Imam Husain (as), the grand son of Rasulallah (sa) ended his worldly journey as his caravan reached the promised land of Karbala. Indeed the spiritual journey of hereafter had began as the traveller began to camp as instructed by their Imam (as). It was the land of karb (Grief) and Bala (Turmoil) for the Ahle Bait of the Master of all Prophets and Messengers (sa). The day was the 2nd of Moharram as the caravan reached their promised destiny. Imam Husain (as) upon reaching Karbala performed his first Sajdah in gratitude to Allah Subhanahu and upon smelling the fragrance of the soil ordered his companions and Ahle Bait (as) to prepare for the promised day. He declared that it was this land of Blood shed of Ahle Bait (as), as informed to him by Rasulallah (sa).
Finally, the day of Ashura dawned upon the soil of Karbala. It was the day when Jihad would be in full bloom, blood would be shed, 72 innocent lives would be sacrificed, the Imam of Rasulallah's Ummah would be brutaly maytred, and a decisive battle would be won to save Islam and the Ummah.
It had been a few days since the water supply was cut off by the enemy. Children were crying for water, women were desperate for water, Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (as), the son of Imam Husain (a.s.) was sick with fever. The suffering from the thirst was too painful to bear. And despite this, not a single person in the camp made any complaints or even questioned the mission of Imam Husain (as). Each member supported the Imam wholeheartedly and enthusiastically. The previous night the Imam (as) had called upon each one of them and excused them of their duties. He had given allowance to them all to leave on their own wish. They chose to defend their faith and took pride in being part of the great day to come. Indeed the greatness of his companions will be remembered as people continue to mourn their Imam (as).
Next morning Imam Husain (a.s.) went out of the camp and saw Amar Ibn Sa'ad mobilizing his troops to start the hostility. He stared at the intimidating army, and as large as it was Imam Husain showed no signs of compromise. Imam Husain (as) raised his hands in prayer:
archive.mumineen.org/lisan/dua/allahumma_anta.html
"O Allah! It is You, whom I trust amid all grief. You are my hope amid all difficulties. You are my trust and provision in everything that happens to me. Many are the grievances that weaken the heart, leaving no means to handle them, friends begin desert us, and enemies rejoices at it. I lay it before You and complain of it to You, having desire in You, and none other than You. It is You relieve me of it. You are the Master of all Grace, the Essence of Goodness, and the Ultimate Resort for all Desire."
The Land of karbala was to see an event that would move the heavens and raise a cry of grief from the heart of our Holy Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa (sa). His Ahle Bait were to face the sharp weapons of his enemies. These were the people who sought revenge from Rasulallah (sa) for his victorious battles of Badr and Hunain. Indeed these were the people who had not forgotten the wounds afflicted by the sword of Rasulallah (sa) and his Vasi Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) on their 'kafir' ancestors. Karbala was to witness the history of Uhud repeat itself as the banners of Abu Sufyan were raised by the army of Yazid (LA) under the commands of Amar Ibn Sa'ad (LA) and Shimr (LA) against the banners of Rasulallah (sa) as they marched against his grand son Imam Husain (sa). The event was to move Rasulallah (sa) as he lay in his grave. Fatema binte Rasulallah (sa) was to weep in vain as her beloved son was slained and his Ahle Bait (AS) ripped of their Hurmat.
A Muslim would indeed shed tears seeing his beloved Rasulallah (sa) in vain. The grief and sorrow of this tragedy is immense in the hearts of mumineen. It is when he reflects the Sirat of his beloved Nabi Saheb (sa) that he remembers the intense love and care that he had for his son Imam Husain (as). A mumin's love for Imam Husain moves his heart as he remembers the grace and bounties of his Prophet and Guide to Allah. It is this grief that makes him realize the difficulties that Rasulallah (sa) and his Ahle Bait (as) have faced in way of guiding this ummah. His eyes begin to shed tears as he begins to realize the bounties of Allah upon him and the generousity of Awliya Kiram (as) inspite of his numerous sins. Allah Subhanahu pardons his sins granting tawfeeq for a better life, for Imam Husain (as) who is is the beloved son of Rasulallah (as) is loved by Allah himself.
The Dai of Imam Husain (as) in rememberence of the targedy of karbala calls upon mumineen to join him remember this event and recall the great sirat of Awliya Kiram (as). The event of Karbala is a lesson of choice to achieve "Sa'adat" (Good Fortune) and avoid "Shaqaavat" (Misfortune) in this life and the hereafter. It is a lesson of trust and faith in Allah and obedience to his Awliya Kiram (as) who are the milestones to Jannat, the guides to Allah and his "Tawheed". Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin (TUS) has called upon us to remember our Moula Husain (as) and the attrocities of Allah's enemies on him, as all other difficulties fall short to this tragedy. The Matam of Imam Husain (as) as a result of grief and sorrow caused to Rasulallah (sa) and his Ahle Bait are the sheilds that protect us from the difficulties of time. May Allah Subhanahu grant our beloved Moula a long life in the pink of health to continue teaching us the Matam of Imam Husain (as) and remind us of his patience and Dua in the last Sajdah of Maytrdom.