From a Sunni Barelvi and Dawat-e-Islami perspective, the real power of Karbala lies in the lessons it teaches us, not just the grief it evokes. Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) taught the Ummah how to stand for truth, remain patient in adversity, and love the Ahl-e-Bayt in a way that uplifts the soul and preserves the honor of Islam.

🌟 1. Standing for Truth, Even When Alone

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) could have lived a life of comfort in Madinah. Yet, he chose to rise against Yazid — not for power or rebellion — but because Yazid’s rule was unjust, immoral, and a threat to Islamic values.

“I did not rise to spread evil or oppression. I rose to reform the Ummah of my grandfather ﷺ.”

📖 Lesson: Muslims must stand for truth (Haq) and justice, even when it is difficult, unpopular, or dangerous. Remaining silent in front of falsehood is not an option.

🌙 2. Patience in Hardship (Sabr)

From the burning sands of Karbala to the captivity in Kufa and Shaam, the Ahl-e-Bayt showed unparalleled patience (sabr). Despite witnessing the deaths of loved ones, Sayyidah Zainab (رضي الله عنها) and Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (رضي الله عنه) never lost faith or composure.

They never blamed Allah — instead, they submitted to His will, proving the strength of true faith.

📖 Lesson: When facing trials — financial stress, loss, illness, or oppression — we should turn to Allah, pray, and stay firm in our beliefs. Patience is not weakness; it’s spiritual strength.

💖 3. Love for the Family of the Prophet ﷺ (Ahl-e-Bayt)

Loving the Ahl-e-Bayt is an essential part of Sunni Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain.”
(Tirmidhi, Hadith 3775)

Sunni Barelvi scholars emphasize that true love for the Ahl-e-Bayt must be present in our hearts, actions, and lives — through respect, remembrance, and emulation.

📖 Lesson: Teach your children the names, lives, and values of Imam Hussain, Sayyidah Fatimah, Imam Hasan, and Sayyidah Zainab (رضي الله عنهم). Attend Mehfil-e-Hussain and promote du’a and zikr, not rituals of mourning that go against the Shari’ah.

🕌 4. Unity Without Hatred

One of the core lessons from Karbala, especially for Ahlus Sunnah, is that we condemn tyranny without spreading hatred. We honor Imam Hussain (RA) and love Ahl-e-Bayt, but do not curse the Sahaba (رضي الله عنهم).

Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi (رحمة الله عليه) said:

“Love the Ahl-e-Bayt is fard. But respect for Sahaba is also fard. We do not curse; we connect hearts with the love of both.”

📖 Lesson: Avoid sectarian division. Instead, hold balanced beliefs that unite the Ummah in love, reverence, and learning.

🕊 5. Reviving the Spirit of Sacrifice

Imam Hussain (RA) gave up everything to protect Islam — even his six-month-old son Ali Asghar (RA). Are we willing to sacrifice our ego, sins, or comforts for the Deen?

📖 Lesson: Let Karbala inspire you to:

• Pray regularly (even Fajr!)
• Avoid lying or cheating
• Wear modest clothing
• Protect your eyes and heart from sins
• Support the oppressed and speak up for the truth

✨ Conclusion: Karbala Is Not Over — It Lives Within Us

The battlefield of Karbala may be in Iraq, but the test of Karbala is in every heart. Will you bow to falsehood? Will you give in to peer pressure, injustice, or sin? Or will you stand like Imam Hussain (RA), even if you’re standing alone?

Karbala lives in every moment we choose Deen over Dunya, truth over lies, patience over anger, and love over hate.

explore what happened after Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) and his family were stopped, how they were denied water, and what occurred in the final moments before the Day of Ashura.

The Arrival and Encampment at Karbala

On the 2nd of Muharram 61 AH, Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه), his family, and a small group of loyal companions arrived in the barren land of Karbala, situated near the Euphrates River in present-day Iraq.

Upon reaching the area, Yazid’s army, under the leadership of Umar ibn Sa’ad, surrounded them. Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) was told that he could neither go forward to Kufa nor return to Madinah. He was forced to stop in this desolate land — and it was here that the final encampment was set up.

Despite being blocked on all sides, Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) maintained patience, continued offering prayers, and reminded his companions to remain steadfast and hopeful in Allah.

The Siege and Denial of Water

Soon after the encampment, Yazid’s army cut off access to the Euphrates River. This happened on the 7th of Muharram, as part of a brutal strategy to pressure Imam Hussain into surrendering. The denial of water lasted for three days — causing extreme thirst, especially among the children, women, and the elderly.

Even infants, like Ali Asghar (رضي الله عنه) — the six-month-old son of Imam Hussain — suffered the pain of thirst. The cries of the children echoed in the camp of Ahl-e-Bayt, yet Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) and his companions bore it with unmatched sabr (patience).

Despite being surrounded, Imam Hussain did not lose hope in Allah. He made several attempts to negotiate peace and reminded the enemy of his noble lineage and connection to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, saying:

“O people! Recognize me. Who am I? Am I not the grandson of your Prophet ﷺ ?”

But hearts had been hardened by worldly desires and fear of Yazid’s punishment.

The Noble Character of Imam Hussain During the Siege

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) demonstrated unmatched leadership and character even in such a dire situation. He spent his final nights:

Praying, making du’a, and reciting the Qur’an

Comforting his family members

Encouraging his companions to remain firm

He addressed his loyal followers and gave them permission to leave if they wished, saying:

“Those who stay with me will be killed. So I lift the bay’ah (pledge) from you.”

But not one of his companions left. They chose martyrdom over betrayal. This shows the love, loyalty, and commitment to the truth that surrounded Imam Hussain.

The Night Before Ashura (9th Muharram)

The night before Ashura, known as Shaam-e-Ghariban, was a night of intense devotion, reflection, and spiritual preparation.

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) spent the night in worship and prayer.

His companions, knowing death awaited them, still remained content and at peace, even joyful for the honor of martyrdom.

The women and children, including Sayyidah Zainab (رضي الله عنها), remained firm in their faith and dignity.

This night reflects the highest level of imaan (faith) ever seen — where every individual in Imam Hussain’s camp chose truth over life.

Lessons from the Siege of Karbala

The siege of Karbala was not merely a military blockade — it was a spiritual test, a symbol of how far truth must be protected, even at the cost of life.

It teaches us:

Never to surrender to oppression or falsehood

Always to stand by the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ

That martyrdom (shahadat) for the sake of Deen is the highest honor

Conclusion: A Divine Mission in the Face of Cruelty
The arrival at Karbala, the denial of water, and the last moments before Ashura are chapters written with blood, faith, and sacrifice. Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) and his blessed family showed that Islam is not a religion of silence in the face of evil — it is a Deen of courage, honor, and divine submission.

As followers of Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jama’ah, we remember Karbala not to mourn with rituals, but to live with lessons. Let us make du’a to Allah that He grants us the strength to remain firm in Deen, to stand against injustice, and to walk in the footsteps of Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) — the lantern of guidance and the savior of Islam.

Each verse sends salutations upon the companions who stood firm in the face of tyranny, reflecting the pain of their sacrifice and the honor they upheld. The naat is not just poetry; it’s a soulful reminder of loyalty, faith, and the spirit of standing for truth even when all odds are against you.

Let us read, recite, and reflect upon this powerful tribute and send peace and blessings upon the noble martyrs of Karbala.

karbala ke jaa.n-nisaaro.n ko salaam
faatima zahra ke pyaaro.n ko salaam

mustafa ke maah-paaro.n ko salaam
nau-jawaano.n gul-‘izaaro.n ko salaam

karbala teri bahaaro.n ko salaam
jaa.n-nisaari ke nazaaro.n ko salaam

ya husain ibn-e-‘ali ! mushkil-kusha !
aap ke sab jaa.n-nisaaro.n ko salaam

akbar-o-asGar pe jaa.n qurbaan ho
mere dil ke taajdaaro.n ko salaam

qasim-o-‘abbaas par ho.n rahmate.n
karbala ke shah-suwaaro.n ko salaam

jis kisi ne karbala me.n jaan di
un sabhi imaandaaro.n ko salaam

bhooki pyaasi bibiyo.n par rahmate.n
bhooke pyaase gul-‘izaaro.n ko salaam

bhed kya jaane shahaadat ka koi
un KHuda ke raazdaaro.n ko salaam

be-basi me.n bhi haya baaqi rahi
sab husaini parda-daaro.n ko salaam

rahmate.n ho.n har sahaabi par mudaam
aur KHusoosan chaar yaaro.n ko salaam

bibiyo.n ko, ‘aabid-e-beemar ko
be-kaso.n ko, Gam ke maaro.n ko salaam

ho gae qurbaa.n muhammad aur ‘aun
sayyida zainab ke pyaaro.n ko salaam

jo husaini qafile me.n the shareek
kahta hai ‘Attar saro.n ko salaam


Poet:
Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadri

Naat-Khwaan:
Muhammad Owais Raza Qadri

कर्बला के जाँ-निसारों को सलाम
फ़ातिमा ज़हरा के प्यारों को सलाम

मुस्तफ़ा के माह-पारों को सलाम
नौजवानों गुल-‘इज़ारों को सलाम

कर्बला तेरी बहारों को सलाम
जाँ-निसारी के नज़ारों को सलाम

या हुसैन इब्न-ए-‘अली ! मुश्किल-कुशा !
आप के सब जाँ-निसारों को सलाम

अकबर-ओ-असग़र पे जाँ क़ुर्बान हो
मेरे दिल के ताजदारों को सलाम

क़ासिम-ओ-‘अब्बास पर हों रहमतें
कर्बला के शह-सुवारों को सलाम

जिस किसी ने कर्बला में जान दी
उन सभी ईमानदारों को सलाम

भूकी प्यासी बीबियों पर रहमतें
भूके प्यासे गुल-‘इज़ारों को सलाम

भेद क्या जाने शहादत का कोई
उन ख़ुदा के राज़दारों को सलाम

बे-बसी में भी हया बाक़ी रही
सब हुसैनी पर्दा-दारों को सलाम

रहमतें हों हर सहाबी पर मुदाम
और ख़ुसूसन चार यारों को सलाम

बीबियों को, ‘आबिद-ए-बीमार को
बे-कसों को, ग़म के मारों को सलाम

हो गए क़ुर्बां मुहम्मद और ‘औन
सय्यिदा ज़ैनब के प्यारों को सलाम

जो हुसैनी क़ाफ़िले में थे शरीक
कहता है ‘अत्तार सारों को सलाम


शायर:
मुहम्मद इल्यास अत्तार क़ादरी

नात-ख़्वाँ:
मुहम्मद ओवैस रज़ा क़ादरी

His Birth, Life, and Special Love of the Prophet ﷺ

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) was born on the 5th of Sha’ban, 4 AH in Madinah. When he was brought to the Prophet ﷺ as a newborn, the Prophet recited Adhan in his right ear and Iqamah in the left, and named him Hussain, a name never used in the Arab world before.

The Prophet ﷺ held a deep and public love for both Imam Hasan (رضي الله عنه) and Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه). He used to carry them on his shoulders and kiss them lovingly. In one Hadith:

“Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. May Allah love the one who loves Hussain.”
(Tirmidhi, Hadith 3775)

Another narration mentions:

“These two (Hasan and Hussain) are the leaders of the youth of Paradise.”
(Ibn Majah, Hadith 118)

From these Hadiths, we learn that Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) was not just a family member of the Prophet ﷺ, but a spiritual leader and a role model for the Ummah.

His Noble Character, Piety, and Position in Islam

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) inherited the best of qualities from his family — bravery from his father Ali (رضي الله عنه), modesty and piety from his mother Fatimah (رضي الله عنها), and mercy from his grandfather, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Some of his noble traits include:

• Unmatched courage and fearlessness for truth
• Taqwa (God-consciousness) in every aspect of life
• Generosity and humility, especially towards the poor
• Simplicity in lifestyle and devotion in worship

He spent his nights in Tahajjud, engaged in Qur’an recitation and dua, and helped the needy without expecting praise.

As per the Sunni scholars , Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) is not just a martyr but a symbol of steadfastness in Deen, whose stand against injustice at Karbala preserved the true spirit of Islam.

Conclusion

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) is more than a historical figure—he is an inspiration. His unwavering stand for truth, his noble lineage, and the immense love of the Prophet ﷺ for him make him one of the greatest personalities in Islam.