Emotional Interpretations Obscure True Message of Imam Hussein’s Uprising: Scholar
Speaking to IQNA on the barriers to learning from Imam Hussein’s (AS) movement, Islamic scholar Hojat-ol-Islam Hamed Qara’ati, a lecturer and faculty member at Baqir al-Olum University, identified several key obstacles. “One of the main barriers is the lack of informed and scholarly engagement with the life and teachings of Imam Hussein (AS),” he said.
He warned against the role of unreliable individuals and sources in interpreting the Imam’s revolution, calling them a second major obstacle. “The third challenge,” Qara’ati continued, “is the popularity of subjective, factional, instrumental, and irresponsible interpretations of Imam Hussein’s (AS) uprising in both online and offline spaces.”
He noted that excessive emotionalism—where feelings and passion outweigh reason—is another serious hurdle. “Emotion is a natural human reaction in both joy and sorrow,” he explained, “but it must not overshadow rationality and thoughtful reflection. It is reason that sets human beings apart from other creatures.”
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Qara’ati argued that while emotions are important and inevitable, spiritual understanding should move from emotion toward intellect, not the other way around. “Excessive emotionalism has long been one of humanity’s greatest pitfalls, both individually and socially,” he said.
Referring to the events of Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram when Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, he said, “This event is filled with powerful and moving scenes, but our view of it must not remain confined to its emotional aspects.”
He pointed out that knowledge gained through emotion alone is fleeting. “Interestingly,” he added, “reliable historical sources show that Imam Hussein’s (AS) behavior, speeches, and actions were largely grounded in logic and reason. He invited both his followers and his enemies to think and reflect. Even in facing his enemies, he spoke not with anger but with compassion, in the hope that some might still be guided.”
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This rational and principled approach, Qara’ati said, explains why even non-Muslim leaders like Mahatma Gandhi looked to Imam Hussein (AS) as a source of inspiration. “The Imam’s reasoning and clarity stood out, even in the chaos of war,” he said.
Rationality is needed at two levels when following a historical figure, he said, adding, “First, we must focus on the person’s consistent and principled behaviors, even if they also showed heroic traits. Second, we must apply our own reason to analyze their approach to different challenges. Only then can we extract a model of action and logic worth emulating.”
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