The great Epic of ʿĀshūrā in Karbalā is a multi dimensional issue that must be well understood before we can appreciate its significance.  Two major preludes to the ʿĀshūrā tragedy are the Divine event of al-Ghadīr al-Khum, and the Saq ī fah Intrigue.  Without a good knowledge of these two events, the episode of ʿĀshūrā seems to be a useless and foolish experience in physical and superficial bases.  World renowned thinkers have a much deeper opinion about the epic of ʿĀshūrā.   Let us review a few of these quotes:

 “I have learned from Husayn how to be oppressed yet victorious.”

Mahatma Ghandi

"I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind....  I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life.  It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of Hussain the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission to save Islam.  These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle." ^[i]

  Mahatma Ghandi

“If Husayn had fought to quench his worldly desires, as alleged by certain Christian critics, then I do not understand why his sister, wife, and children accompanied him.”

Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) – English novelist, Victorian era

“The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbalā is that Husayn and his companions were rigid believers in God.  They illustrated that the numerical superiority does not count when it comes to the truth and the falsehood.  The victory of Husayn, despite his minority, marvels me!”

Thomas Carlyle (1795 – 1881) – Famous British historian

“In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Husayn, will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.  Without his martyrdom, Islam would have extinguished long ago.  He was the saviour of Islam and it was due to his martyrdom that Islam took such a deep root, which it is neither possible nor even imaginable to destroy now.”

 Edward Gibbon (1737 – 1794) – Considered the greatest British historian of his time

Having read the unprejudiced statements of these honourable and influencing non-Muslim personalities, we now go through the adventures of Karbalā to throw more light on this unique Jih ā d .

Please click “ The Review of al-Ghad ī r ” as the first prelude to the Epic of ʿ Āshūrā .