On the Night of Arbaeen, Sayyed Nasrallah Recalls Karbala in History

Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the revolution of Imam Hussein can be divided into 2 parts. The first started from the Medina, when he refused to pay allegiance to Yazid and headed to Karbala where he attained martyrdom on the Ashura day. As for the second phase, it is the journey of the Imam Hussein's household until the Arbaeen, as they were taken captives in procession, until they arrived again to Medina.

The first phase, Sayyed Nasrallah noted the difference between the two phases; the first was military while the second consisted of political and media spheres as well as an awakening.

Al Arbaeen is an occasion in which we recall the procession of the captive women and what took place in Ashura following the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Recalling Events of Karbala

Sayyed Nasrallah recalled the events that took place at the time, when the Yazid army killed Imam Hussein and the men accompanying him, also the violence that took place, be it burning the tents of the prophet Mohammad's household, snatching the earrings and jewelry from the bodies of little girls, beheading the bodies of Imam Hussein and his companions and raising them on spears.

The long sad heartbreaking captivation procession extended from Karbala to Kufa along 2000 kilometers, while the womenfolk were in that situation and circumstances until reaching Al Sham countries and the Lebanese territories where the procession of sadness and the procession of the women captives crossed the villages of Qaa, Labweh and Maqneh until reaching the city of Baalbeck.

The caravan included Imam Ali Bin Al Hussein Zein Al Aabideen - who remained from the Messenger and the Prophet and his Household, the daughters and grandchildren of the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his Household), the wives of the brave faithful martyrs who were killed in Karbala and a number of children and orphans.

Accompanying the procession were the heads of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the martyrs of the Prophet's Household and the companions of Al Hussein who remained faithful and were killed with Al Hussein (pbuh(, which is an unprecedented scene in human history.

This procession which included these dear, holy and precious members was moving from one city to another, from one village to another, from one desert to another and from one hill to another to be seen by all tribes, clans, habitats of towns and residents of villages in very hard and tough conditions: handcuffs and chains around feet, whips lashing backs and chests, curses and abusing words showering over them, incessant threats of killing and liquidation.

What is more aching is that the people who were guided by their grandfather and his religion and sacrifices were summoned in every city, town and village to hold shows of rejoice and celebration to hail the victory of the murderous authority which killed the grandson of the Prophet of Allah and the rest of the sons of the Muhajereen (those who emigrated with the Prophet to Medina) and Ansar (those who supported the Prophet while still in Mecca) on the tenth day of Muharam of the year 61 A.H.

They wanted this procession to pass in through Iraq and Sham - these two regions which were most important and decisive and capable of deciding the form of the nation, the caliphate and the political future.

By making this procession walk all this long distance, the authority wanted to achieve several goals including revealing its victory, oppression and power. So the procession was a policy of terrorizing, crushing and frustration to everyone who might think of voicing out the truth in the face of an autocrat or of making an uprising or a revolution, or fight and revolt.

Sayyed Nasrallah also briefed on the later events that took place including the procession, the speeches Imam Ali Bin Hussein and Sayyeda Zeinab (pbuh) delivered in the palace of Yazid in Damascus holding Yazid and his men responsible of the crimes that took place in Karbala.

Members of the Procession

Imam Zen Al Aabidin, the leader of the second phase was almost 23 years old at the time; he was sick and weak as he was hit by fever by the time he arrived to the land of Karbala. Allah the Almighty had a reason to why he protected Imam Ali Bin Hussein, who was the Wali (the guardian) after Imam Hussein a.s.
It is worth mentioning that Imam Zein Al Aabidin despite his sickness, was very wise and brave, and took control of the situation despite his young age and despite the heavy burden he had to carry. Also, Sayyeda Zeinab and the women had their own role in achieving the final goals of this journey.
Imam Zein Al Aabidin was the only man among the women and children, who were all Hashemite; they came from the descant of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).

The Stance of Authority vs. Hussein Revolution

Sayyed Nasrallah said that the (Yazid) authority had planned for the crime of killing Imam Hussein as well as the other crimes all mentioned above. He had desecrated the body of Imam Hussein in the most hideous manner, all with a major goal which is to crash the determination, morals and hopes of the prophet's household, also humiliate them.
Hence, this comes in order to oppress the Muslims in such a way that they enjoy no immunity, and are not allowed to question the authority or object anything. In addition, another goal is to show power and threaten. In the same context, there had been attempts to distort the image of Imam Hussein and picturing him and his family as outlaws.

Sayyed Nasrallah noted that Allah the almighty had said "They plot and plan, and Allah too plans, but the best of planners is Allah", reiterating what Imam Khomeini had said, that Allah's enemies are stupid.

On the other hand, the women and children witnessed the very inhumane and merciless violence that took place in Karbala, yet they were not desperate, depressed, they did not collapse, despite all the pain and challenges, they were contrary the opposite. They stood up, spoke up, held Yazid responsible. They had no fear or anxiety but rather were very strong and decisive in their stances.
People of right should not at all be affected by the harsh circumstances they undergo, and that is what Sayyida Zeinab stressed in her speeches. She reiterated they are the people of strong presence, strength, confidence and faith despite the drastic and harsh calamity that fell upon her and her family. The prophet's household turned this threat into an opportunity and made use of the entire situation and the circumstances they went through. 

Young and old, the members of the procession spoke up, gave speeches, stood up for themselves and said the truth out loud, they did not leave one little chance to bring an awakening to light and put truth before the eyes of the people.

The same scene took place in Damascus, quickly affecting the public opinion and turned the situation upside down. 

Results...

The outcome, according to Sayyed Nasrallah was direct and quick, which included reviving resistance, proving truth, and defying the oppressor.
Sayyed Nasrallah gave examples; he recalled that when the captives entered the city of Koufa in Iraq, which was supposedly celebrating the victory of the authority, the ambiance changed into the total opposite when they saw the household of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). 

In their speeches, the prophet's household held the people of Koufa responsible for what had fell upon the heads of Imam Hussein and his family, especially as Imam Zein Al Aabidin and Sayyeda Zeinab gave their speeches.

On this note, Sayyed Nasrallah said that the situation is very similar to what had happened during the 2006 July war, when many were against the resistance and claimed to be with it. 

Walking to Karbala will remain alive until dooms day, Sayyed Nasrallah said, reiterating that this is faith and love to Imam Hussein and His Household, and reiterated that this same scene will take place in the Baalbeck festival on Saturday.

Baalbeck is chosen for the commemoration as it is the city where the procession had arrived to, and where the head of Imam Hussein (a.s.) was put during their journey when they arrived from Syria's Homs.