arises: did Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ have any personal enmity or dispute with Yazid? Once again, everybody knows the answer: Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ had no personal animosity against Yazid. مَعاذَ الـلّٰـه did the great Imam seek power or personal gain? No! By Allah, Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ did not stand up against Yazid in order to gain power.

Thousands of positions of power or high ranks cannot match the rank of even the water that washed the blessed feet of Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. He is the leader of the youth in Paradise and the grandson of the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. What was it then that caused Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ to stand in opposition to the tyrant Yazid? There is a simple and easy answer to this question: Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ actually stood in opposition to irreligiosity.

Yazid was against Islam and sought to violate its rulings and system. He was of ill-character, and he sought for illicit behaviour to become commonplace. Adding to his list of negative traits, he was also oppressive and an open transgressor. For these reasons, Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ took physical action against this tyrant. When the great Imam headed towards Kufa with his companions, the Yazidi army obstructed them, causing Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ to deliver a khutbah. In this, he explained the ultimate objective behind what was to occur at Karbala and the philosophy behind his actions.

Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said:

“O people! The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whosoever sees an oppressive ruler who makes haram into halal, breaks the covenant of Allah Almighty, opposes the sunnah of the Messenger, and spreads sin and mischief amongst the servants of Allah; if a person sees such a ruler, and as per their capability, does not invite them towards goodness