The Enduring Legacy of Ashura in the Face of Oppression
Every year, millions of Muslims across the world commemorate Tasua and Ashura, the ninth and tenth days of Muharram, to remember the unparalleled sacrifice of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (AS) and his small group of loyal companions in the desert plains of Karbala. The tragedy that unfolded in 680 AD was not just a sorrowful event in history—it was a living message: to never submit to tyranny, no matter the cost.
Imam Hussain’s (AS) famous words, “I did not rise up out of arrogance or corruption, but to seek reform in the nation of my grandfather,” are echoed in every corner of the world where oppression is resisted and dignity is defended. His refusal to pledge allegiance to the tyrant Yazid became the golden standard of standing for truth even in isolation.
The Qur'an itself praises those who resist oppression. In Surah al-Nisa (4:75), Allah says:
> “And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cry out, ‘Our Lord, rescue us from this city of oppressors…’”
This is the same principle that today fuels many voices against the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where thousands of innocent lives have been taken by Israeli bombings. The deliberate killing of women and children, destruction of hospitals, and displacement of an entire population are clear violations of every human and divine law. As Iran sees these atrocities, it doesn’t remain neutral—and it shouldn’t. The Islamic Republic of Iran, built on the legacy of the Islamic Revolution and the blood of martyrs, finds its spiritual roots in Karbala.
Iran’s resistance against Zionism is not political opportunism—it’s part of a divine duty to stand against oppression. After direct attacks on Iranian consulates and military advisors in Syria and Damascus, and the unrelenting assault on Gaza, Iran has made it clear that it cannot remain silent. When Imam Khamenei said, “Helping the oppressed is a divine duty, and the silence of Muslim nations is shameful,” he was not only echoing the legacy of Imam Hussain but was also calling contemporary Muslims to spiritual and political responsibility.
From past scholars like Allama Tabataba’i, who interpreted Karbala as a perpetual revolution of the spirit, to modern thinkers like Dr. Ali Shariati, who famously wrote about “Every day is Ashura and every land is Karbala,” the message remains consistent: the believer must never accept humiliation, nor watch injustice unfold in silence.
Even in the battlefield of international politics, Iran’s measured yet courageous response to Israeli aggression follows a Quranic strategy: one of defending the oppressed, not launching unprovoked wars. When Israel attacked Iran’s consulate in Syria in 2024, killing several Iranian officers, it crossed international and ethical red lines. In response, Iran launched a direct, clear, and proportional retaliation—a message to the world that sovereignty, dignity, and faith are non-negotiable.
This is not just a political defense—it is Karbala in action.
And yet, the enemy today is not only external. The global silence, especially from Western nations and certain Muslim governments, in the face of Gaza’s suffering, is deeply reminiscent of the people of Kufa, who abandoned Imam Hussain despite pledging allegiance. Just as history remembers those who turned away from Karbala with shame, today’s world will remember who stood up—and who looked away.
Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi, one of the influential scholars of our time, once said:
> “If Karbala is repeated in our time, the Hussaini spirit must awaken in us. Otherwise, we are Yazidis in silence.”
The martyrdom of Iranian generals and volunteers in Syria and Palestine, like General Qassem Soleimani, further deepens this link. His blood, too, was a continuation of Karbala—a commander who lived by the motto: “The path of Hussain is the path of resistance.”
In conclusion, Ashura is not just a historical commemoration. It is a way of life—a cry for justice, dignity, and resistance. From Imam Hussain (AS) to Gaza’s children, from Zaynab (SA)’s bold stand in the court of Yazid to Iran’s bold voice in international courts, the message remains the same: “Hayhat minna al-dhilla” – We will never be humiliated.
And as long as there are people who remember Ashura not just with tears, but with action—Karbala lives on.
