Shaheed Sarbuland – The Hussaini Hero

The act of giving one’s life in order to declare and bear witness to one’s religion and a worthy cause is known as martyrdom in Islam (shahada in Arabic). It is the pinnacle of a person’s devotion to God and religious values, according to a deeper spiritual level. As Imam Ali (as) states in sermon 27 of Nahjul Balagha:

“Jihad is a gateway to paradise, but not everyone can enter. Not everyone is elected to be a Mujahid, and not everyone is deserving of it. This entrance has only been opened for Allah swt’s selected friends. Jihad is one of the doors of Paradise, which Allah has opened for His chief friends. It is the dress of piety and the protective armour of Allah and His trustworthy shield. Whoever abandons it Allah covers him with the dress of disgrace and the clothes of distress. He is kicked with contempt and scorn, and his heart is veiled with screens (of neglect). Truth is taken away from him because of missing jihad. He has to suffer ignominy and justice is denied to him.”

We profess our devotion to Imam Ali and are constantly reciting his name. However, we cannot become a greater Shia by merely professing our beliefs; a true Shia must follow his footsteps. Since the early days of Islam, every Muslim prayed to Allah for it. As it is evident, from the supplications which have come down to us from the Imams.

“I would rather have a thousand sword strokes than die in bed,” the pious Imam Ali (as) commander once remarked. While traveling to Karbala, Imam Hussain (as) would recite specific passages of poetry. According to riwayah, his father also read these lyrics on occasion:

“Though, worldly things are fine and charming. The recompense of the hereafter is far better. If, all the possessions and wealth are to be left behind. Why should one be stingy about them? If our bodies are meant to die and decay, Is it not better that they are cut to pieces in the way of Allah?”

In the past year, we have witnessed countless acts of heroism from those who stood against oppression in ongoing conflicts. These brave individuals gave their lives to protect their people, their beliefs, and their values. They embodied the spirit of the Ansaar of Imam Hussain on the day of Ashura, sacrificing their lives selflessly for the greater good. Their courage and resilience serve as a reminder that the legacy of Karbala lives on in the hearts and actions of those who fight for justice and truth. Like Hazrat Muslim bin Awsajaa, who fought valiantly and asked Imam Hussain, “Mawla, how did I fight?”—to which Imam replied, “You fought like a true follower of Ali Murtaza”—these modern heroes have left us with examples of unwavering faith and devotion.

Ayatollah Khamenei states regarding the recent martyrs:

“Peace be upon this proud martyr, who in the most sensitive and crucial moments of his life, symbolised the victoriously obvious truth against declining falsehood.”

This entails that martyrdom is submission to God, martyrdom is recognition of the Imams. The concepts of martyrdom and Holy Struggle in the cause of Allah are interrelated. Both words have been frequently used in the Holy Qur’an.

Without a doubt, the children of these martyrs know how strong their parents were and will always feel proud. They know their parents were people of faith, dignity, devotion, and submission. These martyrs are an inspiration to all Muslims around the world.

Lastly, I would like to mention a quote that is stuck with me till today:

“I ask all my dear sisters and women of the ummat of the Holy Prophet to strengthen their hijab day by day. Do not let your hair cause a non-mahram be attracted to you. Do not let vanity attract others. Do not put your chador away, Always make your role model Lady Zahra and the ladies of Ahlulbayt. That time when Lady Ruqaiya talked to her father, she said, “Don’t worry baba; my chador is burnt but it’s still on my head.”

-Syeda Sarah Mehdi Rizvi