Imam Husayn (pbuh) in the Thoughts of non-Muslim Elites

Imam Husayn (pbuh) in the thoughts of non-Muslim elites

1. Gandhi:
I owe my movement to Hossein Ibn Ali (pbuh), and I have not brought anything new to the people of India.

2. Charles Dickens (English writer):
If Imam Husayn (pbuh) meant to fight in the way of his worldly demands, then I do not understand why his sisters and women and his children were with him. Therefore, the reason is such that he sacrificed himself only for the sake of Islam.

3. Gabriel Angry:
The event of Karbala, instead of intimidating the supporters of Husayn (pbuh) and Ali (pbuh), provoked the courage of Shiites and aroused them to take revenge.

4. Thomas Mann, German Thinker:
If we make a comparison between the sacrifices of Jesus and Husayn (pbuh), definitely Husayn’s sacrifice will be more precious and worthwhile. Because Christ, on the day was ready to be sacrificed, did not have a woman and child with him, and they did not think about what fate they would have after him but Imam Husayn (pbuh) had a wife and children, and some of them were young children and needed a father.

5. Kurt Frischler, Great German Historian:
Imam Husayn (pbuh) stepped higher than the limits of his sacrifice and sacrificed his children too… Husayn’s resolute decision for absolute sacrifice was not due to obstinacy, nor the effect of lush and desire and he followed wisdom and he was determined to sacrifice himself fully so that he would not be forced to reconcile with Yazid bin Mu’awiyah and live contrary to his supreme ideology and ambition. We know that Hossein (pbuh) had prepared himself for being killed. And he decided to sacrifice himself, so why did he not stop to be killed and why did he constantly rode a horse and fought with sword … Husayn (pbuh) believed that stopping to be killed is away from manliness and jihad in the way of belief and cause. In the view of Husayn (pbuh), stopping there and surrendering to destiny so that others approach him to kill him is suicide. A brave and faithful man does not commit suicide.

6. Thomas Carlyle, Great English Scientist:
The best lesson we can learn from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hossein and his followers had firm faith in God. They made it clear by their deeds that numerical supremacy does not matter where the right and wrong face each other. The victory of Husayn (pbuh) surprises me despite their minority.

7. Thomas Masaryk (European Pastor):
Even though our priests remind people of the sacrifices of Christ, the passion that we find in followers of Husayn (pbuh) will not be found in the followers of Christ. It seems that the suffering of Christ against the suffering of Husayn is like a thread of straw against a massive sphere.

8. Antoine Barra (Syrian Christian Scholar):
If I say that Husayn (pbuh) is the light of Islam, I have said very little. If I say that he is the armor of Islam, I have said very little. The best sentence I can say is that he is the conscience of all religions throughout all history.

9. Washington Irving (American Historian):
It was possible for Imam Husayn to save his life by submitting to the will of Yazid, but the responsibility of being a Muslim leader did not allow him to recognize Yazid as a caliph. He soon prepared for accepting any inconvenience and pressure in order to release Islam from the clutches of Umayyad, under the burning sun of a dry land and on trampled ribs … the soul of Hossein is immortal; O my gladiator and the example of bravery and my martyr, Hossein!

you can also read: What are the two aspects of Imam Hussain’s (as) character?

10. Professor Edward Brown (British Orientalist):
Is there a heart that does not experience grief when we talk about Karbala? Even non-Muslims can not deny the spiritual purity that this Islamic war was done under its control … Anyone who has a slight sense in his character, can not be unaffected by this sad sadness.

11. Morris Dukeberry (French Thinker):
Husayn sacrificed his life and property and his children for the honor and esteem of people and the magnanimity of the rank of Islam and did not go under the burden of Yazid’s colonialism and adventure, so let’s also put his way into the hands of the subordinate modern Yazidis, and prefer a kind of salvation and death with dignity, because a dignified death is better than a life with abjection.

12. Professor Marbin (German Philosopher and Orientalist):
I believe that the secret of the survival and progress of Islam and the evolution of Muslims is due to the martyrdom of Hossein and those tragic events, and I am sure that the wise policy of Muslims and the implementation of its life programs has been due to mournful ceremonies for Husayn. As long as this method and trait exist among Muslims, they will never despise and do not fall under anyone’s bondage.

13. Sir Percy Sykes (English Orientalist):
Indeed, the courage and bravery that these few individuals have shown from themselves has been to a degree that, in all centuries, anyone who heard it opened up involuntarily their tongue for admiring them. These few and brave men will have an enduring and indelible name forever.

14. Kurt Frischler (Famous German historian and Author of the book “Imam Hossein and Iran”):
Husayn’s firm decision for absolute sacrifice was not due to obstinacy, nor was it because of lust and desire; he was determined by following reason that he would fully sacrifice himself in order not to be compelled to compromise with Yazid Ibn Mu’awiyah, contrary to his noble belief and ambition.

15. Bursu Tomdas Tundoul:
The martyrdom of Husayn (pbuh) has given me a profound and painful impression since I was a child. I know the importance of this great historical memory. These sacrifices of the world, such as the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (pbuh), have promoted the level of mankind, and its memory is worthy to remain and be reminded forever.

16. James Frederick:
The lesson of Imam Husayn (pbuh) and every other martyr hero is that there are eternal principles of justice, compassion and affection that are unchangeable in the world. It also suggests that whenever someone confronts these eternal traits and humans insist on it, the principles will always remain stable and alive in the world.

17. Reno Joseph (French Orientalist and author of the book “Islam and Muslims”):
Shiites did not advance their religion with the sword, but with the force of propaganda and invitation, and their efforts to hold a mourning ceremony have caused almost two-thirds of the Muslims, from magus and other religions to also join them in the mourning of Husayn (pbuh).

18. Morris de Cobra (French Thinker):
Hossein’s followers of Hossein’s know because of his mourning that they should not accept the subversive of colonialism and exploitation, because their slogan was that they should not be subjected to cruelty and oppression.

19. Thomas Carlyle (Great English Professor):
The best lesson we can learn from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hossein and his followers had firm faith in God. They made it clear that numerical supremacy does not matter where the right and wrong confront each other. Husayn›s victory, despite their minority, makes me amazed.

20. Mahatma Gandhi (Leader of the Great Revolution of India):
I have carefully read the life of Imam Husayn (pbuh), the great martyr of Islam, and paid enough attention to the pages of Karbala, it has become clear to me that if India wants to become a victorious country, they must follow the instructions of Imam Husayn (pbuh).

21. Monsieur Koban:
The tragedy of Karbala and the hardships that have been inflicted on Husayn Ibn Ali (pbuh) after centuries, and very distant parts of world have the sense of compassion and provokes the coldest and most indifferent readers.

22. German Monsieur Harbin:
If the words of Husayn are properly observed, it will be clear that the purpose of Husayn was to prevent oppression, and a great power of heart and selflessness has been spent for its great purpose. Even in the last moments of his life, his child became a victim of truth, and in this way astonished the thoughts of the philosophers and the great men of the world.

23. Drovile:
He writes in his travelogue: The tragic story of Imam Husayn (pbuh) and his followers involves the minds of half the Muslim world. The passing of many centuries, each of which has its disasters and sadness, has not dealt this sad event and did not relieve the feeling that reminds the event … Even the enemies of Husayn, pitied by seeing his tolerance and selflessness of his fellows. The recorded events of the tenth anniversary of Muharram are so devastating and full of human affections that affects people and passes it through from one generation to another.

source: www.byislam.com