STRAIGHTPATHMONTHLY December 2011
59
"Ever since the black day of Karbala, the history of
this family . has been a continuous series of sufferings
and persecutions. These are narrated in poetry and
prose, in a richly cultivated literature of martyrologies a Shi'i specialty - and form the theme of Shi'i gatherings
in the first third of the month of Muharram, whose tenth
day ('ashura) is kept as the anniversary of the tragedy at
Karbala. Scenes of that tragedy are also presented on
this day of commemoration in dramatic form (ta'ziya).
'Our feast days are our assemblies of mourning.' So
concludes a poem by a prince of Shi'i disposition
recalling the many mihan of the Prophet's family.
Weeping and lamentation over the evils and persecutions
suffered by the 'Alid family, and mourning for its
martyrs: these are things from which loyal supporters of
the cause cannot cease. 'More touching than the tears of
the Shi'is' has even become an Arabic proverb."
[Introduction to Islamic Theology and Law,
Princeton, 1981, p. 179]
Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), considered as the greatest
British historian of his time writes:
"In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the
death of Husain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest
reader."
[The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London,
1911, volume 5, pp. 391-2]
Peter J. Chelkowski, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies,
New York University, writes:
"Hussein accepted and set out from Mecca with his
family and an entourage of about seventy followers. But
on the plain of Kerbela they were caught in an ambush
set by the . caliph, Yazid. Though defeat was certain,
Hussein refused to pay homage to him. Surrounded by a
great enemy force, Hussein and his company existed
without water for ten days in the burning desert of
Kerbela. Finally