Why did Hussain ibn Ali rise up?

In the second part of the information pack we will delve into the circumstances that led to Hussain rising up...

A divided nation

Hussain's father Ali ibn Abu Talib, had legitimate claims to leadership, both in terms of endorsement by Muhammad as well as by popular support. But he feared that by pursuing his right, he could plunge the fragile nation into a civil war from which it may not recover. Ali adopted a wise position of patience in order to avoid dividing his society.

Eventually, Ali was chosen as the leader by the people; but he spent most of his five years in office embroiled with havoc wreaked by rebellious elements and insurgents. Despite this Ali was able to restore many of the good values which became eroded in the years after Muhammad. Ali was assassinated whilst in prayer in 661 AD.

The rise of the Ummayad dynasty

After Ali’s death, the Arabs lapsed back to their old ways, with aristocrats from various provinces grappling for power. Despite general consensus that Hussain’s elder brother Hassan ibn Ali was best suited to lead, a man called Muawiyya, rose to usurp power, becoming the first in a long line of rulers who came to be known as the Umayyad dynasty.

They maintained their iron grip on the seat of power with a combination of violence, propaganda and bribery; passing the power amongst their family and friends and shoring up support with public funds

Hassan's treaty with Muawiyya

To keep the peace, and prevent further bloodshed, Hassan ibn Ali signed an treaty with Muawiyya which amongst other things, would guarantee Muawiyya would not pass on power to his son Yazid.

However shortly after signing the treaty, Muawiyya had Hassan assassinated by way of poison and wasted no time in breaking the terms of the treaty by appointing his son Yazid to the Ummayad throne.

Hussain's struggle with Yazid

Yazid was a notorious drunkard, womaniser and tyrant; who had little support from the people in stark contrast to the popularity of Hussain ibn Ali. Mindful of this, Yazid decided that he would demand Hussain’s allegiance, hoping to gain some form of legitimacy for his inherited rule.

Hussain had a choice to make. To endorse Yazid would no doubt mean a handsome reward and a life of luxury. To refuse would invariably lead to his own demise. What should he do? What would you or I do?

For Hussain the choice between the easy way and the right way, was no choice at all. Hussain refused, and this is why he chose to rise up against Yazid.

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