Heis well known for his deep interest in interfaith dialogue. A native New Yorker. Dr. Mallon also travels widely. He studied for several years in Germany, earned his Ph. D. in Near Eastern Languages from the Catholic University in Washington DC, and has also taught in Switzerland. He has also written many books and articles, including Neighbors Muslims in North America published by Friendship Press in 1989.
At the outset, I would like to tell you how happy and how honored I am to be here at The Al-Khoei Charitable Foundation. When Dr. (Syed M.) Rizvi called me asking me to speak on Imam Hussain, I was of course happy to do it. I have always had a great respect for the Shias, and your long and rich mystical and philosophical traditions. When Dr. Rizvi told me that I was to speak to you at the Islamic Center and told me where it was, I was doubly delighted. For one thing, I went to high school at Archbishop Molloy High School, which is very near here, just up on Mansing Street. But even more to the point, I have often driven by the Center and wanted to visit.
I must say that while there are many importance differences between Christianity and Islam, differences, which I believe, must be understood and treasured. The story of Imam Hussain ibne Ali ibne Abi Talib has special residence for us Christians. Both Christians and Muslims believe that God is powerful indeed omnipotent. The named Al Qadir and al Muktadir gives witness that in the Muslim tradition. Both Christians and Muslims take great consultation in the belief that our God is not only powerful but also good and just. The beautiful names, Al Aadil, the Just One, Al Lateef, the Gentle One, Al Karim, the Generous One, and even Al Wali, the friend, provided tremendous stores of riches for both Christians and Muslims to meditate upon. In fact, the justice, the power and the goodness of God are qualities upon which believers meditate and from which we draw strength in difficult times.
One of the great mysteries which we as believer encounter is the suffering of the good and righteous persons. Among the Jews, the figure of Jo, a Jew. Among the Christians, the person of Jesus, and among the people of the Shia faith, Imam Hussain, are pivotal figures in the eternal question not just of human suffering but the suffering of the good person. When the suffering of the good person as in the case of Jesus or Imam Hussain suffer at the hands of evil people, the questions become even sharper.
In the suffering and death of Imam Hussain, Shia Muslims find a challenge and comfort. It is never easy to understand how the good person can suffer and especially die at hands of evil. The temptations are strong to ask God why?
It is easy to submit to God when things are going well. It is not so easy when every single part of our body cries out that this is not right. It is precisely here that Imam Hussain provides to you both an example of patience and suffering and indeed death. But also provides consolation. The same eulogy which I recited earlier goes on to read:
Imam Hussain prays to God in the poem. He accepts his suffering and death as a supreme act of submission. The supreme act of Islam to God. But also promises that regardless what happens, he will not abandon his people. The goodness of Hussain is recognized also in the eulogy. The poet as only a poet is allowed to do, answer the prayer of the dying Hussain. And God responds in the poem and says:
In a very real sense, the defeat of Imam Hussain is his crowning achievement. Al Hussain ibne Ali ibne Abi Talib, grandson of the Prophet, been a sense of tremendous strength for millions of the Shia over centuries and throughout the world. The dynasty of Yazid and the household of Umayyad, was to survive Imam Hussain by only 70 years. In the Gregorian calendar, Imam Hussain died in the year 680 AD, and the Umayyad Dynasty was overthrown in the year 750. And replaced by another dynasty whose defeat was ultimately to be.
October 10 marks a signal date in Islamic history. On that day, Hussein ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was defeated and killed at Karbala, in modern Iraq. His death cemented deep and lasting division among Muslims that persist to this day.
Today we take time to remember a wounderful man named Hussain. A man who fought and sacrificed his life for justice. Hussain will never be forgotten and will stay in my heart and in the heart of many.
Note:
writer wrote that Imam Hussain was defeated and killed in Karbal, which is totally wrong. Imam Hussain sacrifice himself and companion, followers and family members for Islam.
Yazeed (L) wants to change the islam as per his own wish and Hussaim ibn Ali take strong stand against his wish and in favor of islam. Imam Hussain win the battle of Karbala.
And he was not going for war he was travelling with his family and kids and no one goes for war with family and kids my dear writer please be careful do some home work before publishing such statements.
I suppose you have no knowledge of what defeated means! Imam Hussain never pledged his support or loyalty to tyrant of his time Yazid. If Yazif and his forces were successful in killing Iman Hussain and his companions but no more anyone knows about them, they perished! But the Legacy of Hussain continues to inspire millions and millions each year. Yazid and his forces were destroyed by History! Hussain istil rules millions of hearts! So please before writing something without having an insight perspective is wrong. Victory to saviour of Humanity!
Editor I request you to remove defeated word. as Imam Hussain was with family & friends with just 72 numbers. He was gone their for a dialogue but Yazid sent 12,000 millitary to fight with Imam Hussain. Now you decide is it a war or trap. So use appropriate word, Killed or murdered Imam Hussain.
I can only hope to see peace among the Muslims. I feel some scholars are exaggerating the story only to create further differences between the sunnis & shias. May Allah guide us all and give us strength to tolerate each other. Ameen
The writer is biased and has failed to note all the facts. He has ignored who martyred Imam Hussain, he has ignored the Ghadir Khum event, he has ignored the fact that Ali was the chosen by God to rule the Islamic community. Badly written with no research and very superficial information
Shia has not killed HUSSAIN ibne Ali some people get wrong information shia are the followers of Imam Hussain,The writer is biased and has failed to note all the facts. He has ignored who martyred Imam Hussain, he has ignored the Ghadir Khum event, he has ignored the fact that Ali was the chosen by God to rule the Islamic community. Badly written with no research and very superficial information
What kind of blog is this? Zero research. Imam Hussein (A.S.) was martyred along with his family. How can a man with his family and small children go to war as wrongly insinuated here? Has anyone even thought about this? Did they even read what they wrote once? They were attacked and brutally martyred. How was this published without proper facts and disregarding Truth?
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