Secret of So Many People’s Devotion to Imam Hussein
What is the secret to this devotion? What has made so many people love Imam Hussein (AS) throughout history?
Go gave Ismail (AS) to Prophet Abraham (AS) when he was an old man. He ordered Abraham to take the child and his mother to Mecca. Abraham obeyed God and then prayed for them: “Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley near your Sacred House so that they could be steadfast in prayer. Lord, fill the hearts of the people with love for them and produce fruits for their sustenance so that they may give thanks.” (Verse 37 of Surah Ibrahim)
What he prayed for was granted. The Kaaba was in a barren land but various blessings and good things gathered in Kaaba afterward. This prayer was also answered about the Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who are the descendants of Abraham (AS).
That is why people love Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) and every year, millions of them visit the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) in Karbala on Ashura and during Arbaeen.
The Quran says in another verse: “Honor (and love) belongs to God, His Messenger and the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.” (Verse 8 of Surah Al-Munafiqun)
Someone may have power and fame but not be popular and loved. You can be the president of a country, but the people do not like you. Mount Everest is famous but it is noted loved by people. So fame is different from being loved.
Which president, character, hero, or famous person do you know who is loved and whose grave is visited by millions of people more than 13 centuries after his death?
The secret to this love can be found in Verse 96 of Surah Maryam: “Those who believe and do righteous deeds, the Merciful will assign for them love.” Note that God says people will love him in the future as well. When the pinnacle of faith and good deeds is manifested in self-sacrifice, insight, faithfulness, bravery and Jihad on the path of God, naturally there comes a time when Karbala becomes full of people’s love for Imam Hussein (AS). And the tragic story of Karbala which is the story of Imam Hussein’s (AS) servitude and love for God, becomes the most attractive story in history.
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33 God says people will love him in the future as well. When the pinnacle of faith and good deeds are manifested in self-sacrifice, insight, faithfulness, bravery and Jihad on the path of God, naturally there comes a time when Karbala becomes full of people’s love for Imam Hussein (AS). And the tragic story of Karbala which is the story of Imam Hussein’s (AS) servitude and love for God, becomes the most attractive story in history.
