The Martyr of IslamThe struggle between justice and oppression and the clash between truth and falsehood is as old as human existence on earth. When the rights of helpless and suppressed people are usurped, only a few devoted persons are prepared to stand by the truth to raise their voice against tyranny. All the Prophets and Apostles of Allah fall into the category of divine leaders sent for the guidance of mankind. Almighty God chose and appointed under His prerogative, great Prophets and Messengers like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all) to lead mankind towards the Right Path. History bears testimony to the fact that none of the Prophets were supported by the majority at the inception. They had the support of only the devoted and faithful minority. Yet, they were triumphant due to the sacrifice and hardships that the minority of their followers were able to sustain with them. The message they left is that the Right can never be subdued by the Might. The Might vanishes but the Right survives. Imam Hussain emulated the footsteps of the great Prophets of God and has left indelible mark in the history. His struggle against the injustices and oppression will never be forgotten. Imam Hussain was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, the greatest personality to have treaded on this earth. He was the son of Ali, the brave and selfless soldier who never fled from fighting in the Way of God for serving the Cause of God. He was the son of Fatima, the lady who stood against the tides of time for demanding her rights. He was raised in the house of piety and purity. He possessed the heart of his father, which could not be moulded with fear and attraction of worldly power. He inherited the apostolic qualities from his grandfather, the final Messenger of God. He upheld the message and values of the divine leaders by refusing to pay oath of allegiance to one of the most ruthless tyrants in human history - Yazid the son of Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan. The result was that Imam Hussain and his small number of followers, with their ladies, children and infants, were besieged by the mighty forces of Umayyad empire in the year 61H (680 AD) on the desert of Karbala in Iraq, and were massacred after being deprived of food and water. The tragedy of Karbala is remembered since the last fourteen centuries and commemorated by the followers of the holy Prophet Muhammad and his blessed household. His martyrdom provides an impetus to the communities of the world who fight for human rights. Imam Hussain fought the evil not with the worldly might, but with the spiritual strength. His mutilated body remained unburied on the desert of Karbala for several days. He survives in the hearts and minds of millions around the world. His enemies have not been able even to protect their own remembrance and burial places, despite the strength of an empire at their disposal. Whereas, his shrine is one of the most popular in the world for visitations (ziyaraat). Even when Imam Hussain had fallen on the battlefield of Karbala, with hundreds of wounds on his body, and with the mutilated bodies of his companions and children around him, he did not stop invoking God. His last supplication before he was beheaded by the brutal enemies was: "O All-Merciful Lord of the Universe! Accept the humble sacrifice of your Hussain. Hussain has submitted in Your way all that You had given him. If this son of Your Prophet had anything more, he would have submitted that also to You; but O Lord, forgive the sinners among the faithful, O Merciful One." Imam Hussain preferred to die a graceful death rather than live a life of disgrace with the oppressors. He followed the footsteps of the Prophets by not allowing superb human values and virtues to be subjugated under the treachery of despotic rulers of the time. Imam Hussain's message invites the world communities towards peace and mutual respect. Whereas, his adversaries are adamant on a policy of terror, fanaticism and intolerance. Imam Hussain is the torchbearer of struggle for the rights of the deprived communities.