Imam Hussein’s martyrdom continues to inspire Muslims after fourteen centuries

This is about love, love for a man who lived fourteen centuries ago, but continues to inspire Muslims; he is Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam.

Every year on his martyrdom anniversary, Iranians get dressed in black and participate in mass mourning ceremonies to pay tribute to their Imam.

Imam Hussein was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

Based on Islamic references, the Shia Imam and 72 of his companions were killed in 680 A.D. in modern day Iraqi city of Karbala by the forces of Yazid, who is known as the second Umayyid caliph.

The asymmetrical battle was triggered after Imam Hussein refused to pay allegiance to Yazid, for he believed that Yazid did not exercise true Islam as taught by the prophet. Imam Hussein's sacrifices made him a lasting figure in Islam and a symbol of resistance.

That's why Shia Muslims never miss out on the 10-day mourning ceremonies to play their part in keeping Imam Hussein's legacy alive and thank him for saving Islam from distortion and manipulation.

To these people, Imam Hussein was a true freedom-seeker, to whom justice mattered more than his life. And this is just one reason why the blazes of his love never die down in the hearts of Muslims after 14 centuries.

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