This is the largest congregation of pilgrims anywhere in the history of mankind. This is the 40^th day of Imam Hussain and his companions’ martyrdom in Karbala. Along with the Quran this is no less a living miracle of Islam. It is now at the very heart of Islam’s struggle to win people’s hearts and minds to the ways of God. This the passion play of Islam at its best.

            This, however, largely goes unnoticed. The principalities, fiefdoms and other Arab countries with despotic rulers surrounding Iraq want to subdue it. They know that the rising hands of millions of mourners chanting eulogies for the martyrs of Karbala fall not on their chests but smack all forces of intimidation, coercion and exploitation.

            In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states where Wahabism is being promoted as Sunni Islam governments use all their power and resources to belittle the significance of this day,  however, with each succeeding year ‘Karbala’ is resounding louder than ever and is engulfing conscientious people to swell the ranks of Ahlul Bait’s devotees.

            This, however, is not an exclusively Shia protestation.  Shia, Sunni, Sufi, Christian, Yazdi, Zoroastrian and Sabian all come together to commemorate the occasion. They mourn themselves and facilitate other mourners. All have only one objective. To keep aloft the banner of Imam Hussain.

             ‘Karbala’ is no more a geographical identity. It has transcended all limitations of time and space. It has become a symbol of Imam Hussain’s sacrifice and what he stood far. People gathering there don’t only mourn the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. The show their respect to the victory of a noble cause over the forces of devil against all odds.

            It is not a small feat that around 20 millions belonging to different caste, colour, race, sex, religion, language and culture should gather together on a single day at a single place. It is beyond the purview of human potential to promote and sustain such spectacle. This is part of God’s grand plan.

            Although Kumbah Mela of Allahabad in India is yet another big congregation that takes place after 12 years at various place on the Ganges  and which is about one and a half months long event, Karbala is significantly different from any other religious gatherings.

            On the occasions of Hajj and Kumbah Mela people gather together for atonement and salvation; repentance and penitence; to please God for deliverance. However, at Karbala no more the objective is personal. It is transcendental and universal. People rally around in ‘Karbala’ because it symbolizes Imam Hussain’s sacrifice for what is ‘Godly, Just, Right and Humane.’

Pakistan media largely ignores this event. Animosity of Arab rulers in Iraqi neighborhood is understandable, however, can media in other parts of Islamic world be absolved of their negligence of the movement that is shaping the Islamic world anew.

Particularly in Pakistan  Deobandi religious gathering comprising a few hundred-thousand people get more space and time; even special editions of newspapers are published, whereas, this splendid commemoration of 40^th Day of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson is silently passed over.  Why this loaded silence?

            This year Iraqis, the bravest people in this part of the world, are commemorating this event with the same vigour and valour as in the past, despite the existential threat to them from Daash and ever increasing suicidal bomb blasts in various Iraqi cities.

            Why are we afraid of this rising Godly phenomenon? In the past we have promoted ignorance in the name of change and have done irreparable damage to ourselves; spiritually and psychologically. Let’s side with the wronged then to be the wrong doers. Let’s raise the voice of the downtrodden then be the exploiters. Let’s build our nation anew and recover pristine teachings of Islam.

            Let’s not forget that Holy Prophet PBUH has said, ‘"My 'Ahlul-Bait' are like Noah's Ark, whoever boards it, is safe, and whoever remains behind is pushed into the Fire"¹. We should guard against the anti Ahlul-Bait propaganda of new-Kharijites as the path to salvation is the path of Ahlul Bait ^(AS). ‘Karbala’ symbolizes a beacon of light for the seekers of truth.

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1-      a-         Abu Na'im, Hulyat Awliya, vol.4, p.306, quoted by Firuzabadi in 'Fadha'il al-Khamsa min al-Shahal-Sitta', vol.2, p.64.

b-         Stated by Ibn Hijr in 'Zawa'id Mus- nad al-Bazza', ch. 'Ahlul-Bait' from ibn Bazzaz in 'Majma' al-Zawa'id', vol.9, p. 63.

c-         It is also narrated by Tabarani in 'al-Mu'jam al-Kabir', vol.1, p.125.

It i s narrated by Muhibuddin Tabari in 'al-Dhakh'ir', p.20.

d-         It is also stated by Hakim in 'al-Mustadrak' with some additions in its wordings, vol.2, p.343,

e-         It is quoted by Muttaqi in 'Kanz al-Ummal', vol.6, p.216.