Think carefully! Is this what it means to be Husayni? Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ is the one who withstood great difficulties in Karbala in order to fulfil his obligations, sacrificing his household and even himself in the process. Then there is us, who cannot even sacrifice our sleep in order to fulfil an obligation. Time is something we cannot even think of sacrificing; our shops and businesses cannot even remain closed for a few minutes. The grandfather of Imam Husayn, the mercy for all worlds, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, کُلُّکُمْ رَاعٍ وَ کُلُّکُمْ مَسْئُوْل عَنْ رَعِیَّتِ “Each of you is a guardian, and each of you will be questioned regarding their subjects.”^[1]

This blessed hadith teaches us that we are all guardians. We are guardians of not only ourselves, but our children and household. We are all directly responsible, and we shall be asked if we fulfilled all of our responsibilities.

Now imagine the Day of Judgement. The floor will be made from copper, searingly hot and scorching. The sun will be raining fire from the sky. Everyone who ever lived will be gathered together with impending punishment looming. Will our baseless excuses work there? Will we not be held accountable for our responsibilities? We should fear how Islamic teachings are being increasingly ignored in the name of fashion, liberty or modernism.

O devotees of Imam Husayn! Imagine it is said to you on the Day of Judgement, “The noble grandson of the final and most beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was martyred in the state of hunger and thirst seeking to protect Islam and fulfil his obligations. Have you also made any sacrifices?” What answer will we give then? No amount of verbal eloquence will come to use. Even if we do give an excuse, when will it even be accepted? That is the Day of punishment and reward, the Day of justice.