I M A M  H U S S E I N  (a s)

After the death of his brother Imam Hasan (as), the task of leadership of the Muslims fell to Imam Hussein (as).  The tyrant Mu'awiya (la) had left the caliphate to his son Yazeed (la), breaking the terms of the treaty he had signed with Imam Hasan (as).  Oppression of the believers had reached an all-time high, with those who loved the family of the Prophet (saw) being abused, tortured, robbed and killed as a matter of routine. 

Supporters of the Imam (as) had been scared into silence, and the Muslim nation had deteriorated so much that the practices of the pre-Islamic Jahiliyya were common.  People drank, gambled, stole and committed fornication openly.  Islam was almost lost to the world, only 50 short years after its advent.  In a final desperate plea the people of Kufa sent sacks full of letters, begging Imam Hussein (as) to come and lead them in a revolt.  Imam Hussein (as) agreed to come, not knowing that the Kufans let their fear overtake them and would abandon him.

Imam Hussein (as) set out from Mecca a few days before Hajj time, knowing his life was in danger and not wishing to be killed in the Sacred Mosque.  He and a small band of 72 followers were intercepted by an army of thousands of the same Muslims who had begged them to come, and their retreat blocked.  They refused to let the small party go forward or back, and deprived all - even the women and infants - of water from the nearby river, for three days in the scorching desert heat.

Exhausted, outnumbered, abandoned, dying of thirst... yet Imam Hussein (as) and his followers refused to give the pledge of allegiance to a corrupt tyrant like Yazeed, and every one of them laid down their lives for the ideal of Islam.  In losing the battle, Imam Hussein (as) won the war: rekindling the spirit of rebellion against oppression within the hearts of believers, resurrecting the religion of Muhammad (saw), and starting a chain reaction which has tyrants shaking in their boots to this day.

ARTICLES (pdf format)

•  The Story of Kerbala - a step-by-step narrative of the story of Kerbala, containing many ahadeeth and verses from the Quran.  There are four parts online so far: the Introduction, Muawiya and Yazeed (la), Muslim bin Aqeel in Kufa, and the Journey to Kerbala.  References from Lamentations Part II (link below) and various Al Balagh Foundation books.

•  Muharram 2006 - Lectures and articles delivered in Muharram 2006, including discussion of the revolution of the Imam (as) and our responsibilities, Imam Hussein (as): a living embodiment of Islam and the Quran, and an article about the examples of the heroes of Kerbala.

BIOGRAPHIES (external links)

•  Tears for Kerbala - an excellent series of 12 majalis for Muharram, describing the events of Kerbala and details of the heroes who fought.  Aimed at children, the content is easy to approach but maintains a good depth, giving a brilliant introduction to the events at Kerbala.
•  Lamentations (Part II): the Tragedy of the Lord of the Martyrs - An excellent book about the Tragedy of Kerbala, with the events narrated almost entirely through ahadeeth, quoted from the people who were witness.  A must-read for anyone who wants to know who Imam Hussein (as) was, what he stood for and what happened in the desert in 61 A.H.
•  Al Nafsul Mahmoom - a book containing the biography of Imam Hussein (as) since birth, his virtues, traditions about him, the history preceding the events at kerbala and the tragedy itself.  A beautiful look at the man behind the revolution, as well as the historical events.
•  The Revolution of Imam Hussein (as) - and its impact on the consciousness of Muslim society.  By Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams al-Din.  An introduction to the revolution, and discussion of the philosophy and validity of mourning and ziarat.
•  The Victory of Truth - a biography of Lady Zainab, the Great (sa), daughter of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima (as).  With the battle at Kerbala over, the war of winning over people's hearts had only just begun.  Lady Zainab (sa) had a key role in spreading the account of the tragedy of Kerbala, protecting and supporting imam Zain al Abideen (as) and camp of Imam Hussein (as), and introducing a whole new generation of Muslims to the way of the Prophet (saw), the Ahlul Bayt (as).  See also The Life of Lady Zainab (as).
•  Biography of Al Abbas (as) - Imam Hussein's younger brother, fierce supporter, companion and friend.  Known as Qamr Banu Hashim, this son of Imam Ali (as) embodied selflessness and loyalty, dying in the attempt to bring water to the thirsty children, never once tasting of it himself.  He was al Abbas (firmness), and he lived up to his name... never letting go of the banner of Imam Hussein (as).
•  A Probe into the History of Ashura - contains information about the regimes of Muawiya and Yazid (la), the causes of the uprising, the sacrifices of the heroes of Kerbala, and discussions of the power of History, and the nature of Divine Law.
•  An Encyclopaedia of Ashura - detailed accounts of people, places and events, in an alphabetical index.  Great to learn about some of the characters of the battle by name.
•  Events and Circumstances surrounding the Martyrdom of Al-Hussein bin Ali (as) - a brief article first published in Al-Serat journal by Professor Howard (PhD), Edinburgh University.
•  Azadari: 40 Hadith - a compilation of ahadeeth about mourning for Imam Hussein (as) and remembering the tragedy of Kerbala.
•  Biography of Imam Hussein (as) - a compilation of links from al-shia.com containing articles about Imam Hussein (as), poetry and traditions.  A useful resource.