Ashura Movement, Continuation of Imam Ali’s (AS) Confrontation with Injustice

Imam Ali (AS) followed a clear path of confronting injustice and was martyred because of it, a French Muslim scholar said.

Speaking to IQNA, Abdullah Jacques Chartier, head of the French Society of Shia Muslim Converts, added that Imam Hussein (AS) followed the same path and as a result of the Imam’s (AS) endeavors, the teachings of the Quran continued throughout history.

“Imam Hussein (AS) was raised in a school which did not stand oppression and injustice,” he said, noting that Shi’ism had been in confrontation with the enemies of the true Islam since the time of Imam Ali (AS) but the self-sacrifices of Shia Imams (AS) protected Islam against those who sought to distort the teachings of the religion.  

The French Shia activist said the martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS) and then the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his faithful companions, helped the followers of Wilayat to better comprehend the path drawn by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on Qadir Khumm and pay more attention to the difficulties faced by the true Islam.  

He underscored that the Ashura movement is the proof for the rightfulness of Shia Islam. “After the martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), there were still ignorant individuals who tried to replace the truth with falsehood despite clear evidence. The event of Karbala, however, exposed the deception of the supporters of Yazid and Muawiya and Muslims … were informed about the distorted image of the Umawi Islam.”  

Chartier said that after the event of Ashura, there were some who refused to abandon their anti-Shia stances because of personal interests, but there were many who chose the right path and resorted to Shia ideology and school of thought.

He said the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions in Karbala is a source of great grief for every human being but that event played an important role in continuation of pure Islam.

Chartier further pointed to the issue of mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and said mourners should pay attention to the character of Imam Hussein (AS) and the ideals of Ashura.

He went on to say that if the idea of Ashura is comprehended by everyone in the world, there will be no more oppression and oppressor.

1317159