The paramount passion of Islamic Culture is a believer’s desire to sacrifice everything in the way of God. “Say surely, my prayers, my sacrifices, my life and death are all of Allah, the Lord of the worlds”(6:163) was the most favourite prayer of Muhammad (PBUH) in his life time. And this is the very foundation of Islamic ideology and acts as a living force for the dynamic, vibrant and alive Islamic culture albeit it is being misused by fanatic and depraved half-wits who appropriate Islamic teachings for wordily gains and self aggrandizement.

The enemies of Islam fear this aspect of Islamic teachings as they know that this force keeps the nations alive and vibrant. Holy Prophet had this passion in its ultimate intensity and glory. Imam Ali (AS) whose bravery and fearlessness has touched mythical heights says, “Whenever there were odds against us in a battle we sought refuge in Holy Prophet (PBUH).”

These are the words of a man whose bravery, courage and heroism is unquestioned and who about himself says, “the son of Abu Talib loves death as much as a child loves the bosom of its mother.” However, he accepts that Holy Prophet’s bravery, courage, heroism and gallantry was far greater and magnificent than that of his own. Muhammad PBUH is an enviable example for all the Muslims to emulate in our lives.

This distinguishing feature of bravery and heroism has been inherited by Ahle-Bait (exclusive members of House of Muhammad) excellen-tly well. They all, from Ali down to Imam Hussain, were the para-gon of self-sacrifice, self-abnegation, devotion to cause, sincerity to ideal and submission to the Will of God Almighty.

They were always willing to sacrifice everything in the way of God. Through their conduct they preached that martyrdom is ultimate glory for man. When Ali (AS) received fatal blow from Ibne Muljim (May God’s curse be on him), he said, “By God I have succeeded.”

The month of Moharram teaches us the same ideals of self-sacrifice, selfabnegation, devotion to cause, sincerity to ideal and submission to the Will of God. This is high time we learnt the message of Moharram and acted accordingly. Although Imam and his commitment to great ideals of Islam, stand gloriously vindicated in the annals and his commitment to great ideals of Islam, stand gloriously vindicated in the annals of human history.

There is no doubt that the principles and ideals for which Imam Hussain (AS) had sacrificed his own and his companions’ life, are still today indispensable for the regeneration of rotten societies in the grip of intimidation, coercion, terror and moral failings. The integrity and caliber of Imam Hussain is a beacon light for the downtrodden of the world.Now for the Islamic World indifference to the message of Moharram is fatal.

Imam Hussain”s resistance was not against a sinful and diabolic individual. Its dimensions are religio-political and cut across all religions, cultures and civilizations and encompass in the pall all humanity. He fought against a corrupt system. He wanted to uproot a political culture which was perverted, grotesque, unnatural and immoral.

For him Yazid (May God’s curse be on him) was not just an individual. The speeches of Imam Hussain bring this point home to the reader of human history that his fight was on behalf of all the crushed, wronged, downtrodden, persecuted and terrorized people of the world. While fighting Yazid the Imam was upholding the flag of justice, truth, virtue and high moral values.

The great martyrdom of Imam Hussain in the month of Moharram, the first month of Islamic calendar, in fact sets a guideline for us how to live and die. It is a shining example of courage, faith, devotion to cause, perseverance, fortitude, consistency and submission to the Will of God. Such example only comes through an unflinching devotion, dedication and commitment to higher ideals. His martyr-dom teaches us firstly not to submit to the rule of tyranny and secondly to close our ranks in hour of trial.

As a free nation both messages are our need of the hour. But unfortunately they seem to be totally lost upon us, even though we commemorate Ashura every year and profess our commitment to the examples set by Imam Hussain.

The growing problem of terrorism is eating us out completely. Many have fallen victim to the bombs and bullets of this demon in Iraq and all across the globe. The problem is so acute that even special security arrangements fail to prevent it from happening. Even the areas that were known for relative peace and harmony have succumbed to terrorism.

In the wake of Al-Qaida’s terrorist acts against the civil society of Pakistan and its political leaders, we must be on the guard so that the enemies of Islam do not use this month, which affords us an opportunity to commemorate the great sacrifice of Imam Hussain, to spread sectarian hatred.

This is high time the intelligentsia of the Muslim world tackled the problem on war footing because sectarianism generating terrorism does everything to hasten the process of society’s fragmentation, atomization and total collapse. At the same time this is not justified to put the entire onus of dealing with the problem on governments.

The problem is also the collective responsibility of the nation of Islam to participate in the endeavour to defeat terrorism, maintain sectarian peace and harmony and, preserve the sanctity as well as unity of Muslim Ummah.