Behave Manly

By: NayyerehTowhidi

“If you are faithless, at least behave manly in the worldly life.”  This was the admonition given to the ruthless troops of Yazid by the lord of Martyrs - Imam Hussein(AS) when His Holiness was in the last moments of his blessed life, suffering from utmost thirst and more than a hundred wounds on his pure body, besides emotional wounds caused by the sight of the blood-covered bodies of his dear-ones (72 martyrs including his six month old son, Ali Asghar).

Narrations concerning the historic day of Ashura tell us that when Imam Hussein(AS) had lost all his men on the battle scene and was left alone among the savage forces of Yazid, the cursed tyrant, His Holiness still continued to fight in that most trying conditions, inflicting fatal blows on each one of the members of Yazid’s army who dared to attack him. Eventually, finding themselves incapable of fighting that symbol of manliness one by one, those forces of the evil despot decided to attack him together. That collection of savagery and cowardice eventually managed to cause Imam Hussein (AS) fall off his horse, on the very hot ground.  (The most fatal strike was an arrow which hit the Divine heart of the Imam).

In those last and the most fateful moments, Imam Hussein (AS) caught sight of a number of those devilish troops rushing towards the tents where the ladies and children of the esteemed Household of the exalted Prophet of Allah were placed. Though that high-spirited grandson of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) knew well that those people were most dishonest and impious and so very unlikely to heed any benevolent advice, yet His Holiness, Imam Hussein (AS), being the incarnation  of Divine Mercy and Light of guidance, cried out, addressing them thus: “ If you are faithless, at least behave manly in your worldly life.”

Of course, those cursed unmanly people did not heed the admonition given by Imam Hussein (AS) and continued to follow in the footsteps of those who, though men in appearance, do not possess the least bit of manliness. Yet, those words, like the other words of the Infallible successors of the last Messenger of Allah – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) remain for every true human being to reflect  on and follow, resounding throughout the world of existence, all through ages, illuminating the hearts and reminding men of understanding of eternal realities about human nature, including the fact that human beings are endowed with honourable souls by their Gracious Creator – The Almighty God and thus, should avoid mean, unmanly conduct, even if they are irreligious and do not believe in the Hereafter where people are judged and rewarded for their good deeds and punished for their evil deeds. Obviously, that meaningful admonition can and indeed should be addressed to those faithless people who besides denying Divine Teachings, also act in the most unmanly manner. As an obvious example, we can cite the ceaseless brutal killing of innocent children, women and men in  Palestine by the Israelites, who plus being devoid of faith in life in the Hereafter have forgotten all about humane principles, conduct and manners. 

So being in such a world of lawlessness and hypocrisy, we need to work hard and hope and pray for the blessed Re-Appearance of the Awaited Saviour – the Imam of the Age – Imam Mahdi (AJ) who like his exalted forefather - Imam Hussein (AS) supports justice and piety and fights against tyranny and corruption and who will establish the much desired blessed Rule all over the world.May Allah – the Almighty – help and guide all of us to be true followers and supporters of that Awaited Ruler – that offspring of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) whose Government is desired by every truth-seeking human being.   Amen.