Ayatollah Khamenei’s Viewpoint about Karbala

The importance of Arbaeen originates from the fact that the Husseini Rising has been immortalized on that day and forever, and has become a foundation – thanks to a divine measure for the Family of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon them. If it were not for the dedication of the families of the martyrs in preserving the memoirs and the effects of martyrdom in the various events – for instance, the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, peace be upon him – the upcoming generations would not be able to benefit from the bestowals of martyrdom.

Although Almighty God has rendered martyrs alive even in this world, and that they are immortal throughout history and the human memory, the natural tools designed by Him for the sake of this – as all issues – lurk within our choice and will. We are the ones who are able, with our determination and correct decision, to revive the remembrance of martyrs and the philosophy of martyrdom, and to keep it alive.

Sayeda Zainab – peace be upon her – and Imam Sajjad – peace be upon him – strived in their Jihad, and clarified the true philosophy of martyrdom, the goal of Hussein ibn Ali – peace be upon him, and the tyranny of the enemy, throughout the days of captivity, in the afternoon of Ashura in Karbala, in the following days on the way to Syria and Kufa, in Syria itself, on the way back to Karbala and Madinah, and then throughout the rest of their great lives… If they did not strive, the incident of Ashura would not remain with such liveliness and vibrant to this day.

According to some narrations, Imam Sadeq – peace be upon him – said: “Who recites poetry about Hussein, that rendered him tearful and caused to shed tears, will surely enter paradise”. Imam said so because all the media devices were designed to make the issue of Ashura and Ahlul Bayt – peace be upon them – one that is generally isolated from the reality, hidden under curtains of darkness, so that the people would not understand what has happened and what is the issue. This is the media. Today is much similar to the past, where the oppressive and dark forces are widely exploiting the false, malicious and diabolic media. Was it possible for the incident of Ashura – with such greatness – to be immortalized with such liveliness and vibrancy, despite the fact that it had occurred in the middle of the dessert, in a corner of the Muslim world? Surely, it would have been rooted out if it wasn’t for those strives.

The efforts of the family of Hussein ibn Ali – peace be upon him – are what revived this reminiscence. Jihad of Sayyeda Zainab and Imam Sajjad – peace be upon them – was similar in its magnitude to the Jihad of Imam Hussein ibn Ali – peace be upon him – and his companions. Of course, their [Jihad] was through the media and the culture, not military. This is what we should be attentive to.

The lesson that we learn from Arbaeen is the necessity of preserving the reminiscence of truth and the memory of the live martyrdom against the flood of the media of the enemy…

This is how the media of Yazid and his migty oppressive system, which was trying to condemn Hussein ibn Ali – peace be upon him, and present him as one who loves Dunya and has rose against the system of justice and the Islamic government!

Some have actually believed these accusations. Even after the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali – peace be upon him – in that astonishing situation and tragic way by the villains in the dessert of Karbala, those tried to express that they have won! However, the true media of the Imamate system refuted all these allegations. This is rightfulness.

(Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech in a meeting with people from various ethnic backgrounds –20/09/1989)