Always trust the wisdom of Allah.
In this case, we look at trusting the wisdom of Allah in all aspects of our lives and how that was applicable in Ashura.
There's a famous quote which says, "it is much better to lose a battle and win the war than to win a battle and lose the war. Resolve to keep your eyes on the big ball.”
In other texts, "Lose Battles, But Win The War: Grand Strategy"
Regardless of how it's said, the same message is implied. That is, look at the bigger picture. Try to attain the long term victory and not the short term victory.
After the brutal massacre of Imam Husayn, along with his family and companions, the followers of Yazid, including Yazid himself claimed victory. They celebrated their winning of the war and assumed they had ultimately won the battle. In fact, it is reported that prior to Lady Zeinabs heroism and inspiring speech in the courts of Yazid, he himself recited poetry of wishing his forefathers were alive to witness his victory.
Nonetheless, as we know, when Yazid asked Lady Zeinab, "How did you see God's actions towards you?"
Of course him assuming to be in the right, and all that befell her was nothing short of some punishment of the like, she famously replied with, "I saw nothing but beauty".
What did she mean when she said this? The reality is, we know only some information regarding the tragedy in Karbala, and there was nothing beautiful about it. So, what did she mean?
Lady Zeinabs response was to separate the gruesome and barbaric actions of the Ummayads and acknowledge that:
1, ultimately, everything is in the hands of God
2, there is wisdom behind everything Allah does
3, the ultimate outcome is always in favour of the believers, especially the Holy infallibles.
It is as though Lady Zeinab, in a way, very eloquently and famously said, "You may have won this battle, but you have definitely lost the war. And I see the outcome of Allah, the wisdom of Allah, and in that, I see nothing but beauty". She used a concent we know as, 'Baseerah', foresight. Essentially, the ability to look beyond what you see directly presented infront of you, and seeing the bigger picture, the ultimate outcome.
If we fast-forward to today, how many people do we see chanting the name of Husayn and Zeinab? How many people do we see reviving, remembering and mourning over their story?
On the other hand, how many people do we see chanting the name of Yazid, visiting his shrine and celebrating his (short term) victory?
It is very clear who won the war.
How do we apply this to ourselves?
We, throughout the duration of our lives, will always be tested, and we will face many calamities and struggles,
إنَّ الله إذَا أحَبَّ عَبْدًا ابْتَلَاه
"When Allah loves a servant, He gives him calamities".
While this may seem counter productive, what we as believers need to do is trust in the wisdom of Allah and try to understand the bigger picture. What we mostly lack is understanding the wisdom behind things and we often as a result attribute negativity to this.
Thats why in Dua iftitah we say:
فَإِنْ ابْطَاعَنِّي عَتَبْتُ بِجَهْلِي عَلَيْكَ
وَلَعَلَّ ٱلَّذِي ابْطَاعَنِّي هُوَ خَيْرٌ لِي
لِعِلْمِكَ بِعَاقِبَةِ ٱلامُورِ
But when Your response delayed, I, out of my ignorance, would blame You, although perhaps slowing down may be a blessing in disguise, because You alone know the consequences of all matters.
One example that may simplify it for us, is that of parents. Imagine a parent who is brushing the teeth of their young children. Whilst the child may have absolutely no idea why such a task is being inflicted upon them, and whilst they may question their parents love, its actually because they lack the wisdom of understanding what the parent knows. A parent knows brushing the teeth, regardless of how 'tortures' it may seem, is in the favor of the child. Which is something this child will understand later in the future. Or, take for example medicine, vaccines etc.
Being tested to prove faith.
Surah Al-Ankaboot, Verse 2-3:
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ
Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and not be tried?
And certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know those who are true and He will certainly know the liars.
It is not sufficient for us to simply claim we are Muslims without actually being tested and proven as such. The very definition of 'Islam' is 'Submission', and thus it follows that one who is a true Muslim is one who has submitted (to the will of Allah).
Surah Al-Hujraat, Verse 14:
قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَٰكِن قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَإِن تُطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لَا يَلِتْكُم مِّنْ أَعْمَالِكُمْ شَيْئًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
The dwellers of the desert say: We believe. Say: You do not believe but say, We submit; and faith has not yet entered into your hearts; and if you obey Allah and His Apostle, He will not diminish aught of your deeds; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
In this aya we note there is a difference between one who is simply a Muslim, as opposed to one who is a believer. Therefore, our being tested to prove our faith and solidify our belief is most certainly one aspect.
When we look to the narrations of our Holy Infallible Ahlul-Bayt, we notice that faith has levels. Like one who hopes to attend a gym to improve his physical body by getting leader, bigger, stronger or to lose weight, all is of the understanding and acceptance that a form of struggle must take place in order for one to progress from one level to another. So, what are the levels according to Ahlul-Bayt?
Yunus ibn-i-Abdul Rahman said that when he asked Imam Reza (a.s) about faith and submission to God, Imam Reza (a.s) replied: "Religion is only submission (Islam). Faith is a level higher than submission. Piety is a level higher than faith, and certitude is a level higher than piety. Nothing is divided amongst the children of Adam (a.s) better than certitude."
Then he said that he asked the Imam (a.s): "What are the signs of certitude?" The Imam (a.s) replied: "Reliance on God, submitting to Him, being content with divine destiny, and entrusting one's affairs to God." Then he asked the Imam (a.s): "What does all this mean?" Then Imam Reza (a.s) replied: "This is what Imam Baqir (a.s) said." (Mishkat ul-Anwar 'On Certitude', hadith #20).
When we reflect on this narration, we see that Imam Ridha(as) has shown us the levels and ranked them by their own respective status. So, when we apply this narration and the aya mentioned above (49:14), then we conclude being Muslim is one thing, however, being a believer is another.
Why is all this important?
When we understand there are levels, we understand there is potential for growth. We accept that simply being a Muslim is essentially, in theory, the bare minimum. This should make someone strive to attain higher levels, "Nothing is divided amongst the children of Adam (a.s) better than certitude". Thus ultimately, attaining certitude.
Once we accept this, and reflect over it, we can then see why Lady Zeinab replied famously, "I see nothing but beauty". There is absolutely no doubt she has attained for the highest levels in certainty and faith, that whatever situation she is dealt with, she knows Allah in His infinite wisdom only seeks to bless her and grant her to ultimate success when you look at the bigger picture.
It is perhaps also for this reason that its narrated, as Imam Husayn(as) was going through the calamities of Ashura, he would say, "My relief is knowing that You are watching all things". Why? Because he too can see the grander scheme of things, he too has attained such a high status that he knows wholeheartedly whatever is to befall him, there is wisdom behind it and a greater benefit in the long run.
The follow three narrations are extracted from Mishkat ul-Anwar with their respective hadith number:
1761- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "God will not destine anything for a believer unless it is good for him. It would be good for him even if he is torn into pieces, or becomes the owner of everything from the East to the West."
13- In Al-Mahasin it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) described God's statement "true in faith" [The Holy Quran: Al-i-Imran 3:67] as being really sincere, and refers to one who considers only God in his affairs."
37- Imam Kazim (a.s) said the following regarding God's statement: “And if anyone puts his trust in God, sufficient is (God) for him.” [The Holy Quran: Talaq 65:3]”. Reliance on God has several stages. One of them is relying on Him in all that you do; and being pleased with whatever He does to you; knowing that He only wishes you prosperity and success; and knowing that He has full authority over all these affairs; and also having complete trust in Him in these and all other affairs.”
Having read all this, and reflected upon the reason why we go through what we go through, understanding the difference between simply being Muslim Verse attaining higher levels, understanding how important our perspective and reliance on Allah should be, in that we only see the wisdom of Allah and accept there is always benefit for a believer, then we can have a somewhat better understanding of the massacre of Ashura. Then, we can begin to understand how and why the Holy Imam along with his family and companions were able to beautifully and effortlessly face the calamities that befell them.
Now, fast forward to today. See how many people are chanting Ya Husayn! Then you will see, Husayn may have 'lost' the battle, but he most certainly, without an ounce of doubt, won the war.
لبيك يا حسين
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