Ashura Unfolded in Half a Day, but Shook History: Ayatollah Khamenei

For many years and centuries in succession never have the people following the Prophet’s (SWA) household and believing in the Prophet’s (SWA) household forgotten Imam Hussein’s memory, Imam Hussein’s name, Imam Hussein’s burial place and Imam Hussein’s mourning, said ayatollah khamenei in his speech on June 2008.

Ashura event lasted only half a day. However, it shocked and revolutionized history[…] I would like to make some statements regarding Muharram and Ashura. Muharram is one of the historical stages that I talked about. The Shia have made every effort to keep Ashura alive. As you see, for many years and centuries in succession never have the people following the Prophet’s (SWA) household and believing in the Prophet’s (SWA) household forgotten Imam Hussein’s memory, Imam Hussein’s name, Imam Hussein’s burial place and Imam Hussein’s mourning. Many efforts have been made to encourage people to forget the events of Ashura, but people never did so. You have heard the story of Motavakel and his blocking the way [to Karbala]. They have committed foolish acts and raised foolish objections. Throughout history, they have raised numerous seemingly scientific, emotional and experiential objections. Nevertheless, Shiites have kept them alive and must do so.

“Why are you disseminating sadness, crying and tears among people?” They complain. This is not sadness and tears for the sake of sadness and tears. This is for the sake of the values. The things that lie behind the lamentation, beating the chest and the head, and shedding tears are the dearest things that one might find in the treasure trove of humanity, and they are the divine spiritual values. The Shia are trying to uphold the fact that Hussein ibn Ali (AS) is the epitome of all these values. The Shia are trying to keep their memories alive.

And if the Muslim Ummah keeps Imam Hussein’s (AS) name and memory alive and follows him, it will overcome all the obstacles and the hardships. And that is why all of us in the Islamic Revolution, in the Islamic Republic, from the highest to the lowest echelons including the people, the authorities, the senior officials and our honorable Imam have relied on the issue of Imam Hussein and the issue of Ashura and people’s mourning. The morning has a symbolic as well as a realistic aspect. It binds hearts together and it broadens knowledge.

Source:khamenei.ir