What lies in the brotherhood of Imams al-Hasan and al-Hussein (AS)
There is something I find very divine and fascinating about Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Hussein (peace be upon them) for being brothers, perhaps a small detail that is not talked about often by the people, I mean the people, not scholars or those who are experts.
Starting from Imam al-Hasan (AS), what is mostly recognizable about him is his role in terms of the agreement with Muawiya (curses be upon him). As stated before, the battle of truth against falsehood never ends, but it only takes different shape and form depending on the situations and time.
During that times, even before the agreement, the people were suffering from proper understanding of politics and analyzing politics, they were very prone to fall for the rumors and other propaganda launched by Muawiya (curses be upon him). So in that time, people saw it as “weakness”, “how come the Imam makes an agreement with such hypocrite and corrupt ruler? An agreement with Muawiya who allowed the cursing of Imam Ali (AS) on pulpits, when Imam Ali (AS) is the father of the Imam?”
Imam al-Hussein (AS), he is known for the prominent revolution and what happened in Karbala, the defensive war he fought against the son of Muawiya, Yazid (curses be upon him). Where it was 72 against from the side of Imam al-Hussein (AS) against Umar ibn Sa’d army which consisted of over 20,000.
Before the battle of Karbala takes place, the people were seeing how the war will be destructive and Imam al-Hussein (AS) should accept Yazid as a ruler, so everyone will be spared, due to the power imbalance and also how the Ummayad outnumber the followers of Imam al-Hussein (AS).
Both Imams are infallible, so whatever decision they have taken were for the sake of Islam and the Muslim nation. However, both Imams were met with criticism and rejection, in times of Imam al-Hasan (AS), the agreement to avoid conflict was seen as weakness, in times of Imam al-Hussein (AS), jihad was seen as destructive.
The approaches of the Imams as a lesson
Ahlul Bayt (AS) embodied perfect values and approaches for us to follow. The fact that they were the only two Imam brothers, as the Imamate after al-Hussein martyred, was from father to son, hints something unique, it reveals to us a profound truth, a lesson, and a moral, as if they were the embodiment of a divine approach and blueprint that the Islamic nation must follow with all moderation and balance.
Adopting only the approach of al-Hassan and abandoning the approach of al-Hussein will lead to an extreme imbalance, while adopting the approach of al-Hussein and abandoning the approach of al-Hassan will also lead to an extreme imbalance. The agreement of Imam al-Hasan (AS) was done at a certain extinct and under specific conditions to achieve the greater good, while the revolution of Imam al-Hussein (AS) was also done at a certain extinct and under specific conditions to achieve the greater good.
As if the message for them being brothers, it is a way of balance and both complement each others and taken as a whole, when to have approach A or B.
Therefore, a true Shia government today must not blindly lean toward appeasement nor recklessly toward constant confrontation. It must embody the wisdom of Imam al-Hasan (AS) and the courage of Imam al-Hussein (AS). Both of whom walked different paths, yet both defended Islam with perfection. Wilayat al-Faqih, in its nature, seeks to apply such balance. It is about doing what is best according to the dynamics of the region, capabilities and setting priorities for causes.
#Islamic #Analysis
👤 Rydro (Abbas)
✍️ Between wars and direct interference and total diplomacy, isolationism and neutrality. Which is the right direction for a Shia government?
🗓 10th of April, 2025
@Rydro313
