The Karbala Event is one of the most painful and defining moments in Islamic history. It was not just a political incident, but a spiritual stand for truth, justice, and the preservation of the true teachings of Islam. To understand why Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) stood against Yazid, we must look deeply into the events that unfolded after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and how the political situation evolved until 61 AH, the year of Karbala.

1. The Period After the Prophet’s Passing ﷺ

When the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ passed away in 11 AH, the Ummah was naturally shaken. However, the companions of the Prophet ﷺ, being men of deep wisdom and Iman, took steps to ensure leadership remained firm and united.

The Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashideen)

The leadership passed from:

• Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (رضي الله عنه)
• Sayyiduna Umar Farooq (رضي الله عنه)
• Sayyiduna Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)
• Sayyiduna Ali Murtaza (رضي الله عنه)

These four leaders ruled according to the Shariah, the Qur’an, and the Sunnah, maintaining justice, consultation (Shura), and humility.

During Sayyiduna Ali’s (رضي الله عنه) caliphate, internal political unrest had begun due to the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Usman (رضي الله عنه). The Ummah became divided, and external influences began manipulating certain groups, such as the Khawarij.

2. The Emergence of the Umayyad Dynasty

After the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Ali (رضي الله عنه), the caliphate shifted to Sayyiduna Hasan ibn Ali (رضي الله عنه) for a brief period. To prevent further bloodshed among Muslims, Sayyiduna Hasan (رضي الله عنه) handed over the caliphate to Ameer Muawiyah (رضي الله عنه) in a peace treaty that contained important conditions:

• Muawiyah would rule only during his lifetime.
• After his death, leadership would return to the consultation of Muslims.
• He would not appoint anyone as a successor.

This peace pact was respected during Ameer Muawiyah’s life. However, when he neared death, he appointed his son Yazid as his successor, breaking the terms of the agreement.

3. The Rule of Yazid and the Muslim Reaction

Yazid ibn Muawiyah took the caliphate in 60 AH. This transition from Shura-based Khilafah to hereditary monarchy was something many prominent companions and scholars of Islam strongly opposed, including:

• Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه)
• Abdullah ibn Zubayr (رضي الله عنه)
• Abdur Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنه)
• And most notably, Imam Hussain ibn Ali (رضي الله عنه)

Yazid’s personality, behavior, and policies were far from Islamic ideals. He was accused by scholars of:

• Having weak Islamic character
• Associating with immoral people
• Engaging in un-Islamic practices
• Failing to uphold justice and Shariah

Though some in the Ummah accepted his rule due to fear or politics, the true scholars and saints recognized this as a dangerous shift in Islamic leadership.

4. Imam Hussain’s Refusal to Pledge Allegiance

When Yazid became ruler, he demanded allegiance (bay’ah) from important Muslim figures to legitimize his rule. The governor of Madinah, under Yazid’s order, called Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) and demanded his bay’ah.

But Imam Hussain refused.

Why?

Because pledging allegiance to Yazid would mean validating a corrupt system and giving religious authority to someone who did not deserve it.

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) said:

“A person like me can never pledge allegiance to a person like Yazid.”

This one sentence sums up the entire stance of Imam Hussain: A man of piety, knowledge, and truth cannot support oppression, innovation, and injustice.

5. The Call from the People of Kufa

Meanwhile, the people of Kufa, remembering the legacy of Sayyiduna Ali (رضي الله عنه), sent thousands of letters inviting Imam Hussain to lead them against Yazid. They promised support, safety, and loyalty.

After deep consultation and seeking the pleasure of Allah, Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) decided to travel to Kufa with his family and a small group of supporters. This was not a political campaign but a journey of reform.

As per Sunni scholars and the views of Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat (Dawat-e-Islami), Imam Hussain’s aim was not to gain power but to:

• Protect Islam from distortion
• Uphold the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
• Defend truth against falsehood
• Awaken the Muslim Ummah from accepting tyranny

6. Betrayal of the Kufans and Siege at Karbala

As Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) approached Kufa, Yazid’s army, under Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad, had already taken control of the city. The people of Kufa turned away out of fear and betrayal.

Imam Hussain and his family were stopped in the desert of Karbala, surrounded by Yazid’s forces, denied water for days, and given a choice: surrender or die.

Even then, Imam Hussain refused to submit to falsehood.

He declared:

“I did not rise up to create confusion, nor to seek power. I have risen to reform the Ummah of my grandfather ﷺ. I want to enjoin good and forbid evil.”

Conclusion: Karbala Was Not a Power Struggle – It Was a Mission of Deen

From the Sunni Barelvi perspective, as beautifully taught by Dawat-e-Islami, the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) at Karbala was not political, but spiritual. It was the stand of truth against falsehood, and love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ over worldly gain.

Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) left a timeless message:

• Never accept tyranny
• Never compromise Islam
• Truth must be spoken, even if it costs your life

The tragedy of Karbala is not just a historical memory—it is a reminder of our responsibility as Muslims to follow the truth, speak against injustice, and remain loyal to the teachings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ.

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.