Imam Hussein’s Uprising Still Speaks to Global Struggles for Justice, Scholar Says
Speaking on the enduring relevance of the events of Ashura, Hojat-ol-Islam Hamidreza Motahhari emphasized that understanding and applying Imam Hussein’s (AS) message is essential for confronting today’s social and institutional challenges.
“The Imam rose to reform his grandfather’s nation because the prophetic tradition had been forgotten,” Motahhari stated. “His goal was to build a society rooted in justice, piety, and moral integrity.”
The uprising of Imam Hussein (AS), which took place in 680 CE against the Umayyad ruler Yazid, is regarded as a stand against tyranny and moral decay. Historical records indicate that the Umayyad regime had altered core Islamic values, leading Hussein (AS) to initiate a revivalist movement. Rather than a political rebellion, the event is seen as a spiritual and ethical stand, meant to realign the community with the foundational teachings of Islam.
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Motahhari warned against the distortion of Ashura’s message through excessive ritualism or misinterpretation. “When mourning ceremonies become limited to surface-level rituals, they lose their power to inspire reform,” he said. “Ashura must be a platform for serious reflection, analysis, and the practical application of its moral values.”
He also highlighted the universality of Imam Hussein’s (AS) message, stating, “Ashura is not exclusive to Shia Muslims or to Iranian culture. It represents unity, solidarity, and the moral obligation to resist injustice in all its forms.”
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Motahhari called on religious scholars, artists, and cultural institutions to communicate these values using modern tools and language, particularly to reach younger generations.
He stressed that loyalty to Imam Hussein’s (AS) values demands courage, sincerity, and moral clarity in the face of systemic wrongdoing.
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