Allah the Almighty has created mankind to attain perfection, and for that He has made such provisions that if humans tread the path shown by Him then they can easily achieve success in this world and the hereafter. However, from the time of Hazrat Adam (a.s.) till date, a majority of people have neither made the Divine Laws their way of life nor have they acted upon the Divine doctrines. Instead, they have gone ahead and chosen the path of deviation and doom by regularly martyring the Divine representatives, Prophets and Imams. These heinous crimes notwithstanding, it has been Allah's tradition to provide guidance and stop corruption and transgressions from growing. It is for this reason that, at times, when the transgressions of certain nations reached its peak, Allah involved them in wraths and at times forgave them after accepting their repentance.
This process continued till Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) came as a Mercy for the world and triggered an unparalleled revolution in 23 years. That said, the teachings of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.) has had a bearing only on a few and a majority have fallen prey to the machinations of Shaytan, who readied his entire progeny in their hearts, these wretched people arrived in Karbala to extinguish the flame of guidance. However, the Absolute Power (Allah), had decided to make the deceptions and temptations of Shaytan so obvious and clear for the seekers of truth that no one can ever obscure it till the Day of Judgment.
This means that the Companions of Imam Husain (a.s.) are themselves the Companions and Helpers of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.). Apparently, the ones that fought alongside Imam Husain (a.s.) at Karbala, have put their foot forward to help Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.).
Before Imam Husain (a.s.), the title of Chief of Martyrs belonged to Hazrat Hamza Ibn Abdul Muttalib. But following Aashura 61 AH, the title in general has been used for Imam Husain (a.s.). Imam's companions too, due to their proximity with Imam (a.s.), have gained the honour and status of leadership. It is for this they find their names in the list of leading martyrs.
The upshot of this tradition is that to fight the enemies of Ahle Bayt (a.s.) and sacrifice our lives while helping Imam is a source of earning a grand position and status and the companions of Imam Husain (a.s.) are the greatest of them all.
Those living during the occultation of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) should pray to Allah to grant them such an insight that they understand that even if they were not present during the era of Imam Husain (a.s.), they should have the divine favor to be always ready to tread that path.
Imam Husain (a.s.) was martyred in the year 61 AH — 1373 years have since passed but still, we can help Imam Husain (a.s.) and by this way we will be enumerated among the helpers of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.). One way of helping Imam Husain (a.s.) for those who weren't present in Karbala is to inundate one's heart with the love of Imam (a.s.). Through the deep-rooted love for Imam (a.s.) achieve this divine position.
Atiyyah asked Jaabir, "We have traversed the deserts neither have we wielded our swords even as their heads have been separated from their bodies and their children have been separated from them. Their women have lost their spouses. Then how are we associated with them?
By quoting Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) Jaabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari has stated one of the laws of Allah — Love — is a sincere and voluntary action which takes forth a person to his beloved with regards to those who were not with Imam Husain (a.s.) in Karbala. Irrespective of the era they are living in, they can be with Imam Husain (a.s.) through their intentions and love to an extent where they can gain the reward of fighting alongside Imam (a.s.). This means in this world and hereafter they can count themselves in the list of companions of Imam Husain (a.s.). The essential point here is that we yield this divine law. We need to wholeheartedly believe in this divine tradition and harbor positive thoughts about Allah's promise so that through these pure intentions we include ourselves the list of faithful and helpful companions of Imam (a.s.).
A slogan usually highlights the objective of a person. Imam-e-Zamana's (a.t.f.s.) cry of avenging the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.) underpins how important this is in the eyes of Allah and Imam (a.s.). One of the qualities of the companions of Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.), while obeying their Imam (a.t.f.s.), is that they too will stand up to avenge the blood of Imam Husain (a.s.) and carry the desire of sacrificing themselves in this cause.
As if this cry 'Revenge for Husain (a.s.)' is the manifestation of Imam-e-Zamana's (a.t.f.s.) revolution. From this perspective, to become a loyal companion of Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.), it is obligatory upon us to gain more and more knowing of Imam Husain (a.s.) and his loyal companions so that we may know what is the value of the blood of an innocent in the eyes of Allah. Allah has ordained to avenge the blood of Prophets, Imams and good people at the hands of this Imam (a.s.). Thus, it is required from us that we learn the virtues of knowing, love, sincerity, self-sacrifice from the loyal companions of Imam Husain (a.s.) to lay down our lives in the way of Imam (a.s.).
Till the time they were alive, the companions of Imam Husain (a.s.) made sure that none from the Progeny of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) entered the battlefield. Furthermore, they chose to sacrifice their and their children's lives to protect Imam Husain (a.s.) and his children. Along with it they endlessly kept affirming their loyalty and expressed their love in deed. We will cite a few examples for us to understand the extent of the intention, faith and recognition required for those who want to help their Imam (a.s.).
When the eve of Aashura arrived, Imam Husain (a.s.) gathered his companions and after praising Allah, he said: I don't know any other companions better than you and I am not aware of any other Ahle Bayt (a.s.) better and good than mine. May Allah reward you all on my behalf. The darkness of the night has shrouded you all therefore consider this as your way out. Grab hold the hand of any of my Ahle Bayt (a.s.) and go away in the darkness of this night. Leave me with this wicked nation as they only have work with me and no one else.
The brothers, sons and nephews of Imam (a.s.) said: Why should we do such a thing? So that we may remain alive after you? We swear by Allah, we will never do such a thing. The luminous moon of the Bani Hashim — Hazrat Abul Fazl al-Abbas (a.s.) — first, followed by others addressed the Imam (a.s.).
When it came to the companions, Muslim Ibn Awsaja (a.s.) said: We will not desert you when the enemy has surrounded you. We will not turn our faces on you nor will we go away. Nay, By Allah! I pray that Allah never shows me that day. I will not do such a thing except that I will break my lance in their chests. And till the time I have a sword in my hand, I will fight them. If I am left without a sword then I will fight them with stones and I will not separate with you till the time I sacrifice my life at your feet.
After Muslim, Saeed Ibn Abdullah Hanfi stood up and said, "Nay, I swear by Allah! O son of Messenger (s.a.w.a.)! Till the time Allah comes to know that we have guarded and protected the will of the Messenger (s.a.w.a.) with regards to you. And if I come to know that I am martyred at your stirrup and then I am given life again and then even if my body is chopped into pieces and consigned to the wind by the wretched ones, I will not leave you till the time I sacrifice my life at your feet. I will not be killed more than once and I know after this there will be greatness and honour earned. Then why should I do such a thing (of leaving you)?
Other than this, you can find in books related to Karbala filled with sincere words and love of the loyal companions which testifies for their love, recognition and loyalty in the best possible way.
It is possible that someone, despite having the passion, may not get the honour of visiting the blessed mausoleum of Imam Husain (a.s.). But this fervor and attachment is a sign of love and connect and a mark of helping Imam (a.s.) wholeheartedly.
Visiting the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) is the right of Allah, The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Ahle Bayt (a.s.). To be neglectful of this is counted as denying the right of Ahle Bayt (a.s.). A companion of Imam Sadeq (a.s.) says: What is the status of the person in your view who has the resources to visit the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) but he doesn't?
These are a few things through which we can help Imam Husain (a.s.) and Imam Zamana (a.s.). In the end we pray to Allah, to count us among the helpers of Imam Husain (a.s.) and Imam (a.s.) and hasten the reappearance of Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.).