in the fight for the liberation of our homeland he said.
I brought nothing new for the Indian people. I only presented the outcome of my understanding from the personality of the hero of Karbala. We have no way but to follow the lead of Imam Hossein (AS)”
American historian Washington Irving said, the death of Imam Hossein (AS) is something about which that I don’t like to talk about too much, because of the magnitude of this tragedy. In the history of Islam, nothing more nefarious than this has ever happened. Though the assassination of Imam Ali (AS) was a heavy grief for mankind, but, the fate of Imam Hossein (AS) was so horrible that it sends shivers down one’s spine. It was a terrible tragedy. Irving said that the spirit of the uprising will last forever.
Imam Hossein could have saved his life by surrendering to Yazid’s will, but, his responsibility as the leader of the Islamic movement did not permit him to recognize Yazid as the ruler. He made himself well-prepared for any other tribulation to free Islam from the clutches of Bani Omayyeh. I know, Imam Hossein’s soul will remain forever under the scorching sun and on the hot sands of Karbala. I honor you, O, my Lord, the shining lesson of bravery and sacrifice!
Thomas Carlyle has relayed this about the Tragedy of Karbala:
“The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Husain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Husain despite his minority marvels me!”
A specialist in Oriental Studies, Edward Brown said, Is it possible to find a heart that is not filled with sorrow when it hears about the events of Karbala. No one, even a non-Muslim, can deny the truth of the spirit of the war and what happened to Imam Hossein (AS).
Georgy Zeidan, another historian said, It was a shock to see the beheaded body of Imam Hossein (AS). Even Yazid shivered in horror when he saw the beheaded Hossein. He realized what a terrible crime he has committed against Imam Hossein (AS).
Gerhard Konsilman a German journalist said that Yazid despised the people, slaving and oppressing them and irresponsible sinful person. Imam Hossein by his realistic personality and death defeated the tyrant. His revolt was the ignition for the end of Umayyad density. Konsilman added that the dead Hossein was more dangerous on Yazid than the live Hossein. The martyrdom of Hossein in Kerbala remained the symbol for freedom, dignity and rejection of the tyrants.
There are some similarities between Jesus Christ and Hossein in that both of them rejected tyrant and wrongful and gave themselves in the way of freedom, salvation, dignity and righteous aspect of life. Their path is one and their salvation is by following their path of peace and justice. Before them Moses and Aaron defied the tyranny of Pharaoh and Aaron was deemed weak by his own people when Moses left to receive the Ten Commandments.
Hossein will remain as a revolution against all tyrants and oppressors. He will continue as a symbol for dignity and freedom for all the mankind and not only the Shia Muslims.”