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Çeşitli Yönleriyle Kerbela • 209
The Islamic teachings attempt to invite people to global peace and a
peaceful life on the basis of theism, justice and piety. So, in Islam peace is an
immortal and primary law, and war is exceptional that is a reaction to
aggression. This interpretation of peace and war which is based on Qur'anic
teachings can develop a widespread peace around the world and terminate
conflicts in many places.
"Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful
preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for
your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and who receives
guidance." (Sura 16:125)
5. Ashura as a defense of Islam against the dictatorship and
corruption of Umayyad regime
As I have argued the nature of war according to Islamic teachings is
defensive, and my main contention in this paper is that Ashura was a
defensive revolution against the dictatorship, injustice and corruption of
Umayyad regime. Husain ibn-Ali fought against the dictatorship and
corruption of Umayyad regime, when asked to pay allegiance to the regime.
Husain was the son of Fatima (A) for whom the Holy Prophet (S) said,
"Husain is from me and I am from Husain. May God love whoever loves
Husain." 17 In contrast, as Mas'udi writes Yazid was a pleasure-seeking
person, given to wine drinking and playing with pets. It is no wonder that
Husain's response to Yazid's governor, when asked to pay allegiance to
Yazid was, "We are the household of the prophethood, the source of
messengership, the descending-place of the angels, through us Allah had
began (showering His favours) and with us He has perfected (His favours),
whereas Yazid is a sinful person, a drunkard, the killer of innocent people
and one who openly indulges in sinful acts. A person like me can never
pledge allegiance to a person like him ..." 18
In the year 61 AH a large army which had been mobilised by the
Umayyad regime besieged Husain ibn- Ali, grandson of the Holy Prophet
(S), and his companions numbering less than a hundred and put them under
pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph of the time and submit to his
authority. The small group resisted and a severe battle took place in which
they were all killed. As Husain (A) himself remarked his purpose of the
rebellion when he left Madina for the last time, "I am not rising (against
17 Ibn Majah: Sunan, Hadith 144.
18 Sayyid ibn Ta'us: Maqtalu'l Husain, pp.10-11