Hawzah News Agency- Addressing a mourning ceremony for Imam Hussein (PBUH) in the city of Mubarakpur, India, Hojatoleslam Sayyed Zigham Rizvi, a distinguished Indian orator, expounded upon the spiritual and social dimensions of Ashura's culture, stressing that the school of Imam Hussein (PBUH) continues to serve as an eternal source of inspiration—nourishing the spirit of sacrifice, resistance, anti-oppression struggle, and awakening among nations across the globe.
The Courageous Iranian Nation: Today's Manifestation of Ashura and Resistance
Quoting the Quranic verse, "None shall touch it except the purified" (Surah Al-Waqi'ah, 79), Rizvi began his address by emphasizing that the Holy Quran represents a profound and divine truth, whose genuine comprehension is attainable only by those who possess purity of heart and spiritual cleanliness. He clarified that "touching" in this verse does not refer to mere physical contact with the scripture, but rather to the grasping of its deep realities and teachings—a truth that cannot be attained without inner purity and enlightened hearts.
The religious expert added that just as true understanding of the Quran is not accessible to all, the profound comprehension of the words and teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) likewise requires faith, insight, and deep-rooted knowledge. He subsequently invoked the celebrated hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), transmitted in authoritative Islamic sources including Jami' at-Tirmidhi and Mustadrak al-Hakim: "Verily, for the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, there is a burning heat in the hearts of the believers that shall never cool."
The Fire That Never Dies
Elaborating on this narration, Hojatoleslam Rizvi noted that while people from diverse sects, ethnicities, and nations today participate in the mourning ceremonies of the Master of Martyrs, what the Holy Prophet meant by "the hearts of the believers" are those hearts quickened by faith in God, belief in Prophethood, and love for the Ahl al-Bayt. This heat, he stressed, is not a mere emotional or physical sensation, but a spiritual and divine reality that propels the human being toward justice, truth-seeking, sacrifice, and the defense of the oppressed.
"True believers are those who never forget sacrifice and selflessness in the path of truth, and who keep alive the memory of the divine martyrs," Rizvi declared. "This is precisely why the mourning for Imam Hussein (PBUH), after nearly fourteen centuries, has not only not diminished, but each year unfolds with greater magnificence and expands further across the globe."
Suppression Fails; Ashura's Flame Burns Brighter
Highlighting the historical pressures and restrictions imposed on Hussein's mourning rituals, the Indian scholar asserted that enemies have perpetually sought to restrict or extinguish these ceremonies. Yet, because of their profound connection to faith, truth, and innate human disposition, these gatherings have never been halted. On the contrary, the greater the pressure, the deeper and more expansive the love and fervor for Imam Hussein have grown among the people.
Rizvi emphasized that the mourning assemblies for Imam Hussein play an indispensable role in fortifying the spirit of faith, anti-oppression resistance, perseverance, struggle, and the defense of truth among Muslims. "The culture of Ashura teaches humanity never to remain silent in the face of tyranny, and to stand always on the side of truth and justice," he said.
Iran: The Living Embodiment of Ashura
In a powerful affirmation, the Indian cleric pointed to the profound impact of Ashura's culture on the Iranian nation, stating: "If today we wish to witness a clear manifestation of the culture of sacrifice, resistance, and the spirit of martyrdom-seeking, we must look to the courageous nation of Iran—a nation that, inspired by the school of Ashura and the lessons of Karbala, has become a symbol of bravery, steadfastness, and might, and has succeeded in standing firm against the hegemonic powers across various arenas—political, scientific, media, social, and technological."
A School of Awakening and Liberation
Rizvi concluded by asserting that opposition to the mourning of Imam Hussein has always emanated from those whose hearts have distanced themselves from truth, love of the Ahl al-Bayt, and the spirit of faith. "The mourning for Hussein is a school of awakening, unity, awareness, and the nurturing of free and truth-seeking human beings," he said. "It continues to illuminate the path of guidance and resistance for nations worldwide."
The remarks from the Indian subcontinent underscore the transnational and trans-sectarian reach of the Ashura paradigm—a paradigm that today finds its most powerful contemporary expression in the Islamic Republic of Iran, standing as an unyielding fortress of resistance in the face of global arrogance.
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