Page 34 - Hussein Revivalism - Issue 16

Opinion

Imam Hussain

and Human Rights

Dr. Abdullah al-Yousif

When studying the speeches, quotes and slogans of Imam Hussain during the battle of
Karbala, we find that they focus on basic human rights as a fundamental part of man’s
dignity and insurance for his rights and freedom.

Maintaining Man’s Dignity Imam Hussain focused on maintaining human
dignity in his reformational uprising by refusing to
One of the basic rights of man is maintaining be subjugated and preferring death with dignity
his dignity from transgressions or degradation to life in humiliation. He said: “Verily, the pretender
both physically and verbally. If we refer to the [Yazid] and son of pretender have made us choose
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we find between humiliation and swords. And far from us
that it recognizes a human being’s dignity in its is humiliation. Allah, his prophet, the believers,
introduction. It also recognizes their equal rights as the honored spirits, and the dignified souls reject
a basis for peace, justice and freedom. It argues that our humiliation and prefer us not to submit to evil
humanity seeks a world in which individuals enjoy people but instead to face an honorable death”(1).
freedom of speech, belief and actions. It is thus
essential that laws protect humans and their rights Imam Hussain rejects submitting to tyranny and
from tyranny and oppression. enjoys no dignity granted by Allah to mankind. He
chose the path of martyrdom in order to defend
The introduction of the Universal Declaration of such dignity and reforming the state of the nation.
Human Rights adds that member states stressed He said: “I have not rebelled for the sake of evil,
in the foundational charter of the United Nations, fun, corruption, nor oppression. I have rebelled for
issued on 26 /6 /1945, their belief in basic human the reformation of my grandfather’s nation. I seek
rights, individual dignity and value in having equal enjoining good and forbidding evil”(2).
rights and the determination to promote social
progress. Member states were also determined to In another place, Imam Hussain said: “Nay… I swear
improve standards of living and advance freedom. by Allah, I do not submit to you meekly and never
Member states have promised, in cooperation with escape like slaves”(3). Imam Hussain preferred
the UN, to ensure the respect of human rights and to die with honor than to live in humiliation with
freedom. disrespect, because man loses his value when
dignity is absent.
In article (1) of the Declaration, it states that people
are born with equal rights and dignity. They are Enjoying the Freedom
granted reason and conscience and have to deal
humanely with each other. Article (2) states that General and individual freedom are among the
every individual man enjoys the right and freedom most distinguished rights of human beings. These
mentioned in the declaration with no discrimination include the right of belief and opinion. Islam
based on sex, color, language, religion, political respects freedom, considering it as one of the most
opinion, different views, national origin, social status, important human values. It is a right of man and he
wealth, nor any other factors. is supposed to enjoy it fully as Allah wishes: “He will
relieve them of their burdens and of the shackles

34 Hussein Revivalism