American Professor Explains Link Between Mourning for Imam Hussein and Cultivating Human Virtues
The annual mourning rituals for Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) profoundly cultivate human virtues such as courage, kindness, patience, and moral reflection, according to Vernon Schubel, an American professor of religious studies. In an interview with IQNA, Schubel emphasized that these rituals, known as Azadari, are not merely commemorative but serve as ethical frameworks grounded in love and sacrifice.
Schubel, author of the Ashura and Azadari entry in the Oxford Encyclopedia of Religion, explained that the story of Karbala, central to these rituals, offers paradigmatic examples of human behavior that inspire participants to embody virtues exemplified by Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and his companions. Rooted in a deep love for God and the Prophet Muhammad’s family (peace be upon them all), the mourning rituals foster grief as a sign of love and a call to emulate their exemplary character.
He highlighted how Azadari rituals help maintain religious identity and communal cohesion among Shia Muslim immigrants in North America by connecting them with Islamic history and diverse regional traditions. The use of vernacular languages in these rituals enhances emotional engagement and accessibility, with English increasingly becoming a medium for these practices in diaspora communities.
Schubel also noted Imam Hussein’s (peace be upon him) universal appeal beyond Shia Muslims, respected by Sunni Muslims, Sufi followers, and even people of other faiths. Known as the “martyr of humanity,” Imam Hussein’s stand at Karbala symbolizes resistance against tyranny and injustice, resonating strongly with contemporary social and civil rights movements worldwide.
Concluding, Schubel reflected on the enduring global significance of Ashura, asserting that Imam Hussein’s sacrifice represents the triumph of human and spiritual virtues over worldly power, inspiring humanity to uphold justice and integrity in an unjust world.
