By Allama Syed Ali Ahmed Bilgrami.
Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) transcended narrow views of race and color. The war imposed upon him in the field of Karbala was not against any particular religion or nation but was indeed a conflict based on oppression and the humiliation of humanity by a specific mindset. The war he chose to fight was a battle for freedom against tyranny, a struggle for justice against oppression, a fight for humanity against savagery, and a battle for purity against corruption. This is why the movement of Karbala has left an indelible impact on people of all races and colors.
The famous author, Thomas Carlyle, writes that heroic deeds are not confined to one country or nation but become the legacy of the entire human community, preserving a lineage of courage and steadfastness for future generations. The more one reflects on the martyrdom of Hussain (peace be upon him), the more its profound meanings illuminate.
Wherever there has been a movement against tyranny in the world, it has drawn strength and perseverance from Karbala. This is why the event of Karbala has influenced people of all religions and races. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I learned from Hussain how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”
Renowned historian and research scholar of Sindh, Zawar Abdul Sattar Das, has always chosen unique topics related to Sindh. This time, he picked a topic that is scarcely found in articles, let alone books. The topic is “Sindh ki Azadari aur Ghair Muslim Aqwam ka Kirdar” (The Role of Non-Muslim Nations in Sindh’s Mourning,” a challenging and painstaking endeavor. However, as always, he has crossed this desert of research with great diligence. His writings are concise, interesting, reasoned, and coherent. He has not only fully encompassed the topic but has also opened doors of encouragement for new writers. After reading his book, I concluded that if non-Muslims had half the devotion to the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as they did, the event of Karbala would never have occurred. Nevertheless, his book will certainly hold an important place in religious and historical literature.
I pray that Allah grants Zawar Abdul Sattar Das health and strength, blesses and expands his limited resources, so that the flow of his pen remains steady for a long time, and we continue to have the opportunity to read new writings on diverse topics.
book review by Syed Aaly Ahmed Bilgrami.
