The month of Muharram which is a time to commemorate and mourn the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn is one of the great treasures of not only the Shi’a world, but all of the Muslim world.

He was the son of Imam Husayn ibn 'Ali ('a), the third Imam of the Shia world, and his mother was Shahr Bānūwīyah.

Muharram, a time of grief and sorrow for the Ahl-al-Bayt (‘a)/Muharram from the viewpoint of Imam Riḍa (‘a)/ The Imam camps at a lodging place called the “Palace of Bani-Muqātil”/ Imam Husayn (‘a) asking ʿUbaydullah ibn Ḥurr to j o i n and help him/ Imam Husayn’s (‘a) remarks to ʿUbaydullah ibn Ḥurr Juʿfī/ ibn Ḥurr: one of those who remained behind/ Imam Husayn (‘a)’s last ultimatum to all the people

Through his perseverance, resistance, lack of submission, and delivery of fiery sermons in Kufah and Damascus, Imam al-Sajjad (ʿa) was able to turn the public opinion against Yazīd and turn a formerly safe environment in to an unsafe one for the Umayyads.

There is hope that in the world of today, the oppressed nations will take lesson from the story of Karbala and rise up, crushing their oppressors once and for all.

One of the main problems facing humanity during our time period is that of the oppressive superpowers and their destructive goals and policies. The aim of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) was nothing but fighting against these oppressive and tyrannical powers.

Indeed, the ceremonies held on Arbaʿīn are one of the noblest traditions of the religion of Islam. These ceremonies have deep roots within the religion itself and they were handed down to us from the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa) themselves. In spite of all the years which have passed since the great uprising of Karbala, perhaps it is still too soon for us to truly understand the profound reality of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa)’s sacrifice.

Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) performed his prayers in congregation even on the day of Ashura. This shows us that the prayers must be performed even in the most extreme and difficult of condition. Thus, in order to highlight this lesson and show its importance, it is very important that we offer the Noon Prayer of the day of Ashura in congregation.

Reviving the name and memory of these great men is something which gives inspiration and it furthermore gives human beings a spirit of self-sacrifice.

The mourning ceremonies must be held in a way where all the people are made aware of the goals of Imam al-Husayn(ʿa). The methods which are used in these ceremonies must be in line with the guidelines of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) and the rest of the Infallibles (ʿa), as well as the common practice of the wise members of the Muslim community.

Various moments in the history of Karbala have shown us how we should live an honorable life and how we should die an honorable death. These are the same lessons which Imam al-Husayn(ʿa) taught the world at the Battlefield of Karbala on the Day of Ashura.

We must follow in the footsteps of the martyrs of Karbala and we must also implement the teachings and messages which they left behind for us.

The combination of the proper affections for Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) alongside the necessary knowledge and understanding of the purposes behind Imam al-Husayn (ʿa)’s uprising are two necessary aspects of the establishment of proper mourning. The mourning ceremonies must be held with ever increasing levels of grandeur and perfection every year and we must be careful not to engage in any actions which will tarnish the grandeur of these ceremonies.

The martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) was so intertwined with various lofty values that it will never become old, nor will its values ever become outdated. Not only that, but Karbala and the sacrifice of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) grows in value and relevance every single day.

One can only claim that they love Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) and are among his true followers when they have reflected upon the various corruption and problems which exist during their own time period and they have done their best towards reforming these issues. Without any doubt, if the mourners of Imam al-Ḥusayn (ʿa) make a logical and calculated decision together towards fighting the corruption which exists in their society, they will be successful in reforming it.