Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), whose full name was Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), the the son of the Commander of the Faithful Ali and the leader of the women of paradise, Fatimah Al-Zahra (peace be upon them).  Nevertheless, lineage alone is not enough to warrant the blessings and honor of Muslims.  It is deeds, above all else, and knowledge, when it is taught and conveyed to the people, that is far superior to class, status, or birthright.

In that regard, there are some who criticize both Shia and Sunni brothers and sisters who pay respects to Imam Husayn and his mission during these first 10 days of the sacred month of Muharram.  So, the question one must ask is: Why Imam Husayn?  What makes him special?  There were many martyrs, after all. Why do we not remember Hamza (may Allah forever be pleased with him), Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah make his flights in paradise pleasant), or any of the other Imams from the Prophet’s family when it comes to their martyrdom?  What is it about the message of Imam Husayn, the legacy of his cause, that draws our attention and even unites some Muslims across sectarian lines?

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