An article by Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Mohammad Baqer Pouramini, Head of the Islamic Theology and New Theology Department at IICT.
The companions of Imam Hussein (AS) made the most beautiful and timely decisions in the epic of Karbala, and thus are considered the best role models for followers of the Karbala school. The significance of their great decision can be observed by comparing it with the paths chosen by other elites and their followers.
In the years 60 and early 61 AH, many aligned themselves with the oppressive and tyrannical Umayyad ruler. Among them were some companions and successors who justified Yazid’s crimes and contributed to this major deviation. Some of them, instead of challenging Yazid, confronted Imam Hussein (AS) and legitimized Yazid’s caliphate, accusing Imam Hussein (AS) of causing division among the Muslims. In response to this claim by Amr ibn Sa’id ibn al-As, the Imam said: “Whoever invites people to God and insists on righteous actions is not a divider.”
Another group of elites chose silence, and while not joining Imam Hussein (AS), they expressed their dissatisfaction with his uprising either indirectly or explicitly. Sa’id ibn al-Musayyib, who was known as a distinguished scholar, considered it better not to rise and said, “If Hussein had not risen, it would have been better for him.” This silent faction quickly tasted the humiliation of not supporting God’s representative. Baladhuri, in his *Ansab al-Ashraf*, mentions that Sa’id ibn al-Musayyib was forced to pledge allegiance to Yazid as a degraded slave, and some testified that he was insane to release him. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri also experienced the disgrace of not supporting the Imam during the event of Harra, where Yazid’s soldiers shamefully plucked out his beard.
The importance of the companions of Imam Hussein (AS) in Karbala becomes evident when considering the actions of the aforementioned groups. Imam Hussein’s companions were “rabbanis” who offered their lives for jihad and defense of the religion, becoming a model of insight and strong faith. They stood firmly with the Imam, as one nation, teaching everyone lessons of dignity, resilience, hope, and avoidance of reliance on enemies.
One of the best texts for understanding the companions of the Imam is the ziyarat from Imam Sadiq (AS), which begins with لسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ”Peace be upon you, O you who are rabbanis,” and refers to them as examples of the verse: كَأَيِّنْ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ قاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَما وَهَنُوا لِما أَصابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَ ما ضَعُفُوا وَ مَا اسْتَكانُوا»”How many a prophet fought with him many rabbaniyyun (scholars of the religion). They did not weaken for what befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken nor did they give up.” Reflecting on this revered ziyarat reveals beautiful aspects for followers of the Husseinian school.
