The martyrdom of Imam Hussain [AS] will continue to be interpreted and commented upon but one point to which every commentator; every interpreter and every philosopher accede to Imam’s sincerity of purpose, dedication to cause, devotion to the sublime ideals and his submission to the will of God.

Imam Hussain did not act on whims. His every step, since he moved out of Medina down to the plain of Karbala, was calculated, well-thought-out and carefully measured. His advice to his brother Hanafiya while moving out of Medina revealed his objectives: to save Islam and bring back to the Islamic culture and civilization its true colours and moorings.

There was another aspect of the challenge. Islam being the divinely revealed religion for the whole human race and being the only religion acceptable to God (3:84) holds the last hope for the humankind. None but the Devil alone would aim to destroy or corrupt it. And the one, who aims to do it, would be the worst enemy of humanity.

He would naturally be the devil in human form. Yazid (may God’s curse be on him) the Satan incarnate after assuming the power tried to do so. It was obligatory upon Hussain to do everything within means to save Islam from the clutches of the progeny of Abu Suffyan, and save humanity from total destruction and certain damnation.

After the death of the Holy Prophet [PBUH], the world of Islam presented itself in a unique spectacle. Ahle Bait exhibited untold sagacity and wisdom, otherwise, it was planned to divide the world of Islam first on political line then only to robe it of its spiritual, religious, and eternal purport.

And by the later half of Hazrat Usman’s reign the world of Islam divided itself into two distinct camps; into materialists, capitalists, opportunists, worldly wise, authority monger cronies as against spiritualists, God fearing, self-sacrificing, self-effacing devotees who did not like, despite temptation, impersonation, coercion and torture, to deviate from the path ordained by Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

The political, social, cultural, and spiritual situation of the Islamic polity began to aggravate rapidly. The evil forces had established themselves on firm footings. When Ali [AS] took over the mantle of political headship of the Muslim world, those forces rose against him. The impending division of the Islamic world on spiritual and material lines came into effect, and the Muslim world was divided into two distinct warring camps.

Ali who could save the nation from the abyss was martyred. His martyrdom robbed the nation of the last chance of recovery and of hope. When Imam Hassan came to power the Islamic world faced triple challenges to its existence: secessionist activities of Amir Muawaya, who would not care for any commitment or pledge in the way to power, secondly Khawarij were out there to destroy the internal peace and stability of the country, thirdly the Roman armies were posing threateningly on the eastern borders. Imam Hassan acted with untold political sagacity and wisdom and reached a truce with Amir Muawaya and saved the nation from the impending danger of 
absolute destruction at the hands of the Christian forces.

The treaty which he signed is enough proof of what he thought of and expected from him and what plans did the Holy Imam have for the betterment of Muslim Ummah.

The ascension of Yazid to power was the fatal blow to Islamic, identity, integrity, culture and polity. He was devoid of any scruple and Islam had not affected him as he was raised in the protective company of his Christian mother and other Christian courtier of his father. And Imam Hussain offered the glorious sacrifice and foiled the last ditch effort of the Satanic forces to corrupt Islam. The impact of Imam Hussain’s martyrdomwas far reaching.

A wave of unrest spread in the length and breadth of the country. Two things provide the main force and inspiration to a revolution: the power of conscience and that of expression. When these things find root in any society and culture, revolution is a natural outcome. The martyrdom, shock people into action. They began to criticise Yazid openly. The hatred and abhorrence for Yazid was so pronounced, spontaneous and candid that even his son Muawaya declined to accept the throne after his death. The martyrdom provided a base for the revolution.

Satan failed in last ditch effort to corrupt Islam with Umayyidism. Islam regained its pristine glory. People now began to distinguish the office of Khalifa from the office of Imamat. No more the acts of omissions and commission of the rulers were to be binding upon the masses as religious decrees as it was during the time of the four pious caliphs. The people regained the courage to question the integrity, veracity and sincerity of the ruler if his acts were contrary to the Islamic teachings.

By defeating Yazid the Holy Imam established the truth and won an 
everlasting victory over falsehood. He not only exposed all the Yazids to come till the doomsday, he crushed falsehood, coercions, and intimidation forever and, placed the truth in its original purity in the highest pinnacle of prominence and regard. Yazid as representative of the devil, oppression and intimidation has earned permanent damnation for himself while the name of Imam Hussain shines gloriously in the annals of human history.