Hussain gave everything he had, including his life, for the greater good and for the benefit of those around him, and his epic legacy continues to inspire millions across the world on a daily basis.

Hussain ibn Ali was born in 620 AD to a family famed for their values of equality, love and peace. Raised by his grandfather Muhammad (the last prophet of Islam), Hussain was known for his integrity, generosity of spirit and blindness to colour and social class. It was for this reason that people flocked to him and his family.

Hussain was a man of great love and compassion

Despite cultural expectations of him as a ‘prince’ of his tribe and a prominent figure in the Islamic Empire, Hussain would shun the grandeur of his status in favour of breaking bread with the poor and needy. He broke all cultural moulds, brought people together and helped where he could. A celebrated example was when he and his brother Hassan cared tirelessly for a poor blind man they came upon in their city, in spite of traditional social expectations.

Not long after the passing of Muhammad, the leadership of the vast Islamic Empire had fallen into the hands of the corrupt. The good values that Muhammad had spent his life instilling into society was slowly eradicated as the new ruler, Yazid, from the Ummayad dynasty was determined to gain complete control.

Hussain made a selfless stand for social justice

Hussain witnessed the fundamental human rights of his fellow citizens being usurped and the morality from his society being drained under Yazid’s rule. He knew something had to be done.

Yazid ruled with an iron fist and demanded Hussain pay him an oath of allegiance, to lend credibility to his rule or be killed. It was here Hussain faced his dilemma… Should he give his oath of allegiance to a tyrant – and stand aside as the people around him were being oppressed? Or should he make a stand and risk great personal loss?

The timeless words of his grandfather Muhammad echoed in his heart, and Hussain knew what he had to do: “The greatest stand is to speak the word of truth in the face of a tyrant.”
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