It is rising of the sun. The brightness of sunshine in a vast plain, a vibrant army and a roaring river on the east side and men weaponed with hard swords on horsebacks, make a thrilling image. The mercurial image of Euphrates that mirrors the blue sky and perplexes eyes, ads to the appalling presence of eastern army. On the West, however, the small forces of Hussein (a) come into view with their walled campsite and the tents in a hollow. A long chain of hills, from north to south and from south to west, surrounds them from back. Their only escaping side is the East from which a huge army is about to advance. On one hand the nature multiplies dread of Yazid s army and makes it seems larger. The camp of Imam Hussein (a) and his guards, on the other hand, appears to be small.
The mounted troops along with foot-soldiers begin to make headway. Swords wave in the shaking hands of soldiers and blades reflect sunlight as mirrors. Men and horses pawing the earth raise a tumult in the distressed field of Karbala. It cause heaven to tremble and earth to shake. The battlefield is roaring dreadfully under the hooves of quadrupeds and stampedes of foot-soldiers . Magnifying their strength to frighten enemy, Yazid s troops are advancing toward Hussein s campsite. Surely, Hussein is not their enemy but they are in evident error. What difference does it make to fight or to surrender Hussein (a), in either case, the indecent heads of Yazids army have in mind to intimidate Hussein’s household by taking severe measures and raising in their voice.
Surely, if decent guards of Imam Hussein (a) had not made up their mind on martyrdom, they would have felt fear on outbreak of war. Perhaps this campaign, in a number, resembles nothing but a stone on the body of a broken-winged bird that affects the usual way of thinking towards fighting. Nevertheless, they remain faithful. Their situation closely resembles that of a chick that its plumage has shed in the cold of a winter morning. Yes, in the camp of Hussein (a), it is the time of great rejoicing and the martyrs of coming hours get up with joy. Self-recognition assures them of their future. They, surely add to their self-knowledge.
In mind of human, the source of sorrow and worry is nothing but low self-recognition and impaired self-knowledge . If proved otherwise, men of determination , rain or shine, will not lose their iron will.
Now, the guards of Imam, in a day or midday have convinced themselves to leave their will, their entity, and their independence to the divine will and to that of prophets, therefore there were terrific rejoicing on the day war started. Due to self knowledge and self recognition, they see that faith has covered them like a comely apparel and they have attained real independence at the expense of stopping doing worldly desires .Instead, they have saved for the day of the doom .They are true believers , not only in the sight of people but also in private. For these brave men it is a great time to celebrate praise and appreciation they have attained. They are worthy of this proud and glory and surely they have proved their worthiness.
They, despite enemy s intimidation and use of force, have kept their words and have fulfilled their promise. One can seek such a fulfillment just rooted in great spirits. They have never been intimidated. They have never lost their unity of thought. In the sight of this world, they are renowned for these characteristics. Surely, the world, by no means, will let them to fall into oblivion. God accepts and hears every word, doing and knowledge from true servants, which they have attained or gotten freely away from worldly encouragements. This is nothing but true acceptance of doings and acts on the part of Allah. These actions, by no scale, either God s pay scale or that of historians, scientists and scale of those who come and leave, will lose their weight.
Therefore, martyrs, on the last day, pleased with their choice and satisfied with self-esteem they attained, jump out of bed and come out of tents .They are happy with this turn of events to be of assistance in such a great day.
Surely, sweet worldly dish is not what men desire eagerly. Men, even those despised, desire whatever act is laudable and deserve praise not only by God but also in the sight of people. Restituting their prestige, even the most abject who sell themselves for a song, put their honor at stake and swear by their honor to rehabilitate their noble character.
Have in view a slow-witted man who you are suspicious of him. Look carefully into him and try to teach him and enlighten him with knowledge of generosity and greatness in proportion to his status. He, then, with the face inflamed with passions of bravery talks frequently about generosity and greatness.
On the last day of Ashura, they are only the martyrs who have taken the advantage of seizing beneficiations. They have approved these pious deeds with all their heart and soul. To seek the satisfaction of God and people, they, willingly, have given their life and surely, no man has ever done a better deed. In satisfaction of martyrdom on the great day of Ashura, no good deed - such as writing a book, a useful discovery, winning the victory of a city, village or a stronghold, bravery in battlefield, holding a big banquet or helping a helpless – becomes equal. It is only Ashura in which Zahir, the faithful friend of Imam Hussein (a) says “I wish nothing but to give my life a thousand times to restrain them (Yazid army) from killing you and your youth and even to restrain them from doing your household a slight injury. I wish I would do it”. It is only the day of Ashura on which Zahir s act seems worthy in the sights. If Hussein (a), the grandson of Prophet (s), not far from the tribe and family, had enjoyed his power and greatness, and if the hosts of Kufah had not turned away from their invitees, Zahir would not have boasted about giving Imam Hussein a hand of help. They have discovered the joy of defending Hussein (a) so they, by all means, perform the task. Sometimes, they intimidate by arrogant speech or threatening and once in a while, they speak calmly by giving advice and showing concern. “For example, it was most opportune when Barir Jumped out of his shirt and went forward. To reap the very benefits of life, he managed to outrun other people in defending assets and household of prophet either by word or by sword.
To portray their emotional state on the last hour to battle, the previously mentioned paragraphs contained expository comments on descriptions of martyrs as well as a detailed commentary on their aims and intentions.
The great day of Ashura surely involves great risks to lie in ambush for the lives of Hussein s soldiers; therefore, they have put an end on thinking much of their lives, their dreams, their wives and love of offspring. Although it is likely that some bizarre happenings such as terrible quakes make men to care for nothing else but their own lives, a case such as Ashura in which men stop caring for self-love, does not happen very often. Importance of the events and magnificence of the day along with devotion to Imam Hussein (a) have delivered his small army of care and grief. In the sight of martyrs, the dignity of Ashura is beyond that of a quake, a storm, a comet or a tumult of shots and yells caused by a crowd of people. Now, free from worry, they have consigned every care to oblivion. They live with the sole purpose of making happy a dear guest who is under their protection, although he does not base himself on a person. He, all alone, will rise to fight hard. On the last night of grace period, Hussein (a) granted the soldiers and attendants permission to leave. He proved that he has made up his mind to stand fast on his goal however without relying upon a person. Whether the last 72 soldiers stay or leave, he will fight in either case.
At the night next to which the sun of Ashura rise, forming a ring around their beloved leader, the small army of Hussein(a) expressed love and inspired affection to him. Although it cost them their life, they had decided to side with Hussein (a) in vindication of honor. Hussein (a), however, in company with supporters or all alone, will not call it quits. In either case, he gives his life for his great cause.
At the last night, brightening dark with the light of his words, Hussein (a) stated “The lord bestowed on me so much blessings that I do not succeed in giving thanks to him even by slaying in his way. God has praised us very highly by providing us with prophecy and has taught us the knowing of Quran, the everlasting book of divine law and tradition. The lord has presented us the knowledge to uncover the secrets of religion and that of those in tradition. God has given us a knowing heart, a clear-sighted eye and an ear to hear, then, he bestowed limitless richness at blessings so that each of which equals life in cost. Not only we cannot make up for his plenty of blessings, but also we cannot give enough thanks for a single gift. Only these favors, and no more, suffice me to stay in the battlefield to perform my duty and to give my life for the sake of God. My assistants, however, are free to leave and their going, under no circumstances, displeases me, surely, what is said is not from displeasure and my words are out of grievance. I never know assistants more faithful than you therefore; I am too concerned about keeping you alive. From the side of our enemies, I anticipate bad events for the coming day. Join my family, go back to your cities, and reside in your towns, there may be rescue and assistance from the side of Allah. These people (from Kufah) invited me so I stay with them. If they (Kufah s people) come to know my arrival, they will stop following and listening to others.
The logic behind this attitude is that of Muslims and if you inform a person of this logic, he will learn greatness and generosity. Everybody who makes out this logic is immunes to unhappy state of affairs. On Ashura, the great men (martyrs) soon found out the secrets of this logic and they ranked as the first learned ones. Surely, they are great because they tested themselves against this logic, which is the manifest standard of greatness and generosity. Making out this attitude, the martyrs loved to reach the tumultuous battlefield wherein they can stand to count their worth, evaluate themselves and to cast their autonomy, reasoning and faith in enemy’s teeth by putting them in practice.
The greatness of this illuminated attitude is weightier than that of a quake, a comet, a storm, a tumult or rebellion of troops. Surely, keeping company with distinguished men and dignitaries (such as Imam Hussein, peace be upon him) brings about incentives in the heart of people to think great. From the very beginning, assistants of Imam Hussein (a) wore the words of their Imam as earrings and his words touched their heart, so they became more decided on their goal. Therefore, in a firm voice and enjoying a universal attitude, they speak in a way that one would think a world is supporting them. Not one single man but all those in small association of Hussein’s army speak in the same way to lay stress on their way of thinking. To perceive the martyr’s frame of mind and attitude as well as their greatness, one needs to take into account all happenings on the last night of decision with its all turning points. In addition, one needs to consider Imam Hussein’s long-lived speech on gathering of assistants.
