Authentic sayings of Mahatma Gandhi on Imam Hussain (as)
I was going through the quotes of all the great leaders who had praise the goal and aim of Imam Hussain (as), then I stumble upon the quote of Mahatma (Great Soul) Gandhi, this made me eager to dig more about the authenticity of his quote. I was searching for his saying on Imam Hussain from any book or letter source, unfortunately all that was available online was mere a quote not a reference was mentioned, this made me more curious to find out whether all his saying are legit or are they all forged.
Then I happened to find the website www.gandhiheritageportal.org, which have authentic letters of Mahatma Gandhi in a Book form, which is named as 'The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi' and it is in 100 Volumes. It is on their website which says, "A one-time authentic documentation of Gandhiji’s available writings was carried out meticulously, and conscientiously under the CWMG project of the Government of India in 1956."
And after going through this book, I have collected some authentic sayings of Mahatma Gandhi regarding Imam Hussain (as). And I was amazed how well this Hindu leader adopts his life by following the footsteps of Imam Hussain (as).
Saying #1:
Imam Hasan and Hussein refused to acknowledge the authority of Yazid, for it would have been wrong to do so. For this reason, that is, in order to preserve their honour, they became martyrs.
Source: The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol 7, Letter #89, Pg 122-123.
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Saying #2:
Mr. Shahji Saheb, after referring to what Hazrat Imam Hussein had suffered, said that what had happened to Ram Sundar Pundit might also happen to a Muslim priest. Unable to bear this thought, he had forced himself to be prepared to follow the Pundit to gaol.
Source: The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol 7, Pg 418.
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Saying #3:
Imam Hassan and Hussain were merely two boys. They felt that an injustice had been done to them. When called upon to surrender, they refused. They knew at the time that this would mean death for them. If, however, they were to submit to injustice, they woud disgrace their manhood and betray their religion. In these circumstances, they yielded to the embrace of death. The heads of these fine young men rolled on the battlefield. In my view, Islam did not attain its greatness by the power of the sword but entirely through the self-immolation of its fakirs (saints).
Source: The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol 13, Letter #395, Pg 518.
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Saying #4:
Muslim students have before them the example of Imam Hasan and Husain. Islam has not been kept alive by the sword, but by the many great fakirs (saints) with a high sense of honour whom it has produced.
Source: The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol 19, Letter #36, Pg 48-49.
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Saying #5:
The marks of a Kshatriya spirit are not cruelty and hard-heartedness; it consists, rather, in forbearance, readiness to forgive, compassion, nobility, apalayanam (Not running away from battle in fear) and the strength to stand unshaken and fearless even under a shower of bullets. The true Kshatriya does not kill but receives blows on himself.
Imam Hussen and Hassan were Kshatriyas. Their oppressor was a tyrant.
Source: The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol 20, Letter #60, Pg 52.
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Note: Kshatriya (from Sanskrit kśatra, "rule, authority") is one of the four varna (social orders) of the Hindu society. The Sanskrit term kśatriya is used in the context of Vedic society wherein members organised themselves into four classes: kshatriya, brahmin, vaishya and shudra. Traditionally, the kshatriya constituted the ruling and military elite. Their role was to protect society by fighting in wartime and governing in peacetime.
Saying #6:
In this connection, it would be well to ponder over the lives and examples of Harishchandra, Prahlad, Ramachandra, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain, the Christian saints, etc. How beautitful it would be if all of us, young and old, men and women, meditated, till next week, on these thoughts at all hours of the day, whetther working, eating, drinking or playing, and were rewarded with innocent sleep?
Source: The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol 44, Pg 41.
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